Practice in Clinical Psychology
Year:2023 | Volume:11 | Issue:4|Papers Count:8

Objective: This study aims to explore the concept of countertransference from the early days of psychotherapy to the present.   Methods: Using a conceptual review method, this study examined articles and books in the domains of psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) from Freud’s time to the contemporary era. The results encompassed definitions, theories, measurement methods, and management strategies related to countertransference.   Results: The results revealed three main perspectives on countertransference, classical, holistic, and process-oriented. Over time, perspectives on this phenomenon have evolved to include behavioral and cognitive elements, such as avoidance, and distorted views of patients as other manifestations of countertransference. Countertransference is now viewed as more than just a reaction that hinders treatment, it is also considered a diagnostic clue to the patient’s personality structure and a valuable tool for gaining insight into treatment. Diverse tools have been to define and assess countertransference. A process-oriented model of countertransference provides a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing predictors and consequences of countertransference. Managing countertransference is a goal in all psychotherapy approaches with different techniques.   Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the understanding of countertransference has evolved from its origins in psychoanalysis to a trans-theoretical concept embraced by various contemporary approaches. A process-oriented framework for countertransference may effectively integrate diverse theoretical perspectives on the subject.

Objective: The present study was conducted to explain the causal relationship between social health and finding meaning in life with suicidal thoughts in adolescents living in welfare organizations by evaluating the mediating role of perceived social support (PSS).   Methods: The sample included 320 adolescents covered by Tehran’s State Welfare Organization (SWO), who were selected by multistage cluster sampling and participated in the research. The current study was descriptive and correlational (using structural equation modeling [SEM]). The data were collected using the social health questionnaire, the meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ), and the multidimensional scale of PSS (MSPSS) and were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22 and Amos software, version 24. Results: The direct path coefficient (PC) of social health (β=0. 478, P>0. 01), finding meaning in life (β=0. 311, P>0. 01), and PSS (β=0. 427, P>0. 01) with suicidal thoughts was negative and significant. The indirect path coefficient (PC) between social health (β=0. 192, P=0. 001) and finding meaning in life (β=0. 111, P=0. 001) with suicidal thoughts were negative and significant.   Conclusion: The structural model of the research was the same in terms of fit with the data of two groups of girls and boys. Adolescents covered by the SWO are more vulnerable to suicide due to their special experiences. The meaning of life and social connections can reduce suicidal thoughts in adolescents and act as protective factors.

Objective: The elderly are associated with challenges, such as physical diseases, increased health anxiety (HA), and death anxiety (DA). The present study was conducted to develop a causal model of DA in the elderly living in nursing homes based on personality dimensions (PDs) mediated by HA and with the moderating role of gender.   Methods: The present research was conducted by correlation method and using path analysis. The statistical population of the research included all elderly living in private nursing homes in Tehran City, Iran in the summer and autumn of 2023, of which, 340 people were selected by the convenience sampling method. During one session and individually, the participants responded to the Templer DA scale (DAS) (1970), the short HA inventory (SHAI), and the HEXACO personality inventory-revised (HEXACO-PI-R).   Results: The results showed that the path coefficient (PC) between extraversion (β=-0. 054, P=0. 001), conscientiousness (β=-0. 058, P=0. 001), humility (P=0. 001, β=-0. 248), and emotionality (P=0. 001, β=0. 152) were significant with DA. The PC of HA (β=0. 241, P=0. 001) was significant with DA. Indirect PC of extraversion (P=0. 001, β=0. 054), conscientiousness (β=0. 058, P=0. 001), humility (P=0. 049, β=0. 023) and emotionality (P=0. 001, β=0. 038) were significant with DA.   Conclusion: HA mediates the relationship between PDs and DA. The research model was different in terms of fit with the data of two groups of women and men.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the application of modern educational software (MES) in the mathematics classroom environment to the learning and retention process. Methods: The present study was applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in pre-test-post-test design. The statistical population included 18794 fourth-grade female students in the elementary school in 2020-2021 in Mashhad City, Iran. Then the test group was taught using the creative technology program (CTP) in six sessions, and the control group was taught the traditional teaching method in six sessions. At the end of the training, math tests were performed in the test and control groups and the scores of the two groups were compared to measure learning. Then, two months later, to measure the amount of retention in the two groups, the math test was repeated and the results were compared with the pre-test results. Results: Based on the results, the CTP has a significant effect on learning and teaching mathematics to fourth-grade elementary students in Mashhad City. Conclusion: With the advancement of fundamentals of education, the implication of educational software has proved more favorable effects than traditional systems in education and has a higher success rate.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes is an endocrine disease, the management of which is considered one of the necessities of medical science. Therefore, in recent years, improving the psychological security (PS) of these patients has been the focus of therapists. Group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) is one of the common methods to improve PS. The present study aims to investigate the effects of GCBT on the PS in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).   Methods: The current study was a quasi-experimental and a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The sample included 30 elderly female patients with T2DM who visited a counseling center in Fariman City, Iran. Subjects were selected using the convenience sampling method. The study was conducted during August-September 2023. The subjects were assigned randomly into test (15) and control (15) groups. The test group received eight sessions of GCBT (90 minutes). Data were collected using Maslow’s psychosocial security questionnaire, at the pre-test and post-test. Results: The results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that GCBT significantly increased the PS in patients with T2DM (P≤0. 05). GCBT was effective in improving the PS of the patients with T2DM.   Conclusion: This method can be used by psychiatrists and healthcare providers to enhance PS in patients with T2DM. The GCBT intervention with the protocol used in this study is effective in increasing PS in patients with T2DM. Therefore, GCBT can be used along with drug treatments for patients with T2DM. In addition, it is recommended that planners design programs to improve the PS of patients with T2DM based on this research.

Objective: Emotions and emotion regulation strategies (ERSs) have a determinant role in maintaining people’s mental health. The emotion focused regulation questionnaire (EFRQ) is a new process tool based on a process model that demonstrates a replicable structure consisting of five emotion-focused strategies (EFS) (distraction, brooding, acceptance, cognitive rethinking (reflection and reappraisal), rumination, and expressive suppression (ES). Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the psychometric properties analysis of the EFRQ scale in Iranian society. Methods: The current study was descriptive. The sample of the present study included 300 Iranian adults who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The Persian version of the scale was implemented along with the difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS) and emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ). To check the validity of the ERQ, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and convergent and divergent validity were used by calculating the Pearson correlation. Cronbach’s α coefficient method was also used to check its reliability. Results: The results of the CFA indicated the fit and desirability of the five-factor model. The significant correlations between this scale (EFRQ) and the DERS and ERQ confirmed the divergent and convergent validity of this scale. Internal consistency reliability (ICR) confirmed the EFRQ reliability with Cronbach’s α coefficients ranging from 0. 83 to 0. 85. Additionally, the values of Cronbach’s α coefficient and McDonald’s omega of all the factors of the new scale were higher than 0. 7, which indicates the validity of this scale in Iranian society. Conclusion: The psychometric properties analysis of the Persian EFRQ showed suitable results. This scale can be used to measure people’s adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies and also as a reliable scale in clinical or research projects.

Objective: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) can negatively impact various aspects of life, incurring significant personal and societal costs. Thus, it is necessary to identify protective factors that buffer against SAD symptoms and the mechanisms underlying their mitigation. This research aims to examine the relationship between self-compassion and social anxiety symptoms among university students, specifically exploring the potential mediating effects of fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and shame. Methods: This study examined the relationships between variables through structural equation modeling (SEM) using a correlational design. The sample included 242 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from Tehran’s public universities, selected via the convenience sampling method. Social phobia inventory, the self-compassion scale, the brief form of FNE scale, and the shame subscale of self-conscious affect questionnaire were used to collect data. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation via SPSS software, version 22, and SEM using AMOS software, version 22. Results: The results from analyzing the structural relationships indicated a direct negative effect of self-compassion on social anxiety symptoms, FNE, and shame. Additionally, FNE and shame had a positive effect on social anxiety symptoms directly (P<0. 01). Investigating the significance of mediating variables indicated an indirect negative effect of self-compassion on social anxiety symptoms, passing through FNE and shame as mediators (P<0. 01). The research model had a good fit and accounted for 59% of the variance in social anxiety symptoms.   Conclusion: Based on the research results, increasing self-compassion can reduce social anxiety symptoms through both direct and indirect paths, by reducing the effect of FNE and shame.

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder, in which an individual suffers from severe weight loss, and disturbed physical and psychosocial functioning. It was previously diagnosed and reported in Western countries but its prevalence is on the rise in a Middle East country like Iran. This study aims to introduce a patient with AN with hyperprolactinoma. Methods: This study is a case report. A single, educated but not currently employed 32-year-old female patient was admitted with the chief complaint of a locked knee, weakness, and lethargy, she was hospitalized in the hematology ward due to electrolyte and hematological complications and then referred to the psychiatric service due to severe weight loss.   Results: The etiology and severity of the disorder were evaluated, psychiatric, electrolyte, cardiopulmonary, endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurological, hematological, and renal systems were assessed. Low-calorie intake was considered according to the latest guidelines, which prevented relevant complications and caused the patient’s optimal compliance with treatment.   Conclusion: AN is not necessarily caused by the patient’s body image, and physicians are advised not to rely on such misconceptions for diagnosis. Also, according to the results, the relationship between AN and hyperprolactinoma and pituitary microadenoma is observed. The measures taken led to the patient’s optimal compliance with the treatment.