Research in psychological health

Relationship between extraversion/neuroticism and mental well-being: The mediating role of mindfulness

mohammad naghi farahani

The aim of this research was study the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between extraversion/neuroticism with mental well being. In the descriptive (corelational) study, 152 Kharazmi university students (61 male, 91 female) were randomly selected and they answered the short-form Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQR-S) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Also, for assessment of mental well being used the Five-item Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Results showed the positive relationship between extraversion with mental well being and mindfulness and the negative relationship between neuroticism with mental well being and mindfulness. Hierarchical regression analysis showed mindfulness have mediating role in the relationship between extraversion and positive affect. Also, mindfulness is mediate role in the relationship between neuroticism and negative affect and in the relationship between neuroticism and life satisfaction

Examining the causal model of depression based on lifestyle components and social health as mediator factor

Ahmad borjali

The aim of this study was to test the causal model of depression based on lifestyle with mediation role of social health. The study sample was consisted of all individuals over 18 years old who was selected by multistage random cluster sampling method. Based on the estimated Cochran of the sample, 383 individuals were selected. Instruments for gathering data were health promoting lifestyle questionnaire (Walker and polerrcky, 1996), Keyes social health (2004) and the Beck Depression Inventory II. The prevalence of depression have been estimated 15% in this population. There have associations between life style, social health and depression. Social health has a mediator role in the relationship between life style and depression. Findings of the path analysis also showed that nutrition, responsibility for the health, exercise and spiritual growth had significant direct and indirect effect on depression.

The Role of prefrotal cortex in subjective mood: A Transcranial Direct Current stimulation Study

Fathemeh Keshvari

In this study we aimed to investigate whether anodal Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of left and right Dorsolatera prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) could affect subjective negative /positive mood in healthy subjects. In a quasi-experimental study, participants (20 female, 20 male) were received three left anodal DLPFC/ Right anodal DLPFC and Sham stimulation (2mA, 20 min) in a random order independent sessions. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) was administered for assessing subjective mood, before and after treatment. Friedman Test and Mann-Whitny U were used for analysising data. Results indicated that left anodal tDCS over DLPFC diminish subjective report of negative mood. Moreover, the effects of tDCS on decreasing positive mood in men was greater than women. Active bifrontal tDCS in our population not only was not compatible with previous results in healthy population, but also it was similar to tDCS application in depressed population. Further studies with precise assessment of mood and emotion, and with applying different tDCS montages could generate complementary finding about the role of the DLPFC in subjective mood.

The effects of computer games with high (Call of Duty) and low (Angry Birds) stimulating rate on the biological arousal levels in boys

Maryam Taghavi Jelodar

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of computer games with different stimulating on arousal levels in 8 to 12 years old boys using SCL index and SAM test and the method of the study is quasi-experimental design. The population consisted of all boys 8 to 12 years old at region 4 Education in Tabriz (2011-2012). The sample included 15 boys whom were selected through random sampling method. The arousal levels of participants measured via Skin Conductance Level (SCL), as a physiologic index, in 6 steps including: first baseline, first intervention (Playing the computer game with low stimulating), second baseline, third baseline, second intervention (Playing the computer game with high stimulating) and fourth baseline. In order to analyze the data, repeated measure ANOVA was used.The results showed that the levels of SCL in participants remarkably increased during the interventions phases compared with baselines phases. According to the findings of the study, computer game with high stimulating rate is more effective in raising arousal level in participants than low stimulating game.

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (Face to face and Internet-based) on Emotional Regulation Strategies of individuals with Comorbidity of insomnia and depression

Alireza Moradi

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of face to face and internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies of individuals with Comorbidity of insomnia and depression. This study employed pretest-posttest and follow-up quasi-experimental designs with two experimental groups and one control group. A convenience sample of 45 university staff and professors who theire score were higher than the cut-off score in PSQT and BDI-II questionnaire was selected by using diagnostic interview based on the DSM-5 criteria for depression and insomnia. We randomly assigned 15 people in to three group. The experimental groups received 6 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The results showed that the face to face procedure was more effective in reducing putting into catastrophizing and increasing perspective- taking, refocus on planning, than internet-based one. The two experimental groups had a significant difference in rumination, “positive refocusing”, “blaming others” and “blaming self compared with the control group. Moreover, the three groups were similar in terms of “positive reappraisal” and “acceptance”. According to the findings, both procedure of treatment was effectively improved the cognitive emotion regulation strategies

Comparison of the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation with imagery-based relaxation on cortisol levels, competitive anxiety and self-confidence in elite athletes

Ali Moghadam Zadeh

The aim of this study was to compare effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation and mental imagery-based relaxation on psychophysiological responses of competitive anxiety (cortisol levels) and self-confidence in elite athletes. For this purpose, 36 of elite Wushu athletes selected and randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. In the pre-test (first competition) competitive anxiety and self-confidence as well as salivary cortisol were measured in all three groups. In experimental groups, relaxation techniques was trained for 4 weeks. Data with univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were analyzed. The results showed that progressive muscle relaxation was more effective than mental imagery-based relaxation in decreasing saliva cortisol and somatic anxiety. Also, mental imagery-based relaxation was more effective on the cognitive anxiety rather than progressive muscle relaxation. In addition, self-confidence was increased after mental imagery-based relaxation. In general, it could be concluded that different types of relaxation training was an effective strategy to reduce psychophysiological responses of competitive anxiety and improve self-confidence.

Psychometric properties of Ambivalence over Emotional Expression Questionnaire

Mohammad Ali Asghari Moghadam

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of Persian language version of the ambivalence over emotional expression questionnaire (AEQ). Translation-back translation was used to prepare the Persian version of AEQ. A convenience sample of 521 students from three universities in Tehran in 2015-2016 was examined. We assessed validity of the questionnaire by construct validity (via exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis) and convergent validity. Cronbach alpha, split half reliability, test-retest reliability coefficients were used for assessing reliablity. Exploratory factor analysis of AEQ’s items showed two factors named ambivalence over expression of positive emotions and ambivalence over expression of negative emotions. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factor structure resulted from exploratory factor analysis which was different from the proposed factors in original questionaire. For total questionnaire and two extracted factors, Cronbach alphas were between 0.77 and 0.86, the Spearman–Brown coefficients were between 0.77 and 0.88 and the test- retest reliability coefficients were between 0.72 and 0.79. The results of this study indicated that this questionnaire have appropriate psychometric properties among Iranian Population.