Mental Health

Unfavorable psychological and social conditions in medical groups, including medical assistants, can have widespread consequences for individual health, social well-being, and the quality of healthcare services. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the mental, social, and family health status of medical assistants.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2022-2023 academic year on medical assistants at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Demographic information of participants was collected, and to assess mental, social, and family health, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Keyes Social Well-Being Questionnaire (KSWBQ), and Family of Origin Scale (FOS) were utilized, respectively.

A total of 72 medical assistants participated in this study, of whom 58.3% were female and the rest were male. The majority of participants (44.4%) were in the age range of 30 to 35 years, with most of them (30.6%) in their second year of assistantship. The results showed that 54.2% of the assistants had moderate mental health, 95.8% had moderate social health, and 76.4% had high family health. In terms of mental health dimensions, anxiety and sleep disturbances had the highest mean score (9.15 ± 5.34). Regarding social health, social acceptance (15.89 ± 1.93) and social participation (13.17 ± 2.93) had the highest mean scores. No significant differences were observed in mental, social, and family health scores based on gender, age, or field of study (P>0.05), however the family intimacy dimension significantly decreased with increasing years of study (P<0.05).

The findings revealed that medical assistants' mental and social health levels were moderate, while their family health status was high. Given the high prevalence of anxiety and sleep disturbances in this group, it is essential to develop practical strategies to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Additionally, planning for the training of social skills and increasing social participation among medical assistants, which can ultimately enhance the general health of the community, is critical.

With the spread of web-based applications among students, problematic Internet use (PIU) is increasing. This study aims of investigate the PIU rate among high school students in Tehran, Iran.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 256 second-year high school students in Tehran city were included using a convenience sampling method in 2022. The data collection tools were a demographic form and the problematic internet Use questionnaire (PIUQ). The collected data was analyzed in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t-test, analysis of variance).

The mean total score of PIUQ was 50.27±8.19 out of 100. Among the PIUQ domains, social interactions had the highest mean (2.59±0.55), while adverse effects had the lowest mean (2.44±0.51). There was no significant difference in the PIUQ score based on any demographic variables (P>0.05).

The development of educational programs by high school officials for students to reduce the adverse effects of PIU is recommended.

The evaluation of the mental health of patients with oral cancer and their means of receiving social support from the family, community and friends is considered a crucial secondary outcome affecting the treatment process. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of perceived social support and demographic factors on the mental health of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in Shiraz during 2022-23.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who were treated in medical centers in Shiraz during 2022-23. A questionnaire gathering demographic information about the patients, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive indicators and the independent t-test, ANOVA (Tukey’s post-hoc test), Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS version 25 statistical software.

The mean score of mental health of the patients was 52.91 (±12.40) and the mean scores in the different domains of social support were 19.04 (±4.96) for family, 9.60 (±2.89) for community, and 12.60 (±2.88) for friends, and the total score of social support was 41. 4 (±24.92). A significant relationship was observed between the patients’ mental health domains and perceived social support and their demographic characteristics.

The results of the study suggest that oral cancer can affect the mental health of patients in various ways, some of which manifest themselves in the form of somatization, anxiety, depression, as well as impaired social functioning. The provision of appropriate support from the patients' families, friends and the community can play a major role in improving the mental health of these patients.

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a threatening and potentially traumatic event, causing psychological problems among communities. So far, few studies have evaluated the psychological impact of COVID-19-related deaths on the mental health of bereaved people. This study aimed to assess the mental health of individuals who lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sanandaj, Iran.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the family members of the deceased confirmed COVID-19 patients living in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2020 – 2021. A total of 405 participants completed the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) anonymously after obtaining informed consent and entered the study.

The mean age of the participants was 39.87 ± 8.31 years. Most participants (76.8%) reported only mild to moderate symptoms, whereas 5.4% indicated severe symptoms, and 17.8% reported no mental health difficulties. The depression dimension was more prevalent in the mothers, daughters, and sisters of the deceased, and the percentage of disorder in the obsessive-compulsive and paranoid ideation dimensions was more prevalent in women and unemployed people, respectively.

According to our results, COVID-19-related death negatively affected the mental health of a relative. Given the pandemic's possible long-term mental health effects, planning to improve mental health in vulnerable groups should be considered for the post-COVID-19 era.

Considering the importance of spiritual health, family satisfaction, and family cohesion in maintaining the overall health of older people and the favorable results it has for older people, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between spiritual health and family satisfaction and family cohesion among older people living in Gonabad City, Iran. 

The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional research conducted on 200 older people living in Gonabad in 2023. The research units were selected and included in the study using the cluster sampling method. The data were collected using the spiritual health questionnaires of Ajam et al. and the family cohesion and flexibility scale (FACES-IV). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and the Spearman correlation test.

The Mean±SD values of spiritual health (92.48±6.89), family cohesion (31.57±3.35), and family satisfaction (40.38±7.29) showed that spiritual health is directly correlated with family cohesion (r=0.52) (P<0.001) and family satisfaction (r=0.57) (P<0.001).

According to the present study's findings, spiritual health is significantly related to family satisfaction and family cohesion, which means that older people with a high level of spiritual health have higher family satisfaction and cohesion. Therefore, it is suggested that those in charge take the necessary plans and measures to strengthen and improve the spiritual health of older people to increase family satisfaction and cohesion.

This study aimed to explore the behavioral challenges and attachment issues faced by adopted children in Iranian adoptive families, examine how adoptive parents respond to these challenges, and investigate the parents' perceptions of attachment. The study thought to offer practical recommendations for improving support systems in post-adoption care.

A qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to understand the lived experiences of four adoptive mothers in Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed with the assistance of PYTHON and MAXQDA software to identify recurring themes related to behavioral challenges, parental responses, and attachment perceptions.

The research revealed that adopted children in Iran frequently face significant behavioral challenges, including attachment disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, and developmental delays, often linked to early trauma and inconsistent caregiving. Adoptive parents employ various coping strategies such as creating structured environments, seeking professional guidance, and relying on emotional support from their social networks. However, many parents struggle to form secure attachments due to societal stigma, secrecy surrounding adoption, and feelings of inadequacy.

This study highlighted the prevalence of behavioral challenges and attachment issues among adopted children in Iranian families, emphasizing the need for enhanced support systems, including counseling services and educational resources for adoptive families. It also calls for public awareness initiatives and policy reforms to address the psychological and emotional well-being of both adoptees and their families in Iran.

Mental health is a state of well-being in which each person understands their potential abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, have productive and fruitful work and be useful for his society, and since students are one of the most important strata of society and as future managers, they play an important role in the future administration of the country and the growth and development of the society, their mental health has special importance. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the attitude and practical commitment to prayer and its effect on the mental health of Iranian students.

Identification and retrieval of studies was done through searching SID, Magiran, IranDoc, Noormags, Civilica, Ensani Portal databases and Google Scholar without publication time limit (from the beginning to the end of November, 2023). After reviewing the articles, twelve studies with a total sample of 4135 students, which met the inclusion criteria, were systematically reviewed.

The results of the included studies showed a statistically significant relationship between commitment to prayer and reducing depression, increasing mental health, and life satisfaction of students (p<0.05). The effect of gender (women more than men) on the tendency to prayer was also observed in the results of the studies.

Considering the direct effect of prayer on the mental health of students, it is suggested that comprehensive and effective measures be taken in cultural planning and university policies to promote culture associated with performing prayer in universities to improve the mental health of students.

Being informed about cancer is worrying for anyone and causes changes in the health and quality of life (QoL) of the affected person. Improving the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases such as cancer has been one of the important points, especially in the last two decades. Spiritual therapy is a valuable care to improve the quality of life and mental health of cancer patients. However, there are still differences regarding the effect of different types of spirituality- and religion-based treatments on the results of studies. This study aimed to systematically review the results of studies related to the effect of spiritual/religious interventions on improving the mental health and QoL of patients with cancer in Iran.

This study was conducted by systematic review and meta-analysis methods. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Magiran, and SID from 2001 to September 2023. Characteristics of the included interventions and data for meta-analysis were extracted. The quality of the included study was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. The standardized mean difference effect was calculated using a random effects model with 95% confidence. Data was analyzed using RewMan-5 software.

In the first phase of the search, 713 articles were identified. Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria. Spiritual and religious interventions were compared with a usual care control group or other psychosocial interventions. Compared to the control group, the standardized mean difference in the post-test for the effect of spiritual and religious interventions on mental health (SMD = 1.60, 95% CI = [2.67, 0.54]) and QoL (SMD = 1.93, 95% CI = [1.03, 2.83]) was obtained. The percentage of heterogeneity between the results of studies in mental health (95%) and QoL (93%) was high.

The meta-analysis results indicate that spiritual-religious interventions have a significant positive impact on the mental health and QoL of patients with cancer. Oncology nurses, psychologists, counselors and assistants increasingly recognize the significance of the spiritual domain of care. The current study indicates that facilitating awareness and spiritual needs may be a valuable intervention for cancer patients. Thus, the use of spiritual and religious-based interventions is suggested as a good way to improve spiritual and mental health in patients with cancer.

Enhancing marital relations is the aim of numerous educational and therapeutic interventions for couples. By raising awareness, couples can improve their quality of life and mental health.

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of relationship enrichment on the quality of life and mental health of couples facing divorce in Kerman.

The study employed a semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures, including a control group. The statistical population comprised couples seeking psychological services at Kerman city’s counseling centers, who were referred to judicial centers for divorce in 2022. A total of 30 participants (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group) were selected through availability sampling. Data collection utilized quality of life and Goldberg mental health questionnaires, alongside an educational intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and covariance analysis with SPSS version 24, considering a p-value of less than 0.05 as significant.

In the test group, the mean and standard deviation of mental health scores were 36.62±6.98 in the pre-test and 52.25±7.36 in the post-test. Similarly, the mean and standard deviation of quality of life scores in the test group were 38.5±5.55 in the pre-test and 43.25±7.23 in the post-test (P<0.01). The results of the covariance analysis indicated that relationship enrichment positively affected both the mental health and
quality of life of couples facing divorce (P< 0.01).

The findings of this research indicate that relationship enrichment training is an effective intervention for enhancing both the quality of life and mental health of couples facing divorce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a significant shock to healthcare systems worldwide, including Iran. The mental health of nurses, who have been at the forefront of the fight against the virus, has been profoundly impacted. This study aims to examine the mental health status of Iranian nurses during the pandemic.

This rapid review was conducted by searching keywords such as "Mental Health," "Nurse," and "COVID-19" in databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Mag Iran, and Civilica. Articles were selected based on their titles, abstracts, and full texts in alignment with the study’s research objectives.

The reviewed studies revealed a range of mental health disorders among nurses working in COVID-19 wards, with stress, anxiety, and depression being the most common. Several factors, such as demographic variables and the specific departments where nurses served, were identified as influencing their mental health. Given that the mental health of nurses affects the quality of care, resilience, and job satisfaction, various strategies have been proposed to improve their mental health.

The findings suggest that the mental health status of nurses is not at an optimal level, and neglecting this issue could lead to long-term harm to the healthcare system and its economic stability. It is recommended that healthcare managers and policymakers implement appropriate measures to address this critical concern.