research
Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Ebrahim Rahbar Karbasdehi; Gholam Ali Afrooz; Zahra Naghsh
Abstract
Objectives: Given that children with Down syndrome (DS) face various challenges in cognitive and behavioral functioning, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a family-based responsive instructional pacing program based on functional reading on the executive functions and adaptive functioning ...
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Objectives: Given that children with Down syndrome (DS) face various challenges in cognitive and behavioral functioning, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a family-based responsive instructional pacing program based on functional reading on the executive functions and adaptive functioning in children with DS.
Method: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest, posttest, and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population of the present study consisted of all children aged 9 to 12 years with DS who were referred to the Pardis Rehabilitation Center in Rasht, Iran, in 2025, and their parents. The sample consisted of 15 children with DS selected through convenience sampling and assigned to the experimental group. The instruments used included the Tower of Hanoi, the Stroop Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System. The training program was implemented for the parents in the experimental group in the form of eight 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures univariate and multivariate analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS-27.
Results: The results of the analysis of variance indicated that significant improvements in executive functions and adaptive functioning were observed following the intervention in children with DS (p < 0.05). Post hoc test results also confirmed that the intervention gains were maintained at follow-up, demonstrating the durability of the program effects.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the family-based responsive instructional pacing program based on functional reading can have important implications for improving the executive and behavioral skills of children with DS and appears to be a promising intervention.
review
Psychological and social aspects of disease prevention
Fatemeh Samiee; Zahra Asgari
Abstract
Objective: This overview protocol aims to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effectiveness of interventions designed to foster career aspirations and employability for women experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities.
Methods: The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251269873). ...
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Objective: This overview protocol aims to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effectiveness of interventions designed to foster career aspirations and employability for women experiencing intersecting vulnerabilities.
Methods: The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251269873). We will conduct a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EBSCOhost, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in English between 2016 and December 2026. The search strategy, developed in adherence to PRESS guidelines, will combine keywords and MeSH terms related to vulnerable populations, women, and career development interventions. Study selection will follow PRISMA guidelines, with screening and deduplication performed in Covidence and EndNote. Primary study overlap across reviews 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 six-step reflective thematic analysis will be utilized for data analysis.
Results: The primary outcome will be the identification of key components, mechanisms, and contextual factors of effective career aspiration interventions. Results will be synthesized into a thematic map and narrative summary.
Conclusion: This overview will identify and synthesize key effective intervention strategies for supporting vulnerable women's career development. This comprehensive framework will directly inform practitioners designing evidence-based programming and guide policymakers allocating funds toward the most effective, scalable models. It will also highlight critical evidence gaps and propose future research directions. Ultimately, its aim is career development and economic participation for this group of women.
research
Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS, cardiovascular, MS, etc.
Fatemeh Bayanfar; Hengameh Boloorsaz Mashhadi
Abstract
Objective: Hypertension is a common, asymptomatic medical condition. It arises from general or functional disorders and is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (BCBT) on dysfunctional attitudes, lifestyle, ...
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Objective: Hypertension is a common, asymptomatic medical condition. It arises from general or functional disorders and is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (BCBT) on dysfunctional attitudes, lifestyle, and distress tolerance in young adults with hypertension.Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test-post- test design, a control group, and \ a 45-day follow-up. The population comprised young male patients with hypertension at Moheb Mehr Hospital in Tehran between March and October 2025. From this population, a sample of 30 people was selected using purposive sampling, and they were then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (n = 15 each). The experimental group received 10 60-minute BCBT sessions over 2.5 months, per Rudd’s protocol (2012). The control group received only routine medical care. Both groups were re-evaluated 45 days after the intervention. Measures included the Dysfunctional Attitudes Questionnaire (Weissman & Beck, 1978), Profile Health-Promoting Lifestyle II (PHPL-II) (Walker et al., 1995), and Distress Tolerance Scale (Simmons & Gaher, 2005). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS v26.Results: BCBT significantly reduced dysfunctional attitudes (F = 32.913, p < 0.004), improved lifestyle (F = 9.665, p < 0.002), and increased distress tolerance (F = 11.313, p < 0.001) of the patients with hypertension. Effect sizes were 0.54, 0.26, and 0.29 for dysfunctional attitudes, lifestyle, and distress tolerance. Improvements persisted at the follow-up stage.Conclusion: Brief cognitive-behavioral therapy improves behavioral-psychological indices in patients with hypertension. Adding this intervention to rehabilitation programs may enhance patient outcomes.
research
Psychological aspects in health and diseases
Hamoun Babaei; Ezzatollah Ahmadi; Reza Abdi
Abstract
Objective: Given the growth of the elderly population, identifying factors associated with perceived stress reduction and promoting psychological well-being among older adults is essential. This study aims to present structural equation modeling for the effect of perceived stress on the relationship ...
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Objective: Given the growth of the elderly population, identifying factors associated with perceived stress reduction and promoting psychological well-being among older adults is essential. This study aims to present structural equation modeling for the effect of perceived stress on the relationship between neuroticism and psychological well-being in the elderly.
Method: This research is a descriptive correlational study that used structural equation modeling. In this study, 214 elderly people from Tabriz city were selected through purposive sampling. In this research, the perceived stress questionnaire of Cohen and colleagues (1983), the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire (1989), and the Costa and McCrae Neuroticism Questionnaire (1992) were used. The data was analyzed using the Pearson correlation method and structural (SPSS and LISREL software) equation modeling.
Results: The results showed that neuroticism has a direct and indirect relationship with psychological well-being, and perceived stress can be an effective mediator.
Conclusion: By reducing stress in the elderly, it is possible to reduce their neuroticism and increase their mental well-being.
research
Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Razie Abzan; Babollah Bakhshipour Joybari
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of solution-focused couple therapy (SFCT) on marital satisfaction and adjustment among couples coping with spousal leukemia.
Method: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design with a three-month follow-up was employed. ...
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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of solution-focused couple therapy (SFCT) on marital satisfaction and adjustment among couples coping with spousal leukemia.
Method: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design with a three-month follow-up was employed. The target population comprised all couples in which one partner was diagnosed with leukemia, receiving outpatient care at the Cancer Research Center of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences in 2022. A purposive sample of 30 couples was randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a waitlist control group (n=15n = 15n=15 couples per group). The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute group sessions of MacDonald’s (2007) solution-focused couple therapy protocol, while the control group received no therapeutic intervention during this period. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up using Hudson’s Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) and Spanier’s Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) was performed using SPSS (Version 26).
Results: The results of the present study showed that solution-focused couple therapy has an effect on marital satisfaction and adjustment in couples with a spouse with leukemia (P<0.05), and this effect was stable at a three-month follow-up (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Solution-focused couple therapy is a viable, strengths-based intervention that enhances relationship quality and relational resilience in couples facing the burdens of leukemia. Incorporating SFCT into standard supportive and psychosocial oncology programs is strongly recommended.
research
Psychological aspects in health and diseases
Esmaeil Soleymani; shahla alilou
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to compare sexual function, marital intimacy, and emotional balance between older adults with high and low sexual disgust sensitivity.
Method: This study employed a causal-comparative design. The sample comprised 60 married older adults (30 with high sexual disgust ...
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Objective: The present study aimed to compare sexual function, marital intimacy, and emotional balance between older adults with high and low sexual disgust sensitivity.
Method: This study employed a causal-comparative design. The sample comprised 60 married older adults (30 with high sexual disgust sensitivity and 30 with low sexual disgust sensitivity) selected purposively from healthcare and counseling centers in Khoy, Iran. We collected data using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), the Intimacy Needs Questionnaire (INQ), and the Disgust Scale (DS). Data were analyzed with independent-samples t-tests and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) in SPSS22.
Results: The participants’ mean age was 69.43 years (78.3% female, 21.7% male). Participants with high sexual disgust sensitivity had significantly poorer sexual functioning, lower marital intimacy, and reduced emotional balance than those with low sensitivity (p<0.001). The two groups also differed significantly across all subscales of marital intimacy and emotional balance.
Conclusion: Elevated sexual disgust sensitivity may impair sexual functioning in older adults, compromising quality of life by reducing marital intimacy and disrupting emotional balance. Consequently, addressing disgust sensitivity in geriatric psychological and sexological interventions appears essential to enhancing marital relationships and overall well-being.
