The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling on Maternal-Fetal Attachment among Pregnant Women with Unwanted Pregnancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Unwanted pregnancy is an event bringing about adverse effects on the mother, the baby and, ultimately, on the whole family. The establishment and enhancement of maternal-fetal attachment play a role in the promotion of emotional communication between the mother and the child in the future. This study aimed at investigating the effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling on maternal-fetal attachment among pregnant women with unwanted pregnancy. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 eligible pregnant women with unwanted pregnancy and gestational age of 22-28 weeks who had referred to healthcare centers in Mashhad, a city in the northeast of Iran, were selected and they were through random block  assignment divided into two groups of counseling with the cognitive-behavioral approach (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). In addition to the routine pregnancy care, the cognitive-behavioral counseling group received 4 group counseling sessions on a weekly basis, while the control group only received the routine pregnancy care from healthcare providers. Maternal-fetal attachment before and after intervention in the two groups was assessed through Cranley’s Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. Comparison of mean scores within and between the two groups was performed using SPSS 21 through independent and paired t-tests. Results:  At the end of the study and after the intervention, the mean scores of maternal-fetal attachment in the intervention and control groups were  94.06±11.73 and 80.16 ± 10.09, respectively, and the difference between the groups was significant. Although the difference between the mean scores of each group at the beginning and the end of the study was significant, this difference between the two groups was also noticeable (21.56 ± 12.16 versus 7.40 ± 12.39) and statistically significant . Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral counseling can be effective in enhancing the maternal-fetal attachment in unwanted pregnancies; therefore, it is recommended to be integrated into pregnant women's healthcare programs

The Role of Critical Thinking Components in Predicting Students’ Self-Efficacy (Case Study: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of critical thinking components in predicting self-efficacy (effort, self-regulation, and diligence) among the students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Statistical population of the study included 609 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and 361 students were selected via random sampling as the statistical sample. The data were collected using both standard questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire whose reliability was confirmed by experts in the field. The validity of the whole questionnaire was also calculated at 0.90 via Cronbach alpha. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 20 applications. Results, according to research hypotheses, revealed that both the components of cognitive maturity and engagement, as dimensions of tendency to critical thinking, in the first hypothesis, have an impact on students’ effort. However, the relationship between the component of innovation and students’ effort were rejected. In the second hypothesis, moreover, it was confirmed that the components of innovativeness and engagement can predict students’ self-regulation. That is, there was a significant relationship between the components of innovativeness and engagement with students’ self-regulation. Nevertheless, it was revealed that the component of cognitive maturity has no impact on students’ self-regulation

Development of the short form Iranian women childbirth experience questionnaire: a confirmatory factor analysis approach item reduction

Abstract Introduction Considering that childbirth experience has short- and long-term effects on women’s lives, it is necessary to examine their delivery experiences. This study aimed to prepare the short form of a 52-item Iranian women’s childbirth experience questionnaire with seven factors: professional support, preparation, control, positive perception, baby, family support, and fear. Methods This methodological research was conducted on women aged 15 to 49 years (n = 770) with uncomplicated vaginal delivery. The short form of the Iranian women’s childbirth experience questionnaire was prepared in four stages. The first stage was exploratory factor analysis, conducted on 250 samples, the second stage was confirmatory factor analysis which was performed on 260 samples, independent of the first stage, to report goodness and fit indices, and the third stage employed items from modification indices, expected parameter change, and standardized residual covariance, leading to the short form of Iranian women childbirth experience questionnaire. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis was run on 260 samples, independent of the previous two stages, to confirm the short form and compare it with the original questionnaire for psychometric analysis. Results In the exploratory factor analysis stage, nine items with a factor load of less than 0.4 were removed, and the number of domains was reduced to five. The second stage showed that the questionnaire had a goodness of fit index. However, the third stage resulted in removing 11 overlapping items and making a short questionnaire with 33 items. Finally, the confirmatory factor analysis in the last stage showed appropriate goodness of fit for the short form of the Iranian women’s childbirth experiences questionnaire (2/df = 2.352, CFI = 0.881, PCFI = 0.750, RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.0862). Conclusion The short form of the Iranian women’s childbirth experiences questionnaire enjoyed from an appropriate psychometric evaluation. It is recommended when applying the original questionnaire is not feasible due to lack of time

Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Postmenopausal Psychological Symptoms: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: Psychological symptoms of menopause may impose a negative effect on the quality of life of menopausal women. Thus, the management of these symptoms can improve the quality of life and psychological health of such woman. The present study aimed to determine the effect of evening primrose on psychological symptoms in menopausal women. Methods: In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, the effect of the evening primrose oil on postmenopausal psychological symptoms was investigated. The subjects were 100 menopausal women, referred to a healthcare center in Dastena city (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran), who were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group used two 1 g pearls of evening primrose oil daily. The study instruments included a sub-scale of Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Menopause data were analyzed using an independent t-test and Friedman test by the SPSS software. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The two groups were balanced in demographic characteristics and psychological disorder severity before the intervention. The median (interquartile range) MRS score in the intervention group before the intervention and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention were 11 (10-12), 6 (5-7), and 3 (2-4), respectively, and in the placebo, they were 11 (9-11), 10 (9-11), and 11 (10-12). A significant reduction was observed in the intervention group compared with the placebo group 2 and 4 weeks post-intervention. Conclusion: The use of evening primrose oil can decrease postmenopausal psychological symptoms. Keywords: Evening primrose oil; Post-menopausal; Psychological

Path Analysis to Determine the Relationship Between Marital Dissatisfaction, Premenstrual Syndrome and Emotional Dimension of Quality of Life in Women

Introduction: Marital satisfaction was defined as individuals&rsquo; global subjective evaluation of the quality of their marriage. Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional concept and includes all aspects of individuals&rsquo; lives. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by a wide variety of emotional and physical symptoms and behavioral changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of marital dissatisfaction and premenstrual syndrome in the emotional dimension of quality of life. &nbsp; Methods: This study was analytical cross-sectional.&nbsp; 246 women referred to health centers in the border Yazd city, were recruited, voluntarily or accidentally. Tools for data collection were Quality of life questionnaire SF36, Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool and Index of Marital Satisfaction(QOL &PSST & IMS). Data collected was coded by SPSS18, descriptive statistics were used to summarize and organize the data and analyzed with path analyze Test. Results: Marital dissatisfaction (p = 0.021) and premenstrual syndrome (p = 0.001) have a direct negative effect on the quality of life's emotional dimension, and the severity of premenstrual syndrome has a stronger effect. Also, marital dissatisfaction with the effect on the severity of premenstrual syndrome (p = 0.001) indirectly affects the quality of life's emotional dimension. Conclusions: The findings of this study emphasize that women with premenstrual syndrome and marital dissatisfaction have a problem in their emotional dimension, so women should be taught that, in order to have a better mental health, to overcome Complications of marital life and recognizing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and its improvement strategies will further control these factors and increase their quality of life