مجله تحقیقات علوم رفتاری
سال شانزدهم شماره 3 (پیاپی 53، پاییز 1397)

The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) is important and useful in various areas such as personality, emotion and psychopathology. Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire-Revised and Clarified (SPSRQ-RC) was developed to measure this theory and address the problem of Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ). The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of SPSRQ-RC.  This was a descriptive-correlative study. The statistical population was University of Bojnord students that 485 of whom were selected as the research sample using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using SPSRQ-RC, Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation Scales (BIS/BAS Scales), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The collected data were analyzed through Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation coefficient, test-retest method, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The principal components method by Varimax rotation led to the extraction of two factors; the sensitivity to Punishment (SP) and sensitivity to Reward (SR) for SPSRQ-RC. The two-factor model explained 38.51 percent of the data variance. 10 items of SPSRQ-RC on the first factor (sensitivity to Punishment) and 10 items on the second factor (sensitivity to Reward) have the significant factor load. All items belonging to each of the sensitivity to punishment and sensitivity to reward factors had a high factor load and confirmed the SPSRQ-RC factor structure. The results of the SPSRQ-RC reliability using internal consistency and test re-test showed that this tool is reliable. Also, the results showed that SPSRQ-RC has a convergent and divergent validity. SPSRQ-RC has good psychometric properties in Iranian society and provides a more appropriate assessment for RST.

Communication patterns of couples are meant the dynamics of the couples’ relationships. The communication patterns determine that couples how to communicate together and what happen in their marital relationships. It seems that disruptive patterns to have a devastating effect on marital relationship. The aim of the research was to study of the role of communication patterns, aggression, and sexual satisfaction in predicting dyadic adjustment. To gain of this aim a sample with 300 of employees of government departments of Isfahan through accessible method. The research method was descriptive from type of correlation. Data gathering was conduct in field method and using Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ), Buss and Perry’s Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSQ), and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Questionnaire (RDAS). Analyzing the data was carrying out by multiple Regression. Findings showed that aggression, communication patterns, and sexual satisfaction have significant role in predicting the dyadic adjustment. Therefore, it can be concluded that good relationships and high sexual satisfaction among couples can lead to dyadic adjustment.

The aim of the current study was investigation the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on career development of students with obsessive compulsive disorder. This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest-follow up design with control group. Thirty students were selected using convenience sampling and randomly divided to two experiment and control groups. Data was gathered by Career Development Questionnaire (CDI) and was analyzed using Repeated Measure ANOVA. Students in one experimental group received ACT in eight weekly sessions and the control group were in wait list. The results showed that there was significant difference between two groups in path career development (p<0.05). ACT can improve path career development of students with obsessive compulsive disorder.

The problem of emotional regulation is one of the problems faced by students with dyslexia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of psychodrama on emotion regulation of students with dyslexia. This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and control group design. The statistical population included all students with dyslexia who were studying in public schools of the five educational regions of Isfahan city during 2015-2016. Multistage random sampling was used for the selection of the sample. The Reading & Dyslexia Test (RDT) were administered to identify learning disabilities in the students and 30 students with dyslexia were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The intervention for the experimental group included 12 sessions each lasted 25 minutes. In this study, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and Reading & Dyslexic Test (RDT) were used. The data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). The findings indicated that the psychodrama training program significantly influenced emotion regulation of students with dyslexia (p<0.0001). The results showed that psychodrama training program is effective in emotion regulation of students with dyslexia. So, students after receiving this approach, in addition to reducing negative emotions and improving the regulation of positive emotions also improved in other areas such as interpersonal and social behaviors. Therefore, focusing on emotional regulation skills as an important factor in the continuity of learning disorders can be useful in designing preventive interventions and reducing the incidence of psychological disorders.

Aggression and low level of mood states are the problems which female students with depression suffer from them. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of Positive Mindfulness Therapy (PMT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on aggression and mood states in female students with depression.  The research method was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest and control group. Out of 300 female high school students in Nain City in 2017, 60 participants were selected using purposeful method based on entry and exit criteria and randomly assigned into four groups (control, PMT, MBCT and CBT). To measure the dependent variables, the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) and Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) were used. The group of PMT, MBCT and CBT received 12 sessions of treatment and the control group did not receive any treatment. The data were analyzed with the use of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Based on the results of ANCOVA, all three treatments had a significant effect on decrease of aggression and increase of mood states (p<0.01). Also, the effect of PMT was more than MBCT and CBT on reducing aggression (p<0.01), but the effect of three types of treatment on mood states was similar (p>0.05). Considering the more powerful effect of PMT compared to other two treatments in decreasing aggression and with the equal effects of three types of treatment on mood states, the use of these treatments is suggested for girl students with depression.

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Cognitive Self-Compassion Training on Reduction of Marital Conflicts among couples who were seeking divorce. Research method was semi-experimental using pretest, posttest and quarterly follow up with control group .Statistical population consisted of all the couples seeking divorce who were referred to the counseling centers of “ Welfare Organization” “Family Court” and private centers in Shahreza city since April to October 2017 (N=300 couples). Of these, 30 couples were selected using available sampling. Selection was based on couple’s voluntary agreement to participate in the study, considering the entry indicators and exit criteria. Participants were then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (n=15). Then Cognitive Self-Compassion Training Program was performed for 10 sessions of 90 minutes twice a week on experimental group. Research instrument was Sanai Martial Conflict Questionnaire Revise (2009). Data were analyzed by mixed analysis variance. Results indicated that Cognitive Self-Compassion Training significantly decreased marital conflicts of couples in experimental group in comparison of the control group (F=110.108, P=0.001) and this effectiveness has remained stable over the course of the quarterly follow-up (F= 39.40, P= 0.001). Therefore, it can be suggested that applying this intervention can be verified as an effective strategy to reduce the marital conflicts of couples seeking divorce in other counseling centers.

Somatic symptoms and physical complaints (palpitations, dizziness, etc.) make a significant part of admittances to health centers. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms and their etiology is of very high importance. Clinical observations over the past two centuries have linked these symptoms with emotions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology of somatic symptoms based on negative emotional schemas by mediating alexithymia and emotional expressiveness  The method used in this research was correlation. The research sample consisted of 440 female undergraduate and postgraduate students at Khomeini Shahr Azad University who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The members completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire (EEQ), Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) and Leahy Emotional Schemas Scale (LESS). The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS and LISREL softwers. Based on the results, the hypothesized model has an appropriate fit with the data. The path of negative emotional schemas,emotional expressiveness (total effect: -0.269.P<0.001) and the path of emotional expressiveness, somatic symptoms (total effect: -0.346.P<0.001) is negative and significant. Also, the path of negative emotional schemas ,alexithymia (total effect: 0.358.P<0.001) and the path of alexithymia , somatic symptoms (total effect: 0.356.P<0.001) is positive and significant. the path of negative emotional schemas ,somatic symptoms (direct effect: 0.266. P<0.001) is positive and significant. According to the results of structural equations, negative emotional schemas had a significant effect on somatic symptoms through alexithymia and emotional expressiveness. (Indirect effect: 0.221. P<0.001) Research shows that emotional schemas, in addition to the direct effect on somatic symptoms, can also be influenced by alexithymia and emotional expressiveness. Therefore, the results of this study can be used in preventing, understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms for pathology, and treatment of somatic symptoms.

Given the dangerous consequences that addiction to the internet has for adolescent individuals, the issue of internet addiction and its implications for the individual, family and social life of a teenager is important. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of internet addiction in social health of adolescents.  This is a descriptive and survey-based study. For this purpose, among all secondary school students in Ahar city (3767), based on the Morgan table, a sample of 348 students in two boys (177) and girl (171) were randomly selected using random sampling method The relative class was chosen. Participants completed Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Social Health Questionnaire (SHQ). The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and standard regression. The mean (SD) of age participants was 16.3 (0.47), and the rate of social network use among the participants with a mean (SD) 3.38 (3.76). The mean (SD) of social flourishing 18.74(1.03) (r = -0.545), social correlation 13.74(0.78), (r = -0.129), social solidarity13.30 (1.52) (r = -0.417), social acceptance 22.47(1.95) (r = -0.378) and social participation 22.41(1.76) (r = -0.396) were internet addiction 41.16(7.92) was (p<0.05) and social health components could significantly predict addiction to the internet. The study showed that higher levels of internet addiction could be effective in reducing social health. Therefore, in order to reduce the problems and prevent the emergence of new birth defects, such as internet addiction, health promotion and other prevention methods should be prioritized.

Cancer is one of the most common chronic diseases that its patients face with various psychological problems; therefore, methods should be sought to reduce the severity of the psychological problems among these patients. Therefore this study was done aimed to evaluate of effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on psychological symptoms of patients with cancer.  It was a semi-experimental research and has been executed by pre-test and post-test with control group. The research population included all patients with cancer who referred to Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas. It contained 30 cancer patients who were selected through purposive sampling method and randomly placed in two experimental and control groups (15 individuals per group).The members of both groups completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) before and after the sessions of group therapy (within three months). Findings have been analyzed by SPSS software and covariance analysis (ANCOVA). The results showed that the difference between experimental group and control group were significant respectively in psychological symptoms of depression (F= 84.11, p<0.001), anxiety (F= 47.52, p<0.001) and stress (F= 59.51, p<0.001). According to the results, it can be said that it is necessary for therapeutic centers and support forums related with cancer patients to use MBCT in their plans to reduce psychological symptoms of patients.

Test anxiety is one of the most common anxieties in educational environments, which, in addition to negative effects on academic performance, can lead to a reduction in psychological well-being among students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) on test anxiety and psychological well-being of high school students. This study was a semi experimental with a pre-test and post-test design and control group. The statistical population included all boy students in high school of Najaf Abad city in the school year 2013-2014. Sample size includes 60 students (each group 30 person) that were selected by multistep cluster sampling method. Both groups completed the Sarason's Test Anxiety Scale (TAS) and Reef's Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) as pre-test and post-test. Data was analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MONCOVA) method and using the SPSS software. The results of MONCOVA showed that there is a significant difference between post-test scores of experimental and control groups (p<0.001, F= 44.80). In the other hand, ACT led to significant decrease test anxiety (F= 33.17, p<0.001) and significant increase psychological well-being (F= 27.26, p<0.001). The results showed ACT method is effective in decrease test anxiety and increase psychological well-being of students.

Academic procrastination is an irrational desire to delay educational homework, and it is a widespread phenomenon. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate the cognitive-emotional model of academic procrastination with regard to the role of mindfulness, time perception, and mediating role of self-efficacy, exam anxiety and perfectionism.  The present study is a correlational study. The statistical population of this study consisted of all students of Shahid Beheshti University. The study sample consisted of 200 students were selected by convenience sampling method. The data were collected using Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS), Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), Self-efficacy Scale (SES) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). In order to test structural relations in the proposed model, the method of Structural Equations Model (SEM) was used. The results showed that the modified conceptual model was confirmed with CFI=0.90 and RMSE=0.058. The relationship between the academic procrastination and mindfulness is negative and significant (P<0.001). Generally, there is a difference between the modified model with the conceptual model in the indirect effect of the test anxiety through reduction of self-efficacy on academic performance and the effect of time estimates on mindfulness. Based on the results, mindfulness-based methods are proposed to reduce academic procrastination due to the role of self-efficacy and test anxiety. In general, the results of the present study are in line with the set of conceptual efforts in the area of academic procrastination studies.

The cognitive damage caused by breast cancer can have detrimental effects on the quality of life, occupational and social performance of these patients. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a cognitive rehabilitation on executive functions and self-care behaviors in patients with breast cancer. In an experimental study with pre-test, post-test and control group, 41 patients with breast cancer were selected by convenient sampling method and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent two months treatment and the scores of the Self-care behaviors questionnaire, Tower of London test (TOL) and Stroop Test (ST). were gathered in both groups before and after the intervention and in one month follow up period. The data were analyzed by the statistical test of mixed analysis of variance. The results in the post-test and follow-up stages showed that there is a significant difference between the two experimental and control groups, in terms executive function (P <0.05 and self-care behaviors (P <0.05). This means that the experimental group who underwent the intervention program had a significant improvement in the post-test phase in the variables mentioned above, and the changes made during the follow-up phase were also stable. The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of a designed cognitive rehabilitation program on executive functions and self-care behaviors of patients with breast cancer; therefore, considering these findings and the mechanism, the effectiveness of this treatment method can have appropriate therapeutic effects on reducing cognitive and psychological problems and improving the quality of life of patients with brest cancer.

Assisting a cognitive disorder patient can drain the emotional resources of any individual extensively. Since the caregiver can be confronted by developing mental and physical symptoms with strong possibility, she/he can be defined as hidden patient. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and burden in caregivers of patients with dementia.  This cross sectional study was conducted on 96 caregivers of patients with dementia by using convenient sampling method. After obtaining informed consent, demographic data was recorded and the severity of depression was measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the severity of anxiety was measured by Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the severity of burden was measured by Iranian Version of Caregiver Burden (IVCB). To analysis the data, we use descriptive inferential statistics by using SPSS 22. The results illustrate that 69.8% of the caregivers were in the range of depression. Moreover, 28.1% of the caregivers were in the range of anxiety and 33.3% of the caregivers scores were in the range of moderate to high level of burden. In Pearson correlation test, we found that the age of caregivers have a significant relationship with the burden test scores. (p=0.026). In t test, we found a significant relationship between the gender of the patient and the anxiety scores. The mean of anxiety scores of the caregivers of the men and women patients were 37.7 and 32.9 respectively (p=0.039). In our research, we also found significant relationships between the illness duration and the scores of anxiety and burden. In addition, the scores of all of three tests showed having relationships with the support of other family member and severity of dementia illness. Furthermore, in one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), we found a relationship between educational level of the caregivers and the scores of anxiety and burden tests. In the presence of high level of depression, anxiety and burden in the caregivers of dementia patients, more attention to the caregivers is necessary; especially from the healthcare managers and clinicians. In addition, the family of dementia patients should be encouraged to care as a group or help main caregivers as much as possible since our research showed support of other family members reduces anxiety, depression and burden of caregivers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) on reducing the symptoms of social avoidance and distress in people with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This was semi-experimental study was a pre-test-post-test design with control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all students of Semnan University in the academic year of 2017-2018. Among them, 20 Students were selected by purposeful sampling and randomly assigned 10 subjects to the experimental group and 10 subjects to the control group. Students were screened for social anxiety disorder and diagnosis of other disorders from Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-4 (SCID-4) and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). The experimental group received individual VRET for 12 sessions, 30 minutes each week. Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) was administered among the selected sample as pretest. VRET was performed in experimental group, and again, the questionnaires were administered among the participants as posttest. The results showed that VRET is effective in reducing social avoidance and distress symptoms in in people with SAD. The results showed the effectiveness of this therapeutic model on reducing the symptoms of social anxiety. This method can be used as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of SAD and other same disorders.

In recent decades, cancer has been considered by many as the most important cause of mortality in the world, with a large amount of studies in psychology. Theerfore, present study seeks out the effectiveness of positive psychology on pain catastrophizing and life expectancy of women with breast cancer.  The present study was a quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with control group and one-month follow-up period. The statistical population of this study included all women with breast cancer who referring to Isfahan Milad Hospital in spring 2015. Thirty of them were selected through available and targeted sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (each group was 15). Positive psychology interventions were performed on a test group for 8 sessions of 90 minutes, but not given to the control group. The tools used in this study were Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Hope Questionnaire (HQ). Data analysis was done using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures and using SPSS software version 20. The results of the training and follow up showed that positive psychology interventions had an effect on the life expectancy of women with breast cancer (p<0.05), but did not affect the pain catastrophizing (p>0.05). Based on the findings of this study, these interventions can increase the life expectancy of women with breast cancer and reflect new horizons in clinical interventions and can be used as effective interventions.

Traumatic events have several negative consequences, but in a number of cases, positive psychological changes occur following these events. However, little is known about how this positive psychological changes. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between brain behavioral systems and posttraumatic growth in betrayed men. In a descriptive-correlational study, 100 betrayed men in the city of Neyshabur were in 2017-2018 years selected by available sampling method. The participants completed Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The result showed that behavioral activation system predicted cognitive emotion regulation, which, in turn, predicted more posttraumatic growth in betrayed men (p<0.05). Also, adaptive cognitive emotion regulations mediated the relationship between behavioral activation system and posttraumatic growth in betrayed men. The results of this study emphasize the importance of behavioral activation system and cognitive emotion regulation in posttraumatic growth.