Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Arash Nejatian; Mahnaz Aliakbari Dehkordi; Amin Rafiepour; Ziba Barghi Irani
Abstract
AbstractObjectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a cognitive-behavioral-emotional and social intervention tailored for hypertensive cardiovascular patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The intervention focused on improving erectile function, sexual satisfaction, interpersonal communication, ...
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AbstractObjectives: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a cognitive-behavioral-emotional and social intervention tailored for hypertensive cardiovascular patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The intervention focused on improving erectile function, sexual satisfaction, interpersonal communication, and psychological well-being through integrated psychological support, social connection strategies, lifestyle modifications, and sexual education.Methods: Thirty male patients aged 45 to 60, diagnosed with hypertension and ED, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving the intervention or a control group receiving routine care. The 12-session intervention included relaxation techniques, motivational interviewing, cognitive restructuring (based on the Metz et al. model), psychosexual education, and communication and intimacy training. Lifestyle changes emphasized weight reduction and heart-healthy behaviors to reduce body mass index (BMI). Outcomes were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Sexual Communication Scale (SCS).Results: The experimental group showed significant, sustained improvements. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a strong time × group effect for erectile function and sexual communication anxiety (p < 0.001). BMI dropped significantly (χ² = 22.842, p = 0.000), with a notable between-group difference at follow-up (U = 52.000, p = 0.012). At follow-up, the experimental group reported higher erectile (24.8 vs. 17.2), orgasmic (8.9 vs. 6.7), sexual desire (9.4 vs. 6.8), and intercourse satisfaction (11.7 vs. 7.9); greater relationship satisfaction (21.3 vs. 16.4); and lower sexual communication anxiety (12.6 vs. 21.9).Conclusions: A cognitive-behavioral-emotional-social intervention combined with lifestyle changes improved sexual function and relationship quality in hypertensive patients with ED.
Somayeh Hashemizadeh; Mahdieh Salehi; Amin Rafiepoor; Afsaneh Ghanbaripanah
Abstract
Objective: The role of cognitive, metacognitive, and meta-emotional factors in psychological distress has been clearly confirmed. The current research aims to examine a psychological distress model based on intolerance of uncertainty and emotional schemas of cancer patients with the mediating role of ...
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Objective: The role of cognitive, metacognitive, and meta-emotional factors in psychological distress has been clearly confirmed. The current research aims to examine a psychological distress model based on intolerance of uncertainty and emotional schemas of cancer patients with the mediating role of metacognitive beliefs and cognitive avoidance.
Method: Regarding the methodology, the present study was correlational based on structural equation modeling. The study sample included 300 cancer patients who visited various hospitals in Tehran and completed the questionnaires of uncertainty intolerance, stress, depression, anxiety, emotional schemas, metacognitive beliefs, and cognitive avoidance.
Results: Findings demonstrated that the proposed model has appropriate fitness among cancer patients. Also, the relationship between mediating variables and endogenous and exogenous variables is significant. The variables under investigation explained 46 percent of psychological distress variance in the patients.
Conclusion: Psychological distress in cancer patients is affected by the interaction of excessive emotional states, intolerance of uncertainty, such as metacognitive beliefs, and emotional schemas.
