effectiveness of integrative group therapy on improving problem-solving skills

Today, the psychological and behavioral science experts pay attention to the problem-solving skill as a basic skill. Improving the problem-solving skill is better done through psychological trainings in the form of a group in which communication is the most important issue. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of integrative group therapy on the problem-solving skill. This study is an experimental study with pretest-posttest approach. Thirty clients who were referring to the Counseling and Psychological Services Center of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad were chosen based on screening method. In addition, they were randomly divided into two equal groups: experimental and control groups [13 participants each]. Problem-solving questionnaire was used to collect data as well as the experimental intervention was integrative group therapy that was administrated during 8 weekly two-hour sessions. Mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis in the descriptive level and covariate method was used at the inference level [ANCOVA]. The results suggest that the problem-solving skills in the experimental group were significantly increased. Moreover, the significant difference was observed in subscales closeness, control, confidence and creative. Integrative group therapy could be an effective intervention for improving problem-solving skills

Comparing postpartum stressors and social support level in primiparous and multiparous women

Postpartum period is an exclusive period after birth which can act as a potential stressor and could be accompanied with psychological disorders. Social support could play an important role in maternal mental health. Considering various stressors and different levels of social support for women, this study aimed to compare postpartum stressors as well as social support level between primiparous and multiparous women. This descriptive comparative study was conducted on 400 primiparous and multiparous mothers who referred to urban health centers, Mashhad, Iran in 2011. They had no history of medical or psychological problems and had healthy term neonates who were 8-25 days old. The sampling was carried out through a multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using modified Hung questionnaire of postpartum stressors, Helen questionnaire of anxiety and Hopkins social support questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive analytic statistics by SPSS version 11. The mean stress scores were 242.5 +/- 157.1 in primiparous and 28.8 +/- 179.8 in multiparous women. The main stressor of primiparous and multiparous women was neonate bathing and lower-back pain, respectively. The mean score of social support was 108.3 +/- 8.25 in the primiparous and 102.0 +/- 26.6 in multiparous women, which showed a significant difference between two groups [P=0.000]. Various care programs are essential to support primiparous and multiparous mothers from different stressors that they face in postpartum period. It is also recommended to provid more information regarding the social support for the families

Relationship between personality characteristics and sleep quality in menopausal women referred to educational Gynecology clinics of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Postmenopausal women suffer from sleep problems due to night sweats and serotonin deficiency caused by estrogen deficiency. Considering that the cause of different reactions to menopausal symptoms including sleep disturbances has not been recognized, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics and sleep quality in postmenopausal women. This correlational study was carried out on 400 postmenopausal women referred to gynecology clinics of university hospitals in Mashhad, Iran in 2012 who were selected conveniently. Study tools included NEO-FFI personality characteristics questionnaire [including 60 items] and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS software [version 16] using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. The mean age of menopausal women was 52.3 +/- 4.07 years. The mean score of menopausal age was 48.8 +/- 3.5 years and the duration of amenorrhea was 3.8 +/- 1.5 years. The highest and lowest score of personality characteristics was related to "openness to experience" and the "neuroticism", respectively. There was a direct correlation between extroversion and sleep quality [P=0.013]. Considering that extroverted women have a better quality of sleep, it is suggested that personality characteristics of women to be considered in the management protocols of sleep disturbances in post menopausal women

Prevalence, patterns, and socio-demographic correlates of nicotine use in a sample of Iranian university students

Diagnosis of nicotine dependence is a common psychiatric disorder. Use of tobacco products, particularly cigarette smoking, is the most widespread form of nicotine use. To determine the prevalence of cigarette, water-pipe, and oral tobacco use among students at Ferdowsi University in Iran and to evaluate the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and nicotine use. A cross-sectional survey of 1565 students was conducted in December 2009 at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in Iran. The survey included questions from the substance use section of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire. Three manners of prevalent nicotine use were evaluated: cigarette, water-pipe and oral tobacco use. Data were analyzed using chi [2] tests and logistic regression analysis. For cigarette use, 17.6% of respondents reported using cigarettes at least once, 3.7% reported using cigarettes occasionally, and 3.9% reported using cigarettes on a regular basis. For water-pipe use, the corresponding percentages were 30.5%, 6.4%, and 4.3%, respectively. Men were more likely than women to report using nicotine at least once [odds ratio 5.46; 95% confidence interval, 3.9-7.60] or regularly [odds ratio 11.267; 95% confidence interval, 6.64 - 19.11]. The odds of having used nicotine at least once were higher in students with poor academic performance, very good family income, and a history of cigarette smoking by family members. The prevalence of nicotine use among Ferdowsi University students is lower than the prevalence in the general population of Iran and the prevalence in other countries

[ efficacy of detached mindfulness and distraction techniques in craving and relapse rates in opiate dependent male subjects]

This research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of detached mindfulness techniques versus distraction techniques to decrease the craving and the relapse rate in patients with substance dependent disorders. In this multiple baseline experimental study, 6 male substance dependent subjects were selected based on the objective sampling method among clients of Parsian center for substance dependency treatment in 2005 in Mashhad, north-eastern part of Iran. The patients were randomly divided into two groups whom received detached mindfulness techniques or distraction techniques respectively. All subjects completed the relapse prediction scale [RPS] at the baseline, during the treatment [4[th] session], post-treatment [8[th] session] and at follow up stage [1.5 months after treatment]. Some diagrams and clinical recovery rates were used to compare two different types of interventions. The results revealed that both methods were effective to decrease craving and relapse rate in substance dependent subjects. The detached mindfulness techniques were more effective than distraction techniques [%62 versus%39]. Detached mindfulness techniques, versus distraction techniques, are probably more effective to reduce craving and relapse rate in substance dependents

[Effects of cognitive behavioral group therapy in male opioid dependent patients comorbid with major depressive disorder]

The main aim of this study was suggestion of a manual for group therapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy in opioid dependent patients co-morbid with major depressive disorder. In this semi-experimental research, 30 subjects were collected from some addiction treatment centers in Mashhad, north-eastern part of Iran. All of them gave opioid dependence and major depressive disorder via Structured Clinical Interview based on DSM-IV [SCID]. They were randomly allocated into control and experimental groups [each group included 15 subjects]. Beck Depression Inventory II and Morphine test were used at first and end of study. After 12 sessions in case group [control group did not receive cognitive-behavioral intervention] data were analyzed by%2 and U Mann-Whitney tests. The difference of relapse rate between experimental group and control group was statistically significant [P<0.001]. The depression rates in experimental and control groups showed significant decreases at the end of study [P<0.001]. Using group therapy with cognitive behavioral approach is effective in patients with co-morbidity of major depressive disorder and opioid dependency