Practice in Clinical Psychology
Year:2015 | Volume:3 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Objective: For decades, both theory and research have focused on the role of self-esteem and shame in constructing narcissistic traits. However, studies on the exact relationship between these two and overt and covert facets of narcissism have been equivocal.Methods: The current study is correlational. It examined these relationships among 308 Iranian college students (155 males, 153 females, mean age=23.49 years, SD=2.83). The target population was all students of national universities of Tehran, Iran. The sampling method was non-random multi-step clustering. Participants were asked to fill four self-report measures: Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPD), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Test of Self-conscious Affect (TOSCA-3), and Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS). The data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0.0 software, using Pearson’s Correlation, T-test and Multiple Regression Analysis methods.Results: Surprisingly, there was no significant difference between men and women with respect to NPI scores. Findings also revealed that shame was negatively related to overt narcissism (r=-0.22, P<0.05) and positively related to covert narcissism (r=0.23, P<0.05). Self-esteem was found to be positively correlated with overt narcissism (r=0.42, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with covert narcissism (r=-0.30, P<0.01).Conclusion: The results provide support for the models of overt narcissism in which the narcissistic self serves as a buffer against inner feelings of inferiority. It also supports the importance of shame and low self-esteem in shaping the covert narcissistic traits. However, shame could not differentiate between overt and covert narcissism. The empirical, cultural, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Objective: An important factor in the prevention of industrial accidents is the employees’ ability to maintain their awareness of the work situation, understand the information it holds, and predict the development of the situations. In this study, we examined the role of work stress and sleepiness in predicting work situation awareness among workers.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2014. The sample consisted of 180 employees in the National Petrochemical Company. They were selected according to the stratified random sampling method and responded to questionnaires about demographic characteristics, work situation awareness of Sneddon, Mearns, and Flin (2013), work stress of Cohen et al. (1983), and Epworth sleepiness scale. The data were analyzed by correlation coefficient and stepwise regression by using the SPSS 15.Results: The results showed that there were internal correlation among work stress, sleepiness, and work situation awareness. Also, the results of stepwise regression analysis revealed that work stress and sleepiness significantly predicted, respectively, almost 23% and 26% of variances of work situation awareness among workers.Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, work stress and sleepiness can predict work situation awareness. Therefore, considering these variables can be important in promoting the awareness of work situation among workers.

Objective: The aim of the present research was to study the effect of the metacognition training on the metacognition approaches and the magnitude of disposition towards substance abuse as the result of learning various metacognition strategies.Methods: The research method was experimental with the pre-test, post-test design. The Statistical population included all of abusers male in TC, By applying the simple random sampling and using Krejcie and Morgan table, 36 male participants were recruited. They were the members of the Society of the Therapy-Oriented Community (TC) of the Mental Well- Being Office in the city of Kerman. To measure the variables, the Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ-30) and the substance Abuse Disposition Questionnaire (ADQ) were used. The data were analyzed, through descriptive statistics, using the mean and the standard deviation of the; and through inferential statistics by MANCOVA analysis. All analyses were done using the SPSS version 19.Results: The results of the analyses showed that the metacognition strategies and trainings significantly and positively changed the metacognition and accordingly reduce the disposition towards the substance abuse. The results limitations and are some suggestions discussed in the following sections.Conclusion: Using metacognition trainings in the process of treatment is an effective technique in changing the metacognition approaches and reducing the disposition towards substance abuse.

Objective: Aggression is a disruptive behavior that limits children’s ability for a better adjustment. As commonly reported, sleep problems is associated with the presentation of aggression in ADHD children. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between sleep problems and aggressive behavior in children with ADHD.Methods: The study method is correlational and cross-sectional. The study population consists of children that were diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in Shiraz (south of Iran). Fifty eight children (41 boys, 17 girls) clinically diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, by a child and adolescence psychiatrist, participated in this study. They were enrolled by accessible sampling. Their ages ranged from 6 to 13 years (mean age=8.06 years, SD= 1.59). None of The children were Medicaid recipients and participated in our study before beginning their medical treatment. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) were used for data collection. For data analysis descriptive statistics, significance tests, Pearson correlation coefficient, independent samples t-test and regression analyses, were used.Results: Children with ADHD showed a high prevalence of sleep problems, a significantly higher rate that reported before. Needing parent in room to sleep’ (56.9%) was the most prevalent problem. With regard to Sleep habits, sleep duration was age-related (F=17.58, P<0.001) Correlations between sleep problems and aggression were significant. Parasomnias wake-up time, daytime sleepiness and sleep duration were main predictors of aggressive behavior in children with ADHD and accounted for 56% of variance of aggression. No significant gender differences in sleep habits were observed.Conclusions: As aggressive behavior is a frequently reported problem in patients with ADHD, the results of the study may present a basis for effective diagnosis and treatment planning.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of attachment-based interventions on females suffering from eating related disorders. The study method was experimental with a pretest-posttest control group. The study sample included 32 elementary school female students with eating disorders, obesity problems, and attachment disorders. Sampling method was purposive.Methods: After assigning groups (experimental and control), the experimental group’s mothers participated in 10 sessions of attachment-based intervention program over 2.5 months and control groups did not receive any intervention. By the end of intervention, the posttest and then follow-up test were done after 45 days. Instruments comprised ‘child attachment disorder,’ ‘disorders caused by eating,’ and ‘eating disorder’ questionnaires.Results: The results of univariate analysis of covariance showed that in the posttest and follow up test of the disorders caused by eating, there were significant differences between control and experimental groups.Conclusion: According to the results, the attachment-based treatment can be used as the method of intervention to reduce disorders caused by eating in children with eating disorders and obesity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy on event-related potential (EPR) at both behavioral and physiological level in children (7-12 years) with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Methods: The current study is a quasi-experimental project whit pre-test and post-test control group. In this study, the subjects (12 patients in the experimental group and 12 patients in the control group) were selected after initial evaluation, according to DSM-IV criteria for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the type of sampling is purposeful. Due to control of intelligence variable, the children with normal range of IQ were selected. Subjects were matched as much as possible with respect to age, IQ, and comorbidity with other disorders. Subjects performed visual continuous performance task VCPT at two time points by two months interval (at the start and end of the program). Analysis of variance with repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA methods were used respectively for the evolution of neurofeedback effects on EPR and behavioral characteristics (omission error, commission error, and reaction time). For statistical processing SPSS software version 21 was used.Results: No significant differences were observed between experimental and control groups in event-related potentials of both behavioral and physiological level.Conclusion: Application of neurofeedback is a useful approach in improving performance of patients with ADHD through the normalization of patient’s brain waves, especially in the prefrontal area.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the verbal memory and working memory impairment in healthy siblings of patients with schizophrenia.Methods: The purpose of this study was to compare cognitive deficits in siblings of the patients with schizophrenia and control group. A total of 35 unaffected siblings of patients with schizophrenia were selected from the relatives of the patients referred to Shoosh clinic and 35 matched healthy controls were selected from the staff of the same clinic. This sample was chosen accessible. Then, the subjects completed Verbal Paired Association Test, Logical Memory Test, Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, and N-back working memory Test. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, t test, and Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.Results: The results indicated that there were significant differences between the siblings of the patients with schizophrenia and control group with respect to the cognitive functions (P<0.05) Siblings of the patients with schizophrenia performed low in both verbal and working memory compared to the control group.Conclusion: In this study, our results supported this hypothesis that verbal and working memory impairment could be considered endophenotype of schizophrenia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prediction of asthma control on the basis of perceived stress, locus of control, and self-efficacy in adult patients with asthma.Methods: This was a descriptive-correlative and cross-sectional study. The solecty of this study is all asthmatic patients in Tehran. our sample consisted of 100 participants who were selected by purposeful sampling method. A total of 100 patients with asthma were selected among outpatients of Masih Daneshvari Hospital. Participants included 52 women and 48 men. Their mean (±SD) age was 36.12 (±9.82) years. Sociodemographic data were collected and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC), Asthma Self-efficacy Scale (ASES), and Asthma Control Test (ACT) were applied. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS ver.16.0.Results: The results indicated that there were negative significant relationships between perceived stress, dimension of external control (chance) and asthma control, but positive significant relationships between self-efficacy and asthma control. In regression analysis, the perceived stress was the predictor of asthma control.Conclusion: In this study, our findings suggest that perceived stress has an important role in the development and maintenance of asthma symptoms. In addition, self-efficacy and a tendency to externally attribute the locus of control (chance) are significantly associated with asthma control.