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Background & Aim: At recent three decades, management of chronic mental disorders has been a focus of attention in mental health systems. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of group psychodrama in reducing depression in inpatient women with chronic mental disorder. Method & Materials: In this semi-experimental study, thirty women with chronic mental disorders bedridden at Razi comprehensive psychiatric center(Tehran, Iran) were randomly assigned to two groups, namely intervention & control groups. Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) was administered to all participants and then a 12 session group psychodrama intervention program was carried out for the intervention group. Meanwhile routine treatments were continued for the control group. BDI was then re-administered for both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent and Paired T tests, Kolmogroph-Smernoph, Chi-square, Leven and Covariance analysis(ANCOVA) tests.   Findings: After the intervention, the BDI mean score significantly reduced in the intervention group(p=0.000) but not in the control one. The two groups showed no difference regarding the mean BDI scores before the intervention but afterward the control group had a significantly higher score in this respect(p=0.000). The significant differences remained true after applying ANCOVA to control the effects of age and rate of depression(p=0.000) Conclusion: Psychodrama may be an effective intervention for reducing depression in patients with chronic mental disorders.

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Introduction: Many women in fertile period of their lives experience some bothering mental and physical symptoms that begin around 7-10 days before menses (lutheal phase) and cease in the first days of menstrual bleeding. After presentation of the Text Revision of the Fourth version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of psychiatric disorders (DSM-IV), these symptoms already known as Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) were called Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This process was associated with addition of some criteria about duration and intensity. The prevalence of PMS has been estimated to be about 40% to 70% but severe signs (PMDD) have lower prevalence. This study has evaluated the frequency of PMS and PMDD and some related factors in students of girls’ high schools in Kermanshah. Methods and Materials: In this descriptive-analytic study, 800 students of girls’ high schools were chosen by randomized cluster sampling. A researcher made questionnaire assessing PMS and PMDD according to DSM.IV.TR criteria as well as a demographic questionnaire were administered to participants. Data were analyzed running SPSS software -version 11.5. Findings: Frequencies of PMS and PMDD were 41.5% and 9.4% respectively. The disorder was more frequent in students older than 16 years old. Mood symptoms were the most frequent presentation, followed by physical and behavioral symptoms. There was a lower frequency of the disorder despite a higher frequency of the syndrome in students with highly educated mothers. The frequency of PMS was higher in students with positive family history.  Discussion: Because of the potential adverse effects of PMS and PMDD on academic achievement and mental health of students, the high frequency of these problems need urgent attention. Planning mental health evaluations and interventions is necessary for these age group students. Diagnosis of severe cases and referring them should be considered in such programs. 

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Background & Aims: Psychological interventions may improve the quality of life in asthmatic patients through affecting the bio-psycho-social dimensions. This study is aimed to assess the efficacy of cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) group education on improvement of quality of life in asthmatic patients. Method& Materials: This was an experimental study using randomized pre-, post- and follow-up tests. Twenty-four patients already diagnosed with asthma were randomly selected and assigned to two groups. They were all administered the Quality Of Life questionnaire for Asthmatic patients (Asthma-QOL) before and after the intervention and again after the follow-up period. CBSM group education was directed for the experimental group in eight sessions. Meanwhile both groups were kept under their routine medical treatments and the control group was registered in the waiting list for the CBSM education group. Data was analyzed using ANCOVA. Results: After the intervention, the mean QOL-Asthma score in the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase when compared with that of the control group(P < 0.05). Conclusion:The results demonstrated the effectiveness of CBSM group education on the improvement of quality of life in female asthmatic patients. 

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Aim and Background: Development of human societies sometimes leads in negative consequences such as stress. This research was conducted to assess the effects of religious commitment and self-efficacy in predicting the amount and type of perceived stress in university students. Methods and Materials: This was a correlational-descriptive study including 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students at East Azerbaijan Payam-e-Noor University during 2009-2010 academic year. The subjects have been selected by multiple-stage cluster sampling. Data was collected through researcher-made questionnaire, Nilsson religious commitment questionnaire, the perceived stress questionnaire by Kohen et al., and Sherz general self-efficacy questionnaire. The data was analyzed using Pearson correlation test and multiple regression test in SPSS. Findings: The findings showed religious commitment to have a negative relation with the amount of negative stress, and significant positive relations with self-efficacy and the amount of positive stress. On the other hand, self-efficacy had a negative relation with the amount of negative stress, and a significant positive relation with the amount of positive stress. Standard multiple regression showed self-efficacy and religious commitment to be valid variables for predicting positive and negative stress in students. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, students can reduce the amount of negative stress and therefore improve their mental health by increasing their religious commitment, such as praying and reading Quran.

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Aim and Background: People differ in how they process information. Assessment of such differencess is helpfull for understanding and predicting behavior in a variety of contexts. One of tht most important measure of individual differences in Information Processing is the Intuitive-Rational- Inventory, and the purpose of the present research is to investigate the psychometric properties of Persian version of this Inventory in university students&rsquo; population. Methods and Materials: First, the Inventory was translated into Farsi. Then, it was retranslated into English and compared with the original version to find and correct the gaps between&nbsp; the translated version and the original version. Finally, after the pilot study and resolving the mistakes, the final questionnaire was carried out for sample group consisting of 335 students studying in Humanities Sciences in Tabriz Payame Noor University. The data were analysed by using SPSS-18 softwar. Findings: In this study, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted on the 40 items of the inventory, using a Principal Component Analysis, with Varimax Rotation. Cattell&rsquo;s scree plot and Horn&rsquo;s parallel analysis indicated the two factor solutions. Examination of communalities table revealed 18 items (nine each from the rational and experiential scales) with low internal consistency. These items were deleted and a second Principal Component factor analysis was conducted on the remaining 22 items. The resulte showed the two factors clearly. The first factor accounted for 18% and the second factor about 16% of the variance in the item set. As in the original scale, these factors were called Intuitive and rational Information Processing styles. To determine its validity item- total correlations and item discrimination power calculated. The reliability of the Intuitive-Rational Inventory was obtained by internal consistency (cronbach alpha) and test- retest methods. Cronbach&#039;s Alpha coefficient for Intuitive and rational Information Processing styles was 0.80 and 0.77; and correlation coefficient after four weeks retest was 0.90 and 0.94, respectively. Cronbach&#039;s Alpha and test- retest coefficient showed that reliability of factors is acceptable. Conclusions: Results at this study showed that Intuitive-Rational- Inventory has psychometric properties for utilizing in psychological research, clinical diagnostics and counseling.

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Aim and Background: Prayer is one of the commandments of God and has an essential role in human&rsquo;s mental relaxation. Many text saboutreligion, spirituality and healing exist, and in many of them there lationship between prayer and mental health and the protective eeffec to fthese concepts have been noted. Depression is more common among students. It decreases their academic success and achievements and keeps them from reaching their goals. Therefore this study aimed to determine the relationship between prayer and depression and some demographical parameters. Methods and Materials: The present study was conducted by section during four months. 715 students from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were randomly chosen. Data gathering tool included demographic information form, Beck depression questionnaire and prayer checklist. Data were then analyzed. Findings: Depression incidence among students was 44%. There was a statistically significant relationship between nobligation to prayer and depression (P = 0.001). Also finding sreveal edthatthere was a statistically significant relationship between depression and respecting the priority of prayertime (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Praying and respecting the priority of prayer time significantly decreased depression among students. It is suggested in order to achieve primary prevention and decrease the prevalence of students&#039;depression disorders, more comprehensive actions should be performed to promote prayer culture.

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Aim and Background: Depression and anxiety among students are important issues, because they lead to scholastic decline and develop many difficulties for students in the future. Furthermore, adherence to religious beliefs and attitudes toward religion as a deterrent to many mental disorders, especially depression and anxiety, has attracted the attention of many psychologists. This study aimed to review the relationship between religious orientations, depression as well anxiety of students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional correlation study which was conducted on 715 students who were selected through stratified random sampling method. Data collection was done through demographic information questionnaire form, DASS-42 standard questionnaire and the Religious Orientations Scale (ROS) by Allport. Finally, statistical software SPSS was used to analyze the data by descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA as well as the Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings: Average score of depression and anxiety among female students was more than male students; however, in religious orientations, statistically there was no significant relationship between male and female students. Statistically, there was a significant relationship between students&rsquo; depression and anxiety and religious orientations (r = -0.61; P < 0.05) (r = -0.56; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Promotion of religious orientations leads to reduce students&rsquo; anxiety and depression, and therefore religious beliefs can play an important role in preventing mental disorders in people&#039;s lives particularly among university students.

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Aim and Background: Patients with ischemic heart disease in acute stage experienced great anxiety and in compared with patients had less anxiety were affected 5 times more to ischemia, re-infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation.&nbsp; Excessive anxiety delays recovery and increases the probability of their death in the first month. Numerous studies have shown that heart disease affect the person&#039;s spirituality and suggested that interventions based spirituality may reduce anxiety. Thus, with regard to results of the research findings, vast library search, expert&#039;s opinion, one spirituality care program developed and considered its impact on anxiety of ischemic heart patients hospitalized in CCU. Methods and Materials: This was a randomized clinical trial. Sixty-four ischemic patients in CCU randomly divided into test and control groups. Spiritual care program included supportive presence, support from patient&rsquo;s rituals, and using supportive systems for 3 days and Anxiety Questionnaire completed before and after the intervention for the both groups. Data analysis done through software SPSS and chi-square, independent-t and paired t-tests. Results: Mean score of Anxiety had no significant difference before intervention between two groups (P = 0.91); whereas paired t-test showed there was a significant difference in the test group before and after the intervention (P=0.001), also mean score of anxiety had a significant difference between test and control groups after the intervention (P=0.03). Conclusion: With regard to results of present study spirituality care program could reduce anxiety of ischemic heart patients hospitalized in CCU, so nurses could apply spirituality care program to decrease the anxiety of patients.

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Abstract Aim and Background: Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disorder which is more prevalent in women than men. Therefore, the aim of present study was to evaluate the relationship physical functioning impairment (as criterion variable) with fatigue, psychological symptoms and body mass index (as predictive variables) in the women suffering from this disease. Methods and Materials: In a cross sectional study, sampling was performed on 114 patients by consecutive method who were evaluated by using demographic variables list, physical dimension of short form health survey questionnaire, fatigue severity scale, depression, anxiety, stress scale and body mass index. data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. Findings: The results indicated a significant, strong correlation of physical functioning with fatigue, depression, anxiety and stress variables (P<0.0001). Body mass index had the lowest correlation coefficient with physical functioning (P<0.05). The results of hierarchical regression showed the total variance of all variables in final step as 0.58 (R 2 ) (P<0.0001; F=18.20). Moreover, additional exclusive variance was 0.39 at this step after controlling demographic variables such as age, education level and duration of the disease. Furthermore, in final step, variables of fatigue (&beta;= - 0.25; P<0.0001) and anxiety (&beta;= - 0.44; P<0.0001) could significantly predict physical functioning impairment of women. Conclusions: Results indicated that fatigue and anxiety can affect the physical functioning impairment in women. Thus, the screening of women with these symptoms and appropriate treatment is recommended.

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Abstract Aim and Background: Early maladaptive schemas are assumed to be a disrupting factor for quality of life. Yet, the mechanism of this vulnerability is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate mediating effect of coping strategies on the relationship between early maladaptive schemas in domain of disconnection and rejection and mental quality of life. Methods and Materials: The present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population was consisting of males and females who were 20 to 35 years old and they were residents of Isfahan in year 1390. 245 people were selected as the sample by availability method of sampling. They completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS) and WHOQOL-BREF Quality of life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using path analysis with SPSS 18 and LISREL 8.5. Findings: The path analysis indicated that emotion-focused strategy is the mediator between emotional deprivation schema and mental quality of life (direct effect = -0.11, indirect effect = -0.07, P< 0.05) and between abandonment schema and mental quality of life (direct effect = -0.09, indirect effect = -0.04, P< 0.05) Conclusions: Coping strategies are mediator in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and mental quality of life. Therefore, modification of coping strategies can improve mental quality of life in people who have early maladaptive schemas.

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Abstract &nbsp; Aim and Background: The purpose of the present study was to examination of the religious orientation and burden of family as predictors of treatment permanence of addiction. Methods and Materials: This descriptive, analytic cross sectional study was conducted on one hundred Self-introduced Addicts who reoffered to Isfahan centers of addiction treatment during 2012-2013 were selected using simple sampling. The clinical and demographic characteristics information, George&acute;s religious orientation of addict questionnaire and Zarit Burden questionnaire. All analyses were performed with descriptive and analytic statistical (multiples regression and Pearson coefficients correlation) methods in SPSS for Windows 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Findings: Based on study findings there was a statistically significant relationship between the religious orientation and burden of family with treatment permanence of addiction (p<0.001). Hence, burden of family is a negative predictor of permanence of addiction and predicts 10 percent of permanence of addiction variance. Also religious orientation is a positive predictor of permanence of addiction and predicts 20 percent of permanence of addiction variance. Conclusion: Since religious orientation and spirituality being surrounded on all affairs of life, has an important role in inhibition of the tendency of the drug, it&rsquo;s suggested to focus on religious history and spiritual aspect thought medical cure process.

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Abstract Aim and Background: Due to the high incidence of breast cancer and the importance of spiritual well-being (SWB) of patients with this type of cancer, this study was performed to predict the role of psychological, medical and demographic factors, on SWB in patients with breast cancer Methods and Materials: This Cross sectional study was a descriptive-analytic one conducted in 341 breast cancer patients with simple sampling methodology. Data collection instrument included a questionnaire contains 3 parts (demographic and medical information, SWB questionnaire and DASS-42 questionnaire). The data was analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics (One way Analysis of Variance, Student t-Test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients and Multiple linear regressions), with applying SPSSv20 software. Findings: Based on study findings, there was a statistically significant relationship between SWB and stress, anxiety and depression among breast cancer patients. The results of regression analysis indicated that the stress, anxiety and depression explained totally 39.5% of the variance of patients&#039; SWB (R 2 = 39.5). Depression in the first was the best predictions of the breast cancer patients&#039; SWB with R 2 = 26.2. Conclusions: According to the results obtained, SWB of patients with breast cancer is predicable according to the stress, anxiety and depression. Breast cancer patients with higher grades of SWB, had lower stress, anxiety and depression so SWB is a protective factor against stress, anxiety and depression. &nbsp;

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Aim and Background: Schemas are defined as organized elements of reactions and experiences in the past that form an enduring body of knowledge so that they could influence and evaluate later perceptions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of early cognitive schemas on narcissism trait. Methods and Materials: This study was performed on 360 students living in dormitories of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, who were selected via random sampling method. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-40) and Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (SQ-SF) were used to obtain the data. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Findings: Schemas of emotional deprivation, mistrust, defectiveness, unrelenting standards, entitlement (P = 0.010) and undeveloped self (P = 0.050) had a significant positive correlation with narcissism and subjugation schema had a significant negative correlation with it. Also, results of the regression analysis indicated that schemas of defectiveness, entitlement, emotional deprivation, subjugation, mistrust (P = 0.010), and unrelenting standards and undeveloped self (P = 0.050) had significant role in predicting narcissism (R 2 = 0.57) in order of importance. Conclusions: Early maladaptive schemas could be considered as the basic cognitive structures that help to have a better understanding of how people with narcissistic personality characteristics perceive their social environment.

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Aim and Background: Many studies have shown that mortality rate among the patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD) is greatly influenced by their mood. While positive psychological states are associated with improved cardiovascular function in these patients, positive psychology interventions have not been used in patients with cardiac diseases. Hence, this study examined the effectiveness of three happiness interventions on psychological variables in patients with cardiac diseases. Methods and Materials: In present study, 68 patients with cardiac diseases were assigned randomly to three happiness intervention groups, including Seligman, Lyubomirsky and Fordyce, and a control group. The intervention groups completed 6 weeks of happiness sessions, and pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up measurements were carried out on the patients. Assessments included the status of depression, happiness, life satisfaction and hope. Data were analyzed with one-way repeated measures analysis of covariance. Findings: All three interventions improved happiness in patients significantly (P < 0.01). In addition, significant reduction of depression in Fordyce group was observed (P < 0.05). Besides, hope increased significantly in Seligman group at posttest and follow-up (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings show that these happiness interventions may be led to more promising results in promoting positive psychological states and reducing depression in patients with cardiac diseases. In general, Seligman happiness intervention in promoting positive psychological states and Fordyce happiness intervention in reducing depression lead to better outcomes than two other interventions.

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Aim and Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common type of anxiety disorder and has high rates of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. Sever anxiety is the main diagnostic criteria for GAD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive self-compassion training on cognitive emotion regulation strategies in female second grade high school students with GAD. Methods and Materials: The present experimental study was conducted with pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all female second grade students of high schools in Izeh, Iran, in the academic year of 2015-2016. Screening was conducted and 302 participants completed the Penn State Worry Questionnaires (PSWQ), then, 40 individuals with GAD were identified and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The instrument used in this study was the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). The experimental group received 10 sessions of self-compassion training lasting 90 minutes, 1 session per week, for 2 months. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential tests such as ANCOVA. Findings: The results showed that self-compassion training significantly decreased self-blame, rumination, and catastrophising, from among maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, in the experimental group. From among adaptive emotion regulation strategies, it only effected positive reappraisal in the experimental group. Conclusions: Based on the results, it can be concluded that cognitive self-compassion training is an important factor in reducing some maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in students with GAD.

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Aim and Background: A reason for the higher prevalence of psychological problems in individuals with obesity is their lack of emotional control. The aim of this study was the assessment of the effectiveness of emotion regulation techniques on the psychopathological problems in women with obesity. Methods and Materials: The present clinical trial was conducted through pretest-posttest method and follow-up. From among all women with BMI of over 25 in Isfahan, Iran, in 2015, 24 women were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental (emotion regulation techniques) and control groups. Data were collected using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS software. Findings: The results of psychopathology dimensions indicated that the effect of emotion regulation on the reduction of anxiety and obsession was not significant in the posttest stage (P > 0.05), but it was significant in the follow-up stage (P < 0.05). However, emotion regulation had a significant effect on the reduction of depression and somatization in the posttest and follow-up stages (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that emotion regulation education is effective on the improvement of psychopathological symptoms in patients with obesity and it has some important implications in the consideration of emotion regulation group therapy in the reduction of the problems of patients with obesity.

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Aim and Background: Learning mathematics is difficult for ordinary students, and thus, twice as difficult for students with mathematics learning disability (MLD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to study the effectiveness of training based on Gardner’s multiple intelligences on the performance of female students in third grade primary schools with MLD. Methods and Materials: The research method was experimental with pretest-posttest and control group. The research population included all female third grade primary students with MLD in Isfahan, Iran. From among them, 42 subjects were selected through cluster sampling and were assigned to intervention and control groups. Then, the intervention group was divided into 8 groups. The intervention groups received 6 sessions of Gardner’s multiple intelligence training (60-minutes each) and the control group participants were on the waiting list. The data collection tool was a teacher-constructed mathematical test (Multiplication operation). The data were analyzed using ANCOVA. Findings: Results showed significant differences between the mean math score of the intervention and control groups in the posttest and the follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean score of the intervention groups was significantly higher than the control group. Conclusions: According to the results, it can be concluded that mathematics education based on Gardner's multiple intelligences can be effective on the academic performance of students.

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Aim and Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can affect learning in children. Consideration of individual differences is an important factor in the education of children with ADHD. Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is based on this principle. This study aimed to determine the effect of Inspiration software (a computer game) on changes in multiple intelligences in children with ADHD in  Isfahan, Iran. Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with pretest-posttest and a control group. The statistic population consisted of children of 6 to 13 years of age with ADHD. A total of 64 children (32 subjects in each group) were selected through convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. The research tool was the Multiple Intelligences Scale. The data were analyzed using ANCOVA. Findings: The results of paired t-test showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of multiple intelligences scores of patients with ADHD in the posttest (P ≤ 0.05). The use of Inspiration software caused an increase in the multiple intelligences score of the experimental group compared to the control group in the posttest. Conclusions: This study showed that Inspiration softeware can increase the multiple intelligences score of patients with ADHD, and thus, the use of this method in conjunction with other therapy methods is recommended.

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Aim and Background: Addiction and its unpleasant consequences are one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Initial maladaptive schemas are related to addiction. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of admission and commitment therapy (ACT) and schema therapy on early maladaptive schemas in addicted people. Methods and Materials: The research method was pre-test, post-test experimental study with control group. The statistical population included 1500 people. A sample of 60 people was selected and randomly assigned to 3 groups, one control group (n = 20), and two experimental groups (n = 20, each). Young schema questionnaire short form (YSQ-SF) was used to measure early maladaptive schemas. The experimental groups participated in 12 sessions of the treatment group weekly for two 90-minute sessions. Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics were analyzed using covariance analysis, homogeneity and uniformity tests of variance and post hoc test. Findings: ACT and schema therapy were effective on the components of early maladaptive schemas. Conclusions: The group-based ACT and schema therapy have been able to reduce early maladaptive schemas and can be used in the treatment of patients with this disorder.

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Aim and Background: The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation skills training based on Gross and Linehan models on emotion regulation strategies in adolescents with borderline personality disorder. Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experiment study with pretest/posttest method and control group. The study population included all the adolescents with borderline personality disorder referred to counseling centers, psychiatrists, and psychiatric services, as well as suicide emergency centers in Tehran City, Iran, in the year 2017. 45 patients were selected using random sampling method, and were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group (n = 15). Both experimental groups were under treatment within 8 sessions, 2 sessions of 90 minutes weekly, while the control group received no treatment. The research tool included Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), which was conducted in pretest and posttest assessments. Findings: Linehan model had significant effects on all emotion regulation strategies in posttest survey. Gross model had significant effects on some of emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance, positive refocusing, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, catastrophizing, other-blame, except self-blame, and rumination in posttest assessment. Conclusions: Due to common components of treatment, both models of emotion regulation skills training were effective on emotion regulation strategies. Overall, the results indicated Linehan model to be more effective on emotion regulation strategies (reduction of less adaptive strategies). Therefore, it can be used to improve emotion regulation strategies.