درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Objective: Patients with Ménière's often experience multiple psychological problems and are not satisfied with the results of medication therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on anxiety, lifestyle, and experiential avoidance in patients with Ménière's disease.  Method: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up approach. The statistical population comprised all patients diagnosed with Ménière's disease who sought treatment at the specialized ear clinic affiliated with Mashhad Medical Sciences Hospital between January and March 2023. From this population, 30 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were selected using an oriented sampling method. Participants were randomly assigned to a CBT intervention group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Data collected at three time points—pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 30 days after the intervention—using the Smith Lifestyle Questionnaire, Bond Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire, and the Anxiety subscale of the DASS-21. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results indicated a significant reduction in anxiety levels in the CBT group compared to the control group in both the post-test and follow-up assessments (P < 0.05). Additionally, a significant improvement was observed in lifestyle scores in the CBT group relative to the control group (P < 0.05). The difference in experiential avoidance between the two groups was also statistically significant (P < 0.05).  Conclusion: The findings suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in reducing anxiety and experiential avoidance while improving lifestyle in patients with Ménière's disease. These results underscore the potential of CBT as an adjunctive treatment in managing the psychological and lifestyle-related challenges associated with Ménière's disease.

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the potential role of food craving and emotional processing in explaining and predicting the relationship between impulsivity and food addiction. Method : This study was descriptive and correlational research. The statistical population included all people with obesity who were referred to the health centers and nutrition clinics in Tehran in the spring and summer of 2023. In this research, 357 participants were selected through the convenience sampling method. Body mass index, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (Fossati et al., 2001), the Yale food addiction scale (Gerhard et al., 2009), the food craving questionnaire - trait (Sepda Benito et al., 2000), and the Emotional processing scale (Baker et al., 2007) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling through Amos24 software. Results : The results showed that the model fits appropriately with the observed data. The coefficient of the direct path of impulsivity and food addiction was positive and significant. The indirect relationship between impulsivity and food addiction through food craving and emotional processing was also positive and significant. This finding indicates that both emotional processing and food craving mediate the relationship between impulsivity and food addiction positively and meaningfully. Conclusion : It seems that emotional processing problems and impulsivity play a significant role in the etiology and continuation of pathological eating, and focusing on the interaction of these factors can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of eating problems in overweight and obese people.

Objective: Psychological hardiness, death anxiety, and coping strategies may differ between the two groups of patients with cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.  Method : This study employs a descriptive, causal-comparative design. Subjects of this study included two groups of women with breast cancer and cardiovascular disease: 60 patients (30 cardiovascular and 30 breast cancer).  Ahvaz Psychological Hardiness Scale, Collet-Lester Fear of Death Scale, and Lazarus Coping Strategies Questionnaire were used to assess the study's three variables. Results: MANOVA results showed a significant difference in psychological hardiness and death anxiety between the two patient groups. Women with cardiovascular disease had higher hardness (F=4/84, P=0.3) and lower death anxiety (F=4/71, P=0.3) than women with breast cancer. Women with breast cancer used emotion-focused strategies more than those with cardiovascular disease, while women with cardiovascular disease used problem-focused coping strategies (F=4/42, P=0.4).   Conclusion : The type of chronic disease can affect the role of positive psychological factors in chronic diseases. Women with breast cancer have more stress and anxiety about death. They use ineffective strategies to cope with the stress.

Objective: This study compared health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stress appraisal among overweight, obese, and post-bariatric surgery women. Method: We used a descriptive, causal-comparative design with 90 women. Each group—overweight, obese, and post-bariatric surgery—contained 30 participants. Participants were purposively sampled from Imam Reza Hospital. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) assessed physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) HRQoL. The Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM) evaluated perceived stress. We analyzed data using MANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests in SPSS 26. Results: MANOVA showed significant group differences (F = 8.65, p < 0.001, η² = 0.23). Tukey’s post hoc tests found that overweight women had higher PCS and MCS scores and lower stress appraisal than both obese and post-bariatric groups. The post-bariatric group had higher PCS and MCS than the obese group. Stress appraisal did not differ significantly between these two groups. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery improves HRQoL compared with obesity, but not to levels seen in the overweight. High stress remains after surgery. These findings highlight the need for psychological support and early interventions to maintain HRQoL and manage stress.

Objective : The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on various aspects of life; however, understanding its specific effects on university faculty members has remained limited. The present study aims to explore the psychological, professional, and social consequences of the pandemic on the faculty of Shahrekord University. Method : A phenomenological approach was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with 12 purposefully selected faculty members from Shahrekord University. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Marshall and Rossman’s reductionist and interpretive methods.   Results : Data analysis revealed two main categories of challenges faced by faculty members: professional and psychological. Professionally, they experienced disruptions in their research, difficulties with online teaching, burnout, and limited opportunities for academic growth and development. Psychologically, they reported heightened anxiety, fear of illness, and feelings of isolation. To cope, participants employed various strategies, including social interaction, religious practices, diverse teaching methods, limited in-person contact, physical exercise, and cognitive techniques. Conclusions : The findings underscore the importance of providing culturally sensitive mental health support, faculty training in coping strategies, and institutional flexibility to enhance resilience and maintain educational quality during crises.