دکتر خلیل اسماعیل پور

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder and general anxiety suffer from attention bias. However, the lack of similar studies investigating attention bias in these groups necessiates a copmarison of attention bias between individuals with these disorders and those without.

The aim of this study was to compare attention bias among individuals exhibiting  symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder ( washers and checkers),  those with generalized anxiety disorder, and individuals without any diagnosed psychological conditions.

The methododology employed in this research is a causal-comparative (post-event) design. The statistical population of this study comprised all students enrolled at Tabriz University during the academic year 1401-1402.  To identify students with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (based on Maudsley, 1997) and anxiety (following Beck, 1990) questionnaires were distributed using available methods. Subsequently, a purposive sampling technique was used to select 15 participants for each of the four groups: washers, checkers, anxious and  normal. Following the selection process, participants underwent the emotional Stroop test (Stroop, 1935), which included four categories of words: disgust, anxiety, checking and neutral words to assess attention bias. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with SPSS-20 software.

The findings revealed that participants in the washing group exhibited significantly longer reaction time to disgust words (P≤0.001) compared to the other three groups. Similarly, individuals in the checking group demonstrated prolonged reaction time to checking words compared to the other three groups (P≤0.001). Moreover, participants in the anxiety group displayed extended reaction times to the anxiety words compared to the other groups (P≤0.001).

Based on the findings indicating heightened attention bias among individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (washers and checkers) and generalized anxiety disorder compared to the normal group, it is recommended to implement therapeutic interventions and cognitive rehabilitation strategies  aimed at reducing attention bias in these two groups.

Self-injury and substance abuse in people with borderline personality disorder can lead to serious harm to themselves and those around them. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness and emotion regulation therapy based on dialectical behavior therapy on substance abuse and self-injury in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

This research was conducted using a single-case experimental design (SCED) of the multiple baseline type, consisting of eight one-hour sessions for three patients, followed by a one-month follow-up period. The statistical population included patients diagnosed with PBD. Three individuals were selected based on their voluntary participation and adherence to the research criteria, utilizing targeted and available sampling methods. Inclusion was based on a psychiatrist's diagnosis and a structured clinical interview. They received dialectical behavior therapy based on emotion regulation and mindfulness for eight sessions. Data were collected using the Risky Behaviors Questionnaire by Mohammadkhani and the Personality Assessment Inventory Borderline Features Scale (PAI-BFS).

Data analysis, presented through graphs and tables for SCED, indicated that mindfulness and emotion regulation interventions based on dialectical behavior therapy resulted in significant changes. The effect sizes for the first subject in the variables of self-harm and substance abuse were 4.526 and 2.260, respectively; for the second subject, they were 6.253 and 6.772; and for the third subject, they were 3.651 and 6.134.

This treatment method has led to statistically significant improvements in the symptoms of substance abuse and self-harm among patients with BPD.

The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based training package on procrastination, self-efficacy and academic motivation of children with sluggish cognitive tempo. This study was implemented within the framework of a single -subject experimental design with multiple baselines. The sample consisted of 5 children aged 10 to 14 years with sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms, living in Tabriz City in the 2022-2023 academic year, who were selected by purposeful sampling method and using diagnostic tools (structured clinical interview and measure of sluggish cognitive tempo). The samples received mindfulness training for 12 sessions, and all of them were evaluated in three stages (baseline, treatment and follow-up) using the procrastination assessment scale-students (Solomon and Rothblum, 1986), student efficacy scale (Jinks and Morgan, 1999) and academic motivation scale (Vallerand et al., 1992). For data analysis, the indicators of trend change, slopeIn and review of charts were used; also to determine the clinical significance, recovery percentage and effect size were used. The results showed that mindfulness-based therapy reduced academic procrastination and increased self-efficacy and academic motivation of children with sluggish cognitive tempo with a large effect size. Also, the calculated average recovery percentage showed the clinical significance of changes in self-efficacy and academic motivation and the clinical non-significance changes in academic procrastination. According to the results of this study, it can be said that mindfulness training has practical implications in improving the academic performance of children with sluggish cognitive tempo and is recommended for clinicians.

Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of emotion-focused group therapy (EFGT) on psychopathology in vulnerable groups. However, it remains unclear whether this intervention is effective for self-harming students. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of EFGT on emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and tendency to risky behaviors in self-harming female students.

This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population comprised all female secondary school students in Bukan city during the academic year 2023. A sample of 45 students was selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned to experimental, placebo, and control groups (15 students each). Participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Self-Harm Inventory, and Iranian Adolescents Risk-taking Scalebefore and after the group therapy and in the follow-up phase. The emotion-focused treatment protocol developed by Watson and Greenberg (2006) was administered over 8 sessions lasting 90 minutes each, conducted over a period of 2 months for the experimental group. Data were analyzed by mixed ANOVA using SPSS-25 software.

The findings indicated that EFGT significantly reduced emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, tendency to risky behaviors, and self-harm tendencies in the experimental group compared to the placebo and control groups (p<0.01). These effects were sustained during the follow-up phase (p<0.01).

The results of the present study provided appropriate experimental support for the effect of EFGT in reducing emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, tendency to risky behaviors and self-harm tendencies in at-risk students. Therefore, clinical experts and psychotherapists can use this intervention to effectively treat emotional dysregulation, risky behaviors and self-harm tendencies in students.

Metacognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on correcting metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry, rumination, and attention fixation. This study was conducted to determine the impacts of metacognitive therapy on sleep quality and aggression in females with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study utilized a semi-experimental approach with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all emotionally injured women referred to the Urmia Counseling Center in 2023. A sample size of 45 individuals was selected based on convenience sampling and inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to a therapeutic intervention group (15 individuals), a placebo group (15 individuals), and a control group (15 individuals). The intervention group received eight metacognitive therapy sessions, while the placebo group participated in the same number of social interaction sessions. The patients in the control group did not receive any intervention. They requested to complete the questionnaires immediately, one month, and again two months after the intervention. The research tools used to collect data were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire and Aggression Questionnaire.

The findings indicate that administering metacognitive therapy improved sleep quality and aggression during the post-test phase (p<0.05). Additionally, the results of the follow-up assessment conducted after one month revealed that the changes brought about by the treatment had stabilized.

The research findings provide useful information about using metacognitive therapy. Psychologists and psychiatrists can utilize this intervention to improve sleep quality and reduce aggression in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Satisfaction and happiness from marital relationship decreases over time and among many couples. Communication problems have always been considered as one of the main causes of marital dissatisfaction and divorce. Marital heartbreak and marital incompatibility have become one of the most important events in life and have significant economic and social consequences. Heartbreak is a painful state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion and affects those who expect dream love to give meaning to their lives. This situation occurs when they realize that despite their efforts, their relationship has not and will not give meaning to life. In the meantime, marital conflicts are of particular importance, and when conflicts occur, relationships become weaker or stronger. Usually, conflict is defined as a lack of agreement and opposition between spouses, inconsistency in behavior, opinions and goals in opposition to the other. The inability to communicate logically with the spouse is considered the most common problem that unhappy couples raise and have reported as a significant relationship between communication beliefs and marital conflicts.Research on the issue of marital dissatisfaction is important for several reasons. Some of these reasons are related to the importance of the family institution in today's society. Others are related to the quality of life and the effect that marital boredom can have on other aspects of life. Unfortunately, family damage has increased in many countries, the divorce rate has increased in recent years and has reached its peak in the last decade. There may be problems that lead couples to decide to separate, such as motivation for separation, intense conflict, and chronic violent events. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the prediction of marital dissatisfaction based on marital conflicts and communication beliefs in couples applying for divorce.

The population of this research included all couples applying for divorce who referred to the family court and dispute resolution council of Mashhad during the fall of 2018 (122,000 divorce cases). For this purpose, 100 couples (200 people) were selected from the mentioned society by purposeful sampling method. The criteria for include the research included: having a minimum education in reading and writing (in order to be able to read and understand self-report questionnaires), having at least one year of cohabitation, not having a history of divorce or remarriage. The exclusion criterion was non-cooperation in completing the questionnaire. Ethical considerations including obtaining informed consent, guaranteeing privacy and confidentiality were fully respected. In order to collect data, Marital Distress Scale (MDS; Kaiser, 1996), Revised Marital Conflicts Questionnaire (MCQ-R; Sanai et al., 2018) and Communication Beliefs Questionnaire (RBI; Eidelson & Epstein, 1982) were used. In Iran, for the first time, Saadati et al. (32) in a study with a sample of 300 people obtained the reliability of the scale of marital boredom, using Cronbach's alpha method, 0.79. Cronbach's alpha for the entire questionnaire of marital conflicts by Sanai et al., on a group of 270 people, was equal to 0.96 and for subscales from 0.56 to 0.89. O’leary also reported the reliability of communication beliefs questionnaire from 0.72 to 0.81. The obtained data were analyzed using the method of Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression.

The average length of marriage of the participants in the research was 9.05 years. In examining the results of the Pearson correlation test to examine the relationship between the sub-components of the predictor variables and the criterion variable, it was observed that only 3 of the sub-components of marital conflicts (including a decrease in family relationship with relatives, spouse and friends; a decrease in effective communication; and an increase in emotional reactions) have a significant positive relationship with marital burnout. Regarding the sub-components of communication beliefs, 4 beliefs of destructiveness of opposition, expectation of mind reading, belief in the immutability of the spouse, and sexual perfectionism have a significant relationship with marital dissatisfaction; In the case of sexual perfectionism, this relationship was negative, and in the case of the three beliefs of destructive opposition, expectation of mind reading, and belief in the immutability of the spouse, there was a negative relationship with marital dissatisfaction. The relationship between the belief about gender differences and marital dissatisfaction was not significant. Also, the results showed that the multiple regression model was significant (p<0.001) and the components of these two variables were able to significantly predict 30% of the variance of marital boredom (R=0.552 and R2=0.304). Decrease in effective communication and increase in emotional reactions (one of the components of marital conflicts), belief in the immutability of the spouse and sexual perfectionism (one of the components of communication beliefs) can significantly predict marital burnout. The expectation belief of mind reading was also close to the significant level (p=0.052). Among these components, sexual perfectionism had a negative effect and the rest had a positive effect in predicting marital dissatisfaction.

When two people, as a couple, live together, conflict will occur. Due to the nature of couples' interaction, there are times when disagreements are observed or needs are not met, as a result, spouses feel anger, despair and dissatisfaction towards each other. Couples who have good communication skills will have a positive evaluation and a broader view of various aspects of incompatible issues and events in their lives, and they will often use problem-oriented strategies in dealing with issues and problems. While couples who have not learned the necessary communication skills and problem-solving methods correctly, they often use ineffective methods to resolve conflicts in stressful and challenging situations and end up suffering from marital burnout. The findings obtained in the present research and other similar researches, while clarifying some important issues in the society, provide the ground for establishing accuracy of opinion and more emphasis on identifying the fields of conflict resolution. According to these facts and the results of the present research, it can be said that it is necessary to apply these theories in treating the problems of couples with marital conflicts, in addition to creating facilities for increasing the knowledge of therapists, so that in this way it is possible to improve and enhance the quality of life of people. Therefore, according to the results of this research and the role of communication conflicts and beliefs in predicting marital dissatisfaction, it is necessary for family counselors to examine these cases in pre-marriage counseling and when marital conflicts occur, and in the case of divorce applicants, and prepare targeted interventions for them.

The current study scrutinizes the structural relations between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and attention deficit-hyperactivity, conduct and oppositional defiant disorders among primary school children. The sample of the study included of 533 elementary school students (aged 9-11) of Tabriz city, whom were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling method. Children and their parents participated in the study by filling out Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Questionnaire (CERQ-K-P) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results showed significant relationships between some (not all) of emotion regulation strategies with attention deficit-hyperactivity, conduct, and oppositional defiant disorders. Some of strategies were related with one or two of these problems, however “blaming others” and “positive reappraisal” were common strategies for the cognitive regulation of emotion in all three disorders. Significant negative and positive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation about externalizing disorders, as well as pathological and therapeutic implications of these findings, and the role of these strategies in explaining attention deficit-hyperactivity, conduct, and oppositional defiant disorders have been discussed in the article.

Considering the value of the family institution, special attention should be paid to the problems of couples. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) and emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT) on couple burnout of couples with emotional divorce.

The method of this study was semi-experimental with pre-test- post-test with the control group. The statistical population was couples who referred to Tabriz Counseling Centers in 2022. Totally, 54 people were selected by the purposeful sampling method and randomly divided into three groups (9 couples in each group). Members of both experimental groups received their treatment, respectively, in 8 and 10 sessions of 1.5 hours; however the control group did not receive any treatment. The measurement tools were Pines's couple burnout and Gottman's emotional divorce questionnaires. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance and bonferroni's post hoc test.

In the pre-test, the means and standard deviations of the couple burnout were 108.44±10.68, 108.11±12.18, and 108.39±8.08, among CBCT group, EFCT group and control group, respectively (p>0.05). Both treatments reduced couple burnout in couples after the test, compared to the control group (p<0.001). The effect of these two treatments on reduced couple burnout at posttest was not significantly different (p>0.05).

It seems that cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and emotion-oriented couple therapy can decrease the couple burnout of couples; so they can probably be a useful therapeutic strategy for improving couples' relationships.

In addition to physical problems, people with COVID-19 are involved with many psychological problems. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and short-term solution-focused therapy (SSFT) on hope in female patients with COVID-19.
This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and follow up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of women infected with COVID-19 in Tabriz City in 2022 (about 2350 people). In total, 45 patients were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly divided into three groups. Members of both experimental groups received their treatment, respectively, in 8 and 6 sessions of 1.5 hours; however, the control group did not receive any treatments. The measurement tool was Snyder's Hope Scale. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance & Bonferroni post hoc test.
In the pre-test, the mean and standard deviation of the hope variable in the MBCT group was 12.73±2.54, in the SSFT group 12.60±2.38, and in the control group 13.87±1.68 (p>0.05). Both treatments compared to the control group, increased hope in patient after the test (p<0.001). In the follow-up phase, the effect of these two treatments on hope was lasting (p<0.001). The effect of these two treatments on hope at post-test and follow-up was not significantly different (p>0.05).
It seems that MBCT and SSFT can increase the hope of patients with COVID-19, so they can probably be a useful treatment strategy to improve the mental state of cardiac patients with COVID-19

In the case of abnormal Pap smear, colposcopy is recommended. Women referred for colposcopy experience high levels of stress. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of supportive counseling on stress reduction in women undergoing colposcopy.

This quasi-experimental study was performed on 72 women undergoing colposcopy in Ardabil, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group received supportive counseling during three sessions ‎every three days. The control group only received a pamphlet containing information on colposcopy. The data were collected using perceived stress scale. Independent t-test, and ANCOVA were used to analyze the data.

There was no significant difference in demographic and obstetrics characteristics of the participants (P> 0.05). Before counseling, the mean score (SD) of stress in the intervention group was 35 (4.24) and it was 33.54 (5.13) in the control group (P= 0.217). After counseling, the mean score of stress was not significantly different between the two groups [AMD: 0.93, 95% CI: -1.40 to 3.27, p =0.428].

Supportive counseling could not reduce the stress. Using other stress management strategies such as cognitive restructuring and mindfulness in women undergoing colposcopy might worth for suggeting the future studies.

In addition to physical problems, attention should also be paid to the psychological problems of corona patients. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and short-term solution-focused therapy (SSFT) on resilience of people who survived from corona.

The method of this study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow up with the control group. The statistical population was made up of women who survived from corona virus in Tabriz City in 2022. In total, 45 patients were selected by purposive sampling method, who were randomly divided into three groups (Each group 15 people). Members of both experimental groups received their treatment, respectively, in 8 and 6 sessions of 1.5 hours; however, the control group did not receive any treatment. The measurement tool was Connor and Davidson's resilience questionnaire. Analysis of findings was done through repeated measures analysis of variance & Bonferroni post hoc test.

In the pre-test, the mean and standard deviation of the resilience variable in the MBCT group, SSFT group and the control were 42.80±4.69, 42.13±4.45, and 43.60±4.62 respectively (p>0.05). Both treatments compared to the control group, increased resilience in patient after the test (p<0.001).  In the follow-up phase, the effect of these two treatments resilience was lasting (p<0.001). The effect of these two treatments on resilience at posttest and follow-up was not different (p>0.05).

It seems that MBCT and SSFT can increase the resilience of people who have survived from corona virus; so they can probably be a useful therapeutic strategy to improve the mental state of these people.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based mindfulness on brain-behavioral systems and emotional regulation of opiate addicts. The research method was a pretest-posttest with control group and the statistical population included male addicted patients who referred to the Besharat Tabriz addiction treatment center during the winter of 2018. Among them, 30 who had inclusion criteria for the treatment plan were purposefully selected as sample and randomly assigned to two groups of 15 controls and experimental. Both groups responded initially to the behavioral inhibition and activation system of Carver and White (1994) and the emotional regulation of Gross and John (2003) questionnaires. The experimental group then participated in cognitive therapy based mindfulness sessions. The control group did not receive any intervention.. Then the questionnaires were re-completed by both groups. Finally, the data from the groups were prepared for analysis. The results of covariance analysis showed that cognitive therapy based mindfulness therapy increased behavioral inhibition rates and decreased behavioral activation scores. The results of covariance analysis showed that the mean of emotional regulation in the post-test in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that cognitive therapy based mindfulness therapy is effective on behavioral brain systems and emotional regulation of opiate addicts.

Different studies have examined the relationship between dark and light personality dimensions and life satisfaction. Using the structural equation method, this correlational descriptive study aimed to determine the relationship between dark and light dimensions of personality with life satisfaction as mediated by value orientations. To this end, 400 people who referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran were selected through convenience sampling method. To collect data, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Dark Triad Personality Questionnaire, Light Triad Personality Questionnaire, and the Value System Questionnaire were used. Then the data were analyzed using the structural equation method. While the dark dimensions had a negative effect on life satisfaction, the light dimensions had a positive effect. There was a negative relationship between dark dimensions and life satisfaction as mediated by value orientations. Meanwhile, there was a positive relationship between light dimensions and life satisfaction as mediated by value orientations. Therefore, the dark and light dimensions of personality and the way of value orientation are related to the level of life satisfaction. Accordingly, researchers can examine the effectiveness of these variables on life satisfaction through developing psychotherapy interventions influencing the variables of dark and light dimensions of personality and value orientation.

 The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapy package for weight control based on Acceptance and Commitment with the Matrix Approach and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Food Craving and Physical Activity in overweight individuals. 

 The research Design was a quasi- experimental with pretest and posttest and An Active Control group. For this purpose, 40 person were selected via availability sampling and in regard to include and exclude criteria. The instrument of the study were Baecke's Physical Activity Questionnaire (1982) and Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait of Cepeda- Benito (2000, FCQ-T). The experimental group received the intervention package in 12 online group sessions of 2-hour weekly sessions and 8 individual sessions of tDCS AR/CL stimulation(2Ma for 20 minutes) and the control group received only 8 individual tDCS sessions of AR/CL stimulation(2Ma for 20 minutes). 

 The results of between- within group mixed analysis of variance showed that the combined intervention package of weight control based on Acceptance and Commitment with the Matrix Approach and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) had a significant effect on physical activity and cravings of overweight people in comparison with tDCS alone. 

 According to the results, it can be concluded that the therapeutic package of the present study can be a good option to increase Physical Activity and reduce Food Craving.

The purpose of this study was preparation and validation of fear of marriage questionnaire among female students of Tabriz University. The present research was a validation and psychometric study. The population consists all the female students of Tabriz University in the academic year 2016-17. The participants were 155 female student that selected through multi-stage cluster sampling method, and they were asked to complete the researcher-made questionnaire of fear of marriage. For assessing the construct validity and determining the factor structure of the questionnaire, exploratory factor analysis through principal components method with Varimax rotation was used. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one-factorial that named “fear of marriage” and a three-factorial structure that named respectively, “fear of husband issues”, “fear of interpersonal differences”, and “fear of restrictions on working and education”. Reliability coefficients of questionnaire through Cronbach’s alpha and split-half coefficients were appropriate. Group differences between single and engaged participants indicated the relevance of this questionnaire. At all, these criteria indicate that this questionnaire has high validity and reliability for assessment fear of marriage among girls. So, it can be used in premarital counseling and psychological researches.

Body dysmorphic has high prevalence rate and can lead to impaired daily functioning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between primary maladaptive schemas and symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder mediated by self-compassion.

The research method was correlational  study using structural equation analysis. The population of the study consisted of single students aged 18-35 years of Tehran universities in the academic year of 2021-2022, of which 622 were selected (Online response) by Convenience sampling.The research instrument included: dysmorphic concern questionnaireof Oosthuizen et al. (1998), Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form (1994) and short form of the self‐compassion scale of Raes et al. (2011). For data analysis, structural equation method and SPSS software version 25 and AMOS version 24 were used.

The results showed that the direct and indirect effects (mediated by self-compassion) of the schemas of »self-determination and disrupted performance« on symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder was significant respectively, as standardized effects, 0.26 (P <0.05) and 0.14 (P = 0.01). Also, the indirect effect of schemas in the field of »cut and rejection« and »disrupted limitations« mediated by self-compassion symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder was significant respectively as standardized effects, 0.05 (P = 0.05) and 0. 17 (P <0.01). Finally, the results showed that the schemas of »other oriented« and »Excessive tinnitus and inhibition« have a direct and indirect effect on symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (P > 0.05).

Considering self-compassion as a mediator between early maladaptive schema and and symptoms of body dysmorphic can help explain body dysmorphic disorder.

Life satisfaction is influenced by personality traits, including dark and light personality traits, and emotional differentiation.

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of value orientation in predicting life satisfaction based on dark and light personality traits and emotional differentiation.

In this descriptive, correlational study, the structural equation modeling was applied. The statistical population consisted of people, referred to the health centers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2022. A total of 400 people were selected by the available sampling method. For data collection, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by Diner et al., Johnson & Webster's Dark Triad Personality (DTP) Questionnaire, Light Triple Personality (LTP) Questionnaire by Kaufman et al., Drake and Murdock’s Differentiation of Self Inventory-Short Form (DSI-SF), and Schwartz’s Value Survey (SVS) were used. For data analysis, the structural equation modeling in AMOS software was applied.

The results indicated the direct significant role of dark (β=-0.38) and light (β=0.34) personality traits, as well as emotional differentiation (β=0.29) in predicting life satisfaction. Besides, an indirect relationship was found between these variables and life satisfaction, with the mediating role of value orientation (P<0.05).

The component of value orientation mediated the relationship between life satisfaction and dark/light personality traits and emotional differentiation. These findings can have practical implications for counselors and psychologists to increase life satisfaction.

Internet addiction is a widespread problem inflicting most of today’s societies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of emotion efficacy therapy on the reduction of internet dependency and psychological vulnerability (depression, anxiety and stress) in students with symptoms of internet addiction. The research was quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test and control group. The statistical population of the study included all male students of state technical schools with symptoms of internet addiction in the year 2020 in Tabriz City. In order to select the sample, one district from five educational districts and then a technical school were selected randomly. After that, the students possessing the inclusion criteria to the research were screened by Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT20) and from among them 40 students were purposively assigned to either experimental or control group, each group consisting of 20 students. The experimental group received eight session emotion efficacy therapy whereas the control group received no intervention in this period. For the collection of data, Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT20) and Lovibond’s Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) were used. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The results from the comparison of the post-tests of the groups indicated that scores of internet dependency and psychological vulnerability of experimental and control groups varied significantly (p<0.01). The results showed that emotion efficacy therapy reduced internet dependency and psychological vulnerability (depression, anxiety and stress) in students with symptoms of internet addiction.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dark and light personality traits and emotional differentiation with life satisfaction. The research method was a descriptive correlation. The statistical population was those who were referred to health centers in Tabriz in 2021 and 400 people were selected by convenience sampling. The Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (Diner et al, 1985), Johnson & Webster Dark Traits of Personality Questionnaire (2010), light triads of personality Questionnaire of Kaufman et al. (2019), DSI-SF self-differentiation questionnaire (Skowron and Friedlander, 1998), were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test and multiple regression using SPSS software version 26. The results of the Pearson correlation test analysis showed; There is a direct and negative relationship between dark personality traits and life satisfaction. There is a direct and positive relationship between light personality traits and emotional differentiation and life satisfaction. the results of regression model analysis showed that 0.68 life satisfaction changes are explained by predictor variables and light triads of personality have more power among the research components in predicting life satisfaction. Therefore, the results of this study can have practical applications for the use of counselors and psychologists to have a significant impact on increasing life satisfaction by performing psychological interventions.

The purpose of the present study was the study of effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation focused on working memory on the improvement of reading symptoms in elementary school students.

For this purpose, and in form of the semi-experimental intergroup project with pre-test and post-test, thirty people were selected purposefully from the statistical population of female and male primary school students with dyslexia who referred to learning disorders centers in Urmia in the academic year of 97-98. Pre-test was performed for both groups using "Reading and Dyslexia Test" tool. After recording pre-test results, cognitive rehabilitation based on working memory was performed. On this basis, active memory training was planned for 20 sessions, which was performed every week in two thirty-minute sessions. Finally, post-test was conducted to investigate the proposed changes.

The results of dependent t-test showed that cognitive rehabilitation based on working memory is effective in improving symptoms of reading disorder.

Based on these findings, training and strengthening of working memory can lead to improvement of symptoms of reading disorder.

This study examined the effectiveness of a behavioralcommunication group therapy intervention on marital happiness and positive self-talk in women experiencing marital burnout.

The research design drew on a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group. The population consisted of all women referred to counseling centers in Tabriz. After the screening procedures, 24 participants were selected through the purposive non-random sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The participants in the experimental group underwent eight 90-minute-sessions of the behavioral-communication group therapy intervention and the participants in the control group received no treatment. The instruments used in this study included the Couple Burnout Measure, Marital Happiness Scale and Self-Talk Inventory. One way analysis of covariance and multivariate analysis of covariance were used for data analysis in the current research.

The results showed that marital happiness and positive self-talk in women experiencing marital burnout were significantly increased in the experimental group (p<0/05).

The results also suggest that the behavioralcommunication group therapy intervention could be employed by psychologists and counselors as a therapeutic intervention to improve marital happiness and positive self-talk in women experiencing marital burnout.

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms in autistic children’s mothers.

This study was a single case design with multiple baselines. According to willingness to participate in the study and having the inclusion criteria, three individual among the autistic children’s mothers were selected through purposeful sampling method. Mothers of autistic children completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) in the pre-treatment (baseline) stage, during the treatment (fourth, sixth and eighth sessions) and one month follow-up, and received acceptance and commitment therapy for 8 sessions, 60 minutes for each session. Data were analyzed using the improvement percentage and effect size as well as charting and visual evaluation.

The results of the analysis showed that acceptance and commitment therapy could reduce depression and anxiety of autistic children’s mothers. So, participants reported significant decrease in the assessment stages during the treatment and one month follow-up after the treatment, compared to baseline.

The results of this research confirmed effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in reducing depression and anxiety in the autistic children’s mothers.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a forgiveness training in mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on improving the parent-child relationships.A total of thirty mothers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were selected from four and one districts of Tabriz. The children of these mothers were studying in the second and third grades of elementary school in the 98-99 academic year. Fifteen of them were randomly assigned to the training group and fifteen to the control group. The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test design with control group and follow-up. In the training, the forgiveness program was conducted in eight sessions (ninety-minute) , once a week. Gerard Parent-Child Interaction Questionnaire was used to collect data. Multivariate analysis of covariance with repeated measures was used to analyzing the data. The results showed a significant difference in the subscales of quality of parent-child interaction, namely parental support, parenting satisfaction, participation in parenting, and communication with the child in the experimental group compared to the control group in the post-test stage and also in the follow-up period. The results showed that the forgiveness training has improved the relationships between mothers and children with ADHD. Therefore, training program can be used in counseling centers to improve parent-child relationships.