The effects of positive parenting program (Triple P) on parenting styles and the attitude towards strengths and difficulties of the child

Introduction: The present study gives an account of the effects of Triple P, positive parenting program, on parenting styles as well as the attitude towards strengths and difficulties of the child. Methods: This study is a clinical trial, which sets out to explore the effects of psychiatric disorders on 30 parents – parents of teenagers being admitted to Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran – based on the diagnosis of child psychiatrist, teenagers with psychiatric disorders were studied in two groups: trial and control. Positive parenting program i.e. Triple P sessions were held for the trial group while the control group received usual clinical services. Results: Based on the results of the present study, after holding 3P sessions, Baumrind`s parenting styles scores show some improvement in comparison with previous test scores; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.167). The overall score of the child`s strengths and difficulties questionnaire, that was completed by the parents, represents a statistically significant difference (p=0.02) between the test scores before and after the intervention.  Conclusion: It is important to note that positive parenting interventions can improve and, at the same time, change parenting styles. Moreover, Triple P can change parents` attitudes concerning the strengths and difficulties of the child, not to mention improving their parenting styles. Our results are consistent with those of similar studies on children. Declaration of Interest: Non

Theory of mind in adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A cross-sectional study

  Objective Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder which may be associated with impaired Theory of Mind (ToM) and social cognition. ToM is a domain in social cognition which refers to one's ability to attribute beliefs, intents, perspectives, and understandings to oneself or others and to understand other's mental state. Materials & Methods The present study enrolled 52 ADHD of adolescents and 41 healthyage-matched controls in this study. This study applied The Readingthe Mind in The Eyes Task (RMET) and Theory of Mind AssessmentScale (Th.o.m.a.s.) for all participants. The results of these tasks were compared between the two study groups. Results e no significant differences between these two study groups in terms of ToM abilities using mean scores in Th.o.m.a.s inventory and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test. Also, we did not find any association between the mean score in ToM (in both study groups) and our study parameters of gender, mean age, birth rank, family structure, and income. Conclusion This study did not support the hypothesis that adolescents with ADHD perform worse on ToM tasks

Glutathione-dependent enzymes in the follicular fluid of the first-retrieved oocyte and their impact on oocyte and embryos in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: Oxidative stress and GSH-dependent antioxidant system plays a key role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Objective: We compared glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of the first-retrieved follicle and their impact on quality of oocyte and embryo in PCOS women undergoing IVF. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 pairs of blood samples and FF of the first-retrieved follicle from PCOS women, at the Infertility center of Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital. The mean activity of GPx and GR, also GSH levels in the serum and FF were compared to the quality of the first follicle and resultant embryo. Results: Retrieved oocytes included 53 (66.25%) MII, 17 (21.25%) MI, and 10 (12.5%) germinal vesicles; after IVF 42 (52.50%) embryos with grade I and 11 (13.75%) with grade II were produced. The mean values for all three antioxidants were higher in the FF compared to serum (p < 0.001). Also all of the mean measured levels were significantly higher in the FF of the MII oocytes compared to that of oocytes with lower grades (p = 0.012, 0.006 and 0.012, respectively). The mean GPX activity and GSH levels were significantly higher in the serum (p = 0.016 and 0.012, respectively) and FF (p = 0.001 for both) of the high-quality grade I embryos. Conclusion: GSH-dependent antioxidant system functions more efficiently in the FF of oocytes and embryos with higher quality. Key words: In vitro fertilization, Glutathione, Antioxidant, Oocyte, Embryo.&nbsp

Stigma barriers of mental health in Iran: A qualitative study by stakeholders of mental health.

Background: Many people who accesses mental health services usually do not seek treatment to avoid the consequences of stigma and label of mental illness. Determining each of these aspects related to stigma reduction barriers seems necessarily. Objective: A qualitative study was undertaken to investigate stigma reduction barriers toward mental disorders in Iran. Methodology: The present study used content analysis and was carried out from 2013 to 2015. All stakeholders have been chosen by purposive sampling technique. All data obtained through 16 individual interviews, 2 focus groups and 6 written narratives. The data were collected, coded and analyzed accordingly.  Results: The major themes were: The universality of stigma, Beliefs, Attitudes and lack of awareness, Mental health providers and other specialists, Cultural barriers, Structures and policy makers, Insufficient financial resources.   Conclusion: It is necessarily to identify the barriers of stigma reduction programs in Iran to increase the quality of life of mental patients. In the present study due to the presence of mental health stakeholders the main barriers have been obtained

Development and psychometric properties of health care workers’ concerns in infectious outbreaks scale

IntroductionHealthcare workers are a crucial workforce; from a moral perspective, understanding their concerns and how to support them is crucial and makes it possible for health services to keep functioning. This study aimed to develop and validate Health Care Workers’ Concerns in Infectious Outbreaks Scale (HCWCIOS).MethodsThis exploratory sequential mix-method study was employed to design and validate the HCWCIOS. The initial tool was designed after searching similar studies and performing a qualitative phase under the semi-structured approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate the face and content validity. The content validity ratio, content validity index, and item-level content validity index were also calculated. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to evaluate the construct validity. Using a convenient sampling method, 354 Iranian healthcare workers participated in the study. Computing Cronbach’s alpha coefficient estimated the internal consistency for HCWCIOS and its subscales. Furthermore assessed was test–retest reliability.ResultsThe preliminary scale was designed with 57 items. By eliminating nine items in the content validity phase and 12 items during factor analysis, the final 36-item scale was developed on six factors: inadequate preparedness, lack of knowledge, risk perception, affected social relations, work pressure, and absenteeism. These six factors accounted for 46.507% of the total variance. The whole scale’s Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.912, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.88.ConclusionA 36-item HCWCIOS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for measuring healthcare workers’ concerns during a pandemic

Zinc sulfate as an adjunct to methylphenidate for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: A double blind and randomized trial [ISRCTN64132371]

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is an early-onset, clinically heterogenous disorder of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder continues to raise controversy, and, there is also an increase in treatment options. In this 6-week double blind, placebo controlled-trial, we assessed the effects of zinc plus methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first double blind and placebo controlled clinical trial assessing the adjunctive role of zinc in ADHD. METHODS: Our subjects were 44 outpatient children (26 boys and 18 girls) between the ages of 5–11 (mean ± SD was 7.88 ± 1.67) who clearly met the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and they were randomized to methylphenidate 1 mg/kg/day + zinc sulfate 55 mg/day (with approximately 15 mg zinc element) (group 1) and methylphenidate 1 mg/kg/day + placebo (sucrose 55 mg) (group 2) for a 6 week double blind clinical trial. The principal measure of the outcome was the Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale. Patients were assessed by a child psychiatrist at baseline, 14, 28 and 42 days after the medication started. RESULTS: The present study shows the Parent and Teacher Rating Scale scores improved with zinc sulfate over this 6-week, double blind and placebo controlled trial. The behavior of the two treatments was not homogeneous across the time. The difference between the two protocols was significant as indicated by the effect on the group, the between-subjects factor (F = 4.15, d.f. = 1, P = 0.04; F = 4.50, d.f. = 1, P = 0.04 respectively). The difference between the two groups in the frequency of side effects was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that zinc as a supplementary medication might be beneficial in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, further investigations and different doses of zinc are required to replicate these findings in children with ADHD

The role of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving attachment patterns, defense styles, and alexithymia in patients with depressive/anxiety disorders

Abstract Introduction Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) emphasizes the centrality of intrapsychic and unconscious conflicts and their relation to development. Although there is evidence supporting the efficacy of LTPP in mental disorders, little research has been published on the efficacy of LTPP for depressive and anxiety disorders. Objective To examine whether patients with anxiety and depressive disorders demonstrate improvement in their attachment styles, defense styles, psychiatric symptoms, anxiety/depressive symptoms, and alexithymia with LTPP. Methods In this retrospective, descriptive study, the psychological outcomes of patients who were treated at the psychoanalytic clinic of Babol University of Medical Sciences were assessed. Fourteen patients diagnosed with depressive or anxiety disorder participated in the study of LTPP using the self-psychology approach. The Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Adult Attachment Scale, 40-item Defense Style Questionnaire, and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale were administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze changes in psychological outcomes after each of the three assessments. Results The mean scores of depression and anxiety and secure attachment improved significantly after LTPP with self-psychology approach from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Also, the mean scores of neurotic and immature defenses, difficulty in identifying feelings, difficulty in describing feelings, externally oriented thinking, and total alexithymia scores decreased significantly from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Conclusion Symptoms of anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, insecure attachment styles, alexithymia, and neurotic/immature defense styles improved after the LTPP with self-psychology approach. Moreover, the improvements persisted at the 6-month follow-up

A Narrative Review on Basic Themes and Traits of Classic Grounded Theory

Introduction: There are many challenges and ambiguities on family of grounded theory (GT) notwithstanding their reputation. Learners of bases and methods and commitment to a specific method are necessary because of the vying nature of different approaches. The aim of this article is to know the traits of Classic GT and to help to differentiate Classic GT from other similar methods. Methods: This article is a traditional review on some of key articles and books of Glaser about Classic GT. Seventeen of Glaser’s books and articles have been used in this article. Results: Two Main concerns of Glaser are “avoidance of force” and “differentiation between classic method and qualitative research methods and other GT methods too”. He has tried to solve these two concerns providing proper strategies in any stage. Conclusion: For doing a quality GT research, knowing and commitment to basic principles and details of this method is necessary. Setting the assumptions aside and avoiding the generalization of qualitative research and other members of GT family to classic GT is one of important basic principles for doing successful classic GT research

The outcomes of humanistic nursing for critical care nurses: A qualitative study

Background: Despite the importance and the necessity of humanistic approaches to care, there are limited studies into their outcomes for nurses. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of humanistic nursing for critical care nurses (CCNs). Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through conventional content analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 CCNs purposively selected from hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Trustworthiness of the data was ensured using Lincoln and Guba's criteria. Results: The outcomes of humanistic nursing were grouped into three main categories, namely personal growth and self-actualization, protection of personal dignity, and greater satisfaction and comfort. Each of these categories had three subcategories which were development of abilities, self-concept and self-worth, spiritual transcendence; greater popularity, improved social status of nursing, appreciation, respect, and support for nurses; and happiness, satisfaction, and motivation, respectively. Conclusion: Humanistic approaches to care help fulfill the needs of both patients and nurses. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding about how to reinforce humanistic behaviors and can be used in nursing education and practice