https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/ مطالعات روان‌شناسی بالینی fa daily 1 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_20219.html Introduction and Objective: Cancer diagnosis severely affects children’s emotional well-being, often reducing their hope and resilience. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) on hope and resilience in children with cancer.Research Methodology: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of children aged 5 to 8 years diagnosed with cancer who were referred to Hazrat Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital in Tehran in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 30 children were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). The mean age of participants was 7.43 years (SD = 1.12), including 16 boys (53.3%) and 14 girls (46.7%). The experimental group received twelve 45-minute sessions of CCPT, while the control group received no intervention. Research instruments included Snyder’s Children’s Hope Scale and the Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale (SEARS). Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA).Findings: The results indicated that CCPT significantly increased levels of hope (F = 22.43, p < 0.001, η² = 0.46) and resilience (F = 12.45, p < 0.001, η² = 0.32) in children with cancer. The intervention had a stronger effect on hope than on resilience.Conclusion: The findings suggest that CCPT is an effective, non-invasive, and developmentally appropriate intervention for enhancing hope and resilience in children with cancer. By providing a safe environment for emotional expression, fostering mastery, and promoting positive fantasies, CCPT helps children cope adaptively with the challenges of illness and improves their psychological well-being. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_20933.html Introduction and Objective: The quality of marital relationships plays a crucial role in the psychological well-being and life satisfaction of couples. Previous research has indicated that mentalization and emotional co-regulation can enhance marital intimacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of certainty in mentalization on marital intimacy and the mediating role of emotional co-regulation in this process.Research Methodology: This applied research adopts a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of 250 couples residing in Tehran with at least two years of marital life. Sampling was conducted using purposive and convenience methods. Data collection instruments included the Certainty About Mental States Questionnaire (CAMSQ), the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire, and the Emotional Co-Regulation Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and structural equation modeling based on partial least squares (PLS-SEM). The constructs' validity and reliability were assessed through factor loadings, Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and discriminant validity.Findings: Structural analysis revealed that mentalization certainty has a significant and positive direct effect on marital intimacy (p < 0.001), accounting for 53% of the variance in marital intimacy through the model’s constructs. Additionally, mentalization exhibits a strong and positive effect on emotional co-regulation (p < 0.001), which, in turn, has a significant and positive effect on marital intimacy (p < 0.001). The indirect effect of mentalization on marital intimacy through emotional co-regulation was also significant (p < 0.001), confirming the mediating role of this construct.Conclusion: The findings indicate that mentalization and emotional co-regulation play a pivotal role in enhancing marital intimacy. Improving couples’ mentalization abilities and emotional co-regulation skills can significantly enhance the quality of marital relationships. Therefore, incorporating cognitive and emotional constructs into couple education and psychotherapy programs is essential. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_20954.html Introduction and Objective: Major depressive disorders are highly prevalent and frequently co-occur with anxiety and emotion dysregulation, highlighting the need for brief interventions that target shared mechanisms. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has an expanding evidence base beyond posttraumatic stress disorder, including emerging support for depressive symptoms. This replicated single-case study examined a depression-focused EMDR protocol (EMDR-DeprEnd) in three university students in Tehran, Iran.Research Methodology: Participants completed repeated self-report assessments during baseline (three occasions), treatment (five occasions), and follow-up (one occasion). Outcomes were depression (Beck Depression Inventory–II; BDI-II), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory; BAI), and emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale; DERS). Analyses included structured visual inspection and single-case metrics (percentage of nonoverlapping/overlapping data [PND/POD], mean baseline level reduction [MBLR], and reliable change indices [RCI]).Findings: Across cases, baselines were stable, followed by downward trends during treatment and further reductions at follow-up. From baseline to follow-up, depression decreased by 33.8%–38.6%, anxiety decreased by 45.1%–58.5%, and emotion dysregulation decreased by 23.0%–28.9%. PND values were lower for depression (20% across cases) than for anxiety and DERS, which may suggest early transient symptom elevations in some participants. RCIs exceeded conventional thresholds for reliable improvement for all outcomes (using pooled baseline variability).Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest EMDR-DeprEnd may be feasible and potentially beneficial for reducing depressive symptoms alongside anxiety and emotion dysregulation. Replication using rigorous multiple-baseline and controlled designs with longer follow-up is warranted. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_20955.html Introduction and Objective: Obsessive behaviors in dentists impair professional performance and mental health, while strengthening emotion regulation and stress tolerance can help prevent these risks. Therefore, this study aimed to predict obsessive thoughts and behaviors based on emotional regulation, considering the mediating role of psychological resilience among dentists.Research Methodology: The present study is applied in terms of its purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection methods, utilizing structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all dentists in Ardabil in 2024, from which 120 individuals were selected as respondents using convenience sampling. Data were collected using three questionnaires: the Connor-Davidson Psychological Resilience Questionnaire, the Garnefski et al. Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS.16 and R software, employing Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis, structural equation modeling, and path analysis.Findings: Statistical analysis results indicated a significant and inverse relationship between obsessive thoughts and behaviors with emotional regulation (p < 0.01), mediated by resilience. It was also found that resilience had a significant positive relationship with cognitive emotion regulation (p < 0.01). This research found that cognitive emotion regulation explained 54% of the variance in obsessive thoughts and behaviors, with resilience influencing approximately 81% of obsessive behaviors, and cognitive emotion regulation impacting resilience by about 32% (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The findings indicated that resilience plays a significant and inverse mediating role in the relationship between obsessive thoughts and behaviors and cognitive emotion regulation among dentists. In other words, both cognitive emotion regulation and resilience can significantly predict obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Therefore, identifying obsessive behaviors and the factors influencing them should become a priority for health psychologists, as enhancing resilience and emotional competence can improve dentists' professional functioning and support targeted therapeutic interventions. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_21212.html Introduction and Objective: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that often proves resistant to standard treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy. This study investigated the effectiveness of transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) in reducing OCD symptoms. Given the limitations of pharmacological interventions, non-invasive neuromodulation represents a promising alternative targeting neuroinflammation.Research Methodology: The research employed a qusi-experimental pre-test/post-test design with a control group. Thirty patients diagnosed with OCD based on DSM-5 criteria were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received ten sessions of laser intervention (wavelength: 810 nm , 20 minutes per session) over five weeks, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).Findings: The findings revealed a significant reduction in OCD symptoms in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, F = 56.72, η2 = 0.76). The results indicate that t-PBM is an effective and safe intervention, likely functioning through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and enhanced neuroplasticity.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that transcranial photobiomodulation laser therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and effective intervention for reducing symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This method likely operates through mechanisms such as reducing neuroinflammation, improving mitochondrial metabolism, and enhancing neuroplasticity. Given these promising results, it is recommended that this intervention be considered as a complementary treatment alongside pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches for patients with OCD, particularly in cases resistant to standard treatments. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_20864.html This study explored how the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) impacts social skills in children aged 7 to 10 years with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a single-case experimental design (A-B-C), four children with ASD were selected through convenience sampling from a rehabilitation center in Tehran. Their cognitive and social skills were assessed with Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) and the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP), respectively. Each child participated in twelve individual PECS sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. After the intervention, assessments were repeated with the ASSP, and follow-up evaluations were conducted one month later. Data analysis included visual analysis, recovery percentages, and Cohen’s D effect size, using SPSS version 24. Results showed significant improvements in social skills due to PECS, with instructor-reported effect sizes of 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, and 1.6. Notably, gains were observed in social reciprocity (effect sizes: 1.4, 1.08, 0.98, 1.6) and social participation (effect sizes: 1.91, 1.77, 1.56, 1.73), while detrimental social behaviors decreased (effect sizes: 1.07, 1.1, 1.4, 1.2). Parental reports confirmed these improvements, highlighting enhanced social skills and fewer negative behaviors. Overall, the study suggests that PECS is an effective tool for improving social skills and reducing problematic behaviors in children with ASD, supporting their vital social development. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_21032.html Introduction and Objective: Physical education teachers encounter distinctive professional challenges—including physical demands, the management of group dynamics, and performance-related pressures—which can precipitate occupational anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and diminished mental vitality. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of an educational intervention grounded in Dweck’s (2006) growth mindset theory in alleviating anxiety, enhancing emotional regulation, and fostering mental vitality among this professional cohort.Research Methodology: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up assessments, including a control group. The sample comprised 3030 male secondary school physical education teachers in Tabriz (2023), selected through purposive sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups (n=15per group; mean age = 38.2years; mean teaching experience = 8.8 years). Instruments included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (α=0.87), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (α=0.89), and the Mental Vitality Questionnaire (α=0.86). The experimental group underwent a 6-session growth mindset training intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed multivariate analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test.Findings: The results demonstrated that the intervention significantly reduced anxiety (from 42.86to 19.53) and emotional dysregulation (from 114.5to 66.60), while significantly increasing mental vitality (from 23.66to 31.073) (p<0.001). Furthermore, these improvements remained stable during the follow-up period, with effect sizes (η2) of 0.83for anxiety, 0.69for emotional dysregulation, and 0.43for mental vitality.Conclusion: These findings suggest that a growth mindset intervention represents an effective, low-cost, and sustainable strategy for mitigating burnout and enhancing mental health among physical education teachers. Therefore, integrating this program into in-service training is recommended. Such an initiative could not only elevate teaching quality by fostering more resilient and engaged educators but also indirectly contribute to a more supportive learning environment, potentially aiding in the prevention of mental health challenges for students. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_20791.html AbstractObjective The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (BA) on reducing hopelessness and suicidal ideation in adolescents diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).Research Methodology: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up design with a control group. The sample (N=40) consisted of adolescents aged 12 to 19 in Kermanshah, diagnosed with MDD, who were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n=20) or control (n=20) group. The mean age of participants was approximately 14.4 years. The experimental group received ten 90-minute weekly group sessions of BA, while the control group received no intervention. Research instruments included the Hopelessness Scale for Children (HSC) and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). Data were analyzed using Mixed-Design Analysis of Variance (Mixed ANOVA).Findings: The results indicated a statistically significant Group × Time interaction for both variables, confirming the effectiveness of the BA intervention. BA significantly reduced levels of hopelessness (F=11.18,p<0.001,η2=0.22) and suicidal ideation (F=29.92,p<0.001,η2=0.37) compared to the control group. Furthermore, post-hoc analysis confirmed that the therapeutic gains achieved were maintained at the two-month follow-up. The intervention had a stronger effect on reducing suicidal ideation (η2=0.37) than on hopelessness (η2=0.22).Conclusion: The findings suggest that Behavioral Activation is an effective, evidence-based, and cost-effective intervention for reducing the core symptoms of depression and exerting a profound therapeutic impact on high-risk constructs like hopelessness and suicidal ideation in adolescents. The study underscores the importance of implementing BA in clinical and educational settings.Keywords:Adolescents;Behavioral Activation; Hopelessness; Major Depressive Disorder; Suicidal Ideation https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_21350.html Introduction and Objective: Learning disabilities are often associated with difficulties in information processing, concentration, and attentional control. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a physical–motor literacy promotion program and Computer-assisted rehabilitation on selective attention in children with learning disabilities. Method: This experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of boys and girls aged 7–15 years with learning disabilities in Shahrood during the academic year 2022–2023.45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: physical–motor literacy enhancement program, computer-based cognitive rehabilitation, and control (15 children per group). The instruments were physical–motor literacy enhancement program, Captain’s Log cognitive rehabilitation software (2018), the Stroop Test software (developed by Sina Psychological Equipment Center), and the Marathon pedometer. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: The results showed no significant difference between the effectiveness of the physical–motor literacy promotion program and the computer-based cognitive rehabilitation in improving attention scores. the physical–motor literacy promotion program, by providing an integrated understanding of human nature, was able to fill the gap of previous motor-based programs and demonstrated comparable therapeutic effectiveness to computer-based cognitive rehabilitation. Conclusion: Both the physical–motor literacy promotion program and computer-based cognitive rehabilitation can be beneficial in improving attention in children with learning disabilities. However, limitations such as the absence of follow-up on treatment persistence and the influence of moderating variables (e.g., weight, age, gender) highlight the need to address these constraints in future research. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_21358.html Introduction and Objective: Understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying somatic symptoms can clarify the processes involved in psychosomatic problems and facilitate the design of targeted therapeutic interventions. The present study aimed to examine the structural model of the effect of insecure attachment on somatic symptoms, with mentalization and difficulty in emotion regulation serving as mediating variables in adults. Research Methodology: The research design was correlational and employed structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all individuals aged 18 or older living in Hamedan who had consulted a physician in 2024 with somatic symptoms. A sample of 295 individuals was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using several standardized assessment tools, including Fraley et al.’s Attachment Scale (2011), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale by Gratz & Roemer (2004), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire by Fonagy and Luyten (2016), and the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale by Toussaint et al. (2016). Results: The results indicated that insecure attachment to close friends, mothers, fathers, and partners had a significant negative impact on mentalization (β = -0.12 to -0.39, p < 0.05) and a significant positive impact on somatic symptoms (β = 0.15 to 0.27, p < 0.01). The analysis revealed a significant indirect relationship between insecure attachment and somatic symptoms, mediated by mentalization and emotion regulation, across all models (p < 0.05). The fit indices for the four models, including RMSEA ≤ 0.066 and CFI > 0.96, indicated good fit. Conclusion: Therefore, insecure attachment can lead to somatic symptoms by reducing mentalization capacity and increasing difficulties in emotion regulation. These results underscore the importance of addressing mentalization processes and emotion regulation skills in psychotherapeutic interventions for psychosomatic disorders. https://jcps.atu.ac.ir/article_21610.html Introduction and Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and motivational interviewing in enhancing self-control, and reducing drug craving, among men addicted to narcotics.Research Methodology: This is a quasi-experimental applied research that was conducted in 2025. The statistical population consisted of male drug addicts supported by the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in Alborz Province, specifically those referred to the Rose Clinic and the Article 16 Addiction Treatment Camp in Kalak, Karaj. A total of 60 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to four groups: 15 received tDCS, 15 underwent sham stimulation, 15 received motivational interviewing, and 15 served as a control group. The research instruments included the Drug Desire Questionnaire (DDQ) and the Self-Control Scale. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA via SPSS version 24.Findings: Both tDCS and motivational interviewing significantly reduced drug craving (P ≤ 0.05). However, unlike motivational interviewing, tDCS did not show a significant effect on self-control. Follow-up analysis two months later revealed that the effects of motivational interviewing on craving were more enduring than those of tDCS.Conclusion: Given the longer-lasting impact of motivational interviewing, it is recommended that specialized training programs be developed for psychologists and addiction treatment professionals to enhance their use of motivational interviewing in therapeutic settings.