The Relationship between Dysfunctional Attitudes and Communication Skills of Women with an Addicted Husband on the Verge of Divorce.

BACKGROUND: Divorce and addiction are the source of numerous social damages. The main reasons for divorce include spouse addiction, sexual dissatisfaction, low living and communication skills of couples, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes, and irrational expectations of marriage. The present study was carried out with the aim to investigate the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and communication skills among women with an addicted husband on the verge of divorce referring to the forensic medicine and family court. METHODS: This study was a descriptive and correlational study. The participants were selected from among all women on the verge of divorce with addicted husbands who referred to the forensic medicine and family court from October 2015 to March 2016. Thus, 190 individuals were selected using convenience sampling method. The researcher visited the study environment and after explaining the method and purpose of the study and obtaining informed consent from the subjects, distributed the questionnaires among the women. The questionnaire contained a demographic information form, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) (Weissman and Beck), and the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ) (Christensen and Sullawa). Data were analyzed using the Pearson test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS software. FINDINGS: There was a significant and inverse relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and communication skills of women. In addition, a significant and inverse relationship was observed between dysfunctional attitudes and constructive interaction among women. Moreover, there was a direct and significant relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and the mutual avoidance relationship among women. Furthermore, a direct and significant relationship was found between dysfunctional attitudes and the expectation/isolation relationship among women. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study could be used in cognitive training of spouses, the correction of their dysfunctional attitudes, and improvement of their communication skills.

The Effectiveness of the Harm Reduction Group Therapy Based on Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory on Risky Behaviors of Drug-Dependent Sex Worker Women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the harm reduction group therapy based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory on risky behaviors of sex workers in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: A quasi-experimental two-group design (a random selection with pre-test and post-test) was used. A risky behaviors questionnaire was used to collect. The sample was selected among sex workers referring to drop-in centers in Kerman. Subjects were allocated to two groups and were randomly classified into two experimental and control groups. The sample group consisted of 56 subjects. The experimental design was carried out during 12 sessions, and the post-test was performed one month and two weeks after the completion of the sessions. The results were analyzed statistically. FINDINGS: By reducing harm based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory, the risky behaviors of the experimental group, including injection behavior, sexual behavior, violence, and damage to the skin, were significantly reduced in the pre-test compared to the post-test (P < 0.010). CONCLUSION: The harm reduction group therapy based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory can reduce the risky behaviors of sex workers.

Relationships of dissociative disorders and personality traits in opium addicts on methadone treatment.

BACKGROUND: Drug abuse is a major public health problem. Some believe that when dissociation fails to defend against emotional, physical, or sexual trauma, the person will find relief from unpleasant thoughts and emotions in opium use. On the other hand, personality disorders are considered as important predictors of treatment outcomes in drug abusers. Due to lack of adequate research in this regard, we evaluated dissociative disorders and personality traits of opium addicts on methadone treatment. METHODS: This cross-sectional analytic study included 111 non-psychotic subjects on methadone treatment (case group) and 69 non-addicts (control group). After recording demographic characteristics, Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and Millon Multiaxial Inventory III were applied to assess dissociative symptoms and clinical personality patterns of all participants. FINDINGS: Dissociative symptoms were significantly more common in the case group than in the control group (P = 0.044). While hysterionic personality disorder was more frequent in the control group (P = 0.008), sadistic, antisocial, and schizotypal personality disorders were significantly more common in the case group (P = 0.008, 0.002, and 0.023, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found relations between history of drug dependence, dissociative symptoms, and personality disorders. Therefore, the mentioned disorders need to be kept in mind while planning addiction treatment modalities and identifying high risk groups.

Impacts of mothers' occupation status and parenting styles on levels of self-control, addiction to computer games, and educational progress of adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Addiction to computer (video) games in adolescents and its relationship with educational progress has recently attracted the attention of rearing and education experts as well as organizations and institutes involved in physical and mental health. The current research attempted to propose a structural model of the relationships between parenting styles, mothers' occupation status, and addiction to computer games, self-control, and educational progress of secondary school students. METHODS: Using multistage cluster random sampling, 500 female and male secondary school students in Kerman (Iran) were selected and studied. The research tools included self-control, parenting styles, and addiction to computer games questionnaires and a self-made questionnaire containing demographic details. The data was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and route analysis (in LISREL). FINDINGS: We found self-control to have a linking role in the relationship between four parenting styles and educational progress. Mothers' occupation status was directly and significantly correlated with addiction to computer games. Although four parenting styles directly and significantly affected addiction to computer games, the findings did not support the linking role of addiction to computer games in the relationship between four parenting styles and educational progress. CONCLUSION: In agreement with previous studies, the current research reflected the impact of four parenting styles on self-control, addiction to computer games, and educational progress of students. Among the parenting styles, authoritative style can affect the severity of addiction to computer games through self-control development. It can thus indirectly influence the educational progress of students. Parents are recommended to use authoritative parenting style to help both self-management and psychological health of their children. The employed mothers are also recommended to have more supervision and control on the degree and type of computer games selected by their children.

Association between cigarette smoking and socio-demographics, lifestyle and mental health factors in a sampled Iranian population.

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between cigarette smoking and socio-economic variable in an Iranian male population. Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) is a community oriented health study from which we obtained our data regarding male subjects. Socio-demographic variables--sex, age, marital status, educational level, occupation, and income--and physical activity level were derived from the questionnaire. Nutritional status was asked by the Food Frequency Questionnaire and the general dietry index (GDI) was calculated. A general health questionnaire (GHQ) comprised of 12 items was used to assess mental health. Smoking status was investigated by a self reported questionnaire as a dependent variable. A logistic regression model was used for statistical analysis. Current smokers comprised 26.2% of respondents while 8.5% were ex-smokers. High income (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.13-3.67), GDI (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.44-2.32) and high stress (GHQ > or = 4 OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.48-2) were associated with smoking. Older age (OR 0.991; 95% CI 0.985-0.998), university education level (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.37-0.77), unemployment (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.64-0.99) and obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.55-0.73) were associated with non-smoking status. Our findings confirm an association between socio-demographics, lifestyle and mental health variables with smoking in the Iranian population, consistent with other studies worldwide. These factors should be considered when developing smoking cessation strategies.