The Role of Sexual Behaviors in the Relapse Process in Iranian Methamphetamine Users: A Qualitative Study

Background: The awareness of sexual experiences could be an effective factor in preventing high-risk sexual behavior pertaining to relapse during the recovery period of substances. This research explored the role of sexual behaviors among Iranian methamphetamine (MA) users in relapse process.Methods: The study was conducted with a qualitative approach using content analysis method. 28 participants were selected through purposeful and theoretical sampling. Data were collected based on face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews based on open-ended questions. Interviews continued until the data saturation had occurred. All interviews were examined in four stages of codes, sub-categories, categories and themes according to the content analysis of explanations and descriptions of sexual behaviors.Findings: Two main themes were emerged from the analysis of interviews, including extreme pleasure seeking (including the main categories of sexual tunnel vision and sexual totalitarianism) and comprehended threat (including the main categories of internal conflict and external disorganization) as well as 10 subcategories.Conclusion: The results indicated that sexual behaviors played an important role in relapse process among Iranian MA users and needed to be considered and managed properly in the planning of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation

The Effectiveness of Problem Solving Therapy on Coping Skills in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Objectives: Since problem solving group training is a comprehensive, active program and based-on cognitive behavioral approach, the aim of present study was to determine the effectiveness of problem solving therapy on depression and coping style in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In an experimental design the study was done with pretest-posttest with control group. Totally 30 female clients who had inclusion criteria with score of 20-28 in Beck Depression Inventory was selected from Prophet Mohammad hospital in Tehran and divided to two groups. Then coping skills questionnaire was completed by experimental and control group. The experimental group participated in seven sessions on problem solving therapy, while the control group received no intervention. T-test analysis and variance analysis with repeated measures on one variable were used for data analysis. Results: The results of variance analysis show that teaching problem solving therapy on Zurilla and Goldfried model lead to significant reducing emotion focused coping skills and significant increasing problem focused coping skills among patients with type 2 diabetes on the experimental group. The results also indicated significant reducing depression between this individual in experimental groups. Discussion: The results of this study indicated that problem solving therapy could be effective way for improvement coping skill and reducing depression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Role of Failure to Forgive Self, Others and Uncontrollable Situations in Predicting Depression Among the Elderly

Objectives Elderly people experience many resentments and the inability to forgive these resentments may be associated with depressive symptoms. Hence, we aimed to examine the relationships between forgiveness of self, others and uncontrollable situations with depression in the elderly. Methods & Materials In this cross-sectional study, 96 elderly of Jahandidegan Centers in Tehran City were enrolled using convenient sampling. They completed Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multivariate regression through stepwise method. Results There was a negative and meaningful relationship between forgiveness of self (r=-0.32, P<0.01), forgiveness of others (r=-0.25, P<0.05) and forgiveness of uncontrollable situations (r=-.38, P<0.01) with depression in the elderly. Also forgiveness of uncontrollable situations (&beta;=-0.33) and forgiveness of self (&beta;=-0.26) have a more determining role in predicting depression (P<0.01). Conclusion Inability to forgive is associated with psychological vulnerability among the elderly; so, it is recommended that therapeutic models of enhancing forgiveness to be considered for the emotional problems of elderly peopl

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Satisfaction of Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries Spouses

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of psychotherapy based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the subscales of marital satisfaction overall satisfaction, religious orientation, relations with children, sex, occasional conflicts, interpersonal conflicts and arrogance, by single case study in the spouses of veterans with spinal cord injuries. Methods: Participants completed Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire at baseline (3 to 6 weeks), during six session&rsquo;s psychotherapy and the two-month follow-up. Results: Analysis method of charting and visual analysis of the results showed that the (ACT) is an effective therapeutic approach to 4 marital satisfaction subscales but second and third participant didn&rsquo;t show any improvement. Discussion: Considering the above, (ACT) is an effective therapeutic approach to overall satisfaction, occasional conflicts, relations with children and interpersonal conflicts

اثربخشی آموزش گروهی مهارت‌های زندگی جمعی بر ارتقای مهارت‌هاي روزمره بیماران اسکیزوفرنیا

مقدمه: هدف از پژوهش حاضر بررسي اثربخشی آموزش گروهی مهارت‌های زندگی جمعی بر ارتقای مهارت‌هاي روزمره بیماران مبتلا به اسکیزوفرنیا مرکز آموزشی- درمانی روان‌پزشکی رازی تهران بود. مواد و روش‌ها: برای بررسي اثربخشی مداخله مذكور از طرح آزمایشی پیش ‌آزمون- پس ‌آزمون همراه با گروه شاهد استفاده شد. 24 نفر از بیماران اسکیزوفرنیا به طور تصادفی به دو گروه آزمایش (12 = n) و گروه شاهد (12 = n) تقسیم شدند. برای گردآوری داده‌ها از چک‌لیست مهارت‌های زندگی روزانه كه توسط کربلایی اسماعیل در سال 1376 تهيه شده بود و همچنين از پرسش‌نامه مشخصات دموگرافیک استفاده گردید. جهت تجزیه و تحلیل داده‌ها از ANCOVA تک متغیره استفاده شد. سطح معنی‌داري 05/0 > P در نظر گرفته شد. در ضمن، داده‌هاي حاصل از پژوهش با بسته نرم‌افزاري 16SPSS تجزيه و تحليل شد. یافته‌ها: آموزش گروهی مهارت‌های زندگی جمعی باعث ارتقای مهارت‌های زندگي روزمره بیماران اسکیزوفرنیا در گروه آزمایش پس از آموزش برنامه شد (05/0 > P). به این معنی که گروه آزمایش مهارت‌های زندگي بهتری را در مقایسه با گروه شاهد نشان دادند. نتیجه گیری: یافته‌های منتج از این پژوهش نشان‌گر آن است که مي‌توان از برنامه آموزش گروهی مهارت‌های زندگی جمعی در کنار دارو درمانی برای ارتقای مهارت‌های زندگي و ارتباطی در بیماران اسکیزوفرنیا بهره جست. کلید واژه‌ها: اسکیزوفرنیا، مهارت‌های زندگی جمعی، مهارت‌های زندگي روزمره و ارتباط

The Effect of Group Counseling

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of narrative therapy and group counseling on depression and loneliness among elderly women. Methods: This is a quasi experimental research method using post-test design with a control group. 24 women were selected from all the elderly women referring to Iranian Alzheimer&rsquo;s Association in 2012 through randomized sampling method and have been assigned to experiment and control groups. The tools for assessing depression and loneliness were the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Loneliness questionnaire. The experiment group had eight 90 minute sessions of group counseling narrative therapy which took place once a week. The collected data have been statically analyzed using independent&nbsp; t-test in SSPS-19. Results: The findings showed that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of the experiment and control group and it can be argued that employing narrative therapy group counseling was influential in reducing depression and loneliness (P<0.01). Discussion: The effect of group counseling narrative therapy on reducing depression and loneliness of elderly women has been confirmed by the results of this study. Based on the findings, conducting narrative therapy group counseling is strongly recommended in health care organizations for the elderly people

Comparing Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy and 12-Steps Narcotics Anonymous in Addict’s Rehabilitation Process: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Substance abuse is a socio-psychological disorder. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy with 12-steps Narcotics Anonymous on psychological well-being of opiate dependent individuals in addiction treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran. Method: This was a randomized controlled trial. Data were collected at entry into the study and at post-test and follow-up visits. The participants were selected from opiate addicted individuals who referred to addiction treatment centers in Shiraz. Sixty individuals were evaluated according to inclusion/ exclusion criteria and were divided into three equal groups randomly (20 participants per group). One group received acceptance and commitment group therapy (Twelve 90-minute sessions) and the other group was provided with the 12-steps Narcotics Anonymous program and the control group received the usual methadone maintenance treatment. During the treatment process, seven participants dropped out. Data were collected using the psychological well-being questionnaire and AAQ questionnaire in the three groups at pre-test, post-test and follow-up visits. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: Repeated measure analysis of variance revealed that the mean difference between the three groups was significant (P<0.05) and that acceptance and commitment therapy group showed improvement relative to the NA and control groups on psychological well-being and psychological flexibility. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that acceptance and commitment therapy can be helpful in enhancing positive emotions and increasing psychological well-being of addicts who seek treatment

Understanding the Experiences of Parents in Raising Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes abnormal communication, repetitive and limiting interests, and social dysfunction. This study aimed to identify the experiences of parents in raising children with ADS in Iran. Methods: A total of 18 parents of children with ASD were selected by purposive and convenient sampling method to participate in the study. To collect data, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. The text of the interviews was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Two main themes of positive and negative experiences were identified in the analysis. In the positive experiences two sub-themes of “continuing education and acquiring spirituality” and “increasing life skills” and in the negative experiences five sub-themes of “reduction of communication and lack of social support,” “improper treatment with the child with ASD,” “feeling ashamed,” “lack of adaptability,” and “being judged by others” were identified.  Discussion: These findings can provide a deep understanding of the experiences of caring parents of children with ASD in Iran. In addition, the results of this study can provide valuable information to researchers, clinicians, etc. to indicate the specific needs of families who care for children with ASD