Mental Health and Lifestyle Journal

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on social adjustment and post-traumatic stress in individuals diagnosed with Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome (CAS) in Tehran during 2023–2024. The sampling method used in this study was simple random sampling, and the research design was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest control group structure. The statistical population consisted of all individuals who referred to the counseling centers of the Art and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality and were screened as having Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome. A total of 45 participants were selected from this population. Following the completion of pretest questionnaires, two experimental groups participated in eight therapy sessions based on either Metacognitive Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while the control group received no training. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software and repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings indicated that Metacognitive Therapy, in comparison with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, led to greater improvement in social adjustment from pretest to posttest and follow-up. However, this result was not observed for post-traumatic stress. Both therapeutic approaches equally reduced post-traumatic stress in participants. The results demonstrated that both Metacognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy had favorable effects on improving social adjustment and reducing post-traumatic stress. Nonetheless, Metacognitive Therapy proved to be more effective in enhancing social adjustment among individuals with adjustment disorders. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between the two therapies in reducing post-traumatic stress, as both were equally effective.

The present study aimed to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of scapular stabilizer muscles (upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior) across different arm movement planes (abduction, flexion, and scaption) in males with upper crossed syndrome and healthy individuals. This causal-comparative (ex post facto) study was conducted on non-athlete male students aged 18 to 28 from the University of Tehran. A total of 22 participants with upper crossed syndrome and 22 healthy individuals (without upper crossed syndrome) were purposefully selected based on the inclusion criteria. Following initial assessments and screening, the electrical activity of the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles, as well as the serratus anterior muscle, was measured using an electromyography device during three arm movements: shoulder abduction, arm elevation in the scapular plane (30 degrees anterior to the frontal plane), and shoulder flexion, all performed without resistance and across three phases (concentric, isometric, and eccentric), with each phase lasting 3 seconds. Each participant repeated the movement 5 times, with a 3-second rest interval between repetitions. After assessing normality and homogeneity of variances, data were analyzed using an independent t-test in SPSS version 26. The results of the present study indicated that in the abduction, flexion, and scaption planes, participants with upper crossed syndrome exhibited significantly higher muscle activity in the upper trapezius during concentric, isometric, and eccentric phases compared to healthy participants (p < .05). In contrast, participants with upper crossed syndrome showed significantly lower muscle activity in the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles across all movement phases (concentric, isometric, and eccentric) compared to the healthy group (p < .05). These findings suggest that individuals with upper crossed syndrome experience altered muscle activation patterns, characterized by overactivity of the upper trapezius and underactivity of the middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior.

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of compassion-focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the quality of life in men with painful spinal cord injury. The statistical population consisted of all male patients referring to a rehabilitation hospital in Isfahan. For the purpose of this study, 30 male patients were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). The research design was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and follow-up. The therapeutic intervention was administered to the experimental group over eight sessions, while the control group received no intervention. The instrument used in this study was the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL), which was completed at three time points: pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups at both the posttest (P < 0.01) and follow-up stages (P < 0.01). Therefore, with 99% confidence, it can be concluded that compassion-focused ACT is effective in improving the quality of life in male patients suffering from painful spinal cord injury.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex and debilitating psychological disorder in which obsessive beliefs constitute its core. Therefore, identifying the underlying factors influencing these beliefs is of considerable importance.

Objective: This study aimed to apply structural equation modeling to examine the complex relationships among insecure attachment styles (anxious and avoidant), moral sensitivity, and obsessive beliefs, with fear of self and self-ambivalence as mediating variables. A total of 452 university students in Tehran (predominantly female, aged 18–24, undergraduate level) participated in the study using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ), the State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM), the Ethical Sensitivity Scale Questionnaire (ESSQ), the Fear of Self Questionnaire (FSQ), and the Self-Ambivalence Measure (SAM). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling based on partial least squares (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that insecure attachment styles—particularly the anxious type—were positively and directly predictive of obsessive beliefs, whereas moral sensitivity was negatively and directly predictive of obsessive beliefs. Additionally, fear of self and self-ambivalence played partial mediating roles in these relationships. Specifically, insecure attachment indirectly influenced obsessive beliefs through increased fear of self and self-ambivalence, whereas moral sensitivity indirectly influenced obsessive beliefs through decreasing these mediators. The model demonstrated strong goodness of fit and satisfactory predictive power, highlighting the complex interaction between self-related, attachment-related, and moral variables in the psychopathology of obsessive beliefs. These findings open new avenues for understanding the etiology and designing targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions in the field of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation training and mindfulness skills training on reducing academic burnout in female secondary school students in Tehran. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest-follow-up structure and a control group. A total of 45 female students, selected through purposive sampling based on elevated aggression scores, were randomly assigned to three groups: emotion regulation training, mindfulness training, and control (15 participants each). The intervention programs were delivered over several sessions, with no intervention given to the control group. The Academic Burnout Questionnaire by Bresó et al. (1997) was used to measure outcomes across three time points: pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and multivariate analysis of covariance with SPSS-24 to examine both within- and between-group differences. The results indicated significant reductions in academic burnout over time in both experimental groups compared to the control group. Multivariate analysis showed significant main effects for time (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.56, F(2,27) = 10.3, p < 0.001) and a significant interaction between time and group (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.70, F(2,27) = 5.62, p = 0.009). Univariate repeated measures analysis revealed that both emotion regulation and mindfulness training groups experienced significant reductions in academic burnout scores at posttest and follow-up. The mindfulness group demonstrated slightly greater and more stable effects across the measurement points. Both emotion regulation training and mindfulness skills training were effective in reducing academic burnout among female students, with mindfulness showing marginally superior outcomes. These interventions can serve as viable school-based strategies for addressing student burnout and promoting emotional resilience in academic settings.

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between lifestyle and hope for life with social support among young adults with physical-motor disabilities in the city of Tehran. This research was correlational in nature and fundamental in terms of purpose. The statistical population consisted of young individuals aged 20 to 35 years with physical-motor disabilities residing in four care and support centers in Tehran in 2023. From an accessible population of 400 individuals, a sample of 196 participants was selected through simple random sampling using the Morgan table. Data collection instruments included the Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ), Phillips Social Support Questionnaire, and Snyder et al.’s Hope Scale (1991). Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between lifestyle and social support (r = 0.313, p < 0.01). Additionally, a positive and significant relationship was observed between hope for life and social support (r = 0.225, p < 0.01). The results of the multiple regression analysis also indicated that lifestyle and hope for life together explained approximately 10% of the variance in social support (R² = 0.101, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that improving lifestyle and enhancing hope for life can lead to increased social support among young adults with physical-motor disabilities. Attention to these components can be effective in the design of support, rehabilitation, and mental health promotion programs for this group.

This study aimed to design a self-efficacy-based self-care educational package tailored for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to enhance their empowerment, health literacy, treatment adherence, and psychological well-being. A qualitative research design was employed using thematic analysis based on the Attride-Stirling (2001) framework. Data were extracted from a purposive sample of scientific texts, including peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses published between 2011 and 2023 that addressed self-efficacy, empowerment, and self-care. The analysis was conducted inductively using MAXQDA software. The coding process involved identifying 236 initial codes, which were grouped into 91 basic themes, 16 organizing themes, and 6 overarching global themes. These findings informed the development of a structured 10-session educational package. Content validity of the package was confirmed through expert evaluation and calculation of the Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Thematic analysis revealed six global themes essential for MS self-care: (1) health literacy and informed decision-making, (2) physical care and healthy lifestyle, (3) mental health and stress coping, (4) social support and communication, (5) medication management and treatment adherence, and (6) spiritual education. Each session of the package addressed one or more of these domains through a combination of theoretical instruction, practical exercises, multimedia content, and group discussion. The package content was developed based on culturally relevant sources and validated theoretical constructs. The inclusion of spiritual and psychological components was emphasized to match the sociocultural needs of the target population. The developed self-care training package offers a comprehensive, theory-driven, and culturally contextualized intervention for enhancing the self-efficacy and well-being of MS patients. It integrates cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, offering a practical and holistic approach to chronic illness management.

Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) require not only medical treatment but also psychological interventions. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of suffering management training and emotion efficacy therapy on life suffering and affective capital in patients with IBS. This research employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and follow-up phases along with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all IBS patients who referred to gastroenterology clinics in Isfahan during the winter of 2025. From this population, 60 patients were purposefully selected and assigned into three groups (each with 20 participants). The Perceived Suffering Scale (Schulz et al., 2010) and the affective Capital Questionnaire (Golparvar, 2016) were used to assess the dependent variables across the three time points. The two treatment groups each received 8 sessions of intervention lasting between 75 to 95 minutes, while the control group received no treatment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test via SPSS version 26. The results indicated that for both variables—life suffering and affective capital—there were significant differences between the suffering management training group, the emotion efficacy therapy group, and the control group (p < .05). Specifically, suffering management training was more effective than emotion efficacy therapy in reducing life suffering and enhancing affective capital. Given the effectiveness of suffering management training in alleviating life suffering and improving affective capital among IBS patients, it is recommended that this psychological intervention be implemented alongside medical treatments in clinical settings.