ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus [DM] affects multiple aspects of life in a diabetic patient. These influences does not take two much attention in the health system. The Persian version of quality of life assessment tools in these patients is not checked. The aim of this study was to examine the normative data and some of the psychometric properties of the Persian version of quality of life questionnaire in patients with diabetes mellitus in an Iranian population. Subjects were DM patients who were referred to health centers of Isfahan city [Iran] in 2007. A total number of 120 diabetic patients were selected through stratified randomized sampling as well as equal number of matched control subjects. A demographic questionnaire, diabetes quality of life [DQOL] and WHO- quality of life [WHO-QOL] tools were administered to both groups. The total mean score of QOL was relatively low in DM patients except for the domains of worries. Using the chronbach's alpha test, the reliability of the whole questionnaire and its subscales were determined to be 0.89 and 0.51 to 0.84, respectively. Also each question showed an internal positive consistency whit the whole questionnaire except for the 8th question of the effects domain [r=-0.21]. The correlation co-efficient of co-administration of the two questionnaires and their subscales were 0.63 0.60, 0.39 and 1.18 to 3.37, respectively. The cut-off point was determined to be 2.06 based on the analysis of differentiations. The factor analysis was using the major elements and Varimax Rotation resulted in 6 factors. Our findings showed that the DQOL has proper normative data and psychometric properties in our samples. This questionnaire can be used in confidence by the health centers of Iran
ABSTRACT
Since adulthood antisocial, aggressive and delinquent behaviors often have their onset early in life, investigating the association between biological factors and disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents are important and are emphasized on in the recent years. Baseline cortisol level seems to be a valuable biological marker of individuals with Disruptive Behavior Disorder [DBD]. This study examined the effect of parent training on salivary cortisol levels of children with DBD. Saliva samples were assayed to determine cortisol levels in nineteen clinic-referred children with DBD [aged 8 through 13 years] before and after an eight-session parent training program. Children's disruptive behaviors were assessed by Child Behavior Check List before and after the intervention. Children's salivary cortisol increased significantly after parent training sessions. Children with DBD who had lower basal cortisol levels had more severe disruptive behaviors and a better response to intervention by parent training as assessed by changes in cortisol levels and disruptive behaviour scores. However, post-interventional reduction of disruptive behaviors and increase in cortisol level was significant for all levels of baseline cortisol. Parent training is an effective method for behavioral modification in DBD. Salivary cortisol may be considered a predictive factor for severity of the child or adolescent's disruptive behaviors and also for response of those behaviors to parent training