The effectiveness of parent-based pivotal response treatment on social health and psychological well-being among mothers with autistic children

Introduction: Parents of children with autism are increasingly are considered as one of the primary source of intervention for their children, also there is an increasing demand for access to effective interventions for families who have children with autism. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of parent-based pivotal response treatment (PRT) on social health (the amount of interaction a person has with their community) among mothers with autistic children.Methods: The present study is a semi-experimental research and its design consists of pretest, posttest with control group and a sample of 40 mothers with autistic children referring to the educational and rehabilitation center of Tehran and Karaj from fall to winter of 2016., participants  were selected in two groups of control (20 people) and tested (20 people). To measure the independent variables in the pretest, post-test questionnaires, Reef psychological well-being and the social health of Keyes and Shapiro (short form) were used. The experimental group was trained for PRT during three months. Ultimately, the collected data were analyzed applying SPSS software via paired t-test and independent t-test method.  Results: The results showed that there was significant increase in scales of social heath and psychological well-being in both experimental group and control group; but the increment was significantly higher in experimental group (P < 0.001; P < 0.023 respectively).Conclusion: According to benefits of parental intervention in treatment and importance of increasing therapy sessions for children with autism, it is recommended that this therapy method in conjunction with conventional methods is offered to parents of children with autism specially mothers.

Effectiveness of Meta-Cognitive Skills Training on Self-Handicapping and Self-Efficacy of Students

Objectives: Considering the negative effect of self-handicapping on both mental and physical health and the positive effect of self-efficacy on success and efficacy of people, this research has been conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of meta-cognitive skills training on self-handicapping and self-efficacy of students.  Methods: This research is an experimental study with pre/post-test, and 28 student participants were allocated to experimental and control groups randomly (14 persons per group). Jones and Rhodewalt Self-Handicapping Scale, Sherer and Maddux Self-Efficacy Scale, and Raven Standard Progressive Matrices Test had been utilized for data collecting. The meta-cognitive training program was provided to the experimental group within two months in six sessions while students of the control group did not receive any training. Results: Covariance analysis proposes that meta-cognitive training has a significant effect on decreasing self-handicapping in experimental group; however, there are no significant differences in the results of self-efficacy post-test in both experimental and control groups. Discussion: Findings of the present study suggest that meta-cognitive skills training- as an effective training program- could be used for decreasing students’ self-handicapping. But with regards to the effectiveness of meta-cognitive skills training on self-efficacy, it is revealed that more variables are involved, and it needs further investigation

The Effectiveness of Combined Music Therapy and Physical Activity on Motor Coordination in Children With Autism

Objectives: Motor skills play an important role in language, play, academic and adaptive behaviors of individuals. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of music therapy along with play therapy in rising motor coordination of children with autism. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design, Autism Evaluation Scale and Motor Development Scale were administered to 30 randomly selected male students with autism spectrum disorder aged between 6 and 11 years before and after the intervention. The experimental group attended 15 sessions (each lasted 60 minutes), twice a week and were trained by music therapy along with play therapy program. However, the control group did not receive such programs. One-way analysis of covariance was used for analyzing the data. Results: There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the experimental and control groups after applying music therapy along with play therapy. Discussion: Considering the problems with autism in motor coordination, applying music therapy along with play therapy is necessary for rehabilitating these children. Implications of these results are useful for planning intervention strategies to decrease motor problems in this population

Comparing the effectiveness of logotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on the loneliness of the elderly

Background: As a natural process of maturation, aging has both positive and negative aspects and causes new alterations in a person's social and psychological standing. Therefore, psychological therapy can assist the elderly in recovering from their individual, societal, and economic impairments. In this context, it appears crucial to identify more effective therapies. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficacy of logotherapy with acceptance and commitment therapy in reducing elderly loneliness. Methods: The research design was quasi-experimental and consisted of a pre-test, a post-test, and a control group. The statistical population comprised all elderly residents of Tehran in 2021, 45 of whom were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group from among the elderly residing in health homes in Tehran. Data was collected using Adult social and emotional loneliness scale (ELS; DiTommaso et al., 2004). In the current study, the first experimental group received logotherapy (Frankel, 1963), while the second experimental group received acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; Hayes, 2004). The control group did not get any intervention. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using one-way and multivariate covariance analysis. Results: Adjusting the pre-test scores revealed a significant difference between the groups of logotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and control in terms of loneliness at the post-test stage (P<0.05), and the two intervention groups compared to the control group had a significant effect on loneliness and its components, But the effectiveness of the two intervention groups was not significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acceptance and commitment therapy and logotherapy, despite the use of unique techniques, have efficient and practical origins and features that reduce the feeling of loneliness in the elderly

The Effectiveness of Mental Health Literacy Program in Promoting Emotion Regulation and Mate Selection Attitudes in People on the Verge of Marriage

Background: In a successful marriage, many psychological and physical needs can be met in a safe environment. Choosing a mate is the first and most important step in the marriage process. Towards this end, the present study examined the effect of a mental health literacy program on improving emotion regulation and attitudes towards the selection of a mate in individuals on the verge of marriage.&nbsp; Methods: The present study applied research in terms of a quasi-experimental research method of pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population of this study included all girls and boys on the eve of marriage in Shahroud in 1400. The scales of the Mate Selection Attitudes Questionnaire (Shahabi Farahani, 2018) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski and&nbsp;Kraaij, 2006) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance.&nbsp; Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that the mental health literacy program led to the improvement of emotion regulation and attitudes towards choosing a mate in people on the verge of marriage (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, it is believed that a mental health literacy program will help not only with emotion regulation but also with modifying mate selection attitudes.&nbsp; Keywords: Mental Health Literacy, Mental Health, Emotion Regulation, Mate Selection Attitudes