Analysis of Psychosocial Consequences of Covid-19 Disease and Vaccination in the Elderly: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: The elderly are one of the sensitive groups at risk of developing Covid-19 disease. We aimed to investigate the psychosocial consequences of Covid-19 disease and vaccination in the elderly. Methods: The phenomenological method was used in the current study. The study population included all the elderly receiving the Covid-19 vaccine in Sari city, Iran. 13 individuals were selected through purposeful sampling method who were interviewed afterwards. The Colaizzi Phenomenological method was used to analyze the data. Results: Data analysis led to the identification of 5 main themes, 11 sub-themes, and 56 primary open themes. The first major theme was "psychological status." Psychological status included a set of reactions that included the following sub-themes: 1-Positive psychological status, 2-Negative psychological status. The second main theme was "recreational and communication status". Recreational and communication status was a set of behaviors that included the following sub-themes: 1-Health-based personal entertainment and communication, 2-Destructive entertainment and communication. The third main theme was physical and health status with these central themes: 1-Psychological and behavioral consequences of receiving the vaccine, 2-Physical complications of receiving the vaccine, and 3-Change in physical examinations. The economic status as the fourth main theme included: 1-High cost of Covid-19, 2-Career problems. Finally, the last major theme was lifestyle with the following central codes: 1-Pre-corona family plans and, 2-Post-corona family plans. Conclusions: The results showed that it is important to pay attention to the experience of the elderly in the coronavirus crisis and that the devastating consequences of Covid-19 can be avoided

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

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training in Reducing Depression in Visually Impaired Male Students

Objectives: According to the prevalence of psychological problems, especially depression in people with visual impairment, this study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of group training of cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing depression in visually impaired male students.&nbsp; Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design, with pre-test and post-test and control group. The study population included 30 students with visual impairment from high school and pre-university levels. The subjects studied at the Martyr Mohebi School in Tehran which is for visually impaired students. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling method and were assigned randomly to experimental and control groups (15 subjects in each group). The second version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II was used as pre-test and post-test for both groups. The experimental group received 10 sessions (twice a week) of cognitive behavioral therapy while the control group followed their daily routine. Results: Data analysis was done using statistical software SPSS (version 21). ANCOVA test was performed to examine differences between the two groups. The findings of this study indicate that cognitive-behavioral therapy training was significantly effective in reducing depressive symptoms of male students with visual impairment in the experimental group (P<0.01). Discussion: The findings demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy was significantly effective in improving depression of male students with visual impairment in experimental group. The group training needs to be adopted by medical practitioners on a cohort for validating its effectiveness on a larger scale

Structural Factors Contributing to Suicidal Ideation in Iranian Older Adults: A Grounded Theory Approach

Introduction: The high rate of complete suicide in older adults on the one hand and the low report of suicidal thoughts by them compared to other groups on the other hand, indicate the importance of suicide in this group. The objective of this study was to explore the structural factors contributing to suicidal ideation in Iranian older adults. Methods: This was a qualitative study using grounded theory approach. The sample included a total of 13 community-dwelling (visiting day-care centers and psychiatric clinics) and institutionalized older adults aged 60 years or above selected using purposive and theoretical sampling methods. The data were collected using in-depth  semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using constant comparative method, constant review of the written text of the interviews, field notes, and memo writing via Strauss and Corbin’s method. Results: The results indicated 2 main categories including perceived adversities and negative self-concept that were represented in the form of 10 subcategories including having a difficult life, financial strain, retirement, disempowerment, disrupted family, being lonely, being a trouble to others, self-perceived uselessness, lack of control over life, and losing reputation. Conclusion: Suicidal ideation among Iranian older adults occurs in the context of negative life events that can cause significant pain and suffering. The concepts related to family, health, and performance of older adults are especially important in the development of suicidal thoughts due to their cultural significance. Therefore, professionals and policymakers can reduce suicidal ideation in older adults by enriching social interactions, increasing welfare activities, paying more attention to spiritual capacities, and generally reducing the structural challenges in day-care centers and nursing homes