مجله تحقیقات علوم رفتاری
سال پانزدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 50، زمستان 1396)

Aim and Today, due to changes in lifestyle and weight gain, the age of diabetes is reduced, and the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on weight loss, and blood glucose level in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods and Materials: In a semi-experimental, and pretest, posttest study with control group, 40 obese (body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2) women with an age range of 30-65 years and with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly selected and divided into two equal groups of experimental and control. The patients were referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association (Central Branch), Tehran, Iran. The experimental group participated in a program of 24 sessions of 60 minutes based on cognitive-behavioral obesity intervention, that included two phases of reduction and weight retention; but the control group did not receive any training. Weighing and taking blood samples (for evaluation of the average level of three-month blood glucose) were performed at the first and last session of the intervention.
Findings: The cognitive-behavioral obesity therapy led to weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and also reduced the level of blood glucose in them.
The results indicate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings are of great importance in controlling the weight, and blood glucose level in these patients; since it is possible to use alternative therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy in treatment of obesity, as non-conventional medical treatments.

Aim and In recent years, the prevalence of psychological distress, especially anxiety and depression has led many researchers to study and determine variables associated with it. These variables can include perfectionism, self-esteem, and coping styles. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate the relationship between perfectionism, coping style, and self-esteem with psychological distress in students.
Methods and Materials: The research method was descriptive correlational. The sample group included 804 of students in universities of Kerman City, Iran, selected using cluster sampling method. The participants completed the Mental Health Inventory-28 (MHI-28), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS), Rosenberg self-esteem Scale (RSES), and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS). Data analysis was performed via SPSS software using Pearson correlation coefficient, and simultaneous regression analysis.
Findings: The perfectionism and the emotion-oriented coping style positively predicted psychological distress, whereas problem-oriented coping style and self-esteem negatively predicted psychological distress. But, avoiding coping style was not a significant predictor of psychological distress.
Perfectionism, the emotion-oriented coping style, and low self-esteem result in psychological distress. By employing positive coping styles, high self-esteem, and decreased perfectionism could prevent psychological distress.

Aim and Mental health is one of the vital factors in human life. Even, the mental health is important in improving the diseases of the patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the intermediate role of resilience mediation in the relationship between the meaning of life and spiritual health with mental health in patients with colon cancer.
Methods and Materials: Participants were 120 patients with colon cancer in stages 1 or 2 selected via convenience sampling method. Participants completed the Meaning in Life Scale (MiLS), Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale Mils Scale (CD-RISC), and Symptom Checklist-25
(SCL-25) questionnaire.
Findings: Meaning of life and spiritual health were not able to predict mental health; but, resiliency could predict mental health in a positive and meaningful way. Values, goals, and life perspective components of meaning of life could tend to more resiliency, and result in more mental health. In addition, there were positive significant relationship between the meaning of life, spiritual health, and resilience mediation with mental health.
The results showed that values, goals, and life perspective components of the meaning of life can increase the resilience, and thus reduce mental disorders and increase mental health.

Aim and The presence of a mentally retarded child in each family affects the structure and mental health of that family, especially the parents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of training problem-solving skills on depression and anxiety in mothers of children with mental retardation.
Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest, and follow-up method along with the control group. The study population was mothers of children with mental retardation in Shahrekord City, Iran, in the year 2016. 30 mothers were randomly selected and assigned to two equal groups of experimental and control. The research instruments were as Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). First, both groups were given pretest; then, experimental group was trained for 7 sessions of 2 hours twice a week according to training problem-solving skills; and after training, posttest was taken from both groups. Data were analyzed using covariance method.
Findings: Compared with the control group, problem-solving skills reduced depression and anxiety among experimental group (P

Aim and Among the professions, teacher's job can be described as experiencing excessive stress and exhaustion. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between social problem solving styles and quality of work life among the teachers of exceptional children schools.
Methods and Materials: In this descriptive correlational study, the statistical population included all teachers of exceptional children schools in Guilan Province, Iran, during the first semester of the educational year of 2016-2017. 250 teachers were selected via convenience sampling method. The study tools included Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Quality of Work Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings: Positive significant indirect effect of efficient problem solving dimension on quality of work life was approved (β = 0.297, P

Aim and The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) in a sample population of Iranian patients.
Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive-correlational study with a population of patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis from North Khorasan provinces, Iran. A number of 92 patients (46 women and 36 men) were chosen as the sample population. Patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of North Khorasan during two months were selected using convenience sampling method, and completed the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-15 (MSISQ-15), Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19), and Sexual Partner Intimacy Scale. The collected data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, split-half method, Pearson correlation, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Findings: The analysis of the main factors with a promax rotation and a variance of 70.55 supported 3 factors of the main ones. The positive correlation between sub-scales of MSISQ-15 and MSISQ-19 was indicative of convergent validity. Of the other hands, the negative correlation pattern in the MSISQ-15 dimensions with the Sexual Partner Intimacy Scale was indicative of divergence validity. Finally, the Cronbach’s Alpha with a range of 0.88-0.89 for the MSISQ-15 dimensions, and the 0.92 quotient for the entire scale indicated the positive reliability of the questionnaire.
The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) enjoyed an appropriate reliability and validity in with multiple sclerosis from North Khorasan provinces in Iran.

Aim and The motor learning skill and self-efficacy require support and feedback support. The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of positive social-comparative feedback and autonomy support on the self-efficacy and learning of throwing targeting skill in 8- to 9-year-old students in Area 9 of Tehran City, Iran.
Methods and Materials: To this aim, through convenience sampling, 60 right-handed students were selected as the sample and were assigned to four 15-member groups of positive social-comparative feedback, autonomous support, positive social-comparative feedback and autonomous support simultaneously, and control according to height, weight, level of developmental skill, and the pretest scores. The acquisition stage included 6 10-trial blocks. In groups including positive social-comparative feedbacks, the participants received real feedback after each block as well as a feedback in comparison to the performance of other children, and in groups including self-efficacy support, the participants could choose the color of bags before each block. To compare the means, combined 2-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) repeating measurement of the last factor, and between-groups one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used.
Findings: The social-comparative feedback and self-efficacy support, whether separately or simultaneously in one group, could improve children’s motor performance and learning through enhancing self-efficacy.
Moreover, the positive effect of simultaneous social-comparative feedback and self-efficacy support on motor learning is considerably remarkable.

Aim and Obesity is the cause of many physical and psychological problems. The present study aimed to compare the effect of three methods of aerobic exercise, Kegel, and combinatorial (aerobic and Kegel), on body image, and sexual and marital satisfaction in obese women.
Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. 60 obese women with an age range of 35 to 40 years, and body mass index of higher than 30 kg/m2, were selected through convenience sampling method. They were randomly divided into three experimental groups of aerobic, Kegel, and combinatorial, and one control group. Experimental groups participated in their sports activities for eight weeks. The research tools consisted of Fisher Body Image, Yavari Sexual Satisfaction, and ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. The validity and reliability of all four questionnaires had been examined and confirmed in Iran before.
Findings: The positive effects of all three exercises on sexual and marital satisfaction were approved using the covariance analysis. In addition, the effects of combined training on sexual and marital satisfaction were more than the other two method of practice. Aerobic and combined exercises improved body image, but the Kegel exercise did not have a significant effect on body image.
Physical activity is recommended to increase sexual and marital satisfaction in obese women.

Aim and Rumination can cause various kinds of damage to which women are more vulnerable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting rumination among women having marital conflicts.
Methods and Materials: This was a qualitative study in which a thematic analysis was carried out. The nonrandom purposive sampling method was used, and the research sample saturated upon selecting 15 women having marital conflicts. The semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data.
Findings: After the content analysis, the resultant data included three themes and 14 subthemes. The themes were stressors (sexual problems, financial and occupational issues, unfulfilled expectations, frustration, personality differences, value differences, and familial differences), personal characteristics (neuroticism, lack of communication skills, and low self-confidence), and spousal characteristics (dominance, unaccountability, harsh characteristics, and imperviousness).
According to the findings, stressors trigger rumination. However, when they interfere with spousal characteristics and personal rumination characteristics, marital conflicts will lose solvability and result in rumination. On the one hand, it increases stress. Besides, it increases marital conflicts, and forms this self-sustaining cycle.

Aim and The marital disaffection seems to be the last step in marital relationships. Therefore, study of the effective factors on this variable is important. The purpose of this study was to review the factors affecting marital disaffection among Iranian couples.
Methods and Materials: This research was fundamental in terms of objective, and a qualitative plan of the grounded theory type in terms of method. Statistical population of the study included married women and men in Tehran City, Iran. The required information was collected through a targeted sampling method from 15 people who had marital disaffection, and was continued till saturation of data. Research tools were a semi-structured deep interviewed and the information was analyzed using theoretical coding.
Findings: After analysis of interviews, the factors affecting marital disaffection were classified based on selective coding in four categories of interpersonal factors (lack of intimacy, structure of power, sexual dissatisfaction, and roles in the main family), strategies (aggression, and conflict resolution styles), cognitive factors (communication beliefs, and cognitive distortions), and situational factors (spouse's family, and the effects of virtual space on the couple’s relation).
On this basis, we could conclude that couple's marital disaffection is affected by the various contextual, intervention, psychological, and personality factors. Therefore, when counselling and treating couples with marital disaffection, attention to the various factors of marital disaffection is essential and this research could be a suitable guide for therapists to provide proper interventions for couples suffering frustration.

Aim and This study aimed to investigate the difference between mental health and personality characteristics among normal- and high-risk drivers.
Methods and Materials: In the causal-comparative study, to select the sample, normal- and high-risk drivers were selected from the Traffic Police database in the west of Tehran City, Iran. The sample consisted of 70 individuals randomly selected; 35 persons were placed in the normal-risk drivers group, and 35 persons in the high-risk drivers group. Three questioners were used to gather the data, demographic questionnaire, NEO-Five Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL90) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t test via SPSS software.
Findings: There were significant differences between mental health and personality characteristics among high- and normal-risk drivers (P In general, the findings show that these variables are different in normal- and high-risk drivers so that high-risk drivers have lower mental health than normal-risk individuals. These low scales can be strengthened for normal-risk drivers. As a result, appropriate strategies for improving mental health can help in improving the driving of high-risk drivers.

Aim and The purpose of this study was to compare positive and negative psychological states between the two groups of patients with coronary heart disease with and without metabolic syndrome, and to investigate the relationship between these psychological factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Methods and Materials: In this comparative study, the study population consisted of all patients with middle-aged coronary artery disease (35-60 years old) who were enrolled at the Rehabilitation Center of the Cardiology Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from 2012 to 2016. Totally, 61 patients were selected through purposive sampling in September, 2016. They participated in the research by completing some questionnaires including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), Adult Hope Scale (AHS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and performing physiological assessments related to metabolic syndrome. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney, and Pearson correlation tests.
Findings: There were significant differences between the two groups of patients with coronary heart disease with and without metabolic syndrome in terms of depression, optimism, hope, and happiness. Moreover, depression, optimism, hope, and happiness had significant relationship with the risk of metabolic syndrome.
The research findings support the link between psychological variables and metabolic syndrome.

Aim and Art therapy has been known as an innovative way of growth and development of human’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Through the intricate process of painting and drawing, a child would be able to engage discrete elements of his/her experiences to create the totality of a meaningful work. Within this productive mechanism, a child, in format of artwork, is representing something beyond a simple work which is his/her attempts to display a part of his/her ego as well as how he/she thinks feels, and sees. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of painting therapy on of self-esteem and self-efficacy among unaccompanied children of 5-12 years old in Karaj City, Iran.
Methods and Materials: This was a semi-experimental study with pretest/posttest method and control group. The sample was 15 boys and 15 girls at the age of 5-12 years who were randomly selected from unsupervised children at Karaj Welfare. Children and adolescents’ self-efficacy questionnaire (SEQ-C), Coopersmith children and adolescents’ self-esteem questionnaire, and the projection painting were utilized as evaluation tools. In order to analyze the data and test the hypothesis, one-way univariate analysis of covariance, and the average evaluation of two independent groups for differential grading were used.
Findings: The intervention in research affected the enhancement of unaccompanied children’s general self-esteem, social self-esteem, and self-esteem total score as well as emotional, social, and general self-efficacy.
Painting therapy as a psychological intervention could be used as effective strategy to increase self-esteem and self-efficacy in child advocacy centers.

Aim and Significantly, in most previous studies, it has been recognized that fear of falling is one of the health threatening factors of the elderly, especially in people with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the core stabilization training program with and without the use of neurofeedback on the fear of falling in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Methods and Materials: In this semi-experimental research, the statistical population included men with Parkinson's disease who referred to Rehabilitation Centers in Tehran City, Iran, during 2016. Based on the criteria for entering and leaving the research, 30 eligible individuals were identified and randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 including 20 experimental subjects (core stabilization training, and core stabilization training with neurofeedback) and 10 controls. The research tools included the Fall Efficacy Scale International Form (FES-I) neurofeedback apparatus. Shapiro-Wilk, t, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc tests were used to analyze the data.
Findings: 12 weeks of core stabilization training and core stabilization training with neurofeedback had significant effects on the fear of falling among the patients Parkinson's disease (P 0.001 for both).
According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that in order to reduce the fear of falling in patients with Parkinson's disease, core stabilization training and core stabilization training with neurofeedback can be used.

Aim and Insomnia is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, frequently compromise individual’s health and well-being. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between the brain behavioral systems and the severity of insomnia.
Methods and Materials: In a descriptive-correlational study, 210 students in Shahrood University of Technology, Iran, were selected using stage cluster sampling method. The participants completed Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Data were analyzed via SPSS and LISREL software using Pearson correlation and path analysis.
Findings: The behavioral inhibition system predicted higher difficulties in emotion regulation, which, in turn, predicted higher insomnia in students. In addition, the model of the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between the brain behavioral systems and the severity of insomnia had an acceptable fit with the data.
The results of this study emphasize the importance of the brain behavioral systems and emotion regulation difficulties in the severity of insomnia.

Aim and The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation skills training based on Gross and Linehan models on emotion regulation strategies in adolescents with borderline personality disorder.
Methods and Materials: This was a quasi-experiment study with pretest/posttest method and control group. The study population included all the adolescents with borderline personality disorder referred to counseling centers, psychiatrists, and psychiatric services, as well as suicide emergency centers in Tehran City, Iran, in the year 2017.
45 patients were selected using random sampling method, and were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group (n = 15). Both experimental groups were under treatment within 8 sessions, 2 sessions of 90 minutes weekly, while the control group received no treatment. The research tool included Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), which was conducted in pretest and posttest assessments.
Findings: Linehan model had significant effects on all emotion regulation strategies in posttest survey. Gross model had significant effects on some of emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance, positive refocusing, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, catastrophizing, other-blame, except self-blame, and rumination in posttest assessment.
Due to common components of treatment, both models of emotion regulation skills training were effective on emotion regulation strategies. Overall, the results indicated Linehan model to be more effective on emotion regulation strategies (reduction of less adaptive strategies). Therefore, it can be used to improve emotion regulation strategies.

Aim and The largest group of exceptional children who are enrolled in schools for exceptional children belongs to those with dyscalculia. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness training on academic self-regulation and progress among the students with dyscalculia.
Methods and Materials: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest/posttest design and control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of students with dyscalculia in fourth and fifth grades of elementary school in the academic year of 2014-15. The subjects received special services at Sanandaj City, Iran, rehabilitation centers for students with dyscalculia. 30 subjects were randomly selected and assigned to two equal groups of control and experimental. The experimental group participated in a 10-session mindfulness training program, but the control group was just exposed to conventional training at rehabilitation centers. Before and after the program, Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) developed by Ryan and Connell as well as researcher-made academic progress assessment test were administered. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.
Findings: Following the adjustment of pretest scores, compared to the control group, the experimental group enjoyed a significantly better self-regulation and academic progress (P In general, the findings of the present study are consistent with those of previous studies, which show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based training has effectiveness on reducing psychological and academic problems of students with dyscalculia.

Aim and Negative and positive emotional states, temptation, and anxiety are among the most important risk factors for addiction. This research aimed to study the effect of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)-based emotional management training on anxiety and temptation in patients with drug abuse.
Methods and Materials: This was an experimental research with pretest/posttest method and control group. To select the sample, the available sampling method was used. Among patients with substance abuse in addiction treatment centers in Ahwaz City, Iran, based on clinical interviews, 28 were selected. They were randomly divided into two equal groups of experimental and control. Both groups passed the leaving and detoxification steps. The experimental group received 10 sessions of dialectical behavior therapy-based emotional management training, but the control group did not receive any intervention. The research tools were demographic questionnaire, Craving Believes Questionnaire (CBQ), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
Findings: After the intervention, there were significant differences between experimental and control groups regarding anxiety and temptation (P The current study indicated that dialectical behavior therapy-based emotional management training would be an appropriate treatment for university students in order to decrease the symptoms of anxiety and temptation in those with drug abuse.