PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Year:2010 | Volume:12 | Issue:3-4 (24)|Papers Count:9

Determining the structural validity of instruments is an important stage in research. Various methods have been suggested for analysis and estimation of structural validity. A more recent technique is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) which has many advantages compared with other methods, manifested in its more accurate analysis, use of goodness-of-fit indices to confirm general structure, and high flexibility. In this article, applying the SEM to determine construct validity along with convergent and differential validity has been discussed. The proposed methods have been applied to data from Fennema and Sherman’s math attitude scales which had been administered on 340 ninth grade students from Tehran High Schools. Results reveal the accuracy on the proposed methods. With regard to the high potency of this method, its use in studies concerning scaling and test development is highly recommended.

Poor adherence to long-term treatment of chronic diseases has constantly been a major challenge for healthcare professionals. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model (IMB) is a comprehensive model in promoting adherence to healthcare related advice. The goal of this research was to test the efficacy of a theory- driven intervention procedure to promote adherence among cardiovascular patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery (CABG), and to investigate the impact of depression in this regard as well. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills Mo-del (IMB) provided theoretical framework for the current research. A total of 152 patients, were recruited from the Tehran Heart Center. They were randomly assigned to either a brief intervention group, which received one session (120 minutes) of IMB-based psycho-educational intervention in groups of five, or to a control group, receiving the standard care at the hospital and some supportive counseling. Patients in both groups completed pretest measures consisting of the Heart Patients Adherence IMB Scale (HPAIMBS), General Adherence Scale (GAS), Specific Adherence Scale (SAS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were reassessed 1-month and 3- months later. Findings revealed that the intervention group showed significantly more adherence than the control group. Depression showed negative but significant correlation with general and specific adherence.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of affective and cognitive factors with counterproductive behavior. A random sample of 135 employees (men and women) of an industrial company completed the following three research questionnaires: The Job Related Affect Scale, Job Cognition Questionnaire, and Counterpro-ductive Work Behavior Checklist. Findings indicated that validity and reliability of the questionnaires were acceptable. Data was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. Results indicated that there were significant relationships between the dimensions of organizational cognition (including job satisfaction, interactional justice, procedural justice, and distributive justice), with organizational counterproductive behavior (counterproductive behavior that is directed towards the organization). Also it was shown that there were significant relationships between interactional justice and procedural justice, with person counterproductive behavior (counterproductive behavior that is directed towards people), and between cognition dimensions with total counterproductive behavior (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Also, it was indicated that there were significant relationships between job affects and counterproductive behavior dimensions (P<0.05 or P<0.01) but the direction of these relationships in positive affect was negative and in negative affect was positive. Results of the regression model showed that cognitive and affective factors had a significant contribution in prediction of counterproductive behaviors.

The relation between attachment styles and alexithymia were investigated in a sample of students. A correlational analysis was performed to assess the kind of association existing among attachment styles (secure, avoidant, and ambivalent), with alexithymia and its three components which include difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking. Three hundred and six students (136 male, 170 female) from the University of Tehran participated in the study. All participants were asked to complete the Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI) and Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20). Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, standard deviation, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. Secure attachment style showed a significant negative association with alexithymia, while insecure attachment styles showed significant positive association with alexithymia. Results of regression analysis also revealed that avoidant attachment style can predict changes of difficulty describing feelings, while ambivalent attachment style Could predict difficulty identifying feelings and externally oriented thinking. It can be concluded that attachment styles are associated with alexithymia and its components. Results and implications are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of stress inoculation training on general health of hypertensive patients. Therefore, 14 female and 14 male patients were randomly selected from the Cardiovascular Center of Isfahan. These patients were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, each group comprising of 7 men and 7 women. The experimental group received 8 weekly sessions of stress inoculation training but the control group did not receive such training. It was hypothesized that stress inoculation training would increase the general health of the experimental group as compared to the control group. The GHQ-28 was administered to both groups before and after training. The results of analysis of covariance showed that stress inoculation training significantly reduced the mean total scores of the experimental group as compared to the control group (P<0.001). Also, the training significantly reduced the mean scores of the experimental group compared to the control group on somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression (P<0.01). It is concluded that stress inoculation training, as a useful method of intervention, could be applied to increase the general health of hypertensive patients.

Some of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patients believe that their unpleasant, unacceptable thoughts can influence events in the world. Two forms of ‘‘Thought-Action Fusion’’ (TAF) have been identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between thought-action fusion beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and also compare thought-action beliefs among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, genera-lized anxiety disorder, and normal people. Twenty-five patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 25 patients with generalized anxiety disorder, and 25 normal participants took part in this study. In order to measure thought-action fusion beliefs and obsessive-compulsive disorders symptoms, the Thought Fusion Instrument (TFI) and Padua Inventory (PI) were used. Results indicated positive and significant correlation between the TFI and PI. Also Results indicated the OCD and GAD patients differed from normal participants on thought-action fusion beliefs. However, the OCD and GAD groups did not differ on any of the thought-action subscales except for the thought-object fusion (TOF). It is suggested that TAF is not specific to OCD, but also prevalent in other anxiety disorders.

The present study is an analytical review of historical & philosophical foundations of cognitive science in modern psychology & similar concepts in philosophical history of psychology in Iran. The most important issues addressed in this article are, Conceptual frameworks of modern cognitive science and Iranian "Elmonnafs", and comparing philosophical and cultural backgrounds of modern psychologists and first generation of Iranian psychologists. It is concluded that there are some differences between two kinds of psychology which have impacted on the development of psychology in Iran.