The Effect of Cognitive-Emotional Intervention on Growth and Posttraumatic Stress in Mothers of Children With Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: To diminish the negative impact and improve the positive outcomes on the parents of children with cancer, it is crucial to attend to their problems. This is especially significant in the case of mothers as the main caregivers. The present study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of cognitive-emotional intervention on growth and posttraumatic stress in mothers of children with cancer hospitalized in the chemotherapy ward. PROCEDURE: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 mothers of children with cancer who presented to the chemotherapy ward of a hospital located in southeastern Iran in 2018. The eligible mothers were chosen and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Mothers in the intervention group as a whole received 5 sessions of cognitive-emotional intervention. The sessions were held twice a week, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Sixteen weeks after the intervention, posttest data were collected through the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. The data were then analyzed using SPSS 21 utilizing statistical tests including independent and paired t tests, χ, and covariance analysis. RESULTS: The results show that the mean value of posttraumatic stress in mothers of children with cancer after cognitive-emotional training in the intervention group (25.92±5.29) was significantly lower than that in the control group (44.94±11.92; P=0.0001). Moreover, in the posttest, the mean value of posttraumatic growth in the intervention group (92.06±5.50) was significantly more than that in the control group (62.98±15.08; P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Alleviating posttraumatic stress, the cognitive-emotional intervention proposed in this research had a significant and positive impact on posttraumatic growth in mothers of children diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, implementing this intervention in the chemotherapy department and throughout the course of the children's treatment is highly recommended for their caregivers, especially mothers of children diagnosed with cancer.

The Effect of Cognitive-Emotional Training on Post-traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer in Middle East.

Overcoming distresses and negative consequences of serious crises such as cancers can lead to perception of positive changes in the patients. It is necessary to design and test the psychological interventions that can improve post-traumatic growth. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cognitive-emotional training on post-traumatic growth in women with breast cancer referred to the department of chemotherapy. This is a quasi-experimental study and it was performed on 85 patients with breast cancer who referred to an educational hospital in southeastern of Iran in 2017. The eligible patients were selected through convenience method sampling among the patients and they randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received five sessions of emotional-cognitive training in two sessions per week. Each session lasted 60-90 min. The posttest data were collected by post-traumatic growth inventory (PTGI) 20 weeks after the end of the last intervention session. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21.00 using independent t test, paired t test, and Chi-square tests for demographic analysis. The results indicated that there is no significant difference in both groups in terms of individual variables such as age, marriage, duration of disease, and degree progression of cancer. Although the mean of PTG scores in posttest and the mean of variations in the PTG scores in the intervention group were 77.48 ± 11.18 and 25.81 ± 12.24, respectively, and it was significantly higher than the control group, 53.95 ± 14.86 and 7.69 ± 9, respectively (mean scores of PTG: p < .0001; mean changes of PTG: p < .001). According to the results of this study, cognitive-behavioral intervention had a positive and significant effect on post-traumatic growth in women with breast cancer. If intervention is found to be effective, cognitive and emotional strategies of such interventions could be integrated into daily clinical practice as a way to promote PTG in women who are being treated for breast cancer.

The Effect of Group Counseling Based on Quality of Life Therapy on Stress and Life Satisfaction in Family Caregivers of Individuals with Substance Use Problem: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Family caregivers of people with substance abuse are exposed to psychological problems that diminish their life quality and satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to diagnose the efficacy of quality-of-life intervention on stress and life satisfaction of family caregivers of individuals with substance use problem. This is a randomized controlled trial conducted on 80 family caregivers of individuals with substance use problem in the process of withdrawal who were referred to a psychiatric center in southeastern Iran (2018). The intervention group received seven sessions of quality-of-life group counseling every other day based on predetermined content. Twelve weeks post-intervention, data were collected from the control and intervention groups using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The results were analyzed through statistical tests. After group counseling based on quality of life, the mean stress score in the family caregivers of the intervention group (11.50 ± 4.36) was significantly lower than in those of the control group (14.67 ± 4.93) (p = 0.003). Also, in the posttest, the mean score of life satisfaction in the intervention group (24.75 ± 4.28) was significantly higher than that of the control group (19.57 ± 7.33) (p = 0.001). Group counseling based on quality of life exerted a significantly positive impact on reducing the severity of stress and improving life satisfaction among family caregivers of individuals with substance use problem. Therefore, it is highly recommended that healthcare service providers incorporate this counseling approach in substance use withdrawal programs so as to increase the well-being and mental health of family caregivers.

The effect of couples education on marital satisfaction in menopausal women.

Inviting husbands to come to terms with women's adaptation to the phenomenon of menopause is beneficial. The aim of this research was to uncover the effect of couples education on marital satisfaction. This study was performed on 80 menopausal women accompanied by their husbands. The intervention group received four sessions of couples education. The results showed that the mean increase in the rate of marital satisfaction after couples education in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control. Short-term couples education has a significant positive effect on marital satisfaction. Therefore, this counseling strategy can be integrated into health-care programs.

The Effect of Motivational Interviewing on Craving and Dependence on Hookah in Suburban Pregnant Women in South East of Iran.

Hookah smoking during pregnancy is a health concern which requires effective interventions. Thus, the authors have aimed to evaluate the effect of motivational interviewing on craving and dependence on hookah in pregnant women (n = 140) addicted to hookah who reside in the outskirts of Zahedan, a city in southeast of Iran. The subjects were selected using the convenience sampling and randomly divided into either the control or intervention group. The intervention group received five motivational interviewing group sessions about hookah smoking withdrawal, whereas the control group was given the conventional recommendations for quitting hookah. Data were collected after 8 weeks during the post intervention period using Hookah Craving Test and Hookah Addiction Severity Index. Next, they were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). After the motivational interviewing intervention, the independent t-test indicated a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the mean score of hookah craving (P = 0.0001). Moreover, ANCOVA, with control of the effect of pretest and duration of hookah addiction, demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean score of hookah dependence after the intervention (P = 0.0001). Motivational interviewing had a significant positive impact on decreased hookah craving and dependence (two indices of withdrawal). Therefore, healthcare providers are recommended to incorporate motivational interviewing-based education into prenatal care programs to promote the chance of hookah smoking withdrawal.

Impact of Psychological Grief Counseling on the Severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Mothers after Stillbirths.

Planned support and interventions are necessary in the care and support of women who have experienced stillbirth. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of psychological grief counseling on the symptom severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mothers after stillbirths. This interventional study is semi-experimental. The study was conducted on 100 women who had recently had stillbirths. Eligible samples were selected and randomly divided into the two groups of intervention and control. The data collection tool was the PPQ,1 which was completed as a pre-test and post-test in both groups. The intervention group received four sessions of psychological grief counseling over two weeks, and the control group received only routine postnatal care. PTSD severity was evaluated in both groups at the end of the fourth week after the final session. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of the severity of the PTSD symptoms in both groups after the intervention (P = 0.0001), which means that psychological grief counseling led to the reduction of PTSD severity in mothers. Given the positive impact of psychological grief counseling on reducing the severity of PTSD, integration of intensive psychological interventions in the maternity care system seems essential for faster transition of grief stages and for the prevention of severe cases of PTSD.

Effect of a Couples' Relationship Enrichment Program on the Quality of Marital Relationships from the Perspective of Spouses of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

A relationship enrichment program involves family therapy with psychosocial training to improve relationship skills. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a couples' relationship enrichment program on marital relationship quality. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2016 with 80 spouses of patients, all members of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center in Zahedan, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention and a control group, each of which comprised 40 participants. The Perceived Relationship Quality Components questionnaire was used to collect the required data. After five-session couples' relationship enrichment program, the mean total marital relationship quality score and all the subscale scores except the love subscale score in the intervention group were significantly greater than those in the control group. Application of the program is recommended to increase the quality of marital relationships for spouses of patients with MS, as they are the most important sources of support for patients with MS.

Efficacy of Group Motivational Interviewing in the Degree of Drug Craving in the Addicts Under the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) in South East of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Craving is one of the important factors having an effective role in the addiction relapse. As an important factor in the therapy failure, this clinical phenomenon has to be diagnosed and treated. OBJECTIVE: The present research aimed at determining the efficacy of group motivational interviewing in the degree of drug craving in the addicts under the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT). METHOD: This is a quasi-experimental study carried out on 100 addicted men (aged 18-50 years), who were under the MMT in a drug abstinence clinic affiliated with University of Medical Sciences (Iran) in the second half of 2014. The research sample was selected by the availability criteria based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and upon matching, it was divided randomly into two groups of 50 (control and treatment). The treatment group first received 5 sessions of group motivational counseling; then it entered the therapy process. The control group received the usual treatment of the drug abstinence clinic. To assess the drug craving degree (in the pretest, 2, 6 and 12 months after the abstinence), the Visual Cue-induced Craving Task, scored 0 to 100, was used. The data were analyzed by the descriptive statistics through independent t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The means of craving degrees in the control group, 2, 6 and 12 months after the abstinence (73.28 ± 7.52, 65.83 ± 6.69 and 61.25±5.17, respectively) were significantly (p=0.0001) higher than those in the treatment group (68.94 ± 10.53, 40.48 ± 11.78 and 32.51 ± 9.00). Moreover, the mean of retention in the treatment was 9.24 ± 2.45 months in the treatment group that was significantly (p=0.001) higher than the 4.88 ± 3.65 months of retention in the control group. CONCLUSION: The research results support the fact that motivational interviewing decreases the degree of drug craving, and increases the probability of the addicts' retention in long-term therapeutic abstinence programs. Therefore, the use of such an approach as a pretreatment and a complementary therapy in changing health behaviors is recommended.

Effect of motivational group interviewing-based safety education on Workers' safety behaviors in glass manufacturing.

BACKGROUND: Worker safety education using models that identify and reinforce factors affecting behavior is essential. The present study aimed to determine the effect of safety education based on motivational interviewing on awareness of, attitudes toward, and engagement in worker safety in the glass production industry in Hamedan, Iran, in 2014. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental interventional study including a total of 70 production line workers at glass production facilities in Hamedan. The workers were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group, with 35 workers in each group. Participants in the control group received four one-hour safety education sessions, in the form of traditional lectures. Those in the intervention group received four educational sessions based on motivational group interviewing, which were conducted in four groups of eight to ten participants each. The instruments used included a researcher-developed questionnaire with checklists addressing safety awareness, and attitude and performance, which were completed before and 12 weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent and paired t-tests, and chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Having obtained the differences in scores before and after the intervention, we determined mean changes in the scores of awareness, attitude, and use of personal protective equipment among workers who underwent motivational group interviewing (3.74 ± 2.16, 1.71 ± 3.16, and 3.2 ± 1.92, respectively, p < 0.05). These scores were significantly greater than those of control workers who underwent traditional educational sessions (1.28 ± 1.93, 1.1 ± 3.07, and 0.2 ± 1.26, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that incorporation of motivational interviewing principles into safety education programs had the positive effect of enhancing workers' knowledge, attitude, and, particularly, implementation of safe behaviors. The application of this advisory approach is recommended to increase workplace safety and minimize occupational hazards in the work environment.

Effect of mindfulness on sexual self-efficacy and sexual satisfaction among Iranian postmenopausal women: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Menopause with anatomical, physiological, and psychological changes can affect sexual satisfaction and consequently the quality of life. Aims: The study sought to evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based counseling on sexual self-efficacy and sexual satisfaction among Iranian postmenopausal women. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 110 women who were assigned to an intervention group (n = 55) and a control group (n = 55). The intervention group received 8 sessions of mindfulness-based training and daily mindfulness exercises. Data collection tools included questionnaires of demographics and midwifery, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual satisfaction. They were completed before and 8 weeks after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed through a t test, a chi-square test, and repeated-measures analysis of variance. Outcomes: Changes in sexual self-efficacy and sexual satisfaction scores were evaluated. Results: The mindfulness-based intervention significantly improved sexual self-efficacy (F = 146.98, P = .000, ƞ2 = 0.576) and sexual satisfaction (F = 129.47, P = .000, ƞ2 = 0.545) over time. The mean scores of sexual self-efficacy (17.03 ± 2.08) and sexual satisfaction (87.94 ± 8.26) in the intervention group increased after the intervention as opposed to the mean scores of sexual self-efficacy (12.65 ± 1.70) and sexual satisfaction (76.61 ± 6.45) in the control group. Clinical Implications: Mindfulness training can improve sexual self-efficacy and sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women. Strengths and Limitations: The intervention was implemented on a population of menopausal women in a culture in which the expression of sexual issues is taboo and has not been noticed in the past. The main limitation of this study was self-reporting, which may have affected the responses. The next limitation was the nonrandomized controlled design. Finally, the research sample included menopausal women who were heterosexual and married. Hence, the findings may not be generalizable to more diverse samples. In this study, psychological maladjustment or psychological distress was not analyzed. They should also be considered in future research. Conclusion: According to the results, it is advisable to employ mindfulness-based intervention in routine care, because it can improve different aspects of menopausal women's life.

Comparing health-related quality of life of employed women and housewives: a cross sectional study from southeast Iran.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life differs for different people in different situations and is related to one's self-satisfaction with life. Considering the role of women in family and social health and the specific cultural characteristics of our province, we aimed to compare the quality of life of employed women with housewives in Zahedan, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out during 2009-2010 in Zahedan, Iran. The sample consisted of 110 housewives and 110 employed women selected randomly from ten health care centers. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the SF-36. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare quality of life in housewives and employed women while controlling for age, education and income. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age of participants was 33.87± 8.95 years. Eighty-eight women (40%) had a university degree with a mean (±SD) official education of 10.8 (±4.9) years. The results indicated that employed women scored higher than housewives in all measures except for physical functioning. The differences were found to be remarkable for vitality, mental health and role emotional. However, after controlling for age, education and family income, none of differences reached significant level. CONCLUSION: After controlling for potential confounders, the findings from this study indicated that there were no significant differences in quality of life between employed women and housewives. However, employed women scored higher on the SF-36, especially on the role emotional, vitality, and mental health. The findings suggest that associations exist between some aspects of health-related quality of life and employment. Indeed improving health-related quality of life among housewives seems essential.

Comparing the analgesic effect of heat patch containing iron chip and ibuprofen for primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common and sometimes disabling condition. In recent years, some studies aimed to improve the treatment of dysmenorrhea, and therefore, introduced several therapeutic measures. This study was designed to compare the analgesic effect of iron chip containing heat wrap with ibuprofen for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: In this randomized (IRCT201107187038N2) controlled trial, 147 students (18-30 years old) with the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled considering the CONSORT guideline. Screening for primary dysmenorrhea was done by a two-question screening tool. The participants were randomly assigned into one of the intervention groups (heat Patch and ibuprofen). Data regarding the severity and emotional impact of the pain were recorded by a shortened version of McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The maximum and minimum pain severities were observed at 2 and 24 hours in both groups. The severity of sensual pain at 8, 12, and 24 hours was non-significantly less in the heat Patch group. There was also no significant difference between the groups regarding the emotional impact of pain at the first 2, 4, 8, 12 and 12 hours of menstruation. CONCLUSIONS: Heat patch containing Iron chip has comparable analgesic effects to ibuprofen and can possibly be used for primary dysmenorrhea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT201107187038N2.

Effect of cognitive-behavioral training on fear of childbirth and sleep quality of pregnant adolescent slum dwellers.

BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth is a common problem during pregnancy, which can give rise to sleep disorders and diminish sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive-behavioral training on fear of childbirth and sleep quality of pregnant adolescent slum dwellers who visited the slum health centers of Zahedan city, Iran, in 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2020 on 100 pregnant adolescent slum dwellers between 11 and 19 years old at 24-28 weeks pregnant. Multi-stage sampling was used and the participants were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received four sessions of cognitive-behavioral training at weekly intervals. The control group only received routine care. The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were filled before and 4 weeks after the training course. The data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using independent t-test, paired t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-squared test. and covariance. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: After the intervention, the fear of childbirth significantly decreased (P = 0.004), and sleep quality significantly improved (P = 0.001) in the intervention group compared with the control group. The results of analysis of covariance to control the significant effect of pre-test scores showed that the mean score of fear of childbirth (P = 0.03) and mean score of sleep quality (P = 0.001) in the two groups after the intervention was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed that in addition to reducing fear of childbirth, cognitive-behavioral training improved the sleep quality of women in the intervention group. Therefore, this training could be used as an easy and accessible method without complications to improve women's health.

Comparison of the effect of face-to-face training and telemedicine on self-care in adolescent pregnant women: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Improving self-care in adolescent pregnancy leads to improved maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy. However, self-care in adolescent pregnancy is less than other women. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of face-to-face training and telemedicine on self-care in adolescent pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a quasi-experimental study that was conducted in Zahedan in 2021 and 120 adolescent pregnant women with a gestational age of 15-20 weeks participated in it. The sampling was done in multistage, and the samples were divided into three groups: Face-to-face training, telemedicine, and control. Face-to-face training was presented in five sessions and the telemedicine group received the similar educational content through the mobile applications. The samples completed a researcher-made self-care questionnaire before the intervention and at 28 weeks of gestation. SPSS software version 21 was used for the analysis, and data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey post hoc, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in face-to-face and telemedicine training in improving the scores of nutritional performance, smoking and narcotics use, personal hygiene, and routine pregnancy care (P > 0.05), but face-to-face training caused more improvement in the scores of sports and physical activity as compared to telemedicine group (P = 0.04). Face-to-face training and telemedicine training in all domains led to a significant improvement in scores as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the face-to-face training and telemedicine methods were proper methods for self-care education in pregnant adolescent women. It is recommended to use these methods in promoting self-care in pregnant adolescent women.

The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Training Versus Conventional Training on Self-care and Depression Severity in Heart Failure Patients with Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Psychological factors including depression and anxiety are the most critical risk factors in the treatment and prognosis of heart failure which should be addressed in treatment and care programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive-behavioral training (CBT) on depression severity and self-care ability of patients with heart failure. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial that carried out on 80 patients with heart failure who had been hospitalized in 2018. The participants were divided into the CBT group (n= 40) and the conventional training (CT) group (n= 40), randomly. Data were collected using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) version 6.2 before and 8 weeks after the educational interventions. Data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and covariance analysis. Results: The mean score of self-care in the CBT group turned out to be significantly higher than the CT group after receiving the intervention. Also, the mean depression score of the CBT group 26.95 (5.53) after intervention was significantly lower than the CT group 36.04 (8.45). Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral intervention, compared with conventional training, had a greater positive impact on improving self-care and alleviating the severity of depression symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy be integrated into routine educational programs.

Effect of sexual health education on sexual function and resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth in primiparous women.

INTRODUCTION: A large number of women experience sexual health problems during the postpartum period. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sexual health education on sexual function and time of sexual intercourse resumption after childbirth in primiparous women in Southeast Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 94 primiparous women randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group was subjected to three training sessions 3-5, 10-14, and 30-45 days after childbirth (first session lasting 20 min and other sessions 60 min). On the other hand, the participants in the control group only received the routine postpartum training. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was completed by all participants before and 8 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using descriptive and inferential statistics, such as Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired sample t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean score of FSFI in the intervention group was increased from 12.70 ± 6.166 before the onset of the intervention to 17.36 ± 5.407 after 8 weeks (P = 0.01). In the control group, the mean score of FSFI was decreased from 13.09 ± 4.306 to 12.29 ± 3.511 on the 8th week postpartum (P = 0.06). The mean times of sexual intercourse resumption in the intervention and control groups were 5.82 ± 0.17 and 5.81 ± 0.22 weeks, respectively, which were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.879). CONCLUSION: Sexual health education for women in the postpartum period could improve their sexual function after childbirth. However, it is recommended to use sexual health education programs in women during the postpartum period to promote female sexual function.

Assessing the effect of self-care education on anxiety and depression among pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion.

INTRODUCTION: Abortion is one of the most common complications of early pregnancy, which emerges as a physically and mentally devastating experience. Due to the prevalence and importance of postabortion mental health problems and their adverse effects on subsequent pregnancies, some interventions should be made to reduce the resultant anxiety and depression. The present study aimed to determine the effect of self-care education on anxiety and depression among pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion. METHODS: This randomized quasi-experimental study was performed on ninety pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion who referred to health centers in Zahedan in 2019. The samples were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. Between 6 and 16 weeks of gestation, the participants in the intervention group received four sessions of 60-min self-care training over 2 weeks. On the other hand, the control group received routine pregnancy care. Data collection tools included a demographic and fertility evaluation questionnaire, a 6-item short-form of the state scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a short form of Beck Depression Inventory. Posttest was performed 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using statistical tests of independent t-pair, paired t-pair, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Based on the obtained results, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of anxiety and depression scores before the intervention. Nonetheless, after the intervention, the mean scores of anxiety and depression in the intervention group were calculated at 7.31 ± 1.31 and 4.71 ± 1.90, respectively. However, these scores were reported as 1.87 ± 13.46 and 9.31 ± 1.59 in the control group, respectively (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: As evidenced by the obtained results, self-care education is effective in the reduction of anxiety and depression in pregnant women with a history of spontaneous abortion. Therefore, health professionals and health-care providers should enrich prenatal care programs with these training sessions and provide women with peace of mind and comfort during pregnancy.

The effect of motivational interviewing-based training on the rate of using mental health services and intensity of suicidal ideation in individuals with suicide attempt admitted to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Unless mental health care is provided to suicide attempters after discharge from the emergency department, suicide prevention opportunities may be lost. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of motivational interviewing (MI)-based training on using mental health services and reducing the severity of suicidal thoughts. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was performed on seventy suicide attempters who had been admitted to the emergency department of three university hospitals in Southeast Iran in 2019. Eligible patients were chosen through convenience sampling, and they were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. The intervention group received three MI sessions on the day of discharge and the 1st week after discharge. Twelve weeks after the intervention, the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation and the using mental health services were completed in both the groups. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test, independent t-test, and paired t-test. RESULTS: While there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean score of suicidal ideation on the pretest, the experimental group experienced a significant decrease in this respect at the end of the study; thus, this group scored 8.86 ± 5.30, which is considerably lower than that obtained in the control group (15.85 ± 6.65) (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, at the end of the study, the rate of using mental health services increased much more in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: MI training had a significant positive impact on mitigating suicidal ideation and promoting mental health services use. To improve mental health and to better serve suicidal individuals, it is recommended that short-term interventions be developed in the form of post-discharge education for suicidal patients admitted to the emergency department.

The Effect of Regular Family Appointments on Hope of Hospitalized Depressed Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders in the world. Many depressed patients are being hospitalized in psychiatric centers every year, which can lead to hopelessness and indifference. Considering the role of family as a support system in caring for depressed patients, the goal of the present study is to assess the effects of regular family appointments on the hope of hospitalized depressed patients. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial on 70 hospitalized depressed patients in the Baharan psychiatric hospital of Zahedan. Block Randomization was used to categorize the participants continuously into two groups intervention (n=35) and control groups (n=35). The data collection tools were demographic characteristics questionnaire and Schneider hope scale. The patients in the interventions group received 6 sessions of regular family appointments with first- degree relatives. The control group received freely and without any planning appointments. Hope level was measured and compared before and after the intervention for two groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS using the chi-square test, the independent t-test and the paired t-test. Results: The results showed that both groups were homogeneous in terms of socio- demographic differences. The hope scores of patients in the intervention group significantly increased compared to those of the control group. Conclusion: Encouraging family cooperation and using patient's choice in selecting visitors is recommended.

The Effect of Motivational Interviewing on Self-Efficacy and Continuation of Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Self-efficacy is a decisive psychological and motivational factor in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). The aim of this study was to explore the impact of motivational interviewing (MI) on EBF self-efficacy and EBF in primiparous women. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 140 primiparous women admitted to a number of comprehensive health centers in Zahedan in 2019. The health centers were determined through multistage random sampling, and the subjects were selected from each center using convenience sampling. The selected women were equally divided into the intervention and control groups. The two groups took the pretest by filling out a demographic questionnaire and a breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaire. The intervention group attended four 45- to 60-minute MI sessions on breastfeeding. The EBF continuation sheet and the breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaire were filled out 6 months postpartum. Data were analyzed in SPSS 22 using paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and covariance analysis. Results: Based on the results, the mean and standard deviation of the number of EBF days were significantly higher in the intervention group (137.68 ± 65.50) compared with that of the control group (99.51 ± 80.62). In addition, the mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy after MI was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Because of the significantly positive impact of MI on enhancing EBF self-efficacy and continuation, it is recommended to integrate this counseling strategy into the care programs designed for women in pregnancy and even postpartum period.