Five-factor model trait profiles of narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability in Iranian university students.

This study examined the relationship between pathological narcissism, narcissistic grandiosity, narcissistic vulnerability and the five-factor model of personality. Participants consisted of 290 undergraduate students from four universities in three different cities in Iran, recruited by available sampling, Instruments, including, Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) were also completed for the participants. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that narcissistic grandiosity was positively associated with extraversion and openness, while narcissistic vulnerability and overall pathological narcissism were positively associated with neuroticism and negatively related to agreeableness and openness (only for narcissistic vulnerability). The results are consistent with prior research in Western cultures (e.g., United States, Germany) and revealed that neuroticism is a common factor in narcissistic vulnerability and pathological narcissism which suggested pathological narcissism may be a distinct dimension from normal narcissism. Also, there were various contributors of personality traits for narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability which can be considered as a support for the distinction of two phenotypes of pathological narcissism.

Psychological correlates of anxiety in response to COVID-19 outbreak among Iranian University students.

The present study aimed to investigate the psychological factors associated with anxiety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among Iranian university students. Two hundred and sixty-four (264) students of an Iranian university answered an electronic online questionnaire from 11 through 18 March 2020. The electronic questionnaire included six subscales namely, the Corona Anxiety Inventory, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Social Trust Questionnaire, the Health Anxiety List, the Corona Facts Quiz, and the Trust in National Action in The Face of Corona Inventory. The results of regression analysis showed that the general health concern, the physical component of anxiety sensitivity, and knowledge related to corona facts were significantly associated with anxiety caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. However, belief in honesty at the community level and confidence in national measures taken against Corona were significant negative predictors of anxiety caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings have implications for countries involved with the COVID-19 pandemic on how to implement their health programs.

Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Mental Health Problems Among Iranian Health Sciences Students.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the present study was to compare the mental health status of Iranian medical vs other health sciences students and to examine how demographic factors relate to their mental health problems. METHODS: A total of 560 medical and other health sciences students (250 (44.6%) males and 310 (55.4%) females) were recruited from Iran University of Medical Sciences. Data were obtained by self-administered questionnaire, including questions on socio-demographic characteristics. The Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, and WHO well-being index were used to assess mental health status of students. RESULTS: Ten percent of students had BDI scores consistent with clinically significant depression (6.6% mild, 1.8% moderate, 1.6% severe), and 28.7% had BAI scores consistent with clinically significant anxiety (20.7% mild, 7.1% moderate, 0.9% severe). Kurdish students had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.71 (95% CL, 1.22-6.02) for mild to severe depression symptoms when compared to Persian students. The prevalence of distressed health sciences students and poor psychological well-being was 13.4% and 14.1%, respectively. Maternal education gave an OR of 0.57 (0.35-0.93) for anxiety symptoms, after adjustment for all other factors. The possibility of general psychiatric morbidity was significantly lower in students who studied medicine (OR, 0.40 (0.21-0.71)). Being born in the capital city was associated with better psychological well-being (OR, 0.48 (0.26-0.86)). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnicity, birthplace, discipline, and maternal educational level were major determinants of mental health status among health sciences students. Further research should be undertaken to determine the prevalence of psychological disorders using more reliable diagnostic interview.

Eating disorders risk and its relation to self-esteem and body image in Iranian university students of medical sciences.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders are rapidly increasing in young adults. But, a few studies have examined the risk of eating disorders and body image in university students of non-Western societies. The current study aimed to assess eating disorders risk in relation to body image and self-esteem among Iranian university students. METHOD: The participants were 430 students from Tabriz, between April and May 2015. The 26-item Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Questionnaires were used. EAT-26 score of 20 or more was considered as eating disorders risk cutoff. RESULTS: Majority of the students (68 %) were females. The overall eating disorders risk was 9.5 % (7.5 and 10.5 % in men and women, respectively). Further, the prevalence of poor body image and low self-esteem was 34.2 and 16 %, respectively. Neither of the gender differences was statistically significant (p > 0.05). In simple logistic regression, there were significant associations between self-esteem, body image, parental education and eating disorders risk (p < 0.025). But, after adjustments for gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and marital status, only self-esteem (OR = 0.37, 95 % = 0.16-0.87) and mother's education level (OR = 2.78, 95 % = 1.30-5.93) were predictors of eating disorders risk. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that low self-esteem and mother's higher education may increase eating disorders risk and the predictive role of body image possibly is by other mediators such as self-esteem. This warrants awareness improvement and developing appropriate interventions targeting self-esteem and self-respect of students.