research
Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS, cardiovascular, MS, etc.
Ali Afshari; Mohammad Eyvazi
Abstract
Objective: Type 2 diabetes, in addition to its physical consequences, exerts significant psychological effects on patients' quality of life and mental health. Psychological interventions that strengthen individuals' internal resources can therefore contribute to improved mental health and resilience. ...
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Objective: Type 2 diabetes, in addition to its physical consequences, exerts significant psychological effects on patients' quality of life and mental health. Psychological interventions that strengthen individuals' internal resources can therefore contribute to improved mental health and resilience. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of self-compassion training on self-esteem, psychological well-being, psychological flexibility, and psychological resilience in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Method: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures and a control group was employed. The statistical population comprised all individuals with type 2 diabetes who visited specialized diabetes treatment centers in Tabriz, Iran, during the first quarter of 2023. Of these, 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and were then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1989), Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale (2002), the Dennis and Vander Wal Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire (2010), and a Persian Psychological Resilience Scale (Kiamarsi, Najarian, & Mehrabizadeh-Honarmand, 1998). The self-compassion training program consisted of eight one-hour sessions based on Gilbert's therapeutic protocol (2009).
Results: Data analysis indicated that self-compassion training significantly improved self-esteem, psychological well-being, and psychological flexibility in individuals with type 2 diabetes (p < 0.05). However, the intervention did not produce a significant effect on psychological resilience in this population.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that enhancing self-compassion skills can constitute an effective component of psychological interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes.
research
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.
research
Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Golnaz Memarzade; Alireza Taghvaee
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on fear of pregnancy and psychological toughness in women aged 20 to 30 in Isfahan in the spring of 2025.
Method: From the statistical population that met the inclusion criteria, 30 married women were purposefully ...
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Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on fear of pregnancy and psychological toughness in women aged 20 to 30 in Isfahan in the spring of 2025.
Method: From the statistical population that met the inclusion criteria, 30 married women were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (emotion-focused therapy) and a control group. The instruments used included Kiamarsi et al.'s Psychological Toughness Questionnaire (1377) and Bayrampour's Fear of Pregnancy Questionnaire (2016). The experimental group underwent emotion-focused therapy in ten 60-minute sessions for two months. Then, the questionnaires were administered again in the post-test. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data using SPSS version 28.
Results: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that emotion-focused therapy had a significant effect on increasing psychological hardiness and reducing fear of pregnancy (p < 0/05).
Conclusion: Therefore, emotion-focused therapy can be recommended as an effective psychotherapy method in promoting mental health and increasing psychological hardiness of women in the pre-pregnancy period or in the face of pregnancy-related concerns. This study's findings can serve as a practical guide for psychologists, counselors, and researchers in mental health and reproductive health.
research
Psychological interventions in health and diseases
vahedeh Usefpour; Iman Shahrokh afshari; elahe Hojati Abed
Abstract
Objective: Individuals with severe physical injuries often face significant psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which complicate their recovery process. Recognizing the need for targeted interventions, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness ...
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Objective: Individuals with severe physical injuries often face significant psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which complicate their recovery process. Recognizing the need for targeted interventions, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality-based schema therapy (VRST) and process-oriented cognitive behavioral therapy (PB-CBT) in managing PTSD among these individuals.Method: The study addressed a gap in the literature by focusing on the unique demands of a military and clinical population in a challenging recovery context. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest, a posttest, and a control group was employed. The statistical population consisted of patients visiting the Shafieieh Clinic in Zanjan, Iran. Sixty individuals diagnosed with PTSD (based on DSM-5 criteria) were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to three groups: 20 participants received VRST, 20 received PB-CBT, and 20 formed a control group (waiting for treatment). Using a validated PTSD checklist, pretest and posttest assessments were conducted, ensuring reliable measurement of symptom changes.Results: The findings indicated that both treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in PTSD symptoms compared to the control group (p < 0.05); however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the VRST and PB-CBT groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of employing innovative, technology-enhanced interventions in managing trauma-related disorders and provides a basis for further research to explore the nuances of these therapeutic models.
research
Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Sharareh Ghasemi; khadijeh Arabsheybani; Mojgan AgahHeris; Mahdieh Rahmanian; Sepideh Nazemi
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy, focusing on dietary traps, in reducing weight and BMI, including thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI), among individuals with obesity and hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland controls the body's ...
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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy, focusing on dietary traps, in reducing weight and BMI, including thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI), among individuals with obesity and hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland controls the body's metabolism through hormone production. Thyroid dysfunction can alter the metabolic rate, impacting weight. Research consistently indicates that increased BMI is often associated with higher TSH levels and an increased likelihood of hypothyroidism. However, the overall findings from studies in this area are not yet entirely consistent. Although individuals with obesity due to conditions like hypothyroidism initially find weight loss straightforward, maintaining this reduced weight becomes challenging over time due to psychological traps such as stress, family issues, and social situations. While cognitive therapy primarily focuses on improving an individual's cognitions and thought patterns, it may not directly influence hormonal physiological processes.
Method: This research utilized a quasi-experimental design involving an experimental group and a control group, with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to groups. The study included 30 women from Tehran diagnosed with hypothyroidism and obesity. These participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received 10 weeks of cognitive therapy sessions, concentrating on dietary traps, while the control group received no intervention. Participants signed the consent form before attending the study. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires, blood tests, and BMI measurements. Statistical analysis involved MANOVA, performed using SPSS 26 software.
Findings: Cognitive therapy with an emphasis on dietary traps significantly reduced weight and BMI (P < 0.001), and significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups at post-test and follow-up stages (P < 0.001). Cognitive therapy focused on dietary traps did not have a significant effect on T3, T4, and TSH hormones. The group × time interaction effect for these variables was not significant (p = 0.358), but the main effect of time was fully confirmed.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that cognitive therapy with an emphasis on dietary traps effectively reduces weight and BMI in individuals with hypothyroidism and obesity. The experimental group showed greater improvements compared to the control group, and these effects remained stable during the follow-up period. However, the therapy did not have a significant effect on improving thyroid hormone levels.
review
Research methodology and measurement in health psychology
Zahra Asgari; Younes Doostian
Abstract
Objective: This overview aims to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews on the characteristics of effective PSR interventions for individuals with SUDs across all recovery stages.
Method: The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251149640). We will conduct systematic searches in PubMed, Web ...
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Objective: This overview aims to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews on the characteristics of effective PSR interventions for individuals with SUDs across all recovery stages.
Method: The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251149640). We will conduct systematic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EBSCOhost, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for peer-reviewed systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews published in English between 2015 and 2025. The search strategy, developed in adherence to PRESS guidelines, will combine keywords and MeSH terms for SUDs and PSR. Study selection will follow PRISMA guidelines, with screening and deduplication performed in Covidence and EndNote. Primary study overlap will be assessed using citation matrices and the corrected covered area (CCA) method. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews will be evaluated using AMSTAR-2. The certainty of the scoping evidence will be assessed using PRISMA-ScR.
Results: The primary outcome will be the identification of key characteristics (e.g., components, delivery formats, and contextual factors) of effective PSR interventions.
Conclusion: This overview will identify and synthesize key effective practices, including specific intervention components (e.g., social skills training, psychological support, contingency management, vocational elements) and delivery formats (e.g., in-person, telehealth, integrated care models). This comprehensive framework will directly inform practitioners designing evidence-based PSR programs and guide policymakers allocating funds toward the most effective models. It will also highlight critical evidence gaps and propose future research directions, ultimately aiming to improve psychosocial outcomes and support long-term recovery for individuals with SUDs.
