Mental Health and Lifestyle Journal (MHLJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access academic journal dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of mental health and its dynamic interactions with lifestyle-related practices. As a scholarly platform, MHLJ publishes original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, brief reports, case studies, and theoretical contributions that explore how lifestyle factors—such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, social relationships, digital behavior, and other health-promoting practices—impact psychological well-being across diverse populations and settings. The journal is committed to academic rigor, scientific integrity, and social relevance. It seeks to serve mental health professionals, public health experts, lifestyle medicine practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists, medical researchers, and policymakers interested in advancing evidence-based knowledge on the preventive and therapeutic roles of lifestyle interventions in mental health care. MHLJ follows a double-blind anonymous peer-review process, ensuring that both authors and reviewers remain unaware of each other’s identities. Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two, and in some cases three, expert reviewers to ensure objectivity, methodological soundness, and scholarly contribution. The journal is published continuously and aims to provide rapid dissemination of high-quality research in both theoretical and applied domains. We welcome contributions from international authors and encourage interdisciplinary research that bridges mental health with lifestyle medicine, behavioral science, social determinants of health, and integrative care approaches.
Design and Validation of a Conceptual Model of the Integrated Ego Based on Object Relations Approaches and Davanloo’s Psychodynamic Theory
This study aimed to design and psychometrically validate a conceptual model and measurement instrument for the integrated ego based on object relations approaches and Davanloo’s psychodynamic theory. The study employed a survey-based instrument-development design. The statistical population consisted of university students in Tehran, from whom 503 participants were selected through convenience sampling from Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch; Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch; Amirkabir University of Technology; and the University of Tehran. The initial conceptual framework was developed through a review of theoretical and empirical literature concerning ego strength, ego development, adaptive capacity, defense mechanisms, emotion regulation, insight, mindfulness, motivation for change, anxiety, attachment, resistance, ego functions, ego differentiation, and object relations. Based on these domains, an initial 177-item questionnaire was constructed and evaluated by experts. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity was examined through exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis and varimax rotation. The initial questionnaire demonstrated a high total Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, but several preliminary components showed inadequate internal consistency. Following item analysis, component refinement, and repeated factor analyses, 46 items were removed, resulting in a final 131-item instrument. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin coefficient was .901, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was statistically significant, χ² = 31,143.442, p < .001, confirming the suitability of the data for factor analysis. The scree plot supported a seven-factor solution comprising defense mechanisms and emotion regulation, mindfulness and motivation for change, resistance and lack of attachment, ego differentiation and quality of object relations, adaptive capacity and ego strength, anxiety, and ego functions. The seven factors jointly explained 37.988% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha was .928 for the total questionnaire and ranged from .792 to .902 across the seven factors. The findings supported a reliable and construct-valid seven-factor model of integrated ego functioning that encompasses interrelated defensive, emotional, relational, adaptive, motivational, anxiety-related, and executive dimensions consistent with object relations theory and Davanloo’s psychodynamic framework.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shaghayegh Dakhili (Author); Davood Manavipour; Alireza Pirkhaefi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Identifying and Explaining the Components, Themes, and Dimensions of Perceptions and Lived Experiences among Patients with Migraine: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
Objective: This study aimed to identify and explain the components, themes, and dimensions of the perceptions and lived experiences of patients with migraine. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach. Participants were patients with migraine who referred to Mehraram Clinic in Tehran, Iran. They were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and continued until data saturation was achieved. The interviews focused on patients’ experiences of migraine attacks, bodily perceptions, sensory triggers, emotional reactions, cognitive difficulties, daily functioning, social and family consequences, and coping strategies. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis with a phenomenological orientation. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, member checking, repeated review of transcripts, and documentation of analytic decisions. Results: Analysis of the interviews led to the extraction of 312 initial codes. After repeated review and merging of similar codes, 84 final codes were organized into 19 subthemes and 6 main themes. The main themes were: painful and unpredictable body, sensory sensitivity and vulnerability to stimuli, psychological disturbance and emotional exhaustion, impaired cognitive functioning and daily performance, family, social, and occupational consequences of the disease, and coping strategies, adaptation, and reconstruction of the relationship with illness. The findings showed that migraine was experienced as a multidimensional condition that disrupts bodily trust, emotional stability, cognitive clarity, social participation, role functioning, and everyday planning. Conclusion: Migraine is not experienced merely as recurrent headache, but as a complex lived condition that affects the patient’s body, emotions, cognition, relationships, responsibilities, and identity. A patient-centered understanding of migraine can help clinicians move beyond symptom counting and design more sensitive assessment and psychological intervention strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Elnaz Farmanian (Author); Azita Amir Fakhraei; Eghbal Zarei (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Illness Perception in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and mindfulness-based therapy in improving illness perception among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Mashhad during 2025–2026. The present study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. A total of 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who met the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to the study groups. Illness perception was assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire developed by Broadbent et al. (2006). The schema therapy intervention was implemented based on the model proposed by Riso et al. (2008), while the group mindfulness intervention was conducted according to the therapeutic program developed by Teasdale et al. (2018). The data were analyzed using inferential statistical procedures, including repeated-measures analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of covariance, and univariate analyses of covariance within the multivariate analysis of covariance framework. The effects of schema therapy and mindfulness-based therapy on illness perception among patients with rheumatoid arthritis were statistically significant and remained stable over time (p < .05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between schema therapy and mindfulness-based therapy in terms of their effectiveness in improving illness perception. Group-based schema therapy and mindfulness interventions may be used to improve illness perception in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and, to some extent, reduce the psychological distress experienced by these patients.
Copyright (c) 2026 Saeid Shad (Author); Mehdi Ghasemi Motlagh; Abolfazal Bakhshipour (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Development of a Psychodynamic–Emotion-Focused Therapeutic Package and Comparison of Its Effectiveness with Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Emotional Capital and Sensation Seeking among Women with Comorbid Depression and Social Anxiety
ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop a psychodynamic–emotion-focused therapeutic package and compare its effectiveness with dialectical behavior therapy in improving emotional capital and modifying sensation seeking among women with comorbid depression and social anxiety. This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted in qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, relevant scientific texts were analyzed using theory-driven deductive thematic analysis, and the extracted components were organized into a ten-session psychodynamic–emotion-focused therapeutic package whose content validity was evaluated by experts. The quantitative phase employed a quasi-experimental three-group pretest–posttest design with a two-month follow-up. Forty-five unmarried women aged 20–40 years attending counseling centers in Isfahan were randomly assigned to psychodynamic–emotion-focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and control groups, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental groups received ten one-hour sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Beck Depression Inventory, Connor Social Phobia Inventory, Golparvar Emotional Capital Questionnaire, and Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons. The main effect of time on emotional capital was significant, F(2, 84) = 552.183, p < .001, partial η² = .929. The time-by-group interaction was also significant, F(4, 84) = 413.550, p < .001, partial η² = .952. Bonferroni comparisons showed significant increases in emotional capital from pretest to posttest and follow-up in both experimental groups, with substantially greater improvement in the psychodynamic–emotion-focused group. For sensation seeking, neither the main effect of time, F(1.644, 69.066) = 0.234, p = .748, nor the time-by-group interaction, F(3.289, 69.066) = 0.654, p = .597, was significant. Both interventions improved emotional capital, although the psychodynamic–emotion-focused package produced markedly stronger and sustained effects, while neither intervention significantly changed sensation seeking.
Copyright (c) 2026 Reza Arab Markadeh (Author); Hadi Farhadi; Seyyed Hamid Atashpour (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Development and Validation of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Program Based on an Exploration of Psychological Pain in the Midlife Crisis
This study aimed to explore the nature of psychological pain in the midlife crisis, develop an acceptance and commitment therapy program grounded in the resulting conceptual model, and evaluate its content validity, face validity, acceptability, and preliminary feasibility. A sequential developmental design was used. In the qualitative phase, 18 employed middle-aged adults living in urban areas of Tehran were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling and interviewed using in-depth semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed through constructivist grounded theory using open, axial, and selective coding and constant comparison. The resulting conceptual model was translated into therapeutic change objectives and a 10-session acceptance and commitment therapy protocol through directed content analysis and intervention mapping. Ten experts evaluated the program’s necessity, relevance, clarity, face validity, and feasibility, while 10 members of the target population assessed its comprehensibility, cultural appropriateness, acceptability, and practical usability. Analysis of 385 initial codes identified existential grief as the core category of psychological pain in the midlife crisis. This phenomenon emerged from accumulated failures, unresolved developmental wounds, suppressed emotions, multidimensional midlife pressures, ineffective emotional relationships, and perceived closure of future opportunities. Existential grief was expressed through regret, persistent sadness, helplessness, and deep loneliness and was maintained by avoidant or temporarily relieving coping responses. Nine of the 10 sessions obtained acceptable content validity ratios of 0.80 or 1.00, whereas Session 10 obtained 0.40 and was subsequently revised. Item-level content validity indices ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, the scale-level content validity index was 0.93, and adjusted kappa coefficients ranged from 0.79 to 1.00. Expert and client-oriented face-validity means were both 4.20 out of 5, and overall feasibility ratings were 3.90 out of 5. Psychological pain in the midlife crisis can be conceptualized as existential grief for an unlived life and unrealized self, and the developed acceptance and commitment therapy program demonstrated satisfactory preliminary validity, acceptability, cultural relevance, and feasibility.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mahmoud Hakimnia; Ahmad Borjali , Zohreh Rafezi , Abolghasem Isamorad , Abdollah Moatamedy (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Development of an Intervention Program Based on the Lived Experiences of Individuals with Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Isfahan and Its Effectiveness on Obsessive Beliefs and Symptoms
ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the lived experiences of individuals with relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD), develop a culturally informed integrative intervention, and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing obsessive symptoms, obsessive beliefs, and relationship beliefs. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. In the qualitative phase, 40 individuals diagnosed with ROCD participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews analyzed phenomenologically. The findings informed the development of an eight-session integrative intervention drawing on cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, compassion-focused, emotion-focused, and attachment-based approaches. In the quantitative phase, 30 eligible participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 each) in a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design. Data were collected using the Yale–Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Inventory, Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire, and Relationship Beliefs Inventory. Multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance were conducted. MANCOVA indicated a significant overall intervention effect on the combined dependent variables after controlling for pretest scores (Pillai’s trace = 0.182, F = 5.21, p = 0.001, partial η² = 0.274). ANCOVA results showed significant reductions in obsessive beliefs (F = 8.10, p = 0.006, partial η² = 0.128), relationship-centered obsessive symptoms (F = 7.25, p = 0.009, partial η² = 0.116), partner-focused obsessive symptoms (F = 6.70, p = 0.012, partial η² = 0.109), and relationship beliefs (F = 5.95, p = 0.018, partial η² = 0.098). The strongest effect was observed for obsessive beliefs, whereas relationship beliefs showed the smallest effect. The lived-experience-based integrative intervention effectively reduced major cognitive and symptomatic dimensions of ROCD and supports the value of culturally adapted, multidimensional treatment programs.
Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder
Copyright (c) 2026 Hajar Mazaheri (Author); Hassan Zareei Mahmoodabadi; Mohamaad Hosein Fallah , Fahimeh Dehghani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Modeling Attitudes Toward Delinquency Based on Identity Styles, Perceived Social Support, and Cognitive Emotion-Regulation Strategies Among Generation Z Students: The Mediating Role of Agreeableness
The present study aimed to test a structural model predicting attitudes toward delinquency based on identity styles, perceived social support, and cognitive emotion-regulation strategies, with the personality trait of agreeableness as a mediator among Generation Z university students. In terms of purpose, this was an applied study, and in terms of methodology, it employed a descriptive-correlational design using a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of undergraduate students aged 18–25 years enrolled at the Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, during the 2024–2025 academic year. From this population, 306 students were selected through cluster random sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing identity styles, perceived social support, cognitive emotion regulation, personality traits, and attitudes toward delinquency and were analyzed using path analysis and structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the proposed model demonstrated a satisfactory fit to the data, χ²/df = 2.79, CFI = .98, GFI = .94, AGFI = .90, and RMSEA = .062. Informational identity style, perceived social support, and adaptive cognitive emotion-regulation strategies had significant positive relationships with negative attitudes toward delinquency, whereas diffuse-avoidant identity style and maladaptive cognitive emotion-regulation strategies were associated with positive attitudes toward delinquency. Moreover, agreeableness played a significant mediating role in the relationships between the predictor variables and attitudes toward delinquency. Overall, the findings indicate that attitudes toward delinquency among Generation Z students are simultaneously influenced by identity-related, social, emotional, and personality factors. Strengthening agreeableness, social support, informational identity processing, and adaptive emotion-regulation strategies may therefore contribute to reducing positive attitudes toward delinquency.
Copyright (c) 2026 Alireza Lotfalinezhad (Author); Seyed Davoud Hoseini Nasab; Alinaghi Aghdasi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exploring Spouses’ Lived Experiences of Marriage to Only Children
The present study aimed to explore spouses’ lived experiences of marriage to only children. This qualitative study employed a descriptive phenomenological design, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The study population consisted of all spouses of only children living in Isfahan during 2025–2026. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data saturation was reached after interviews with 11 spouses of only children. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) method. Three main themes were extracted from the lived experiences of the spouses of only children: (1) opportunities and facilitating factors associated with marriage to only children, (2) challenges and pressures associated with marriage to only children, and (3) personality and behavioral patterns of only children. The lived experiences of spouses of only children reflected a combination of distinctive challenges concerning relational boundaries, emotional opportunities, and stability orientation. The findings also indicated that widespread negative stereotypes do not necessarily represent the actual lived experiences of these spouses. Awareness of these experiences may assist young people considering this type of marriage, as well as family counselors, in managing the challenges specific to marriages involving only children.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Mahdi Eftekhari (Author); Fatemeh Shirvani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Relationship of Coping Styles and Resilience with Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the relationships of coping styles and resilience with quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and to determine the contribution of each variable to predicting quality of life. This cross-sectional study employed a correlational design. The statistical population comprised all patients with type 2 diabetes who attended a specialized endocrinology clinic in Tehran between September 2024 and March 2025. Using convenience sampling and based on the sample-size guideline proposed by Tabachnick and Fidell (2021), with an allowance for potential attrition, 250 patients were enrolled in the study. After providing written informed consent, the participants completed three standardized instruments: (1) the Coping Styles Questionnaire (CSQ) developed by Endler and Parker (1990), comprising the problem-focused coping subscale (24 items; Cronbach’s α = .86 in the present study) and the emotion-focused coping subscale (24 items; Cronbach’s α = .83); (2) the 25-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25; Cronbach’s α = .91); and (3) the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36; Cronbach’s α = .90). Demographic and clinical information, including age, sex, educational attainment, duration of diabetes, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, was also recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 at both descriptive and inferential levels. Descriptive statistics included means, standard deviations, and frequencies, whereas inferential analyses included Pearson’s correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between problem-focused coping and quality of life (r = .58, p < .001) and a significant negative correlation between emotion-focused coping and quality of life (r = −.43, p < .001). A strong positive correlation was also observed between resilience and quality of life (r = .65, p < .001). The results of the stepwise regression analysis showed that, in the first step, resilience alone explained 42% of the variance in quality of life (β = .65, t = 13.20, p < .001). In the second step, the addition of problem-focused coping increased the model’s explained variance to 60% (ΔR² = .18, β = .38, t = 7.10, p < .001). Emotion-focused coping was entered into the equation in the third step; however, it did not make a significant contribution to predicting quality of life (β = −.09, p = .108) and was therefore excluded from the final model. Examination of the potential confounding variables, including duration of diabetes and HbA1c level, indicated that they did not significantly affect the observed relationships. From a clinical perspective, these findings suggest that psychological interventions for patients with diabetes should focus on two fundamental components: (a) strengthening resilience through cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based techniques and (b) teaching practical problem-solving skills and active coping strategies for managing the daily challenges associated with diabetes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mahdieh Ghorbani Asl (Author); Ameneh Khalatbari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Designing a Grounded Theory Model for an Applied Interdisciplinary Tourism Psychology Curriculum in Higher Education
Designing and compiling an applied interdisciplinary curriculum is considered one of the necessities of the educational system. This study was conducted with the aim of designing a grounded theory model for an applied interdisciplinary tourism psychology curriculum in higher education. The present study is a qualitative research type that is fundamental in terms of purpose and has been conducted with an exploratory approach. The data collection tool is a semi-structured interview consisting of 6 questions. The statistical population for answering the interview questions is all experts and scholars in the field of psychology and tourism curriculum planning in higher education in the country, faculty and non-faculty members who are qualified to have at least 10 years of relevant work experience. The sample size was obtained by snowballing and purposive sampling, equal to 12 people. The collected data were analyzed through a coding process based on grounded theory based on the study of Strauss and Corbin (1998) in three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. The categories were categorized into 6 grounded theory networks including central phenomena, background conditions, causal conditions, intervening conditions, strategies and consequences. Thus, finally, 13 main categories, 37 subcategories and 161 indicators for the interdisciplinary applied curriculum model of tourism psychology in higher education were obtained. The central phenomenon includes 1 main category of the interdisciplinary curriculum of tourism psychology. Background conditions include 2 main categories of curriculum infrastructure and curriculum content. Causal conditions include 2 main categories of teaching methods and teaching evaluation. Intervening conditions include 2 main categories of internal factors and external factors. Strategies include 4 main categories of learner activities, planning and supervision, facilities and equipment and attention to curriculum levels. Also, consequences include 2 main categories of micro-consequences and macro-consequences. According to the results, an interdisciplinary curriculum of tourism psychology requires considering the factors of psychology and tourism together, and with the help of the identified strategies, an effective program can be achieved.
Copyright (c) 2026 Parvaneh Sarkeshikzadeh (Author); Alireza Manzari Tavakoli; Farshid Khosropour (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Effectiveness of a Psychological and Marital Empowerment Intervention in Reducing Problematic Internet Use and Social Media Addiction Among Women Adversely Affected by Cyberspace
Given the increasing psychological and social harms experienced by women in cyberspace, the present study aimed to identify the factors contributing to these harms and to develop and validate an effective intervention model for their reduction. This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, in which the first phase was conducted qualitatively and the second phase quantitatively. The qualitative phase was conducted using a content analysis approach. The quantitative phase was applied in purpose and employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group design with a two-month follow-up to validate the psychological and marital empowerment intervention package. The statistical population in the qualitative phase consisted of psychology faculty members with relevant expertise at Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch. The statistical population in the quantitative phase included all women who attended counseling and psychological services centers in Yazd during 2024–2025. From this population, 30 women were randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group, with 15 participants in each group. Following the pretest assessment, the intervention group received training based on the developed intervention package, whereas the control group received no intervention. After completion of the intervention sessions, the posttest was administered, followed by a follow-up assessment two months later. The quantitative data analysis indicated that the psychological and marital empowerment intervention significantly reduced problematic Internet use and social media addiction in the intervention group (p < .05), and its effects remained stable at the follow-up assessment. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed intervention package in reducing harmful cyberspace-related behaviors. Considering the importance of mitigating the adverse effects of cyberspace on women’s lives, counseling and psychological services centers are recommended to use this intervention package and incorporate psychological empowerment training and cyberspace-related coping skills into their intervention programs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hamidreza Peymanfar (Author); Marieh Dehghan Manshadi; Najme Sedrpoushan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Effectiveness of Healthy Lifestyle Education Combined with Yoga Therapy on Sedentary Behaviors and Social Well-Being Among Overweight Individuals at Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of healthy lifestyle education combined with yoga therapy in reducing sedentary behaviors and improving social well-being among overweight individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A quasi-experimental method was employed using a pretest–posttest design with a two-month follow-up and a control group. The statistical population consisted of overweight individuals with a body mass index of 25 or higher who were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and had attended healthcare and counseling centers in Tehran. Following screening and confirmation of the eligibility criteria, 40 participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 20), which received healthy lifestyle education and yoga therapy over 10 sessions, or a control group (n = 20), which received no intervention. Sedentary behavior was assessed using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire developed by Rosenberg et al. (2010), while social well-being was measured using Keyes’s (2004) Social Well-Being Scale, which comprises five dimensions: social actualization, social integration, social coherence, social acceptance, and social contribution. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26. The findings indicated that the effects of time and the group-by-time interaction were statistically significant for both sedentary behavior, F = 1186.201, p = .001, η² = .985, and social well-being, F = 397.400, p = .001, η² = .956. Specifically, sedentary behavior decreased significantly and social well-being increased significantly in the experimental group, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Bonferroni post hoc tests demonstrated significant differences between the pretest and both the posttest and follow-up assessments. However, the difference between the posttest and follow-up assessments was not statistically significant, indicating that the intervention effects were maintained throughout the follow-up period. Based on these findings, healthy lifestyle education combined with yoga therapy may be used as a complementary nonpharmacological intervention to reduce sedentary behaviors and enhance social well-being among individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maryam Abdolkarimy Nazary (Author); Mojgan Agahheris; Ezzatolah Kordmirza Nikoozadeh, Mahdieh Rahmanian , Amir Abdolhoseini (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Relationship of Personality Traits and Ego Strength with the Severity of Functional Disability in Individuals with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
This study aimed to investigate the direct relationships between personality traits and the severity of functional disability and to determine the mediating role of ego strength in individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders. This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted using structural equation modeling. The statistical population comprised individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders who attended Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between September 2025 and March 2026 and whose diagnoses were confirmed by a gastroenterologist. A total of 350 participants were selected through nonprobability convenience sampling. Data were collected using the 36-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, the 60-item Revised NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and the 32-item Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, structural equation modeling, path analysis, and the Sobel test were used for data analysis. SPSS and AMOS Version 24 were employed. The proposed structural model demonstrated an acceptable fit with the empirical data, with χ²/df = 1.71, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .94, NFI = .93, GFI = .94, and AGFI = .93. Ego strength had a significant negative direct effect on functional disability severity (β = −.44, p < .001). Among the personality dimensions, agreeableness (β = −.37, p < .001), conscientiousness (β = −.20, p < .001), and openness to experience (β = −.12, p < .05) significantly and negatively predicted functional disability. However, the direct effects of extraversion and neuroticism were not statistically significant. The Sobel test also confirmed the significant mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between certain personality traits and functional disability severity (Z = 2.84, p < .01). Ego strength appears to be an important psychological mechanism through which personality traits influence functional disability in individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Greater agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, and ego strength were associated with lower disability severity, highlighting the value of incorporating personality-informed assessment and ego-strengthening interventions into multidisciplinary care.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maryam Saeid (Author); Mahboobe Taher; Hamid Vahedi , Abbas Ali Hosseinkhanzadeh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Individuals’ Active Actions in Reconstructing Psychosocial Balance Following Bariatric Surgery: A Qualitative Study
Bariatric surgery, in addition to its physical consequences, is accompanied by extensive psychological and social changes in individuals’ lives. Following surgery, many individuals encounter new challenges related to their bodies, eating behaviors, emotions, and social relationships. The present study aimed to explain individuals’ active actions in reconstructing psychosocial balance following bariatric surgery. This qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory based on the systematic approach proposed by Strauss and Corbin (2015). The participants consisted of 40 individuals who had undergone bariatric surgery, including sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, at least six months before participation. Sampling was initially purposive and subsequently theoretical and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observations and were analyzed concurrently with data collection. The data analysis revealed that life following bariatric surgery involves a complex and fluctuating process of reconstructing psychosocial balance. The study’s core category was identified as “active actions for reconstructing psychosocial balance.” This category comprised nine subcategories: adaptation to the new body, management of unhealthy eating behaviors and development of positive alternative behaviors, body image management, emotion regulation, management of social interactions, self-advocacy, weight and body monitoring, development of substitute addictive behaviors, and meaning-making of the experience. These actions indicate that individuals actively attempt to adapt to their new bodies, regulate their emotions, manage their social relationships, and redefine their lived experiences following surgery. The findings demonstrated that reconstructing psychosocial balance after bariatric surgery is an active, dynamic, and multidimensional process shaped through a combination of individual and social actions. Attention to these active actions may play an important role in designing psychological interventions and supportive programs intended to improve individuals’ adjustment following bariatric surgery.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zahra Riahi (Author); Ghasem Naziri; Leili Panaghi, Farzaneh Hooman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training on Pain Perception, Resilience, Quality of Life, and Treatment Adherence in Patients with Chronic Pain
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion regulation training in reducing pain perception and improving resilience, quality of life, and treatment adherence among patients with chronic pain. This applied, quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of female patients with chronic pain who presented to chronic pain clinics and medical centers in Tehran in 2024. Thirty eligible patients were recruited through convenience sampling from among volunteers and were randomly assigned to either the emotion regulation training group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). The experimental group participated in an emotion regulation training program, whereas the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Treatment Adherence Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. The findings indicated that emotion regulation training significantly reduced pain perception and improved resilience, quality of life, and treatment adherence compared with the control condition. The multivariate effect of group was statistically significant, Wilks’ Λ = .06, F = 37.83, p < .001, η² = .74. The group effect was also statistically significant for pain perception, F = 41.35, p < .001, η² = .68; resilience, F = 132.47, p < .001, η² = .86; quality of life, F = 72.38, p < .001, η² = .79; and treatment adherence, F = 96.24, p < .001, η² = .83. Emotion regulation training was effective in reducing pain perception and enhancing resilience, quality of life, and treatment adherence among patients with chronic pain. Therefore, this intervention may be employed as an adjunctive psychological approach to chronic pain management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hoda Nabizadeh (Author); Neda Alibeigi; Marzieh Poursalehi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Alexithymia and Rumination Predict Somatic Symptoms in Elderly Individual
The elderly individuals are often viewed as one of society's most vulnerable groups because of the physical and psychological changes they experience. This research aims to forecast physical symptoms in elderly individuals by analyzing alexithymia and rumination. The current research utilized a descriptive-correlational research design and a cross-sectional approach. The statistical population for this study comprised elderly individuals residing in elderly care facilities in Tehran from July to September 2023. A total of 72 elderly individuals (both male and female) were selected as the sample using a simple random sampling technique. The research instruments utilized were The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), the Rumination Response Scale (RRS), and the Physical Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 27 software, which included descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and Pearson correlation tests. The p-value for the study was set at 0.05. Based on the findings, the research showed that the Difficulty identifying feeling aspect had a notable and favorable impact on Physical Symptoms (p <0.001). Likewise, the Difficulty describing feeling aspect also had a noteworthy and beneficial influence on Physical Symptoms (p <0.001). On the other hand, the Externally Oriented Thinking aspect did not show a meaningful influence on Physical Symptoms (p = 0.173). Meanwhile, Rumination was found to have a notable and beneficial impact on Physical Symptoms (p <0.001). The findings of this research indicate that the Difficulty Identifying and Describing Feeling component, as well as Ruminating, can lead to a greater presence of physical symptoms in elderly people. These results may offer valuable insights for healthcare providers, particularly doctors, psychologists, and therapists, as they strive to comprehend the connection between mental and physical health concerns in elderly individuals.
Copyright (c) 2026 Reza Hojati, Kamran Tamanaei Astahbanati, Zahra Hajimoradian, Niloofar Etemadi Chehardeh (Author); Mitra Noushin Rad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Effectiveness of Unified Transdiagnostic Treatment on Difficulties in Emotion Regulation, Quality of Life, and Fasting Blood Glucose among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of unified transdiagnostic treatment on difficulties in emotion regulation, quality of life, and fasting blood glucose among patients with type 2 diabetes in Tehran. This applied quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included patients with type 2 diabetes who referred to diabetes clinics and medical centers in Tehran in 2024. Thirty eligible patients were selected through convenience and voluntary sampling and randomly assigned to an unified transdiagnostic treatment group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received eight weekly 60-minute sessions of unified transdiagnostic treatment, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, and fasting blood glucose laboratory testing. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Unified transdiagnostic treatment significantly reduced difficulties in emotion regulation, improved quality of life, and decreased fasting blood glucose compared with the control group. The time × group interaction was significant for difficulties in emotion regulation, F(3.52, 74.00) = 4.80, p = .004, η² = .21; quality of life, Wilks’ Λ = .47, F(4, 66) = 2.14, p < .001, η² = .39; and fasting blood glucose, F(4, 84) = 4.50, p = .002, η² = .18. Bonferroni comparisons confirmed significant improvements at posttest and follow-up. Unified transdiagnostic treatment was effective in improving emotion regulation, quality of life, and fasting blood glucose among patients with type 2 diabetes and can be used as a complementary psychological intervention in diabetes care.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rahim Basaeri (Author); Neda Alibeigi; Marzieh Poursalehi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Compassion Therapy and Self-Care Education on Diabetic Self-Efficacy and Integrative Self-Knowledge in Women with Gestational Diabetes
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based compassion therapy and self-care education on diabetic self-efficacy and integrative self-knowledge in women with gestational diabetes. The study was applied in purpose and quasi-experimental in design, using a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all women with gestational diabetes who referred to the Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility Clinic of Sarem Specialized and Subspecialized Hospital in Tehran during 2025–26. Forty-five eligible women were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three equal groups: mindfulness-based compassion therapy, self-care education, and control group. The mindfulness-based compassion therapy group received eight 90-minute weekly sessions based on the Neff and Germer protocol, and the self-care education group received seven 90-minute weekly sessions based on chronic disease self-management principles. The control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS version 22. The results showed that both mindfulness-based compassion therapy and self-care education significantly improved diabetic self-efficacy and integrative self-knowledge compared with the control group. However, mindfulness-based compassion therapy produced significantly greater improvements than self-care education in both diabetic self-efficacy and integrative self-knowledge at posttest and follow-up. The follow-up results indicated that the effects of both interventions were relatively maintained over time. Mindfulness-based compassion therapy and self-care education were effective in improving diabetic self-efficacy and integrative self-knowledge in women with gestational diabetes. However, mindfulness-based compassion therapy was more effective than self-care education. These findings suggest that compassion-based and mindfulness-oriented interventions may be useful for strengthening confidence in diabetes management and improving coherent self-understanding in women with gestational diabetes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mahsa Rajaee (Author); Alireza Shokrgozar; Sheida Sodagar, Fatemeh Mohamadi Shirmahaleh, Maryam Mashayekh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety Among Individuals Referred to Counseling Centers
The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on psychological flexibility and anxiety among individuals referred to counseling centers. The research method was quasi-experimental, using a pretest–posttest design with one experimental group and one control group. The statistical population included individuals referred to counseling centers in Tehran in 2025–2026. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group of 15 participants and a control group of 15 participants. Data were collected using psychological flexibility and anxiety questionnaires. The participants in the experimental group then received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for eight weeks, with one 90-minute treatment session held each week, while the control group received no specific intervention. The findings showed that the mean scores of psychological flexibility and anxiety in the posttest phase of the experimental group were significantly different from the pretest scores. Therefore, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has an effect on psychological flexibility and anxiety among individuals referred to counseling centers.
Copyright (c) 2026 Bita Golkarian (Author); Mozhgan Sadat Seyedi; Atena Martami , Mahsa Nakhlestani , Eshagh SamKhaniani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Social Phobia and Cognitive Fusion in Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
ABSTRACT The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on social phobia and cognitive fusion in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of individuals with generalized anxiety disorder who referred to counseling centers, psychological service clinics, and mental health centers in Tehran in 2025–2026. After the initial screening, eligible participants completed Connor et al.’s Social Phobia Inventory and Gillanders et al.’s Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire. Subsequently, 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based on the model of Hayes, Strosahl, and Wilson in eight 90-minute sessions, while the control group received no intervention during this period. The data were analyzed using the independent-samples t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 27. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of demographic characteristics. In addition, the results of the two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that the interaction effect of group and time on social phobia and cognitive fusion was significant. Based on the mean comparisons, scores of social phobia and cognitive fusion in the experimental group decreased from the pretest to the posttest, and this reduction remained largely stable at the two-month follow-up, whereas no considerable change was observed in the control group. Based on the findings, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can reduce social phobia and cognitive fusion in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. Therefore, the use of this treatment in counseling centers, psychological clinics, and mental health centers may be beneficial for reducing engagement with anxious thoughts, increasing acceptance of internal experiences, reducing social avoidance, strengthening cognitive defusion, enhancing psychological flexibility, and promoting movement toward values-based behaviors.
Copyright (c) 2026 Narges Doraghi , Omid Taghipour (Author); Mohammad Hatami Ilkhchi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Irrational Beliefs, Health Promoting Behaviors, and Pain Perception in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Mediating Role of Behavioral Activation and Inhibition Systems
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder in which psychological factors play a significant role in symptom severity and pain perception. The present study aimed to examine the association between irrational beliefs, health promoting behaviors, and pain perception in patients with IBS, with the mediating roles of the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS). This cross sectional study was conducted among 320 patients diagnosed with IBS who were recruited using convenience sampling from a gastroenterology clinic. Participants completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), the Irrational Beliefs Test, and the BIS/BAS scales. Data were analyzed using path analysis within the structural equation modeling framework in AMOS version 24. Path analysis revealed that health promoting behaviors were negatively associated with pain perception (β = −.41, p < .001), whereas irrational beliefs were positively associated with pain perception (β = .36, p < .001). Behavioral activation (BAS) showed a significant negative effect on pain perception (β = −.31, p < .001), while behavioral inhibition (BIS) demonstrated a significant positive effect (β = .35, p < .001). Health promoting behaviors were significantly related to BAS (β = −.24, p < .001) and BIS (β = .27, p < .001). Irrational beliefs were positively associated with BIS (β = .30, p < .001) but not with BAS (β = −.09, p = .106). Bootstrapping analyses indicated that BAS and BIS significantly mediated the relationship between health promoting behaviors and pain perception, whereas only BIS mediated the relationship between irrational beliefs and pain perception. The final model explained 50% of the variance in pain perception. These findings highlight the role of cognitive factors and behavioral self regulation systems in the experience of pain among patients with IBS. Interventions targeting irrational beliefs and promoting healthy behaviors may reduce pain perception by influencing motivational systems such as BAS and BIS.
Irrational beliefs, Health promoting behaviors, Pain perception, Behavioral activation system, Behavioral inhibition system, Irritable bowel syndrome
Copyright (c) 2026 Masoumeh HosseinVerdi (Author); Somayeh Keshavarz; Hasan Abdollahzadeh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Group Reality Therapy and Group Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy on Distress Tolerance and Marital Intimacy in Couples
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of group reality therapy and group cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy on distress tolerance and marital intimacy in couples. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population included all couples aged 25 to 45 years who referred to Dr. Mehdi Pour-Asghar Psychology Clinic in Sari, Iran, during 2024–2025. The study sample consisted of 45 couples selected through purposive sampling based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned equally to three groups using simple randomization. Data were collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale developed by Simons and Gaher (2005) and the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire developed by Bagarozzi (2001). The obtained data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26. The results indicated a significant difference between the reality therapy experimental group and the cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy experimental group in the scores of distress tolerance and marital intimacy (p < .01). Reality therapy produced greater changes in marital intimacy, whereas cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy produced greater changes in couples’ distress tolerance. In addition, the difference between the posttest and follow-up stages was not significant, indicating the stability of the treatment effects. Therefore, both approaches compared in this study can be used to promote couples’ mental health.
Copyright (c) 2026 Meysam Kord (Author); Mehdi Pourasghar; Asghar Norouzi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Modeling Fear of Death Based on Attachment Styles with the Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support among Older Adults
Fear of death is one of the important psychological concerns in late life and may be influenced by relational and social factors. This study aimed to model fear of death based on attachment styles with the mediating role of perceived social support among older adults. This applied correlational study was conducted using a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of older adults aged 65 years and above living in Tehran, Iran. A total of 411 older adults were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the fear of death subscale of the Death Attitude Profile–Revised, the Adult Attachment Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a demographic information form. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS. Reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, direct effects, indirect effects, and model fit indices were examined. The results showed that the proposed model had acceptable fit, SRMR = .069, NFI = .765, and GOF = .614. The model explained 62.7% of the variance in fear of death and 70.3% of the variance in perceived social support. Perceived social support had a significant negative effect on fear of death, β = -.424, t = 8.171, p < .001. Secure attachment significantly predicted perceived social support, β = .155, t = 3.575, p < .001, and avoidant attachment also significantly predicted perceived social support, β = .086, t = 2.252, p = .025. Ambivalent attachment had a significant direct effect on fear of death, β = -.078, t = 2.228, p = .026. The indirect effects of secure attachment, β = -.066, t = 3.276, p < .01, and avoidant attachment, β = -.036, t = 2.166, p < .05, on fear of death through perceived social support were significant. However, the indirect effect of ambivalent attachment through perceived social support was not significant, β = .008, t = 0.618, p > .05. Perceived social support plays an important mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and fear of death among older adults. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower fear of death. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening social support and improving relational security may help reduce death-related fear in older adults.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammadjavad Ezzatinia (Author); Lida Leilabadi; Marzieh Poursalehy (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotion Regulation Training on Worry Severity in Female Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Ahvaz
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion Regulation Training on worry severity among women diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Ahvaz. The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of all women diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in Ahvaz during 2024. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a sample was selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental groups received either group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Emotion Regulation Training, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the standardized Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Meyer et al., 1990). The data obtained during the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests, including multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Bonferroni post hoc test. The results indicated that both group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotion Regulation Training significantly reduced worry severity among women with Multiple Sclerosis. Furthermore, the findings revealed no significant difference between the effectiveness of these two therapeutic approaches. Overall, the results of the present study underscore the importance of psychological interventions based on acceptance, commitment, and emotion regulation in improving mental health indicators among women with Multiple Sclerosis and demonstrate that these approaches can be used as effective adjuncts to medical treatments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zahra Mousavi Moghadam (Author); Maryam Gholamzadeh jofreh; Masoud Shahbazi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparing the Effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Caregiving Burden in Mothers of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy and emotion-focused therapy on obsessive-compulsive symptoms and caregiving burden among mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This quasi-experimental study used a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population included mothers of children aged 6 to 12 years diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who had attended clinics in Tehran during the previous year. Forty-five participants were selected through voluntary sampling and randomly assigned to mentalization-based therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and control groups. Data were collected using the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory and the Caregiving Burden Scale. Assessments were conducted at pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated-measures mixed analysis of variance, tests of variance homogeneity, and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons in SPSS version 26. The between-group analysis showed no significant differences among the three groups in obsessive-compulsive symptom components, including checking (F=1.376, p=.264, η²=.061), washing (F=1.202, p=.311, η²=.054), slowness-repetition (F=2.158, p=.128, η²=.093), and doubt-conscientiousness (F=.518, p=.599, η²=.024). For caregiving burden, significant between-group effects were found for general strain (F=8.067, p=.001, η²=.278) and hopelessness (F=6.335, p=.004, η²=.232), whereas loneliness, emotional involvement, and environmental burden were not significant. Bonferroni comparisons indicated significant differences in general strain between mentalization-based therapy and emotion-focused therapy (p=.014) and between mentalization-based therapy and control (p=.001). Hopelessness differed significantly between mentalization-based therapy and control (p=.003). Mentalization-based therapy and emotion-focused therapy did not produce significant between-group effects on obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but mentalization-based therapy showed stronger effectiveness in reducing selected dimensions of caregiving burden, particularly general strain and hopelessness.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Copyright (c) 2026 Maral Dast Anbouyeh (Author); Kolsoum Akbarnataj Bisheh; Asghar Norouzi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Incredible Years Program and the Hanen Parent Training Program on Caregiver Burden among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Incredible Years Program and the Hanen Parent Training Program on caregiver burden among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. This study was a quasi-experimental investigation with a pretest–posttest design, a control group, and a follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of all mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder who referred to the Autism Center in Gorgan. The sample size was calculated using G*Power software based on statistical power (0.80), effect size (50%), and confidence level (0.05), resulting in 15 participants per group; considering the three groups, a total of 45 participants were selected. Sampling was conducted purposively at the participant-selection stage and non-randomly at the assignment stage for the experimental and control groups. The data collection instrument was the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The pretest and posttest data of the study groups were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 through two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. It is evident that research conducted in any field has a specific purpose and motivation; however, what appears to be important is the outcomes derived from it, which may have practical applications. The obtained results and recommendations are important not only in terms of applying research findings but also in creating and strengthening motivation among researchers and paving the way for subsequent studies and investigations. Taking the above into account, the following section discusses and concludes the research topic and ultimately presents recommendations for researchers who intend to work in this area.
Copyright (c) 2026 Niloufar Sadat Bashiri (Author); Seyyedeh Olia Emadian; Seyyedeh Hamideh salim Bahrami (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Self-Compassion-Focused Therapy and Stress Inoculation Training on the Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Cancer
Given the psychological burden associated with a child's cancer diagnosis, enhancing the quality of life of parents is of considerable clinical importance. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Self-Compassion-Focused Therapy (SCFT) and Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) on the quality of life of parents of children with cancer. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a two-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of parents of children with cancer who attended medical and psychological treatment centers in Tehran in 2025. From this population, 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each (two experimental groups and one control group). The research instrument was the Quality of Life Questionnaire developed by Weber (1992). The interventions included Self-Compassion-Focused Therapy based on Gilbert’s protocol (2012) and Stress Inoculation Training based on Meichenbaum’s program, each delivered in 10 weekly group sessions. Data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance. The results indicated that both interventions significantly improved quality of life compared with the control group, and these effects remained stable at the follow-up assessment (p < .05). No significant difference was observed between the effectiveness of the two treatment approaches. These findings suggest that both Self-Compassion-Focused Therapy and Stress Inoculation Training can be used as effective supportive interventions to enhance the quality of life of parents of children with cancer.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shadi Salehi (Author); Afsaneh Taheri; Farah Lotfi Kashani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Modeling Health Anxiety Based on Psychological Flexibility with the Mediating Role of Pain Perception in Women with Breast Cancer
The present study aimed to model health anxiety based on psychological flexibility with the mediating role of pain perception in women with breast cancer. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of women aged 30–55 years with early-stage breast cancer who were undergoing treatment or active follow-up in medical centers in Shiraz, Iran, in 2025. A total of 230 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26 and AMOS. After evaluating normality, outliers, and multicollinearity assumptions, the measurement and structural models were tested. Model fit was assessed using χ²/df, RMSEA, CFI, NFI, GFI, and AGFI indices. The proposed structural model demonstrated acceptable fit to the data (χ²/df = 2.10, RMSEA = .05, CFI = .94, NFI = .91, GFI = .96, AGFI = .94). Psychological flexibility had a significant negative direct effect on health anxiety (β = −.22, p = .001) and pain perception (β = −.42, p = .001). Pain perception showed a significant positive direct effect on health anxiety (β = .39, p = .001). Furthermore, the indirect effect of psychological flexibility on health anxiety through pain perception was significant (β = −.15, p = .02), indicating a partial mediating role of pain perception. These findings suggest that higher psychological flexibility is associated with lower pain perception and reduced health anxiety among women with breast cancer. Psychological flexibility functions as a protective factor against health anxiety in women with breast cancer both directly and indirectly through its influence on pain perception. Interventions aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility and reducing maladaptive pain-related interpretations may contribute to lower health anxiety and improved psychological adjustment in this population.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maryam Khorami (Author); Shahin Fathi Hafshejani; Ali Mohammad Rezaei (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparing the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Sleep Quality in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on sleep quality in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Isfahan. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, three-month follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of patients diagnosed with IBS who had referred to medical and treatment centers in Isfahan in 2025. Forty-five eligible participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: schema therapy (n = 15), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (n = 15), and control (n = 15). The schema therapy group received twelve 90-minute sessions based on Young’s schema therapy protocol, while the MBCT group participated in eight 90-minute sessions based on Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness-based cognitive program. The control group received no psychological intervention. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. The multivariate mixed repeated-measures analysis revealed a significant group effect on the combined sleep quality components (Wilks’ Lambda = .007, F = 12.40, p = .001, η² = .915). Significant group and Time × Group interaction effects were observed across all sleep quality components, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction (p < .05). Bonferroni post hoc analyses indicated that both schema therapy and MBCT produced significantly greater improvements in sleep quality than the control group at posttest and follow-up assessments (p < .01). However, no statistically significant differences were found between schema therapy and MBCT in any sleep quality outcome (p > .05). Both schema therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy were effective in improving sleep quality among patients with IBS, and these therapeutic gains were maintained at the three-month follow-up. Although both interventions significantly outperformed the control condition, neither demonstrated superiority over the other, suggesting that schema therapy and MBCT are comparably effective psychological approaches for enhancing sleep quality in this population.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Shaghayegh Bazargan (Author); Sayed Abbas Haghayegh; Amrollah Ebrahimi, Maryam Soheilipour (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Vestibular Processing Improvement Therapy and Smart Interactive Wall-Assisted Therapy on the Improvement of Behavior and Social Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The present study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of vestibular processing improvement therapy and smart interactive wall-assisted therapy on improving behavior and social communication in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study employed a single-case quasi-experimental design with a multiple-baseline framework. The statistical population consisted of all children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who attended specialized autism centers in Birjand, Iran, in 2024. Six children were purposively selected as the sample and were randomly assigned to two groups: vestibular processing therapy (n = 3) and smart interactive wall-assisted therapy (n = 3). The research instruments included the Behavioral Disorders Questionnaire for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2010) and the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (1953). Data were analyzed using reliable change indices, effect size measures, percentage of improvement, and regression analysis. The findings indicated that vestibular processing improvement therapy and smart interactive wall-assisted therapy demonstrated comparable effectiveness in improving behavior and social communication among children with autism (p < .001). Given that both interventions were equally effective in enhancing behavioral and social communication outcomes in children with autism, it is recommended that these approaches be incorporated alongside other therapeutic modalities in rehabilitation programs for this population. Their application by parents, educational instructors, and psychologists working with children with autism may contribute to increased awareness of therapeutic strategies aimed at addressing autism-related challenges and enhancing motor functioning, cognitive performance, the development of new neural connections, and behavioral flexibility.
Social Communication, Autism, Behavioral Improvement, Vestibular Processing, Smart Interactive Wall.
Copyright (c) 2026 Masoumeh Marjani, Leila Kashani Vahid (Author); Maryam Asaseh; Samira Vakili, Majid Ebrahimpour (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0