JOURNAL OF FUNDAMENTALS OF MENTAL HEALTH
Year:2015 | Volume:17 | Issue:3|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Researchers focused on mental health are increasingly interested in the concept of resilience. Knowledge of resilience may assist in developing interventions aimed at improving positive outcomes or reducing negative outcomes. Resilience can be viewed as a defense mechanism which enables people to thrive in the face of adversity and improve mental health. The aim of this study was to integrate the results of the relationship between resilience and mental health and to investigate their effect sizes though meta-analysis.Materials and Methods: For this purpose,  9Iranian eligible studies were selected and meta-analysis was performed on them. The period of studies is from 2007 to 2013. Research instrument was the checklist of meta-analysis.Results: Findings indicate the effect size of the relationship between resilience and mental health was 0.35 (P<0.00001). Also, the results of moderator analysis showed no effect for moderator variables in this regard.Conclusion: According to Cohen chart, the effect size of the relationship between resilience and mental health is considered to be medium.

Introduction: Recent studies show that there is a positive correlation between alexithymia and a wide range of diseases including mood disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, intestinal inflammation, cancer, respiratory diseases, and chronic pains. The aim of this study is to predict alexithymia on the basis of early trauma and attitudes toward mother and father.Materials and Methods: In this canonical correlation study in 2012-2013,  300students (150 girls, 150 boys) were selected via multi stage random sampling in Shiraz high schools. All participants were asked to complete Early Trauma Inventory, Child's Attitude toward Father (CAF) and Mother (CAM) Scales and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 18 and canonical correlation.Results: Structural coefficients showed that the pattern of high scores in difficulty identifying feelings and difficulty describing feelings correlate with the pattern of high scores in early trauma, attitudes toward father and attitudes toward mother (P<0.001). Therefore, our findings show that the combination of low difficulty identifying feelings and low difficulty describing feelings can probably decrease the likelihood of early trauma and attitudes toward father and mother.Conclusion: In general, the findings show that early trauma and attitudes toward father and mother can predict difficulty identifying feelings and describing feelings and explain a considerable variance of survival index.

Introduction: Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder and has the highest rate of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. Excessive worry is the main diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. The purpose of the present study is to examine the mediating role of meta-cognitive beliefs and cognitive emotion regulation deficit on the relationship between cognitive perfectionism and worry in generalized anxiety disorder.Materials and Methods: This is an exploratory-correlative study in which new correlations between variables will be examined. The statistical population includes patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder referred to clinical centers in Tehran and Yazd in years 2012 and 2013. 100 consecutive referrals with generalized anxiety disorder (74 women,  26men) were selected through purposeful sampling. All participants completed Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Meta-cognitive Beliefs Questionnaire (MCBQ), and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Data analysis was done through Pearson's correlation coefficients, two-steps regression analyses and SPSS software version 16.Results: Cognitive perfectionism as well as meta-cognitive beliefs and cognitive emotion regulation deficit had a positive relationship with worry in generalized anxiety disordered patients (P<0.001). Furthermore, data analysis revealed that the relationship between cognitive perfectionism and worry in patients with generalized anxiety disorder was mediated by meta-cognitive beliefs and cognitive emotion regulation deficit (P<0.001).Conclusion: It can be concluded that the relationship between cognitive perfectionism and worry in patients with generalized anxiety disorder is not a simple linear one. This is partly mediated by meta-cognitive beliefs and cognitive emotion regulation deficit.

Introduction: Nausea and Vomiting due to chemotherapy are the most distressing side effects of this treatment in breast cancer patients. Apart from pharmacological factors, non-pharmacological factors including psychological factors such as emotions and emotion regulation have a significant impact on the incidence and severity of these side effects. Because emotion regulation is one of the main factors leading to different behaviors in different individuals in response to various situations, the aim of this research is the study of difficulties in emotion regulation as a predictor of incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.Materials and Methods: In this is descriptive correlation study (Oct 2012-Feb 2013),  300breast cancer patients referred to Reza clinic and Omid and Qaem hospitals in Mashhad were selected through available sampling. They completed Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and nausea and vomiting scale (MANE). To data analysis SPSS software, factor analysis and regression analysis were used.Results: The results of regression analysis showed that difficulties in emotion regulation can predict the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients (P<0.01).Conclusion: Considering the findings, difficulties in emotion regulation can predict the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.

Introduction: Spirituality is being increasingly recognized as an important aspect of the health and wellbeing of people with chronic health conditions. Spirituality gives meaning to people’s lives and may be an important coping resource that enables people with chronic conditions to deal with their condition. Thus the goal of this study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of the spiritual questionnaire (Parsian and Dunning, 2009).Materials and Methods: The research sample consisted of 348 university students (141 men and 206 women) (2012-2013). The participants were selected through convenience sampling method and they fulfilled spiritual questionnaire (Parsian and Dunning, 2009). Applied methods were: construct validity (explanatory factor analysis and internal consistency), convergent validity, reliability (internal consistency), and Pearson correlation index. Data analyzed by SPSS software version 20.Results: In explanatory factor analysis, four factors (self-awareness, importance of spiritual beliefs, spiritual practices, and spiritual needs) were extracted. The reliability of this test was assessed and Cronbach's alpha for these factors was 0.84, 0.90, 0.77, and 0.82 respectively. The global Cronbach's alpha of the questionnaire was 0.90.Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, this spirituality questionnaire has good validity and reliability, and can be used to evaluate spirituality in Iranian population.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the effect of group positive parenting program training on reducing externalizing behaviors in children with attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) in Turkmen families.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial in 2013,  22mothers of children with ADHD from Kalaleh, Golestan Province, were randomly divided into two groups: positive parenting program group during 8 sessions (n=10) and control group (n=12). Data were collected using the parent-report form of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data were then analyzed using SPSS 18 by means of ANCOVA, independent t-test, and chi-square tests.Results: The results showed that in the experimental group, children’s externalizing behavior significantly reduced after group positive parenting program training compared to the control group (P<0.004). Positive parenting program produced a modest effect size.Conclusion: Since positive parenting program training for mothers is effective in reducing children’s externalizing behavior, this training program is recommended along with pharmacotherapy to be implemented to reduce behavior problems in children with ADHD.

Introduction: Adolescents, as a vulnerable population, are at risk of developing social complications for several reasons. The aim of this study was to compare actual self, ideal self and ought self between the adolescents with and without criminal history in Isfahan.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2012,  79adolescents between 15 to 18 years old in Rehabilitation and Training Center, and 120 adolescents without criminal history studying in high schools of Isfahan were matched for age. Data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisting of demographic data and 27 items concerning self-discrepancy. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA, ANOVA, chi square, and independent t-test in SPSS software.Results: The mean (±standard deviation) score of actual self, ideal self, ought self, difference between actual self and ideal self and difference between actual self and ought self in delinquency group was 63.08 ±13.82,  80.97±15.34,  77±14.14, -17.89 ± 18.17 and -13.92 ± 17.09, respectively and in adolescents with no criminal history 73.63±9.33,  79.35±14.69, 75.07±15.56, -6.07±15.17 and -1.31±16.3, respectively. Actual self mean score was significantly higher in the group with no criminal history (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the mean scores of ought self) P=0.36) and actual self (P=0.45) between the two groups.Conclusion: The actual self scores were lower in adolescents with criminal history than the adolescents without criminal history; therefore, educational planners and school authorities should adopt an appropriate training approach with regards to actual self to protect adolescents against delinquent behavior.

Introduction: Given the important role of family in shaping human behavior, the current research has been conducted with the aim of identifying the family characteristics of individuals with risky sexual behaviors.Materials and Methods: In this correlative study the statistical population included women with risky and extramarital sexual behaviors. 104 women were selected through available sampling method in 2010-11 in Tehran. Data collection tools included: AIDS Risk Assessment Questionnaire to assess risky behavior and related factors and the Risky Sexual Behavior Questionnaire and Family demographic questionnaire. SPSS software, t-test, analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were used for data analysis.Results: Results from studying the family factors and variables related to the degree of risky sexual behaviors in the study group shows that residential situations, occupational conditions, living conditions, parents' living status, and the degree of intimacy in the family has a significant negative relationship with risky sexual behaviors (P<0.05). There is a positive correlation (P<0.05) between history of abuse by family members and the number of risky sexual behaviors. There is no significant correlation between marital status, educational status, and parents' living status with risky sexual behaviors (P>0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results about the important role of family in the risky sexual behaviors, and also the increasing rate of these behaviors in our society, attention to the role of family is necessary for its prevention.