Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling
Volume:5 Issue: 5, Winter 2023

 Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable metabolic diseases that due to chronic and lack of definite treatment, its control requires persistence in self-care behaviors for life, and psychological factors play an important role in adherence to self-care programs.

 The purpose of this study was to compilation of the causal model of self-care behaviors based on life events and perceived social support with the mediation of psychological distress in women and men with type 2 diabetes.

 This study was applied in terms of purpose, quantitative in terms of data type, survey in terms of data collection and descriptive-analytical in terms of analysis based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this study was type 2 diabetic patients with age range of 40 to 60 years in Tehran, which 640 were selected by available sampling method. The tools for collecting research data included “life events” (Peykle, 1971), “perceived social support” (Zimet et al., 1988), “psychological distress” (Hirpipi et al., 2003) and “self-care behaviors” (Hampson et al., 2000).

 The Findings showed that the goodness of fitting indices of the model were all within their limits (GOFMen=0.725, GOFWomen=0.733), so the model had a good fit power with the data. The direct and indirect effects of life events, self-compassion and perceived social support are confirmed by partial mediation of psychological distress on self-care behaviors (p<0.01). In both men and women, perceived social support (βMen=0.889, βWomen=0.982) and life events (βMen=-0.610, βWomen=-0.570) had the highest total effect on self-care behaviors. The moderating role of gender in the relationship between self-care behaviors and life events and perceived social support by mediating psychological distress is not confirmed (p>0.05).

 Therefore, considering the confirmation of the role of psychological factors on self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetes patients, the presence of psychologists in the treatment team of type 2 diabetes is necessary. Based on this, psychologists are recommended to paying more attention to the effective role of life events, perceived social support, and psychological distress in supportive and therapeutic interventions for type 2 diabetes patients.

This research was conducted with the objective of examining the relationship between maladaptive thoughts and stress, mediated by body image, in individuals diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa.

Methods and Materials: 

The methodology employed in this study was correlational, utilizing path analysis. The statistical population comprised all women diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa who visited psychological and counseling centers in Tehran during the first three months of 1401 in the Persian calendar. The sample studied included 260 women from these centers, who were selected after explaining the research objectives and obtaining their informed consent, in compliance with the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-26) by Weissman and Beck, the Body Image Questionnaire by Littleton et al., and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using path analysis methodology; SPSS version 21 and LISREL software were utilized for data analysis.

While establishing the assumptions for path analysis, the results indicated that: the direct path from maladaptive thoughts to stress is significant; the indirect effect of maladaptive thoughts on stress through fear of body image is also significant.

Given the findings of this research and the results of related studies in this field, it can be concluded that maladaptive thoughts directly affect the emergence of stress in individuals with Bulimia Nervosa. Moreover, the mediating effect of body image is significant in this relationship, increasing the severity and occurrence of stress in affected individuals. These findings could form the basis for designing intervention programs aimed at improving body image and reducing maladaptive thoughts in affected individuals, thereby preventing the creation of a vicious cycle of these interacting factors.

  Depression is one of the most prevalent disorders among the girls with dysmenorrhea. The present research aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on reducing the depression severity in primary dysmenorrhea among a selected group of Iranian girls in Tehran.

Methods and Materials: 

 The study was conducted in a Randomized controlled Trial (RCT)framework with pre- and posttest. The population included all 20 to 30 year old girls who were studying in Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2015, among whom a total number of 73 applicants were conveniently selected. A primary interview through Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was conducted to identify the Depression and dysmenorrhea in the sample. Finally, the sample decreased into 41 persons, among whom 34 applicants were randomly selected and divided into two groups of experimental and control, each of which with 17 people. The experimental group received the cognitive-behavioral therapy for nine sessions, each lasting for two hours while the control group received no treatment. The data were analyzed through inferential statistics such as Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS, version 20.

 The mean scores for the experimental group dropped in posttest compared to the pretest while the mean score for the control group was not significant. Therefore, the cognitive-behavioral therapy could significantly differentiate between experimental and control groups (p<0.01).

  It can be concluded that cognitive-behavioral therapy could considerably impact on the reduction of depression severity in adolescent girls.

 The study aimed to investigate the role of stress and rumination in predicting the severity of tension-type headaches and migraines.

Methods and Materials:

 This cross-sectional study involved 300 participants suffering from tension-type headaches and migraines in Tehran. Data were collected through questionnaires assessing headache severity, stress (using the DASS-21 scale), and rumination (using the Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow Rumination Scale). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multivariate regression analyses were conducted using SPSS-25.

 The study found that both stress and rumination positively and significantly correlate with headache severity. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that as stress and rumination scores increased, so did the severity of headaches, with standardized coefficients indicating a robust relationship.

 Stress and rumination play significant roles in exacerbating the severity of tension-type headaches and migraines. These findings underscore the importance of considering psychological factors in the management and treatment of these headache disorders, highlighting the need for integrative approaches that address both psychological and physiological aspects.

Objective: 

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of self-compassion-based therapy on a health-oriented lifestyle and mindfulness in students with psychological distress.

Methods and Materials: 

The study was applied in purpose, utilized a quasi-experimental method, and employed a pretest-posttest control group design with a three-month follow-up period. The population consisted of all female medical science students in Tehran during the academic year 2020-2021, from which 30 participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two groups of 15 (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). Data were collected using the Lovibond and Lovibond's (1995) Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, Walker et al.'s (1987) Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills by Baer et al. (2004). Gilbert's (2009) self-compassion-based therapy sessions were conducted over eight sessions, twice a week for four weeks, each session lasting 90 minutes in a group setting. Data were analyzed through covariance analysis.

Findings: 

The results showed that self-compassion-based therapy was effective in improving a health-oriented lifestyle and mindfulness among the experimental group students with psychological distress compared to the control group students with psychological distress.

Conclusion: 

 Based on the findings of this study, health professionals can utilize self-compassion-based therapy to improve the health-oriented lifestyle and mindfulness in students with psychological distress.

 Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of mortality in Iran. The current research aimed to compare the effectiveness of metacognitive skills training with executive function skills training on the biological markers of patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods and Materials:

 This study was a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up alongside a control group. The population consisted of patients suffering from coronary artery disease, selected conveniently from those visiting a specialized cardiac clinic affiliated with a specialized and subspecialized hospital in Kish. Data were collected using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The metacognitive skills training sessions were conducted using the Metacognitive Training package (D-MCT) and the executive functions training (the Calm Rehabilitation package), over 8 sessions of 90 minutes each week for the experimental group members. No intervention was performed for the control group. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and SPSS software version 22.

 The results indicated that the executive function skills training (Calm Rehabilitation package) significantly affected blood sugar (P<0.01, F=23.44) and systolic blood pressure (P<0.01, F=19.82) compared to the control group. Similarly, metacognitive skills training (D-MCT package) significantly influenced blood sugar (P<0.01, F=85.40) and systolic blood pressure (P<0.01, F=22.13) in comparison to the control group.

 It can be concluded that both metacognitive and executive function skills training were effective on the biological markers of patients with coronary artery disease, but there was no difference between the two treatments on the biological markers of patients with coronary artery disease.

The current study aimed to examine the effectiveness of educational games based on the social constructivist approach in interaction with learning styles on improving multiple intelligences of fifth-grade female elementary students.

Methods and Materials: 

The research method was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test with control groups, accompanied by a 2-month follow-up phase. The statistical population included all fifth-grade female students enrolled in public schools in Hamedan during the 2023-2024 academic year. In the first phase, using simple random sampling, one school from the Hamedan city areas was selected, and 100 of them were chosen through screening and then randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups (25 students in the deep learning group and 25 in the surface learning group) and 2 control groups (25 students in the deep learning group and 25 in the surface learning group). The experimental groups underwent six 90-minute sessions of educational games based on the social constructivist approach; however, the control groups did not receive any intervention and remained on the waiting list. The two-factor Learning Process Questionnaire (R-LPQ-2F) by Biggs et al. (2001), and the Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales (MIDAS) questionnaire by Shearer (1996) were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using mixed ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests with SPSS version 24.

The results showed that educational games based on the social constructivist approach were more effective in students with deep learning styles than those with surface learning styles in improving multiple intelligences (P<0.05).

It can be concluded that educational games based on the social constructivist approach can be used as an appropriate educational method for improving multiple intelligences, especially in elementary students with deep learning styles.

The diagnosis ofcancer and subsequent treatments cause psychological problems for many patients. The current research aimed to compare the effectiveness of compassion-based therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy on the social well-being and hope for life of cancer patients.

The research method was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, a control group, and two experimental groups. The research population consisted of all cancer patients hospitalized in Imam Reza and Omid hospitals in Mashhad in the spring of 2021, from which 45 individuals were purposively selected and qualified to enter the study and were age-matched in two experimental and control groups. In this study, the Keyes' Social Well-being (1998) and Snyder's Hope Scale (2000) questionnaires were used. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and follow-up tests with the multivariate covariance method by SPSS-23 software.

The results showed that in the post-test and follow-up, the average scores of social well-being (F = 2.89, P = 0.003) and hope for life (F = 7.13, P = 0.001) significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to the control. No significant difference was observed between compassion therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

It seems that both compassion-based therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective in reducing psychological problems in cancer patients.

 This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral play therapy and resilience-based play therapy on anxiety in children aged 6 to 8 undergoing dental treatment.

  The present study was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and control group with a follow-up period. The study population included all children aged 6 to 8 who visited dental clinics in Isfahan in the first half of the year 2022, from which 45 children were selected through purposive sampling according to the entry criteria and randomly assigned to three equal groups of 15. Data collection was performed using the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale - Short Form (Ahlen et al., 2018). The cognitive-behavioral play therapy sessions were based on the protocol of Hall, Kaduson, and Schaefer (2002), and the resilience-based play therapy sessions were based on the protocol of Nick Nashan and colleagues (2019), conducted over 8 sessions (one session per week) each lasting 60 minutes for the experimental groups, but not for the control group. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and mixed ANOVA with SPSS-26 software.

 The results showed that therapeutic interventions (cognitive-behavioral and resilience-based play therapy) were significantly more effective than the control group in improving anxiety scores (P<0.001) and emotional expressiveness (P<0.001). Furthermore, the results indicated that cognitive-behavioral play therapy had a greater effect on reducing anxiety scores in children undergoing dental treatment compared to resilience-based play therapy (P<0.05).

  These findings further highlight the role of play therapy in children undergoing dental treatment and the necessity of utilizing therapeutic approaches derived from the cognitive-behavioral approach to moderate these children's symptoms.

This research was aimed at the effect of excellent parenting program on the behavioral problems of hearing impaired children.

The present research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design. The statistical population includes all parents of 4-6-year-old hearing-impaired children in Tehran in 2022, which was selected by simple random method among deaf and hard-of-hearing centers and associations. The number of samples in this study was 30 parents who were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 people, test and control. The experimental group was trained in 13 sessions of 90 minutes, 3 sessions a week; while for the control group, no special action was taken. After the training course, the parents of both groups were subjected to a post-test. The follow-up phase was also implemented after 45 days. The tools used were the child's abilities and behavioral problems questionnaire (Goodman, 1997).

Data analysis was carried out using analysis of variance with repeated measurements and the results showed that excellent parenting program had a significant effect on the behavioral problems of hearing impaired children (p<0.05).

Based on the findings, it can be concluded that excellent parenting program leads to reduction of behavioral problems of hearing impaired children.

Eating disorders are among the common mental/psychosomatic disorders that cause numerous problems in physical health, psychological functioning, and the quality of life of adolescents. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of emotional regulation training on the parenting style related to parental obesity and weight management in adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa.

The current study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test, post-test, and control group design. It included adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa and a body mass index above 25 who were referred to comprehensive health service centers in District 7 of Tehran in 2023. The statistical sample consisted of 30 individuals who were randomly divided into two groups of 15, an experimental group and a control group, using random allocation. The intervention group received emotional regulation training in 8 sessions lasting 75 minutes once a week. Data were collected using the Parenting Style Questionnaire (Baumrind, 1973) and the Weight Management Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Clark et al., 1991). Multivariate analysis of covariance and SPSS software version 22 were used for data analysis.

The results showed that emotional regulation training was effective on the parenting style related to parental obesity (P<0.001) and weight management (P<0.001) in adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa.

Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that emotional regulation training for parents leads to changes and improvements in weight management in adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa.

The primary objective of this study is to explore and conceptualize the phenomenon of psychological restlessness in creative individuals and its impact on their mental health. The study aims to understand the interplay between creativity, emotional experiences, and cognitive processes, and to propose effective therapeutic interventions for addressing the unique challenges faced by creative personalities.

Methods and Materials: 

This research employs a qualitative analysis methodology, utilizing a comprehensive literature review as its main approach. The study systematically examines peer-reviewed articles, academic journals, and relevant publications focusing on creativity, psychological restlessness, mental health in creative individuals, and therapeutic interventions. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) method is used to ensure a thorough and unbiased collection and analysis of the literature.

The study reveals that psychological restlessness in creative individuals is a multifaceted phenomenon characterized by high cognitive perseverance, emotional complexity, and a unique set of psychological needs. It underscores the crucial role of emotional experiences and cognitive styles in the creative process. The findings suggest that psychological restlessness, often viewed negatively, can be harnessed to enhance creative expression and personal growth. The study also identifies the need for specialized therapeutic interventions tailored to the psychological landscape of creative individuals.

This research contributes to the understanding of the psychological dimensions of creativity, emphasizing the significance of psychological restlessness in the creative process. It challenges traditional views of this state as solely detrimental and opens new avenues for exploring its potential as a driver of creativity. The study highlights the importance of developing targeted therapeutic interventions and support systems to nurture the mental and emotional well-being of creative individuals, thereby enhancing their creative potential and overall quality of life.

 Cancer is among the diseases that can cause various psychological issues for its sufferers, necessitating the discovery of effective methods to assist these individuals. This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of online narrative therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy on mental health and adherence to treatment in cancer patients with low psychological hardiness.

Methods and Materials: 

This was a quasi-experimental study conducted using a pre-test-post-test design with two experimental groups and one control group. The study population comprised all cancer patients attending hospitals in Tehran in 2022. The sample consisted of 45 patients selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: online narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and a control group. Data were collected using the General Health Questionnaire by Goldberg and Hiller (1972) and the Treatment Adherence Scale by Madanloo (2018). Data were analyzed using MANCOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests with SPSS software version 22.

 Results indicated significant differences between the online narrative therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy groups in terms of general health dimensions (physical health, anxiety, and social functioning disturbance) (P<0.01), with online narrative therapy showing greater effectiveness in these dimensions. However, no significant difference was found in treatment adherence between the online narrative therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy groups.

 According to the findings of this study, both narrative and cognitive-behavioral therapies can be effective methods for improving mental health and treatment adherence in cancer patients. In this context, online narrative therapy may be more efficient.

 Borderline Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect, and marked impulsivity beginning in early adulthood. The current study aimed to compare the efficacy of skills training based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-ST) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on distress tolerance and psychological well-being in individuals with symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Methods and Materials:

 This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design accompanied by a control group. The population consisted of all 18 to 45-year-old clients who visited counseling centers in Sari city in the first six months of the year 2022 and had a case file, among all individuals those who were willing to cooperate and had full consent for cooperation, 45 individuals were selected through purposive non-random sampling and then randomly assigned into three groups. To collect data, the Simons and Gaher (2005) Distress Tolerance Questionnaire and Ryff's (1980) Psychological Well-being Questionnaire were used. The first experimental group underwent skills training based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy by McKay, Wood, & Brantley (2007) in 12 weekly 90-minute group sessions, while the second experimental group underwent Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy by Williams et al. (2002) in 8 weekly 90-minute group sessions. For data analysis, statistical tests with SPSS software, version 22, were used.

 The results indicated that skills training based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy were effective on distress tolerance (p = 0.001) and psychological well-being (p = 0.001) in individuals with symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.

 There was a significant difference in the efficacy of skills training based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on distress tolerance and psychological well-being between the two experimental groups and the control group.

 This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive intervention program based on the World Health Organization's functional assessment outcomes on the functional levels and adaptive skills of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Methods and Materials: 

The research method was a quasi-experimental pre-test – post-test design with a control group. The research population included all male adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities in Gilan province during 2020-2021. The sample consisted of 30 adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities living in small group homes under the supervision of the Welfare Organization, who were conveniently selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants in each group responded to a pre-test before the start of the sessions, then the experimental group underwent a comprehensive intervention based on the World Health Organization's functional assessment outcomes for 17 sessions of 90 minutes each, while the control group remained on a waiting list and received no intervention until the post-test. Data collection tools included the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (2012) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (1980). Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance with SPSS 22 software.

  The findings indicated that the comprehensive intervention program based on the World Health Organization's functional assessment outcomes was effective on the components of personal care, interaction and coping, and activities of life functional levels and on the components of self-help in eating, self-help in dressing, self-direction, occupational issues and engagements, movement, communication, and socialization adaptive skills of adolescents with intellectual disabilities (P<0.001), leading to their improvement; however, it had no significant effect on the components of understanding and communication, mobility and relocation, participation in society, and general self-help.

  It can be concluded that the comprehensive intervention program based on the World Health Organization's functional assessment outcomes was effective on the functional levels and adaptive skills of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.