Clinical Psychology
Mona Mohammadi; Mahnaz Mehrabizadeh Honarmand; Iran Davoudi; Saeid Afrozpour; Mehdi Soleimani
Abstract
IntroductionIn recent years, studies in the field of narcissism have received increasing attention from researchers, but despite the growing interest in the concept of narcissism, there are many unanswered questions, especially about the nature of this structure. The present study aimed to investigate ...
Read More
IntroductionIn recent years, studies in the field of narcissism have received increasing attention from researchers, but despite the growing interest in the concept of narcissism, there are many unanswered questions, especially about the nature of this structure. The present study aimed to investigate the role of narcissistic narcissism and vulnerable narcissism in predicting self-presentation tactics in students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz.MethodDescriptive research method of conventional (focal) correlation and its statistical population is all graduate students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz who were studying in 1996-97 (N = 1500). After obtaining the necessary permits from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, the questionnaires were distributed among the selected students based on multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software A total of 250 students were randomly selected based on the Cochran's formula according to the size of the population, in a multi-stage cluster method. Finally, by stratified random sampling method, the sample size was selected from the target population (n = 222). Collection tools included a pathological narcissism questionnaire (Pincus et al., 2009) and a scale of self-Presentation tactics(Tedeschi & Melburg, 1984).ResultsThe results showed that the linear combination of defensive and assertive self-presentation tactics can be predicted by the linear combination of predictor variables. Significance of the whole model showed that there is a significant relationship between the two variables of self-Presentation tactics and existential expression with grandius and vulnerable narcissism (P<0.005). Predictive variables explain 28% of the variance of the criterion variables. Overall, the findings showed that the types of narcissism (grandius and vulnerable) can be predicted based on the type and extent of using different types of self-presentation tactics (defensive and assertiveness). Of the two criterion variables, self- Presentation tactics are more important in the linear criterion variable. On the other hand, in the first function, among the predictor variables, the narcissistic narcissist has the largest share in the linear composition of its category. In other words, the first function of self-Presentation tactics is predicted by grandius narcissism.ConclusionAccording to the findings of the present study, It is suggested that clinical specialists pay special attention to the types of narcissism and the self-presentation tactics of clients with narcissistic personality disorder in order to know and understand more about these people. It is better for clinical psychologists (considering the existence of two types of narcissism) in their diagnostic interviews to pay attention to the narcissism of the vulnerable type and examine its symptoms in clients who are dissatisfied with their self-esteem or have problems in interpersonal relationships.
Banafsheh Zarei; Yadollah Zargar; Iran Davoudi
Abstract
IntroductionPanic disorder (PD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks, anticipation and worry about further panic attacks and their potential consequences, as well as dysfunctional reassurance and avoidance behaviors aimed at preventing them. Panic disorder disrupts a ...
Read More
IntroductionPanic disorder (PD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks, anticipation and worry about further panic attacks and their potential consequences, as well as dysfunctional reassurance and avoidance behaviors aimed at preventing them. Panic disorder disrupts a person's performance in important areas of life and negatively effects on quality of life. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the purpose of evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among people with panic disorder in Ahvaz city. MethodThe research method was experimental single subject with non' concurrent multiple baseline design trials. The statistical population of the study consisted of all individuals with panic disorder referring to counseling centers in Ahvaz from February 2020 to August 2020. Three of them were selected using available sampling, and randomly between 3 and 5 baseline sessions were considered for them. The treatment program was carried out for 10 weekly sessions derived from the cognitive-behavioral therapy protocol, with a follow-up period of 6 weeks after treatment termination. Data were collected from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-CV), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL). Clinically Significant Improvement (CSI), Visual Analysis, and Reliable Change Index (RCI) were used to analyze the data.ResultsResults showed that panic symptom severity decreased with CBT. Participants achieved a 52/69 percentage of recovery in BAI, and 55/03 percentage of recovery in QOLQ. These results indicate the effective effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on reducing the symptoms of panic disorder and increasing the quality of life in the participants. Also, the results of the reliable change index in Beck anxiety scores after the intervention sessions were (2.25 for the first participant), (2.57 for the second participant), and (2.90 for the third participant). After 6 weeks' follow-up, the reliable change index was in the first participant (2.45), the second participant (2.78), and the third participant (2.81). Considering that the score of each participant reached above Z = 1.96, it is possible to attribute the change or improvement obtained to the effect of the intervention with a 95% confidence level (P < 0.05). The result of the reliable change index in quality of life scores after follow-up indicates that in some subscales, the improvement was caused by the intervention and treatment. The rate of reliable change index was calculated for the first participant in the quality of life subscales, respectively, physical (6.37), psychological (4.28), social (1.99), and environmental (2.47). In the second participant, physical (6/37), psychological (4/28), social (2/63) and environmental (1/23), and in the third participant, physical (5/14). Psychological (3.25), social (0.63), and environmental (1.44) were obtained. In other words, cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in decreasing panic symptoms and increasing quality of life. ConclusionAccording to the results of this study, panic disorder is common and can lead to significant disruption in daily functioning and reduce quality of life. Using both cognitive and behavioral techniques is effective in improving a person's performance and improving panic symptoms, as well as improving the quality of life. Accordingly, cognitive behavioral therapy CBT for treating panic disorders and improving quality of life may be useful in Iranian clinical settings. In other words, results from the present study indicate that a CBT protocol of acceptability in patients with PD can be successfully delivered in this population.
F. Kalantari; I. Davoodi; S. Bassaknejad; M. Mehrabizadeh Honarmand; M. Karandish
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the effect of rational-emotive behavior therapy method on body mass index, weight self-efficacy, and body image among 14-18 year-old overweight teenage girls in Ahvaz. For this purpose, through public announcement and using available sampling method, 36 overweight ...
Read More
This study aimed at investigating the effect of rational-emotive behavior therapy method on body mass index, weight self-efficacy, and body image among 14-18 year-old overweight teenage girls in Ahvaz. For this purpose, through public announcement and using available sampling method, 36 overweight persons were selected and randomly assigned to 3 groups, namely, the experiment, placebo, and waiting list. Subjects of the experiment group participated in twelve sessions (90 minutes each). Beside a diet and weekly weighting, they received psychological intervention. In placebo group, subjects also took part in twelve separate sessions. In addition to a dietary program and weekly weighing, they delivered their monitoring report forms weekly. The waiting list subjects received neither monitoring nor intervention. Data analysis, using covariance analysis, regarding body mass index, showed that there were meaningful differences in waiting list and experimental groups compared to placebo group. However, in post-test stage, the difference between experimental and placebo groups was not meaningful, but at the follow-up stage, the difference was significant. In other words, the two groups lost weight at the post-test stage, but, ten weeks later the placebo group re-gained weight, while the experimental group did not change. The results also showed that this therapeutic method resulted in an increase in weight self-efficacy and a decrease in dissatisfaction of body image in experiment group, at both the post-test and follow-up stages.
K. Fathi; M. Mehrabizade Honarmand; Y. Zargar; I. Davoodi; N. Shahba
Volume 20, Issue 2 , December 2013, , Pages 193-216
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of stress management with group cognitive behavioral therapy on illness perceptions, quality of life, general health and clinical symptoms of women with psoriasis. Among fifty one women who volunteered to participate in the study, thirty ...
Read More
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of stress management with group cognitive behavioral therapy on illness perceptions, quality of life, general health and clinical symptoms of women with psoriasis. Among fifty one women who volunteered to participate in the study, thirty two women with psoriasis were randomly selected and divided into two groups (experimental and control group). All the participants reply to short version of Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Quality of Life Skindex-16, general health questionnaire and Psoriasis Area Severity Index. The experimental group was trained with cognitive behavioral stress management during 10 sessions. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed an improvement in illness perceptions, quality of life, general health and clinical symptoms in the experimental group comparing to the control group. Based on findings, it is suggested that stress management with group cognitive behavioral therapy can be used as a psychotherapy method along with medical treatment to treat psoriatic patients.
M. Farahani; S. Bassak nejad; I. Davoodi
Volume 20, Issue 2 , December 2013, , Pages 18-217
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of stress management training on aggression, parental stress and mental health in mothers of children with learning disabilities. The research design includes a control group with a pretest and posttest. After the interviews and administration ...
Read More
The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of stress management training on aggression, parental stress and mental health in mothers of children with learning disabilities. The research design includes a control group with a pretest and posttest. After the interviews and administration of three psychological instruments including parental stress scale, Ahvaz Aggression Inventory and General Health Questionnaire, 30 mothers were selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The experiment group received eight sessions of stress management intervention. The results showed that stress management training reduced aggression and parental stress and increased mental health in the experimental group comparing to the control group. The results showed that mothers of children in special schools can be instructed coping strategies to deal with problems and difficult situations.
M. Zemestani; I. Davoudi; M. Mehrabizadeh Honarmand; Y. Zargar
Volume 20, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 183-212
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of brief group behavioral activation (BA) and metacognitive therapy (MCT) on depression, anxiety, and cognitive emotional regulation strategies (including self-blame, acceptance, rumination, positive reappraisal and catastrophizing) in University students. ...
Read More
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of brief group behavioral activation (BA) and metacognitive therapy (MCT) on depression, anxiety, and cognitive emotional regulation strategies (including self-blame, acceptance, rumination, positive reappraisal and catastrophizing) in University students. In a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, with a control group, 41 bachelor students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, after primary clinical assessment and acquisition of study criteria, were randomly assigned to either BA (n = 13), MCT (n = 14), or a waiting-list control group (n= 14). The treatment groups received treatments in 8 sessions. The Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were used for measuring variables, before and after the intervention, and 2-month follow up. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Post hoc pair-wise comparisons showed that both treatments were equally effective for depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, therapeutic techniques differed with regard to their effects on specific facets of emotion regulation, such as Positive Reappraisal and Catastrophizing, with MCT being more effective in modifying this strategies, compared to BA. Therapeutic gains were maintained to some extent over 2-month follow up, except for Acceptance variable, indicating that MCT᾽S therapeutic effects, on this strategy were maintained, comparing to BA. Given the efficacy of both treatments on depression and anxiety symptoms and cognitive emotion regulation strategies, brief BA and MCT could be an alternative for the clients that seek an effective and economic treatments in university counseling centers.
N. Darvishi; S. Bassak Nejad; I. Davoudi; Y. Zargar
Volume 19, Issue 2 , December 2012, , Pages 119-136
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was investigating the effects of Multi-component cognitive-behavioral group-therapy on insomnia, sleep self-efficacy, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and four sleep parameters. The population was day-work personnel of Aghajari Oil and Gas Production Company. The sample ...
Read More
The purpose of the current study was investigating the effects of Multi-component cognitive-behavioral group-therapy on insomnia, sleep self-efficacy, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and four sleep parameters. The population was day-work personnel of Aghajari Oil and Gas Production Company. The sample consisted of 45 employees with insomnia who were selected by multistage random sampling method and assigned to experimental, placebo and waiting list groups. They completed Athens Insomnia Scale, Sleep Log, Perceived Sleep Self-efficacy Scale and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep. The experimental group received 6 sessions of group therapy. The two control groups received no intervention but placebo group was asked to bring their filled sleep log to six meeting sessions for review. The results of MANCOVA and Benferoni post hoc showed that there were significant reductions on insomnia, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, total time in bed, sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset. Significant increases were observed on sleep self-efficacy and total sleep time of experimental group, in comparison to two control groups in post-test and follow-up. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of total time in bed at follow up. No significant differences were found between the two control groups.
S. Nazarpour; M. Mehrabizadeh Honarmand; I. Davoudi; M. Saidean
Volume 19, Issue 1 , June 2012, , Pages 139-174
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the predictors of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in Ahwaz. For this purpose 450 subjects (including 3 samples, 150 normal and 300 patients) were selected randomly from all diabetic and cardiovascular patients who were referred to governmental ...
Read More
The purpose of this research was to investigate the predictors of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in Ahwaz. For this purpose 450 subjects (including 3 samples, 150 normal and 300 patients) were selected randomly from all diabetic and cardiovascular patients who were referred to governmental and private therapeutic centers in Ahvaz. The normal group was selected from the above-mentioned centers. The instruments used in this study were: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Lifestyle Questionnaire & Socioeconomic Status Inventory and Clinical tests. For data analysis multinomial logistic regression was used. The results showed that resilience, neuroticism, extraversion, lifestyle and blood sugar are predictors of type 2 diabetes and resilience, neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, lifestyle and socioeconomic status are predictors of cardiovascular disease. Conscientiousness, socioeconomic status, family history, weight, blood pressure and blood factors (LDL, HDL, TG and Cholesterol) could not predict type 2 diabetes. In addition family history, weight, blood pressure and blood factors (LDL, HDL, TG, Cholesterol), were not significant predictors of cardiovascular disease.
M. Khadivi; Y. Zargar; I. Davoudi
Volume 19, Issue 1 , June 2012, , Pages 175-198
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stress management training based on cognitive-behavior therapy on type A personality and job stressors in an industrial company. Research population included all personnel of that company and as a primary sample 500 person was selected ...
Read More
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stress management training based on cognitive-behavior therapy on type A personality and job stressors in an industrial company. Research population included all personnel of that company and as a primary sample 500 person was selected randomly. Final sample was 30 men who had 1 St.d more than mean in type A personality inventory and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. As a pretest we performed type A personality and job stressors inventories in both experimental and control groups then the experimental group received 10 sessions of stress management training based on cognitive-behavior therapy. After experimental intervention, experimental and control groups were examined in post-test step through type A personality and job stress inventories. MANCOVA results showed that stress management training was effective in type A behavior patterns reform and personnel job stress reduce in that industrial company.
Y. Zargar; M.A. Ghsamenzad; M. Mehrabizadeh Honarmand; I. Davoudi
Volume 18, Issue 2 , December 2011, , Pages 21-38
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare anxiety sensitivity, negative affectivity and alexhitymia in asthma patients and normal subjects in Ahvaz .The study sample consisted of 78 patients and 74 normal people. All patients were diagnosed by an allergy and asthma specialist. Psychological variables ...
Read More
The aim of the present study was to compare anxiety sensitivity, negative affectivity and alexhitymia in asthma patients and normal subjects in Ahvaz .The study sample consisted of 78 patients and 74 normal people. All patients were diagnosed by an allergy and asthma specialist. Psychological variables were evaluated by the ASI, TAS-20, PANAS and SCL-25. The results of this study showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in alexithymia, anxiety sensitivity and negative affectivity, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in mental health. The scores of alexithymia, anxiety sensitivity and negative affectivity in asthma patients were higher than normal people.
