Comparison of body image and peer relations among girls with normal, early, and late menarche.

BACKGROUND: The onset of menstruation is a turning point in women's sexual maturity that, unlike other stages of growth, occurs abruptly and is a critical stage in girls' lives. The present study investigated body image and peer relations among girls with early, late, and normal menarche. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This casual-comparative descriptive study included female students aged 9-17 in Isfahan. The participants were selected using multistage cluster random sampling. Out of 5,984 students, 56, 37, and 43 were selected for the normal, early, and late menarche groups. The Body Image Concern Inventory and Index of Peer Relations were the two tools used in this study. Moreover, the data were analyzed using a covariance statistical test. RESULTS: Girls with early menarche had better peer relations than those with late menarche (P = 0.01). In addition, there was a significant difference between adolescents with normal and late menarche in terms of body image (P = 0.01). Girls who experienced late menarche were more concerned about their body image and appearance; however, girls with early menarche experienced more impaired performance (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The first menstrual cycle, or menarche, affects psychological variables such as body image and peer relations. The later the menarche, the fewer problems in regard to body image and peer relations.

Parenting styles for children with oppositional defiant disorder: Scope review.

Behavioral and emotional problems are the most common form of child psychiatric pathology. Parenting styles are one of the factors affecting the formation of children's personality and the use of inefficient styles can lead to several negative consequences such as behavioral problems. The aim of the present article is to describe a variety of parenting styles and their relationship with children behavioral problems. The present study reviews a variety of parenting styles including Kazdin's Parent Management Education Model, Barclay's Parent Training Program, Adler and Dreikurs Approach, and Positive Parenting Program. Finally, based on reality theory, parenting is neglected to be one of those styles. Therefore, it is imperative to do a research based on reality theory with existential psychotherapy and with the view that everyone chooses to behave, external pressure is always an imposition, the children learn from their mistakes, and everyone is responsible for his own happiness.

Validation of revisited self-directed learning readiness scale for nursing education among Iranian nursing and midwifery students.

BACKGROUND: Self-directed learning readiness scale for nursing education (SDLRSNE) was first edited in Fisher and King Learning, which was an alternative for self-directed learning readiness. OBJECTIVES: The present research aims at reinvestigating the subscale factor structure of this tool and present evidence regarding its validity and reliability. METHODS: In this cross-psychometric study, 379 students completed SDLRSNE, with 29 items and three subscales that were selected by conducting simple random sampling method, from among 1135 nursing and midwifery students at Islamic Azad University of Isfahan (Khorasgan), in 2015-2016 academic years. The data were analyzed using SPSS20 and Lisrel8.5 Software. The mentioned data were studied by utilizing descriptive standards and inferential tests such as Cronbach's alpha coefficients, Spearman-Brown, Gutmann, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: According to the proper fitness indicators, CFA of 29 items clearly distinguishes self-directing into three elements, including self-management, desire for learning, and self-control. Results demonstrated that all three scale elements have high internal consistency coefficients. CONCLUSION: Results exhibit that short-form scale for self-directed readiness in Fisher and King learning is a valid and reliable tool for identifying the capabilities of the nursing and midwifery student's self-learning.

Predicting the educational performance of Isfahan University students of medical sciences based on their behaviour profile, mental health and demographic characteristic.

BACKGROUND: The issue of students' academic failure is one of the most important educational, economic, and social issues. Cognizance of the factors related to academic downfall is so efficient in its prevention and control and leads to protecting governmental assets and labor force. In order to achieve this goal, this study intends to determine the predictive factors of the students' academic performance in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in terms of their personality profile, mental health, and their demographic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a descriptive-correlation study on 771 students who entered Isfahan University of Medical Sciences between 2005 and 2007. The information was gathered through using the students' educational and clinical files (for measuring personality characteristics and mental health) and SAMA Software (To get the mean scores). Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory short form and General Health Questionnaire were used for collecting clinical data. The data were analyzed using SPSS 15 (stepwise regression coefficient, variance analysis, Student's t-test, and Spearman correlation coefficient). RESULT: The results showed that the aforementioned students obtained a normal average for their personality profile and mental health indicators. Of all the reviewed variables, education, age, gender, depression, and hypochondria were the predictive factors of the students' educational performance. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that some of the personality features, mental health indicators, and personality profile play such a significant role in the students' educational life that the disorder in any of them affects the students' educational performance and academic failure.