International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture
Volume:6 Issue: 4, Autumn 2019

The philosophy of medicine is a rapidly growing and progressing branch of philosophy; however, in order for it to remain a distinct field of inquiry, I propose historical reframing based on reflection on its roots and development. In other words, understanding its history is a way to give perspective to the contemporary issues of philosophy of medicine and shape its future...

The incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cancers and cardiovascular diseases in Ghana has created a new mix of healthcare challenge for the country. Owing to the fact that NCDs have caused significant illness and deaths for decades and robbed people off their social satisfaction in life, several healthcare interventions have been initiated to stem the tide of these diseases. One of such interventions is the Non-communicable Diseases Control and Prevention Policy, which was adopted in the year 2012. A strategy for management, prevention and control of chronic NCDs document that contained plan of actions to be pursued from 2012 to 2016 accompanied the policy document and geared towards the facilitation of NCDs programs in the policy. However, it appeared that within the stipulated period, the set of actions spelt out in the policy and strategic document remained a mirage. This paper revolves around two critical questions on how policy makers have mulled over this issue; Does the NCDs policy have the historical evidence of being productive? What factors have posed as constraints to the policy implementation? The authors employed a qualitative research approach predicated on both primary and secondary sources for the study. In that stead, an electronic search was conducted through the database and archives of the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), Ghana's Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and the Ghana Medical Journal (GMJ) among others to collect data for analysis and discussions. While the NCDs policy has the historical evidence of being productive given its strategic areas and plan of actions for implementation, legislative, leadership and governance, cultural and socio-economic factors were spot on as constraints to implementation. Policy makers and stakeholders alike are reminded to reflect soberly on these constraints in their quest to design and implement robust interventions for the management, prevention and control of NCDs in Ghana.

 Fertility has been defined as the ability to reproduce, and it requires the ability to start and maintain a pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on optimism about life and the psychological well-being of infertile women.

 The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design, control group, and follow-up period. The statistical population of this study included all patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) referred to infertility treatment centers in Tehran, Iran, in autumn 2018. The participants consisted of 30 individuals who were randomly divided into an experimental group and control group (n = 15). Measurement tools included the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) (1985) and Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB) (1980). The experimental group was exposed to the intervention in 8 sessions (90 minutes each), and then, both groups were tested. Furthermore, the follow-up was conducted 1 month later. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

 The results showed that ACT increased optimism, positive relationships with others, independence, environmental mastery, personal growth, purposefulness in life, self-acceptance, and psychological well-being (P < 0.05).

 It can be concluded that ACT can reduce the suffering of infertile women and improve psychological optimism and well-being among them through intellectual acceptance, cognitive impairment, and the pursuit of value-driven behaviors. Thus, it can be used during pregnancy.
 

 Mental health is an important aspect of students' health as the future of the country, and they are exposed to many stressors due to their age and social status. This research was conducted with the aim to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depression and anxiety.

 The present quasi-experimental study was performed with a pretest-posttest design and an experimental and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all students of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran, who enrolled in the 2014-2015 academic year. For this purpose, 48 students were selected through purposive sampling and were divided into two groups (experimental and control). Both ACT and schema therapy were performed in 12 weekly sessions. The data collection tools consisted of the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The questionnaires were completed in the pretest and posttest stages. The data analysis was carried out using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software.

 The results of MANCOVA showed that there is a significant difference between the effectiveness of schema therapy and ACT on depression and anxiety. Schema therapy was more effective in treating depression compared to ACT in the students (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, ACT was more effective in reducing students' anxiety than schema therapy (P < 0.001).

 It can be concluded that schema therapy was more effective in treating depression, but ACT was more effective in reducing anxiety in students.
 
 

 Obsession is a repetitive and harmful thought, perception, feeling, or movement that is associated with a sense of compulsion and a tendency to resist it. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on self-efficacy and self-esteem in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

 The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design, control group, and follow-up period. The statistical population of this study included all patients with OCD in Tehran, Iran, in 2018. The study sample consisted of 30 people who were selected using a convenience sampling method and divided into experimental (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) participants. Measurement tools included the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSEI) (1976) and General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995). First, a pretest was conducted in both groups. The experimental group then underwent eight sessions of intervention each lasting 90 minutes, and then, the posttest was performed in both groups. Moreover, one month later, the follow-up phase was completed. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

 The results showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction training was effective on self-efficacy and self-esteem in patients with OCD, and this effect persisted until the follow-up.

 It can be concluded that mindfulness therapy can stop the rumination cycle and distance individuals from their negative thoughts. Challenging negative beliefs about emotions improves self-esteem and self-efficacy in patients with OCD.
 

 Middle age can be the culmination of human life, provided that quality of life (QOL) and mental health are maintained and even improved in this period. The QOL in this period of life is susceptible to many biological, physical, psychological, and social changes and problems, and the consequences of these changes. This study was aimed at predicting QOL based on mindfulness in middle-aged women in Tehran, Iran.

 This study was a descriptive-correlational research. The statistical population of this study included all middle-aged women who lived in districts 1 and 2 of Tehran in 2017. A total of 148 middle-aged women were selected using convenience sampling method. Data were gathered using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MASS) questionnaire and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The collected data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis in SPSS software.

 The mean (SD) age of the participants was 47.8 (6.2) years. The mean (SD) score of consciousness and QOL was 64.7 (13.4) and 66.9 (8.8), respectively. There was a direct and significant relationship between mindfulness and QOL (P < 0.01; r = 0.38).

 The study showed that there was a relationship between mindfulness and QOL, meaning that the higher the mindfulness of middle-aged women, the better their QOL. It can be concluded that mindfulness is a predictor of the QOL.
 
 

 The purpose of this study was to compare perfectionism and parental bonding between people with eating disorder and healthy people.

 The study sample consisted of 60 adults (30 people with eating disorder and 30 healthy people) who were selected using available sampling method. The research tools included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Perfectionism Inventory (PI; Hill et al.), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI; Parker et al.). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software.

 There was no significant relationship between positive (normal) perfectionism and eating disorder, but negative (abnormal) perfectionism had a positive and significant relationship with eating disorder. The results of this study showed that people with eating disorder perceived parental indifference and there was no significant difference in the subscale of PBI between people with eating disorder and healthy subjects.

 Negative (abnormal) perfectionism has a significant relationship with eating disorder, so paying attention to preventing the formation and treating this variable will help reduce eating disorder. Moreover, the parenting and parenting relationship style of children and the perception of children of this bond have an effect on eating disorder, so educating parents to adopt appropriate behavioral styles as a primary prevention is desirable.
 

Perfectionism as a personality trait is associated with self-esteem. There are many factors that can affect the relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem. The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating effect of ego strength on the relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem.

The study participants consisted of 200 students. All participants were asked to complete the Perfectionism Scale, Self-Esteem Test, and Ego-Strength Scale (ESS). The obtained data were analyzed using correlation and path analysis in SPSS and LISREL.

The results showed that positive perfectionism had a significant positive relationship with self-esteem and negative perfectionism had a significant negative relationship with self-esteem. In addition, the results of the research showed that ego strength mediated between perfectionism and self-esteem.

Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that the relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem is not linear and one-dimensional, and ego strength can play a mediator role in the relationship between them.