مجله تحقیقات علوم رفتاری
سال سیزدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 42، زمستان 1394)

Aim and Sustained attention can be evaluated through paper and pencil tasks. The purpose of the present study was to design a sustained attention test and evaluate its validity and reliability.
Methods and Materials: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 230 elementary school students with the mean age of 9.09 ± 1.46 years (7-11 years). The Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Persian Attention Registration Test (PART) were conducted on the subjects. The PART was repeated in 151 students after 4 to 6 weeks. The Pearson test was performed for the assesment of test-retest reliability and concurrent validity between the two performances of the test and between CPT and PART results, repectively.
Findings: Errors of omission and commission had significant positive correlation in both measures. Errors of omission and commission and the total time of test with Pearson coefficients of0.886, 0.610, and 0.478, repectively, had a significant positive correlation in the two tests (P PART is a valid and reliable test for the evaluation of sustained attention.

Aim and The differences in personality traits are due to cultural dissimilarities. The purpose of the current study was the evaluation of personality traits in the Iranian culture.
Methods and Materials: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 4342 Iranian adolescents. The participants were selected through cluster sampling from 12 provinces of Iran. The NEO Five-Factors Inventory (NEO-FFI) was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using multivariate MANOVA.
Findings: Significant differences were observed between the two genders in all personality traits. Moreover, there were significant differences between personality traits of different ethnic groups in Iran (P The findings showed that culture, climate, and ethnicity can affect personality traits of the Iranian population.

Aim and Personality traits such as perfectionism can cause or aggravate underlying physical or psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to compare neurotic perfectionism and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) among patients with skin disorders and healthy individuals and investigate the role of perfectionism and BDD in the risk of skin diseases.
Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive-correlational study. The study subjects were selected through single-stage cluster sampling. For data collection, 2 clinics were randomly selected, and from among their clients, 112 were selected. In addition, 106 healthy individuals who were matched with the study group for demographic variables were selected as the control group. After obtaining informed consents, the participants completed the Farsi version of the Neurotic Perfectionism Questionnaire and Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale.
Findings: The mean scores of neurotic perfectionism and BDD in patients with skin disorders were significantly higher than healthy subjects (P Neurotic perfectionism and BDD can cause and intensify skin disorders, and consequently, cause BDD in individuals suffering from all types of skin disorders. Therefore, it is important for physicians and specialists to be aware of perfectionism characteristics and BDD in order to provide psychotherapeutic services and promote the treatment process.

Aim and The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of transactional analysis based on motivational interviewing on patients with eating disorders.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was performed using a multiple baseline single case design. The study subjects consisted of 2 female clients of the psychological counseling unit of Imen Teb Zagros Center in Shiraz, Iran, in 2013. The participants were selected by purposive sampling method and underwent transactional analysis based on motivational interviewing. The subjects completed the Ahwaz Eating Disorder, Food Habits, Body Attitudes, Personality States, Interpersonal Relationships, and Self-esteem Questionnaires during pre-treatment (baseline) and at the third, eighth, fourteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third sessions, and one-month follow-up. Moreover, their body mass index (BMI) was measured during the course of the treatment. Recovery percentage and the effect size were used for data analysis. For data analysis, percentage improvement and effect size index were used.
Findings: The results showed that motivational interview-based transactional analysis was effective in curing patients with eating disorders and was been able to cause lasting and significant changes in all targets. At the end of the treatment and follow-up period, both participants demonstrated overall improvement in eating disorder (73%), eating habits (74%), body image (60%), interpersonal relationships (62%), self-esteem (54%), and personality states (76%).
Transactional analysis based on motivational interviewing can be an effective treatment for patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Aim and Previous studies have shown that individuals with hearing impairments suffer from anxiety disorders such as social phobia. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of social skills training on the treatment of social phobia in individuals with hearing impairment.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was performed with a pretest-posttest design and control group. From among all 8-18 year-old male students with hearing impairment in Arak, Iran, 22 who obtained the highest scores in the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) were selected. The participants were matched according to age and intelligence, and then, randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. The experimental group received social skills training 2 sessions per week for 2 months. To analyze data, independent t-test and ANCOVA were applied.
Findings: The experimental group obtained better results in pretest and follow-up (P It can be concluded that social skills training is an effective intervention method in decreasing social phobia in individuals with hearing impairment.

Aim and Despite prominent medical health improvement programs for women of reproductive ages in recent years, the mental health of this group has been neglected. An increasing trend had been observed in the rate of depression among women of reproductive ages. Depression has negative effects on the health status and quality of life (QOL) of women and their family members. Moreover, sociocultural factors in different societies have high impact on depression in women. Due to the abovementioned factors, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of postpartum depression and its correlation with some socio-demographic risk factors in women referred to local health centers in Najafabad, Iran. Using the results of this study, recommendations for health plans can be provided based on local risk factors.
Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in the summer of 2004. The study subjects included all mothers of rural areas of Najafabad who had given birth 2-12 months prior to the study
(640 women). The data collection tools consisted of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a researcher-made socio-demographic questionnaire.
Findings: The total prevalence of depression was 37.2%. Being a housewife, unplanned pregnancy, lack of breastfeeding, prominent congenital malformation of the infant, primiparity, and multiparity (more than 3 births) were the main factors related to postpartum depression in this study. Postpartum depression had no significant relations with mother’s age and level of education, delivery mode, dissatisfaction with infant’s gender, and family economic status.
The numerous previous studies have not provided reliable supporting evidence for the existence of common socio-demographic risk factors for postpartum depression in different societies. Thus, all public health interventions for the prevention of postpartum depression must to be based on regional risk factors.

Aim and Today, diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases. Previous researches indicate the effect of lifestyle on the increased incidence of the disease. The purpose of the study was to assess the efficiency of lifestyle modification training on psychological symptoms and glycemic control among patients with type II diabetes.
Methods and Materials: This was an experimental clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design, control group, and follow-up period. The statistical population included all patients with type II diabetes referred to the Glands and Metabolism Research Center in the Medical Science University of Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. Accordingly, a sample of 42 diabetics was selected using convenience sampling and they were randomly allocated to experimental (n = 21) and control (n = 21) groups. The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and blood test for HbA1c were utilized in pre-test, post-test, and 3 months after the intervention (follow-up). The study was implemented during 6 months. The interventions were performed in the experimental group within 8 weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes for 2 months. The data were analyzed using MANCOVA in SPSS software.
Findings: Lifestyle modification training had significant effects on psychological symptoms (on physical complaints, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal obsessive disorder (IOD), depression, anxiety, aggression, paranoid, and melancholia, except phobia), blood sugar levels of patients with type II diabetes at post-test and follow-up stages (P According to the results, it can be concluded that lifestyle modification training is effective on the reduction of mean psychological symptoms scores and blood sugar levels in patients with type II diabetes. In addition, planning and holding educational courses according to the educational package of the present study is effective on the improvement of these patients. Thus, it is suggested that the efficacy of this intervention be evaluated in other chronic illnesses. Moreover, the results of this study can be exploited by doctors, nutritionists, counselors, and psychologists.

Aim and The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a multi dimensional tool used in studies related to emotion regulation. The purpose of the present study was to compare the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) in terms of evaluation of factor structure of the DERS.
Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive-correlational study based on data obtained from 250 students of the University of Tabriz, Iran. The participants were selected through cluster sampling. To achieve the research objectives, the Persian version of the DERS was used. In this study, the CFA and ESEM approaches were applied using the Mplus software. Moreover, the comparison of CFA and ESEM methods was conducted through ΔCFI index.
Findings: The results showed that contrary to the CFA method, the ESEM technique is a suitable method to assess the factor structure of DERS and offers a clearer view of its latent structure. The 25-itemstructure of the scale with 4 factors and no reverse-scored items showed the best fit. For this model, EMSEA, CFI, and TLI of equal to 0.064, 0.964, and 0.951, respectively, were obtained.
The appropriate factor structure of the 25-item scale illustrates that reverse-scored items seem to be problematic in DERS application. Due to the removal of reverse-scored items in the present study, it is suggested that these items be replaced with direct-scored items and the fit of factor structure be evaluated in future researches.

Aim and Depression is a major postpartum mental disorder. This disorder will have adverse consequences for both generations (mother and child) and may be correlated with breastfeeding. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between postpartum depression and postpartum lactation during the 2 first years of life.
Methods and Materials: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 366 mothers of 18-45 years of age. The subjects were selected through simple random sampling from among women who had medical records in health care centers. The data collection tools included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Demographic-Reproductive Characteristics Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS software.
Findings: Among the mothers, 30.4% of non-lactating mothers had depression. However, 19.6% of exclusively breastfeeding mothers and 18.3% of mothers who used breastfeeding in combination with other methods had depression. A significant correlation was observed between the depression scores and the two variables of type and duration of lactation (P Existence of depression among the subjects in this study, and the correlation of maternal depression with lactation status clarify the importance of screening for depression during the breastfeeding period. Thus, in order to benefit from the advantages of breastfeeding and improve infants’ growth and health, the consideration of this issue by health care providers is recommended.

Aim and The integration of mindfulness with psychotherapy began in the 1970s and has been shown to be highly effective in treating psychological disorders and promoting psychological status in individuals without mental disorders. Improvement of parenting skills is one of the areas in which mindfulness techniques have been utilized as intervention. This paper introduces the mindful parenting model.
Methods and Materials: This simple review (narrative) study was performed through a literature review of articles on parenting indexed in the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran.
Findings: Researches have been conducted on various treatment methods in the area of parenting, including positive parenting and mindful parenting programs.
A review of available literature showed mindful parenting to be effective in different domains such as increasing caregivers’ satisfaction, improving family functioning and parenting skills, and reduction of behavioral problems in children. However, due to the limitations of these studies such as small sample size, and lack of a control group and comparison with previous treatment methods in parenting, further studies are necessary.

Aim and Sensory integration improves children's ability to process and organize sensory information. The outcome of the brain’s ability to organize sensory information is improved performance and life skills, emotional growth, and general development. The aim of the current research was to investigate the efficacy of sensory integration on neuropsychological skills of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Methods and Materials: This experimental study was conducted through pretest and posttest and with a control group on 20 elementary school students in Isfahan, Iran, with ADHD. The participants were selected using random cluster sampling method, and then assigned randomly to experimental and control groups. The data collection tools consisted of Conner’s Parent and Teacher Rating Scales and Conner’s Neuropsychology Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS using covariance analysis.
Findings: A significant difference was observed in the posttest stage between the control and experimental groups in terms of neuropsychological skills (P It can be concluded that sensory integration training affects children's neuropsychological skills, and thus, can be used in rehabilitation and education of children with ADHD. The use of this training method in preschools is recommended in order to prevent the incidence of ADHD.

Aim and Cognitive emotion regulation is a kind of coping strategy that helps individuals in coping with trauma. The aim of this study was the investigation of the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and posttraumatic growth in men and women with hepatitis B.
Methods and Materials: The statistical population of this study consisted of all men and women with hepatitis B in Hepatitis Research Center of Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The study subjects were 250 patients with hepatitis B (125 men and 125 women). The participants were randomly selected and completed the Garnefski’s Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and Tedeschi’s and Calhon’s Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software using the Pearson correlation and MANOVA.
Findings: Posttraumatic growth had positive significant relationships with acceptance, refocusing on planning, positive reappraisal, and coping with perspective (r = 0.47 and P The results of the present study showed that using adjusted cognitive emotion regulation increases posttraumatic growth in individuals with hepatitis B. Moreover, women with hepatitis B use maladjusted cognitive emotional regulation more than men. Therefore, the results of this research can be useful in the evaluation and improvement of the level of use of adaptive cognitive emotional regulation strategies. In future studies, emotional regulation strategies can be compared between patients with other chronic illnesses.

Aim and Migraine is one of the most common types of headache and significantly impacts patients’ performance and may even be disabling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of catastrophizing and pain-related anxiety with this health problem.
Methods and Materials: This study was a cross-sectional, correlational research. For the purpose of this study, 178 patients who had been diagnosed with migraine by a neurologist, and referred to private neurology clinics and hospitals in Tehran, Iran, were selected through convenience sampling. The participants completed the Headache Disability Inventory (HDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS-20). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software using the Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis.
Findings: A significant positive correlation was observed between both variables of catastrophizing (R = 0.64) and pain-related anxiety (R = 0.62), and headache-related disability. Pain-related anxiety predicted 36% of the variance in headache-related disability (P This study emphasized the role of psychological variables in predicting headache-related disability in patients with migraine. According to the findings, the degree of catastrophizing can be a predictor of headache-related disability; therefore, the consideration of the role of this variable in patients with chronic migraine is one of the important clinical themes of this study. This could help to improve the quality of life in individuals with migraine.

Aim and The objective of the present study was the comparison of the efficacy of pharmacotherapy with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in the reduction of the severity of symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and follow-up (1 month) was conducted from November to February of 2013. The statistical population consisted of all patients diagnosed with MDD by a psychiatrist based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and had medical records at the Sedigh Psychiatric Clinic in Khoramabad, Iran. The study participants consisted of 40 patients selected through convenience sampling method. The subjects were randomly assigned to the pharmacotherapy (n = 20) or MBCT groups (n = 20) and completed the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (pretest). Then, the MBCT group received 8 sessions of MBCT and the pharmacotherapy group received a 20-mg fluoxetine capsule daily for 2 months. At the end of the intervention, posttest was performed on both groups. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS software.
Findings: The results of the present study indicated a significant difference between the pharmacotherapy and MBCT groups (P The results showed that both treatment methods were effective in improving depression in patients. However, pharmacotherapy was more effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and MBCT had more persistent therapeutic effects. Therefore, based on the results of such studies, it is recommended that researchers design clinical trials with the integration of empiric therapy methods in future studies.

Aim and The formation of insecure attachment and its governing conditions are the root of many health, emotional, behavioral, social, and etcetera issues. Therefore, training mothers on emotional skills is a suitable way of reducing maternal insecure attachment and behavioral issues.
Methods and Materials: The study subjects were selected through cluster-random sampling and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The participants completed the questionnaires in the pretest and posttest periods. Mothers in the experimental group received emotional skills training in 8 group sessions and the control group did not receive any training during the study period. The data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS software.
Findings: As a consequence of emotional skills training, attachment quality in the experimental group significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P Causing changes in maternal sensitivity is a strong predictor of changes in children’s attachment. The issue most mothers face is that their method and time of interaction does not match their child’s needs. Reduction in maternal sensitivity can be achieved through skills training. Moreover, increased maternal sensitivity affects mothers’ attentional processes and helps the better understand their child’s behavior.