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Background: Different studies have proposed the cognitive deficits as one of the main aspects of schizophrenia furthermore, the presence of psychosis in these patients can influence the degree of deficiency in executive functions .The purpose of this study is to compare the executive function in patients with schizophrenia, non-psychotic major depression and normal individuals. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 28 patients with schizophrenia, 28 patients with non-psychotic major depression and 28 normal subjects were selected from hospitals in Tehran through available sampling method which were matched according to age, sex, and level of education. The executive functions of subjects were evaluated using Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Turkey post-hoc test. Results: Schizophrenic patients had poorer performance in comparison with non-psychotic depressives and normal individuals in all variables of Wisconsin test (P<0.001). Also, depressive patients showed more preservative error than normal subjects (P<0.001), but no significant difference was found between the two groups in the number of categories and specific error variables. Conclusion: Greater impairment in the executive functions in the Wisconsin card sorting test is mainly associated with psychosis which might be introduced as a special profile of schizophrenia. Noticing the amount of deficiency in executive functions in each group of patients, the positive or negative prognosis can be diagnosed initially.

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Background: Major depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric diseases, whereas schizophrenia is one of the worst human diseases. Therefore, finding low-cost treatment methods with few side effects can be of great help to patients. The present study was done to compare the serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous in individuals with major depression and schizophrenics with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous were assessed in 100 major depressive, 100 schizophrenic, and 100 healthy subjects. Subjects with a history of renal failure, hepatic failure, parathyroid disease, and consumption of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous supplements were excluded from the study. SPSS software version 15 was used for data analysis. Results: Depression was accompanied with decreased serum levels of vitamin D and increased serum levels of parathyroid hormone (p>0.001, p=0.01), but there was not a significant difference between depression and healthy subjects in calcium and phosphorous serum levels (p=0.69, p=0.15). Schizophrenia presented a significant correlation with decreased serum levels of vitamin D and phosphorous (p>0.001, p=0.01), but there was not a significant difference between schizophrenic and healthy subjects in calcium and parathyroid hormone serum levels (p=0.47, p=0.67). Conclusion: Since depression and schizophrenia are accompanied by decreased serum level of vitamin D, consumption of supplementary vitamin D can be helpful in the treatment of these patients.

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Background: Noticing the significant role of fertility in Iranian families, the incidence of infertility and its social and cultural dimensions, this study was carried out to compare general health status of infertile women with fertile women. Materials and Methods: This observational case-control study was done on 147 women as the control group and 147 infertile patients as the case group who were matched in terms of influential variables. Data collection was done through demographic questionnaire and general health questionnaire (GHQ) which were completed by both groups. The results were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, t test, and chi-square using STATA 10 software. Results: Means of general health score in fertile and infertile women were 19.249.72 and 28.06 10, respectively. Here the mean score of the infertile women was significantly higher in comparison with the fertile women (p<0.001). Physical symptoms, anxiety, social interaction, and depression scores of infertile women were significantly higher in comparison with the fertile women (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the means of age and duration of marriage between the two groups and the distribution of educational level, occupation, and income levels were the same in the two groups. Conclusion: Average scores of general health and physical complaints, anxiety, impaired social interaction, and depression in infertile women were higher than those in fertile women. This indicates their involvement with some degrees of public health diseases.

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Background: Mindfulness and emotion regulation have important effects on the variables related to mental health in chemical weapons victims. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and emotion regulation training on the affect and mood in chemical weapons victims. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted with two experimental groups and a control group including 47 male chemical weapons victims with high scores on the General Health Questionnaire in Sardasht city, Iran, randomly selected and then assigned to mindfulness training, emotion regulation training, and control groups. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training was used with experimental group 1, emotion regulation (ER) training was implemented with experimental group 2, and the control group received no training. Data were gathered using the General Health Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect and Depression-Happiness scales. Analysis of variance with repeated measure was used for analyzing the data. Results: The results indicated that mindfulness-based stress reduction and emotion regulation training significantly increased positive affect and mood and decreased negative affect in chemical weapons victims. Conclusion: The results supported the effectiveness of mindfulness and emotion regulation training on affect and mood in chemical victims. Therefore, attention to the effectiveness of mindfulness and emotion regulation on variables related to mental health is important in chemical weapon victims.

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Background: Addiction is undoubtedly one of the biggest problems of human societies that every year governments spend enormous amounts of money on fighting it. Most addicts, besides their addiction, cause many psychological problems in their families therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the presence of these disorders between the families of addicts and non-addicts. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on a sample of 650 persons of opium addicts' and non-addicts' families using random sampling method. Data were collected through SCL-90-R questionnaire and were analyzed by Chi-square and t-test using SPSS software version 18. Results: There was a significant difference in psychiatric disorders in addicts' and non-addicts' families (p=0.005). Among the 9 psychiatric disorders under assessment, only anxiety, aggression, paranoia, and depression disorders in three types, including pathologic, borderline, and combined (pathologic-borderline), were significantly higher in addicts' families compared with non-addicts' families (p=0.005). Conclusion: Drug dependence disorder in one member of a family has a very important effect on the mental hygiene of the other family members and requires prevention and treatment in both.

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Background: Based on the association between beta (13-30 Hz) and attention and alertness and theta (4-8 Hz) and a hypnagogic state and less attention, the possibility of training attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) individuals in order to enhance their symptoms was investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of neurofeedback training on students with ADHD symptoms.

Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted with an experimental group and a control group. A total of 34 female students with high scores on Conners adult questionnaire and theta/beta ratio in Mohaghege Ardebili University, Iran, were randomly selected and then assigned to neurofeedback training and control groups. Neurofeddback training (NF) was used with an experimental group in twenty sessions and the control group received no training. Data were gathered using the neurofeedback system (NFT), the continuous performance test (CPT), the short diagnostic hyperactivity disorder- Conners adult questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data.

Results: The results indicated that neurofeedback training affected all dimensions of CPT and short diagnostic hyperactivity disorder (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings suggest the positive effect of neurofeedback training on treating attention problems and reducing the symptoms of hyperactivity in female students with hyperactivity and attention deficit in comparison with the control group.

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 Background: Comprehending of suicidal ideation and related factors has valuable clinical outcomes in domains of prevention and crisis intervention. The aim of the present study was to explore the predictive role of psychological, demographical and socio-economic factors in suicidal ideation.

Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 671 persons among general population of Semnan City were selected by voluntary sampling. Data were collected with NEO-Five Factor Personality Inventory, Symptom Check-List Revised, The Defense Style Questionnaire, The Beck Scale for suicide Ideation, The Beck Hopelessness Scale, The Social Support Questionnaire and demographical questionnaire, then analyzed by correlation and Logistic Regression with SPSS.

Results: Literacy level (OR=1.237 P<0.014), Family relationships (OR=1.873 P<0.010), Outcome (OR=4.211 P<0.003), Job status (OR=3.149 P<0.008), History of psychiatric disorders (OR=5.754 P<0.003), Hospitalization in psychiatric ward (OR=2.003 P<0.011), Neuroticism (OR=6.136 P<0.001), Extraversion (OR=3.612 P<0.005), Neurotic defense style (OR=2.468 P<0.005), Mature Defense Style (OR=4.107 P<0.002), Immature Defense Style (OR=3.059 P<0.003), Social Support (OR=7.609 P<0.001), and Hopelessness (OR=9.834 P<0.001) significantly differentiated persons with suicidal ideation from persons without suicidal ideation (P<0.001). These variables totally could correctly predict 97.4% of suicidal ideation.

Conclusion: In this model, risky psychological, demographical and socio-economic factors increase the odds ratio of suicidal ideation. These findings have importance for designing of preventive interventions and interventional programs for self-harm behaviors.

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Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated inflammation of the small intestine which caused by sensitivity to dietary gluten and related proteins in genetically sensitive individuals. This research aimed to investigate of comparison big five factors of personality and early maladaptive schemas among celiac people and normal people.

Materials and Methods: The research method was ex post facto and statistical population included all people with Celiac whose 108 patients were selected by convenient sampling and 108 normal people were selected by convenient in 4 universities of nursing, psychological, literature and accounting of Azad University in Karaj city. Both groups responded brief five factors questionnaire of NEO personality characteristics and Yang’s early maladaptive schemas. Data were analyzed by using independent t-test, analysis of variance and Multivariate Analysis of Variance, Ben Frooni test, Landa test Wickelz and SPSS version 19.

Results: Results indicated that from five main factors of personality, score of psycho -lesion of patient with celiac were more than normal people. Also, patient’s scores in early maladaptive schemas (emotional baffling, lack of trust, fault/shameless, social recluse/ strangeness, attachment/inefficiency, vulnerability toward loss or sickness, not self –maturing/ engaged, failure, fitness/modesty, self-denial, insufficient self-discipline, servitude, self –sacrifice/ aggressive criteria, extreme criticize and emotional inhibition) were higher in comparison with normal people.

Conclusion: This study revealed that according to influence of early maladaptive schemas on celiac sickness, psychological training courses and schema therapy in order to improve emotional and cognitive patterns of these patients.

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Background: Impulsivity is a core social pathology. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to Effectiveness of group dialectical behavior therapy based on core distress tolerance and emotion regulation components on Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors.

Materials and Methods: Research method is a semi experimental socio-statistic approach consisting of experimental group (dialectical behavior therapy) and control group. Participants were patients referred to Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak. and who were Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors. Based on stratified random sampling, 16 patients (women) were placed in each group. Research tools included the structured diagnosis interview according to DSM-IV-TR (2000), Barrat impulsivity scale (1994) Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) Difficulties of Emotion Regulation Scale (2004) and dialectical behavior therapy were done for two months, 8 groups Sessions.

Results: The results of this study showed that there was significant difference between control and experimental groups after implementation of dialectical behavior therapy relying on component tolerance and regulation of emotional distress variables impulsive behavior and explosion furies (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Distress tolerance and emotion regulation components effective on Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors.

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Background: Depression is on the top list of mental disorders which account for about 25 percent of patients referred to health centers in your world. So, is presented in different ways to treat it. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy in reducing depression in mothers of children with disabilities.

Materials and Methods: This study is quasi-experimental and consists of experimental and control groups. This study population was mothers referred to mobility, occupational therapy and physiotherapy centers who had depressive symptoms. 8 patients in each group were selected by convenience sampling. The research instrument were the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders and the revised Beck Depression Inventory form (1996). Dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy groups were instructured for 2 months (8 sessions of 2 to 2.5 hours). But the control group did not receive intervention.

Results: The results showed that there were significant differences between the mean depression scores of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy group with control group (p<0.001). Also, there is a significant difference between the mean depression scores of dialectical behavior therapy with cognitive therapy (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In the area of treatment and working with depressed people and those who are in crisis mode, it seems that dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapy group in view of its nature is very efficient and promising.

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Background: Head circumference (and its related morphologic factors such as head length and width) is one of the morphologic indices that people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have different developmental patterns in comparison to their peers. So the aim of this study is to assess head circumference indices in relation to cognitive factors in ASD children and adolescents.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the case group was consisted of 129 students with ASD aged 7-18 years old. The control group was consisted of 103 students with intellectual disability (ID) aged 7-18 years old. Head circumference, head length and width was measured by meter and caliper respectively. In addition, socio- cognitive factors questionnaire was responded by parents.

Results: Results showed that the head circumference, length and width of ASD group was significantly greater than ID group (p<0.001). Moreover, ASD group achieved lower score on SSIS questionnaire than ID group (p<0.001). Furthermore, results showed that in ASD group with increasing the size of head circumference the score on socio-cognitive abilites and skills decreased (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Generally, this study indicated that the developmental trajectory as well as the relation of anthropmetric indices of head circumference and socio-cognitive factors in children and adolescents with ASDs is different from ID population.

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Background: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) consists of repetitious physical and psychological symptoms that occurs in luteal phase of menstrual period and will be over when menstrual period starts. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of calcium therapy plus vitamin D and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the parameters of PMS symptoms in women suffering from PMS.

Materials and Methods: This study has an experimental plan of pretest and post-test of the control group. The statistical society is 250 female staff of Tehran Universities in academic year 2013-2014. Premenstrual syndrome screening tool (PSST) questionnaire was used as an evaluation tool. The collected data were analyzed using the indexes of the descriptive statistics and covariance analysis (p<0.05).

Results: The minimum age of the statistical society was 24, 52.5 % of them held a master's degree and 60% were single. Cognitive behavioral therapy method, calcium and vitamin D therapy were significant in improving the parameters of symptoms at p<0.05 level of significance.

Conclusion: Combining cognitive behavioral therapy and calcium supplementation and vitamin D is significantly effective in improving components of PMS sympotoms and applying these methods is recommended by the consultants and gynecologists.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in reducinng expulsive anger.

Materials and Methods: This is a pre-test and post-test semi-experimental study with control group. The study population included 32 patients with expulsive anger that reffered to Amir kabir remedial education center based on psychiatrist diagnosis and were randomely divided into case (dialectical behavior therapy) and control group. The case group was educated the dialectical behavior therapy skills for 16 sessions from 2 until 2.5 hours at teamly. To collect data, the patients filled Eysenk expulsive questionnaire before and after intervention. Considering no necessary assumptions were fulfilled to conduct the multivariate analysis of covariance and variance, so, the univariate analysis of variance was used.

Results: The results of variance analysis proved that dialectical behavior therapy significantly reduced expulsive angers.

Conclusion: With due attention to the results, it can be said that dialectical behavior therapy leads to reducing expulsive angers in treated patients, thus, this method can be included in interventional programs for target groups in psychotherapy centers. Aslo, it helps to improve the life of patients by reducing expulsive angers.

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Background: Many of key problems in students with attention deficit disorder are related to executive dysfunction that in this field neurofeedback training and computer games are effective. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback training and computer games on continuous attention and planning ability in students with attention deficit disorder.

Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design and with a control group. The statistical population was included all elementary students with attention deficit disorder that referred to counseling centers of Mashhad city in 2013. Totally, 45 students were selected through available sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups. The experimental groups were educated 12 sessions of 60 minutes by neurofeedback and computer games methods. To assess continuous attention and planning, the CPT and Tower of London computerized tests were used, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-19 software and multivariate analysis of covariance (MONCOVA) methods.

Results: The findings showed that both methods of neurofeedback training and computer games significantly lead to increase continuous attention and planning in students with attention deficit disorder. Also, there wasn't any significant difference between two methods in continuous attention and planning (P<0/05).

Conclusion: The results showed that neurofeedback training and computer games methods were effective in improving continuous attention and planning for students with attention deficit disorder. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use mentioned methods in treatment of students with attention deficit disorder.

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Background: Recently it is accentuated on the role of psychological symptoms in the course of chronic diseases and applying psychological interventions as complementary interventions. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management, optimism training and conevntional medical therapy on somatic symptoms, perceived stress, illness perception and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Materials and Methods: In this study, thirty female patients were selected accidentally, and randomly assigned into three groups including cognitive-behavioral stress management(n=10), optimism training(n=10) and conventional medical therapy(n=10). All patients completed Perceived Stress Scale, Illness Perception questionnaire, WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, and Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index. Then, experimental groups participated in 9 sessions of  cognitive-behavioral stress management and optimism training group interventions. Thereafter, three groups answered to scales again. This course was repeated in a 6-mounth follow-up. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data.

Results:  The findings indicated that the effects of two interventions were significant on patient´s illness perception, perceived stress and quality of life however, these interventions did not change somatic symptoms.

Conclusion: Totally, it can be said that psychological interventions such as stress management and optimism training can be effective on improving the psychological symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis and their cure.

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Background: There are numerous negative side-effects of child sexual abuse such as post- traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. The purpose of this study is the use of Specific Recall Training on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by Sexual Abuse.

Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design and with a control group.34 children with post-traumatic stress disorder caused by sexual abuse were selected by available sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group was educated over 7 sessions of 1.5 hours by Specific Recall Training method. To collect data, the Spence children's anxiety questionnaire and children's depression questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-20 software and multivariate analysis of covariance method.

Results: The findings showed that specific recall training, significantly reduce depression and anxiety scores. In follow up, the pre-test effect, the long term effect of treatment on depression was observed (F=5.943, p=0.021), but it can't effectively reduce anxiety.

Conclusion: The results showed that specific recall training was effective on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by sexual abuse. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use this method for the treatment of children with mentioned disorder.

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Background: Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder that leads patients to avoid any kind of activities. Since different factors are involved in migraine incidence and its triggers, so drugs are used to prevent or treat it are so variable. Also, combined medications are used to relieve migraine. This study examined the effectiveness of self-control training on quality of life in patients with migraine.

Materials and Methods: Statistic population of this study included all migraine patients in Ardabil in 2014(Estimation: N=1150) that 40 patients were selected by convenience sampling. Demographic and disease information questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) were used to collect data in clinical centers. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze data, because present research was a experimental and clinical trial with pre-test and post-test with control group.

Results: The results showed that there is a significant difference between mean in quality of life in migraine patients and control subjects. It means that physical health and mental health of quality of life was different between control and experimental groups after self- control training.

Conclusion: Self-control training can be used to enhance quality of life in migraine patients. These results have important and effective applications in the treatment of migraine patients. Generally, specialists of clinical centers can use this method alongside other treatment interventions.

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Background: Considering the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in females with OCD and its impact on marital satisfaction, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sexual function and marital satisfaction in a group of female OCD patients.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 36 females with OCD, referred to the clinic of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital (related to Tehran University of Medical Sciences) and 3 private offices in Tehran, were selected by random sampling and completed questionnaires including: demographic FSFI, BDI-II, MOCI, OCI-R and researcher-developed marital satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: 80.6% of women reported sexual dysfunction. The results of studying sexual function questionnaire subscales was as following: 50 % low sexual desire, 58.3 % low sexual arousal, 36.1 % decreased lubrication, 44 % orgasmic disorder, 52.8 % sexual pain disorder and 41.7 % sexual dissatisfaction. Furthermore, statistically significant correlation was found between sexual dysfunction (total score and arousal, lubrication, pain and satisfaction subscales) and marital dissatisfaction. Studying the relation between obession(MOCI questionnaire) and marital satisfaction revealed that the correlation between washing subscale of MOCI and marital dissatisfaction was also significant while there were not any significant correlation between obsession (OCJ-R, MOCI) and sexual function (FSFI).

Conclusion: High prevalence of sexual dysfunction in OCD patients, significant relationship between obsession and marital satisfaction, and sexual function and marital satisfaction could demonstrate relationship between sexual function, OCD and marital satisfaction.

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Background: One of the most important effective environmental factors in shaping personality disorders is childhood abuse experiences. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood abuse experiences with dark triad traits of personality among university students.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive- analytical study was a correlational study. The statistical population included all university students in Islamic Azad university of Urmia branch in year 2015. Totally, 400 students were selected through randomly cluster sampling method. All of them completed the questionnaires of childhood abuse experiences and dark triad traits of personality. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-19 software and by Pearson’s correlation and multivariate regression method.

Results: Physical abuse had a negative significant relationship with narcissism (r=-0.099) and had a positive significant relationship with psychopathy (r=0.248) and Machiavellism (r=0.189). Emotional abuse had a positive significant relationship with narcissism (r=0.089), psychopathy (r=0.164) and Machiavellism (r=0.245). Sexual abuse had a negative significant relationship with narcissism (r=-0.108). Neglect abuse had a positive significant relationship with narcissism (r=0.157) and had a negative significant relationship with psychopathy (r=-0.208) and Machiavellism (r=-0.171). Also, childhood abuse experiences significantly predicted 7.6 percent of variance of narcissism, 7 percent of variance of psychopathy and 6.7 percent of variance of Machiavellism (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: According to findings of this research, counselors and therapists must consider the symptoms of these variables and design appropriate programs based on them to prevent shaping dark triad traits of personality.

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Background: Individual differences, especially gender, have an important role on individuals responds to the emotions. In cognitive science investigations, the analysis of biological signals has been introduced as a confident way to evaluate such responses. In this paper, by adopting a comprehensive approach on biomedical signal processing techniques, a precise examination on women and men differences in affective responses has been provided into different emotional stimuli, including fear, sadness, happiness, and peacefulness.

Materials and Methods: Accordingly, signal processing methods were divided into three general categories, linear, wavelet, and non-linear based techniques. In the proposed method, different features from each of three categories and from three autonomic signals, including electrocardiogram (ECG), finger pulse, and galvanic skin response (GSR), were extracted. To induce emotions in participants, validated emotional pieces of music were broadcast in four affective classes.

Results: The results indicate the different patterns of responses into affective incentives in women and men. The differences were more noticeable in the features of pulse signal than those of the other signals. Among emotional classes, fear resulted in the highest rate of distinction between men and women emotional responses.

Conclusion: By the comprehensive evaluation of autonomic signals and different signal processing techniques, this study has tried to offer a new insight for better understanding of gender differences in emotional responses. In addition, it will help the researchers to adopt appropriate decisions in identifying efficient processing approach to deal with large amount of information achieved from signal analysis.