Iranian Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Summer 2024

This study aims to explore the impact of parental substance abuse on family functioning and the psychological health of children.

Methods and Materials:

 A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather data from 21 participants who are children of substance-abusing parents in Tehran. The participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure a diverse representation of different family dynamics and experiences. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts to identify recurring patterns and themes related to family functioning, emotional distress, and behavioral issues.

The study revealed several key findings (1) children of substance-abusing parents often experience family dysfunction, including inconsistent caregiving, poor communication, and emotional neglect; (2) the intergenerational transmission of substance abuse and maladaptive behaviors was commonly reported; (3) children frequently assumed caregiver roles (parentification) due to their parents' inability to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities; (4) social isolation and stigma were significant factors contributing to the children's emotional and psychological distress; and (5) children of substance-abusing parents exhibited elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping strategies. These findings align with existing literature, reinforcing the negative effects of parental substance abuse on children's well-being.

The study underscores the profound psychological and emotional impact that parental substance abuse has on children, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that address both familial and individual needs. Children exposed to substance abuse require emotional support and therapeutic services to mitigate the long-term consequences of growing up in such environments.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on the resilience of patients with breast cancer.

Methods and Materials: 

The statistical population of this quasi-experimental study included all women aged 25 to 65 years with breast cancer in Qazvin in 2022, among whom 45 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 individuals. The research instruments included the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy package (Hayes et al.), and the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy package (Hawton et al.). Data analysis was performed at the descriptive level using mean and standard deviation, and at the inferential level using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test with SPSS-22 software.

The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference in resilience levels between breast cancer patients in the experimental groups (ACT group and CBT group) and the control group (P < 0.05). In other words, both interventions, ACT and CBT, significantly improved resilience in breast cancer patients compared to the control group. Furthermore, the Bonferroni test results indicated no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of ACT and CBT on resilience in breast cancer patients.

Therefore, it can be concluded that both psychotherapies are beneficial for enhancing resilience in breast cancer patients.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of emotional intelligence training on reducing alexithymia symptoms in students with learning disabilities.

Methods and Materials:

 The study employed an experimental design with a pretest-posttest framework and a control group. Sixty middle school students diagnosed with learning disabilities and alexithymia were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The experimental group participated in an 8-week emotional intelligence training program, consisting of 16 sessions focusing on self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship management. Data were collected using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). ANCOVA and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Results revealed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group. Posttest scores for the experimental group showed an increase in emotional intelligence (M = 90.23, SD = 4.89) and a reduction in alexithymia symptoms, including difficulty identifying emotions (t = 45.56, p < .001) and difficulty describing emotions (t = 48.26, p < .001). ANCOVA results demonstrated a significant difference between the groups, with a large effect size (η² = 0.74). The control group showed minimal changes in both emotional intelligence (M = 83.95, SD = 5.28) and alexithymia symptoms.

The findings indicate that emotional intelligence training is an effective intervention for reducing alexithymia symptoms and enhancing emotional competencies in students with learning disabilities. These results support the integration of emotional intelligence training into educational and therapeutic programs to improve emotional and social outcomes in this population.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of music therapy on processing speed in children with mathematical disorder.

Methods and Materials: 

A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 30 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with various cognitive impairments. Participants were randomly assigned to either the music therapy group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The music therapy intervention consisted of 12 weekly sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, focusing on active music-making and improvisation. The control group received no intervention. Processing speed was assessed using standardized cognitive tasks, including the Stroop Test and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), administered before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results indicated that children in the music therapy group showed significant improvements in processing speed compared to the control group, as measured by the DSST and Stroop Test. The music therapy group demonstrated faster reaction times and improved accuracy in cognitive tasks, with a medium to large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.65). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Additionally, improvements in social skills and emotional regulation were reported by caregivers and teachers, suggesting that music therapy had broader benefits beyond cognitive performance.

The findings suggest that music therapy can significantly enhance processing speed in children with mathematical disorder. These results support the potential of music therapy as an effective intervention for improving cognitive functions and overall emotional well-being in this population.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of logotherapy on body dysmorphic disorder and self-esteem in women undergoing cosmetic surgery.

The research employed a quasi-experimental design with control and experimental groups using pretest-posttest methodology. The target population consisted of all women in Shiraz who had undergone at least one cosmetic surgery. A purposive sampling method was used to select 30 participants, who were then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire developed by Phillips et al. (1997) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). The experimental group participated in eight sessions of logotherapy. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

The results of one-way ANCOVA showed a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in both dependent variables after controlling for pretest scores. Logotherapy significantly reduced symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (F(1, 27) = 68.37, p < .001, η² = .707) and significantly increased self-esteem (F(1, 27) = 67.10, p < .001, η² = .713) in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Therefore, it can be concluded that prior to performing cosmetic surgeries, this type of therapy can be utilized to enhance women’s satisfaction with their appearance and body, as well as to improve their self-esteem.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), emotional schema therapy, and pharmacotherapy on the quality of life and symptoms of patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods and Materials: 

This semi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with two experimental groups and one control group. From the population of women with fibromyalgia in Tehran, 51 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three research groups. To assess quality of life, the SF-36 questionnaire was used, including two subscales: Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). Montazeri et al. reported its reliability to range between 0.77 and 0.90. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR), which measures functioning, overall impact, and symptom severity, was used to assess symptoms. Moini et al. (2015) reported the reliability of this questionnaire as 0.82. The experimental groups received either ACT combined with pharmacotherapy, or emotional schema therapy combined with pharmacotherapy, while the control group received only pharmacotherapy. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis and post-hoc tests.

Compared to pharmacotherapy alone, the integration of acceptance and commitment therapy with pharmacotherapy significantly improved psychological well-being and fibromyalgia symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia (P < 0.01). Similarly, compared to pharmacotherapy alone, the integration of emotional schema therapy with pharmacotherapy improved psychological well-being in patients with fibromyalgia (P < 0.01), although physical health did not change and symptoms were reduced. However, the difference between the effects of emotional schema therapy combined with pharmacotherapy and ACT combined with pharmacotherapy on either dimension of quality of life or symptoms was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Considering the effectiveness of both ACT and emotional schema therapy in improving quality of life and reducing disease symptoms, and given the absence of significant differences between the two therapeutic methods, both ACT and emotional schema therapy can be used in combination with pharmacotherapy to enhance quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients.

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of difficulty in emotion regulation in the relationship between traumatic life events and character with negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The research method was quantitative, fundamental, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational. The statistical population included all people with schizophrenia hospitalized in Razi Psychiatric Hospital in 2023-2024, of which 200 people were selected by convenience sampling. The data collection tools included the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, the Temperament and Character Inventory, the Trauma History Questionnaire, and the Short Form of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation. SPSS and AMOS software were used to analyze the data, as well as Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling. The direct coefficient analysis showed that the relationship between traumatic life events and difficulty in emotion regulation with negative symptoms of schizophrenia was significant. Another finding of the study showed that the direct effect of traumatic life events and character on difficulty in emotion regulation was significant. Indirect coefficients indicated that the indirect effect of traumatic life events and character on negative symptoms of schizophrenia was significant with the mediating role of difficulty in emotion regulation. Finally, the present study's model had a favorable fit (CFI=0.97, NFI=0.95, IFI=0.97, GFI=0.97, RMSEA=0.071). Therefore, emotion regulation training can be considered an important approach to treating the challenging task of schizophrenia's negative symptoms.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive emotion regulation training and self-regulated learning strategies in improving the social adaptation of elementary school students diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder in Reading (SLD-R).

The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up structure, including a control group. A total of 60 elementary school students (aged 10–12) diagnosed with SLD-R in Sari were selected using a convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to three groups: cognitive emotion regulation training, self-regulated learning strategy training, and a control group (20 students per group). The Elementary School Children’s Adaptation Questionnaire (Dokhanchi, 1998) was used to measure social adaptation at three time points. The experimental groups received eight sessions of structured training based on Gross’s (2002) emotion regulation model and Pintrich’s (1999) self-regulated learning model, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS.

Results indicated that both intervention groups experienced significant improvements in social adaptation compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The cognitive emotion regulation group showed the highest improvement, with significant differences between pre-test, post-test, and follow-up scores. The self-regulated learning group also exhibited improvements, though their post-test and follow-up scores were lower than those of the cognitive emotion regulation group.

These findings highlight the importance of incorporating emotion regulation and self-regulated learning interventions into educational and psychological support programs for students with learning disabilities.

The purpose of the present study was to identify the individual, psychological, personality, family, social, and religious profile of prisoners upon entering the prison in Qazvin province.

The research method was descriptive, and the statistical population of the research was made up of all newly arrived prisoners, both accused and convicted, within a period of 3 months in all security and educational centers, including prisons, camps, and centers of the province. According to the census sampling method, the sample size for those who have been in prison for three months was 692 people. Data collection tools included GHQ-28, NEO-FFI Short Form, FAD, Stark and Glock CRS Questionnaire, and researcher-made questionnaires to collect personal data of prisoners.

The results of a general profile of the demographic characteristics, physical health, psychological problems, personality, judicial, occupational and religious characteristics of the prisoners showed that the description of these results is given in the main text.

It is suggested that the Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization use the results of this research to improve the quality of life of prisoners inside and outside the prison.

This study aims to analyze how problem-focused couple therapy and metacognitive therapy can enhance communication skills and decrease marital conflicts.

The study utilized a semi-experimental design, consisting of a pre-test, post-test, and a three-month follow-up period, with two groups receiving interventions and one serving as the control group. The participants were couples seeking family counseling and dealing with marital conflicts in Shiraz between July and October 2023. A total of 42 couples were selected for the study using purposive sampling. One group received metacognitive training consisting of seven 60-minute sessions twice a week, while the other group received problem-focused couple therapy with six 60-minute sessions twice a week. The research utilized the Communication Skills Test-Revised (CSTR) and Marital Conflict Questionnaire-Revised (MCQ-R) as assessment tools. The statistical analysis in this study utilized the Kruskal-Wallis H test, repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 27, with a p-value set at 0.05.

The most recent study's results show that the P-value for the Between-Subjects Effects related to the Marital Conflict variable was deemed statistically significant (p<0.001). Likewise, the interaction effects between groups and time in the Within Subjects Effects also showed significance for the Marital Conflict variable (P=0.021). Additionally, the P-value for the Between-Subjects Effects was significant for the components of the Ability to receive and send messages, Emotional regulation, and Insights into the communication process (p<0.01). The analysis of the Between-Subjects Effects also revealed significant P-values for listening skills and Assertiveness components (p<0.01).

This research shows that problem-focused couple therapy and metacognitive therapy help improve communication skills and reduce marital conflicts. These findings can assist couples looking to enhance their relationships and promote empathy and mutual understanding in selecting the most suitable treatment to address their issues.

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of sensory processing training on marital adjustment in couples experiencing marital discord.

The study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included couples seeking help at family counseling centers in Kerman in 2023, from which 30 participants were purposively selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Data were collected using the Graham Spanier Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (1976), a 32-item instrument assessing the quality of marital relationships. The experimental group participated in a 10-session sensory processing training program designed to address sensory sensitivities and improve emotional regulation and communication, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with SPSS version 27.

The results of ANCOVA revealed a significant effect of sensory processing training on marital adjustment (F = 240.349, p < 0.001, η² = 0.811). The intervention explained 81.1% of the variance in marital adjustment scores, demonstrating substantial improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. Sensory processing training was found to be an effective intervention for enhancing marital adjustment by addressing sensory sensitivities and improving emotional regulation and interpersonal communication.

 These findings suggest that sensory-based interventions can complement existing therapeutic approaches to address marital discord. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects and applicability of sensory processing training across diverse populations and cultural contexts.

This study aimed to identify family-centered healthy behaviors and examine their relationship with the mental and social health of sixth-grade students, as well as to compare these relationships between male and female students.

This research employed a mixed-methods approach with a sequential qualitative-quantitative design. In the qualitative phase, qualitative content analysis was conducted through semi-structured interviews with health specialists to identify dimensions of family-centered healthy behaviors. In the quantitative phase, a correlational method was used, and data were collected from 310 sixth-grade students in Tehran through stratified random sampling. Research instruments included a researcher-developed questionnaire on family-centered healthy behaviors, the Beshrat Mental Health Scale (2020), and the Keyes Social Well-Being Questionnaire (2004). Data analysis was performed using stepwise regression, independent t-tests, and SPSS 23 software.

The qualitative findings identified eight dimensions of family-centered healthy behaviors: contentment, cooperation and participation, expressing affection, awareness of each other, having a spiritual program, knowledge enhancement, diligence and dynamism, and recreation and enjoyment. Correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between family-centered healthy behaviors and both mental and social health, with the strongest correlation observed between recreation and enjoyment and social health. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that family-centered healthy behaviors accounted for 21% of the variance in mental health and 34.7% of the variance in social health among students. Additionally, recreation and enjoyment had the strongest predictive power for both mental and social health in both male and female students. However, female students scored significantly higher than male students in family-centered healthy behaviors.

Given that these behaviors significantly contribute to well-being, it is recommended that they be promoted through educational resources, training workshops, and awareness programs for parents and families to foster healthier lifestyles and prevent mental health issues in students.

The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of ambivalence over emotional expression in explaining the effect of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the psychological well-being of mothers of children with autism.

This study employed a descriptive correlational design, and structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The statistical population included all mothers of children with autism in special education schools and rehabilitation centers in Tehran during the 2021–2022 academic year. A total of 300 mothers were selected through convenience sampling and responded to the Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEEQ; King & Emmons, 1990), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ; Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB; Ryff, 1989). The collected data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis with AMOS 24 software.

Structural equation modeling results indicated that all goodness-of-fit indices supported an acceptable fit of the structural model with the collected data. Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies negatively and significantly predicted psychological well-being, while adaptive emotion regulation strategies positively and significantly predicted psychological well-being in mothers of children with autism. Ambivalence over emotional expression negatively and significantly predicted psychological well-being in these mothers (p = .001). Moreover, among mothers of children with autism, ambivalence over emotional expression significantly mediated the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being (p = .001).

The findings of this study can be useful for counselors, psychologists, and professionals working in the field of autism.