Self-control problems in Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Presentation of an explanatory approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is an impulsive aggression disorder with self-control problems. However, the mechanisms underpinning the self-control problems in IED have not been clearly investigated. Therefore, this study examined the nature of self-control problems and their types, including cognitive inhibition, behavioral inhibition, and emotional interference in IED. METHODS: Participants included three groups: IED (n = 54), psychiatric control (n = 59), and healthy control (n = 62). They were first screened with SCL-90-R, and then they were clinically interviewed. They all did computerized neurocognitive tasks, including Color-Word Stroop Task, Emotional Stroop Task, Go-NoGo Task, and Stop-Signal Task. RESULTS: MANOVA analyses showed that the IED group had poorer performance in cognitive inhibition, response inhibition, and increased emotional interference than the two psychiatric and healthy control groups. They performed much worse than the other two groups, particularly in action cancellation (Stop-Signal Task), and showed increasingly emotional interference. LIMITATIONS: The brain reaction of individuals while doing the tasks was not examined, and some variables were not measured. Also, it is unclear how the emotional eruption interferes with cognitive content and behavioral inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that self-control problems in IED can be due to deficient cognitive, emotional, and behavioral inhibitions, each appearing sequentially during a step-by-step process and facilitating the onset of IED signs and symptoms. Such a distinguished understanding of the role of neurocognitive mechanisms can lead to the development of accurate explanatory approaches and increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Internet-Based Versus Face-to-Face Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, face-to-face mental health services faced obstacles. Using Internet-based interventions was a good solution and had the potential to overcome these treatment barriers. However, there is no strong research evidence about the effectiveness of these methods for social anxiety disorder in different cultures and developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and application of Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder in Iran. The current study was a pretest-posttest follow-up experimental design. Fifty-four adolescents with social anxiety disorder were selected from Lorestan province (Iran) by cluster sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: face-to-face, internet-based, and wait-list control. At the beginning and end of the study and 3-month follow-up, three groups were interviewed and answered questionnaires related to the primary and secondary symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Two experimental groups were treated with the same therapeutic intervention during 10 weekly sessions. ANCOVA analysis showed that both forms of intervention effectively reduced social phobia, fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety and increased emotion regulation. Also, a significant decrease in secondary outcomes, including physical symptoms, insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression symptoms, was observed in both groups. The treatment effects were stable during a 3-month follow-up. Our findings showed that although Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with social anxiety disorder can be effective, several clinical, cultural, and implementation weaknesses should be considered.

Effectiveness of Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Managing Anxiety and Depression in Women Following Hysterectomy for Uterine Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Hysterectomy as well as uterine cancer could be associated with a long-term risk of mental disorders. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) in reducing anxiety and depression in women who have undergone hysterectomy for uterine cancer. METHOD: This experimental, pretest-post-test study was conducted in an academic hospital. 26 women with uterine cancer who underwent hysterectomy were recruited and randomly divided into two equal groups as the experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated by GCBT for eight 1-hour sessions (by a senior psychology expert) every week until 8 weeks. Otherwise, no intervention was performed for the control group. The anxiety and depression scores of all participants were assessed and compared before and after the therapy sessions by Beck Anxiety (BAI) and Beck Depression-second version (BDI-II) questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean±SD age of the participants was 33.6±4.1. Our result found significant different after GCBT in both anxiety (p=0.000) and depression (p=0.000) scores in the experimental group. However, no differences between pre and post-test scores in the control group were observed. Compared to the control group the rate of depression (p=0.000) and anxiety (p=0.000) in the case group was significantly decreased after therapy. CONCLUSION: GCBT is effective in reducing anxiety and depression in women after hysterectomy. The use of GCBT in oncology centers along with medical treatments to reduce mental distress, improve mental health, and accelerate the recovery process of patients with uterine cancer and other cancers seems necessary.

Body Image Concern and Gender Identities between Transgender and Cisgender Persons from Iran.

The aim was to compare body image concern and gender identities between post-operative transgender and cisgender persons. Participants included 48 transgender persons (25 trans men, 23 trans women) and 48 cisgender persons (24 cismen, 24 ciswomen). The data were collected with Littleton's Body Image Concern Inventory and the Singapore Androgyny Inventory. Results showed that body image concern was significantly higher in transgender participants compared to cisgender participants, and these scores were especially higher in trans women compared to other groups. Furthermore, trans women scored higher in the femininity subscale compared to ciswomen. Body image concern was also higher in participants with feminine gender identity compared to participants with masculine gender identity (whether they were transgender or not). Moreover, transgender persons with traditional gender identity had higher scores in body image concern in comparison to those who had nontraditional identities, as well as trans men had more Androgynous or undifferentiated identities than trans women. We also found a significant correlation between feminine subscale and body image concern. Based on our results, it seems hormonal and surgical treatments in transgender persons only can eliminate body dissatisfaction to a certain extent. The higher scores of trans women, both in body image concern and femininity, indicate that it may be harder for trans women to believe they are perceived as female by others and their bodies are adequate. Changing cultural beliefs, social values, and increasing social acceptance with the help of the media may play an important role in improving body image in the future.

The Effect of Beck's Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Sociotropic and Autonomous Personality Styles in Patients With Depression.

BACKGROUND: Depression is characterized by a great risk of relapse and recurrence. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and cognitive therapy are efficacious psychosocial interventions for recurrent depression. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present research was to compare the effect of Beck's cognitive therapy (BCT) and MBCT on reduction of depression and sociotropic and autonomous personality styles in Iranian depressed patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 30 subjects randomly selected from patients with depression in Mashhad city, Iran. The subjects were assigned randomly to experimental groups. The 2 techniques used for treatment were BCT and MBCT. The data collection instruments used in the research consisted of psychological interview, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the revised Personal Style Inventory (RPSI). The research data was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: BCT and MBCT were effective in reducing depression, but BCT and MBCT did not cause any change in the sociotropic and autonomous personality styles in patients with depression. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide support for the role of BCT and MBCT plays in reducing depression. However, the results did not approve their role in changing sociotropic and autonomous personality styles in patients with depression.

Temperament and Character Dimensions: Correlates of Impulsivity in Morphine Addicts.

BACKGROUND: Given the role of temperament and character dimensions on impulsivity in addicts, the purpose of this study was to temperament and character dimensions: correlates of impulsivity in morphine addicts. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine and verify the association of temperament and character dimensions with impulsivity in morphine addicts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The research method was descriptive and correlational. The study sample consisted of 120 morphine addicts referred to drug addiction treatment centers in Ardabil city in 2013. The participants were selected through convenience sampling method from 5 centers. We used impulsivity scale as well as temperament and character inventory to collect data. RESULTS: The results showed that significant relationship existed between impulsivity and characteristics such as novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness, while no significant relationship between impulsivity and self-transcendence was observed. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that 47% of the impulsivity variance was explained by temperament and character dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that temperament and character dimensions are associated with impulsivity. The findings also have important implications for prevention, pathology, and treatment in the morphine addicts.

Role of behavioral addictions in predicting reactivity in bipolar mood disorder patients.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral addictions (BAs) can be understood as disorders characterized by repetitive occurrence of reactivity and uncontrolled behaviors. Very few studies have investigated their association with bipolar mood disorders. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the role of behavioral addictions in predicting interpersonal behavioral addictions in bipolar mood disorder patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study had a cross-sectional correlation design. The statistical population was composed of all outpatients with bipolar mood disorders referring to clinical centers in Ardabil. The sample included 60 bipolar mood patients selected from patients referring to clinical centers using the available sampling method. A researcher-made behavioral addiction checklist, Interpersonal Behavioral Addictions Index, and exercise, sexual, and work addiction questionnaires, were used for data collection. The data were analyzed with a Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The results showed a significant negative relationship between behavioral addictions and interpersonal behavioral addictions (P ≥ 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis results also showed that behavioral addictions are significant and can explain 61% of the variance of interpersonal behavioral addictions in bipolar mood patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that addictive behaviors can affect behavioral addictions in bipolar mood patients. Behavioral addictions lead to negative emotional regulation strategies and result in increased behavioral addictions in these patients. People with high levels of arousal or those who cannot control their behavioral addictions are probably more prone to addictive behaviors.

Comparison of resilience, positive/negative affect, and psychological vulnerability between Iranian infertile and fertile men.

OBJECTIVE: To compare resilience, positive/negative effect, and psychological vulnerability between fertile and infertile men. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 40 fertile and 40 infertile men who were selected among men who presented to an infertility clinic. To collect data, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Positive/Negative Affect Schedule, and Brief Symptoms Inventory were used. RESULTS: The MANOVA results showed that infertile men had higher mean (SD) score for negative affect (46.15±8.31 vs. 23.10±8.50) and psychological vulnerability (37.90±12.39 vs. 23.30±6.40) than fertile men (P= 0.001); while infertile men had lower resilience (59.35±14.25 vs. 82.17±13.03) and positive affect (43.01±10.46 vs. 61.85±8.14) than fertile men (P= 0.001).The results of multiple regressions showed that resilience and negative affect had the highest significant contribution in prediction of psychological vulnerability in the infertile. CONCLUSION: Resilience and negative effects are the best predicators for mental vulnerability of infertile men. These factors may be addressed in future studies in infertile men. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

The Comparison of Self-regulation and Affective Control in Methamphetamine and Narcotics Addicts and Non-Addicts.

BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence and widespread use of methamphetamine is the public challenge and worry in the world. It seems that low levels of self-regulation and affective control to carry up probability of psychoactive drugs abuse. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is the comparison of self-regulation and affective control in methamphetamine and narcotics addicts and non-addicts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this causative-comparative study, 80 addicts (40 methamphetamine addicts and 40 narcotic addicts) who referred to self-reference quitting addictive centers in Miyaneh, Iran, participated in convenience sampling. Then, they matched up with 40 non-addicts according to age, sex, educational level, and marital status. To collect data, we used self-regulation questionnaire and affective control scale. The data was analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and LSD test. RESULTS: Result shows that there is a significant difference between methamphetamine addicts and narcotics addicts and non-addicts in self-regulation and affective control (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This finding indicates that low self-regulation and affective control is a risky factor in psychoactive drugs abuse.

The Role of Self-regulation and Affective Control in Predicting Interpersonal Reactivity of Drug Addicts.

BACKGROUND: Due to its progressive nature in all aspects of life, addiction endangers the health of individuals, families and the society. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of self-regulation and affective control in predicting interpersonal reactivity of drug addicts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is a correlation study. The statistical population of this study includes all drug addicts who were referred to addiction treatment centers of Ardabil in 2011 of whom 160 addicts were selected through convenience sampling. A self-regulation questionnaire, interpersonal reactivity questionnaire and affective control scale were used for data collection. RESULTS: Research results showed that self-regulation (r = -0.40) and affective control (r = -0.29) have a significant relationship with interpersonal reactivity of addicts (P < 0.001). The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that 19 percent of interpersonal reactivity can be predicted by self-regulation and affective control. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that self-regulation and affective control play an important role in exacerbating as well as reducing interpersonal reactivity of addicts.

The effectiveness of training acceptance / commitment and training emotion regulation on high-risk behaviors of students with dyscalculia.

BACKGROUND: Now a days the utilization of Acceptance / Commitment and Emotion Regulation Strategy as a comprehensive treatment plan has been discussed in both the prevention and the control of destructive and risky behaviors. Treatment based on Acceptance/Commitment and Emotion Regulation was effective in both the improvement and the control of high-risk behaviors of students with dyscalculia. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment, and Emotional Regulation training in high-risk behaviors of students with dyscalculia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was experimental, with pre-test, post-test and a control group. The statistical universe of this study included all sixth-grade male students in Ardabil city in the academic year of 2012-2013 (A.H.). The subjects of this study involved 800 sixth-grade elementary students in Ardabil province, selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling. From among them, 60 students with dyscalculia were selected using random sampling method after the initial diagnosis by structured clinical interview and the Keymath Mathematic test. Twenty pupil were selected for either the experimental or the control group. To collect data, the questionnaires of "Keymath Mathematic test" and High-risk Behavior" were used. RESULTS: The results of Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that "Acceptance / Commitment and Emotion Regulation" treatment trainings were effective in reducing high-risk behaviors, in a manner that they led to a reduction in negative emotions, self-destructive and impulsive behaviors of students with math disorder (dyscalculia). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that teaching these skills to the students has been influential in enhancing awareness level and change or positive attitude creation in the subjects. Therefore, it is essential to design and implement interventions based on "prevention caused by the peer group, in collaboration with the parents either at the school or at home among the family members".

Using metacognitions to identify emotionally vulnerable college students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between negative metacognitions and indices of mental health in order to help identify individuals at risk for future psychopathology. METHOD: A randomly selected sample of 378 undergraduates responded to the General Health Questionnaire and the Metacognitions Questionnaire. RESULTS: A curvilinear relationship emerged between negative metacognitive beliefs and social dysfunction. Beliefs about uncontrollability and danger accounted for about 29% of the variance and beliefs about cognitive competence accounted for an additional 1%. Worry correlated with mental health scores in both sexes. Beliefs about uncontrollability and danger, beliefs about cognitive competence and general negative beliefs discriminated nonclinical subjects high in both anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Modification of metacognitive beliefs can help prevent psychopathology.