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Objective: Hoarding disorder is a complex condition that significantly impacts individuals' lives, characterized by excessive acquiring, difficulty discarding, clutter, distress, and impairment. This study aimed to examine the extent to which genetics and environment influence difficulty discarding, excessive acquisition, and clutter through the implementation of a classical twin study. Method: This classical twin study, conducted between April and September 2021, enrolled 194 twins (97 pairs) from Isfahan, recruited through the Isfahan Twins Registry (ITR). A total of 194 twins, consisting of 100 monozygotic (MZ) and 94 dizygotic (DZ) twins, participated in this study. Participants aged 16-50 were invited electronically and completed an online consent form and questionnaire. Hoarding symptoms were assessed using the saving inventory-revised. Zygosity was determined using a self-report method based on Song et al.'s questionnaire. To estimate the heritability of hoarding symptoms, the classical univariate twin model was employed. Results: Based on the univariate analysis, the heritability estimates for difficulty discarding and excessive acquisition were found to be 0.43 and 0.52, respectively. However, the results did not provide support for the role of genetics in clutter. Instead, it was indicated that the common environment accounted for 0.54 of the variance in clutter, while the specific environment contributed 0.46 to this symptom. Conclusion: The difficulty discarding and excessive acquisition were found to be moderately heritable. On the other hand, considering the contribution of genetics and environment to clutter, the results raise doubts about the association of clutter with hoarding. The relatively low genetic influence suggests that this trait may overlap with other behaviors rather than hoarding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Most of the research conducted so far on effective treatments for social anxiety disorder has used traditional cognitive-behavioral therapies. However, recent pathological theories emphasize the role of emotion regulation in the formation and continuation of the symptoms of this disorder. Thus, this study was conducted to compare the efficacy of emotionfocused therapy (EFT) and the unified trans-diagnostic treatment for individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test control group design and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population of the study included all the people aged 18-40 years who were diagnosed with social anxiety disorder from September to March 2021 in Tehran City, Iran. A total of 21 patients were selected using purposive sampling and assigned to three groups (two experimental groups and one control group (7 patients in each group). The experimental groups 1 and 2 received EFT in twenty 120-minute sessions (one session every week) and the unified trans-diagnostic treatment in twelve 120-minute sessions (one session every week), respectively, while the control group did not receive therapy intervention during this period. The brief fear of negative evaluation scale (BFNE) and the fear of positive evaluation scale (FPES) were used to collect data. The repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data in SPSS software, version 24. The significance level of the research was considered to be a=0.05. Results: The results indicated that both EFT and trans-diagnostic treatment effectively reduced the fear of positive evaluation, but unified trans-diagnostic treatment had no significant impact on reducing the fear of negative evaluation in this group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Accordingly, EFT and unified trans-diagnostic treatment were effective and practical methods to reduce the fear of positive and negative evaluation in this group. It is recommended that psychotherapists and counselors employ these approaches in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

Background and Aim The concept of resilience has been recently extensively considered concerning sports studies; accordingly, in most qualitative studies, it has been used to explore the attitudes of coaches, athletes, and sports psychologists. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine resilience in athletic students based on dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing. Methods & Materials This was a descriptive and correlational study. The population of the study consisted of all male students of Guilan University of Physical Education in the first semester of the academic year 2019-2020. A sample of 200 individuals was selected by convenience sampling method; then, the required data were collected using Sheard et al.’s (2009) Resilience Scale for Adults, Jonsson and Webster’s Dark Triad Personality Questionnaire, and Ryff’s 18-item Psychological Wellbeing Scale (1989). The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by Research Ethics Committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.GUMS.REC.1398.121). Results The present research results suggested a positive and significant correlation between the resilience of the examined athletic students and narcissism (r=0.495, P<0.001), self-acceptance (r=0.598, P<0.001), purposefulness in life (r=0.556, P<0.001), personal growth (r=0.648, P<0.001), the mastery of the environment (r=0.645, P<0.001), positive correlation with others (r=0.569, P<0.001), and independence (r=0.381, P<0.001). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between antisocial behavior (r=-0.557, P<0.001) and Machiavelli’s aspect (r=-0.604, P<0.001), and the explored students’ resilience. Additionally, multiple regression analysis data revealed that dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing predict 62% of resilience in the study subjects. Conclusion The current investigation results signified a significant correlation between dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing, and resilience in athletic students. Accordingly, educators and teachers need to pay more attention to the role of psychological wellbeing and different dimensions of athletes’ personalities for promoting the health and performance of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the comparison of abuse experiences and mindful eating in women with high body mass index with and without binge eating disorder and women with normal weight. This study was descriptive with comparative design. The study population consisted of women referring to two nutrition counseling centers in Rasht in 1400. The sample consisted of 179 women who were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were collected using Stice's Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (2000), Bernstein's Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (2003), and Framson's Mindful Eating Questionnaire (2009). Results of univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance showed that the abuse experiences in overweight and obese women with binge eating disorder were higher than overweight and obese women without the disorder and in both groups were more than normal weight women. Women in the binge eating group had lower scores in mindful eating than women without the disorder, and both groups had lower scores than normal-weight women, even when controlling for age. According to the findings, abuse experiences and mindful eating have important role in the pathology of obesity, overweight and binge eating disorder. Designing educational/therapeutic programs aimed at reducing the psychological consequences of abuse and teaching mindful eating techniques can be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The current study aimed at determining the effect of self-regulation empowerment program training on neurocognitive and social skills in students with dyscalculia. Method: The study was a semi-experimental with pretest/posttest design and a control group. The study sample was consisted of 26 students with dyscalculia in Guilan Province, Iran, 2018, selected by the convenience sampling method and assigned into two groups (one experimental and one control). To collect the data, Tower of Hanoi Task, Stroop Test, Dual N-Back Task, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Social Skills Rating System were used before and after the intervention. A twelve-session self-regulation empowerment program training was implemented for the experimental group. Results: Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test were used for data analysis and Cohen's d test measured effect extent. The results of analysis showed that the self-regulation empowerment program training improved neurocognitive and social skills in students with dyscalculia. Discussion: Students with dyscalculia are faced with various physical and psychological stressful factors, which leads to decreased quality of life. Considering the relationship between neurocognitive and social skills with self-regulation, one of the methods capable of assisting the rehabilitation of the students with dyscalculia is the self-regulation empowerment training. Conclusions: According to the findings of the research, self-regulation empowerment training can improve the neurocognitive and social skills in students with dyscalculia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with -diverse communicative problems and Asperger’s syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare alexithymia and personality factors in students with and without ASD. Methods: In this study 120 male students with and without ASD were included. All the students were from Rasht city, studying in the academic year 2016-2017. The students were asked to take up Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) and Big Five Questionnaire for Children (BFQ-C). statistical comparison within the variables were carried out by Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The probability value less than 0.05 considered to be significant. Results: The MANOVA of results showed a significantly higher mean scores of alexithymia components and neuroticism in the students with ASD. However, the mean scores of agreeableness, extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness were significantly lower in the students with ASD (P<0.001). Discussion: The results garnered from this study implied that alexithymia and personality factors were significantly influenced by ASD. The findings of this research persuaded the pivotal implication of aforesaid facts on education and mental health of the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Considering the negative effect of self-handicapping on both mental and physical health and the positive effect of self-efficacy on success and efficacy of people, this research has been conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of meta-cognitive skills training on self-handicapping and self-efficacy of students. Methods: This research is an experimental study with pre/post-test, and 28 student participants were allocated to experimental and control groups randomly (14 persons per group). Jones and Rhodewalt Self-Handicapping Scale, Sherer and Maddux Self-Efficacy Scale, and Raven standard Progressive Matrices Test had been utilized for data collecting. The meta-cognitive training program was provided to the experimental group within two months in six sessions while students of the control group did not receive any training. Results: Covariance analysis proposes that meta-cognitive training has a significant effect on decreasing self-handicapping in experimental group; however, there are no significant differences in the results of self-efficacy post-test in both experimental and control groups. Discussion: Findings of the present study suggest that meta-cognitive skills training- as an effective training program- could be used for decreasing students’ self-handicapping. But with regards to the effectiveness of meta-cognitive skills training on self-efficacy, it is revealed that more variables are involved, and it needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effect of cognitive restructuring training on neurocognitive functions related to the prefrontal cortex in opioid addicts and its relationship to relapse prevention. Method: Thirty opioid addicts who completed a 21-day detoxification program were randomly placed in experimental and control groups. Before and after the training, the subjects underwent urinalysis and were tested on the Addiction-Stroop Task, Iowa Gambling Task, Wisconsin Card Sorting test and Emotion Recognition Scale. Results: Decision-making and emotion recognition were improved after the training course, but no significant difference was observed in attention bias, cognitive flexibility and relapse. Conclusions: Cognitive restructuring training and improvement of some neuropsychological functions are not enough to prevent relapse, and attention bias and cognitive flexibility should be adjusted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the present study was to compare positive and negative urgency as well as sleep quality among patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Sample and method. This was a causal-comparative study. The sample included 50 patients diagnosed with ASPD and 50 patients diagnosed with BPD, as well as 50 healthy controls. All subjects were selected based on availability. The instruments used were Lynam et al.'s Impulse Control Scale and Pittsburgh's Sleep Quality Index. Results. The results show that the mean of negative urgency is significantly higher in BPD patients than in ASPD patients, whereas the mean of positive urgency is significantly higher in ASPD patients than in BPD patients. Dimensions of sleep quality in both BPD and ASPD patients are significantly higher than for healthy controls (p<0.01). Discussion. a significant difference exists among the BPD and ASPD patients and healthy controls in the positive and negative urgency and sleep quality. Conclusion. We found that BPD and ASPD patients manifest reckless behaviours both due to more negative urgency when experiencing negative emotional situations and due to positive urgency when experiencing positive emotional situations. Both patient groups show lower sleep quality, which has diagnostic and therapeutic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression is one the most common mental disorders in all the cultures. Depression is a combination of feelings of sadness, loneliness, irritability, worthlessness, hopelessness. Researchers repeatedly have supported the association between dimensions of temperament and character with depressive disorder. The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compares dimensions of temperament and character in individuals with and without depressive disorder. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this cross-sectional study in 2011 included all individuals with major depressive disorder aged 24-30 who were referred to clinical center in Ardabil city, as well as the normal population of non-depressive individuals. Participants were 70 persons with major depressive, and 61 non-depressive persons. They were asked to complete demographic questionnaires, Beck depression inventory, and Cloningers temperament and character inventory. The data were analyzed by MANOVA and T multivariate regression using SPSS software version 16. Results: Depressive individuals have significantly of novelty seeking, harm avoidance and self-transcendence; while, the patients had lower scores mean of persistence, cooperativeness and self-directedness than non-anxious group (P<0.001). Also, multiple regression analysis results showed that dimensions of temperament and character significantly explain 34 percents of the variance of depressive individuals. Conclusion: It was a significant relationship between temperament and character. Also, the findings suggest that dimensions of temperament and character are variables that influence the severity of depression symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that compares the ability of recognizing emotional facial expressions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. The study found that both OCD and MDD patients have equal ability to recognize emotional states of surprise, sadness, happiness and fear. The study recognized that OCD patients are less competent in recognizing disgust and anger.

Objective. The objective of the present study is to investigate the role of early maladaptive schemas as predictor of the adolescent's girls' runaway. Method. The participants were 30 adolescent runaway girls from the health centers of the city of Rasht who were selected through a purposive sampling, and 40 normal girls who were selected through a cluster sampling from the normal population of the city. The instrument used was Young's schema questionnaire. Results. The results of the discriminate analysis showed that after the stepwise analysis, 4 variables were remained which from the 1st to the 4th steps are subsequently: emotional deprivation, vulnerability to danger, defectiveness/shame and dependence/incompetence. The results of the function group categorization analysis showed that all adolescents of the normal group were predicted correctly (100%), however, the discriminate function had placed 96.7% of the runaway group in the right place and 3.3% were wrongly categorized. In general, the discriminate function categorized 98.6% of all cases correctly and this claims a high predictive power and a significant validity for this model. Discussion and Conclusion. The results were compiled based on theoretical foundations and the role of the schemas in adolescent girls' running away was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Friendly behavior (as a one of the main characteristics of positive affect), and positive and negative feelings about body image can influence life satisfaction among women. This research aimed at determining the relationship between friendly behavior and body image with life satisfaction in women. Materials and methods: The research sample consisted of 200 women, aged between 20 to 25 years who were selected through random cluster sampling method in Shahrood, Iran. Friendly behavior scale, body image questionnaire and satisfaction with life scale were used. The data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses. Results: Results showed positive correlation between friendly behavior (r=0.30) and body image (r=0.66) with life satisfaction in women (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that friendly behavior and body image highly influence (62%) life satisfaction among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy on the emotion regulation and emotion recognition of addicts with traumatic experience. Materials and Methods: This research is an experimental study with pre and post-test design and a control group. The subjects of this study were selected using random sampling method on drug addicts of Ardebil Addiction Treatment Camp who have successfully completed the detoxification period and they were evaluated in two different experimental (15 individuals) and control (15 individuals) groups. The experimental group was treated with EMDR therapy for 8 sessions (each one for 60 minutes) and the control group received no special treatment. All participants filled a questionnaire of Emotion Regulation and Emotion Recognition at the onset of the research and 2 months recognition of addicts with traumatic experience. after termination of treatment. For the data analysis, SPSS-17 software and covariance analysis were used. Results: The results of covariance analysis test indicated that the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy intervention increased the average of positive emotion regulation and emotion recognition scores in the post-test phase and significantly reduced the average of negative emotion regulation scores. Conclusion: These results suggest that the treatment of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is effective in improving regulation and recognition of emotions in addicts with traumatic experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is little information about the relationship of alexithymia and cognitive/behavioral coping strategies with psychological vulnerability. The recent studies indicate that alexithymia and coping strategies affect psychological vulnerability. The present study aims to determine the relationship of alexithymia and cognitive/behavioral coping strategies with psychological vulnerability of women with somatization disorder. Materials and Methods: The samples of this study included 120 patients with somatization disorder who were selected as convenience sampling among those who attended the psychology centers of Ardabil. Pain coping questionnaire, alexithymia questionnaire, and symptom questionnaire were used to collect the information. The research data were analyzed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate regression analysis methods. Results: The results indicated that there are significant correlations between alexithymia (r = 0.52), cognitive coping strategies (r = -0.27), behavioral coping strategies (r = -0.33) and psychological vulnerability of women with somatization disorder. The results of step-by-step multivariate regression analysis suggested that alexithymia and cognitive/ behavioral coping strategies clarifies 37 percent of the variance of psychological vulnerability of women with somatization disorder. Conclusion: These findings indicate that cognitive/behavioral coping strategies and alexithymia are associated to psychological vulnerability of women with somatization disorder. In addition, these results have special application in prevention, pathology as well as psychotherapy of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of child abuse and neglect in predicting the early maladaptive schemas domains. Materials and Methods: This is a causal-comparative research. Sampling was performed using multistage clustering and simple random sampling methods. 500 individuals constituted the preliminary sample. After identifying 140 abused individuals, they were compared to 140 ordinary persons. In order to collect the data, the 53-item version of Bernstein Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Yang Schema Questionnaire: Short Form 2 (YSQ-SF2) were used. To analyze the data, multivariate regression coefficient enter method was deployed. Results: Results showed that about 24% of the variance of the disconnection and rejection maladaptive schema domain, as well as 12% of the variance of the impaired autonomy and performance maladaptive schema domain were explained by the emotional abuse, physical abuse, and physical neglect. 13% of the other-directedness maladaptive schema domain variance, 6% of the impaired limits maladaptive schema domain, and 5% of the overvigilance and inhibition maladaptive schema domain variance were explained by the emotional abuse. Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that one could predict schemas and their respective domains with regards to abused children. Abused children are likely to develop maladaptive schemas and cognitive distortions due to the dull and harsh atmosphere of the family and its unhealthy environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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".

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.