Research in psychological health

The Effect of Schema Therapy on Improving Job Satisfaction and Strengthening Organizational Commitment of Employees with Maladaptive Schemas

saba sedaghatzadeh

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on improving job satisfaction and strengthening organizational commitment among employees of an autism center with early maladaptive schemas. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population included all employees of the autism center during the period from Mehr to Aban 1404 (October-November 2025). Among these, 30 employees who obtained high scores on the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) in the initial screening were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of schema therapy intervention, while the control group remained on a waiting list. The research instruments included the Spector Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and the Allen & Meyer Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that schema therapy produced a significant difference in the dependent variables. By modifying maladaptive schemas, this intervention led to increased levels of job satisfaction and strengthened dimensions of organizational commitment among employees of the autism center compared to the control group. Given the high occupational stress in autism rehabilitation centers, schema therapy, through reconstructing employees' cognitive and emotional systems, can be used as an effective intervention to prevent burnout, enhance job satisfaction, and increase organizational loyalty.

Predicting Job Performance Anxiety Based on Resilience and Sleep Quality in Firefighters

Zohreh Mortezaei Karahrody

The present study aimed to determine the role of resilience and sleep quality in predicting job performance anxiety among firefighters. The research design was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population consisted of all married firefighters aged 30 to 55 years working in Tehran Fire Stations between May and July 2025. A sample of 250 individuals was selected using convenience sampling. Data collection tools included the Job Performance Anxiety Questionnaire (McCarthy & Goffin, 2004), the Resilience Scale (Connor & Davidson, 2003), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression (Enter method) via SPSS version 22. The findings showed that although both resilience and sleep quality had a significant correlation with performance anxiety (p < 0.01), in the regression analysis, only resilience was a significant predictor of performance anxiety, and sleep quality did not play an independent or significant role in the model. The research findings emphasize the importance of individual resources (resilience) in managing occupational stressors. Therefore, to promote occupational health and enhance efficiency in emergency operations, developing intervention programs focused on strengthening the psychological resilience of firefighters is an undeniable necessity.

Designing, Validating, and Investigating the Effectiveness of a Glasser’s Choice Theory-Based Responsibility Education Package on the Quality of Academic Guidance and Learning Flexibility (Components of Quality of Learning Experiences.

mohammad garavandnia

The present study aimed to design, validate, and determine the effectiveness of a responsibility training package based on Glasser's Choice Theory on two key components of the quality of learning experiences, namely academic guidance quality and learning flexibility, in students. In this mixed-methods study, the qualitative phase was dedicated to developing the components of the package based on the theoretical foundations of Choice Theory and previous research literature, and its content validity was confirmed using the Content Validity Ratio, the Content Validity Index, and the opinions of experts in educational psychology and reality therapy. The quantitative phase of the study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of female second-grade high school students in the experimental sciences field in District 2 of Karaj, from which a sample was selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent ten 90-minute sessions of training with the designed package, and the data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The findings revealed that after controlling for pretest scores, there was a significant difference between the two groups on both dependent variables; specifically, the educational package significantly increased academic guidance quality and enhanced learning flexibility in the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings provide considerable empirical support for the efficacy of the Choice Theory-based responsibility training package in improving indicators of learning quality. Therefore, the designed package can be used as a standardized and structured tool in academic counseling programs and school-based interventions to foster responsibility and improve students' learning experiences.

Comparing the effectiveness of media literacy and emotion regulation training on reducing anxiety and improving mental health in adolescents with cyberspace addiction

elnaz Baniani

The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of media literacy and emotion regulation training on reducing anxiety and improving mental health of adolescents with cyberspace addiction. The research method was applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of data collection method. This study is an applied research in terms of nature and a quasi-experimental research in terms of implementation and a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population in this study included all adolescents with cyberspace addiction in Tehran between Farvardin 1404 and Shahrivar 1404 who referred to the Mind Ara Counseling Center. 45 people were selected purposefully from the statistical population and Beck Anxiety and GHQ Mental Health Questionnaires were distributed to them for response. Also, Gross's (2002) emotion regulation training intervention and Saleh Rad et al.'s (2019) media literacy training intervention were used to train students. Finally, it has been concluded that emotion regulation training has an effect on reducing anxiety and mental health of adolescents with cyberspace addiction, media literacy training has an effect on reducing anxiety and mental health of adolescents with cyberspace

The effect of cardiac rehabilitation intervention on self-care patterns of patients with coronary artery disease

Maryam Kalhornia Golkar

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a structured cardiac rehabilitation program on the self-care pattern of patients with coronary artery disease. This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group with a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included men aged 40 to 65 years with coronary artery disease, from whom 30 were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in a structured cardiac rehabilitation program including self-care behavior education, lifestyle modification, physical activity, healthy nutrition, medication adherence, and stress management, while the control group received usual care. Data were collected using the Coronary Artery Disease Patients Self-Care Questionnaire, third edition, and analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that the cardiac rehabilitation program resulted in significant and sustained improvement in the self-care behaviors of patients in the intervention group compared to the control group. Significant improvements were observed, especially in the self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management subscales, which were maintained at the three-month follow-up. This study showed that cardiac rehabilitation, as a multidimensional and education-based intervention, has a positive effect on self-care behaviors of patients with coronary artery disease and can be considered as an effective method for improving the quality of care for these patients.

Prediction of Empathy Impairment Based on Childhood Trauma with the Mediating Role of Deficits in Theory of Mind in Female Students

Fatemeh Gholami

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prediction of empathy impairment based on childhood trauma, mediated by theory of mind deficits, among female university students. This study is applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in methodology. The statistical population consisted of all female students at Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, in Khordad 1404. The sample size was 210 individuals, determined using Cochran's formula (2023) and selected via convenience sampling.To measure the research variables, the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire by Bernstein et al. (2003), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test by Baron-Cohen et al. (2001), and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index by Davis (1991, note: corrected from "Batson") were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28 and Amos version 24 software, employing Pearson correlation and path analysis. Results indicated that the research model had good fit (p<0.05). Childhood trauma predicted theory of mind deficits (β=0.484) and empathy impairment (β=0.435). Theory of mind deficits also predicted empathy impairment (β=0.299). Additionally, theory of mind deficits mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and empathy impairment among female students (β=0.145).Thus, it can be concluded that childhood trauma predicted empathy impairment in female students through the mediation of theory of mind deficits.

The Effectiveness of Self-Focused Compassion Therapy on Distress Tolerance and Alexithymia in Women with Hair Picking Disorder

Tavakol Mosizadeh

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of self-focused compassion therapy on distress tolerance and alexithymia in women with skin picking and hair picking disorder in Tehran. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The research population included female students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, who were selected based on the inclusion criteria and purposive sampling method. A total of 45 eligible subjects were identified and after random assignment using a random number table, 30 subjects were replaced in two experimental (15 subjects) and control (15 subjects) groups. The experimental group received self-focused compassion therapy intervention, and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, a distress tolerance questionnaire, and an alexithymia questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of distress tolerance and alexithymia at the pre-test stage, which indicated the initial homogeneity of the groups, but at the post-test and follow-up stage, a significant difference was observed between the two groups, indicating the effectiveness of self-focused compassion therapy in improving distress tolerance and reducing alexithymia in women with hair-picking disorder. Accordingly, it can be concluded that this therapeutic approach can be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and improving the emotional indicators of these individuals.

Investigating The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on social anxiety in adolescents: A systematic review

Sahar Shakour

This review study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in reducing social anxiety among adolescents. A systematic search was conducted across Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Magiran, and IranDoc using relevant keywords. Studies assessing MBCT’s impact on adolescent social anxiety with a PEDro score above 5 were included. From 43 identified articles, 6 met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that MBCT significantly reduces social anxiety in adolescents, though variations in methodology, sample size, and assessment tools were observed. These results underscore MBCT’s potential as an effective intervention for social anxiety. It is recommended that MBCT be integrated into school-based counseling and mental health programs. Further research with standardized methodologies is needed to explore MBCT’s efficacy across diverse cultural contexts.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Paradoxical Intention Technique on Enhancing Perceived Competence in School-Age Boys with Stuttering Disorder

parisa kolahi

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the paradoxical intention technique in enhancing perceived competence among school-age boys with stuttering disorder. Stuttering disorder is recognized as one of the most common speech disorders in children, which can exert significant negative impacts on their perceived competence, self-confidence, and psychosocial functioning. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test-post-test and a control group. The statistical population consisted of boys aged 7 to 12 years referred to the Atieh Darakshan Mind Clinic and Niaava Clinic in Tehran, with purposive sampling employed. Ultimately, 30 children were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants each). The measurement instrument was the Children's Perceived Competence Questionnaire (Parandin, 2006). The experimental group underwent the paradoxical intention technique intervention over 10 sessions (twice weekly), comprising structured exercises designed to modify cognitive-emotional patterns related to speech performance and promote positive self-evaluation, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results indicated that the paradoxical intention technique significantly enhanced perceived competence in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the paradoxical intention technique can be employed as an effective psychological intervention to improve perceived competence and support mental health in children with stuttering disorder.

The Effectiveness of Life Skills Training on Internalized Shame and Perceived Stress among University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

ali naseri

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of life skills training on internalized shame and perceived stress among university students. This research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a two-month follow-up. The study population consisted of students at the Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch, in 2024, from whom 72 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (36 in each group). The research instruments included the Internalized Shame Scale (Cook) and the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen). The experimental group received life skills training based on Kleinke’s protocol in 10 weekly sessions of 45 minutes, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results indicated that life skills training led to a significant reduction in internalized shame and perceived stress in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and these effects were maintained at follow-up. The findings suggest that life skills training is an effective educational and preventive intervention for improving mental health indicators among university students and can be incorporated into student mental health promotion programs.