Investigating effectiveness of school-based group activity play therapy on behavior problems of the elementary school male students in Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: درمانگران از بازی درمانی به عنوان یک مداخله‌ی موثر برای مشکلات رفتاری کودکان نام می برند. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تعیین اثربخشی بازی درمانی مبتنی بر فعالیت گروهی مدرسه- محور بر مشکلات رفتاری دانش آموزان پسر سنین پیش از نوجوانی شهرکرد انجام شد. روش بررسی: این پژوهش در چارچوب یک طرح شبه آزمایشی میدانی با پیش آزمون، پس آزمون و گروه های گواه و دارونما انجام شد. با استفاده از روش نمونه گیری تصادفی چند مرحله ای برای هر کدام از گروه‌های آزمایشی، دارونما و گواه 15 نفر (در مجموع 45 نفر) از میان جامعه‌ی آماری دانش آموزان پسر پایه های چهارم، پنجم و ششم دوره‌ی ابتدایی شهرکرد انتخاب شد. به منظور سنجش مشکلات رفتاری از فرم گزارش معلمان آخنباخ استفاده شد. گروه آزمایشی طی 8 هفته، 16 جلسه‌ی 50 دقیقه ای بازی درمانی مبتنی بر فعالیت گروهی و گروه دارونما 16 جلسه بازی رقابتی و آموزش دریافت کرد. برای گروه کنترل مداخله ای اجرا نشد. جهت تجزیه و تحلیل داده ها از تحلیل کوواریانس چند متغیری استفاده شد. یافته ها: نتایج نشان داد بازی درمانی مبتنی برفعالیت گروهی باعث کاهش مشکلات رفتاری درونی سازی شده‌ ی دانش آموزان گروه آزمایشی شد، اما بر کاهش مشکلات رفتاری برونی سازی شده‌ی آنان اثر معنی داری نداشت. نتیجه گیری: بر مبنای مطالعات موجود در پیشینه‌ی پژوهشی بازی درمانی و همچنین یافته های پژوهش حاضر پیشنهاد می شود، نظام آموزش و پرورش کشور اقدام به راه اندازی مراکز بازی درمانی به عنوان یکی از مناسب ترین رویکردهای مشاوره و روان درمانی برای کودکان در مدارس ابتدایی نماید

Green synthesis of silver/montmorillonite/chitosan bionanocomposites using the UV irradiation method and evaluation of antibacterial activity

In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized using a green physical synthetic route into the lamellar space of montmorillonite (MMT)/chitosan (Cts) utilizing the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation reduction method in the absence of any reducing agent or heat treatment. Cts, MMT, and AgNO3 were used as the natural polymeric stabilizer, solid support, and silver precursor, respectively. The properties of Ag/MMT/Cts bionanocomposites (BNCs) were studied as the function of UV irradiation times. UV irradiation disintegrated the Ag-NPs into smaller sizes until a relatively stable size and size distribution were achieved. Meanwhile, the crystalline structure and d-spacing of the MMT interlayer, average size and size distribution, surface morphology, elemental signal peaks, functional groups, and surface plasmon resonance of Ag/MMT/Cts BNCs were determined by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of Ag-NPs in MMT/Cts was investigated against Gram-positive bacteria, ie, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Gram-negative bacteria (ie, Escherichia coli) by the disk diffusion method on Muller–Hinton Agar at different sizes of Ag-NPs. All of the synthesized Ag/MMT/Cts BNCs were found to have high antibacterial activity. These results show that Ag/MMT/Cts BNCs can be useful in different biologic research and biomedical applications, such as surgical devices and drug delivery vehicles

A STUDY OF STRUCTURAL RELATIONS OF SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF ADDICTION POTENTIAL

The purpose of this study was developing, testing and modifying a model to understand the relationships between some psychological risk and protective factors to addiction potential. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the associations between parenting styles and potential addiction mediated by novelty seeking, behavior problems and coping strategies in a sample of 572 third grade high school students (male: 328, female: 244) in Mashhad, Iran. The participants were selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected by questionnaires containing, Parenting Style Questionnaire, Temperament and Character Inventory, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation, Achenbach Youth Self-Report Scale and Iranian Addiction Potential Scale. Amos-16 model program software was applied for structural equation modeling. In general, the modified model had a good fit with the data (CFI = .90, RMSEA = .07) after deleting the coefficients without significance, and considering covariance between some of error variables. The present study found many of the predicted relations between parenting styles and potential addiction mediated by novelty seeking, behavior problems and coping strategies, although the most of purposed paths between permissive parenting style and other variables were not significant. Based on standard coefficients, emotion-oriented, problem-oriented, avoidance-oriented coping strategies and problem behaviors have more effect on addiction potential, respectively. The clinical and applied implications of results and model presented in this study are discussed in details

Comparative effects of group metacognitive therapy versus behavioural activation in moderately depressed students

Background: The high incidence and prevalence rates of depression among students identify them as a vulnerable population and make the case for the development of cost-effective treatments. Aims: We aimed to examine the comparative effects of brief group metacognitive therapy (MCT) versus behavioural activation (BA) treatments for depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation in university students. Method: All participants (25 women, 16 men; age range: 18–30 years) fulfilled criteria for major depression and were randomly assigned to MCT (n1⁄415), BA (n1⁄415), or a wait-list control group (n 1⁄4 15). The treatment groups received 8 weekly MCT or BA sessions. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were used as outcome measures. Results: This pilot study showed that both treatments were equally effective for depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, therapeutic techniques differed with regards to their effects on specific facets of emotion regulation, such as Positive Reappraisal and Catastrophizing, with MCT being more effective compared to BA. BA also showed a stronger relapse at follow-up with regards to Acceptance and Refocus on Planning. Conclusions: Results suggest that groups MCT and BA may be implemented as cost-effective treatments for students with moderate depressio

Improving Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Using Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Objective: Comorbidity with depression is a critical issue in dealing with diabetes type 2. Any intervention for diabetes treatment must consider the psychological dimensions associated with it. The aim of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on depression and quality of life of women with diabetes type 2. Method: The sample included 30 diabetic women comorbid with depression who were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups. The subjects received 10 sessions of group cognitive behavioral therapy and filled out Beck s Depression Inventory (BDI) and Quality of Life Scales befor and after the intervention. Results: Using MANCOVA shows that the intervention in the experimental group decreased the depression symptoms (F=72.17, p<0.001) and improved quality of life(F=8.82, p<0.05) in the compared to the control group. The results were statistically significant at p<0/05. Conclusion : The findings suggest that applying cognitive behavior therapy could help in decreasing the psychological symptoms related to diabetes type 2 and subsequently increase the patients’ quality of life.

Comparison of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and theory of mind: Improvement of posttraumatic growth and emotion regulation strategies

Background: Assessing various therapeutic methods with the intention to decrease the problems relevant to abused children is of high significance. Accordingly, the present study seeks to compare the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF.CBT) with an emphasis on the theory of mind on posttraumatic growth and emotional regulation strategies in abused children. Materials and Methods: This quasi-randomized clinical trial study was done on 39 abused children who referred to welfare organization centers in Ahvaz – Iran. After randomized allocation, the TF. CBT and theory of mind method were implemented for two groups. Before and after the interventions, posttraumatic growth and emotional regulation strategies were assessed with using Kilmer's posttraumatic growth inventory and Garnefski emotional regulation questionnaire. Results: The study findings indicated that the mean of the posttraumatic growth and adaptive and maladaptive emotional regulation strategies in the TF.CBT group was significantly higher than that of other study groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: TF.CBT can lead to increased levels of posttraumatic growth and improve emotional regulation strategies in abused children. Theory of mind method can also be effective in improving emotional regulation strategies

Green Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using &lt;em&gt;Callicarpa maingayi&lt;/em&gt; Stem Bark Extraction

Different biological methods are gaining recognition for the production of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) due to their multiple applications. The use of plants in the green synthesis of nanoparticles emerges as a cost effective and eco-friendly approach. In this study the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using &lt;em&gt;Callicarpa maingayi &lt;/em&gt;stem bark extract has been reported. Characterizations of nanoparticles were done using different methods, which include; ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXF) spectrometry, zeta potential measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. UV-visible spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver nanoparticles showed absorption peak at around 456 nm. The TEM study showed that mean diameter and standard deviation for the formation of silver nanoparticles were 12.40 ± 3.27 nm. The XRD study showed that the particles are crystalline in nature, with a face centered cubic (fcc) structure. The most needed outcome of this work will be the development of value added products from &lt;em&gt;Callicarpa maingayi &lt;/em&gt;for biomedical and nanotechnology based industries