مجله تحقیقات علوم رفتاری
سال چهارم شماره 1 (پیاپی 8، بهار و تابستان 1385)

Some personality characteristics have been associated with success orientedness and may play a role in eliciting, organizing and perpetuating behaviors which pave the way toward success. Also personality characteristics have been found to influence in tendency to and capacity of group directorship and management. Little is known about those relationships in our socio-cultural background. This study aimed to examine the relationship between personality characteristics and occupational success in the managers of a governmental organization. Method & Materials: Eighty managers were selected among senior managers of a governmental organization through simple randomization. Occupational Success Scale were administered and based on their scores on this scale, participants were then assigned to two 30-person groups of namely successful and unsuccessful managers. Cattle Personality Scale as well as Occupational Success Scale was administered to all participants.

The mean age of participants was 40. Most of them had a bachelor's degree of education. No correlation was found between demographic characteristics and occupational success. Successful managers had a significantly higher mean score of self-control and nonsignificantly higher mean scores of warmth, emotional stability, superego strength, social assertiveness, delicacy & self-efficiency. They also had a significantly lower mean score of dependence. Both groups of managers had high mean scores of extroversion and this was nonsignificantly higher in successful managers. Both groups had also low mean scores of anxiety.

Some personality characteristics like self-control and lower levels of dependency are associated with occupational success in managers. These factors can be considered in the process of managers' employment and also in their continuous education programs.

The mutual relations between Quality Of Life(QOL) and Marital Adjustment(MA) is well documented in general population and in patients with specific types of chronic illness. However, there is no evidence in this regard in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. This study was conducted to assess the correlation between Health-Related QOL (HR-QOL) and marital adjustment in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Seventy-six (76) patients with chronic viral hepatitis type B (N = 63) or C (N = 13) who were referred to Tehran Hepatitis Center(THC) at summer 2007 were consequtively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographic data (age, sex, marital status and level of education) as well as illness- related data (the type of viral agent, illness duration, treatment history and history of cirrhosis co-morbidity) were collected. The 36-item short-form of HR-QOL questionnaire (HR-QOL-SF36) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale Revised form (DAS-R) were then administered to respectively assess QOL and MA.

Mean scores of many HR-QOL-SF sub domains such as role limitation due to physical problems, body pain, social functioning, general mental health, vitality and physical health were correlated with mean DAS-R total score, as well as all its subscores but marital cohesion. Domain scores of role limitation due to emotional problems and general health perception were correlated with total DAS-R score and two of its subscores(marital satisfaction and affection expression). Total HR-QOL-SF36 mean score was correlated with mean DAS-R total score and two of its subscores (consensus with spouse and affection expression). The mean score of physical functioning domain of HR-QOL-SF36 was not correlated with any of the DAS-R subscores.

Considering the correlation between HR-QOL and different aspects of MA, family seems to play an important role in the life of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. So, psychological and psychiatric consultations for improving marital adjustment should be focused as a part of approach to these patients. Keywords : Marital relationship, Health-Related Quality Of Life, Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

Schizophrenia is a chronic disabling disorder which puts heavy burdens on societies. Available treatment methods are mostly effective on positive symptoms of the disorder. Estrogen has been focused to be studied as a potential therapeutic agent in schizophrenia according to findings such as a)a later onset of the disorder in women, b) a relative subside of symptoms during pregnancy, c) a better prognosis of the disorder in women and d) variations of symptoms along with variations of menstrual hormonal phases. As the available evidence is not conclusive, this study aimed at further investigating the efficacy of estrogen in reducing positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

In a Randomized Clinical Trial, we enrolled two 20-person matched groups of female patients with schizophrenia aged between15 to 45 years old. For the patients of the first group thiothixene 15 mg/day and estrogen 0.625 mg/day were administered while for those of the second (control) group thiothixen 15mg/ day and placebo were prescribed. Symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed before intervention and then at the end of the 4th & the 8th weeks by the scale of Positive & Negative Schizophrenia Symptoms (PANSS). Results were analyzed through SPSS-10 using T- tests.

There were significant differences between the two groups in the domains of poor communication (P = 0.04) and stereotypic thoughts (P = 0.04) after the 4th & in the hostility domain after the 8th weeks of intervention. We did not find such a difference in other symptom domains.

Combined with neuroleptics, estorgen may be considered as an adjuvant therapeutic factor in the treatment of schizophrenia. Further investigation is strictly required to assess its harms versus benefits in the long term. Keywords : Schizophrenia, Negative symptoms, Positive symptoms, Estrogen , Thiothixene.

Depression is a common mood impairment with mild to severe range of severity and has been called as mind common cold. It is important to identify the prevalence of this disorder in young university students because mental health of this group is critical for the future community health. Exercise, while maintaninig physical health and developing body mastery, has known positive effects on mental health. This study was conducted to assess and compare the rate of depression among athlete and non athlete university students.

This was a cross-sectional comparative study to investigate and compare the rate of depression in two 50- person groups of athlete and nonathlete students. Participants were students of Isfahan medical sciences university who were selected through stratified randomized sampling in 2006. Data were collected by a two-section questionnaire including demographic data and Zung’s Standard Scale for Depression. Data were analyzed and presented by descriptive (Mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution) and analytical (T- test, ANOVA, Spearman- Pearson) measures and tests.

Mood status was found normal in 96% of athlete and 66% of non athlete students. The rest 4% of athlete students were just mildly depressed. The mean depression score of athletic students (32.24 +/- 7.94) was less than that of non athletic students (47.2 +/- 9.58) and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.93, p

To improve community mental health, healthy life styles including daily physical activities should be encouraged and supported in university students. Keywords : Depression, Exercise, Student.

Internet plays a growing role in the life of adolescents and young adults in the third millennium. The attractiveness of internet has caused that many adolescents and young adults prefer keeping company with computer rather than interacting with parents and peers. This may gradually reduce the pleasant experience of participation in the family and other groups and may eventually result in isolation and depression. This study was performed to assess the relationship between depression & social isolation among internet-user adolescents and young adults and the routine time duration they spend using internet.

This was a descriptive correlation study. The sample consisted of 118 adolescent and young adult internet users randomly selected from the usual clients of approved coffee-nets of Isfahan city at 2006. Beck Depression Inventory and a researcher made questionnaire were respectively used to assess depression and social isolation. Demographic data were also collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS- software and Spearman-Pearson correlation coefficient and independent groups T tests.

Significant relationships were found between both depression and social isolation and the mean routine time duration of internet use (P

Excessive internet use may cause hazards to adolescents' and young adults' mental health and social development. This issue needs further well-designed investigations. Families should be informed about the available evidences in this regard. Keywords: Internet, Adolescent, Young adult, Internet user, Depression, Social isolation.

The growing evidence of neurodevelopmental basis to schizophrenia has focused attention on the prenatal development of individuals who later develop the illness. Some previous studies carried out about cephalometry of schizophrenic adult patients showed different findings. This study aimed to compare cephalometric indices of schizophrenic patients with normal population.

In the current case-control study, we compared cephalometric indices of 195 schizophrenic patients with those of 198 normal comparison people who were matched for age, sex, height, weight and social status.

The results demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups. The frequency of hyperbrachycephaly in schizophrenic group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05, X2 = 17.65), but this difference existed only between schizophrenic males and control males(P < 0.05, X2 = 14.42).

Hyperbrachycephaly typically results from early closure of coronal suture. In general, the findings attract the attention toward the role of biologic and genetic factors in etiology of schizophrenia.

It can be a catastrophic stress for a mother when she finds out that her child is mentally retarded. Furthermore, presence of a mentally retarded child in the family may be a source of chronic stress which predisposes family members and especially the mother to further emotional crises and extreme stress reactions and disorders. This study was aimed to assess and compare PTSD symptoms in mothers with educatable mentally retarded children and mothers with normal children.

In this cross- sectional study, 80 mothers including 40 with educatable mentally retarded children and 40 with normal children were enrolled. Participant mothers were randomly selected using student profiles of routine intermediary schools and specified intermediary schools for the mentally retarded in Kashan . PTSD symptoms scale(PSS) was administered to mothers to assess PTSD symptoms. PSS includes 17 questions that specify the criteria of PTSD according to DSM-IV and assess PTSD symptoms intensity.

PSS-mean score was significantly higher in mothers who had mentally- retarded children(P < 0.01).

Mothers of mentally retarded children have a high vulnerability to stress. Appropriated plans should be designed for prevention and early diagnosis of PTSD symptoms in this group as well as for support and intervention.

Mood Bipolar Disorders(BD) are associated with unstabilities in patients&#039; interpersonal interactions which in the long term may result in impairments in their social adjustment. Problem solving skills training, both in individual and group settings have been found effective on improving social adjustment. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of such approaches in social adjustment of patients with BD. This study was carried to assess the efficacy of problem solving skills training in the group setting on improvement of social adjustment in patients suffering BD.

Participants were 45 female patients with BD, aged 25-30 year old who were randomly selected among patients referred to rehabilitation centers of Isfahan in 2006. Participants were randomly assigned to two intervention and one control groups. In the first intervention group only patients received the education but in the second one along with patients, family members separately received the training too. No training was performed for control group. BD diagnosis was confirmed according to two psychiatrists&#039; and the author&#039;s diagnostic interviews. In all three groups patients remained on their medications during the study. Wineland Social Adjustment Test were administered to the three groups before the intervention and then interventions groups received problem solving skills training by Hawthorn method in ten sessions. Wineland Social Adjustment test were again administered to patients of the 3 groups after the last intervention session and also later as a follow up post-test. Data were analyzed through SPSS-software using ANCOVA tests.

After intervention, social adjustment mean scores were significantly higher in both intervention groups than in the control group (P

Group problem solving skills training can improve social adjustment in patients with BD. This intervention can be considered as a part of these patients&#039; treatment protocol in the long term.

Adolescence is an important stage of life accompanied by deep physical and psychological changes frequently leading to body image dissatisfaction. Body image dissatisfaction, found to predict the formation of eating disturbaces, psychiatric disturbances and low self- esteem. The present study examined the body image dissatisfaction and body mass index in adolescent girls.

This cross- sectional study was conducted in Isfahan city in 2006. Three hundred & eighty four(384) high school girls were selected through cluster- randomized sampling. Data were collected using demograghic and body image satisfaction questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were taken by one person and were analysed by SPSS soft ware using descriptive tests, one- way ANOVA and independent t- tests.

By using the reference data of BMI for age, the overall prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among Isfahan high school girls were 7.03%, 9.1% and 1.03% respectively. There was a significant association between body image dissatisfaction and body mass index among the high school girls(P = 0.012).

Compared to most other cities in our country, the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity are lower in Isfahan girls aged 14-18 years but many girls exhibit dissatisfaction with their body image. There was a significant correlation between lower satisfaction with body image and higher body mass index. These findings indicate the importance of Planning for prevention and treatment of body image dissatisfaction.

Assessment of Quality Of Life(QOL) is one of the most active areas in modern studies. QOL is a term to describe individuals&#039; health and affective, social and physical wellbeing and also to demonstrate their ability for accomplishing daily routine tasks. This study aimed to compare QOL domains in fertile and infertile women.

Forty-four infertile women referred to Isfahan Clinic of Fertility and Infertility and 35 fertile women were randomly selected. Participants&#039; level of education considered to be at least graduation from intermediary school & their range of age to be 20 to 40. QOL questionnaire was administered to all participants. This questionnaire consists of 55 questions which assess the QOL in 5 domains namely: physical status, psychological and affective status, perceived stress, enjoying life and perceived overall QOL. Data analyses were done by SPSS software.

Compared to fertile women, QOL mean score was significantly lower in infertile ones(p=0.02). In the domains of physical status, perceived stress and perceived overall QOL, the two groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), but infertile women group had a significantly lower score on the domains of psychological- effective status(p = 0.02) and enjoying life(p = 0.0001).

QOL is one of the important issues to be addressed in infertility counseling.

At recent three decades, management of chronic mental disorders has been a focus of attention in mental health systems. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of group psychodrama in reducing depression in inpatient women with chronic mental disorder.

In this semi-experimental study, thirty women with chronic mental disorders bedridden at Razi comprehensive psychiatric center(Tehran, Iran) were randomly assigned to two groups, namely intervention & control groups. Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) was administered to all participants and then a 12 session group psychodrama intervention program was carried out for the intervention group. Meanwhile routine treatments were continued for the control group. BDI was then re-administered for both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent and Paired T tests, Kolmogroph-Smernoph, Chi-square, Leven and Covariance analysis(ANCOVA) tests. &nbsp;

After the intervention, the BDI mean score significantly reduced in the intervention group(p=0.000) but not in the control one. The two groups showed no difference regarding the mean BDI scores before the intervention but afterward the control group had a significantly higher score in this respect(p=0.000). The significant differences remained true after applying ANCOVA to control the effects of age and rate of depression(p=0.000)

Psychodrama may be an effective intervention for reducing depression in patients with chronic mental disorders.

Substance abuse is associated with high prevalence of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders (especially depression), personality disorders and psychosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of methadone and its result on substance induced depression-symptoms among IV drug abusers of Kashan prison in 1384.

This is a semi-experimental study. A two part questionnaire including demographic data and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to participants by the prison clinical psychologist. After insuring privacy, performing the questionnaire, and interviewing with each participant done by three psychologists, oral methadone was prescribed to non-excluded participants. After three months of taking methadone, they were re-evaluated by BDI and re- interviewed by psychologists for making diagnoses based on DSM-IV. Data were analyzed by paired T-test. &nbsp;

Based on clinical interview, from the 35 participants, 26(74.2%) were diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder , 2 of whom were excluded from the study and referred for further follow up because of suicidal thinking .The rest 9 participants (25.7%) were not depressed. After the intervention, of all 24, 19 ones(79.16%) showed relative improvement and 5(20.83%) remained unchanged. A significant reduction was found in the mean BDI score after the intervention(p

This study showed that methadone can reduce depression severity in IV drug abusers.