International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture
Volume:10 Issue: 2, Spring 2023

The Bioenergy Economy (BEE) is a contextual and evidence-based model of care that is focused on the development of bodily awareness. In the course of BEE-based trauma therapy, by changing the contexts of embodied sensation, narrative, relationship, and intentionality, the fixed meaning-making systems (pre-linguistic and linguistic) around the trauma were gradually deconstructed. In this essay, we follow the story of a young woman in the course of BEE-based trauma therapy. She had come in for her existential and religious crisis but was guided to recovery from the post-traumatic stress of a domestic assault.

 To investigate the evidence related to the effectiveness of neurofeedback (NF) treatment in patients suffering from epilepsy, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials‎ (RCTs) for people suffering from epilepsy was conducted in different research sources.

 This research was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Original research studies that were published in valid electronic sources from March 1975 to March 2022 were included in the study; 15 original studies (including 330 patients) were finally analyzed. To achieve this objective, the primary outcome measure was the ratings of epilepsy symptoms in subjects based on assessments of patients. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Second Edition (WISC-II), and the Attention Span Test were regarded as primary outcomes. The required data from the desired studies were putted in the Review Manager Software to perform a systematic analysis of trial characteristics.

 The findings showed that the mean level had significantly dropped by about 4.064 units in the intervention group (MD = -0.4.064; 95% CI = [-4.909, -3.22]; P < 0.001). However, the mean difference was not statistically significant within the subgroups. No significant heterogeneity or publication bias was detected.

 The results of the meta-analysis offer preliminary evidence that, based on the assessment of patients, NF is a beneficial clinical method for epilepsy. However, more RTCs are required to compare standard treatments such as medication, and neurological and behavioral interventions.

 Bipolar disorder (BD) is usually studied under the static description and biological etiology, and hence the subjective experience of patients is rarely investigated. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic system of patients with BD through their lived experience in general and their embodiment in specific.

 The current research was qualitative and it was done through the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Iranian participants in 2020 through WhatsApp and Skype. 11 participants with BD type I and II were selected through purposive sampling.

 The two super-ordinate themes were identified: body in the foreground/background of consciousness and change of power in the body. Themes related to each of them were identified and reported in the phases of depression and mania. The first super-ordinate theme included these themes: hyperembodiment (in depression) and disembodiment (in mania). Painful body (in depression) and heroic body (in mania) were the themes identified in the second super-ordinate theme.

 At the psychopathological level, our findings encourage the using of dynamic model for patients with BD in order to extend the possibility of psychotherapy for this group of patients.

 The present research was conducted with the aim to predict suicidality in patients attempting suicide based on narrative psychology findings.

 The present qualitative study is a descriptive phenomenology research done to clarify and analyze the experiences of patients who had attempted suicide in 2020. The statistical population included all male and female patients hospitalized in all medical centers of Tehran, Iran, due to suicide attempt. The objective-oriented method was used for sampling. The semi-structured interview (in an individual and face-to-face manner) was selected as the central approach to data collection.

 After interviewing 13 individuals, the different elements related to the research goal were extracted. By analyzing the object-relational data of the research, the 3 elements of traditional gender patterns (patriarchy, dogmatism, and domestic violence), deprivation, and labeling were extracted.

 It can be concluded that traditional gender patterns (patriarchy, dogmatism, and domestic violence), deprivation, and labeling were the most prevalent reasons for suicide in these patients. Therefore, suicide can be reduced in society through interventions and provision of appropriate educational programs according to the culture of each district.

 Patient satisfaction with primary health care (PHC) represents a key marker for the quality of health care delivery and this internationally accepted factor needs to be studied repeatedly for smooth functioning of the health care systems. This study was conducted to assess patient satisfaction level with quality of health care services provided by PHC centers in Baghdad, Iraq.

 A cross-sectional study was conducted in 67 PHC centers in Al-Rasafa district of Baghdad City from April to July, 2016. The convenience sampling method was used to select the participants. A total of 67 PHC centers were selected from nine health sectors in Al-Rasafa district, out of a total of 120 centers, and interviewed with well-structured close-ended questions. Data analysis involved calculating descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations (SDs), and ranges. To determine the significance of differences in percentages, we employed the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate.

 A total of 325 patients participated in the study. The overall satisfaction rate was 70.16%. The highest score of satisfaction for the aspect of services was for physician services (76%), and the lowest score was for the nurse services (55.3%) and the other health care facilities (access, appointment, and building aspects) (53%) .

 Overall, the majority of patients expressed satisfaction with services provided by doctors, pharmacies, and laboratories. However, nursing care services received lower satisfaction ratings. The lowest levels of satisfaction were observed in relation to access, appointment, and building aspects. Socio-demographic characteristics did not exhibit a significant association with patient satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of improving nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and skills, particularly in areas such as patient education and emotional support.

 This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived parental style and positive thinking with gender identity of Iranian female adolescents.

 This was a correlational research. Statistical population included all female adolescents of Tehran, Iran (2018 academic year) and its statistical sample consisted of 384 participants which were selected through cluster sampling method. The data were gathered using Schertzer et al.’s Gender Role Identity Scale (GRIS), Robbins’ perception of parenting styles (POPS), and Ingram and Wisnicki’s automatic thoughts questionnaire (ATQ). Analysis of data was conducted by Pearson correlation coefficient and linear multiple regression using SPSS software.

 The mean of feminine characteristics among the girls was higher than their masculine characteristics (P > 0.050). Furthermore, there was a positive significant relationship between father and mother warmth and positive thinking with feminine and masculine gender identity of female adolescents (P < 0.050). The result of regression analysis showed that the four variables of mother warmth (β = 0.40, P < 0.001), father warmth (β = 0.23, P < 0.001), positive thinking (β = 0.21, P < 0.001), and mother support (β = 0.21, P < 0.001) could predict gender identity.

 According to the findings, it can be concluded that mother and father warmth, positive thinking, and mother support could predict gender identity. Therefore, based on our findings, we discuss the importance of perceived parenting style and positive thinking.

 Coping strategies with life changes are different depending on various situations. The individuals' quality of life (QOL) is, to some extent, influenced by the way they deal with life events. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between coping strategies and QOL of women with breast cancer.

 This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 35 women with recently diagnosed breast cancer in Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran, in 2021-2022. Data were collected using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Coping Operations Preference Enquiry (COPE). This study used SPSS statistical software to analyze the data. A Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to examine the relationship between variables.

 Generally, the average QOL was approximately 58 to 60 and 57 to 63 at the beginning of study and the 3-month follow-up, respectively. There was a significant and positive relationship between active coping strategies and high QOL in all areas of the QOL at the beginning of treatment and 3-month follow-up (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.70, P < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between younger age, higher education, marital status, lower disease stage, non-use of chemotherapy, and better QOL at the beginning of treatment and 3-month follow-up (P < 0.05).

 The QOL of women suffering from breast cancer is not only related to coping strategies but also to the demographic variables, such as age, disease stage, marital status, the type of treatment, and education.

 Due to the various challenges that elderly individuals experience, their mental health requires greater attention, particularly in respect to resilience and aging-related death anxiety. This study compared the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and spirituality therapy on elderly participants' resilience, sleep quality, and death anxiety.

 The present study was an applied and semi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest design, follow-up, and control group. The statistical population of the study included all elderly residents of nursing facilities in Shiraz, Iran, in 2019. The sample consisted of 45 individuals from the aforementioned community who participated voluntarily. They were randomly divided into the spirituality treatment (n = 15), ACT (n = 15), and control groups (n = 15). Data were gathered using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CL-FODS), ‎and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). MANCOVA and repeated measures ANOVA were used to examine the data in SPSS software.

 According to the findings, ACT and spiritual treatment had a positive impact on sleep quality, resilience, and fear of dying (P < 0.001). However, resilience and sleep quality were improved more by ACT. Spirituality treatment was more effective on death anxiety.

 It can be concluded that ACT was more successful in improving resilience and sleep quality and spiritual counseling had a greater impact on death anxiety.

 Depression is one of the most serious threats to today's society and of course, one of the most common psychological disorders. This research aims to investigate the differences between the components of meta-emotions and mindfulness in people with depression and normal people.

 The current research was a causal-comparative study. The selection of samples of the clinical group was done in the field and in cooperation with one of the centers providing psychiatric services located in Shiraz, Iran, and from among those who were referred to this clinic. The research sample size was 100 people who formed two equal clinical and comparison groups. The clinical group, which included 50 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), was selected purposefully and with the diagnosis of a psychiatrist according to sufficient criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The comparison group, which was matched with the clinical group in the three variables of sex, age, and marital status, was selected by convenience sampling method from among the residents of Shiraz. The data were obtained using the Meta-Emotion Scale (MES) and the questionnaire on the components of mindfulness. Statistical analysis of research data was done using SPSS software and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

 There was a significant difference between the average scores of meta-emotion and components of mindfulness between depressed and normal groups (P < 0.001). The results showed that the mean of meta-emotion in people with depression (89.74) was higher than in normal people (85.16) and in the case of mindfulness components, the mean of people with depression (114.34) was lower than that of normal people (131.44).

 The results showed that there was a significant difference between the depressed and normal groups in terms of the experience of ecstasy and the level of the trait of mindfulness.

 One of the most important fundamental issues in mental health is patients' satisfaction with the beauty of their teeth and their compatibility with complete dentures. Therefore, this study investigated the role of early maladaptive schemas and body image in the level of satisfaction with complete dentures among patients referred to the dental clinic of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Iran, in 2021-2022.

 The research was a descriptive correlational study. This study's statistical population included all candidates for complete dentures referring to the dental clinic of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz in 2021-22, from among which, 168 people were selected through convenience sampling method. The research tools included the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form‎ (YSQ-SF)‎ (1988), Body Image Concern Inventory ‎(BICI)  Littleton et al.‎ (2005), and Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ)‎ by Davies and Ware (1982). The collected data were analyzed using multiple regression tests in SPSS software.

 The results showed a relationship between the components of early maladaptive schemas [failure (ß = -0.225), defectiveness/shame (ß = -0.279), social isolation/alienation (ß = 0.278), abandonment/instability (ß = 0.331), subjugation (ß = -0.264), and dependence/incompetence (ß = 0.246)] and the level of satisfaction with complete dentures among the patients (P < 0.05). The results also showed a significant relationship between the components of body image and the level of satisfaction with complete dentures (P < 0.05).

 It can be concluded that early maladaptive schemas and body image play a role in the satisfaction level of patients referred to the dental clinic of Islamic Azad University of Tabriz.