Original/Research Article


The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Relation with Personality Traits and Driving Behavior

Nasrin Rezaiee, Mohammad Ghamari, Saeideh Bazazian, Vahideh Babakhani

International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021), 18 Tir 2021, Page 1-12
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v8i2.31292

Introduction: Driving behavior is a multifactor and high-risk behavior that was affected by several
factors such as, individual, social and situational. Therefore, the present research aimed to study the
mediating role of cognitive flexibility on the relationship between personality traits and driving
behavior.
Method: Method was descriptive- correlation SEM. The statistical population comprised of all the
male drivers of intercity buses in Tehran terminals. 210 participants were selected by multi cluster
sampling and completed the questionnaires of Manchester Driving Behavior (MDBQ), NEO FiveFactor (NEO-FFI) and Cognitive Flexibility (CFI). Data analyzed using structural equation
modeling (SEM) and the soft wares of Amos-21 and SPSS-19.
Result: The results showed that the personality traits of neuroticism, agreeableness and
conscientiousness have a direct effect on high-risk driving behaviors. Also, personality traits of
neuroticism, extroversion, and conscientiousness have an indirect effect on high-risk driving
behaviors through cognitive flexibility (p<. 05).
Conclusion: Cognitive flexibility mediates on the relationship of personality traits of neuroticism,
extroversion and conscientiousness with high-risk driving behaviors. Therefore, according to the
effect of human factors in high-risk driving behaviors was suggested to develop a psychoeducational package for promoting safe driving behaviors in drivers.

Identifying Common Elements of Evidence – Based Psychological Treatments for Females with Extramarital Experience

Parisa Ghafoorian Noroozi, Mohammad-Javad Asghari Ebrahimabad, Mohammad-Saeed Abdekhodaei, Seyyed-Ali Kimiaee

International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021), 18 Tir 2021, Page 13-24
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v8i2.27638

Introduction: The therapeutic consequences of extramarital relationships is a difficult issue among
therapists, so majority of clinicians are faced with several challenges. Although, they are not able to
conceptualize and modify these issues with a suitable and recognized approach, the purpose of this
study was to identify common elements of psychological evidence-based therapies in order to
develop multi-dimensional intervention for females involved in extramarital relationships.
Method: This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was a qualitative content analysis
to identify factors influencing the extramarital relations in three steps. The second phase aimed to
design and develop multi-dimensional treatments using common elements identified in the first
study. This procedure conducted according to Garland et al., method.
Result: Sixty-four effective factors identified in four categories: individual’s personality, familyeducational, cultural-social and religious-beliefs. In the second phase , 13 effective therapeutic
approaches in the treatment of extramarital relationships were selected. Finally, 10 common
therapeutic elements were developed to design a protocol for extramarital relationships involved
females.
Conclusion: This treatment emphasized on helping women with the experience of extramarital
relationship who want to save their marital commitment and family.
Declaration of Interest: None

Interoduction: Anxiety among students can lead to decreased performance and may be associated with other psychological and biological consequences. Therefore, it deserves clinical attention. On the other hand, reinforcing positive resources such as feelings, behaviors, and positive cognitions can be used as an important intervention in managing and improving mood disorders. This study evaluated the efficacy of positive psychotherapyon improving executive function and modulating serum cortisol levels in patients with anxiety.Method: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 30 students with anxiety symptoms were selected using purposive sampling method and were assigned to experimental and control groups through block randomization method after confirming entry criteria. The intervention was presented to the experimental group in a positive approach for ten weekly sessions and the control group was placed on the waiting list. Changes in the executive functions index were considered as primary outcomes and serum cortisol levels fluctuations were considered as secondary outcomes. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS 21 software. Result: Primary outcomesshowed that ten weeks of positive therapy had a significant effect on improvement of executive function (p<0.001). Secondary outcomes also showed that positive psychotherapy was effective in decreasing serum cortisol levels (p<0.001).Conclusion: Results showed that positive psychotherapy had a significant effect on the improvement of executive function and reducing serum cortisol levels. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of psychotherapy on the prefrontal cortex (PFC)and its interaction with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function.Declaration of Interest: None.Declaration of Interest: None

Validity, Reliability and Factor Structure of The Life Attitude Profile-Revised (LAP-R)

Leila Heydarinasab, Soheila Ghomian, Zahra Gheysari, Fatemeh Akhavan Abiri

International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021), 18 Tir 2021, Page 35-45
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v8i2.28408

Introduction: Considering the importance of meaning of life and its role in mental health, the
purpose of the current study is to examine the psychometric properties of LAP-R, an instrument that
measures the meaning of life on the extensive components.
Method: 500 students from different levels of education of Shahed University of Tehran were
selected by proportional sampling method and after translating and retranslating of LAP-R,
responded to LAP-R with the Spirituality Assessment Inventory (SAI), the Self-Esteem Rating
Scale- Short Form (SERS-SF) and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). After
performing the questionnaires, the results of validity and reliability of LAP-R were analyzed by
statistical analysis.
Result: As the results of current study showed, there was a high correlation between many
subscales of LAP-R with SAI, SERF-SF and PANAS. Also, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and
the correlation between the test-retest of LAP-R was appropriate (P<0.01). The correlation of the
test-retest of this scale ranged from 0.61 to 0.81(P<0.01). Also, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of
the subscales and the overall score of this scale ranged from 0.65 to 0.86.
Conclusion: Considering the appropriate correlation of LAP-R with other scales as well as the
results of test-retest correlation and Cronbach`s alpha, it can be said that this questionnaire has
appropriate validity and reliability.
Declaration of Interest: None

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (M.S) is the most common debilitating disease that also affects the
physical, mental, and social functioning of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
effectiveness of online compassion therapy on depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue severity in
female patients with multiple sclerosis.
Method: The present study was a pre-test, post-test applied and experimental study with a control
group. The sample consisted of 30 patients with multiple sclerosis living in Shiraz in 2020 who
were selected by convenience sampling method. They randomly divided into experimental and
control groups. Participants were tested on the Depression, Anxiety, and Chronic Fatigue Scales,
and an online compassion-based treatment plan was presented to the experimental group in 8 twohour sessions. Descriptive statistics and covariance test were used to analyze the data.
Result: Patients showed a significant improvement in the severity of symptoms in all three
variables. The results showed a significant difference in depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue
severity scores between the groups at posttest (P <0.001).
Conclusion: Online CFT can be used as an effective therapy to improve mental disorders and
mental health of MS patients in case of evidence for proof of effectiveness of CFT. So, online
compassion-focused group therapy can reduce the negative psychological consequences of people
with multiple sclerosis by reducing negative emotions and increasing a person's attention to
improving their condition.
Declaration of Interest: None

Improving Cognitive Regulation in Patients with Bipolar Disorder Using Cyberspace-Based and Family-Centered Intervention

Elham Abdi, Eshagh Rahimian Boogar, Nila Elmi Manesh, Raheb Ghorbani

International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021), 18 Tir 2021, Page 57-69
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v8i2.34385

Introduction:Bipolar Affective Disorder is cyclic swinging of mood between mania or hypomania and depression. The present study aimed to examine cognitive regulation in patients with bipolar disorder using the cyberspace-based family-centered intervention.Method:This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest design and a follow-up period. The statistical population of the study included patients with bipolar disorder and a family member. 30 patients with a family member were selected by convenient sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Garnefski Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) was the research tool. After administration of the questionnaires, the Miklowitz family-focused therapy was performed for the experimental group using cyberspace. At the end of the course, participants in both groups were evaluated using the research tools. Data were analyzed using SPSS22 software and mixed analysis of variance with the repeated measures.Result:The results of analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that the Miklowitz model led to a significant difference in the score of emotion regulation with an effect size of 45% in the experimental and control groups (P<0.05). In other words, the cognitive emotion regulation and its subscales have been evident in the experimental group. Conclusion:As a result, it can be said that the use of the Miklowitz model through cyberspace affects cognitive emotion regulation and subscales of self-blame, acceptance, rumination, positive refocusing, refocusing on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, catastrophizing, and other-blame.Declaration of Interest: None

The efficacy of Music for the mind applying on anxiety sensitivity among females with uterine, ovary, and breast cancer.

Mojgan Agahheris, Gita Goodarzi,, Ghonche Rahravi

International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021), 18 Tir 2021, Page 70-80
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v8i2.34821

Introduction: The chronic and continuous aspect of anxiety can be seen as a source of failure, Uncompromising, and widespread despair that deprives a person from a major part of his or her potential. This research aimed to study the effects of music on mind to reduce the symptoms of anxiety of women with uterine, ovary, and breast cancer.Methods: The statistical Society of this study consisted of all women living in Tehran. Using a semi-experimental pattern and using the available sampling method among female volunteers, 28 women were selected with a standard deviation above the average score of perceived stress based on input-output criteria and randomized in two experimental and control groups (each Group of 14 people) were replaced. Initially, both groups by means of pre-exam were tested, then the music therapy intervention group (based on the music protocol for the mind) received. At the end, both groups responded to the research tool (post-test). Measurement tools in this study was Perceived anxiety control questionnaire (ACQ); Anxiety Sensitivity Index and (ASI-3) perceived stress scale (PSS).Results: In this study, data analysis using the twenty-fourth version of the SPSS software and the use of one-way and multi-way analysis of variance showed that music intervention for the mind to  reduce perceived stress and sensitivity to anxiety and Increased perceptions of anxiety control in people with cancer in the experimental group compared to the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that music intervention for the mind with the aim of reducing sensitivity to anxiety, as well as increasing the perception of anxiety control can have a positive effect on women with breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.Declaration of interest: None