[Effects of meta-cognitive therapy on symptoms of social phobia patients]

Social phobia is an anxiety disorder, which can be described as a strong, persisting fear of situations where humiliation or embarrassment may occur. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of meta-cognitive therapy [MCT] on symptoms of social phobia [SP] patients. This semi-experimental study was conducted in 2010. with pretest-posttest and follow-up design, using control group. From all social phobia disorder [SPD] patients referring to psychology clinics in Shiraz, Iran in 2010, 19 patients were selected through the objective sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The Social Phobia Symptoms Assessment Questioner [SPSAQ] and Fears of Negative Evaluation Scale [FNE] were used as the pretest measures. The experimental group received 8 weeks of Wells' meta-cognitive therapy sessions. The control group was in the waiting list until the end of the follow up. The same measures were used for post-test and follow-up [after 3 months]. The results of analysis of multivariate covariance showed that MCT had a significant effect in reducing the symptoms of SPD [p<0.001]. This intervention is believed to reduce symptoms of social phobia [SP] patients by facilitating transmission from the object mode to the meta cognitive mode and enhancing the efficient and flexible coping skills

[ effect of hope enhancing training on behavioral strengths in dysthymic patients]

Background and aim: Positive psychology includes the study of positive subjective experiences, such as: well being and happiness, positive individual traits, such as hope and forgiveness and interpersonal strengths, such as altruism and sense of accepting the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hope enhancing training on level of behavioral strengths in dysthymic patients

Methods: In an experimental study 40 patients with dysthymic disorder were randomly selected and assigned to two experimental and control groups. At first, the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths [VIA- IS] test was performed on them as the pre- test. Then the experimental group received 6 sessions of hope enhancing training. The control group did not receive any training. At the end of the training, the [VIA- IS] was again performed on all subjects as the post- test

Results: The results of analysis of data showed that after hope enhancing training, the means of the characters strengths of the training group were significantly higher than control group [P<0.001]

Conclusion: Hope enhancing training is an effective intervention to improve strengths of Forgiveness, Self regulation, Modesty and Humility and prudence

Effectiveness of life skills training on subjective well being of the female teenagers: short report

Life skills include group of skills and abilities which help individuals resolve issues in their lives and control conflicts in interpersonal relationship. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the method of life skill training on subjective well_being of female high school students. This semi-experimental study was conducted as a post test, and two pre-test surveys [at one-month follow up]. Statistical population comprised all female high-school students of Rafsanjan city in 2010 and the sampling method was multi-stage cluster sampling. Among 148 students who filled the questionnaires, 30 students who had the least subjective well being score were randomly separated into two groups of 15 students [here called intervention and control groups]. The data was gathered by revised subjective well_being Questionnaire prepared by Molavi in 2008 which involves 39 expressions, from 1 to 5 Likert scale, and also by the researcher's own questionnaire containing demographic information. The intervention group took part in 8 of 90-minute training sessions and the pre test and one-month follow up scores were then analysed by co-variance test using SPSS software. The pre- test data from the two groups showed no significant difference, however, the post test and one-month follow up scores were significantly higher than control group [p=0.0001].This difference was also observed in follow up survey [p=0.0001]. The results of this study show that life skills training courses can improve the feeling of happiness and life satisfaction

Incidence and mortality rate of common gastrointestinal cancers in south of iran, a population based study

Considering the importance of updating information about incidence and mortality of common or fatal cancers and the need for studying the effectiveness of changes in the Iranian cancer registration system from pathological based to population based since 2007, the aim of this study was to provide updated population based information on incidence and mortality rates of esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum cancers in south of Iran, and also to provide basic data for investigating the performance of population based cancer registration system in these regions. This study was a review of population based data of esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum cancers in Fars province during 2008-9.We estimated Age Standardized Incidence and Mortality Rates [ASIRs and ASMRs], truncated ASIRs and ASMRs for each cancer using direct age standardization based on Iran's population and also based on the standard population of world. Finally, considering poison distribution, we calculated standard error of incidence and mortality rates. Adjusted incidence rates of esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum cancers [per 100, 000] and their standard error were 2.56 [0.0092], 9.99 [0.0182], 4.85 [0.0127] and 1.56 [0.0072] in males; and 1.60 [0.0072], 4.66 [0.0123], 3.24 [0.0103] and 0.93 [0.0055] in females respectively. These values for ASMRs per 100000 were 0.94 [0.0056], 11. 54 [0.0195], 2.46 [0.009], 0.34 [0.0033] for men, and 0.51 [0.004], 4.21 [0.0117], 1.54 [0.0071] and 0.41 [0.0037] for women. Incidence and mortality rates of esophagus cancer in southern regions of Iran were less than the national average. We also clarified that stomach and colorectal cancers were the most important digestive cancers in this area

[ effect of teaching communicative patterns of pluralistic family on couples happiness]

One of the basic elements declared in positive psychology is the concept of happiness. Researches have shown that without concerning how achieved, happiness can enhance our health. People who are happy feel more secure, decide easier, and are more satisfied of the people who live with. The aim of the present study was to measure the efficiency of teaching communicative pattern of pluralistic family on the happiness of couples this experimental study was designed to have a pre-test and post test and also a control group. Subjects of this study were comprised of consultation centers clients in Shiraz and was based on random sampling. Forty couples were selected according to the revised version of family communication patterns of Koerner and Fitzpatrick. Two dimensions, namely laisseze fair and protective family patterns, were taken into account through the process of selection. Oxford Happiness Invintory was administered to 40 couples and they were randomly divided into a control and an experimental group. Ten training sessions, 90- minute each, were held for experimental group exposed to pluralistic communication patterns. Three Couples declined and finally 34 couples were analyzed. The test was run for both groups and data was analyzed with covariance analysis method using SPSSI5. The results of the present study revealed that with regard to happiness, there is a meaningful difference in both groups [p<0.005]. The difference also existed between the preset and post test scores of happiness test in both groups [p<0.0001]. However, communication patterns and interaction between both groups did not reach a meaningful level. Based on the finding, it can be concluded that listening to and speaking with each other play a key role in happiness, therefore pluralistic communication methods based on high levels of listing speaking interactions can be effective happiness of couples

[Effectiveness of play therapy on the bases of cognitive behavior approach on severity of symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] among primary school male students aged 9-11]

ADHD is considered as the most prevalent disorder during childhood and adolescence. For the purposes of diagnosis and treatment various methods including play therapy one applied. This research has been conducted with the aim of studying the effectiveness of play therapy on severity of symptoms of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] among primary school male students aged 9-11. By considering a experimental design two psychological and counseling clinics in Isfahan were selected. From the population of all clients in the two clinics who were diagnosed as ADHD-C by the psychiatrists, 30 were selected randomly and assigned into the experimental and control groups [15 subjects each]. At the pre- and post - test stages, before and after 8 sessions which took 30-45 minutes every two days play therapy with emphasis on increasing attention and decreasing hyperactivity, CSI-4 and MFFT questionnaires were applied to both groups. Furthermore, in order to diagnose any change after the therapy, a follow-up study was conducted after a month. The data were analyzed by SPSS14 software, using ANCOVA. The play therapy decreased the amount of ADHD, hyperactivity, attention deficit, and response errors symptoms significantly, but increased response time significantly [all at p < 0.0001]. The fallow up results showed a significant increase of response time when using play therapy [P < 0.005], but it there was no significant effect on decreasing response error. Considering the significant differences between the experimental and control groups as well as the fallow - up, play therapy may be applied as an effective method of treatment for children and adolescence with ADHD preferably, a combination of this and other relevant methods may be used for the treatment of those with ADHD. As the ADHD symptoms were decreased significantly after the intervention, the effect of play therapy was confirmed

[Prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in Isfahan]

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] in high risk premature infants admitted to NICU wards in Isfahan from 2003 to 2008. In this retrospective case series, 604 records of high risk infants were reviewed in terms of gestational age, birth weight, oxygen supplementation, delivery method, history of consanguineous marriage, single or multiple births and gender. The prevalence of ROP was 17.5%. In univariate analysis, birth weight [P<0.01], gestational age [P<0.01] and supplemental oxygen [P=0.01] showed statistical difference between neonates with and without ROP. In other words, lower birth weight, lower gestational age and supplemental oxygen were associated with ROP. The relationship between other variables and ROP was not statistically significant. The prevalence of ROP in this study emphasizes the importance of neonatal screening in our country. Low birth weight and gestational age were significant risk factors for the disease

[Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on patients's quality of life with alopecia areata in skin disease and leishmaniasis research centre of Isfahan]

Researches showed that there is a relationship among alopecia areata, psychological factors and prevalence of psychological disorders. In addition alopecia areata has a great effect on the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on female patients's the quality of life with alopecia areata. This is a case-control study with pre and post-test exam which is carried out in Isfahan Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis research Center. The participants consisted of 20 alopecia areata patients diagnosed by specialists. The questionnaire was Skindex-16 which was completed by patients before and after the intervention. Cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy was done on the case group in eight sessions over a period of two months. Data was analyzed with covariance [ANOVA]. The mean of quality of life scores in experimental group in v.s control group significantly decreased [P<0.05]. it seems, cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy couses in quality of life improvement in patients with alopecia areata

[Study on validity of farsi version of irritable bowel syndrome quality of life questionnaire [IBS-QOL-34]]

This study aimed to evaluate psychometric characteristics [diagnostic validity and reliability] of quality of life questionnaire in irritable bowel syndrome [IBS-QOL] which is a popular inter-cultural measure. According to ROME II criteria 126 patients were included by the caring physician in Alzahra and Noor hospital clinics in Isfahan, Iran. Results: Eight scales of the questionnaire and total quality of life measure showed good internal reliability [Cronbach alpha=0.93 for the whole questionnaire, 0.88 for dysphoria, 0.67 for activities interference, 0.72 for body image, 0.57 for health worry, 0.57 for food abstinence, 0.71 for social reaction, 0.76 for sexual worry, 0.62 for interpersonal relations]. The validity was measured against another quality of life questionnaire [IBS-QOL-36] and a significant correlation was found [r=0.61. p<0.01]. To evaluate diagnostic accuracy 40 patients were compared with 40 healthy subjects. Except for body image scale other parts of questionnaire and the global quality of life were significantly different between these two groups [p<0.05]. Generally, Farsi version of IBS-QOL questionnaire was found to be a valid and reliable mean to study patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Academic quality improvement process from the viewpoints of faculty members of universities in isfahan province: a comparison based on academic quality improvement program [AQIP]

Academic quality improvement in higher education has recently been the subject of attention in many universities of the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of academic quality improvement in Isfahan Universities and to compare the Medical and Non-medical Universities. In this descriptive study, two data gathering tools including questionnaire and interview were used. The questionnaire was made by the researcher based on AQIP scale and included 26 questions. The interview was a semi-structured one. Statistical population was all faculty members at six public universities of Isfahan province in the year 2005-2006 [N=1851]. Statistical sample was chosen through stratified sampling [n=260]. The data obtained from the questionnaires was analyzed by SPSS software using t-test, and ANOVA. The data gathered from the interviews was also coded and categorized. The mean score of 6 sub-scales of academic quality improvement in sample universities was lower than criterion [3] in 5 point Lickert scale. The total mean of academic quality improvement in medical universities was 2.97 and for non-medical universities was 2.82 which showed a significant difference. There was no significant difference between mean scores of academic quality improvement according to the faculty members' ranks [instructor, assistant professor, associate professor and higher levels]. Interviewees pointed out 4 major barriers to academic quality improvement in universities. Educational administration at universities must fit their strategies and curriculum to students and community needs and expectations in order to overcome challenges and obstacles that they are faced with. They must also concentrate on qualitative aspects of quality improvement instead of quantitative aspects

[Contributions of dysfunctional attitude scale and general health subscales to prediction and odds ratio of depression]

Dysfunctional attitude may be predispose factor for depression, but there are few investigations for that. The aim of this study was to determine contributions of dysfunctional attitude and general health index based on GHQ-28 to depression. In this description and analytical study, a total of 65 patients with major depression and dythymic disorder from Noor and Navab-Safavi psychiatry clinics and 65 healthy individuals with age and sex, and education matched were randomly selected. Dysfunctional attitude scale and general health questionnaire were filled in by two groups. Data were analyzed using linear and logistic regression and correlation methods. Logistic regression analysis on categorized scores of DAS- 26 as high and low risk revealed that odds ration for high risk group was 6.89 fold than low risk one [OR=6.82, Cl/95, 2.9-16.06]. Two point serial correlation between DAS-26 and psychiatrist diagnosis was 0.44. Also, major depression and dysthymic disorder was significantly predicted by general health subscales [P<0.001]. Dysfunctional attitude may be a predisposing risk factor of depression. Predict depression support and Beck's cognitive diathesis stress theory of depression that dysfunctional attitude [26 options] can be used for determination of depression in this group

[Efficacy of meta cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing self punishment in patients with post traumatic stress disorder]

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Meta Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [MCBT] on reducing self-punishment behaviors in patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]. In this clinical trial study, One hospital [Shahid Rajaie] was selected from the two psychiatric hospitals for war veterans in Isfahan through multi stage cluster sampling. Thirty subjects were then randomly selected from the war veterans with PTSD referred to this hospital and were randomly assigned to one experimental and one control group. Thought Control Questionnaire [TCQ] was then administerd to both groups as pretest. Afterward the experimental group received Meta-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [MCBT] in 8 weekly sessions as well as drug therapy while the control group received only drug therapy. Post-tests were then administered to both groups once immediately afterward and then 2 months later

[Psychometric properties and factor structure of general health questionnaire 28 [GHQ-28] in Iranian psychiatric patients]

The aim of this survey was to assess psychometric properties of GHQ-28 in Iranian psychiatric population and appropriating it as a screening instrument for assessing general health in this population. This was a psychometric study executed on 80 psychiatric patients and 80 matched normal participants. The assessments consisted of a psychiatrist's interview based on DSM.four criteria, and administration of GHQ-28 and a demographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed using factor, discrimination and regression analysis methods, as well as Pearson's correlation co-efficient, Spearman- Brown's and Guttmann's split tests. Four factors were extracted from the GHQ-28, of which the first three explained the most percenttage of variance. Clinical cut-off point, sensitivity, specificity and classification error were found to be 24, 0.80, 0.99, 0.10 respectively. Criterion validity Chronbach's alpha and split reliability co-efficient were found to be 0.78, 0.97 and 0.90 respectively. Factor analysis revealed that the four factors which are the basics in this questionnaire have a high internal consistency. The calculated optimal clinical cut-off point for screening general health in Iranian population was 24 which ensure optimal psychometric indices. Coefficients of criterion validity, structural validity and reliability showed that GHQ-28 is one of the most valid instruments for screening general health