Caspian Journal of Health Research
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Jan 2023

A high incidence of obsessive behaviors has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This study was carried out to estimate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness of psychological distress and tolerance of ambiguity in patients with COVID-19 obsession .

The present pretest-posttest study with a control group design was conducted on patients with COVID-19 obsession in 2021. The required information was collected using the COVID-19 obsession scale, a short form of psychological distress, and a tolerance of ambiguity questionnaire. The experimental group obtained ten 90-minute classes of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness. The adjusted post-test scores were compared using an analysis of covariance.

The mean age of participants in the experimental and control group was 31.84 (standard deviation (SD)=4.68) and 34.09 (SD=7.05) years, respectively. Cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness significantly reduced anxiety (F=41.99, P=0.001, η2=0.63), depression (F=27.19, P=0.001, η2=0.53), stress (F=26.92, P=0.001, η2=0.52), and increases tolerance of ambiguity (F=31.63, P=0.001, η2=0.57), in patients with COVID-19 obsession disorder.

The findings indicated that cognitive-behavioral therapy based on mindfulness appreciably improves the mental health of sufferers with COVID-19 obsession. Considering the long-term effects of COVID-19, psychology and counseling facilities should take measures to become aware of and treat vulnerable groups.

The results of previous studies indicated that increasing self-compassion is associated with increased ability to regulate emotion.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of difficulty in emotional regulation in the relationship between self-compassion and anxiety among university students.

The current cross-sectional study was performed on male and female undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in Tehran from January to September 2022. After obtaining official permission, 208 students from Amir Kabir University, Shahid Beheshti University, Islamic Azad University, North branch, Central branch, Research Science branch and Rodehen branch were selected using a convenience sampling method. Self-compassion scale of Neff, difficulty in emotion regulation of Graz and Roemer, and Beck anxiety scale were used to collect data. Data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling.  

The mean age of participants was 27.63 (standard deviation= 9.13), 143 were female and 145 were single. the direct effect of self-compassion on anxiety is not significant (β =0.261, P = 0.109), but the indirect effect of self-compassion on anxiety with mediating role in difficulty of emotional regulation is significant (β = -0.674, P = 0.001). Thus, self-compassion reduces anxiety by reducing the difficulty in emotional regulation. The results also show that self-compassion alone explains 17% of the variance of anxiety. Self-compassion and difficulty in emotional regulation account for 34% of the variance of anxiety.

The findings revealed that difficulty in emotional regulation plays a full mediating role in the relationship between self-compassion and anxiety. This study highlights the role of self-compassion and difficulty in emotional regulation in reducing anxiety, But to use self-compassion-based education and emotional regulation in anxiety management, more research is needed to examine their effect in the form of empirical research.

Resilience is considered as one of the normal structures and concepts in positive psychology to better adjust to stressful situations and achieve well-being.

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between academic support and academic well-being in students.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all high school studentsof Khorramabad city in the school year 2020-21, among which, 353 students were selected through multistage cluster random sampling. The research instruments included Academic Support Scale, Academic Well-Being Questionnaire, and Academic Resilience Inventory. Data were analyzed using the SEM technique.

There was a positive relationship between academic support and academic well-being (β=0.33; P<0.001) in the students. There was a direct relationship between academic resilience and academic well-being in the students (β=0.55; P<0.001). There was also a positive relationship between academic support and academic resilience in the students (β=0.23; P<0.001). Academic resilience had a mediating role in the relationship between academic support and academic well-being in high school students (P<0.001).

Accordingly, the model had a good fit to the data. School principals and teachers should improve students’ well-being by increasing academic support and resilience.

There are various educational programs based on theoretical frameworks for binge-eating disorders. However, there is no evidence for Strengths-Based approach targeting low inhibitory control and impulsivity of the patients.

This experimental study explored the effect of a Strengths-Based clinical teaching course on impulsivity and self-control of adolescents with binge-eating disorder.

The study was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and posttest evaluations on adolescents with binge-eating disorders in clinical psychology in Kermanshah. A total of 26 adolescents with binge-eating disorders were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. Then, they were asked to fill out a questionnaire about Barrat’s impulsivity scale and Tangney’s Self-Control Scale. The experimental group was taught methods and techniques of strengths-based strategies for eight 90-minute sessions followed by training sessions of strengths-based skills once a week for 2 months, whereas the control group received no psychological training during this time. After these sessions, both groups were given post-test evaluations. Data were compared using multivariate and univariate analysis of variance.

The age range of participants was 14-18 years. The mean post-test score showed that impulsivity was significantly decreased and self-control was significantly increased in the experimental group. The result of univariate analysis of variance indicate that the two groups differed significantly on impulsivity (F=15.91, P=0.001,ηp2=0.59) and self-control (F=17.25, P=0.001, ηp2=0.62).

Using a strength approach offers effective self-control and impulsivity to adolescents with binge-eating disorders.

Adolescents may be exposed to several mental health related difficulties due to lack of complete cognitive maturity.

This study investigated the mediation of emotion dysregulation and modeling of peers in relation between self-harming behaviors and suicide probability in adolescent.

In a descriptive study, we investigated juvenile delinquents of Correction and Rehabilitation Center of Mashhad during 2021. A total of 148 individuals were selected and evaluated using the self-harm motivation scale, Ottawa self-harming inventory, regulation problems scale and peer self-harm modeling scale. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in SmartPLS-3 software.  

The mean age of participants was 16.21 (standard deviation=2.42). There was significant direct effect of self-harming behaviors on suicide probability (β=0.86 , P= 0.001 ). The significant indirect effect of self-harming behaviors on suicide probability through emotional dysregulation (β= 0.36, P= 0.001 ) was stronger than indirect effect mediated by peers modeling (β=0.17 , P= 0.04 ). The model account for 87 % of total variance of suicide probability.

Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that emotion dysregulation and peers modeling play a role in increasing suicide probability and should be considered in preventing harmful behaviors in adolescents.

Today, addiction, especially injectable addiction, is the most important risk factor for viral diseases transmitted through blood, such as AIDS, hepatitis C and B.

The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the predictive factors of AIDS prevention behaviors based on the protection motivation theory (PMT) in drug addicts living in addiction treatment camps in city of Rasht, North of Iran.

This cross-sectional-descriptive study was conducted on 320 drug-dependent patients living in addiction treatment camps in Rasht city. The samples were selected by simple random sampling method. The required data was collected through a questionnaire and then analyzed using multivariate linear regression model.

There was a very weak significant correlation between the HIV prevention behaviors and constructs of PMT including perceived self-efficacy (r=0.20), knowledge (r=0.16), reward (r=0.15), perceived response cost (r=0.14), perceived response efficiency, and fear (r=0.11). The PMT model accounted for 7% of variation in HIV prevention behaviors. Though, the model explained 38% of variance of protection motivation.

The PMT model could not predict HIV prevention behaviors. There are many other factors such as low intention that may interfere for adopting the desired behaviors. So, it is suggested to explore a wider range of psychosocial factors in future research.

Different forms of leishmaniasis are important infectious diseases in Iran. While Rudbar County of Guilan Province has been introduced as a cutaneous leishmaniasis focus, there are few published data about the phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) of the province and their medical importance.

The present study is going to provide a review of sand fly-borne infections in Guilan Province and a checklist of sand flies of the province. Also, a note is presented on the name Sergentomyia murgabiensis sintoni.

Using the main databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database (SID), IranMedex and Magiran which were searched up to September 2022 and reviewing the literature, the available data about the sand fly-borne diseases of Iran and Guilan Province were extracted and analyzed.

In total, 11 species representing two genera of sand flies, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, are found in Guilan Province. The checklist and distribution of sand flies of the province have been provided. All species of the genus Phlebotomus in the province are proven or suspected vectors of leishmaniasis. Sand fly-borne leishmaniasis (cutaneous and visceral), sand fly fever and lizard leishmaniasis, which are among the endemic infections of the province, are discussed. Also, a taxonomic note is presented on the name Sergentomyia murgabiensis sintoni.

The prevalence of suspected or proven vectors of sand fly-borne diseases in Guilan Province is noteworthy. The study of the ecology of sand flies and detecting the exact vectors and reservoirs of leishmaniasis and phlebotomine fever by serological or molecular- specific tests in the province are recommended. Moreover, additional samplings of sand flies from localities, where have not been studied, are necessary.