International Journal of Health Studies
Year:2022 | Volume:8 | Issue:4|Papers Count:8

Background: The absence of each parent impairs the psychological and social adjustment of single-parent adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group-based dialectical behavior therapy in reducing aggression and increasing social adjustment of single-parent adolescents. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental using a pretest and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included single-parent adolescent boys in the junior high schools of Baghmalek city. The sample consisted of 24 students who were randomly assigned to the experimental and the control groups. The experimental group received dialectical behavioral therapy during eight sessions. The research instruments included Ahwaz aggression questionnaire (AAI) and Bell’, s adjustment inventory (BAI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multivariate analysis of covariance). The significant level was set at 0. 05. Results: Findings showed that group-based dialectical behavior therapy reduced aggression and increased social adjustment of the experimental group compared to the control group (Pvalue<0. 05). In fact, the results showed the effect of dialectical behavior therapy in reducing aggression and improving social adjustment in single-parent adolescents. Conclusions: According to the research results, counselors and psychotherapists can use dialectical behavior therapy to intervene in aggression and social adjustment.

Background: Chronic pain in the elderly leads to spending plenty of time and money, using health services, negative emotions, as well as reducing the quality of life and malfunctioning in the family. This study aimed to design a model of social, physical, and mental health and physical image evaluation with quality of life: the mediating role of limitations due to chronic pain of elderly in Tehran. Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical, retrospective study with a structural modeling approach that was performed on 270 elderly people (138 females and 132 males) between 60 and 70 years old living in Tehran. The sampling method was cluster random and convenience. To collect the data used Keyes social health questionnaire, Ware & Sherbourne health assessment questionnaire 36-SF, body image evaluation of Godoosi, Manouchehri chronic pain limitation, and WHO elderly quality of life scales. Data analysis was performed using SPSS22 and Amos software through structural modeling using path analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The restriction variable due to chronic pain showed a negative relationship with physical and mental health (Pvalue<0. 01, β, =-0. 734), evaluation of body image (Pvalue<0. 01, β, =-0. 676), and social health (Pvalue<0. 01, β, =-0. 691) in the quality of life of the elderly. A strong positive correlation (0. 694 to 0. 764) was obtained between the predictor variables (physical-mental health surveying, body image valuation, and social health) at a significance level of less than 0. 01. Conclusions: The quality of life of the elderly was moderate and low,findings showed limitations caused by chronic pain are moderate the relationship of the quality of life in elderly with social, physical, mental health, and physical image evaluation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a serious health problem in most countries in the last few months, with every country adopting different preventive and therapeutic measures based on their specific circumstances. The epidemic began in Iran on February 19, 2020, and gradually spread across the country. The epidemic extent varies, and different preventive and therapeutic measures are taken in Iran. Shahroud and Miami Counties, covered by the Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, have experienced the highest incidence of COVID19 in Iran. However, the epidemic is well controlled by integrating the activities of the health, treatment, and research sectors and using information technology and a proprietary software application. This model can be thus studied as a successful experience.

Background: A serious and urgent concern for the health and wellbeing of the student population is Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a solutionoriented strategic approach on coronary anxiety and mental toughness of female students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test & post-test design with the control group. The statistical population included all female students of the Payame Noor university of Tehran during the corona outbreak in the academic year 2020-2021. 32 people were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n=16) and control (n=16). Questionnaires such as coronary anxiety and mental toughness were used for data collection. The solution-oriented strategic approach was performed for 8 sessions, 90 minutes each for the experimental group, and the control group received none. To analyze data, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was applied as main statistical procedures. Results: The results showed that the Solution-oriented strategic approach was effective in improving mental endurance and coronary anxiety of female students during coronary heart disease and these results continued until the follow-up stage (Pvalue<0. 001). Conclusions: This study showed that the solution-based approach could assist references incorrectly identifying the risks, barriers, and crisis points of their lives and in providing them with appropriate insight into the capabilities and resources of the individual's support system.

Background: The coronavirus [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19)] pandemic has introduced extraordinary life changes and stress, particularly in adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group training on improving autobiographical memories in adolescents with depression during Covid-19. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study and a pre-test, post-test with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all adolescent females with depression in the education of the 13th district of Tehran in 1400. The sampling process applied in this study was purposeful. Regular random sampling from among 240 female students in junior high school, 40 people (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) were selected according to the depression score. The autobiographical memories test and Beck depression inventory were performed as a pre-test on the participants, then the experimental group received 8 sessions of mindfulness group training intervention and at the end of sessions, the research tool as a post-test was administered on both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS-20 software using analysis of covariance. The significant level was set at 0. 05. Results: Based on the results, the implementation of the independent variable on improving episodic memory dimension (Pvalue<0. 001, F=12. 430 (24 and 1) and semantic dimension (Pvalue<0. 001, F=11. 134 (24 and 1) in adolescents with depression was effective. Therefore, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group training has been effective in strengthening episodic memory and semantic dimension in adolescents with depression. Conclusions: The result of the study showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy had a significant effect to improve episodic memory in adolescents with depression during the COVID-19. Therefore, this study suggests that therapists use this approach properly to reduce depression.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dialectical behavioral therapy on emotional regulation and marital conflicts of women with borderline personality disorder in Isfahan city in Isfahan. Methods: This is a semi-experimental method with pre-test, post-test, and followed with the control group. To conduct the study, 30 women with borderline personality disorder referring to Isfahan family therapy clinics in 2017, who were willing to participate in the study were selected based on criteria of entry and exit and were randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 persons) and control (15 persons) and complete the pretest, Gross & John (2003) and marital conflict questionnaire (MCQ). The experimental group underwent dialectical behavioral therapy at 10 sessions (weekly and 2 hours) and one week after intervention, both experimental and control groups were subjected to post-test. After the completion of the training and post-test, a one-month follow-up period was completed. The repeated measures analysis of variance was performed using SPSS Statistics ver22. The significant level was set at 0. 05. Results: The results of repeated measures of variance analysis showed that dialectical behavioral therapy had an effect on emotional regulation and marital conflicts. And leads to improved emotional reactions and reduced marital conflicts in women with borderline personality disorder in Isfahan (p-value<0. 001). Conclusions: The effect of this treatment on emotional regulation and marital conflicts of women with borderline personality disorder was stable. As a result, dialectical behavioral therapy as a therapeutic approach is recommended to improve the psychological status of women with borderline personality disorder symptoms.

Introduction With the outbreak of Coronavirus 2019, governments imposed measures such as closing schools, sports clubs, leisure activities, and severe social isolation, which led to many children and adolescents being locked up in their homes. Peers and teachers should be away and spend most of their time in cyberspace and online games. 1 Outbreaks of COVID-19 have a far greater impact on the daily lives of children and adolescents around the world than SARS, MERS, or swine flu. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that school closures have affected 862 million children and adolescents, making up almost half of the world's population. This has led many researchers to express concern about the possible psychological effects on children and adolescents. 2 Childhood and adolescence are associated with many changes and challenges, including gaining independence from parents, choosing a field of study, discovering different areas of identity, and coping with problems in everyday life. With all these challenges, the outbreak of COVID-19 also caused many problems for children and adolescents. According to studies, children and adolescents reacted differently to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. To the extent that adolescents reported more anxiety and depression than children. Children were also more concerned about their caregivers and the attention they received. 3 During the COVID-19 outbreak, many first-time students attended virtual classes and did not experience such an epidemic. This led to significant fear and stress in them. In April 2020, the United Nations Children's fund (UNICEF) surveyed the mental and physical health of approximately 1, 700 children and adolescents in 104 countries. The results showed a high prevalence of psychological disorders in children and adolescents, which led to a decrease in their immune system, academic performance, and social interaction. It was also predicted that the psychosocial consequences of COVID-19 on vulnerable children and adolescents would be felt in the long run. In general, children and adolescents' reactions to critical situations depend on their previous exposure to emergencies, physical and mental health issues, socio-economic conditions of the family, and their cultural background. 4 The process of vaccinating and immunizing the people of the world against diseases is recognized as one of the greatest achievements of public health. Immunization programs have significantly reduced mortality and the incidence of infectious diseases, including the eradication of the Poliovirus worldwide. 5 During the outbreak of COVID-19, after the clinical trials of some vaccines were confirmed, some people were skeptical about getting vaccinated and participating in the nationwide vaccination process. However, over time and the positive effects of the COVID-19 vaccine on reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 infection, many people became more positive and accepting of the WHO-approved vaccines. 6 All of this research has been done over the past year to encourage people around the world to participate in the vaccination process to show the many benefits that vaccination can bring. The success of the global vaccination process depends in part on people's perceptions of the benefits and risks of the vaccine, as well as how much trust they have in their government and country. Researchers believe that the refusal or delay of vaccination is due to the lack of knowledge and awareness of people about the safety of the vaccination process. 7 Due to the appropriate efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in the elderly and adults, on May 10, 2020, the food and drug administration (FDA) issued an emergency permit for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to adolescents aged 16 to 17 years. On May 11, 2021, it extended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine emergency license to 12-to 15-year-olds. Also on August 23, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine for people under the age of 16. 8 In this regard, Scherer et al. 9 in a study examined the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents. Studies show that 13. 2% of adolescents had to be vaccinated due to returning to school. Also, 17. 1% were due to fear of COVID-19, 15. 5% due to participation in social activities and 14. 5% of people wanted to get vaccinated to increase travel. On the other hand, obtaining more information about vaccine safety (21. 7%) and effectiveness (17. 6%) were among the factors that led to the rejection of the vaccine among adolescents. In another study, Frenck et al. 10 in a study examined the efficacy and safety of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in adolescents. In this study, 2260 adolescents aged 12 to 15 participated, of which 1131 received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 1129 received a placebo. Studies showed that 86% had injection site pain, 66% fatigue, and 65% headache. Among the participants who received the second dose of the vaccine, there were no cases of COVID-19, which indicated that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 100% effective in adolescents. Ali et al. in a study examined the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine on adolescents. 3732 people participated in this study, of which 2489 people received the Moderna vaccine and 1243 people received a placebo. Of those vaccinated, 93% had pain at the injection site, 70% had a headache and 67. 8% had fatigue. Also, two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Moderna vaccine, no cases of COVID-19 were observed in individuals. 7 After several months of the vaccination process in many countries around the world, we are witnessing the reopening of stadiums, schools, universities, businesses, and amusement parks, which can lead to the improvement of the mental and physical health of individuals. People have a high degree of confidence when they receive the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which in turn reduces their risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus 2019. In this regard, Perez-Arce et al. 6 in a study investigated the association of the COVID-19 vaccine with psychological distress. 8003 American adults participated in this study. Studies have shown that depression is significantly reduced in people who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was also found that the risk of mild and severe depression was reduced by 4% and 15%, respectively. 11 Overall, since childhood and adolescence are known to be among the fast and sensitive developmental stages, a lot of vulnerabilities await the development of children's mental health during the outbreak of COVID-19. The most important reasons for this are the experience of stress and anxiety due to home quarantine, distance from peers, strict rules, and concerns about the health and financial status of the family. In addition, given that most mental health impairments occur during adolescence, people of this age range are due to COVID-19- induced stress factors such as school, university closures, decreased social interaction, and fear. They are more vulnerable to mental health than coronary heart disease. To this end, it is necessary to start the process of vaccination of children and adolescents as soon as possible, so that we can witness the reopening of schools, clubs and leisure centers by creating an appropriate level of safety in the world.

Background: Chronic methamphetamine abuse can lead to white matter changes and increased levels of psychotic symptoms. This study aimed to investigate which neural pathway is most associated with the psychological symptoms of chronic Methamphetamine abuse. Methods: We recruited 42 chronic methamphetamine abuse subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria and 21 healthy controls. Psychotic signs were measured using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). We applied tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to investigate group differences in alteration DTI parameters and their association with psychotic symptoms. Results: Chronic methamphetamine abuse group had significantly lower FA and higher AD, RD, and MD in a wide range of white matter mainly IFOF, and subjects in the methamphetamine abuse group had significantly higher PANSS total scores when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Chronic methamphetamine abuse shows subtle patterns of impaired white matter integrity of distinct cerebral nerve pathways, mainly IFOF relative to controls. The results are further suggested that neuronal tract-based pathology plays the main role in psychotic symptoms in methamphetamine abuse disorders.