Journal of Psychological Dynamics in Mood Disorders
Year:2024 | Volume:3 | Issue:2|Papers Count:16

Background and Objective: The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze the effect of home-based aerobic exercises on psychological indicators such as quality of life, motivational interviewing, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and asthma control in patients with asthma. Methods and Materials: The research method was meta-analytic. The statistical population included all published internal and external resources in English from 2012 to 2021. The search results, based on keywords in databases, included 1848 cases, of which 87 were domestic studies and 1761 were foreign studies. After removing duplicate and unrelated studies, 11 studies were selected using a census method. Data collection was performed using a bibliographic and methodological characteristics checklist. Effect size calculation was conducted using Hedges' g index in both fixed and random effects models through CMA3 software. Findings: Cochran's test and I2 squared results indicated heterogeneity in quality of life (p<0.05, Q=9.93, I2=79.86), motivational interviewing (p<0.05, Q=25.68, I2=64.95), and depression (p<0.05, Q=7.19, I2=58.28) and homogeneity in anxiety (p>0.05, Q=5.68, I2=47.22), fatigue (p>0.05, Q=1.97, I2=0), and asthma control (p>0.05, Q=0.15, I2=0). According to the results, the effect size of home-based aerobic exercises on improving quality of life was 0.935 and on motivational interviewing was 0.681, which, based on Cohen's classification, are considered large effect sizes. Additionally, the effect size of home-based aerobic exercises on improving anxiety was 0.316, depression 0.303, fatigue 0.426, and asthma control 0.275, which, according to Cohen's classification, are evaluated as moderate. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the use of home-based aerobic exercises can be effective in improving psychological indicators, especially quality of life and motivational interviewing.

Background and Objective: Traditional assessment methods have been criticized for neglecting the cognitive processes required by test-takers to provide correct responses. To address these issues, cognitive diagnostic models have been introduced by researchers. This study aimed to explore and apply cognitive diagnostic models to estimate the psychometric properties of published eighth-grade math questions from TIMSS 2019. Methods and Materials: The research method employed in this study is mixed-methods, conducted with a retrofitting approach to existing tests. The statistical population of this study consisted of all Iranian eighth-grade students who participated in the TIMSS 2019 study. The population size included 1,095,026 students from 23,895 schools. The sample consisted of 5,980 Iranian eighth-grade students from 220 schools, selected through a two-stage cluster sampling method, with an average age reported as 14.1 years. Findings: Using a qualitative method, 16 skills across four content domains—knowledge, application, and reasoning—were identified and the Q-matrix was developed. Then, in the quantitative section, the fit of the DINA model as a compensatory model, the DINO model as a non-compensatory model, and the G-DINA model as a general model were examined with data from students' responses to math questions in blocks 1, 2, 3, and 5. The findings showed that in terms of model fit, the G-DINA model had the weakest fit, while the DINA model had the best fit. Absolute fit indices of the models also indicated that the DINA model was better, and the DINO model did not fit. Relative fit indices of the models showed no significant difference between the G-DINA model and the other two models, and overall, the non-compensatory DINA model demonstrated the best fit. Conclusion: The results indicated that the DINA model had the best fit with the data and can be considered the optimal model for analyzing the eighth-grade mathematics questions in TIMSS 2019.

Background and Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on resilience and emotion regulation in women experiencing domestic violence in Tehran. Methods and Materials: This semi-experimental study employed a pre-test and post-test design with experimental and control groups and follow-up. The statistical population comprised all women victims of domestic violence in Tehran who visited psychological clinics in the first half of 2023. Participants were selected voluntarily through convenience sampling and divided into two groups: an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received 12 sessions of 90-minute group emotion-focused psychotherapy, while the control group remained on a waiting list. The measurement tools used in the study were the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 in both descriptive and inferential sections (mixed ANOVA). Findings: The results indicated that emotion-focused therapy increased resilience in women experiencing domestic violence. Additionally, the findings showed that emotion-focused therapy enhanced emotion regulation in these women. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that group emotion-focused psychotherapy is an effective method for improving resilience and emotion regulation in women experiencing domestic violence.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the structural relationships between temperament dimensions of personality and psychological symptoms of somatic symptom disorder with the mediation of emotional dysregulation. Methods and Materials: For this purpose, 380 students from the University of Tabriz were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling during the academic year 2021-2022. The variables were measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Somatic Complaint Questionnaire, the short form of the Symptom Checklist, and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Findings: Data analysis using structural equation modeling showed that novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence negatively and significantly explain the variations in psychological symptoms. Harm avoidance and emotional dysregulation positively and significantly explain the variations in psychological symptoms. Reward dependence and persistence negatively and significantly explain the variations in emotional dysregulation. Novelty seeking and reward dependence negatively, and harm avoidance positively, can explain the variations in psychological symptoms through emotional dysregulation. Conclusion: The three temperament variables—novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and reward dependence—could explain the changes in somatic symptoms through the mediation of emotional dysregulation. These findings indicate that somatic symptom disorder is influenced by personality factors and that inefficiency in emotion regulation exacerbates this disorder. Additionally, these findings suggest that emotional dysregulation is a significant variable in the relationship between temperament dimensions and somatic symptoms.

Background and Objective: The aim of the current study is to examine the role of spiritual-religious health in reducing stress and enhancing spiritual and psychological health among Iranian women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and Materials: This descriptive research included a sample of 384 Iranian women. After providing their consent, participants completed the research questionnaires on Google Forms, which included George's Religious Health Questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Findings: The research results, analyzed using AMOS24 software, indicate a relationship between the level of spiritual-religious health and religious beliefs and stress in women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was confirmed due to the significance level being less than (P<0.05), and the use of spiritual-religious beliefs could explain and predict 40.3% of the stress in women. Additionally, the use of spiritual-religious health tools and religious beliefs and general psychological health in women was confirmed due to the significance level (P<0.05). The use of religious beliefs also explained and predicted 35.5% of the variance in women's general health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the lives of millions of people worldwide. Religious beliefs have had a significant impact on reducing stress and anxiety and increasing general psychological health in Iranian women. The study results place a heavy responsibility on specialists in this field, especially in the Muslim country of Iran, to promote spiritual-religious aspects and change the lifestyle of women to make significant strides in women's health.

Background and Objective: Objectives: Critical thinking, as an art of analyzing and evaluating thought, leads to the improvement and enhancement of individual thinking through assessment. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived social support and life changes on critical thinking with the mediating role of moral foundations. Methods and Materials: In a predictive correlational design, 404 young individuals (both male and female) about to get married were selected through convenience sampling and using Klein's sample size formula (formula 1 to 20). The research instruments included standard questionnaires of Perceived Social Support - Family Scale (PSS-FA), Young Adults Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (YA-FILES), Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI), and Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ-30). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS19 and Smart-PLS software. Findings: Results indicated that 19.4% of the variations in critical thinking were explained by the variables of social support and life changes (P < 0.001). Additionally, results related to the mediating role of moral foundations showed that social support and life changes, through moral foundations, have no indirect effect on critical thinking, with values of 0.005 (0.661) and -0.008 (0.676) respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that perceived social support and family life changes affect moral foundations and critical thinking. Therefore, paying attention to these mechanisms can be useful in developing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for adolescents about to get married.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of alexithymia on social loneliness in high school students with the moderating role of electronic sports and to present a model.   Methods and Materials: This research is descriptive-survey in strategy and causal in hypothesis formation. Data collection involved standard questionnaires used in reputable international and domestic studies, including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Lee and Hyun Social Loneliness Scale, and the Electronic Sports Scale. To assess the construct validity of the questionnaires, first-order and second-order confirmatory factor analyses were utilized. The internal reliability of the questionnaire items was measured using Cronbach's alpha, which, as observed in this study, exceeded 0.7, indicating acceptable reliability. The statistical population comprised all male high school students in District 2 of the Mashhad Education Department. For empirical and practical investigation, a sample of 400 male students was selected. In this study, SPSS version 25 was used for descriptive statistics and examining the relationships between research variables, while Smart PLS version 3 was used for structural equation modeling to design the research model.   Findings: The findings indicated that alexithymia, external-oriented thinking, and difficulty in describing feelings all significantly affect social loneliness. Additionally, the findings showed that electronic sports do not have a moderating effect on the causal relationship between alexithymia and social loneliness. According to the results, the SRMR fit index was 0.078, which is below the 0.08 threshold at the 0.05 significance level, indicating that the structural model of the research has a good fit.   Conclusion: The study confirms that alexithymia significantly impacts social loneliness among high school students. However, electronic sports do not moderate this relationship. These findings suggest that enhancing emotional awareness and expression skills may reduce social loneliness in students.

Background and Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group psychodrama on improving life satisfaction, self-compassion, and positive affects in depressed patients. Given the complexity of depression and the need for multifaceted treatment approaches, this research aimed to provide empirical evidence on the efficacy of psychodrama as a therapeutic intervention. Methods and Materials: This study employed a randomized controlled trial design. The sample consisted of 30 depressed patients selected from a clinic in Tehran and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=15) receiving group psychodrama therapy or the control group (n=15) receiving no intervention. The intervention comprised ten 75-minute sessions conducted over five months. Data were collected using standardized tools: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, with the software SPSS-27. Findings: The results indicated a significant improvement in life satisfaction, self-compassion, and positive affects among participants in the experimental group compared to the control group. Specifically, life satisfaction scores increased from a mean of 19.43 (SD=3.67) at pre-test to 26.89 (SD=3.21) at post-test and 25.73 (SD=3.45) at follow-up. Self-compassion scores rose from 18.24 (SD=2.98) to 24.13 (SD=2.67) at post-test and 23.35 (SD=2.89) at follow-up. Positive affect scores also showed a significant increase from 21.57 (SD=3.11) to 28.74 (SD=3.01) at post-test and 27.89 (SD=3.19) at follow-up. The ANOVA results confirmed significant effects for group, time, and the interaction between group and time (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings support the efficacy of group psychodrama in enhancing life satisfaction, self-compassion, and positive affects in depressed patients. These improvements were sustained over a five-month follow-up period, suggesting that psychodrama can be a valuable therapeutic approach for depression. Future research should explore long-term effects and compare psychodrama with other therapeutic modalities.

Background and Objective: This study aimed to review the general teaching model based on educational neuroscience studies.   Methods and Materials: The research was conducted using a qualitative approach and deductive content analysis method. The study involved extensive research of digital resources, journals, books, and dissertations from 1990 to 2021 using databases such as ERIC, Springer, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Google Scholar, Library, Genesis Libdl, Knowledge E, and SID. Keywords in both Persian and English, including teaching method, brain-based learning, and educational neuroscience, were used in the search. A total of 183 relevant articles and books were identified, from which those addressing brain-compatible learning were selected.   Findings: After collecting information from texts and analyzing the content, removing duplicate codes, and merging similar codes, 1416 codes were obtained. These were organized into 109 initial categories, 31 sub-categories, and 4 main categories within the general teaching model, covering pre-teaching, pre-and during teaching, during teaching, and post-teaching stages. The study's results explained 28 educational actions with an educational neuroscience approach in the stages of the general teaching model. These were validated through confirmatory factor analysis by experts and specialists in educational neuroscience (psychology, cognitive sciences, and educational sciences) and confirmed.   Conclusion: It appears that implementing actions derived from educational neuroscience studies in the stages of the general teaching model can improve learners' brain performance and consequently enhance their learning.

Background and Objectives: Adolescent girls faced with affective breakdown have an urgent need to overcome their problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of imago therapy package for affective breakdown and cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety and negative affects among adolescent girl.   Materials and Methods: This research was a semi-experimental study with a pretest, posttest and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population was adolescent girl who faced affective breakdown in the winter of 2022 in Isfahan, Iran. From them, 48 preschool adolescent girl were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly assigned in two experimental groups and a control group (16 adolescent girl for each group). Spitzer’s et al anxiety questionnaire (2006) and Watson & Clark’s negative affect scale (1992) was used to assess dependent variables in three stages. Two treatment groups were treated in 10 sessions of 90 minutes each, and the control group did not receive any treatment. The data were analyzed by analysis of covariance and post-hoc Bonferroni test  by SPSS version 26   Findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between imago therapy package for affective breakdown and cognitive-behavioral therapy in anxiety and negative affect with the control group (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of two treatment groups (p>0.05).   Conclusions: Considering the effectiveness of imago therapy for affective breakdown and cognitive-behavioral therapy on reducing anxiety and negative affect, it is suggested that these two treatments be used for girls who face affective breakdown in psychological treatment centers for adolescents.

Background and Objective: Women suffering from marital maladjustment face many problems in their married life, especially in psychological fields, including covert relational aggression and marital life quality. The present research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of positive mindfulness therapy on covert relational aggression and marital life quality of women suffering from marital maladjustment.   Methods and Materials: This research was a semi-experimental with a pretest and posttest design with a control group. The research population were all women suffering from marital maladjustment who referred to counseling centers in the three cities of Tehran city in the autumn season of 2023 year; So that the sample size for each group was considered to be 20 people and these people after checking the inclusion criteria were selected by purposeful sampling method and randomly assigned into two equal groups. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of 90 minutes of positive mindfulness therapy and the control group remained on the waiting list for therapy. To collect data were used from scales of covert relational aggression (Nelson and Carroll, 2006), marital quality life (Zhang et al., 2013) and marital adjustment (Spanier, 1976), and for data analysis were used from multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS version 26 software.   Findings: The results showed that positive mindfulness therapy significantly reduced the covert relational aggression and increased the marital life quality of women suffering from marital maladjustment (P<0.001).   Conclusion: According to the mentioned results, therapists, counselors and psychologists can use positive mindfulness therapy to reduce the covert relational aggression and increase the marital life quality of vulnerable groups, including women suffering from marital maladjustment.

Background and Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of self-control and interpersonal sensitivity in predicting mood swings among individuals with a history of suicide. Understanding these factors can help in developing better preventive and therapeutic interventions for this population.   Methods and Materials: The study employed a cross-sectional design with a sample of 218 participants from Tehran, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie table. Data were collected using standardized scales for mood swings, self-control, and interpersonal sensitivity. Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationships between the variables, and linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive power of self-control and interpersonal sensitivity on mood swings. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.   Findings: Descriptive statistics revealed mean scores of 28.34 (SD = 6.12) for mood swings, 75.89 (SD = 8.47) for self-control, and 63.23 (SD = 7.98) for interpersonal sensitivity. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between self-control and mood swings (r = -0.42, p < 0.01) and a significant positive correlation between interpersonal sensitivity and mood swings (r = 0.36, p < 0.01). The regression analysis indicated that both self-control (B = -0.29, p < 0.001) and interpersonal sensitivity (B = 0.22, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of mood swings, explaining 26% of the variance (R² = 0.26).   Conclusion: The findings suggest that lower self-control and higher interpersonal sensitivity are associated with increased mood swings in individuals with a history of suicide. These results underscore the importance of enhancing self-control and managing interpersonal sensitivity in therapeutic interventions to reduce mood swings and potentially prevent suicidal behaviours in this population.

in the healthcare sector affected by marital infidelity in Lorestan Province during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test and post-test design with control and experimental groups. The statistical population included working women in the healthcare sector of Lorestan Province who had sought counseling due to their spouse's marital infidelity during the COVID-19 period. Thirty women were randomly divided into three groups: Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, ACT, and a control group. Data collection tools included the Positive Feelings Toward Spouse Questionnaire and the Roselt Divorce Desire Questionnaire. The therapeutic interventions were conducted over eight 90-minute sessions across two months.   Findings: The results indicated that both approaches, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and ACT, significantly increased positive feelings toward the spouse and reduced the desire for divorce compared to the control group. Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy relatively showed more effectiveness in enhancing positive feelings toward the spouse. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant differences between groups and interactive effects of time and group.   Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that both therapeutic approaches, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and ACT, can effectively improve positive feelings toward the spouse and reduce the desire for divorce in working women in the healthcare sector affected by marital infidelity. These findings can aid counselors and therapists in providing more effective interventions and facilitate the improvement of quality of life and marital relationships.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two therapeutic approaches, schema therapy and mindfulness, on early maladaptive schemas in students.   Methodology: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of second-grade high school students in Tehran, from which 45 students were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (15 students each) and a control group (15 students). The experimental groups participated in either schema therapy (8 sessions of 120 minutes each over 8 weeks) or mindfulness therapy (7 sessions of 90 minutes each over 7 weeks). The research instrument used was the Young Schema Questionnaire (1998), administered in both the pretest and posttest phases.   Findings: Analysis of covariance revealed that both therapeutic approaches led to a significant reduction in early maladaptive schemas compared to the control group. However, schema therapy was found to be more effective than mindfulness in improving these schemas, particularly in components such as emotional deprivation, abandonment, mistrust, social isolation, and defectiveness/shame.   Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that schema therapy, with its deeper focus on the cognitive and emotional roots of schemas, is more effective than mindfulness in improving and modifying early maladaptive schemas. Schema therapy can be considered a valuable approach for treating psychological disorders associated with early maladaptive schemas.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focused on anger management on suicidal thoughts in male students in the first grade of secondary school in Chabahar County. Methodology: The present study utilized a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test framework. The statistical population of the study comprised all male students in the first grade of secondary school in Chabahar County during the 2022-2023 academic year. A sample of 30 male students who scored higher on the Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (2004) was randomly selected and then divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group (15 students each). The experimental group received ten sessions of mindfulness-based CBT focused on anger management, while the control group received no intervention. The Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (2004) was used to collect data, and the data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS 22 software. Findings: The results of the present study showed a significant difference in the mean scores of suicidal thoughts between the experimental group and the control group in the post-test stage (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that mindfulness-based CBT focused on anger management can be effective in reducing suicidal thoughts among students.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Maher’s fluid intelligence psycho-educational intervention package on improving cognitive emotion regulation in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).   Methodology: This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population included 10-12-year-old boys with ADHD who had visited counseling and psychological service centers for children in Tehran during the first half of 2023. From this population, 30 participants were selected through multistage cluster sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The data collection tools included the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRCBP) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children (CERQ-K-P). The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of 45-minute group interventions, while the control group remained on the waiting list.   Findings: Results of the Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the increase of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, specifically positive refocusing and refocus on planning, and the decrease of maladaptive strategies (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of adaptive strategies such as acceptance, positive reappraisal, and perspective-taking (p>0.05).   Conclusion: Maher’s fluid intelligence psycho-educational intervention package effectively improves emotional regulation and cognitive performance in children with ADHD. By enhancing fluid intelligence and working memory, this intervention helps children better manage the challenges associated with ADHD and achieve better emotional regulation.