1. Assistant professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Background & Objective: Cancer is a global concern, and the management of cancer patients dealing with various psychological symptoms is a growing concern. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is effective psychological management in cancer patients improving psychological symptoms. However, the effect of ACT on cancer patients' resilience and general health has not been widely studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ACT on the general health and resilience of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer enrolled in the present study and allocated into intervention and control groups. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and General health questionnaire (GHQ) were filled as pretest and post-test after ACT as eight sessions (each session 9') during four weeks for the intervention group and after 4-weeks for the control group. Results: The mean age of the participants was 35±76.3 years, and the mean age, gender, cancer duration, duration of receiving chemotherapy, and marital status were not significantly different among the study groups. After adjusting for baseline scores, there was a significant difference in study groups in resilience and general health scores. The effects indicate that treatment accounted for 70.9% and 62.6% of the post-test covariance of resilience and general health scores, respectively. Conclusion: ACT could be an effective psychological intervention in increasing general health and resilience among cancer patient

A comparative study of depression and its relationship with physical health among families with and without COVID-19 patients in comprehensive health centers

Background: The prevalence of the coronavirus has had various psychological effects on families with patients suffering from COVID-19, including depression. Depression can also affect the physical health of family members. This study was conducted with the aim of comparing the level of depression and its relationship with physical health among families with and without COVID-19 patients in comprehensive health centers. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2022 in comprehensive health centers in Gorgan (Iran) among 98 families with and without COVID-19 patients, using simple random sampling. The data collection tools included the Beck Depression Inventory and the PHQ physical health questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and tests such as the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Spearman's correlation test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The study revealed that the mean scores of depression and physical health in family members with COVID-19 patients were 11.56±7.50 and 7.60±4.32, respectively, while in families without COVID-19 patients, they were 8.01±4.67 and 3.98±3.43, respectively. The odds of depression (OR=5.11, p=0.001) and physical symptoms (OR=4.68, p=0.002) were higher in families with COVID-19 patients compared to those without. The findings also showed a direct and significant linear correlation between depression and physical health in both groups (p<0.001, r=0.44). Conclusion: These findings increase the awareness of health managers about the prevalence of depression and physical health disorders among families with COVID-19 patients and can help provide economic, social, and psychological support programs for these families

Demographic characteristics and risk actors of children and parents in child abuse subtypes: Findings from a psychosocial support department

Introduction: Child abuse remains a significant public health and social problem in developing countries. Studies on this subject could provide valuable information regarding the scope and nature of this phenomenon and its impact on public health. This study aimed to determine the demographic characteristics and risk factors of children and parents involved in subtypes of child abuse in a psychosocial support department. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a pediatric hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran from 2011 to 2013. The understudy population consisted of 519 child abuse cases that had been referred to psychosocial support departments for further investigations. Data regarding demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected using a questionnaire. Data analyzed through descriptive statistics, Logistic regression and SPSS software version 16. Results: From the total, 315 (60.7%) were boys and 355 (68.4%) were under 6 years. A total of 152 (29.3%) parents had mental disorders. The most common type of abuse in children was neglect (77%). Physical abuse was more commonly done by working mothers. Study results also revealed that physical abuse was less prevalent among children of less educated mothers and fathers. Physical abuse was also more common among children of parents with mental disorders and single parent families. Conclusion: This study showed that demographic characteristics of the child and parents and some related risk factors have a significant effect on child abuse subtypes

Empathy Score among Student Residence Assistants in Iran

Introduction: Empathy, an essential component of the physician–patient relationship, may be linked to positive patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the empathy score among student residence assistants (RAs). Methods: In this descriptive design (cross-sectional study), 102 Iranian RAs participated in the study during 2015, completing the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSPE). Data collection was analyzed using SPSS version 17. MANOVA, independent-samples t-test, Spearman correlation and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for data analysis. Results: Mean score of JSE in the sample was 87.06 (±15.14). The mean scores for perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in the patients shoes were 38.90 (±13.11), 39.27 (±7.94), and 8.89 (±2.80) respectively. Among the three specialties, (psychiatric, internal medicine, surgery) results showed significant differences in total empathy score (p=0.001) and perspective taking score (p= 0.008). Conclusions: this study showed significant differences in total empathy score and perspective taking in three specialties. We suggest that the curriculum in Iranian RAs include more teaching on empathy and communicational skill

Procalcitonin as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with COVID-19 in Southwestern Iran

Background: There is increasing evidence supporting a central role of the viral-induced hyper-inflammatory immune response in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is an emerging prognostic marker in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum procalcitonin and clinical severity and outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in patients with COVID-19 infection from February to April 2020 at Hajar Hospital in the Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, Iran. Results: The results showed that total lymphocyte counts, albumin, calcium, and creatinine levels were significantly different between the two moderate and severe groups, and the mean of procalcitonin level in COVID-19 patients with severe disease was higher (0.36 ng/mL) compared with the patients with moderate disease, and its level was found to be >5 ng/mL in 14.2% of5 ng/mL in 14.2% of patients in the former group. Conclusion: PCT may be a marker of disease severity in COVID-19 and may contribute to determining the severity of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, serial PCT measurements may be beneficial in predicting the prognosi