Research in psychological health

What Conditions Contribute to sense of well-beingin Iranian Adolescents? Presenting a Conceptual Model of Well-Being

Leila Kabiri

The increasing socio-cultural changes in recent years, coupled with the high prevalence of psychological health issues during the critical adolescent years and a research gap in this area, highlight the importance of investigating the factors that create a sense of well-being in adolescents. This study aimed to identify the conditions for sense of well-being and to present a conceptual framework of well-being for Iranian adolescents. A qualitative, constructivist approach and a grounded theory research design were used with the aim of conceptual ordering. The study population consisted of Iranian adolescents, mainly residing in the city of Qazvin, aged 16 to 19 years, who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected from 2024 to 2025 through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews and Coding was performed manually in two stages initial and focused Coding based on the Charmazian approach, and themes were sorted using Excel 2019. This process yielded twelve core concepts: engagement, optimism, happiness, self-relationship, relationships with others, relationship with God, relationship with existence, self and family health, personal growth, flourishing community, moral values, and material resourcesThe findings of this research provide insights for policymakers and educators to create a suitable environment for fostering well-being.

Comparatio systematum cerebrum-comportamentum, exemplorum temperamentorum personalitatis et agendi socialis in personis dependentes medicamentis traditis et consumptoribus substantiarum industrialium.

Farhad Mohammadi Masiri

The present study aimed to analyze and compare the psychological profiles of two groups of traditional and industrial drug users, examining the differences in brain-behavioral systems, personality dimensions, and prosocial behavior tendencies. This causal-comparative study was conducted on 200 drug-dependent men (100 traditional drug users and 100 industrial drug users) who had referred to rehabilitation centers in Qom in 1404. The measurement tools included the Gray-Wilson Brain-Behavioral Systems Questionnaire, Cloninger Personality and Character Test, and the Revised Prosocial Behavior Scale. The findings from multivariate analysis of variance showed that industrial drug users scored significantly higher in the behavioral activation system and the approach and active avoidance subscales, while no significant differences were observed in the behavioral inhibition and conflict-avoidance systems. In terms of personality dimensions, the industrial group had higher scores in novelty seeking, harm avoidance, perseverance, self-direction, and self-transcendence, but traditional users showed superiority in the reward dependence dimension and indicators of social behavior (altruism and compliance). The results indicate that the industrial substance use pattern is associated with a more impulsive personality profile and a deeper breakdown in social functioning, while traditional users maintained social bonds and responsiveness to environmental rewards. These findings emphasize the need to review treatment protocols and design differentiated interventions based on the type of substance used and the neuro-personality underpinnings in the field of addiction psychology.

The Mediating Role of Mentalization, Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity in the Relationships Between Vulnerable and Grandiose Narcissism and Depression

Roshanak Khodabakhsh Pirkalani

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of mentalization, epistemic trust, mistrust, and credulity in the relationship between narcissistic traits (vulnerable and grandiose) and depression. A correlational design with path analysis was employed. A convenience sample of 304 adults completed Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck et al., 1996), Short Form of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (Sherman et al., 2015), The Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2018) and Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity Questionnaire (Campbell et al., 2021). The results revealed that both dimensions of narcissism had a significant positive indirect effect on depression through reduced mentalizing capacity and increased epistemic mistrust. However, epistemic trust played a significant mediating role only in the path between vulnerable narcissism and depression. The indirect paths through epistemic credulity were also not significant. Also, the direct effect of grandiose narcissism on depression was negative, but the total effect was positive through indirect paths. These findings highlight the distinct mediating mechanisms of narcissism dimensions and underscore the importance of capacities for social information processing in understanding depressive symptoms. The results may inform the development of preventive, psychoeducational, or therapeutic programs focused on enhancing mentalization and restoring epistemic trust in individuals with narcissistic traits.

Distress Intolerance and Worry and Rumination: Analysis of the Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance and Emotional Contrast Avoidance

Alireza Moradi

Distress intolerance, as a psychological vulnerability factor, has been implicated in the development of a wide range of conditions leading to psychopathology, including worry and rumination. Low distress tolerance may also predispose individuals to greater use of avoidance strategies. This study aimed to expand our understanding of the relationship between distress intolerance and worry/rumination by examining the mediating role of two forms of avoidance (i.e., experiential avoidance and emotional contrast avoidance). Questionnaire and cross-sectional data were collected from 1,098 participants from the general population aged 18–55 years (52.3% female). The results of structural equation modeling and mediattion analysis showed that experiential avoidance and emotional contrast avoidance mediated the relationship between distress intolerance and worry/rumination in a chain fashion. More precisely, the lower the distress tolerance capacity, the more people engage in repetitive negative thinking in the form of worry and/or rumination, and the two forms of avoidance mediated this relationship. The applications, limitations, and implications of this research are also discussed.

Prediction of Child Eating Behavior Based on Parental Reflective Functioning: The Mediating Role of Parental Feeding Style

Robabeh Noury

This study aimed to predict children’s eating behavior based on parental reflective capacity, examining the mediating role of parental feeding styles. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design using path analysis. The population comprised all mothers of children aged 6–12 years attending primary schools in Tehran in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 573 mothers were recruited. Instruments included the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ; Wardle et al., 2001), the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ; Luyten et al., 2017), and the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ; Wardle et al., 2002). Data were analyzed using path analysis, and the model demonstrated acceptable fit. Findings indicated that the indirect effect of pre-mentalizing on approach behavior via emotional feeding was significant; the indirect effects of pre-mentalizing on avoidant behavior via instrumental and controlling feeding were also significant. In contrast, the indirect effect of certainty about mental states on avoidant behavior via instrumental feeding was not significant, whereas the indirect effects via encouragement to eat and controlling feeding were significant. All reported significant indirect effects reached (p<0.05). Maternal mentalization, through different feeding styles, influences children’s approach and avoidance behaviors; an encouraging style increases approach, while instrumental and controlling styles reinforce avoidance.

The effectiveness of rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy on interpretation bias in adolescent girls with depressive disorder

Mohammad Borna

The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy on interpretation bias in adolescent girls with depressive disorder. The study community included all female adolescents studying in the age range of 15 to 18 years in Ramshir City in 2023-2024. From the aforementioned population, a sample of 350 people was selected using Sample available and completed the Beck Depression Inventory, of which 28 people scored above the cutoff point (score higher than 25). Then, this group underwent a diagnostic interview and completed the Amir et al. (1998) Interpretation Bias Questionnaire as a pre-test. Both groups were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and a control group. The present research design was a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test type with a control group. The experimental group underwent rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, but the control group did not receive any intervention. The results showed that rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing interpretation bias in adolescent girls with depressive disorder. According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy can be used as an effective method to help improve the conditions of adolescent girls with depressive disorder.

Psychometric Properties and Cutoff Points of the Body Dissatisfaction Scale in an Iranian Adolescent Population

Azadi

This study aimed to validate the Body Dissatisfaction Scale (BDS) and evaluate its validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy among Iranian adolescents across BMI categories. A total of 281 adolescents (mean age = 15.94 ± 1.80 years; 61% girls) completed the BDS, the Body Image Concern Inventory, the short form of the Emotional Eating Scale for Children, and provided their Body Mass Index (BMI). The findings indicated that the BDS demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity, as scores were positively correlated with the BICI and its subscales. Concurrent validity was supported by the significant relationship between the BDS and EES-C among girls. Known-groups validity was supported, as PAB scores increased with higher BMI, showing significant differences between weight categories. ROC analysis revealed that PAB had acceptable accuracy in distinguishing underweight and good-to-excellent accuracy for overweight/obesity. Cutoff points were ≤ 3 for underweight in girls, ≤ 4 in boys, and ≥ 6 for overweight/obesity. Test–retest reliability was excellent among girls and good among boys. Overall, the findings confirmed that the BDS is a valid, reliable, and efficient tool for assessing body dissatisfaction among Iranian adolescents and can serve as a useful screening measure when direct measurement of height and weight is not feasible.

The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Cardiac Anxiety and Psychological Flexibility in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and a Family History of Heart Disease

mahrokh Ajorloo

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is influenced not only by biological factors but also by psychological factors. Individuals with a family history of heart disease are particularly vulnerable to elevated cardiac anxiety and reduced psychological flexibility. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on cardiac anxiety and psychological flexibility in patients with coronary artery disease and a family history of heart disease. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of patients with coronary artery disease and a family history of heart disease who were referred to Imam Hossein Hospital in 2025. Thirty eligible participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group received eight sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, whereas the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. The findings indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced cardiac anxiety and significantly improved psychological flexibility in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < .001). Furthermore, the treatment effects were maintained at the follow-up assessment. The findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be considered an effective complementary psychological intervention alongside routine medical care for reducing cardiac anxiety and enhancing psychological flexibility in patients with coronary artery disease and a family history of heart disease.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Depressive Symptoms and Attentional Functioning in Children Aged 7–12 Years

mojtaba rahnemazadeh

Depression and attention deficit disorders are common childhood problems that can affect children's mental health and academic performance. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training on symptoms of depression and attention deficit disorders in children aged 7 to 12 years. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all children aged 7 to 12 years who referred to Rahyab Counseling and Psychology Center in Amol in 1404. Among them, 30 children were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). The experimental group received mindfulness training during eight weekly sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Connors Questionnaire (Teacher Form) and analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The findings showed that mindfulness training significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved attention functions in children in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the results of the three-month follow-up phase showed that the effects of the intervention continued in both research variables. Based on the research findings, mindfulness training can be used as an effective complementary intervention in counseling centers and educational environments to reduce depressive symptoms and improve children's attention functions.