Mediator role of experiential avoidance in relationship of perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediatory role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health. We enrolled 440 students [age 18-30 years] at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences through stratified random sampling method. The study tools were demographic checklist, GHQ-28, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analysed by SPSS-18 and AMOS-18 using Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling [SEM]. There was a significant positive correlation between perceived stress and experiential avoidance, and alexithymia and mental health problems [P < 0.001]. SEM showed that the relationship between perceived stress and mental health problems by experiential avoidance was 0.19 [[beta = 0.19; standard error [SE] = 0.09; P = 0.001], and the relationship between alexithymia and mental health problems through experiential avoidance was 0.09 [beta = 0.09; SE = 0.43; P = 0.01]. The mediatory role of experiential avoidance was confirmed in such a way that the effects of alexithymia and perceived stress decreased

relationship between rural women's health-related quality of life and domestic violence

Nowadays, by development of societies, health related quality of life has become a very important issue. Traditionally for health assessment, some indexes such as; morbidity, mortality, and life expectancy, have been taken into consideration but these factors are not able to assess life satisfaction. The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between rural women's health-related quality of life [HRQOL] and domestic violence. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural districts of Kermanshah, Iran, 2012. Using multistage cluster sampling, 394 women were selected. They completed WHOQOL-BREF and Conflict Tactics Scale [CTS] questionnaires. Data analyzed by SPSS 16, using Pearson correlation and regression tests. The mean scores of total QOL were 55.8 +/- 12.9. There was significant inverse correlation between domestic violence dimensions and all health-related quality of life domains [P < 0.01]. Domestic violence can affect rural women's health-related quality of life negatively. Regarding the hidden nature of domestic violence and its presence in all communities, taking into consideration policies to reduce violence through legal education and raising women awareness can positively affect women's quality of life

Perceived Stress, Alexithymia, and Psychological Health as Predictors of Sedative Abuse / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: The harmful effects of sedative medications and substances in conjunction with limited research regarding predictive psychological constructs of drug abuse necessitate further investigation of associated factors. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the roles of perceived stress, alexithymia, and psychological health as predictors of sedative abuse in medical students. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 548 students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected using stratified random sampling. The data were obtained using the Perceived Stress Scale, an alexithymia scale (Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20), and a General Health Questionnaire to assess psychological health. Data were analyzed using discriminant analyses. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the user and non-user of sedative substances groups had significantly different predictive variables (except for social function disorder) (P>0.05). Physical complaints, alexithymia, and perceived stress, which had standard coefficients of 0.80, 0.60, and -0.27, respectively, predicted sedative drug use. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that perceived stress, alexithymia, physical complaints, anxiety, and depression are associated with sedative drug abuse.

Evaluation of six years allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma

Allergen immunotherapy involves the administration of gradually increasing quantities of specific allergens to patients with IgE-mediated conditions until a dose is reached that is effective in reducing disease severity from natural exposure. In the present study we evaluated a period of six years immunotherapy allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma patients with positive skin prick test of common aeroallergen. The immunotherapy was performed on 156 patients. One hundred twenty of the cases were allergic rhinitis [80%], 29 cases had allergic asthma and 7 cases were mixed [4.5%]. 70% in allergic rhinitis group, 75% in allergic asthma group and 42.8% in mixed group completely improved. Immunotherapy, an older therapeutic method, has now been updated, and with appropriate indications, precautions and methods, has been clearly shown to be effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and in some cases of asthma and insect hypersensitivity

Effect of aerobic exercise training on pulmonary function and tolerance of activity in asthmatic patients

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a course of aerobic exercise on pulmonary function and tolerance of activity in asthmatic patients. Among the asthmatic patients, 36 patients [M= 16, F= 20] were chosen after clinical examinations, pulmonary function test, skin prick test [SPT] for aeroallergen and a six minute walk test [6MWT] on their own free will. A patient was said to have Exercise Induced Asthma [EIA] when he/she fulfilled the following criteria; [1] FEV[1] < 80%, [2] 12% increase or more in FEV[1] or PEF after short-acting [beta][2] agonist prescription and [3] 15% decrease in FEV[1] or PEF after 6MWT with 70% or 80% of maximum heart rate. The patients were randomly put into two groups of case [M=8, F=10, Mean age=27] and control [M=8, F=10, Mean age=29]. Case group participated in eight week aerobic exercise plan, while control group had no plan of exercise. Pulmonary function tests were done before and after the course of exercise. There were significant changes in FEV1, FVC, PEF, FEF[25-75%], MVV, RF and 6MWT between asthmatic patients of the two groups [P