International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are highly common among children and adolescents. Conventional treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) encounter accessibility and efficacy barriers, prompting interest in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as adaptable, cost-effective alternatives. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of MBIs for anxiety in youth, examining outcomes across diverse populations and settings.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to November 2024, identified 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Data extraction included study design, population, intervention details, and outcomes, analyzed across clinical and non-clinical cohorts. Risk of bias was assessed using ROB and ROBINS-I.

Results: This review includes 28 studies from 13 countries, primarily the U.S. (n=9), Australia (n=4), and Iran (n=3). MBIs demonstrated mixed efficacy, with significant anxiety reductions in 62% of studies, particularly in clinical populations. Modified MBCT programs, such as MBCT-C showed robust effects with sustained benefits at follow-up. MBSR resulted in variable outcomes, from large reductions to non-significant changes. Longer interventions (≥12 weeks) and cultural adaptations enhanced efficacy, while school-based programs showed attenuated effects. Clinical populations showed greater improvements than non-clinical groups, likely due to higher baseline distress and structured delivery.

Conclusion: MBIs show promise for reducing anxiety symptoms, particularly when tailored to clinical needs, developmental stages, and cultural contexts. Effectiveness is moderated by intervention duration, baseline symptom severity, and adaptability.

Background and Aim: Reading is a key academic skill that forms the foundation for learning across all subjects. Dyslexia, a specific learning disorder that affects reading accuracy and fluency, can lead to persistent academic difficulties if not detected and addressed early. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dyslexia among primary school children in Ardabil and to examine possible gender differences.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among male and female students in grades 3-5 from the four educational districts of Ardabil during the 2023–2024 academic year. Using a multi-stage stratified sampling method, 1,162 students were selected for the study. The Diagnostic Reading and Dyslexia Test (Nama, Karimi Nouri, & Moradi, 2004) was administered. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.

Results: Among 1,162 students, 74 (31 girls and 43 boys) were identified as having dyslexia, corresponding to prevalence rates of 5.36% among girls, 7.36% among boys, and 6.36% overall. Additionally, 39.1% of dyslexic students had a family history of dyslexia. The prevalence of dyslexia decreased significantly with increasing grade level in both genders (p < 0.05). According to the subtests of the diagnostic reading test, girls outperformed boys in reading words, rhymes, word comprehension, letter symbols, category symbols, and overall dyslexia scores (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that dyslexia affects a considerable proportion of primary school students, particularly boys. Early identification and implementation of targeted educational interventions may help mitigate the negative impact of dyslexia on students’ learning outcomes.

Background and Aim: This study investigates the relationship model of perceived social support and communication skills with academic achievement among female secondary school students in Damghan city. Recognizing academic achievement as a pivotal indicator of educational effectiveness and societal growth, the research focuses on how social and communicative factors contribute to students’ success.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was employed with a sample of 265 female students selected via multi-stage cluster random sampling in the academic year 2022-2023. Data were collected using validated questionnaires: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Barton’s Communication Skills Questionnaire, and students’ GPA records.

Results: Findings reveal significant positive correlations between perceived social support and academic achievement (r = 0.256, p < 0.01). Similarly, all dimensions of communication skills—feedback, verbal, and listening skills—showed significant positive associations with academic outcomes, with feedback skills exhibiting the strongest correlation (r = 0.382, p < 0.01). Furthermore, perceived social support correlated positively with communication skills indicators, highlighting a reciprocal relationship. Structural equation modeling confirmed the proposed model’s acceptable fit (RMSEA=0.098; CFI=0.873; GFI=0.907), demonstrating that perceived social support directly influences academic achievement and indirectly affects it through communication skills. These results align with contemporary international research underscoring the mediating role of self-efficacy and psychological resources in translating social support into academic success.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the necessity of fostering supportive social networks alongside enhancing communication competencies to promote educational achievement among female adolescents. Educational stakeholders should consider integrated interventions that build relational support systems and communicative capacity, ultimately boosting students’ motivation, engagement, and academic performance. This research enriches the understanding of social-cognitive dynamics in academic achievement and provides practical recommendations for policy and educational programming aimed at optimizing female students’ scholastic outcomes.

Background and Aim: Recognizing the pivotal role of marital relationship quality in overall family health, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dialectical temperament-based therapy on marital satisfaction, intimacy, commitment, and reduction of sexual dysfunction among couples residing in District 12 of Tehran.

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, consisting of pretest, posttest, and longitudinal follow-up stages. The sample consisted of ten couples who were selected through convenience sampling from Valiasr Health Center during the 2024–2025 period. Standardized questionnaires were administered at various stages to comprehensively evaluate the outcomes, including the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Walker and Thompson Intimacy Scale, the Adams and Jones Commitment Scale, the Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire, and the Mojahedi Temperament Questionnaire. The therapeutic intervention consisted of six structured sessions, combining elements of dialectical behavior therapy with traditional temperament theory, with content tailored to the unique temperament profiles of each couple.

Results: Following the intervention, marital satisfaction increased by 19.5%, intimacy by 23%, and commitment by 19%. In addition, a 22.9% decrease in sexual dysfunction was observed. These improvements remained stable across 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up assessments, evidencing the durability of therapeutic effects.

Conclusion: The findings deliver empirical support for the effectiveness of dialectical temperament-based therapy as an innovative, culturally attuned method for enhancing marital quality and addressing sexual health issues. The results highlight the importance of integrated, locally adapted psychological interventions in promoting family well-being.

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical period where psychological well-being and coping skills, vital for mental health, are shaped by genetic predispositions and parental lifestyles. This study examined their independent and interactive effects on adolescents’ psychological well-being and coping skills in Lorestan Province.

Methods: A descriptive-correlational study with a predictive, ex post facto design involved 380 participants (190 adolescents aged 13–18 and their parents) from Khorramabad, Borujerd, Dorud, and Aligudarz, selected via multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Perceived Genetic Predisposition Scale, Parental Lifestyle Scale, Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Adolescent Coping Strategies Questionnaire, analyzed through multiple regression and Pearson correlation tests.

Results: Results revealed that resilience-oriented genetic factors and health-promoting parental lifestyles positively predicted adolescents’ psychological well-being and constructive coping (problem-solving and social support-seeking), while negatively correlating with nonconstructive coping. Conversely, vulnerability-oriented genetic factors inversely affected positive outcomes, collectively explaining 39.3%–53.3% of variance in psychological outcomes.

Conclusion: These findings highlight genetic and parental lifestyle factors as significant predictors of adolescent mental health. Educational interventions targeting parental lifestyle and genetic awareness are recommended to enhance adolescent well-being. Future research should incorporate direct genetic data and longitudinal designs to deepen understanding.

Background and Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the structural model of dark personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), interpersonal emotion regulation, and psychological well-being in married women experiencing thoughts of separation.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study used a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The statistical population consisted of married women in Tehran who had thoughts of separation in 2024, from whom 188 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. Participants completed the Short Dark Triad (SD3), Interpersonal Emotion Regulation (IRI) questionnaire, and the Ryff Psychological Well-Being questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling with AMOS software.

Results: The results indicated that dimensions of dark personality traits had a significant adverse effect on the ability of interpersonal emotion regulation; in particular, Machiavellianism and narcissism directly weakened interpersonal emotion regulation and reduced psychological well-being. Although psychopathy did not have a direct effect on interpersonal emotion regulation, it exerted the most substantial negative impact on psychological well-being. The mediating role of interpersonal emotion regulation in the relationship between narcissism and psychological well-being was confirmed, whereas such mediation was not observed for Machiavellianism and psychopathy.

Conclusion: Dark personality traits—especially narcissism—lead to reduced psychological well-being in women on the verge of divorce, with interpersonal emotion regulation serving as a key mechanism in this relationship. It is recommended that couples therapy interventions focus on training interpersonal emotion regulation strategies and enhancing components of psychological well-being.