Clinical Psychology Studies

Abstract Background and Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a MindUP-based mindfulness training program informed by complementary medicine on improving the executive functions of elementary school children. Research Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a control group and pretest–posttest measurements. The statistical population included all 9–12-year-old students of an elementary school in Tehran during the 2023–2024 academic year, selected through cluster random sampling. The sample consisted of 60 students who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group participated in a structured eight-week mindfulness training program comprising fifteen sessions. The intervention content covered four main components: attention focusing, sensory enhancement, mindful attitude, and mindful behavior. Data were collected using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-Parent Form) and a set of performance-based executive function tasks, both administered before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using paired t-tests, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and effect size estimation. Results: Findings indicated that mindfulness training led to a significant improvement in cognitive regulation, emotional regulation, and behavioral regulation in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The effect size was particularly large for cognitive regulation indicators. Conclusion: Based on the findings, mindfulness training can be considered an effective, low-cost, and easily implementable approach in educational settings, contributing to the enhancement of executive functions and empowerment of elementary school children.

Abstract Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves excessive preoccupation with imagined or minor defects in appearance. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing body shame, interpersonal sensitivity, and improving selective attention in girls with this disorder. The present study was a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and a control group. Of 400 screened female students using the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Metacognition Questionnaire (BDMCQ), 30 individuals with the disorder (mean age 16–17 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15). The experimental group received eight 60-minute sessions of ACT, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The findings indicated that ACT significantly reduced body shame (η² = 0.552; P < 0.001; F(34) = 3.549), interpersonal sensitivity (η² = 0.531; P < 0.001; F(31) = 3.705), and improved selective attention (η² = 0.543; P < 0.001; F(33) = 2.229) in the experimental group. The results suggest that ACT is an effective intervention for reducing symptoms associated with Body Dysmorphic Disorder in adolescents.

Abstract Background and Aim: In recent years, the high prevalence of internet addiction among students and its psychological and cognitive consequences, such as loneliness, alexithymia, and impaired cognitive inhibition, have drawn researchers’ attention. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of (tDCS) therapy on psychological and cognitive components of students with internet addiction: Loneliness, Alexithymia, and Cognitive Inhibition. Research Methodology: The research design was semi-experimental, utilizing a pretest-posttest approach with a control group. The population of the study comprised all internet addicted students at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in the academic year 2021-2022. A total of 30 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Following initial assessments, the (tDCS) therapy was administered for10 sessions of 20 minutes over three consecutive weeks, using a specified electrode protocol stimulating the F3 region and inhibiting the F4 region. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-26. Findings: The results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the variables of loneliness, alexithymia, and internet addiction, but no significant difference was found in cognitive inhibition. In other words, tDCS therapy is effective in reducing feelings of loneliness, alexithymia, and internet addiction in students with internet addiction. Conclusion: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be used as a non-invasive and effective method to reduce psychological symptoms associated with internet addiction (loneliness and alexithymia).

Abstract Improving parenting increases cognitive and communication abilities of preschool children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of early family-centered intervention on mothers' attitudes, parenting outcomes and psychological well-being of children at risk of developmental learning disabilities. Based on the purpose, this study was of practical type and based on the collection of information, it was a semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and control group. Participants were 32 mothers of children who had referred to counseling centers in Isfahan due to cognitive and behavioral-emotional problems. Children were identified as the children at risk of learning difficulties that selected by sample method. The research tools included McGrail's nurtured heart approach questionnaire (2022); Dehghani's preschool children’s well-being questionnaire (2016) and behavior problems scale of preschool children were Shahim and Yousefi (1999). The experimental group received 8 sessions intervention and data was analyzed by the MANCOVA in SPSS-24. Findings showed that there is a significant difference between the average scores of the compared groups in the psychological well-being variable and the attitude of the parents has changed in the post-test. Based findings the early family-centered intervention was affected and improved the psychological well-being in children (52%), inhibition component (19%), reward component (14%) and general factor component (27%) in the level of 0.5 P<0 is signification. The results show that the family-centered intervention based on conscious parenting approaches are effective in changing mothers' attitudes, improving children psychological well-being and reducing cognitive and behavioral-emotional problems of children with developmental learning disabilities.

Abstract Objective: With the expansion of communication technologies, psychotherapy services are increasingly delivered through in-person, online, and hybrid formats, each offering distinct experiences for clients. The present study aimed to comparatively explore clients’ lived experiences of in-person, online and hybrid psychotherapy using a descriptive phenomenological approach.
Research Methodology: The present study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach in 2025 in the city of Tabriz. The participants consisted of 35 clients of psychotherapy services who were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to three groups: in-person (n = 11), online (n = 9), and hybrid (n = 15). Prior to participation in the study, clients had received psychotherapy services in one of these formats from licensed counseling and psychology professionals holding at least a doctoral degree. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method.
Findings: Data analysis resulted in the identification of six themes: quality of the therapeutic relationship; clients’ emotional experiences; practical and environmental factors; perceived effectiveness of the psychotherapy process; perceptions of the therapist’s role and the therapeutic process; and clients’ self-perceptions and personal changes. In-person psychotherapy was associated with deeper therapeutic relationships and a stronger sense of presence and empathy. Online psychotherapy facilitated accessibility and greater freedom of expression but was accompanied by technical limitations and reduced nonverbal communication. Hybrid psychotherapy provided a more balanced and flexible experience and contributed to continuity and stability in the counseling process.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that each psychotherapy format has specific strengths and limitations; however, hybrid psychotherapy may serve as an effective approach for addressing diverse client needs and enhancing the effectiveness of psychotherapy services.

Abstract Background and purpose: Schizophrenia is a mental illness that is manifested by abnormal behavior and speech and reduced ability to understand reality. For this reason, the purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of short-term intensive dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) on the anxiety and hallucinations of schizophrenic patients undergoing drug treatment at the Center for Chronic Neurological Diseases in Abadan.

Method: The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all schizophrenic patients in Abadan city in 1403. For this purpose, among the patients under drug treatment, those who were one standard deviation higher than the rest of the patients in terms of anxiety and hallucinations, 30 people were selected by purposive sampling and were randomly placed into two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups.
Beck's anxiety questionnaire (1998) and Lani-Salid's delusions (2004) were used to collect data.
Intensive and short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) was performed during 15 sessions of 60 minutes for the experimental group, and no treatment was performed on the control group.
Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANOVA) and univariate analysis of covariance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data.

Findings: The results showed that intensive and short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) is effective in reducing anxiety and hallucinations of schizophrenic patients (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that intensive and short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) should be used in treatment centers and on schizophrenic patients.