Self-worth and self-knowledge in Iranian patients seeking cosmetic surgery : a comparative study

Prior research has reported a psychological impairment in patients seeking cosmetic surgery. However, the role of other variables such as contingencies of self-worth and self-knowledge has been ignored. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine new psychological structures, contingencies of self-worth, and self-knowledge among patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Eighty patients (47 female and 33 male; mean age = 28.98, SD = 8.32; 40 seeking cosmetic surgery and 40 seeking surgical treatment) were randomly recruited from the Shahid Motahhari clinic in Shiraz, Iran. The patients completed the Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale, Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale, Subjective Vitality Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. The results showed that, compared to the surgical treatment group, self-worth in patients seeking cosmetic surgery was found to depend on their appearance and the approval of others. Further, the self-knowledge in patients seeking cosmetic surgery was lower than that of patients seeking surgical treatment. In addition, there were no significant differences between the two groups in vitality, depression, anxiety, and stress. It can be concluded that patients seeking cosmetic surgery have lower self-knowledge and their self-esteem depends on their appearance and the approval of others

Examining patience as a psycho-religious construct in Iranian patients with cardiovascular diseases : a pilot study

The current study aimed to compare patience and its components in cardiovascular patients (CVPs) with healthy individuals. Ninety-one patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) referring to the clinic of Imam Reza in the city of Shiraz in Iran, and 91 healthy individuals were recruited by convenience sampling method. They completed demographics questionnaire and the Patience Scale. The data were analysed by sets of analysis of covariance. Results showed significant difference between CVPs and healthy participants on patience (M = 85.92, SD = 12.69 vs. M = 90.45, SD = 11.33); patients had less patience mean than their healthy peers (F = 9.423, η2 = .050, p = .002). The results also indicated that cardiac patients had significantly lower scores on patience components of transcendence, persistence, and delay than the healthy group (all p’s  .05). According to the results of the present study, it can be inferred that less patience may play a key role in vulnerability to physical illnesses such as CVDs

Patience mediates the relationship between mindfulness and pain in patients with cardiovascular diseases

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of patience in the relationship between mindfulness and pain among patients with cardiovascular disease. A cross-sectional design was employed. One hundred and ten patients with cardiovascular diseases were conveniently sampled from the clinic of Imam Reza in the city of Shiraz in Iran. Participants completed self-report measures of mindfulness, patience, and pain. Structural equation modeling was performed with Amos 16.0. Results indicated that mindfulness and patience had a significant inverse relationship with pain. There was also a significant positive relationship between patience and mindfulness. Estimated indirect effects showed that patience partly mediated the relationship between mindfulness and pain. These results show that among cardiovascular patients, increases in mindfulness are associated with reductions in pain as a function of increased patience. Therefore, patience is plausibly a key mechanism for understanding the impact of mindfulness on pain reduction

[In Press] Dimensional investigation of individual differences in personality disorder traits based on the three-dimensional model of personality self-regulation

The aim of the present study is to conduct a dimensional investigation of personality disorder traits based on the three-dimensional model of personality self-regulation (TDMPS). This model includes the following three basic elements for self-regulation: self-control, self-knowledge/mindfulness, and self-compassion. A total of 432 university students completed the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Self-Control Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. By controlling for demographic (age and gender) and psychopathological variables, the results of hierarchical regression analyses showed that the dimensional scores for schizotypal, narcissistic, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders were characterized by deficiencies in mindfulness; antisocial personality disorder was characterized by deficiencies in self-control; paranoid personality disorder was characterized by deficiencies in mindfulness and self-compassion; histrionic personality disorder was characterized by deficiencies in mindfulness and self-control; avoidant and dependent personality disorders were characterized by deficiencies in self-knowledge and self-compassion; and finally, the dimensional scores of borderline personality disorder were characterized by deficiencies in all variables. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that personality disorders are, at least partly, separable based on TDMPS

Mindfulness and suicide ideation in Iranian cardiovascular patients : testing the mediating role of patience

The aim of the present study was to explore the mediating role of patience on the relationship between mindfulness and suicide ideation. To do so, 110 patients with cardiovascular diseases were recruited from the outpatient Clinic of Imam Reza in the city of Shiraz in Iran. These patients completed The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, Patience Scale, and Suicide Ideation Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between mindfulness and patience (r =.32, p <.001). There was a significant negative relationship between patience and suicide ideation (r = −.36, p <.001). The results of mediating model showed that patience functioned as a mediator in the relationship between mindfulness and suicide ideation among patients with cardiovascular diseases (β = −.33, p =.005). According to these findings, it can be claimed that mindfulness affects patients’ suicidal thoughts negatively through patience

Examining the mediating role of stress in the relationship between mindfulness and depression and anxiety : testing the mindfulness stress-buffering model

Many studies have shown that mindfulness can reduce psychological distress; however, the mechanism underlying these effects is still unknown. Along these lines, the mindfulness stress-buffering model provides a hypothesis for explaining the effect of mindfulness on health outcomes through reducing stress. In order to test this model, we investigated the mediating role of stress in the relationship between mindfulness and depression and anxiety. Four hundred and thirty-two university students completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Data were analyzed by a structural equation modeling using the bootstrap resampling method (k = 10,000) using the AMOS 24.0 software. The results of the mediating model showed that stress fully mediated the relationship between mindfulness and depression and partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety in students. Our results suggest that mindfulness, at least partially, yields beneficial effects in reducing depression and anxiety through reducing stress. Therefore, our findings supported the mindfulness stress-buffering model

Insecure attachment and subclinical depression, anxiety, and stress : a three-dimensional model of personality self-regulation as a mediator

Although the effects of insecure attachment on vulnerability, incidence, and developing mental disorders have been confirmed by many studies, the mechanism of this effect is still unknown. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate the mediating and moderating role of the three-dimensional model of personality self-regulation in the relationship between insecure attachment and subclinical depression, anxiety, and stress. Four hundred Iranian students at Shiraz University were recruited and completed the following scales: the Revised Adult Attachment, Depression Anxiety Stress, Integrative Self-Knowledge, Mindful Attention Awareness, Self-Control, and Self-Compassion. Results showed that there was a moderate correlation among all the variables under study in the expected directions. Multiple mediating models analyses indicated that regarding the relationship between insecure attachment and depression, the components of integrative self-knowledge, self-control, and self-compassion functioned as mediators. However, regarding the relationship between insecure attachment and anxiety and stress, the components of integrative self-knowledge, mindfulness, and self-compassion relatively functioned as mediators. Further, our results showed that only mindfulness and self-compassion were identified as moderators in the relationship between insecure attachment and depression. It is concluded that insecure attachment may cause psychological damage due to deficiency in the components of the three-dimensional model of personality self-regulation, and that mindfulness and self-compassion may play a protective role in the relationship between insecure attachment and depression

Examining the relationship between personality disorder traits and inhibitory/initiatory self-control and dimensions of self-compassion

Personality disorders (PDs) are related to self-control deficiencies, but little is known about whether these deficiencies are related to inhibitory or initiatory self-control. In addition, individuals with PDs also show maladaptive responses to difficult life events, but little is also known about how an individual with a specific PD reacts to stressful life events. Thus, this preliminary study aimed at investigating the relationship between personality disorder traits and inhibitory and initiatory self-control as well as components of self-compassion (including its dimensions self-kindness_self-judgment, common humanity_isolation, mindfulness_over-identification). To do so, 400 university students completed the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, Self-Control Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale. Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that the total personality disorder scores were predicted by high scores on self-judgment, low scores on inhibitory self-control, high scores on isolation and over-identification. Cluster A was predicted by high scores on over-identification, isolation, and low scores on inhibitory self-control. Cluster B was predicted by low scores on inhibitory self-control, high scores on isolation and self-judgment. Cluster C was predicted by high scores on self-judgment, low scores on initiatory self-control, high scores on isolation, and low scores on mindfulness. The results also showed that all personality disorder traits are associated with different aspects of self-control and self-compassion. This study provided preliminary findings showing each different personality disorder trait was characterized by deficiency of either inhibitory or initiatory self-control, as well as mostly negative dimensions of self-compassion

Examining perceived stress, childhood trauma and interpersonal trauma in individuals with drug addiction

The investigation of psychosocial factors in relation to opiate addiction is limited and typically uses binary measures to assess how incidences of childhood trauma correlate with addiction. There has also been a lack of enquiry into how experiences of noninterpersonal versus interpersonal trauma may impact drug use addiction. In this regard, the current study utilized a novel measurement of interpersonal versus noninterpersonal lifetime trauma and a scale assessing severity of childhood trauma to examine how these factors may impact patients with opioid addiction. The interaction between these factors and current perceived stress was also examined. Thirty-six opioid-dependent individuals (recruited from the Drug Health Services and Opioid Treatment Program at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia) and 33 healthy controls completed the Childhood Maltreatment Questionnaire, Lifetime Trauma Survey, and Perceived Levels of Stress Scale. The patient group reported significantly greater childhood trauma severity, more incidences of lifetime trauma, and higher perceived stress than controls. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the severity of childhood trauma was more strongly associated with addiction status than perceived stress. A greater number of lifetime trauma incidence was the best predictor of addiction. Contrary to expectations, noninterpersonal lifetime trauma was a better predictor of addiction status than was interpersonal lifetime trauma. Results suggest that lifetime trauma and childhood trauma may play an important factor in opioid addiction over what can be accounted for by stress