International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume:17 Issue: 4, Winter 2024

It is assumed that the level of cognitive flexibility and maladaptive problem-solving methods, probably lead to the exacerbation of preclinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Therefore, an attempt has been made to show how the level of cognitive flexibility and the type of problem-solving methods can predict the severity of premorbid symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This study followed a descriptive cross-sectional design. Sampling was done using cluster sampling among university students. The number of samples was 263 people. In addition,      the data analysis method was regression. It was shown that problem-solving methods based on thinking and feeling significantly predict obsessive-compulsive slowness. It was also observed that feeling-focused problem-solving can significantly predict obsessive-compulsive hesitation. It seems that encouraging people to use a specific model of problem solving, such as just thinking, can lead to a decrease in individual functions, especially executive functions. Moreover, finding the optimal level of cognitive flexibility based on reality can increase the efficiency and satisfaction of a person.

Nowadays, Instagram has become one of the most widely used social media platforms in Iran and around the world. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Instagram Addiction Test in Iran. This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey methodology to assess Instagram usage patterns and addiction levels among Iranian users. The survey which was conducted in 2020, targeted a diverse population across various regions of Iran, providing a comprehensive overview of the national Instagram user demographic. The sample comprised 950 participants, selected through convenience sampling approach. Key instruments included the Instagram Addiction Test (1998), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003), and the Addiction to Mobile Questionnaire Based on Social Networks (2015). To ensure psychometric analysis, we employed construct validity via exploratory factor analysis, divergent validity through correlation assessment between Instagram addiction and resilience subscales, and convergent validity by evaluating the correlation patterns within Instagram addiction constructs. All data was analyzed using SPSS- 25. The reliability, indicated by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.706, surpasses the accepted benchmark (α > 0.7), confirming the internal consistency of the tool. This study had substantiated the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Instagram Addiction Test, affirming its efficacy in measuring dependency levels on this social media platform.

Social anxiety is among the most common disorders in early adulthood that has huge adverse effects on the desired function of individuals. Although previous research emphasized the effect of childhood maltreatment on the emergence of social anxiety symptoms, it is still unclear how childhood maltreatment affects these symptoms. It seems that the mentalization ability, understanding and reflecting on one's own and another's mental world, is effective in this association.

This study conducted structural equation modeling based on mediation analysis in terms of correlation methods. For this reason, 219 college students of the Shiraz University of Iran were investigated in this research. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing social anxiety, the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), reflective functioning with the short version of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), and childhood trauma with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). SmartPLS-3 and SPSS-26 were used for data analysis.

The results showed that only emotional abuse has a direct effect on social anxiety symptoms (β= 0.22, p< 0.01). Moreover, uncertainty about mental states partially mediated the associations between emotional abuse and social anxiety in early adulthood (β= 0.19, p< 0.01). After gender analysis, it seemed that there were no differences between the male and female groups.

The results of this study extend current research and clarify the importance of the effect of emotional abuse as one of the types of childhood maltreatment on mentalization capacity and the effect of this relationship on social anxiety symptoms in early adulthood. Based on the findings of this research, it is possible to use improved mentalization ability for the prevention and treatment of social anxiety disorder.

It seems that women have their own personal ways to manage Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS) before seeking professional treatment. Therefore, the present study has attempted to clarify the unprompted coping styles to withstand PMS using a thematic analysis method. A thematic analysis method has been used in this study. The population included the university students studying in the academic year of 2022 and 2023. The sampling method in this research was done using purposive sampling. Data collection was performed via in-depth semi-structured interviews that took place on the Google Meet platform. All of the audio files were written word by word on the same day. The data analysis was done via MAXQDA-2020. The number of eligible participants was eleven, between 27 to 34 years old. On the whole, the analysis demonstrated five groups of themes each with some subthemes (Purposeful/Purposeless Overwork, Accessible Comforter, Passivity, Help-seeking, trying to stay conscious). According to the findings of the present study it can be stated that spontaneous strategies to manage PMS have certain characteristics that can be classified into five main themes; So, the identified themes can be a clue that women are prepared to accept the behavioral measures when faced with PMS, because they themselves already use these kinds of methods spontaneously.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) has been recognized as a distinct disorder from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the eleventh revision of the disease classification system (ICD-11). The international trauma Questionnaires have been developed to measure C-PTSD. This study was conducted to enhance the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 18-item International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ-18 Items). This research followed a descriptive-evaluative approach. The last version of ITQ was translated and back-translated, and its content validity was assessed through measurement and obtained above 0.70. The statistical population consisted of non-clinical married middle-aged women in the age range of 30 to 40 years who were registered in the comprehensive health services center electronic system of Bushehr province in the year 2022-2023. They responded to the questionnaires over a two-month period using a multistage cluster sampling method. To assess concurrent validity, the hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire along with adverse childhood experiences were used. The data were analyzed employing confirmatory factor analysis and correlation coefficient analysis. Findings indicated that, considering SRMR=0.56, RMSEA=0.61, TLI=0.943, CFI=0.959, and BIC=21879.875, the optimal fit was found in the second-order two-factor model. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between CPTSD and clinical anxiety and depression (p<0.01). Additionally, adverse childhood experiences showed a correlation (p<0.01). According to the findings of the present study, it can be stated that the Persian version of the ITQ-18 Items, by the ICD-11, exhibits appropriate psychometric properties.

Military operations have become more complex and require cognitive readiness to adapt to the conditions that match the individual's brain reactions. The research aims to investigate the impact of cognitive readiness training on brain wave patterns. The research was quasi-experimental with a control group and pretest-posttest design. The population included military officers that 38 members. Furthermore, Operational Strategic Management Simulation (OSMS) and the Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) was used. Moreover, a 40-session cognitive readiness course was provided for the experimental group, and an 11-session course was presented for the control group. Data were analyzed using the MANCOVA test. Cognitive readiness training reduces beta and delta waves in the frontal and central regions. This training increase in the alpha and theta waves in all of brain area (p<0.01). Also, sLORETA showed that the maximum change was observed in the alpha wave in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. By promoting cognitive readiness, individuals can make better decisions, optimize performance, and minimize cognitive and emotional burdens. Implementing tools like QEEG assessments can provide insights into individual differences and abilities, aiding in task suitability evaluation.Embracing cognitive readiness can ultimately help reduce human errors, enhance independence, and improve performance in high-stress military environments.

The relationship between parents and children is one of the important topics of psychology and sociology, and parenting methods are considered as one of the important topics in this field. The present research examined the values ​​and expectations of parenting among the parents of the deprived class. The present qualitative research was conducted by phenomenological analysis method in 2019 in Tehran. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were used with 14 parents of the underprivileged class of Tehran until the data saturation stage. Data analysis was done using MAXQDA 20 software. Based on the findings of this research, five main themes (18 sub-themes) namely parent-centered values ​​(compensation, support, forward-looking, positive communication), and child-centered values ​​(getting an education, obeying the rules, respecting elders, religious values, courtesy, independence), parenting expectations (positive parenting, positive education, positive social role), harmful resources (current injuries, financial problems), and supportive resources (family of origin, wide network of relationships and society, available service providers) were obtained. In summarizing the overall findings of this research, it can be elucidated that challenges arising from adverse economic and social conditions have disproportionately impacted parents facing economic disadvantages in the context of child-rearing.

Although different tools have been designed to measure mindfulness, none has comprehensively examined academic mindfulness. Therefore, the present study aimed to build a reliable and valid tool for academic mindfulness measurement in students. The research was a descriptive-correlational study and a validation of the test. Participants included 420 students of Bu-Ali Sina University in the academic year of 2022-2023, selected by multistage cluster random sampling method and completed the Academic Mindfulness Questionnaire (AMQ-5), Fear of Self-compassion Scale, and Academic Engagement Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Examination of the data by exploratory factor analysis showed that all 20 items had acceptable factor loads and revealed five factors (self-compassion, accepting without judgment, presence in the moment, performing tasks with awareness, and listening with full attention). Moreover, according to the confirmatory factor analysis, the questionnaire had an acceptable fit (RMSEA=0.047, AGFI=0.91, NFI=0.96, CFI=0.98). The findings showed that academic mindfulness was significantly correlated with fear of self-compassion and academic engagement. Moreover, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.89. According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that the academic mindfulness questionnaire has a good validity and reliability and can effectively measure academic mindfulness in the five factors mentioned.