elahe haghighat manesh

Pandemics and subsequent lockdowns can profoundly impact the mental well-being of college students. This study aimed to assess the extent of mental health challenges among college students during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in Iran, while also identifying associated factors.

Conducted as an online cross-sectional study, data were gathered during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Iran (between March 21, 2020, and April 21, 2020). A total of 330 college students participated in an online survey, addressing questions across two parts. The first part encompassed demographic information such as age, gender, marital status, residency status, field of study, academic year, history of COVID-19 infection, presence of COVID-19-infected relatives, and adherence to a regular study schedule. In the second part, students completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Descriptive and linear regression analyses were employed for data analysis.

Among participants, 38.6% reported probable somatic symptoms, 41.8% reported probable anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances, 91% indicated potential issues with social functioning, and 23.9% reported probable depressive symptoms. Overall, 57.9% experienced potential psychological distress. Notably, adherence to a regular study routine (β = -0.396) emerged as a negative predictor for potential psychological distress, whereas having COVID-19-infected loved ones (β = 0.159) was identified as a positive predictor.

 The prevalence of probable somatic symptoms, anxiety, sleep problems, social functioning issues, depressive symptoms, and overall psychological distress was notably high among college students during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. However, maintaining a consistent study schedule, being married, and older age were associated with lower levels of potential psychological distress. Additionally, having loved ones infected with COVID-19 emerged as a risk factor for probable mental health challenges.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding Neurofeedback Therapy (NFT) to taking medication (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: SSRIs) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) on Obsessive Beliefs (OBs) and Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs). 

In this clinical trial conducted in Mashhad, Iran in 2019, 10 diagnosed OCD patients were selected using purposeful sampling. They were randomly assigned into equal two groups (group 1: NFT + SSRIs + CBT, group 2: SSRIs + CBT). They were evaluated using the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ) and Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ) before intervention, on the 8th session, after treatment, and a two-month follow-up. Repeated-measures ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis. 

There was a significant time × intervention effect for all fifteen EMSs (P< 0.05) and three OBs (P< 0.05); however, significant time × condition interaction has been seen for responsibility/threat estimation belief (P< 0.05) and abandonment, defectiveness/shame, enmeshment/undeveloped self, insufficient self-control/self-discipline, mistrust/abuse, subjugation, and social isolation/alienation, and unrelenting standards schemas (P< 0.05). We found no significant difference between treatment groups in EMSs and OBs. 

The results showed that both treatment plans are effective in the reduction of obsessive beliefs and early maladaptive schemas; however, adding neurofeedback to standard therapy has not resulted in significant differences in reducing obsessive beliefs and early maladaptive schemas in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Application of plants and their compounds has long been significant in treating diseases mainly due to their natural potential and lower side effects than chemical drugs and presence of alkaloids, and polyphenols in their extract. Despite research carried out on the properties of such plants and popularity of blood diseases, few studies have been done on its effects on blood cells, thus, it was attempted for the first time to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of the Pseudium guava leaf on blood cells in rats.

After extracting the leaves of guava plant, 40 adult male rats were divided into four groups. Which included control (cases with no treatment during the study) and experimental groups (cases receivied of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guava leaf, in different doses daily for 3 months). At the end of the test period, blood samples were counted.

The results of this study showed that the hydroalcoholic extract increased White Blood Cells and Red Blood Cells, but no significant change was observed. This increase in hematocrit was significant in the group receiving hydroalcoholic extract at a dose of 5000 mg/kg compared to the control group.

The results of the study had a positive effect on blood cells. Also, the lack of cytotoxicity with high doses of the extract of this plant means its safe use in traditional medicine.

Strategic thinking is one of the most influential factors on organizational performance. However, due to a lack of studies in this area, it is not possible to understand the impact of strategic thinking on the performance of community-based health organizations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of strategic thinking and its components on organizational performance of Zabol University of Medical Sciences staff.

This is an applied and correlational study. 169 employees were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using two strategic thinking questionnaires and a performance evaluation questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software and linear regression test.

Strategic thinking and its components have a positive impact on organizational performance of Zabol University of Medical Sciences staff. Among the four components of strategic thinking, the most influential was foresight, followed by goal-focused, systemic thinking, and clever opportunity.

The results of this study showed that strategic thinking and its components have a positive and significant effect on organizational performance improvement of Zabol University of Medical Sciences. We suggested that infuture studies other factors that may affect organizational performance should be considered simultaneously with strategic thinking.

Mass gathering has not received much attention of researches as one of the potentially traumatic events in the field of psychological studies. Mina (Mecca, Saudi Arabia) disaster during 2015 hajj occurred in this context. Individuals may be at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and somatic symptoms following traumatic events. Narrative exposure therapy (NET (has been known as a therapeutic protocol for PTSD and trauma-related disorders. The present study was carried out aimed to investigate the effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy on the severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms and the co-morbid symptoms of Iranian survivors of Mina disaster. The present study is based on single-case experimental design (SCED) with baseline. Eight Survivors of Mina disaster who met the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder and completed inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups NET and control. The experimental group participant received twelve NET sessions individually. Data collection tool included PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II), patient health questionnaire 15 (PHQ-15). Data was analyzed using the cut-off point, percentage improvement index, RCI and the Hedges' g effect size. Total percentage improvement of participant receiving NET for PTSD, was 68.25%, depression 63.25%, and somatic symptoms was 53.75%. All changes in the participant receiving NET were clinically significant in severity of PTSD, depression and somatic symptoms (RCI≥1.96). According to the results of this study, NET has a significant effect on the reduction of PTSD symptoms and its co-morbid symptoms

The present study was carried out to assess early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and schema domains in a sample of sexual offenders. The subjects were divided into two groups of 34 (one group of sexual offenders and one group of normal individuals). The sample of sexual offenders was randomly selected from among Mashad prison inmates convicted of rape. Normal subjects who were selected according to GSI score in SCL-90-R were matched by age, marital status, occupation and education with the first group. The data were collected by Young Schema Questionnaire- Short Form (YSQ-SF) and were analyzed via t-test. Also, SCL-90-R was used for screening the normal group. The mean score of early maladaptive schemas as well as the schema domains of sexual offenders were significantly higher than those of normal individuals (p<0.05). This discrepancy was mostly evident in vulnerability to harm or illness, subjugation, defectiveness/ shame; dependenc/ incompetence, entitlement/ grandiosity early maladaptive schemas and disconnection and rejection, Impaired autonomy and performance schema domain. There was no significant difference in self-sacrifice maladaptive schema (p<0.05). High scores in early maladaptive schema especially in disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy/ performance schema domain could lead to the tendency to commit sexual offenses and rape.