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.

The comparison between CBT focused on perfectionism and CBT focused on emotion regulation for individuals with depression and anxiety disorders and dysfunctional perfectionism: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable evidence indicating that similar aetiological and maintenance processes underlie depressive and anxious psychopathology. According to the literature, perfectionism and emotion regulation are two transdiagnostic constructs associated with symptoms of emotional disorders. AIMS: This study is the first randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for perfectionism (CBT-P) and the unified protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (UP). METHOD: Seventy-five participants with a range of depressive and anxiety disorders and elevated perfectionism were randomized to three conditions: CBT-P, UP or a waitlist control (WL). RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the treatment groups reported a significantly greater pre-post reduction in the severity of symptoms of disorders, as well as a significantly greater pre-post increase in quality of life, all with moderate to large effect sizes compared with the WL group. Treatment gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. The CBT-P group reported a significantly greater pre-post reduction in perfectionism compared with UP, and the UP group reported a significantly greater pre-post improvement in emotion regulation compared with CBT-P. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support CBT for perfectionism and regard UP as efficacious treatments for individuals with depression and anxiety disorders who also have dysfunctional perfectionism. It appears that perfectionism cannot be a serious obstacle to UP. As this is a preliminary study and has some limitations, it is recommended that further research be conducted.

Emotional regulation training for intensive and critical care nurses.

Professional quality of life is related to psychological well-being for nurses with implications for quality patient care. This study evaluated the effectiveness of emotional regulation training on depression, anxiety and stress, and professional quality of life for intensive and critical care nurses. In this experimental comparison trial, 60 intensive and critical care nurses were randomly assigned to treatment and wait-list control groups. The treatment group received six sessions of emotional regulation training, while the wait-list control group received no treatment. Outcome measures were: the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; and the Professional Quality of Life Scale in a pre-post design. The treatment group demonstrated greater improvements in burnout and compassion satisfaction compared with the wait-list control group. No significant reduction in compassion fatigue was found compared with controls. Some cognitive coping strategies improved in the treatment group compared with controls, with greater reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. This study indicates the benefits of implementing emotional regulation training programs to improve psychological well-being and professional quality of life for intensive and critical care nurses.

Comparison of the effects of tylosin and tilmicosin as a systemic treatment of dry Holstein cows.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of macrolides to eliminate intramammary infection (IMI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptoccus spp. 3 weeks before calving time. Eighty Holstein dairy cows with subclinical mastitis pathogens were divided into three groups. Three weeks before expected parturition time, cows in group 1 received tilmicosin (n = 29), cows in group 2 received tylosin (n = 30) and cows in group 3 were left as negative control (n = 21). Milk samples were obtained on 3 and 7 days after calving. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was determined for all of the S. aureus isolates that had the same isolates before and after parturition. The total cure rate was 63.33, 75.86 and 66.66% for tylosin, tilmicosin and control groups, respectively. Furthermore, cure rates were not significant, when each type of mastitis causing pathogens were considered separately. The incidence of clinical mastitis during 60 days after calving for tylosin, tilmicosin and Control groups was 23.33, 27.58 and 38.09%, respectively. Only four S. aureus isolated before drying-off were similar to post-calving isolate, according to RAPD-PCR method. In conclusion, antibiotic therapy before calving improved the cure rate numerically, however, it was not significant.

A study on sexual functioning in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PURPOSE: Sexual dysfunction has been ignored in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (A-ADHD). This study examined sexual function in adults with ADHD compared to a healthy control group. DESIGN AND METHODS: The experimental group (N = 63, mean age = 31.11 ± 4.29, females = 31) were recruited among referrals with ADHD to an outpatient A-ADHD clinic. The DIVA-2 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults) and the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia (SADS) were used to assess for A-ADHD and comorbid psychiatric disorders, respectively. The healthy groups (N = 66, mean age = 31.37 ± 4.30, females = 31) were demographically matched and had no psychiatric disorders based on the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales-Self Report, Short Version and SADS. Sexual functions were evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for females and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for males. FINDINGS: Females with ADHD compared to the control group showed significantly (P < .001) poorer scores in all FSFI domains (desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and lubrication). The IIEF mean scores in the males with A-ADHD were lower (P = .00) than their counterparts for all the subscales including orgasm, erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction, except for the desire (P = .75). The orgasmic function had a significant negative correlation with Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Self Report: Short total scores in males (r = -.48) and females (r = -.40). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study provides preliminary information on greater difficulties with sexual function in adults with ADHD. Assessment of sexual function in referrals with A-ADHD is suggested.

Effect of prostaglandin F2α and GnRH administration at the time of artificial insemination on reproductive performance of dairy cows.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of administrating prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and GnRH at the time of artificial insemination (AI) on the pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and the pregnancy survival rate of dairy cows. A number of 830 lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into four groups. Cows in group 1 (n=200) treated with 150 µg d-cloprostenol. In group 2 (n=212), cows received 10 µg buserelin acetate, and group 3 (n=205) was treated with both 150 µg d-cloprostenol and 10 µg buserelin acetate. In addition, 213 cows were assigned as control group which received normal saline as placebo (group 4). To measure progesterone, milk samples were collected at the insemination day and five days later. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 28 and 60 days after the insemination, and the size and number of corpus luteum (CL) and twin pregnancies were recorded. Hormone therapies had no effect on the P/AI, pregnancy survival rate, and the size and number of CL. The P/AI ratio in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 38.50%, 42.92%, 41.46% and 40.84%, and the pregnancy survival rates in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 84.42%, 86.81%, 88.23% and 83.91%, respectively. The probability of a twin pregnancy was significantly higher in group 1 (15.58%) than other groups. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of the offspring gender. In conclusion, the administration of d-cloprostenol or buserelin acetate at the time of AI had no effect on P/AI and pregnancy survival rate in dairy cattle under no heat stress condition, while the administration of d-cloprostenol increased the probability of twin pregnancies.

Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Prevention of Depression and Anxiety in Iranian Adolescents: Protocol Development and Initial Outcome Data.

Objective: Cognitive-behavioral interventions have been used as effective approaches for the treatment and prevention of depression and anxiety. However, to date, no anxiety and depression prevention guidelines package has been developed for Iranian adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop transdiagnostic prevention program of anxiety and depression for Iranian adolescents and to assess the effectiveness of this program in a sample of adolescents. Method : Based on evidence-based literatures on CBT interventions, transdiagnostic prevention program was developed and its content and face validity was assessed and established by three clinical psychologies (Ph.D.) and a psychiatrist (child and adolescent postdoctoral). Then, in a semi-experimental design, 62 students were recruited from a school in Tehran by purposive sampling method and were randomly assigned in to experimental (n = 40) and control (n = 22) groups. They participated in 8 sessions of intervention based on the developed program. Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)- Child Version and Parent Version- were used to gather the data before, after, and 3 months after intervention. Results: Results of ANCOVA, controlling for the effect of pretest score, showed no significant differences (P>0.05) between experimental and control groups in SAD, panic, MDD, separation anxiety, GAD, OCD, total anxiety, and total anxiety-depression for parent and child in pretest and posttest. Conclusion: Transdiagnostic prevention package for anxiety and depression had no significant effect on reducing anxiety and depression of adolescents. Using an inappropriate measure, difficulties with timing of assessment, and lower severity of pre-intervention anxiety and depression due to universal prevention and sample recruited, might have affected the present findings. Discussion would be clearer and more complete by analyzing follow-up results and education performance in the future.

The Effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy on the Emotional Schemas and Emotional Regulation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Single Subject Design.

BACKGROUND: Positive and negative emotional states are the most important factors in treatment and prevention process of psychosomatic diseases. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotional schemas' therapy on emotional schemas' modification and difficulties of emotion regulation in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was implemented in the framework of single-subject experimental design using step-wise multiple baselines plan. Five patients with IBS were selected as convenience sampling on the base of their willingness to participate and then they received emotional schema therapy (EST). Research tools included ROME III scale, SCID interview, emotional schemas questionnaire, and difficulties of emotional regulation. The analysis of data was done using visual analysis charts, recovery percentage, and reliable change index. RESULTS: The results showed a decrease of scores in some maladaptive schemas and increase of some adaptive schemas than baseline in patients who received EST (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, this treatment decreased scores of some emotion regulation difficulty components (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that EST is an appropriate option for treatment of these patients because it is effective in improvement of emotional schemas and difficulties of emotional regulation.

Early maladaptive schemas in depression and somatization disorder.

Cognitive theories of depression posit that early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are key vulnerability factors for psychological disorders. In this study, we investigated specific EMSs as shared or distinct cognitive vulnerability factors for depression and somatization disorder. The sample consisted of patients with Major depressive disorder (N = 30) and Somatization disorder (N = 30) from a community hospital or a psychiatric clinic. Participants completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the short form of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-SF). Depressed patients exhibited significantly higher levels of all five schema domains and specific maladaptive schemas, including emotional deprivation, mistrust and abuse, social isolation and alienation, defectiveness and shame, failure, subjugation, emotional inhibition, and insufficient self-control or self-discipline. Moreover, depressed patients exhibited significantly higher levels of social isolation, emotional inhibition, as well as the overvigilance and inhibition domain when depressive symptom severity was controlled. Our results provide preliminary evidence that specific EMSs distinguish patients with depression and somatization. Suggestions for future research include the need to have a non-psychiatric control group, to evaluate the absolute role of EMSs in Somatization Disorder.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Staff Observation Aggression Scale-Revised (SOAS-R) in Psychiatric Patients.

Introduction: In psychiatric settings, aggressive events frequently occur during therapy. The use of a proper standard scale to register aggression can facilitate the assessment and control of aggression and help reduce its frequency and severity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Staff Observation Aggression Scale-Revised (SOAS-R). Methods: This psychometric study of the scale was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the SOAS-R. The validation of the scale was assessed on the basis of 319 aggressive events in the psychiatric wards of the Baqiyatallah and Roozbeh hospitals. Convenience sampling was used for subject selection. Psychometric properties of SOAS-R were studied in two stages. First, the standard scale was translated according to the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) translation methodology. The face validity, content, and construct validity of the translated version were then determined. The construct validity of the scale was assessed by comparing the known groups. Results: The internal consistency of the whole scale was 0.99. The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were 0.85-0.99 while kappa coefficient was 0.43 to 0.65 for different aspects of the SOAS-R. The validity of the scale was concurrently assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with a Spearman-Brown correlation coefficient of 0.90. Conclusion: These results showed a favourable validity and reliability for the Persian version of the SOAS-R for the assessment of aggressive behaviour in psychiatric patients.

Comparing the Profile of Temperament and Character Dimensions in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Mood Disorder with a Control Group.

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the profile of temperament and character dimensions in patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar mood disorder with a control group. Method: In this causal-comparative study, the population consisted of 2 clinical groups (major depressive disorder and bipolar mood disorder) and a non-clinical group. The sample was 193 individuals (77 patients with major depressive disorder, 86 patients with bipolar mood disorder, and 30 controls), with an age range of 18 to 65 years and the mean age of 40.1. They were selected from Roozbeh psychiatric hospital using available sampling method. Tools used in this research included Temperament and Character Inventory-140 and General Health Questionnaire-28. Collected data were analyzed by independent t test and one-way analysis of variance using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-22 software. Results: The results revealed a significant difference among groups in dimensions of novelty seeking, harm avoidance, persistence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness (P <0.05). The results showed that the mean was different in males and females only in the novelty seeking dimension (P <0.05). Conclusion: In general, our results revealed that patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar mood disorder have different personality profiles in some dimensions of temperament and character compared with the control group.

The Role of Neuroticism and Experiential Avoidance in Predicting Anxiety and Depression Symptoms: Mediating Effect of Emotion Regulation.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence supports the role of neuroticism, experiential avoidance and emotion regulation in anxiety and depression; however, the mechanism of these relationships is not known well. OBJECTIVES: The present study mainly aimed to assess the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between neuroticism and experiential avoidance and anxiety and depression symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By convenient sampling, 316 students from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences and University of Tehran were selected and measures of experiential avoidance, neuroticism, emotion regulation, worry, anxiety and depression were administered among them, 2014-2015. Path analysis via regression according to Baron and Kenny evaluative criteria was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Experiential avoidance and neuroticism predicted anxiety, and depression symptoms and the predictions were mediated by emotion regulation and worry. CONCLUSIONS: Emotion regulation deficits have an outstanding role in the mechanism of anxiety and depression which are so comorbid and further studies are needed to evaluate emotion regulation with more advanced methods and along with other transdiagnostic components.

Comparing Cognitive Failures and Metacognitive Beliefs in Mild Traumatic Brain Injured Patients and Normal Controls in Kashan.

BACKGROUND: Head trauma is associated with multiple destructive cognitive symptoms and cognitive failure. Cognitive failures include problems with memory, attention and operation. Cognitive failures are considered as a process associated with metacognition. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare cognitive failures and metacognitive beliefs in mild Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI) patients and normal controls in Kashan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed on 40 TBI patients referred to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan city and 40 normal controls in Kashan. Traumatic brain injured patients and normal controls were selected by convenience sampling. Two groups filled out the demographic sheet, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30). The data were analyzed by the SPSS-19 software with multivariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences between TBI and controls in total scores and subscales of CFQ and MCQ (F = 0.801, P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, it seems that mild brain injuries don't make significant metacognitive problems and cognitive failures.

Working Memory and Response Inhibition in Patients With Bipolar I Disorder During Euthymic Period.

BACKGROUND: Several cognitive domains, including attention, memory, and executive functions are impaired in bipolar disorder. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate two executive functions (working memory and response inhibition) in patients with bipolar I disorder during remission of the symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control design, 30 bipolar I patients (18 to 45 years old) were matched with 30 ones in the control group in terms of age, gender, and education. The patients were selected from Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital (a hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences) from May to October 2013. They were evaluated and contrasted using working memory (Spatial Span and Spatial Working Memory (SSP and SWM)) and response inhibition (Stop Signal Task (SST)) tests. RESULTS: We used independent t-tests for comparing and contrasting 2 groups on total and sub-scales scores of these 3 tests. In terms of SWM test there was a significant difference in between-group error between the two groups (P = 0.05); there was also a meaningful difference between the strategies used by two groups (P = 0.05). In SSP test, a significant difference appeared between averages of span length of the two groups. In the first and last item delays, there was also a clear difference, but the total error index was not noticeably different. In SST test, the direction error indicator in start-stop trials indicated a major difference, while in successful stops ratio, the case group had a lower ratio. In addition, reaction time to stop signs in bipolar group was meaningfully lower than the control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, even during remission phase, executive dysfunction is detectable at least in some areas in patients with bipolar disorder.

Psychological health and marital adjustment in Iranian employed veterans and veterans receiving disability pension.

BACKGROUND: Human society has witnessed disasters and wars that left many consequences on families as well as social and individual life of the victims. OBJECTIVES: In this research, we compared the psychological health and marital adjustment in Iranian employed veterans with veterans receiving disability pension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study participants were all of the veterans of Isfahan city registered in Veterans and Martyr Foundation who were receiving disability pension, were still working, or had not received any disability pension yet. A total of 330 veterans were selected by randomized systematic sampling. The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) were completed by the participants. The data were analyzed by Chi square test, independent samples t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Almost half of the veterans did not demonstrate any psychopathology and half of them were diagnosed with borderline or serious psychopathology. Veterans receiving disability pension had more mental problems in comparison with the employed veterans. Veterans receiving disability pension had higher scores in psychosomatic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, phobias, psychoticism, and total scales (general symptom index, GSI) in comparison with the employed veterans. Employed veterans and veterans receiving disability pension did not differ significantly regarding DAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational condition has an important effect on mental health of veterans.

Comparison of the effect of group transdiagnostic therapy and group cognitive therapy on anxiety and depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The cognitive behavioral interventions based on the transdiagnostic approach for emotional disorders have received useful empirical supports in recent years. Most of the researches on this area have been conducted without any control group. Moreover, little information about comparative effectiveness has reported. The current study was compared transdiagnostic group therapy with classical cognitive group therapy. METHODS: Thirty three collages students with anxiety and depressive symptoms participated in eight two-hour sessions in Akhavan Hospital, Tehran, Iran during May and June 2011. The results were analyzed by The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and Work and Social Adjustment Scale in pre and post intervention. RESULTS: Both groups showed the significant difference in research variables pre and post test. However, there was no significant difference in the results analysis using ACOVAs except for anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of transdiagnostic group therapy was confirmed in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms. Implications of the study are discussed.

Efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction on mood States of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Mood and negative emotional states and their regulation in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder have family, social and employment problems. Practices that could be helpful in this area are highly important. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to investigate the influence of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in improving mood state of combat veterans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial study, participants were selected from the patients referring to the counseling center of the veterans. The participants had post-traumatic stress disorder according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition, text review (DSM-IV-TR). Sixty- two patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: (31 for MBSR and 31 for the control group). RESULTS: Analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the groups at baseline (P < 0.05). Comparison of the results between the two groups before the two-step test showed that anger and vitality scales between the two groups have no significant differences, but on the other scales (depression, dizziness, fatigue and tension), differences between pre and post-test groups were significant in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that mindfulness-based stress reduction is a useful method to regulate the mood state in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have difficulties in mood and emotions in Kashan.

Comparing mindfulness based cognitive therapy and traditional cognitive behavior therapy with treatments as usual on reduction of major depressive disorder symptoms.

BACKGROUND: In this studyMindfulness and CBT were combined to investigate the enhance of psychotropic work. Both therapies have integrated acceptance-based mindfulness approaches with change-based cognitive behavioral therapies to create efficacious treatments. That is, introduce use of MBCT in active phase of treatment and chronic depression. OBJECTIVES: This study was done to evaluate efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and traditional Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with Treatments as usual (TAU) to reduce psychiatric symptoms in a sample of patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 patients who were referred to clinics of university of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences and Tehran University Counseling Centre and met DSM-IV criteria for MDD were selected. They were randomly assigned to MBCT (n = 30), CBT (n = 30), or TAU (n = 30). They were aged between 18 and 45 years (M = 28, SD = 8), with an average of two previous depression episodes. They were interviewed through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and self-report by Brief Symptom Inventory, pre and post treatment. Patients in MBCT and CBT group received the treatment, while TAU group continued therapy (anti-depressant). RESULTS: The results indicated that MBCT and CBT groups have significant efficacy on reduction of MDD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: MBCT appears to be as effective as CBT in the treatment of current depression.