PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES
Year:2018 | Volume:14 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:11

Borderline personality disorder is a long-term pattern of abnormal behavior characterized by unstable relationships with other people, unstable sense of self, and unstable emotions. This study aimed to investigate the role of cognitive flexibility, visuospatial working memory and impulsivity in predicting theory of mind deficit in subjects with borderline personality disorder traits. The method of this study was correlational research. In this regard, 120 college students with Borderline personality traits were chosen by borderline personality inventory (BPI), and then participants were evaluated with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Corsi Blocks Test and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that visuospatial working memory and impulsivity predict the theory of mind deficit in participants with borderline personality disorder traits. Therefore, the results of this study indicated that participants with borderline personality traits exhibited deficits in visuospatial working memory and impulsivity, and these variables predicts the theory of mind deficits in participants with borderline personality disorder traits.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of memory specificity training on cognitive failure in patients with major depression. The method of study was the semi-experimental, pretest-posttest design with follow-up stage and the control group. Using available sampling method and targeted with research topic, 30 individuals (15 individuals the experimental group and 15 individuals the control group) after diagnosed their major depressive disorder and then clinical interviews, were selected as the sample. The instrument in this study were Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition and cognitive failures questionnaire by Broadbent et al. The experimental group received 4 sessions, one hour and half, under the memory specificity training. After completing the training sessions, both the experimental and control groups were imposed to post-test and again one month later both groups were follow-up. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. The results showed that memory specificity training had significant effects on cognitive impairment and distraction components (distractibility, memory problems, blunders, not reminder names), memory problems, inaccurate errors, and lack of reminder. These results were maintained at the follow-up stage. Considering the effect of memory specificity training on the reduction of cognitive deficits in patients and the continuation of their effects, it is necessary to use this training to prevent and treat patients with major depression.

The purpose of this current study was to investigate the effect of parent-child relationship therapy (CPRT) on mother's parenting styles. This research was a semi-experimental design as a pre-test and post-test with control group. The research population was all mothers who referred to a child psychology clinic in Tehran to receive counseling on their children's behavioral problems. Twenty children 3 to 11 years old were selected by available sampling method, and they were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Both groups responded to Buri's parenting questionnaire for pre-test and post-test. Then, parents of the experimental group participated in 10 sessions of child-parent relationship therapy. The sessions were held twice a week and each session between 45 and 60 minutes. The results of covariance analysis showed that there is a significant difference between 3 dimensions of parenting styles, authoritative, permissive and authoritarian in posttest of experimental and control groups. Indeed, the intervention led to more use of authoritative parenting style strategies in the experimental group. Based on this findings, we can use CPRT to inform parents about communicating properly with their children in order to prevent their behavior problems and psychiatric disorders.

Specific phobic disorder is defined as an extreme or irrational fear that consistently persists and dependent on the presence of a specific object or situation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of The Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament (AFECT) model in predicting the symptoms of Specific phobia. 400 students of Azerbaijan Shahid Madani University were selected by purposive sampling method. They completed the AFECT inventory and the fear survey schedule scale-I I I. Results indicated that emotional dimensions (coping, volition, sensitivity and fear) and affective temperaments (anxious, apathetic, cyclothymic, volatile and hyperthymic) of AFECT model were significantly associated with symptoms of specific phobia. The emotional dimensions (sensitivity and fear) and affective temperaments (anxious and hyperthymic) could predict symptoms of specific phobia. The results indicated that AFECT model as an explorative model, could predict the psychopathological changes in specific phobic disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders seen in general population and clinical centers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the combination of metacognitive therapy and Traumas-Based Emotional Schema Therapy on Reducing Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The present study was quasi-experimental. The statistic population were consisted Isfahan's psychological services centers clients with Generalized anxiety disorder (based on Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item and clinical interview) in 2017, in which 30 subjects were selected based on entrance criteria and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and assigned randomly in two groups of experimental (15 subjects) and control (15 subjects). Then the experimental group were participated in group-based treatment designed by the researchers, consisting of 12 sessions of 1 hour. Finally, the GAD-7 questionnaire was distributed as a post-test to the both groups. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis. The results showed that combining emotional schema and meta-cognitive therapy can significantly reduce the worry and anxiety symptoms in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Emotional Schematic Therapy can be considered in combination with Metacognitive Therapy as an effective and more integral treatment than other therapies in psychological interventions in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

The present study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of group cognitive therapy based on Michael Frey's model on the irrational beliefs and loneliness of students. The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and control group. The statistical population included all male high school students of Natanz City. Of this population, 30 students were selected by random cluster sampling method and placed randomly in the control and experimental groups. The research tool involved two questionnaires of Factor Irrational Beliefs Test-Ahwaz and loneliness. The experimental group received 12 sessions of 90-minute about cognitive-group therapy based on Michael Frey's model. The results of covariance analysis indicated a significant difference between the performance of the two groups in the post-test in terms of irrational beliefs and loneliness. Therefore, the group therapy based on Michael Frey's model can reduce the irrational beliefs and loneliness of students by changing and correcting their inefficient and irrational beliefs and attitudes which can result in their mental health.

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of anthropomorphism and attachment to objects in predicting hoarding behaviors. The research method was descriptive correlational. The statistical population included all high school students in the city of Birjand in the academic year of 2016-17. 288 students were selected by multi-stage random sampling method. Data were collected by revised Saving Behavior Inventory, Saving Cognitions questionnaire, Bilateral Attachment Questionnaire and anthropomorphism questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equations modeling. Findings showed that attachment to objects has a positive and significant relationship with aspects of hoarding, while anthropomorphism has no relation with cognitive and behavioral aspects of hoarding. Findings related to the role of mediator showed that in the proposed model, only the attachment variable to the objects in this relationship has a mediating role. These findings support the cognitive-behavioral models and suggest that cognitions related to belongings play an important role in the development and maintenance problems related to hoarding.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on self-concept clarity, depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem in students with love trauma syndrome. The research method was a pre-test and post-test with control group. The statistical population of the study was male and female students of the Persian Gulf university. Asample of 30 students with love trauma syndrome was selected randomly from 47 students with Love Trauma Syndrome and were replaced in two experimental and control groups. In order to assess the variables used Ross Love's Inventory, depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire and self-concept scale of Kempel et al. The experiment group was performed in 11 sessions 90 minutes they were intervened in a cognitive-behavioral therapy group and the control group remained on the waiting list. A covariance analysis showed that significant differences between the experimental and control groups in variables depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem. But, there was no significant difference in Self-Concept Clarity. The study showed that cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective treatment for emotional problems and improving self-esteem in people with love trauma syndrome.

Pain in one’ s life is the most important reasons for disrupting one’ s mental health. The aim of this study was efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological flexibility and alexithymia of women with chronic pain. The research design was quasi-experimental with pre-posttest and control group. Statistic population was women from age 18-65 years-old with chronic pain that were referred to health clinics in Sari in 2016 year. 30 patients were selected by convenience sampling method and assigned to experimental and control groups randomly. The sample group completed cognitive flexibility (Dennis & Vendral), and alexithymia (Bagbi, Parcker & Taylor). For experimental group, acceptance and commitment therapy was executed at 8 weekly sessions in 60 minutes whereas control groups have any therapy. Result of analysis of univariate and multivariate of covariance indicated scores of flexibility has increase in experimental group and alexithymia has decrease in experimental group compared with the control group scores. Therefore, we conclude acceptance and commitment therapy have favorable affected on psychological flexibility and alexithymia in patient with chronic pain. And this method can be used to increase the psychological flexibility and reduce alexithymia in women with chronic pain.

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of acceptance and commitment group therapy on perceived stress and aggression in women with premenstrual syndrome. This was quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group. The statistical population included all women referred to maternity hospital Hafez Shiraz city, therefore from among them, 30 females were selected randomly and assigned into two control & experimental groups (with 15 each). The experimental group received the commitment and acceptance group therapy in eight sessions each of which in one hour and the control group received no treatment. The measurement tools were Kohen's perceived stress scale and Buss and Perry aggression questionnaire that were filled by the participants in the pretest, posttest stages. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings showed significant differences between experimental and control groups in total scores of perceived stress and components of aggression. The results of this study refer to the importance of the treatment of premenstrual syndrome that can help with the reduction of perceived stress and aggression in women with premenstrual syndrome.