فصلنامه روان شناسی کاربردی
سال هجدهم شماره 1 (پیاپی 69، بهار 1403)

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on sexual satisfaction and body image in women with drug abuse.  The research method was quasi-experimental, including a pre-test, post-test design with a control group, and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population comprised all individuals with opioid abuse who referred to addiction treatment centers for women in Tehran in 2014. Using the available sampling method, 28 women at Behbud Gostarane Hamgam were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The research tools were the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) by Rosen & Heiman (2000) and the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) by Littleton, Axom & Pury (2005). The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90 minutes (twice a week) of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for one month. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.  The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was effective in improving sexual satisfaction and body image in women with drug abuse, and this effect was sustained in the follow-up examination (p > 0.05).  Results provide preliminary support for the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to address concerns about body image and increase sexual satisfaction in women with substance abuse.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and metacognitive therapy (MCT) on resilience and quality of life in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population of the research was all patients with OCD referring to several counseling centers in Tehran. Among them, 45 patients with low scores in resilience and quality of life were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: CBT, MCT, and a control group. For the first experimental group, CBT was implemented, and for the second experimental group, MCT was applied. The control group did not undergo any intervention during the research. Connor and Resilience Scale (2003) and Ware and Sherbourne Quality of Life Scale (2003) were used to collect data. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the data.  The results showed that both CBT and MCT were effective in increasing resilience and quality of life in patients with OCD (p<0.01), and the effectiveness of CBT in improving resilience was higher than that of MCT.  Based on the findings, the use of CBT and MCT is recommended to increase resilience and quality of life in patients with OCD.

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group logotherapy training on life expectancy in colon cancer patients. 

This research followed a semi-experimental design, employing a pre-test-post-test and follow-up approach with both control and experimental groups. The statistical population comprised all cancer patients who sought diagnosis and treatment in cancer centers in Tehran in 2022. The study sample consisted of 30 patients with colon cancer, randomly assigned to experimental and control groups of 15 individuals each through available random sampling. Both groups completed Schneider et al.'s (1991) life expectancy questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance in SPSS22 software. 

Covariance analysis revealed a significant effect of group logotherapy on life expectancy in colon cancer patients in Tehran (p < 0.05). 

The findings suggest that group logotherapy increases life expectancy in colon cancer patients. Therefore, group logotherapy holds promise as an intervention for enhancing the well-being of cancer patients, warranting further research in this area.

This study aimed to determine the promotion of social and emotional competency of elementary school students using the CASEL method.  The study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and follow-up assessment. The statistical population included all community-dwelling students in the second-level elementary schools of Qazvin in the 2020-2021 academic year. Sixty students were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Measurement tools were the social and emotional competencies questionnaires for students and teachers (CASEL, 2012) and Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist (1991). Members of the experimental group received twenty-eight 45-minute sessions of social and emotional competence training during the course of four months, and the control group did not receive any intervention. Subsequently, both groups completed the questionnaires at the post-test, and the experimental group answered the questionnaires for a third time after three months. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the program's effectiveness using the SPSS v22 and SmartPLS v2 software.  This study's findings showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups during the experimental stages and the follow-up.  The results showed that teaching social and emotional competence using the CASEL method can improve students' self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management skills.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between coercive control and marital satisfaction and couple burnout, utilizing the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) due to the dyadic nature of the questions and purposes.
 
The research design was descriptive and correlational. The sample group included all couples living in Iran with access to cyberspace. Ultimately, 113 couples (226 wives and husbands) in 2022 were selected through online and convenience sampling methods. The Controlling Behaviors Scale (Graham-Kevan and Archer, 2005), ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (Olson and Fowers, 1993), and Couple Burnout Scale (Pines, 1996) were employed in this research. Data analysis was conducted using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to measure interpersonal and dyadic effects.
 
The results indicated that coercive control perpetration by husbands was predictive of their own and their partners’ marital satisfaction and burnout. However, in wives, coercive control perpetration was only predictive of their own marital burnout. Coercive control victimization in wives was predictive of their own and their partners’ marital satisfaction and burnout, while in husbands, it was only predictive of their own marital satisfaction and burnout.
 
The findings underscore the significance of addressing coercive controlling behaviors in the evaluation and treatment of couples’ relationship problems. It is recommended that couple therapists and psychologists design and implement appropriate interventions to improve couples’ relationships, taking into account the effects of coercive control on marital satisfaction and burnout.

The present study aimed to develop a native scale for measuring successful transition from university to work based on the researchers' database and to examine its psychometric properties.  The research employed a descriptive test-making approach. A sample of 436 final-semester undergraduate students from Isfahan University was selected using convenience sampling. Item analysis, content, face, simultaneous criterion validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were utilized to assess the factor structure of the scale, while Cronbach's alpha coefficient and retest reliability were examined for its reliability.  Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor, 9-item structure with good fit indices. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the validity of the scale. Convergent validity was supported by significant positive correlations between the scale dimensions and the career employability scale and the career decision-making self-efficacy questionnaire. Divergent validity was confirmed through correlations between the scale dimensions and the career indecision questionnaire. Internal consistency, as measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was high at 0.89, indicating good reliability. The retest coefficient, conducted with a two-week interval, was 0.86. These results supported the adequacy of the measurement scale for assessing successful transition from university to work.  The native successful transition scale presents a new and reliable tool for measuring students' successful transition from university to work.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of induced threat in different levels of proximity on parochial altruism.  The research method was experimental, utilizing a between-subject factorial design with two factors: condition of threat (induced threat vs. control condition) and proximity (high vs. medium vs. low). The statistical population of the study consisted of all Persian-speaking Iranian citizens of Tehran, Ghom, and Hamedan, with 192 individuals selected using the availability sampling method. Participants from each city (64 individuals) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Individuals in the experimental group were primed with the threat induction condition. Data were collected using the Dictator Game, a questionnaire on attitudes towards immigrants, and an aggression game. Data were analyzed by two-way multivariate analysis of covariance.  The results showed that the interactional effect of proximity and induced threat on aggressive behavior towards out-group members was statistically significant, whereas this interactional effect was not statistically significant for in-group altruistic behavior. Parochial altruism was not supported.  Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that the effect of induced threat on the amount of out-group aggression depends on the level of proximity. However, the effect of threat on in-group altruistic behavior does not depend on the level of proximity.

Abstract
The objective is to investigate the effect of emotion regulation strategies on Alexithymia and the mediating role of self-compassion.
 
This study adopts a descriptive and correlational research design. Among the statistical population comprising all undergraduate students in the first half of the year 2023 at Shahid Beheshti University, 384 individuals were selected using Cochran's formula calculations through the available sampling method. The research tools included the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Gross and John, 2002), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Begbe, Parker, and Taylor, 1994), and the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003). Structural equation modeling method and SPSS version 23, along with SmartPLS version 3 software, were employed for data analysis.
 
Emotion regulation strategies, including reappraisal and suppression, significantly and directly affect Alexithymia (p < 0.01, t > 2.58). Additionally, emotion regulation strategies significantly influence Alexithymia indirectly through self-compassion (p < 0.01, Z > 2.58), and ultimately, self-compassion significantly impacts Alexithymia (p < 0.01, t > 2.58).
 
Students who utilize more adaptive emotion regulation strategies exhibit higher levels of self-compassion and less concern regarding Alexithymia. Conversely, students who employ maladaptive emotion regulation strategies tend to exhibit lower levels of self-compassion and experience higher levels of Alexithymia. Therefore, fostering and reinforcing self-compassion among students can potentially enhance psychological functioning and social communication among individuals experiencing Alexithymia.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of positive spiritual therapy intervention on job satisfaction and burnout among exceptional school teachers.

This research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test and a control group. A sample of 40 female teachers was selected from the statistical population of exceptional elementary school teachers in Tabriz city during the academic year of 2023. The selected teachers were then divided into two groups of 20 individuals, matched in terms of work experience and educational qualifications, and randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. Members of the experimental group received weekly positive spiritual therapy intervention sessions for ten sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. All subjects completed research tools, including the job involvement scale and job satisfaction questionnaire, three times: pre-test, post-test, and six months later. Data were analyzed using Mixed Analysis of Variance in SPSS 24. 

The findings revealed that positive spiritual therapy intervention significantly affected job satisfaction and burnout. Furthermore, results from the follow-up phase indicated that the effect of spirituality-based positive education on satisfaction remained stable, while the effect on job burnout was not as consistent during the follow-up phase.

Based on the findings, it is recommended to develop and provide spirituality-based interventions for teachers to enhance satisfaction and reduce job burnout.

Suicide represents a significant mental health challenge. Therefore, this study aims to establish a structural model of suicide tendencies based on ego strength, with the employment status mediating this relationship among divorced women.

This research adopts an applicative approach using correlational analysis through structural equations modeling. The statistical population comprises divorced women covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee of Isfahan in 2023. Districts 2 and 3 were chosen from 5 districts using multistage sampling. A total of 270 women were selected based on Morgan and Krejcie's Table and minimum sample adequacy criteria (Smart PLS3). After excluding distorted questionnaires, 250 questionnaires were analyzed. The research instruments included the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (Beck, 1961) and the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (Markstrom et al., 1997).

The findings demonstrate the significant effect of ego strength on suicidal tendencies (p ≤ 0.001, β = -0.455). Moreover, ego strength significantly and directly influences suicidal tendencies in both divorced housewives (p ≤ 0.001, β = -0.637) and divorced working women (p ≤ 0.001, β = -0.311). Multi-group analysis comparing the coefficients of ego strength on suicidal tendencies in both groups revealed a significant difference (0.326, p ≤ 0.001), indicating the mediating role of employment status in the relationship between ego strength and suicidal tendencies.

The significant mediating role of employment status suggests that reducing suicidal tendencies among divorced women can be achieved by creating suitable job opportunities through the Committee.