International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences

Introduction: Many patients with incurable disease, like multiple sclerosis (MS), experience depression and anxiety, therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of quality of life therapy (QOLT) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), depression and anxiety.  Methods: The design of the study was semi-experimental with an experimental group and a control group, including three phases; a pre-test, a post-test and a follow-up test. Statistical population consisted of patients suffering from MS referring to health centers in Shiraz, Iran. 24 patients were selected using convenience-sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (each 12 members). The experimental group received QOLT during eight 50minute weekly sessions. The control group received no treatment. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory–II and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance method.  Results: Comparison of the means of depression and anxiety scores of two groups in post-test phase showed that quality of life therapies had significant effects on reduction of depression (p<0.001) and anxiety (p<0.001) rates in MS patients. Comparing two groups in a follow-up phase showed that the effect of intervention was stable.  Conclusion: This research showed that quality of life therapy has decreased depression and anxiety rate significantly in MS patients. It seems that using psychological intervention can improve the well-being of MS patients and they can benefit from the positive effects of a quality time program. Therefore, it is recommended that, in addition to prescription of medications, psychological interventions be done for these patients. Declaration of Interest: None

Introduction: Growing evidence shows that mindfulness based on self-help interventions have advantages for physical and psychological health in different populations. The mindfulness based emotional balance is a new program and efficacy of which has not been investigated in self-help format.  Methods: This study was a randomized control trial (RCT) with wait-list control. After screening and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria eighty students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences were assigned randomly to the mindfulness-based emotional balance self-help or the wait list control group. Anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness were measured prior to the intervention after the intervention, and two-month after end of intervention as follow-up. DASS-21 and MAAS were used.  Results: Significant decrease in anxiety, depression, and stress in addition to a significant increase in mindfulness in the experimental group in the posttest. However, there were no significant changes in any of the aforesaid measures in the wait list control group. The resultant benefits were persistent in the two-month follow-up. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, this type of treatment can be used as an efficient and cost-effective method to improve psychological problems such as stress, depression and anxiety.  Declaration of Interest: None

Introduction: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of play therapy on reduction of symptoms of insecure attachment and separation anxiety of preschoolers. Method: the present study was experimental with a control group design and included pre-test, post-test. Sampling was purposeful in which 20 preschoolers from Garmsar preschools and kindergartens who were received high score in pre-test were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups (experimental and control). The instruments that used as pre-test and post-test were RADQ and CSI-4 questionnaires. The Experimental group received 8 sessions of group play therapy weekly and the control group received nothing. After sessions both groups participated in post-test and the data were collected. Analysis of the data was done by descriptive and inferential analysis such as covariance analysis. Results: the result showed that play therapy was effective on reduction of symptoms of insecure attachment and separation anxiety (

Introduction: Growing evidence shows that mindfulness based on self-help interventions have advantages for physical and psychological health in different populations. The mindfulness based emotional balance is a new program and efficacy of which has not been investigated in self-help format.  Methods: This study was a randomized control trial (RCT) with wait-list control. After screening and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria eighty students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences were assigned randomly to the mindfulness-based emotional balance self-help or the wait list control group. Anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness were measured prior to the intervention after the intervention, and two-month after end of intervention as follow-up. DASS-21 and MAAS were used.  Results: Significant decrease in anxiety, depression, and stress in addition to a significant increase in mindfulness in the experimental group in the posttest. However, there were no significant changes in any of the aforesaid measures in the wait list control group. The resultant benefits were persistent in the two-month follow-up. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, this type of treatment can be used as an efficient and cost-effective method to improve psychological problems such as stress, depression and anxiety.  Declaration of Interest: None

Introduction: conformity is the change of behavior or attitude influenced by real or imagined presence of others. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between cognitive emotion, integrative self-knowledge and conformity among young people in Red Crescent Society in West Azerbaijan. Methods: Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression analysis. 260 members of Red Crescent Society in West Azerbaijan were selected through random cluster sampling method. Participants completed group conformity L-72 (GCL-72), cognitive emotion regulation (CERQ) and integrative self-knowledge (ISQ) questionnaires. Results: The results showed there was a negative significant relationship between integrative selfknowledge and adaptive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation with conformity. (p<0.01). There was a significant negative relationship between integrative self-knowledge and conformity (p<0.01) and). There was also a significant negative relationship between integrative selfknowledge and conformity (p<0.01). The results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that integrative self-knowledge and adaptive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation could explain 23% of conformity variance significantly (p<0.01) and Partial Beta Coefficient of integrative self- knowledge (P<0.01) and adaptive strategies (P<0.01) are respectively (-0.074) and (0.156). Conclusion: Overall the results showed integrative self-knowledge and adaptive strategies of cognitive emotion predict conformity Declaration of Interest: None.