Depression

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy based on mentality in reducing feelings of loneliness and depression, as well as improving self-concept, among single women over 40 years of age in Khorramabad. Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measurements, including experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of all single women over the age of 40 who had never been married as of 2022. A random sampling method was used to select 30 participants. The instruments used for data collection included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Self-Concept Scale. The intervention consisted of schema therapy based on mentality. Results: The results from both multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance indicated that the schema therapy based on mentality had a significant impact on reducing feelings of loneliness and depression and improving self-concept (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that schema therapy based on mentality effectively reduces feelings of loneliness and depression while enhancing the self-concept of single women.

 Objective: Identifying factors that can positively influence the mental health and resilience of healthcare workers is crucial. As such, this research aims to explore the impact of aerobic exercise on depression and resilience among healthcare workers. Methods: This study was conducted as an experiment, focusing on healthcare workers employed in hospitals in Tehran. A sample of 64 health care workers was selected using a convenience sampling method. These individuals were then randomly divided into two control groups (32 people each) and one experimental group (32 people). Data was collected using standard questionnaires. T tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze data. Results: The results showed that there is no significant difference in both depression and resilience in the pretest (both P>0.05). However, it was observed that experimental group had significantly lower depression and higher resilience compared to control group in the posttest (both P=0.001). Finally, the results of ANCOVA showed significant differences between experimental and control groups in both depression and resilience (both P=0.001).Conclusion: These results suggest that physical activity and sport can be considered as an important factor in coping with severe job-related conditions in healthcare workers. Therefore, by increasing physical activity and sport, better conditions can be created for healthcare workers to ensure their mental health.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of online sports programs became popular. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of online body balance program on anxiety, depression, and aggression of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Body balance is a sport based on yoga, tai chi, and Pilates. The present study was a semi-experimental and applied type of study. The participants of the present study were 30 volunteer children with ADHD who were divided into two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups by random assignment method. Aggression, depression, and anxiety variables were evaluated by Bass and Perry questionnaire, Maria Kvas children's depression questionnaire, and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. The experimental group performed online body balance training for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week for 60 minutes) online, and the control group did their current activities. In order to investigate intra-group and inter-group differences, repeated measures ANOVA at the error level of 0.05 was used by SPSS software. The results showed there was significant difference in the average level of symptoms of depression, anxiety and aggression in the pre-test and post-test stages (P≤0.05), between the two control and experimental groups (P≤0.05) and the interaction effect of time and group (P≤0.05). The results of Tukey's test showed that there was a significant reduction of these symptoms between the two experimental and control groups in the variables of depression symptoms (-5.500), anxiety symptoms (-5.133) and aggression symptoms (-13.133). Based on the results of this research, eight weeks of body balance training reduced depression, aggression and anxiety symptoms in 7-9 year old children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, the improvement of mental disorders caused by this disease in children following the body balance exercise program emphasizes the importance of using this intervention method for children with ADHD.

Athletes are more at risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse disorders due to facing unique stresses such as balancing social life with sports and high public expectations. The cognitive-behavioral therapy model, in addition to helping athletic performance, can play a preventive role in the development of psychological disorders. This study aimed to determine the impact of the cognitive-behavioral therapy model (with an emphasis on the role of the technique of using others as a benchmark for belief modification) on depression and return to sports in an athlete with major depressive disorder. In this study, a 5-session cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention with an emphasis on the technique of using others as a benchmark for belief modification was conducted. The athlete's depression and anxiety were measured before the intervention, after the intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up stage. The results showed that the athlete progressed from severe depression and moderate anxiety in the pre-test stage to mild depression and anxiety in the follow-up stage, indicating the positive role of the cognitive-behavioral therapy model (with an emphasis on the technique of using others as a benchmark for belief modification) in reducing depression and anxiety in athletes. In the technique of using others as a benchmark for belief modification, the athlete looks at the adaptive beliefs of real successful individuals and distances themselves from their maladaptive beliefs. In other words, if athletes can realistically see and understand how to apply adaptive beliefs in other successful individuals who have been in similar or even much more difficult situations, they will take action to modify their maladapti

This study aimed to investigate the impact of swimming training on negative emotional states in male university students. Male university students aged 18 to 25 were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (15 people) or a control group (15 people). Negative emotional states were tested using the depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS) (Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995). Differences over time between the experimental and control groups were assessed by 2×2 (group by time) repeated-measures analysis of variance. The mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress significantly improved post-intervention in both groups, but the level of significance was higher in the experimental group. Therefore, it can be said that swimming training had a significant impact on improving negative emotional states in male university students. So, swimming training and the use of physical and sports activities for young people can help to improve and reduce the level of negative emotional states such as depression, anxiety, and stress in these people and even strengthen positive emotions in them.

Background: The study of the psychological effects of this viral disease on the mental health of individuals at different levels of society, especially elite athletes, is of great importance.Aim: Present study aimed to investigate the psychological status of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this study included 87 Iranian elite and national athletes in various sports. The statistical population of this study included 87 elite and national athletes in various sports. Data were collected using the stress, anxiety, depression inventory (DASS-14), perceived stress inventory (PSS-14), the revised event impact inventory (IES-R), and the Graz Emotional Disorders Questionnaire.Results: There is no significant difference between the components of depression, anxiety, event impact, and emotional disorders (P≥0.05). There is a significant difference between the mean scores obtained by elite athletes and the mean scores of the stress component (P=0.01). The mean scores obtained by elite athletes were lower than the mean scores in the perceived stress component (P=0.001).Conclusion: The elite Iranian athletes in the Corona pandemic are in a relatively good psychological state.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on reducing depression and cognitive biases in married women. Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 married women in Tehran who exhibited elevated depressive symptoms and cognitive biases. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) receiving eight weekly 75-minute ACT sessions or a control group (n = 15) receiving no psychological intervention. Depression and cognitive biases were assessed at pretest, posttest, and five-month follow-up using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27. Findings: Repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant time × group interactions for depression (F(2, 54) = 45.22, p < .001, η² = .63) and cognitive biases (F(2, 54) = 39.52, p < .001, η² = .60). Bonferroni tests showed significant reductions in depression and cognitive bias scores from pretest to posttest (p < .001) and pretest to follow-up (p < .001) in the experimental group. No significant differences were found between posttest and follow-up scores (p > .05), indicating stability of treatment effects. Conclusion: Findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and cognitive biases in married women and that these benefits persist over a five-month follow-up. ACT may offer a promising therapeutic option for addressing both emotional and cognitive vulnerabilities in this population by promoting psychological flexibility and values-based action.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of happiness training based on Lyubomirsky’s model in reducing negative emotions and enhancing cognitive flexibility in this population. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest-posttest control group format. The statistical population included mothers of children with autism who attended the "Golhaye Beheshti" Center in Qom during spring 2024. A total of 30 participants were selected through simple random sampling and assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of happiness training. The research instruments included the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Cognitive Flexibility Scale developed by Dennis and Vander Wal (2009). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Findings: The results indicated that Lyubomirsky’s happiness training significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress levels while significantly increasing cognitive flexibility in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Happiness-based intervention can serve as an effective strategy for promoting the mental health of mothers of children with autism by alleviating negative emotions and strengthening their cognitive capacities. Keywords: Happiness training, depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive flexibility, mothers, autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: Family functioning is one of the structures that can have a significant impact on the psycho-social functioning of its members. For this reason, identifying the factors affecting it will greatly help to improve the family's performance. The purpose of the current research was to develop a causal model of Family function based on psychological Hardiness and Psychological capital through Persistent psychological symptoms post-COVID-19 Syndrome. Methods:  The statistical population of the present study was men and women of Karaj and Tehran provinces in 2023 who had at least one history of contracting COVID-19. From the statistical population, using an available sampling method, 395 eligible individuals were selected to participate in the research and complete the research questionnaires. In this research,  Kobasa's Psychological Hardiness questionnaires, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), Corona Stress Scale (CSS-18), suitable for the Iranian lifestyle, and the Questionnaire of Family Functioning were used. The collected data were analyzed using the structural equation analysis method in Amos software (0.084). Results: The findings of this research indicated that Psychological Hardiness directly (0.085) and indirectly through psychological symptoms after COVID-19 (p<0.05) was able to significantly predict family functioning. Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, it seems that strengthening personal psychological structures in the face of environmental stressors can improve people's performance in dealing with these conditions.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of neurofeedback in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in high school deaf girls. Method: A total of 24 deaf female students were randomly assigned to experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group received 15 neurofeedback training sessions targeting the F3 and F4 regions. Both groups completed the DASS-21 questionnaire before and after the intervention.. Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant reductions in depression (F = 15.680, p<.05), anxiety (F = 5.991, p<.05), and stress (F = 6.100, p<.05) scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Neurofeedback appears to be an effective intervention for improving mental health among deaf adolescents.

Objective: This research was conducted to study the role of sleep quality moderators in the relationship between depression and treatment compliance.   Method : The research design was descriptive and correlational, and the research population included all patients with multiple sclerosis living in Tehran. 229 subjects with Multiple Sclerosis were selected in a convenient method, and they were asked to answer Morinsky's treatment compliance, Petersburg sleep quality, and Beck's depression questionnaires using the pencil and paper method. Results : Evidence of the predictive role of depressive symptoms for poor adherence to treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis was found. In addition, evidence of the predictive role of sleep quality in treatment adherence was found, but its mediating role in the relationship between depression and treatment adherence was not found. Conclusion : The findings indicated the importance of depression symptoms and sleep quality in the treatment compliance of multiple sclerosis patients. Considering the importance of treatment compliance in the prognosis of the disease, it is suggested that doctors consider this issue to formulate treatment plans to target cognitive and emotional problems parallel to the main treatment of the disease and thereby increase treatment compliance.  

  Objective : It is crucial to prioritize the enhancement of teachers’ mental health within the education system. As a result, this study aims to examine the impact of a Pilates training course on the psychological and mental well-being of school teachers, encompassing aspects such as depression and self-esteem. Methods : The research was carried out using a quasi-experimental approach. The study involved 60 elementary school teachers who were chosen through convenience sampling and then randomly and equally divided into two groups - experimental and control. Data was collected using standard questionnaires. T tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze data.  Results : The results showed that there is no significant difference in both depression and self-esteem in the pretest (both P>0.05). However, it was observed that experimental group had significantly lower depression and higher self-esteem compared to control group in the posttest (both P=0.001). Finally, the results of ANCOVA showed significant differences between experimental and control groups in both depression and self-esteem (both P=0.001). Conclusions : These findings indicate that it is possible to recommend Pilates exercise and movement activities as a way to improve mental health, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, efficiency, positive mood and reduce mental and emotional tensions in school teachers.