International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences

Background and Aim:Psychological stress often raises blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Psychological capital has a protective role and leads tothe healthy state of individuals.The current study aimed to investigate the effect of spiritually multidimensional psychotherapy (SMP) group training on psychological capitaland stress symptoms in type 2 diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods:The research was semi-experimental research with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all patients with diabetes covered by the Mashhad Diabetes Foundation. From this group, 60 people were selected by network method or snowball and were randomly divided into two groups (experimental and control). The experimental group received spiritually multidimensional psychotherapy group training in 12 sessions of 90 minutes weekly. Before and after the intervention, a stress symptoms questionnaire and psychological capital were performed in both experimental and control groups. Data analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate covariance using SPSS.21 software.

Results:The findings revealed that spiritually multidimensional psychotherapy (SMP) had a significant effect on psychological capital (P<0.001) and stress symptoms (P<0.001). Likewise, this effect on the components of self-efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism was significant (P<0.001).

Conclusion:It can be concluded that spiritually multidimensional psychotherapy training can increase psychological capital and decrease stress symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background and Aim:Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a new DSM-5 diagnosis characterized by the cyclical emergence of emotional and physical symptoms in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral training of emotional regulation on marital contentment and cognitive emotional regulation of women with signs of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Materials and Methods:The method of this research is semi-experimental by pre-test/post-test with experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of all women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder referring to the clinic of the BaharHospital in Shahrood. A total of 30 women which were selected through purposive sampling among women whose scores in pre-menstrual symptoms screening questionnaire were higher than the mean, and were replaced in the experimental and control groups (15 women for each group). Then, both groups completed the Marital Happiness Questionnaire and the Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire and then the experimental group underwent cognitive-behavioral emotion regulation training in form of 90-minutes, 12 sessions once a week. After completion of training, both groups again completed the above questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 and one and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

Results:The results showed that cognitive-behavioral training of emotion regulation has a significant effect on marital happiness and cognitive emotion regulation (P<0.05).

Conclusion:It can be concluded that Cognitive behavioral emotion regulation training can increase cognitive emotion regulation and marital happiness in women with symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Background and Aim:Marital infidelity is a shocking issue for couples and families and a common phenomenon for counselors and therapists. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the communication imagery (imago therapy) training approach on post-traumatic growth and development in couples with marital infidelity.

Materials and Methods:This semi-experimental study was carried out on two experimental and control groups with a pretest and posttest design. The statistical population of the study included all the women referring to one of the counseling centers in Tehran, during 2018-2019 due to marital conflicts, problems related to satisfaction, and the need for the improvement of marital relationships. They were selected by convenient sampling method. Imago therapy treatment was performed in 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes) for participants in experimental group. The control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected based on post-traumatic growth and development questionnaire and descriptive and inferential statistical methods and multivariate analysis of covariance were used using SPSS.22 software.

Results:The results showed that communication imagery training (imago therapy) was effective on post-traumatic growth and development (F=92.17, P<0.001) in couples with infidelity.

Conclusion:It can be concluded that communication imagery training (imago therapy) helps couples to acquire skills to heal past wounds and separate marital relationships from past influences by understanding their unconscious processes.

Background and Aim:Autism spectrum disorder is the most common behavioral disorder in children that is associated with communication deficits and stereotyped behaviors. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of art therapy on the motor skills of children with autism.

Materials and Methods:The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and a control group. The statistical population of the study included preschool and elementary school students in Tehran in 1395-96 school year. Among them, 30 children with autism were selected by purposive sampling and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Data collection tools were the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (Garz) and the Lincoln-Ozertsky Motor Skills Test. Painting-based art therapy was performed in 18 sessions of 20 minutes for the experimental group. Data analysis was performed by analysis of covariance.

Results:The results showed that art therapy affected fine motor skills, the balance and flexibility of the joints (P<0.001).

Conclusion:According to the findings, art therapy can improve motor skills in these children by reducing stereotyped movements and coordinating hand and finger movements.

Background and Aim:The efficiency of The Compassion-Focused Therapy on development assets in adolescent with cancer were examined.

Materials and Methods:The study was carried out as a quasi-experimental study with pretest/posttest design and a control group. The study population consisted of 30 teenagers at the age range of 12-18 years. They were selected through simple random sampling method and grouped in control and experimental groups. The experimental group attended eight training sessions (90min) of Compassion Focused Therapy. Data gathering tools were developmental assets scale Minnesota.

Results:The MANCOVA showed that compassion-focused therapy had a positive and significant effect on more elements on developmental assets(P<0.01). So that there was a significant difference between the control and experiment groups in terms of the elements support, empowerment, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity (P<0.01). However, the difference was not significant with the expectations (P>0.05).

Conclusion:The findings showed that CFT was effective in improving social relationships and acceptability by others through special concentration on awareness, expressing love, and kindness in teenagers with cancer.

Background and Aim:Drug craving as a multidimensional subjective experience recently is accepted as a hallmark for addiction. The Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), measures the overall craving level within a period from a multidimensional perspective. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the OCDUSamong Iranian methamphetamine abusers.

Materials and Methods:OCDUS was translated from English into Farsi by language experts. The questionnaire was then used for evaluation of craving among 50 male methamphetamine abusers. Then, OCDUS questionnaire' scores was subjected to exploratory principal components factor analysis. To assess construct validity of OCDUS, the model was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was examined by calculating Cronbach’s alpha.

Results:Exploratory factor analysis identified 2-dimensional components that included, "Desire consumption and mental employment with materials", "The Impact of drug desire and Thoughts on Consumer Work and Life". Finally, the Persian version of OCDUS was verified with 10 items and two factors with high eigenvalues 76.5% of the total variance. Given the relative fit of the confirmatory factor model, the construct validity of the OCDUS was verified.

Conclusion:The Farsi-translated version of OCDUS questionnaires had good psychometric properties. The questionnaire could be considered as a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of drug craving level in Iranian methamphetamine abusers.