Cognitive Psychology Journal

The role of problem-solving coping in increasing resilience against prolonged grief disorder through the mediation of positive emotion regulation.

armin hagnazariesfhlam

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between problem-focused coping style and prolonged grief disorder, with the mediating role of positive emotion regulation strategies. This study employed a correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all students of Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan during the 2022–2023 academic year (N = 6,700), from whom 302 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ-36), and the revised Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13-R). Descriptive data analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26, and structural equation modeling was performed using AMOS version 24. The results indicated a significant negative relationship between problem-focused coping style and positive emotion regulation strategies with prolonged grief disorder. Moreover, the proposed model demonstrated a good fit to the data. These findings suggest that training and utilization of positive emotion regulation strategies, such as positive reappraisal, positive refocusing, and putting into perspective, alongside a problem-focused coping style, may reduce the likelihood of prolonged grief disorder.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Cognitive Fusion and Interpersonal Needs in Students with Suicidal Ideation

Mohammad Mahdi Zeidabadinejad

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in reducing cognitive fusion and interpersonal needs among students experiencing suicidal ideation. Employing a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments, participants were selected based on predefined criteria and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received MBCT sessions, and data were analyzed using covariance analysis (ANCOVA). Results demonstrated that MBCT significantly decreased overall cognitive fusion, particularly the fusion component, and significantly reduced total scores of interpersonal needs, including perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Additionally, a significant reduction in the severity of suicidal thoughts was observed in the intervention group compared to controls, whereas changes in cognitive defusion were not statistically significant. Follow-up data indicated that the positive effects of the intervention were maintained to a satisfactory degree over time. These findings support the clinical utility of MBCT as an effective intervention to improve maladaptive cognitive and interpersonal processes associated with psychological vulnerability in at-risk students. The study underscores the potential of MBCT in suicide prevention and mental health promotion, and recommends further research with larger samples and integrative interventions to explore underlying mechanisms and long-term efficacy.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy on Cognitive-Emotional Constructs (Thought-Action Fusion and Intolerance of Uncertainty) in Female Students with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

afsaneh Khajevand Khoshli

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in adolescents is associated with maladaptive cognitive–emotional patterns, including thought–action fusion and intolerance of uncertainty, which can impair academic performance and interpersonal relationships. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy and metacognitive therapy on these constructs in adolescent girls with OCD. The quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and included 45 high school girls in Babolsar, selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each. Interventions consisted of eight weekly 90-minute group sessions. Data were collected using the Thought–Action Fusion Scale and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Questionnaire and analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results indicated that both interventions significantly reduced thought–action fusion and intolerance of uncertainty compared to the control group, and pairwise comparisons showed that metacognitive therapy was more effective in reducing thought–action fusion, whereas emotion-focused therapy was relatively more effective in reducing outcomes related to intolerance of uncertainty. These findings suggest that targeted psychotherapeutic interventions can improve maladaptive cognitive–emotional patterns associated with OCD in adolescents and reduce anxiety and compulsive behaviors. The results provide guidance for selecting tailored treatments based on individual clinical needs and for designing school- and clinic-based intervention programs.

The effectiveness of schema therapy on marital conflict and perceived spouse responsiveness in women affected by infidelity

elnaz pooaahmadi

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on marital conflict and perceived responsiveness of the spouse in women affected by infidelity. Marital infidelity is considered one of the most important crises in couples' relationships, which has widespread consequences, including the intensification of marital conflicts and damage to the spouse's perception and perceived responsiveness. In this regard, schema therapy, as an integrated and deep approach focusing on identifying and modifying early maladaptive schemas, can help rebuild couples' emotional and cognitive relationships. This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all married women referring to counseling centers and psychological clinics in Babol in the winter of 1403 who had reported experiencing infidelity of their spouse. Among them, 45 people were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to three groups: schema therapy, compassion therapy, and control. The schema therapy group received ten ninety-minute sessions of intervention, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The research instruments included the Marital Conflict Questionnaire and the Perceived Spouse Responsiveness Scale, and the data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The findings showed that schema therapy significantly reduced marital conflicts and improved perceived spouse responsiveness in women affected by infidelity. Also, the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing marital conflict was greater than compassion therapy. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that schema therapy is an effective approach to improving the psychological consequences of infidelity and can be used as an efficient intervention in family counseling centers and in the treatment of disorders resulting from marital crises.

The Effect of Computer-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation and Self-Encouragement Training on Executive Functions and Mental Vitality in the ElderlyEncouraging training based on accepting yourself and others, paying attention to your positive points and daring to be imperfect can help the elderly to feel valuable and expand their connections. Also, computer-based cognitive rehabilitation restores cognitive function by relying on practice and repetition. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation and self-encouragement training on executive functions and mental vitality in the elderly. This research was a semi-experimental type with a pre-test and post-test design and control group. The statistical population was elderly subjects (subjects over 60 years old). In this study, 45 elderly subjects were selected using available sampling method, and 30 of them were selected as the final sample using the exclude and in

najmeh hamid

Encouraging training based on accepting yourself and others, paying attention to your positive points and daring to be imperfect can help the elderly to feel valuable and expand their connections. Also, computer-based cognitive rehabilitation restores cognitive function by relying on practice and repetition. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation and self-encouragement training on executive functions and mental vitality in the elderly. This research was a semi-experimental type with a pre‑test, post‑test, follow‑up design and control group. The statistical population was elderly subjects (subjects over 60 years old). In this study, 45 elderly subjects were selected using available sampling method, and 30 of them were selected as the final sample using the exclude and include criteria, and they were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups of 15 subjects. The elderly in the experimental group received self-encouragement training for 10 sessions of 90 minutes, as well as Rihakam cognitive rehabilitation interventions for 10 sessions of 45 minutes but the control group did not receive any intervention. The results of covariance analysis of the data have shown that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in each of the dependent variables (P<0.001). That is, the average performance of executive functions and mental vitality in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the pre-test and the control group, and these results have continued significantly in the follow-up period (P <0.001). In general, cognitive rehabilitation intervention (Rihakam) and self-encouragement training have improved and increased executive functions and mental vitality in the elderly. Therefore, it is suggested to use Rihakam's cognitive rehabilitation intervention and self-encouragement training as complementary or separate treatments to improve the quality of human life in old age.

Investigate the effectiveness of psycho neurocognitive therapy on reduction of clinical symptoms and improvement of executive function (behavioral regulation and meta-cognition) in patients with major depression

Ghazaleh Nikbin

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of psycho neurocognitive therapy on reduction of clinical symptoms and improvement of executive function (behavioral regulation and meta-cognition) in patients with major depression. The research method was conducted as a case study with a multiple baseline design. The study population included all patients referred to psychiatric and clinical psychology treatment centers in Mashhad with a diagnosis of major depression which among those 6 cases were selected through purposeful sampling who underwent psycho neurocognitive therapy for 12 sessions. The research tools included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS), and Function Executive of Inventory Rating Behavior (BRIEF-A). Data were analyzed using graphical and pictorial analysis, percentage improvement indices, effect size, and Cohen's d. The results showed that psycho neurocognitive therapy significantly reduced clinical symptoms and improved executive functions (behavioral regulation and metacognition) in patients with major depression. The findings of this study indicate that psycho neurocognitive therapy can be used as an effective approach in improving the cognitive and psychological aspects of patients with major depression.

Effectiveness of The Unified Protocol and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Working Memory and Continuous Attention in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Gholamreza Chalabianloo

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Unified Protocol (UP) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) treatment on working memory and continuous attention in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The research design employed a quasi-experimental framework, featuring a pre-test and post-test design with two experimental groups and a control group. The statistical population consisted of patients diagnosed with GAD who sought treatment at clinics and specialized neuropsychiatry centers in Tehran during the first half of 2024. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a sample of 45 individuals (31 women and 14 men) was selected through purposive sampling and equally allocated (15 individuals in each group) into the UP intervention group, the combined UP and tDCS intervention group, and the waiting list group. The Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-V), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Corsi Block Test (to assess working memory), and the Clock Test (to assess continuous attention) were utilized as assessment tools. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS-26 statistical software, employing analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings indicated that the use of the UP protocol, both alone and in combination with tDCS, led to a significant improved in working memory and continuous attention (P<0.05). Furthermore, this study suggests that both UP intervention and the combined intervention (UP+tDCS) are effective approaches to improve working memory and continuous attention in GAD patients and may serve as a novel strategy for managing this disorder and improving executive functions.

The effect of metacognitive training on reducing the symptoms of repeated negative thoughts and anxiety sensitivity in students

Peyman Hatamian

The present study was conducted with the aim of the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy on repetitive negative thoughts and anxiety sensitivity in students. the current study was semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow up. The statistical population included all the male students of Razi University of Kermanshah, 30 of whom were selected by purposive sampling method and using the entry criteria. They were assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group). The research tools included the repetitive thoughts questionnaire of McAvee et al (2014) and the anxiety sensitivity scale of Taylor and Cox (1998). The experimental group received the intervention in 8 sessions of 60 minutes and the control group did not receive such training. Finally, the data were analyzed by multivariate covariance analysis using SPSS version 24 software. the results of covariance analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in the post-test phase (p. 0.001). Therefore, it can be said that metacognitive therapy has been effective on negative recurring thoughts and anxiety sensitivity of students. based on the findings, it can be concluded that metacognitive therapy training can be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with repetitive negative and anxious thoughts. Therefore, it is suggested to use metacognitive interventions to reduce the mentioned symptoms.