Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Volume:14 Issue: 4, Dec 2020

Physical and psychological child punishment is an important public health problem.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with physical punishment and psychological aggression toward children (1 - 14 years of age) in Laos.

In the nationally representative 2017 Lao Social Indicator Survey, 20,949 mothers or caretakers of children aged 1 - 14 years responded to questions on child disciplining methods used by adults in households during the past month and attitudes toward violence. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between household and maternal characteristics and physical punishment and psychological aggression toward children.

The prevalence of psychological aggression was 64.0% (shouted, etc., 60.5% and called child dumb, etc., 26.4%), the prevalence of any physical punishment was 35.6% (spanked, etc., 27.1%, hit on extremities 23.9%, hit on the bottom, etc., 4.9%, hit on face 3.9%, and “beat the child as hard as one could” 1.0%). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, male gender, poorer household wealth status, living in the central and southern region of the country, the child living with biological parents, agreement with physical punishment of children were positively, while older age, urban residence, and belonging to the Lao-Tai ethnolinguistic group were negatively associated with any physical punishment. Older age, male gender, living in the central region of the country, the child living with biological parents, and agreement with physical punishment of children were positive, whereas rural residence without road and living in the southern region of the country were negatively associated with psychological aggression.

Psychological aggression and, to a lesser extent, physical punishment of children are common in Laos. Interventions to prevent psychological aggression and physical punishment towards children should support parents in adapting non-violent forms of parenting practices.

No standard self-report instrument for withdrawal symptoms is available in Iran.

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 10-item Amphetamine Withdrawal questionnaire version 2 (AWQV2).

A sample of 388 methamphetamine addicts (215 females and 173 males) referred to addiction recovery centers and psychiatric ward of Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah. A two-stage random sampling method was used. The reliability and internal consistency of the AWQV2 items were examined using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability, respectively, and the instrument validity of the AWQV2 was measured using construct validity and convergent validity.

The AWQV2 had a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.72. Factor analysis using the main component analysis with a varimax rotation introduced three factors of hyperarousal, anxiety, and reversed vegetative symptoms. These factors explained 0.58 of the total variance. The coefficient of test-retest reliability at a 2-week interval was equal to 0.77. The convergent validity of the AWQV2 was examined by simultaneously administering the Advanced Warning of Relapse (AWARE) questionnaire to 40 subjects, with a correlation coefficient of 0.81.

Based on the results, the AWQV2 has very good psychometric properties and may be used in research and therapeutic interventions.

Given the significance of using seatbelts in preventing fatalities in accidents, more studies are required to detect the predictors of seatbelt use.

This study aimed to specify the constructs of the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict seatbelt use in front-seat passengers in urban trips.

In this cross-sectional study, 328 front passengers of urban roads, who were residing in Bushehr during March-May 2018, were selected using multistage, stratified cluster random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire addressing demographic variables, TPB constructs and intention, and seatbelt use questions was used to collect data. Chi-squared test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22.

In this study, 28.7% (n = 94) of the participants did not use seatbelts as front-seat passenger, 27.7% (n = 91), and 43.6% (n = 143) used seatbelt for the sake of law enforcement and personal safety, respectively. The predictors of using seatbelts for law enforcement were experiential attitude (P < 0.001, Exp (B) = 1.25), self-efficacy (P = 0.001, Exp (B) =1.21), and instrumental attitude (P = 0.006, Exp (B) =0.89). The predictors of using seatbelts for personal safety were intention (P = 0.001, Exp (B) = 1.26), experiential attitude (P < 0.001, Exp (B) =1.25), self-efficacy (P < 0.001, Exp (B) =1.24), and instrumental attitude (P < 0.001, Exp (B) =0.84). The only predictor of wearing seatbelts for personal safety versus wearing seatbelts for law enforcement was descriptive norm (P < 0.001, Exp (B) = 1.16).

The seatbelt comfort is an important factor in wearing seatbelts. Moreover, since the intention was not the predictor of seatbelt wearing in seatbelt users for law enforcement; therefore, these users are less likely to continue such a behavior.

Duke health profile (DHP) is a 17-item questionnaire that measures six health scales (physical, mental, social, general, perceptual, and self-confidence) and four dysfunction scales of anxiety, depression, pain, and disability.

To systematically translate DHP to Persian language and measure the validity and reliability of the translated version.

We used the forward-backward method for translation of DHP from English to Persian. After linguistic matching and pilot review, a cross-sectional study was carried out on 239 individuals aged over 18 to measure the psychometric characteristics of the Persian version of DHP. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest analysis. Content validity, face validity, and construct validity were evaluated by an expert panel, interviewing a sample of the general population, and confirmatory factor analysis, respectively.

Item content validity indexes (I-CVI) for relevance and clarity were between 88 and 100. Scale content validity index (S-CVI) for relevance and clarity were 96% and 94%, respectively. The calculated item content validity ratio (I-CVR) was between 0.78 and 1.0. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the data fit the model, and the indicators of fitness were acceptable. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.77 for the total tool and varied between 0.47 and 0.69 for different subscales. The reliability of the test-retest was 0.64 - 0.88, which was good after two weeks.

The Persian version of DHP is a valid and reliable tool for measuring health profile.

The frequency of bipolar spectrum in patients with conversion disorder is not well known, while it is important to be aware of comorbid bipolarity in the management of conversion disorder.

The study aimed to identify the frequency of bipolar spectrum disorder among people with conversion disorder and the factors associated with this comorbidity.

The participants were 96 consecutive patients aged 18 - 65 years, referring to the emergency department or admitted to the psychiatric wards of two university general hospitals in Tehran, Iran, in 2019. Patients fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for conversion disorder based on the structured clinical interview (SCID). The Mood Disorder questionnaire (MDQ) was used to identify bipolar spectrum disorder. Demographic characteristics and other relevant correlated factors were also recorded using a checklist. Data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square/Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression model.

The frequency of bipolar spectrum disorder based on the MDQ was 35.4% in patients with conversion disorder. The results of the logistic regression model using the Backward Conditional method showed that only two variables, namely antidepressant-induced mania/hypomania (OR = 39; CI 95%: 4.56 - 333.7) and history of hospitalization in the psychiatric ward (OR = 7.1, CI 95%: 2.05 - 24.65), remained as associated factors after controlling for other variables.

Our study showed a higher frequency of bipolar spectrum disorder in patients with conversion disorder than did previous epidemiological studies in Iran and other countries. Such significant comorbidity should discourage potentially harmful off-label use of antidepressants for the treatment of conversion disorder instead of looking for other underlying psychiatric or social problems. Further research is suggested in this area.

Risk behaviors can increase the risk of early mortality, disability, and chronic illness.

This study aimed to determine risk-taking behaviors in students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in 2018.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 students selected using a stratified sampling method. The self-administered Iranian Youth Risk-Taking Scale (IYRTS), consisting of 48 items, was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 using the chi-square test. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

The mean age of male and female students was 21.4 ± 1.92 and 20.9 ± 1.38 years, respectively. The rates of a history of physical violence, cigarette smoking, waterpipe smoking, alcohol use, and drug abuse were 37.7%, 37.2%, 47.9%, 33%, and 25.6%, respectively, and all were higher in male students (P < 0.05). Methylphenidate, ecstasy, and tramadol were the most prevalent drugs used by the students. physical inactivity was not different between male and female students (P = 0.42).

In the present study, we found high consumption of cigarettes, waterpipe, alcohol, and drugs, as well as physical inactivity among the students.

 Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is one of the most dangerous behaviors linked to substance abuse. The Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS) has been developed to better understanding the factors associated with the onset and maintenance of NSSI behaviors.

 The ISAS was translated into the Persian language to study its psychometric properties in Iranian population of opioid and alcohol abusers.

 This is a psychometric study investigating opioid and alcohol abusers in Iran, including those residing in addiction rehabilitation camps, prisons, hospitals, and addiction treatment clinics dispensing methadone in 2017. The sample size of this study was 470. The subjects completed the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury, Barrat Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS).

 The test-retest results were estimated for two weeks using the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The absolute reliability was determined to be 2.62%. There was a significant correlation between convergent and divergent instruments. The results of the exploratory factor analysis on 235 individuals in the sample showed all subscales of the inventory measure a single factor in the Iranian population. The total Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for this subscale was 0.93. Also, the results of confirmatory factor analyses on the rest of the sample (235), after applying the AMOS software suggestions to improve the model, showed this inventory was a good indicator for this population (χ2 = 131.69; P < 0.001; df = 56; χ2/df = 2.35; CFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.76; GFI = 0.92).

 The Persian version of the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury has high validity and reliability among the opioid and alcohol-abusing population in Iran.

Chronic schizophrenia is a long-term and severe mental disorder. Aerobic exercises can reduce the symptoms of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia, through improving the patient's quality of life (QoL).

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on the QoL of male schizophrenics hospitalized at the Razi Psychiatric Center in Tabriz from 2015 to 2016.

In this randomized controlled trial, 68 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into groups of intervention (n = 34) and control (34). The intervention group has benefited from the aerobic exercise 24 sessions for 8 weeks, 12 hours in total. The control group simultaneously enjoyed the fresh air. The Schizophrenic Quality of Life Scale (SQLS) was completed before and after intervention in both groups. The data were analyzed in SPSS20 using the t-test and chi-squared test.

The mean age of participants was 37.82 ± 7.14 years. No significant differences were found between the demographic characteristics of the two groups. This study showed that no significant difference was found in the quality of life in both groups before intervention (P ≤ 0.37), but there was a significant difference after the intervention (P = 0.001). Aerobic exercises reduce patient's mental disorders and promote their QoL (P < 0.05).

Regular aerobic exercise can reduce the symptoms of male patients with schizophrenics, which in turn improves all dimensions of QoL

The strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) is one of the most common screening tools to detect children and adolescents who are at risk of mental health problems or have psychiatric disorders. The standard mode of SDQ completion is on paper; however, some studies used phone administration and argued that this is a feasible and valid method that can substitute in-person administration. However, few studies have investigated the validity and reliability of phone administration of the SDQ.

The current study aimed to compare the telephone versus paper-and-pencil administration of the SDQ among Iranian child and adolescent outpatients.

Sixty six parents with children aged 3 to 15 years completed the SDQ questionnaire using paper-and-pencil and telephone interview techniques. The study was performed in 2016, and participants were from the city of Tehran (capital of Iran). Participants were first divided into two groups. Then, one of them first completed the questionnaire using the face-to-face interviews, and 3 to 4 days later, they again completed the questionnaire using the telephone interview. And the vice versa occurred for the other group. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlation between the two methods in each group separately. Intra-class correlation (ICC) analysis was used to investigate the association between the two administration methods.

A significant positive correlation was found between the two types of administration in both groups (P < 0.05). Intra-class correlation coefficients indicated a good correlation between the scores obtained from each method of administration (all P values were < 0.001).

Telephone administration of SDQ is a reliable method for collecting data when studying emotional and behavioral symptoms in children and adolescents attending outpatient psychiatric centers.

Construct of Alexithymia is important for understanding psychopathology that its assessment is of high interest as persons with difficulty in processing their emotions (either positive and negative) are more vulnerable to psychopathology problems.

The current study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Perth Alexithymia questionnaire (PAQ), and to describe appropriate measures for the field of clinical psychology and psychiatry.

The Persian version of the PAQ was produced through forward translation, reconciliation, and back translation. The study population was all staff (soldiers) of the army force in Tehran, Iran, in 2018 - 2019. Two hundred and fifty four soldiers were selected by convenience sampling method. The following questionnaires were used to collect data: the PAQ, The Deliberate Self-Harm inventory (DSHI), Borderline Personality scale (STB), Cognitive Flexibility inventory (CFI), and Self-Compassion scale (SCS) short-form. The construct validity of the PAQ was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, divergent, and convergent validity. Internal Consistency and test-retest reliability (2 weeks’ interval) were applied to evaluate reliability. Data were analyzed using LISREL (version 8.8) and SSPS (version 22).

PAQ and its subscales were found as valid and reliable measures, with good internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. The PAQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.91). Concerning the convergent validity, PAQ and its subscales showed a significant positive correlation with self-report measures of DSHI and STB (P < 0.05). However, they were negatively correlated with Self-Compassion scale (SCS) short-form and CFI (P < 0.05), which demonstrated a good divergent validity. Moreover, while the results of this study support the five-factor models of the PAQ (RMSEA = 0.08, NFI = 0.94, CFI= 0.95), the two-factor model does not fit the data.

The PAQ showed good validity and reliability and can be useful for evaluating Alexithymia in the army force samples. The PAQ can be considered promising as a measure in Alexithymia-related research and clinical settings.