Showing 71 results for Stress
Arshida Sayadi, Fatemeh Houshmand, Seyedeh Reyhaneh Hashemi, Tara Sotvar, Arsalan Barekat,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is associated with persistent deficits in self-regulation, poor self-management skills, and increased social-emotional problems, including social anxiety. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on self-management skills and social anxiety in adolescents with ADHD. The study was conducted in a quasi-experimental manner with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The study population included adolescents aged 13 to 15 years with this disorder, 30 of whom were selected using a convenience method and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program, while the control group was on a waiting list. The research instruments included the Adolescent Self-Management Questionnaire and the Adolescent Social Anxiety Scale, which were administered in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed that the implementation of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program significantly increased self-management skills and significantly reduced social anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group, and these effects remained largely stable at the two-month follow-up. Based on the findings, the mindfulness-based stress reduction program can be used as a complementary and effective intervention in improving cognitive-behavioral functions and reducing social-emotional problems in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Zahra Amir Azdi, Soheila Rahmani, Parisa Kolahi,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a widespread chronic pain disorder that is associated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive problems and is associated with high levels of alexithymia and rumination. Given the role of psychological factors in the exacerbation of symptoms, mindfulness-based interventions have been considered as a complementary approach. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on alexithymia and rumination in female patients with fibromyalgia. Method: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all female patients with fibromyalgia who referred to Sina Hospital in Tehran during June and July 2025. Among the eligible individuals, 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group participated in 8 90-minute sessions of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The research instruments included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Rumination Scale. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings: The results showed that after controlling for pre-test scores, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the variables of alexithymia and rumination (P < 0.001). So that the mean scores of the experimental group in both variables were significantly reduced. The effect size calculation showed that the mindfulness intervention had a significant effect on reducing rumination and a moderate effect on reducing emotional alexithymia. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that the mindfulness-based stress reduction program can be used as an effective psychological intervention in improving emotional alexithymia and reducing rumination in female patients with fibromyalgia. It is suggested that this approach be used as a complementary treatment in chronic pain treatment centers.
Mohammad Mehdi Zeidabadinejad, Ahmad Torabi, Fatemeh Mohammadifar, Zahra Nori, Roya Tovakoli,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness‑Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Intensive Short‑Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) on reducing obsessive‑compulsive symptoms and improving treatment adherence in patients with non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study employed a quasi‑experimental design with a pretest‑posttest and one‑month follow‑up, including two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population comprised all patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who attended treatment centers in Tehran during autumn 2025. From this population, 72 individuals were initially selected using purposive sampling; after attrition, the final sample consisted of 45 participants who were randomly assigned to three groups (15 participants per group). MBSR and ISTDP were each delivered individually over eight 90‑minute sessions to the experimental groups, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Maudsley Obsessive‑Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Results of repeated‑measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that both MBSR and ISTDP significantly reduced obsessive‑compulsive symptoms and improved treatment adherence, and these effects remained stable for at least one month post‑intervention. Furthermore, Bonferroni post‑hoc tests showed that MBSR was significantly more effective than ISTDP in reducing obsessive‑compulsive symptoms and improving treatment adherence (p < 0.05). This superiority may be attributed to MBSR’s capacity to enhance emotion regulation, reduce stress, and increase body awareness—factors that play a decisive role in managing chronic diseases and health‑oriented behaviors. Therefore, incorporating mindfulness‑based interventions as an effective approach alongside other psychological treatments may help improve treatment outcomes and quality of life in patients with NAFLD.
Dr Parisa Kolahi, Arsalan Barakat, Dr Taiebe Delshad, Dr Soheila Rahmani, Dr Amineh Jalali, Leyla Sadat Modarresi,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on psychological resilience and marital burnout in couples experiencing psychological distress related to socioeconomic uncertainty. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. The study population included couples experiencing psychological distress related to socioeconomic uncertainty in 2026. Among them, 30 couples were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 couples) and a control group (15 couples). The inclusion criterion was scoring above the cutoff point on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90-minute Emotion-Focused Therapy, while the control group received no intervention. The research instruments included the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Couple Burnout Measure (CBM). Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA/MANCOVA). The results showed that Emotion-Focused Therapy significantly increased psychological resilience and significantly reduced marital burnout in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that Emotion-Focused Therapy, through enhancing emotion regulation, restructuring maladaptive interaction patterns, and strengthening emotional security between partners, can mitigate the adverse effects of socioeconomic uncertainty. Overall, Emotion-Focused Therapy is an effective intervention for improving psychological resilience and reducing marital burnout in couples experiencing psychological distress related to socioeconomic uncertainty, and it is recommended for use in counseling and mental health services for couples exposed to chronic socioeconomic stressors.
Dr Mojgan Agahheris, Dr Mahdieh Rahmanian, Dr Ezzatollah Kordmirza Nikoozadeh, Mr Soroush Pourmousaabkenar,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on reducing stress-related arousal in patients with respiratory problems: a randomized controlled clinical trial. The present study was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, control group, and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of all patients with respiratory problems in 2024 (1403 in the Persian calendar). From this population, 30 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 each). All participants completed Cohen’s Perceived Stress Questionnaire (1983) before the intervention. Subsequently, the experimental group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, held weekly. Research data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that there was a significant difference in stress-related arousal between the two groups at the post-test and follow-up stages (p<0.05), indicating that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was effective in reducing stress-related arousal (p<0.05). Accordingly, it can be concluded that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be effective in reducing stress-related arousal in patients with respiratory problems.
Fatemeh Ghasempour, Masoumeh Taheri, Sheyda Esmailzadeh, Seyede Fateme Esmaeilpour, Soheila Esgandani,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of integrated group-based acceptance and commitment therapy and self-compassion on distress tolerance and resilience against suicide in married women with experience of domestic violence. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and one-month follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all married women with experience of domestic violence who referred to family counseling centers in Isfahan. From among them, 32 people were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (16 people) and control (16 people). One person from each group dropped out before the posttest, and finally, each group continued with 15 people. The experimental group received the integrated intervention over eight 90-minute sessions, and the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale and the Suicide Resilience Questionnaire and were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS version 28. The findings showed that the integrated intervention significantly increased distress tolerance with an effect size of 0.481. Also, this intervention significantly increased the 'internal protector' and 'emotional stability' components of resilience against suicide with an effect size of 0.456, but it had no significant effect on the 'external protector' component. The stability of the effects on the aforementioned components was confirmed up to one month after the intervention. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that integrated acceptance and commitment therapy and self-compassion is an effective approach for increasing distress tolerance and improving the internal dimensions of resilience against suicide in married women with experience of domestic violence, but the inability of this intervention to improve the external protector requires attention in future research.
Tibe Delshad, Soheila Rahmani, Amine Jalali, Leylasadat Modaresi, Parisa Kolahi, Arsalan Barekat,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on aggression and self-esteem with the mediation of emotional self-regulation in adolescents with emotion dysregulation. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population included all female adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with emotion dysregulation who referred to counseling centers in Tehran in 2025. Among them, 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of MBSR training, while the control group received no intervention. Research instruments included the Ahvaz Aggression Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and path analysis. The results showed that MBSR training significantly reduced aggression and increased self-esteem in adolescents of the experimental group. Furthermore, the results of path analysis confirmed that emotional self-regulation played a significant mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness with aggression and self-esteem. Based on the findings of this study, MBSR, through enhancing emotional self-regulation abilities, can be used as an effective intervention method for reducing aggression and increasing self-esteem in adolescents with emotion dysregulation.
Alireza Mojab Ghasrodashti, Ali Naseri,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
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.
Seyedeh Bita Mir Ghaffari, Dr Maryam Kalhornia Golkar , Dr Taher Tizdast,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
| 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. |
Noura Dehghanpour, Tavakol Mosizadeh, Reza Kazemzadeh, Vakil Nazari,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
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.
Soheila Rahmani, Amineh Jalali, Leyla Sadat Moradi, Parisa Kolahi, Arsalan Barakat, Taiebe Delshad,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (3-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy on academic burnout, hope for the future, and resilience in female students with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and control group design, including a two-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of all female students aged 13 to 17 years living in Tehran during the 2026-2027 academic year who had experienced exposure to war-related traumatic events. Among them, 40 eligible students were selected through purposive sampling based on the cut-off score of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS-5) and randomly assigned to the experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90-minute positive psychotherapy, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Data collection tools included the Bresso Academic Burnout Questionnaire, Snyder's Hope Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, administered at the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. Findings from the mixed-design repeated measures ANOVA showed that positive psychotherapy led to a significant reduction in academic burnout and a significant increase in hope for the future and resilience in the experimental group compared to the control group. Furthermore, the follow-up stage confirmed the stability of the intervention effects over time. Based on the results, positive psychotherapy can serve as an efficient school-based intervention to reduce the negative psycho-educational consequences of trauma and enhance resilience and hope in adolescent girls.
