Dr Zahra Alizadeh Brjandi, Msc Sajjad Bagheri, Dr Seyed Kazem Rasoulzadeh Tabatabai,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
Suicide models suggest that attempts occur when individuals have both a desire to die and the acquired capability for suicide, such as fearlessness about death (FAD), which is crucial for transitioning from suicidal desire to action (Ferm et al., 2022). This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Acquired Capability for Suicide-Fearless About Death (ACSS-FAD) scale based on the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS), assessing its factor structure, reliability, and validity among Iranian students. The ACSS-FAD was translated into Persian using back-translation and administered to 380 students from counseling clinics at Ferdowsi University, Imam Reza University, and Hakim Razavi University in Mashhad during the 2022-2023 academic year. Construct and convergent validity were evaluated through data analysis. Cronbach's alpha for all subscales and the overall scale indicated satisfactory psychometric properties across genders and the total sample. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factor structure with good fit indices. Correlation patterns between subscales and the convergent validity with the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation demonstrated good validity. The Persian version of the ACSS-FAD shows good reliability and validity in the Iranian population, serving as a useful tool for screening and assessing imminent suicide risk in clinical and research settings.
Mahtab Mohtasham, Tahereh Moharrami,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
The present study aimed to develop a structural equation model of internet addiction based on Machiavellianism and anxious attachment style, with a focus on the mediating role of psychological loneliness among female high school students. This research employed a descriptive-correlational design. Participants were selected through a multistage cluster random sampling method, and data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing internet addiction, dark triad personality traits, adult attachment styles, and psychological loneliness. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings indicated that Machiavellianism, anxious attachment, and psychological loneliness had significant direct effects on internet addiction. Additionally, Machiavellianism and anxious attachment were significant predictors of psychological loneliness. The mediating role of psychological loneliness in the relationship between Machiavellianism and anxious attachment with internet addiction was also confirmed. These results suggest that personality and emotional variables—particularly Machiavellianism, anxious attachment, and psychological loneliness—play a critical role in the development and persistence of internet addiction among adolescents. The findings provide practical implications for the design of preventive and psychological intervention programs aimed at enhancing students’ mental health.
Milad Rahimi, Vahid Sadeghi-Firoozabadi,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating roles of anxiety sensitivity and body dissatisfaction in the relationship between childhood trauma and eating attitudes in college students. This correlational and path analysis research included students aged 18 to 25 years from Kharazmi University of Tehran, studying in the second semester of the 1402 academic year. A total of 422 students were selected by convenience sampling. The research instruments included the 26-item version of Garner et al.'s eating attitude test (1982), the revised anxiety sensitivity index of Taylor and Cox (1998), the body shape questionnaire of Cooper et al. (1987), and the childhood trauma questionnaire of Bernstein et al. (2003). The findings indicated a good fit between the data and the model. The results showed that there is a direct and significant relationship between childhood trauma, anxiety sensitivity and body dissatisfaction with eating attitudes. Also, childhood trauma have a direct and significant relationship with anxiety sensitivity and body dissatisfaction. In addition, anxiety sensitivity has a direct and significant relationship with body dissatisfaction. Also, body dissatisfaction and anxiety sensitivity play a mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and eating attitudes.
Sepideh Esmzamaniaghmiouni, Roya Rasouli, Azadeh Taheri,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
| The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between relational mindfulness and marital intimacy. Given the fundamental impact of marital relationships on individual and social mental health, identifying factors that enhance the quality and intimacy of these relationships is of paramount importance. This descriptive-correlational study targeted the entire population of married students at the University of Tehran during the academic year 2022-2023. A sample of 300 married students (both male and female) was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using three validated questionnaires: the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (Vandenbroek & Werten, 1995), the Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006), and the Relational Mindfulness Scale (Kims et al., 2018). The data were analyzed using SPSS26 and AMOS24 through structural equation modeling. The results indicated a significant and positive relationship between relational mindfulness and empathy (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). Additionally, empathy was significantly and positively related to marital intimacy (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), and a positive and significant relationship was found between relational mindfulness and marital intimacy (β = 0.17, p < 0.002). Comparing the direct and full models revealed that empathy plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between relational mindfulness and marital intimacy. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the role of empathy and mindfulness in enhancing marital intimacy and can serve as a foundation for designing psychological interventions aimed at improving marital relationships. |
Mr Mohammad Elahi, Mr Mahmoud Najafi, Mr Mohammadali Mohammadyfar,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
Substance addiction is one of the main challenges in public health,accompanied by negative psychological, physical, and social consequences.In the field of interventions in the field of addiction,psychological treatments have a special place.The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and metacognitive therapy on cravings in drug addicts.The research method was a quasi-experiment of the pre-test-post-test type with the control group and the statistical population of all drug addicts in Semnan city in 2021,with the available sampling method,75 people according to the entry criteria.and exit were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups 1(cognitive-behavioral therapy),experimental group 2(metacognitive therapy) and a control group.The tools used in this research were Franken et al (2002).Multivariate covariance analysis was used to analyze the data.The results showed that both interventions were effective in improving cravings in drug dependent people. Also,there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two treatments(p<0.01).According to the obtained results, both treatments can reduce the risk of returning to drug use by changing cognitive variables related to drug abuse,such as drug-related beliefs, tempting beliefs, self-efficacy,and emotion regulation strategies. Therefore, cognitive-behavioral and metacognitive therapy can be used to prevent relapse in drug addicts.
Zeynab Maleki, Phd Javad Kavousian, Phd Parvin Kadivar, Phd Mehdi Arabzadeh,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to present a structural model of academic identity, family communication patterns, and parents'perceived educational expectations with the mediating role of basic psychological needs. The research method was descriptive-correlational and structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all tenth and eleventh grade students in Yazd in the academic year 2021-2022. The statistical sample included 400 tenth and eleventh grade students who were randomly selected as clusters. To collect data, the Basic Psychological Needs Questionnaire, the Academic Identity Status Questionnaire, Family Communication Patterns Questionnaire, and the Parents' Perceived Educational Expectations Questionnaire were used. In order to examine the paths of the research model, structural equation modeling was used using PLS3 software. The results showed that parents' educational expectations, conformity pattern, and conversation pattern have a direct, positive, and significant effect on basic psychological needs. The results also showed that basic psychological needs have a direct, negative, and significant effect on the follower identity and the confused identity and a direct, positive, and significant effect on the latecomer identity and the successful identity. Finally, the results showed that basic psychological needs play a mediating role in the relationship between academic identity and family communication patterns and parents'perceived educational expectations.
Rana Aghababaie, Abbas Javaheri, Mohammad Hassan Asayesh,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
The present study aims to explore the impact of mentalization on the quality of parenting in mothers who experienced childhood emotional trauma. This qualitative, phenomenological research used semi-structured interviews for data collection, which were then analyzed using Collaizi's seven-step phenomenological method. The participants, selected through purposive sampling, consisted of 9 mothers of children aged 3-6 years who had experienced emotional trauma during childhood. The analysis yielded five main themes: the mother's mentalization capacity, her inner psychological state, the mother-child relationship, trauma transmission, and her parenting practices. The findings suggest that mothers with strong mentalization abilities tend to experience more positive mental states, establish secure relationships with their children, avoid repeating traumatic behaviors from their own parents, and demonstrate effective parenting. In contrast,mothers with deficits in mentalization showed more negative mental states, struggled to create security with their children, repeated traumatic behaviors, and exhibited poorer parenting practices.
Noura Dehghanpour, Dr Tavakol Mosazadeh, Dr Reza Kazemzadeh, Dr Vakil Nazari,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia in women with skin picking and hair pulling disorders in Tehran. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 30 female students from the Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, who met the research criteria for skin picking and hair pulling disorders, were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of ACT, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using demographic information, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale at baseline, post-intervention, and a three-month follow-up. The results indicated no significant difference between the two groups in the pretest stage, confirming group homogeneity. However, posttest and follow-up results showed significant reductions in anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia scores in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that ACT is effective in reducing emotional and cognitive symptoms associated with skin picking and hair pulling disorders and may be considered a beneficial therapeutic approach for women affected by these conditions.
Leila Sadat Modarresi, Zahra Alsadat Haji Seyed Taghiya Taghavi, Parisa Kolahi,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of psychological capital training on academic enthusiasm of female second-year high school students. This study was a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all female second-year high school students in schools in District 2 of Tehran in the academic year 1403-1404, from whom 30 were selected by purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). The experimental group received psychological capital training during five sessions. Data were collected in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, and analyzed using a mixed analysis of variance with repeated measures. The findings showed that psychological capital training significantly increased academic enthusiasm in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, no significant difference was observed between post-test and follow-up scores, indicating the stability of the intervention effect in the follow-up period. Overall, psychological capital training was effective in increasing and sustaining academic enthusiasm among female high school students. Accordingly, using this intervention in school counseling and psychological programs can help improve students' academic enthusiasm.
Mr. Hesam Soleimani, Mr. Amin Rahmati, Mr. Asem Esmaeili,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
The present study was conducted by the structural modelling of attention to emotions (voluntary and involuntary) with worry and stress among students of Shahid Chamran university of Ahvaz with the mediating role of negative affect. The method of the present research was structural equation modeling and the population included all students of Shahid Chamran university of Ahvaz in year 1402-03, of which 312 were selected as a sample by simple random sampling. Structural equation modeling method, bootstrap test, SPSS, and AMOS version 24 software were used for data analysis. After the analysis, it was observed that the model has a good fit and the findings showed that involuntary attention to emotions is directly related to negative affect, worry and stress. But voluntary attention to emotions only has a direct relationship with negative emotions, and its relationship with worry and stress is indirect and through negative affect. Negative affect played a mediating role for the relationship between both types of attention to emotions with worry and stress.
Marzieh Barati, Zohreh Mortezaei Karahrody,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
| The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on academic burnout and social anxiety symptoms among female upper secondary school students. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a one-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of female students attending public schools in Tehran, Iran, during the 2024–2025 academic year. Following an initial screening, 30 students with elevated levels of social anxiety were purposively selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group.The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Adolescent Social Anxiety Scale and the Academic Burnout Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.The results indicated that ACT significantly reduced social anxiety symptoms and academic burnout in the experimental group compared to the control group, and these effects were maintained at the one-month follow-up. Overall, the findings suggest that ACT, through enhancing psychological flexibility and reducing experiential avoidance, can improve students’ academic and social adjustment and may serve as an effective intervention within educational settings. |
M.a Marziehsadat Hejazi, Ph.d Roya Mashak,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the study was to predict health anxiety based on experiential avoidance and self-compassion with the mediation of emotion regulation difficulty in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. The research method was descriptive-correlational and the statistical population was mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Isfahan province from 1403 to 11402, of which 250 people were selected by convenience sampling. The collection tools were Salkoskis and Warwick's health anxiety (2002), experiential avoidance Bond et al. (2011), self-compassion Reis et al. (2011), and Gratz and Roemer's emotion regulation difficulty (2004). The results were analyzed using path analysis and SPSS26 and AMOS18 software. The findings showed that health anxiety on experiential avoidance, health anxiety on self-compassion, health anxiety on emotion regulation difficulty, experiential avoidance on emotion regulation difficulty, self-compassion on emotion regulation difficulty have a significant relationship, and health anxiety based on experiential avoidance has a significant relationship with the mediation of emotion regulation difficulty, and health anxiety based on self-compassion has a significant relationship with the mediation of emotion regulation difficulty. As a result, the research can help provide more targeted and effective interventions to reduce health anxiety in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.
Dr Mojgan Agahheris, Dr Mahdieh Rahmanian, Dr Ezzatollah Kordmirza Nikoozadeh, Mr Soroush Pourmousaabkenar,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on reducing stress-related arousal in patients with respiratory problems: a randomized controlled clinical trial. The present study was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, control group, and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of all patients with respiratory problems in 2024 (1403 in the Persian calendar). From this population, 30 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 each). All participants completed Cohen’s Perceived Stress Questionnaire (1983) before the intervention. Subsequently, the experimental group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, held weekly. Research data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that there was a significant difference in stress-related arousal between the two groups at the post-test and follow-up stages (p<0.05), indicating that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was effective in reducing stress-related arousal (p<0.05). Accordingly, it can be concluded that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be effective in reducing stress-related arousal in patients with respiratory problems.
Mrs Mahla Salajgheh, Dr Hamid Molaie,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy on overt anxiety and behavioral problems in maladjusted children. The research method was a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all second-year male and female students of primary school in District 2 of Kerman in the second semester of the 1403-1404 academic year, totaling 8,500 people. Among them, 36 maladjusted children were selected through purposive sampling (based on the parent form of the Dekhanchi Children's Adaptation Questionnaire, 1377) and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (18 people in each group). Reynolds and Richmond's Children's Overt Anxiety Questionnaire (1978) and Quay and Patterson's Behavioral Problems Questionnaire (1987) were used to collect data. Child-centered play therapy intervention based on the Exline approach (1969) was implemented in 10 60-minute group sessions for the experimental group; while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed that child-centered play therapy significantly reduced overt anxiety and behavioral problems in children in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Overall, the findings support the efficacy of child-centered play therapy as an appropriate psychological intervention for improving anxiety symptoms and behavioral problems in maladjusted children.
Mrs Zahra Mahmoodi Meimandi, Dr Amineh Jalali,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
Domestic violence during adolescence can be associated with various psychological consequences, including increased self-criticism and social anxiety. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) on self-criticism and social anxiety among adolescents with a history of domestic violence in Kerman, Iran, in 2025. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of adolescents with a history of domestic violence in Kerman. Thirty participants were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Data were collected using the Self-Criticism Questionnaire and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of Compassion-Focused Therapy, while the control group remained on a waitlist. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results indicated that Compassion-Focused Therapy significantly reduced self-criticism and social anxiety among adolescents with a history of domestic violence compared with the control group (p < .05). These findings suggest that Compassion-Focused Therapy may serve as an effective intervention for reducing self-criticism and social anxiety among adolescents with a history of domestic violence.
Elnaz Baniani, Fatemeh Behroozfar, Arezoo Siahcheshm, Farnoosh Nikkhak,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of media literacy and emotion regulation training on reducing anxiety and improving mental health of adolescents with cyberspace addiction. The research method was applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of data collection method. This study is an applied research in terms of nature and a quasi-experimental research in terms of implementation and a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population in this study included all adolescents with cyberspace addiction in Tehran between Farvardin 1404 and Shahrivar 1404 who referred to the Mind Ara Counseling Center. 45 people were selected purposefully from the statistical population and Beck Anxiety and GHQ Mental Health Questionnaires were distributed to them for response. Also, Gross's (2002) emotion regulation training intervention and Saleh Rad et al.'s (2019) media literacy training intervention were used to train students. Finally, it has been concluded that emotion regulation training has an effect on reducing anxiety and mental health of adolescents with cyberspace addiction, media literacy training has an effect on reducing anxiety and mental health of adolescents with cyberspace
Noura Dehghanpour, Tavakol Mosizadeh, Reza Kazemzadeh, Vakil Nazari,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of self-focused compassion therapy on distress tolerance and alexithymia in women with skin picking and hair picking disorder in Tehran. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The research population included female students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, who were selected based on the inclusion criteria and purposive sampling method. A total of 45 eligible subjects were identified and after random assignment using a random number table, 30 subjects were replaced in two experimental (15 subjects) and control (15 subjects) groups. The experimental group received self-focused compassion therapy intervention, and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, a distress tolerance questionnaire, and an alexithymia questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of distress tolerance and alexithymia at the pre-test stage, which indicated the initial homogeneity of the groups, but at the post-test and follow-up stage, a significant difference was observed between the two groups, indicating the effectiveness of self-focused compassion therapy in improving distress tolerance and reducing alexithymia in women with hair-picking disorder. Accordingly, it can be concluded that this therapeutic approach can be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and improving the emotional indicators of these individuals.
Mrs Mahrokh Ajorloo,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is influenced not only by biological factors but also by psychological factors. Individuals with a family history of heart disease are particularly vulnerable to elevated cardiac anxiety and reduced psychological flexibility. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on cardiac anxiety and psychological flexibility in patients with coronary artery disease and a family history of heart disease. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of patients with coronary artery disease and a family history of heart disease who were referred to Imam Hossein Hospital in 2025. Thirty eligible participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group received eight sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, whereas the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. The findings indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced cardiac anxiety and significantly improved psychological flexibility in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < .001). Furthermore, the treatment effects were maintained at the follow-up assessment. The findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be considered an effective complementary psychological intervention alongside routine medical care for reducing cardiac anxiety and enhancing psychological flexibility in patients with coronary artery disease and a family history of heart disease.
Leila Kabiri, Molouk Khademi Ashkzari, Saeed Akbari-Zardkhaneh, Keyvan Salehi, Hossein Pourshahriar,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
Abstract
The increasing socio-cultural changes in recent years, coupled with the high prevalence of psychological health issues during the critical adolescent years and a research gap in this area, highlight the importance of investigating the factors that create a sense of well-being in adolescents. This study aimed to identify the conditions for sense of well-being and to present a conceptual framework of well-being for Iranian adolescents. A qualitative, constructivist approach and a grounded theory research design were used with the aim of conceptual ordering. The study population consisted of Iranian adolescents, mainly residing in the city of Qazvin, aged 16 to 19 years, who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected from 2024 to 2025 through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews and Coding was performed manually in two stages initial and focused Coding based on the Charmazian approach, and themes were sorted using Excel 2019. This process yielded twelve core concepts: engagement, optimism, happiness, self-relationship, relationships with others, relationship with God, relationship with existence, self and family health, personal growth, flourishing community, moral values, and material resourcesThe findings of this research provide insights for policymakers and educators to create a suitable environment for fostering well-being.
Ms Firoozeh Jalalipour, Dr Soheila Rahmani,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (6-2026)
Abstract
Test anxiety, as a psychological and educational challenge, imposes a considerable burden on adolescent students. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of adolescent students studying in two schools in Tehran during the 2025 academic year. From among them, 30 students were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program in eight weekly sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Test Anxiety Questionnaire and were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. The statistical results indicated that the adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program led to a significant reduction in alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms among students in the experimental group compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the follow-up results demonstrated the stability and persistence of the effects of this psychological intervention at the two-month follow-up assessment. In conclusion, the adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program can be considered an effective and sustainable intervention for reducing alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms in adolescents, and its application as a complementary intervention in educational settings is recommended.
