مجله روانپزشکی و روانشناسی بالینی ایران
سال دوازدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 47، زمستان 1385)

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Coping Responses Inventory for Youth (CRI-Y), assessing young adults undergoing treatment for cancer. The main goal of this study was to investigate the conceptual structure and reliability of this questionnaire in the Iranian cultural milieu (a kind of construct validity). In addition, the convergent and discriminative validity of this inventory that are other important psychometric properties of a test, are also assessed. Seventy-five individuals who were under chemotherapeutic treatment for leukemia in several cancer centers in the city of Tehran participated in this study. In addition to CRI-Y, a religious coping scale was also used in data collection. Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Scale was used to assess anxiety. Data were also analyzed based on the theoretical frameworks and empirical findings that determine the role of religious coping and significance of avoidant coping in acute and chronic illnesses in adolescents. Principal Component Analysis of the CRI-Y scale did not replicate the original construct CRI-Y structure. Factor analysis of the principal components of the scale yielded four factors. Reliabilities for the scales, computed with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients were satis-factory. Means of CRI-Y sub-scales showed that subjects were using both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. Religious coping was significantly correlated with all factors. Anxiety scores were negatively correlated with CRI-Y factor 1 and 2, but correlated positively and significantly with CRI-Y factor 4. Anxiety scores were significantly correlated inversely with religious coping. CRI-Y sub-scales can be used to indicate adolescents’ coping activities that significantly influence their anxiety.

The purpose of this study was to provide a quantitative analysis of researches performed on psychiatric disorders in Iran, over a 30-year period. All scientific papers published from 1973 to 2002 in the field of psychiatric disorders were assessed to collect data regarding author's (authors') specifications, field of studies, research topics, methodologies, location of data collection, geographical span, financial supports, and collaboration status among the authors. Of the 3031 publications, 1171 (38.6%) were related to psy-chiatric disorders. Most of the published papers had studied substance-related disorders (24.6%). The most studied disorders were depressive disorders (16.9%) and the most studied aspects were symptomatology and diagnosis. Cross-sectional design was obsereved in 51.8% of the methodologies. Use of clinical trial methodologies had a mounting increase. Number of publications increased over the period especially after the year 1372. Based on the survey, tremendous growth has occurred in researches in the field of psychiatric disorders in the last decade in Iran. “Research on Research” is a valuable tool for monitoring the development of research in every discipline and is needed to make efficient judgments in employing limited resources

This study was carried out to assess availability of psychiatric emergency services for patients presenting to Imam-Hossein and Taleghani Hospitals in Tehran which inspite of admission need, are not admitted, and role of hospital bed shortage in it with associated risk of suicide in these clients if not admitted. This cross-sectional descriptive study lasted from October 2004 to January 2005 in these two hospitals. On-call psychiatry residents interviewed all patients referred to the Psychiatry Emergency Units in a 24-hour period and data were documented in the questionnaires. A total of 426 patients (347 in Imam-Hossein and 79 in Taleghani hospitals) were studied. Mean age of the clients was 32.8 years 50.2% were male and 49.8% were female 77.9% of all needed admission, 44.6% of those which were not admitted 39.1% had moderate or high risk of suicide. Cause of non-admission was lack of hospital beds in 93.2% of cases. Parameters such as diagnosis (psychotic or mood disorder), longer duration of illness, higher risk of suicide and history of suicide attempt, though in more need of being admitted, didn’t relate significantly with admission probability. Besides, patients with substance abuse and those with more recent suicide attempt, though in more need of being admitted, were significantly less admitted (p<0.001) those who needed to be admitted because of risk to harm self and/or others, were significantly less admitted than other patients. In logistic regression analysis only two factors of gender (female) and education correlated significantly (p-value of 0.001 & 0.05 respectively) with admission probability in case needed (with odd ratios of 2.63 and 0.93, respectively). It seems that there is a serious lack of necessary hospital beds for patients and the need for admission doesn’t determine admission probability

Neuropsychological dysfunction in major depressive disorder may be associated with the suicide risk in these patients. In this study, neuropsychological functions in patients with major depre-ssion and at least one prior suicide attempt, in patients with major depre-ssion and no history of suicide attempt, and healthy controls were compared. In this causal or ex post facto study, fifteen patients with non-psychotic major depressive disorder and at least one prior suicide attempt, fifteen patients with non-psychotic major depressive disorder who had no history of suicide attempts, and fifteen normal subjects were compared with one another based on their neuropsychological function. Subjects were selected upon their availability. Groups were matched for age, sex, and education. Using Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Color-Word Test (SC-WT), Revised Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-R), and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), 4 domains: executive functions, selective attention, visual memory, and verbal memory were assessed. Statistical tests of multi-variable analysis of variance, Tukey test, and co-variance analysis method were applied in data analysis. Non-psychotic major depressive patients with history of suicide attempt performed significantly worse than the other two groups on WCST (p<0.001) and SC-WT (p<0.001). Executive function and selective attention is more impaired in the first group than the second one. Impairments of per-formance in the executive function and selective attention in major depressive patients with prior suicide attempt are more extensive than what previously observed in major depressive disorder without suicide attempt. Neuropsychological impairments in major depressive disorder may be a risk factor for suicide attempts.

The aim of this study was assessing psychotic-like ideations and their association with mental health in a group of medical students as a part of the normal population. A total of 150 students from Tehran University of Medical Sciences with no previous or present history of any major psychiatric illness were selected through convenient sampling method in this cross-sectional descriptive study and assessed by Peters Delusions Inventory (PDI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Data were then analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, and Mann-Whitney Test. This study revealed that on average, subjects reported 9.38 psychotic-like ideations (range: 0-28). Frequency of psychotic-like ideations and its extent were reversely associated with mental health (p<0.05). Wide range of psychotic-like beliefs were found among university students in the absence of major psychiatric illness that are reversely associated with mental health.

Assessment of cognitive deficits in patients with schizo-phrenia bears significant implications, particulary in localizing the underlying accompanying neurological impairments. This study aimed for evaluation of cognitive deficits in first-degree relatives of these patients who reflect the same underlying genetic vulnerability for the disorder. In this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with schizophrenia, 30 first-degree relatives, and 30 control subjects were assessed. They completed tests of verbal & visual paired associate recall, Wechsler digit span, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). Data were analysed using statistical t-test, ANOVA, Tukey test, Chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Our study revealed alterations in the memory of patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives compared to the controls. Both patients and their relatives also showed significant diffrence in verbal and visual paired associate recall tests, backward digit span, and PASAT. Diminished cognitive functions is observed in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia. Verbal and visual paired asso-ciation tests, Backward digit Span test, and PASAT may indicate vulner-ability towards this disorder

Due to the significance of parenting style affecting adole-scents’ behavior, this study aims to assess the relationship of parenting style and problem behaviors in adolescent students of Tabriz city (Iran) schools. In this cross-sectional study 360 adolescent students (224 girls, 136 boys) from the governmental schools in the city of Tabriz were selected based on a cluster sampling. They were assessed by Parenting Style Inventory and Problem Behavior Scale. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics methods, and one-way analysis of variance and LSD tests. Most of the adolescent students reported their parenting style as authoritative (39.7%) and had modest problem behaviors (39.2%). A significant statistical difference was noted between parenting style and problem behaviors (p<0.05). Parenting styles affect the development of problem behaviors among adolescents

To compare group "A" Murray’s needs (achievement, do-minance, exposition, acquisition, aggression, construction, compensation, fame and being known, and understanding needs) in 3-10 year-old children of working and homemaker mothers. In this causal-comparative study, 50 children from both groups were selected through convenient sampling method. The research instrument was Children Apperception Test (CAT) that was performed individually in a controlled condition. Data were then analyzed using distribution of repeated measurements and Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. It was found that acquisition and construction needs in children of employed mothers were more than children of homemaker mothers needs for being known and for understanding were more in children of homemaker mothers than of employed mothers and the amount of other group "A" Murray’s needs (achievement, aggression, compensation, dominance, and exposition) did not differ significantly in the two children groups. Magnitude of the needs for acquisition and construction, in children of employed mothers and being known, and understanding needs are bigger in children of homemaker mothers

Optimism plays a major role in coping with stressful life events. The purpose of the present study is to examine the influence of optimism on coping strategies and psychological adjustment in adole-scents. In a correlational and causal-comparative study, 208 females and 147 males volunteers to university entrance examination through a random cluster sampling were selected. Four questionnaires of Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOCQ), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were then administered to the subjects. Optimists benefited greater problem-focused coping strategies compared to the pessimists. In addition, they had better general health (p<0.001) and life satisfaction (p<0.001). Regression analysis indicated that optimism-pessimism accounted for a significant amount of the variance (p<0.05) in coping strategies and psychological adjustment. These findings confirm the role of optimism in employing better psychological adjustment.

The aim of this study is to compare behavioral disorders between fatherless and normal children. In this ex post facto study, 118 students were randomly selected out of the whole student population of Fasa city (in south west of Iran). Parent’s and teacher’s versions of Rutter’s Behavioral Disorders Ques-tionnaires were assigned to the subjects who consisted of 58 normal children (27 girls, 31 boys) vs. 60 fatherless children (31 girls, 29 boys). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Scheffe, t-test and c2 test. The two groups of normal and fatherless children differed significantly in the prevalence of behavioral disorders (p<0.01). Fatherless children were suffering more from the behavioral disorders than the normal kids. In other words, fatherless girl subjects differed significantly in antisocial behavior disorder (p<0.01) and social maladjustment (p<0.01) from fatherless boys, while differences were not significant in other variables (depression-anxiety, hyperactivity, and aggressiveness). Fatherless children are susceptible to different behavioral disorders.

The study was designed to determine the prevalence of reading disorder among primary school students in Shahreza town (Iran). A total of 1200 students (boys and girls) were selected through stratified random sampling method (300 in each grade) and assessed by Children Color Raven Intelligence Scale and Reading Level Diagnostic Scale. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics mothods, nonparametric test, chi-square and Cramer’s V test. This survey revealed the highest prevalence of reading disorder in the grade two male students (10.8%), and the lowest in the grade five female students (2.8%). Prevalence of reading disorder was highest among rural grade two boys (11.3%) and lowest in the urban grade five girls (3.7%). The figures in the grade two and five students were 10.4% and 4.3% respectively. The mean prevalence of reading disorder in all the students (urban and rural) was 6.8%. Also, the difference between prevalence of reading disorder in boys and girls, urban and rural students, and different scholastic grades was statistically significant (p<0.05). Reading disorder is more prevalent amongst male than female students. The prevalence is also higher in rural students than in urban students. In sum, reading disorder in this population is prevalent

This study has aimed to evaluate the integration of mental health program into rural Primary Health Care (PHC) system in Sanandaj district. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 330 people from rural population, 60 health workers (Behvarz), 33 health houses, 11 rural health centers, and 63 psychiatric patients and their families in Sanandaj district selected by a random sampling. Data were gathered through administering case finding questionnaires in the rural population, knowledge and attitude assessment of rural people and health workers, evaluation of mental health program in rural health care centers, and assessment of severe psychiatric and epileptic patients’ status. It was then analyzed using the descriptive statistics and c2 test. Results indicated that knowledge and attitude of health workers towards psychiatric disorders are satisfactory however, they are weak at case finding. Physicians working in the rural centers as the key agents have weak surveillance on mental health programs. More than 46% of basic psychiatric medications are not available in the rural centers and during the last year, there have not been any surveillance over physicians working in the rural centers from the scientific advisor of the mental health program (psychiatrist). General practitioners do not contribute significantly to mental health program integration into the PHC