مجله تحقیقات علوم رفتاری
سال دهم شماره 6 (پیاپی 27، بهمن و اسفند 1391)

The aim of the present study was to investigatethe psychometric properties of the Trait Hope Scale and its relation with psychological well-being of Iranian university students.

Methods and Materials: 

In this descriptivesurvey, 191 students of Hamadan Islamic Azad University (mean age: 24.17 ± 4.30 years; range: 18-45 years) were selected through stratified randomsampling.The participants completed Snyder's Trait Hope Scaleand State Hope Scale, Riff's Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Inventory. Data was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha and split-half methods via SPSS 16 and LISREL 8.5 .

Cronbach&#039;s alpha (0.83), split-half coefficient (0.80), divergent validity (with Beck Hopelessness Scale,-0.20), and criterion validity (with Snyder State Hope Scale, 0.55) were significant (P < 0.01). Exploratory factor analysis showed that the 12-item Hope Scale for adults had one latent factor thatexplained 47% of the scale variance. Firstorder confirmatory factor analysis indicated that 8items of the scalehad high factor loadings on one latent factor.Univariate model appropriately fitted with the data (adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.91, root mean square error of approximation = 0.05, normed fit index = 0.98). In addition, there was a significant relation between trait hope and psychological well-being (r = 0.25; P < 0.01).

The Trait Hope Scale has high reliability and validity and thus can be usedinfuture research.

Aim and

Smoking and drugs are considered are among the most common causes of early mortality in developing and developed countries. Health professionals believe that university period has special characteristics and is of high importance in prevention of smoking among young adults. In this study, we examined with the relations between smoking and psychological and demographic variables.

Methods and Materials:

 In a cross-sectional study, 537 students were randomly selected from 7 schools of Islamic Azad University (Khorasgan Branch, Iran). A researcher-made questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were completed by the participants. The collected data was analyzed in SPSS 12 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Smokers constituted 18.7% of the study population. Smoking was significantly more frequent among men. There was no significant relation between marital status and palce of residence. Smoking was significantly correlated with having a smoking family (27.3% of smokers had smoking families). The most common way to start smoking cigarettes was through friends (75%). Among psychiatric symptoms, hostility (aggression) and physical complaints were significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers. General Severity index was higher among smokers but the difference between the two groups was not significant.

The prevalence of smoking among students of Islamic Azad University of Khorasgan was relatively higher than many other universities. The high prevalence in this age can lead to many physical and mental problems. In addition, smoking individuals are usually more aggressive. Hence, educational and preventive policies are required to reduce smoking in young people. Attitudes of teenagers and young adults toward smoking should also be corrected through similar programs.

The concept of God concept is transferred to individuals by means of cultural and theological media. It is a conceptual understanding of people about the attributes of God and is closely associated with their mental health. The aim of the current study was to predict symptoms based on the concept of God in Iranian medical students. 

Methods and Materials:

 In this correlational study, 289 students from Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected through proportional stratified sampling God Concept&nbsp;Adjective Checklist&nbsp; and Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised were administered to collect data. Data was then analyzed by Pearson&rsquo;s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

Symptoms of college students can be predicted by their God concept. Moreover, male and female students with a positive God concept had fewer symptoms than students with a negative God concept (P < 0.01).

Result of the study indicated that symptoms can be predicted from their God concept, thus mental health of individuals is associated with their mental health status. Theoretical implication and practical application of the finding are discussed in the original paper.

This study seeks the effect of teaching problem solving on self-efficacy and perceived self-efficacy in adolescents. &nbsp;

Methods and Materials:

 In this quasi-experimental study using three group with pre-test and post-test, on hundred sixty students were randomly selected via multi-stage sampling, and were divided into 64 students of experimental group and 62 students of placebo group and 34 students in the control group. Problem solving was taught to the experimental group in 15 sessions and the placebo group was trained irrelatively in 15 sessions and control group was kept in waiting list. Data were collected through Jeruselem and Schwarzer&rsquo;s General Self-efficacy Inventory (1995), Self-efficacy in Relationship Inventory of Wheeler and Ladd, (1982) and Perceived Self-efficacy Inventory of Ollendick, (1986). Data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics indices (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Covariance analysis).

the mean score of self-efficacy and perceived self-efficacy in the experimental group, demonstrated the increase in post-test compared to that of pre-test. &nbsp;

Teaching problem solving was effective on general self-efficacy and perceived self-efficacy and self-efficacy in relation with peers.

Discovering factors associated with mental health of the elderly is an interesting subject in the psychology of aging. This study investigated the relationships of spiritual well-being, existential well-being, and hardiness with mental health in the elderly.

Methods and Materials:

 This descriptive-correlational research was conducted on the elderly living in the nursing home of Ardabil (Iran). One hundred individuals were randomly selected. Data was collected using questionnaires about spiritual well-being, hardiness, and mental health. The collected data was analyzed with Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis.

Spiritual well-being had significant negative associations with anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction. However, it had a positive significant relation with hardiness. Existential well-being had significant negative relations with somatization, anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction. Its relation with hardiness was positive and significant. Finally, hardiness had significant negative associations with anxiety and depression.

Mental health of the elderly can be predicted by spiritual well-being, existential well-being, hardiness, and age. The results of this study imply the importance of spiritual well-being and hardiness in maintaining mental health of the elderly.

Prayer is one of the commandments of God and has an essential role in human&rsquo;s mental relaxation. Many text saboutreligion, spirituality and healing exist, and in many of them there lationship between prayer and mental health and the protective eeffec to fthese concepts have been noted. Depression is more common among students. It decreases their academic success and achievements and keeps them from reaching their goals. Therefore this study aimed to determine the relationship between prayer and depression and some demographical parameters.

Methods and Materials:

 The present study was conducted by section during four months. 715 students from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were randomly chosen. Data gathering tool included demographic information form, Beck depression questionnaire and prayer checklist. Data were then analyzed.

Depression incidence among students was 44%. There was a statistically significant relationship between nobligation to prayer and depression (P = 0.001). Also finding sreveal edthatthere was a statistically significant relationship between depression and respecting the priority of prayertime (P < 0.001).

Praying and respecting the priority of prayer time significantly decreased depression among students. It is suggested in order to achieve primary prevention and decrease the prevalence of students&#039;depression disorders, more comprehensive actions should be performed to promote prayer culture.

It appears that depressed people have low self-compassion and forgiveness due to having negative attitudes. In order to test this hypothesis, the current study investigated the role of self-compassion and forgiveness in the prediction of depression severity among university students.

Methods and Materials: 

In a correlational study during 2010-11, 136 individuals were randomly selected from all students of Mohaghegh Ardabili University (Ardabil, Iran). The participants filled out depression, self-compassion, and forgiveness questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using Pearson&#039;s correlation test and multiple regression analysis in SPSS 18 .

Self-compassion and forgiveness were negatively correlated with depression. In addition, self-compassion and forgiveness explained 16% and 20% of the variance of depression, respectively.

Self-compassion and forgiveness are two positive personality traits that decrease the probability of depression.

Perfectionism is known as a potential maladaptive personality trait with significant psychological consequences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between stress and positive and negative perfectionism in normal subjects.

Methods and Materials: 

Using convenience sampling method, 162 adults who aged 18-50 years old and did not have a history of any specific physical or mental disorders were selected. They were evaluated by means of the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale and Cooper&#039;s Stress Signs Inventory. Data was analyzed using Pearson&#039;s correlation test, multiple regression analysis, and analysis of covariance in SPSS 16 .

Negative perfectionism had a statistically significant positive correlation with stress (P < 0.01). Negative perfectionism could predict 14% of the variance of stress signs. Mean scores of positive and negative perfectionism and stress were not significantly different between men and women.

According to our findings, negative perfectionism can increase stress. In other words, negative perfectionism can be considered as an internal stressor.

In this study, the psychometric properties and hierarchal structural validity of short form health survey scale (SF-36) among students using structural equating modeling was investigated.

Methods and Materials:

 A sample with 310 students (158 male and 152 female) from Tehran University were chosen by multistage sampling method. For verifying discernment validity, two clinical sample groups were used. First group had 52 patients with physical disease and second clinical group had 58 students with psychological disorder diagnostics, which were selected from university health centers. To calculate the convergence and divergence validity, the SF-36 was administered and at the same time, the university student depression inventory (USDI), student-life stress inventory (SISI), Oxford happiness scale (OHS), mental health inventory (MHI), and social support (SS), in nonclinical sample was investigated. The first, second, and third hierarchical factorial structure of SF-36 scale was estimated by weighted least squares method, and sufficiency of model fitness was evaluated according to the Root Mean Square Residual, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Comparative Fit Index, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index, Goodness of Fit Index, &chi; 2 /df, and &Delta;&chi; 2 indices.

The chornbach&rsquo;s alpha coefficients in all subscales were satisfactory and higher than 0.70. The factor structure of SF-36 scale was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis in eight dimensions of first order including physical performance, physical role performance, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role performance and mental health. Based on correlation matrix, the SF-36 scale had negative correlation with depression and stress and positive correlation with happiness, mental health, and social support, which imply satisfactory convergent and divergent validity of SF-36 scale.

The eight first-order and three second-order factor structure showed better fit with the observed data compared with two second-order and one third-order factor structure of SF-36 scale. The confirmatory factor structure, reliability, and validity of SF-36 scale were acceptable for research and clinical diagnostics application.

In recent decades, changes in marital patterns and lifestyles have lead to conflicts between couples, which affects their sense of psychological security and attachment to one another. In such environments, anxiety and depressive disorders are common and may lead to loss of satisfaction of marital life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between couple&#039;s general health and marital satisfaction.

Method and Materials: 

This was a descriptive, correlational study. One hundred 25-45 year old male employees of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, with high school to Bachelor degrees, were selected with c onvenience sampling in 2009. The GHQ-28 and Marital satisfaction Questionnaires were given to them. Data were analyzed by hierarchical regression and correlation between subscales of the questionnaires.

We used hieratical regression in order to predict marital satisfaction by mental health status. Results showed that increase in depression subscale causes a decrease in attraction subscale of marital satisfaction. Moreover, increase in depression was associated with decrease in rapport subscale of marital satisfaction. Increase in anxiety and depression was associated with attitude subscale of marital satisfaction. Increase in bodily factors was associated with increase in investment, but increase in anxiety and depression was associated with decrease in investment. Analyzed results indicate that about 28% of employees were suspected of having brief mental disorders; no relation between age, years of service, birth order and general health were found. In addition there were significant differences between educational level and marital satisfaction. Correlation between age, intimacy, investment attitudes and satisfaction was significant. On the other hand, simultaneous with increase in age and appearance of burnout, marital satisfaction was significantly reduced.

Result showed that subscales of marital satisfaction including attraction, rapport, attitude, and investment were associated with bodily factors, depression and anxiety subscales of mental health, and that we can predict marital satisfaction through mental health factors.

Spiritual intelligence and emotional intelligence may complement each other in order to make a healthy life. On the one hand, spiritual intelligence leads to stabilization of virtues through improving spirituality and religious convictions and on the other hand, emotional intelligence improves social relations and controls affections and feelings. This may help individuals to move towards perfection.

Methods and Materials:

 This was a descriptive-correlational study, and the sample size included 424 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2011, who were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling method from different faculties and majors. Data collection tools included the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire of Petrides and Furnham (TEIQue) and a researcher-made spiritual intelligence questionnaire (with reliability coefficients of 0.84 and 0.87, respectively). Multiple regression was used to analyze the data.

The results of regression analysis showed that there was a correlation between spiritual intelligence and emotional intelligence. This relationship, which was statistically significant, was observed in different aspects of spiritual and emotional intelligence.

Higher spiritual intelligence leads to higher emotional intelligence and indeed, spiritual intelligence amplifies emotional intelligence.

Depression and anxiety among students are important issues, because they lead to scholastic decline and develop many difficulties for students in the future. Furthermore, adherence to religious beliefs and attitudes toward religion as a deterrent to many mental disorders, especially depression and anxiety, has attracted the attention of many psychologists. This study aimed to review the relationship between religious orientations, depression as well anxiety of students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2012.

Methods and Materials:

 This was a descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional correlation study which was conducted on 715 students who were selected through stratified random sampling method. Data collection was done through demographic information questionnaire form, DASS-42 standard questionnaire and the Religious Orientations Scale (ROS) by Allport. Finally, statistical software SPSS was used to analyze the data by descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA as well as the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Average score of depression and anxiety among female students was more than male students; however, in religious orientations, statistically there was no significant relationship between male and female students. Statistically, there was a significant relationship between students&rsquo; depression and anxiety and religious orientations (r = -0.61; P < 0.05) (r = -0.56; P < 0.05).

Promotion of religious orientations leads to reduce students&rsquo; anxiety and depression, and therefore religious beliefs can play an important role in preventing mental disorders in people&#039;s lives particularly among university students.

The present study aimed to determine the relationship between role clarity and job adjustment among staff of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. This objective was followed regarding the impact that awareness of staff in organizational and vocational tasks and roles could have on their job adjustment.

Methods and Materials:

 In a cross-sectional study, 242 staff of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected using a stratified random sampling method proportional to the population of schools. Data collection tools included Dawis and Lofquist work adjustment questionnaire and also Xavier&#039;s role clarity questionnaire. The statistical regression coefficient method was used to analyze the data.

Results showed that each of working environment, personality, values and needs factors was individually influenced by the clarity of purpose. In addition, working environment, personality, values and needs, and satisfaction were individually influenced by the clarity of process.

It would be expected that individuals accept their jobs better and demonstrate higher levels of adjustment in their working environment if the required clarity exists in the logical process of working time division, task planning, performance assessment, task performance quality, access to the required tools and devices, access to new information, and safety regulations in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Considering to adverse consequences of infidelity on couples well-being and longevity of marital relationships, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between love schemas and Justifications for extramarital involvement and affairs in married women.

Method and Materials: 

This was a descriptive-correlation study and the samples included 250 married women who were randomly selected among clients of counseling and cultural centers in Isfahan. The participants completed the Love Schema Scale (LS) and Justifications for Extramarital Involvement Questionnaire (JEIQ). Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Scheff&eacute;&#039;s post-hoc analysis.

There was a relationship between love schemas and justifications for extramarital involvement, and significant differences were found in justification for extramarital involvement between love schemas (P < 0.001). In general, women with the secure type reported the least endorsement for all the aspects of justification for extramarital involvement (P <0.001).

The results of this study provided exprimental support for utility of model of love schemas in intimate relationships, and indicated the importance of considering the role of love schemas on possibility of extramarital involvement that may have useful implications for determining the couple therapy interventions in this area.

Due to the occurrence of identity crisis, numerous theorists have asserted that adolescence is the most important stage life-long. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between general health and identity base and status on students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

Methods and Materials:

 This descriptive-correlation study was done on 240 undergraduated students (120 males and 120 females) of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2009 to investigate the relations between general health and identity base and status. Two hundred and forty students from 4 schools (Psychology, Theology, Basic Sciences and Literature Sciences) were selected as the final subjects according to the power analysis with software G*power version 3.1. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and identity situation questionnaire were given to them. Data were analyzed regarding the variables such as gender, course of study, marital status, native or non-native and birth order by correlation and regression analysis using SPSS software.

Regression analysis suggested that status of achievement and diffusion significantly predicted 14% of depression variation, 7% of anxiety and 12% of social function from subscales of general health.

It can be concluded that identity status have important role for supporting sources in improving mental health among university students, and mental health of university students reflected the location of individuals on a continuum from identity achievement (interpersonal and ideological bases) to identity diffusion.

Iraq -Iran war during the 1980–1988 has left various detrimental physical, mental, social and economic effects on Soldiers, veterans and their families. These effects persist for years after the war ended. In this study the psychological health of Isfahanian veterans 22 years after the war was studied.

Methods and Materials: 

Among all veterans registered by Veterans and Martyrs Affair Foundation (VMAF) of Isfahan province, 330 veterans using systematic random sampling were selected based on the VMAF list. Demographic questionnaire and SCL-90-R was performed on them.

The average age of veterans was 45 years. The most veterans have been injured at the youth. Approximately 24 percent of veterans have a college education and about 39 percent have completed high school. Veterans with a combination of physical and mental injury and physical injury alone have the highest frequency. 19.3 percent of veterans have experienced prisoners of war. Frequency of retired veterans was 1.5 time higher than employed veteran. Somatization, obsessive - compulsive, aggression, anxiety, depression and paranoid ideation, respectively are the most common disorders and problems in veterans. Now almost half of veterans have with psychiatric disorders and mental problems. Veterans from 55 to 46 percent of injury have the most frequency of mental problems among veterans with different percentages of injury and the number of disability in veterans is greater, the psychological problems is more.

22 years after the war, half of the veterans are suffering from some sort of psychological problems.

Patients with ischemic heart disease in acute stage experienced great anxiety and in compared with patients had less anxiety were affected 5 times more to ischemia, re-infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation.&nbsp; Excessive anxiety delays recovery and increases the probability of their death in the first month. Numerous studies have shown that heart disease affect the person&#039;s spirituality and suggested that interventions based spirituality may reduce anxiety. Thus, with regard to results of the research findings, vast library search, expert&#039;s opinion, one spirituality care program developed and considered its impact on anxiety of ischemic heart patients hospitalized in CCU.

Methods and Materials: 

This was a randomized clinical trial. Sixty-four ischemic patients in CCU randomly divided into test and control groups. Spiritual care program included supportive presence, support from patient&rsquo;s rituals, and using supportive systems for 3 days and Anxiety Questionnaire completed before and after the intervention for the both groups. Data analysis done through software SPSS and chi-square, independent-t and paired t-tests.

Mean score of Anxiety had no significant difference before intervention between two groups (P = 0.91); whereas paired t-test showed there was a significant difference in the test group before and after the intervention (P=0.001), also mean score of anxiety had a significant difference between test and control groups after the intervention (P=0.03).

With regard to results of present study spirituality care program could reduce anxiety of ischemic heart patients hospitalized in CCU, so nurses could apply spirituality care program to decrease the anxiety of patients.

This meta-analysis evaluated the relationship between mental health and social support in Iran.

Methods and Materials:

 In order to assess the relationship between mental health and social support, eight eligible studies with acceptable methodology were selected.

The effect size of the relationship between mental health and social support in Iran was 0.369.

Since the effect size of the relationship between mental health and social support in Iran was higher than moderate, social support needs to be strengthened in the country.

Biological, psychological and social phenomenon of substance abuse in adolescents is one of the most critical issues facing modern societies. One of the major concerns of the health and social policy makers is the increasing prevalence of addictive behaviors, particularly tobacco smoking in this age group. Prevalence and trends toward high-risk behaviors among adolescents in Iran is rising. Addiction treatment is expensive and difficult which requires comprehensive medical systems with different approaches toward drug treatments, therapies, and rehabilitation. However, over the years, it has been proven that even the most effective therapeutic procedures are associated with high rates of recurrence. Any progress in this treatment may fail due to environmental risk factors in which the substances are readily accessible as well as the social network of friends who supporte and maintain drugs abuse. Therefore, substance abuse prevention is easier than the treatment. Meanwhile, the best and the most logical solution is prevention. Addiction prevention is an important and complex issue that cannot be accomplished without strategic planning. Understanding the latest scientific achievements and execution of logical programs can be beneficial in this regard. One of the defects in the field of substance abuse prevention is lack of comparative studies, and accordingly shortage of Persian resources of modern scientific progression in the field of addiction prevention. This situation has led some investigators toward specific approaches or programs, while lacking comprehensive knowledge about all the available programs. In order to eliminate or reduce these shortcomings, previous research literature on three levels i.e. individual, family and social factors (school and friends) were discussed in this article.