درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mentalization-based training and positive thinking for parents of children with autism on their reflective functioning and their children's aggression. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included all parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in day centers for education and rehabilitation of individuals with ASD in Tehran during the 2022-2023 academic year, and their children. A total of 32 parent-child pairs were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (16 parents) or the control group (16 parents). Data collection tools for parents included the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (Fonagy, 2016), and for children, the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist Aggression Scale (2001) Parent Form. Initially, a pretest was administered to both groups, and the Aggression Scale was completed by the parents for their children. The mentalization-based and positive thinking training package (Fonagy) was then conducted in 12 sessions of 120 minutes each for the experimental group. Subsequently, a posttest was administered to both groups, and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire and Positive Beliefs Questionnaire were completed by the mothers, while the Aggression Scale was again completed by the parents for their children. A follow-up phase occurred three months later. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings: The results indicated that the impact of mentalization-based and positive thinking training on the components of reflective functioning (F = 14.35) and aggression (F = 7.17) in children was significant (P < 0.01), and this effect persisted through the follow-up phase. Conclusion: Given the results, it appears that mentalization-based and positive thinking training, by enhancing reflection on mental states, emotional regulation, and the ability to enjoy pleasant events, provides a suitable context for reflective functioning. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in aggression in children with autism.

Objective: The present study aimed to present a structural model of psychological maladjustment based on post-traumatic stress symptoms with the mediating role of ego strength in individuals suffering from chronic pain. Methods: The research method was descriptive, correlational, and structural equation modeling was used. The study population included all patients suffering from chronic pain who had visited specialized pain clinics in Tehran from February 2021 to May 2021. Using the Tabachnick and Fidell (2007) formula, the sample size was determined to be 330, selected through convenience sampling. Research instruments included the Psychological Adjustment Questionnaire (Rohner & Khaleque, 2005), the Mississippi Scale for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (1998), and the Psychological Ego Strength Scale (Markstrom et al., 1997). Data analysis was conducted in two parts: descriptive (central and dispersion indices, skewness, and kurtosis) and inferential (structural equation modeling) using SPSS-V23 and LISREL-V8.8 software. Findings: The results indicated that the model has a good fit. Additionally, the results showed that there is a significant direct and indirect relationship (mediated by ego strength) between post-traumatic stress and psychological maladjustment in individuals with chronic pain. The results suggest that the effect of post-traumatic stress indirectly influences psychological maladjustment positively through ego strength, with a magnitude of 0.81. Conclusion: Therefore, through individual and group therapy sessions, assistance should be provided to patients with chronic pain suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, enabling them to fairly assess their functioning in life, free the individual from potential guilt at the time of the incident, and the lack of positive individual performance. Thus, by increasing ego strength and reducing avoidance behaviors, a lesser degree of psychological maladjustment can be expected in the individual.