The Journal of Tolooebehdasht

The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Differentiation and Emotional Expression of Parents with Autistic Children in Isfahan

2026-04-15T10:59:38+00:00

Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder in the group of pervasive developmental disorders characterized by persistent difficulties in social interaction and communication, which can place considerable psychological stress on parents. Given these challenges, the present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of schema therapy on differentiation and emotional expression among parents of children with autism in Isfahan.

Methods: The current research method is a quasi-experimental research that was conducted as a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The study population included all parents of children with autism who attended a rehabilitation center in Isfahan. Among them, 30 people were selected as a sample and according to the entry and exit criteria and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The questionnaires used in the present study are: Drake's Self-Differentiation Scale questionnaire (2015), King and Emmons' Emotional Expression Questionnaire (1990). For the experimental group, Young’s schema therapy protocol was used over 9 sessions, once per week. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 26.

Results: Data analysis shows a value of F: 2228/831 for differentiation and F: 4062/285 for emotional expression at the P<0/05 level. Therefore, schema therapy led to increased differentiation and emotional expressiveness in parents of autistic children.

Conclusion: Schema therapy can help reduce emotional problems in parents of children with autism by improving emotional differentiation and expression.

The Relationship Between Perceived Parenting Styles and Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-Control

2026-04-15T10:59:36+00:00

Introduction: Internet gaming disorder is a serious concern in adolescent mental health, and identifying the involved mechanisms can be helpful for prevention. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between perceived parenting styles and Internet gaming disorder in adolescents.

Methods: This descriptive-correlational study included 200 adolescents aged 12 to 18 residing in Tehran in 2024, selected through convenience sampling. The adolescents completed standardized questionnaires on perceived parenting styles, Internet gaming disorder, and the short form of the self-control questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and path analysis. SPSS version 28 was used for data analysis.

Results: The findings showed a significant negative relationship between permissive (r=-0/21) and authoritarian (r=-0/38) parenting styles with self-control (p<0/001). Furthermore, there was a significant positive relationship between permissive (r=0/27) and authoritarian (r=0/41) parenting styles and Internet gaming disorder (p< 0/001). Additionally, Internet gaming disorder (r=-0/35) was negatively associated with self-control (p<0/001), and it was determined that self-control capacity plays a mediating role in the relationship between perceived parenting styles and internet gaming disorder (p<0/001).

Conclusion: The results supported the mediating role of self-control in the relationship between parenting styles and Internet gaming disorder, indicating that modifying parenting approaches and strengthening children's self-control skills can be effective in preventing this disorder during adolescence.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Existential Group Therapy and Psychoeducational Group Therapy on Mental Health and Suicide Resilience in Adolescent Girls

2026-04-15T10:59:35+00:00

Introduction: Adolescent suicide often occurs as a response to intense emotional stress, hopelessness, and difficulties in effective emotion regulation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of existential group therapy and psychoeducational intervention on mental health and resilience against suicide among adolescent girls.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The sample included 45 adolescent girls aged 13–15 from Yazd, selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (15 each) and a control group (15). All groups were assessed before the intervention using general health and suicide resilience questionnaires. The experimental groups received either existential group therapy or psychoeducational training over three months. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANCOVA with SPSS-26.

Results: Both interventions had a significant effect on mental health and resilience against suicide (p< 0/05). The existential therapy group showed greater improvement in both variables compared to the psychoeducational group (p<0/05). Follow-up results indicated that the effects of the interventions were partially sustained, with improvements in the experimental groups maintained relative to the control group.

Conclusion: Both existential group therapy and psychoeducational interventions improved mental health and resilience against suicide in adolescent girls. However, the long-term effects were primarily maintained in the existential therapy group, indicating its greater effectiveness in sustaining outcomes over time.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Blood Pressure and Sleep Quality in Patients with Hypertension

2026-04-15T10:59:34+00:00

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the major global health challenges that imposes a great burden on individuals and society. Few studies have investigated the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality, and none have been conducted simultaneously. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality in patients with hypertension.

Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design, control group and follow-up. The study population included patients with hypertension referred to Shariati Hospital in Isfahan. According to the inclusion criteria, 34 people were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The instruments included a demographic questionnaire, a Pittsburgh quality questionnaire and a suitable blood pressure monitor. Cognitive behavioral therapy was performed in 8,90-minute sessions over a month for the intervention group. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test and SPSS software version 27.

Results: Cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing diastolic and systolic blood pressure and increasing sleep quality (F=439/292, P<0/05) in patients with hypertension, and the results were generally stable at follow-up (F=237/053, P<0/05).

Conclusion: The results of the present study show that cognitive behavioral therapy can be associated with reducing blood pressure and improving sleep quality. Low-cost cognitive behavioral therapy can be used alongside drug therapy to improve the health of patients with hypertension.

Evaluating the Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Training on Reducing Cognitive Dissonance and Marital Conflicts among Female Nurses: An Interventional Study

2026-04-15T10:59:33+00:00

Introduction: Marital conflicts and cognitive dissonance are influential factors affecting mental health and can negatively impact nurses’ professional functioning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) program in reducing cognitive dissonance and marital conflicts among female nurses in Sanandaj.

Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest–posttest design with a control group and one-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of female nurses working in hospitals in Sanandaj in 2023. A total of 32 participants were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants completed questionnaires on cognitive dissonance and marital conflicts. The experimental group received eight sessions of group-based ACT, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 25.

Results: Group-based Acceptance and Commitment Training had a significant effect on reducing cognitive dissonance (F= 247/45, p< 0/001, η² = 0/452) and marital conflicts (F = 49/62, p < 0/001, η² = 0/463) in female nurses. These effects remained stable at follow-up.

Conclusion: Group-based CT can enhance psychological flexibility and emotion regulation, thereby improving mental health and marital relationships among female nurses.

The Effectiveness of Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Perfectionism of People with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

2026-04-15T10:59:32+00:00

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is one of the most common personality disorders that has a profound impact on the individual and social functioning of sufferers. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in improving difficulties in emotion regulation and perfectionism in individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder.

Methods: This research was conducted using a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder who visited the counseling centers of Yazd in 2024. The sample consisted of 41 participants selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: MIT (n=13), ACT (n=14), and control (n=14). The experimental groups received interventions over 10 weekly sessions, while the control group received no treatment. The study instruments included the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and Perfectionism Scale.

Results: The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between the post-test scores of emotion regulation difficulty (F=255/410, p<0/01) and perfectionism (F=356/950, p<0/01) of the three groups. Also, Bonferroni post-test showed that interpersonal metacognitive therapy was more effective than acceptance and commitment therapy in improving emotion regulation difficulty and reducing perfectionism.

Conclusion: MIT could be used as a more effective intervention compared to ACT for addressing emotional and cognitive challenges in individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Translation and Assessment of the Psychometric Properties of the Growth Mindset Scale among Iranian Students

2026-04-15T10:59:39+00:00

Introduction: Growth mindset, defined as the belief in the potential for developing one’s abilities, plays a significant role in academic achievement, personal development, and mental health among students. The present study aimed to translate and examine the psychometric properties of the "Growth Mindset" scale developed by Cooper et al. (2020) within a sample of Iranian upper elementary school students. This instrument consists of 14 items assessing various dimensions of the growth mindset construct.

Methods: This correlational descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 434 students in grades 4 to 6 of the second cycle of elementary education during the 2023–2024 academic year in Yazd city. The sampling was conducted using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. The translation was performed using the back-translation method, followed by psychometric evaluations including item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and reliability assessment via Cronbach’s alpha.

Results: Item analysis indicated that all items were retained. Exploratory factor analysis identified three main factors (self-views on work ethic, self-assessment and feedback, and self-views on intelligence) explaining a total of 70.46% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0/921, RMSEA = 0/078, χ2/df = 2/675). The overall alpha coefficient of the scale was reported as 0/70, and the alpha coefficients of the components were 0/69, 0/66 and 0/67 respectively, indicating acceptable reliability.

Conclusion: The translated Growth Mindset tool demonstrated adequate validity and reliability for use with Iranian elementary students in the second cycle and can serve as a foundation for future research on motivation and learning in primary education in Iran.

The Attitude Toward Hijab, Religious Health-Promoting Behaviors and Their Relationship with Social Health Among Female Students

2026-04-15T10:59:30+00:00

Introduction: Social health, as one of the dimensions of health, is influenced by various factors, including religious beliefs and cultural attitudes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attitudes toward hijab, religious health-promoting behaviors, and social health among female students of Khoy University of Medical Sciences in 2024.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 230 female students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Khoy. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires on attitudes toward hijab, religious health-promoting behaviors, and social health. The sampling method was census-based, and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19, employing ANOVA, independent t-tests, correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Results: The findings indicated that attitude toward hijab (β=0/131, p<0/04) and religious health-promoting behaviors (β=0/19, p<0/03) had a significant positive effect on social health. Additionally, students in public health and operating room departments had higher social health compared to others (p<0/05). More recent enrollees exhibited higher social health than earlier cohorts (p<0/05), and students with employed parents had greater social health than those with parents in other occupations (p<0/05).

Conclusion: The results highlight a positive association between attitudes toward hijab, religious health-promoting behaviors, and students' social health. These findings underscore the importance of addressing religious and cultural dimensions in promoting social health. It is recommended that educational and counseling programs in this area be strengthened.