Journal of Modern Psychology

 Objective: Studies have shown that neuroticism is one of the personality traits associated with negative psychological consequences. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of schema therapy on reducing neuroticism.Methods: The current research is a quasi-experimental type with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The research population was the patients referred to Shariati Hospital in Tehran in 2021, and 22 of them who had obtained a high score in the neuroticism subscale were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly assigned into two experimental (n = 11) and control (n = 11) groups. Both groups completed the neuroticism subscale of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO-FFI-3) in the pre-test and post-test phases. The experimental group was subjected to the schema therapy for 10 weekly sessions, but no intervention was performed on the experimental group during this period. The analysis of the collected data was done with analysis of covariance and SPSS-18 software.Results: The obtained findings showed that schema therapy was able to significantly reduce the level of neuroticism in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.001).Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that schema therapy is effective in reducing neuroticism and can be used in treatment centers in this regard.

 Objective: Parents often exhibit diverse reactions to the birth of their child, particularly when the child is born with a specific issue or disability, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of group-based Stress Immunization Training and its subsequent impact on the Quality of Life of mothers with children diagnosed with ASD.Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre-test-post-test control group design. The participants were mothers of children with ASD who had sought services at a temporary care center for children with Autism Spectrum in Rasht in the year 2021. Initially, forty mothers were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups completed the WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life questionnaire. The experimental group then underwent 6 sessions of Stress Immunization Training (two hours per week), while the control group received nothing. Upon completion of the sessions, the Quality of Life questionnaire was administered again to both groups. The collected data were analyzed using covariance statistical analysis with a significance level set at 0.05.Results: The findings indicated that group-based Stress Immunization Training significantly improved the Quality of Life in mothers of children with ASD.Conclusion: Therefore, this treatment can be used by counselors and psychologists to increase the quality of life of the mothers of children with ASD.

 Objective: Pregnancy is a very important period that sometimes comes with various complications such as anxiety during pregnancy. Therefore, timely and early identification of this anxiety can play an important role in the health of pregnant women. This research aimed to explore the association between alexithymia and psychological well-being in pregnant women during their 5th to 7th month of pregnancy.Methods: The study population consisted of pregnant women from the Mazandaran province, Iran, during 2022-2023. Employing purposive sampling, 200 pregnant women were selected from health centers. Participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (FTAS-20) and the Psychological Well-being Scale (RSPWB). The data were analyzed using correlation and regression tests.Results: analyses revealed an inverse relationship between alexithymia and psychological well-being (r = -0.388, p < 0.01). Approximately 53% of the variance in psychological well-being scores could be attributed to alexithymia.Conclusion: In conclusion, alexithymia serves as an effective predictor of maternal psychological well-being. 

 Objective: This study investigated the effect of cognitive restructuring in reducing cognitive dimensions of ethnic intolerance among adolescents in Taraba State.Methods: The population of this study was 1,514 secondary school students of SS1 in Wukari Education Zone, Taraba State, Nigeria. The researchers utilized purposive sampling technique in drawing a sample of 20 adolescents which were used as subjects of the study. The instrument used for data collection was the Ethnic Intolerance Questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.83. The data collected were analyzed using paired samples t-test to test hypothesis 1 and independent samples t-test for testing hypothesis 2.Results: The findings revealed that cognitive restructuring was effective in reducing cognitive dimensions of ethnic intolerance. Similarly, the findings revealed that rational emotive behaviour therapy has no significant gender difference in reducing cognitive dimensions of ethnic intolerance.Conclusion: The study concluded that cognitive restructuring is an effective intervention for reducing cognitive dimensions of ethnic intolerance among adolescents.

Objective: Despite numerous studies on the influence of regular engagement in physical activity and sports on mental health and quality of life across various demographics, there has been limited focus on its impact within the nursing profession. As a result, this study seeks to explore the effects of sports and physical activity participation on the mental health and quality of life of nurses.Methods: The current study utilized a descriptive correlational design and was conducted in a cross-sectional manner. The target population consisted of all nurses employed in the hospitals of Tehran. The research sample was selected using an available sampling method, specifically among nurses who expressed their willingness to participate in the study. A total of 384 male and female nurses took part in the research and successfully completed the provided questionnaires. Standard questionnaires were used for data collection. Pearson correlation test and the structural equation modeling were used for data analysis.Results: Results reveled that physical activity significantly affected depression (T= - 5.254), anxiety (T= - 6.471) and stress (T= - 4.527). In addition, physical activity significantly affected quality of life (T=3.627). Results of model fit are presented in Table 3 and indicated that the research model has good fit. Conclusion: This implies that nurses could greatly enhance their well-being through increased engagement in physical activity and a decrease in sedentary habits. As a result, we strongly urge healthcare policymakers to implement measures aimed at increasing physical activity levels among nurses.

 Objective: Critical thinking is considered a vital skill for life, especially for learning among students. The current research aims to determine a causal model of the relationship between parent-child interaction and the disposition towards critical thinking, with cognitive flexibility playing an intermediary role.Method: The design of this research was descriptive-correlational, utilizing structural equation modeling. The study population included male and female middle school students from Lahijan city during the 2023-2024 academic year. A sample of 200 students was selected through convenience sampling. For data collection in this research, the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS), The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI), and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) were used. The data were then analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test and structural equation modeling, with the help of SPSS 26 and LISREL 10.2 software.Results: The findings of the research indicated that the proposed model has a good fit. Additionally, parent-child interaction and cognitive flexibility have a direct effect on the disposition towards critical thinking (P > 0.05). Parent-child interaction has a significant and positive indirect effect on the disposition towards critical thinking through cognitive flexibility (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that parent-child interaction and cognitive flexibility can predict critical thinking skills in students. School authorities and parents should pay special attention to these variables.