Research in psychological health

Comparatio systematum cerebrum-comportamentum, exemplorum temperamentorum personalitatis et agendi socialis in personis dependentes medicamentis traditis et consumptoribus substantiarum industrialium.

Farhad Mohammadi Masiri

The present study aimed to analyze and compare the psychological profiles of two groups of traditional and industrial drug users, examining the differences in brain-behavioral systems, personality dimensions, and prosocial behavior tendencies. This causal-comparative study was conducted on 200 drug-dependent men (100 traditional drug users and 100 industrial drug users) who had referred to rehabilitation centers in Qom in 1404. The measurement tools included the Gray-Wilson Brain-Behavioral Systems Questionnaire, Cloninger Personality and Character Test, and the Revised Prosocial Behavior Scale. The findings from multivariate analysis of variance showed that industrial drug users scored significantly higher in the behavioral activation system and the approach and active avoidance subscales, while no significant differences were observed in the behavioral inhibition and conflict-avoidance systems. In terms of personality dimensions, the industrial group had higher scores in novelty seeking, harm avoidance, perseverance, self-direction, and self-transcendence, but traditional users showed superiority in the reward dependence dimension and indicators of social behavior (altruism and compliance). The results indicate that the industrial substance use pattern is associated with a more impulsive personality profile and a deeper breakdown in social functioning, while traditional users maintained social bonds and responsiveness to environmental rewards. These findings emphasize the need to review treatment protocols and design differentiated interventions based on the type of substance used and the neuro-personality underpinnings in the field of addiction psychology.

The Mediating Role of Mentalization, Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity in the Relationships Between Vulnerable and Grandiose Narcissism and Depression

Roshanak Khodabakhsh Pirkalani

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of mentalization, epistemic trust, mistrust, and credulity in the relationship between narcissistic traits (vulnerable and grandiose) and depression. A correlational design with path analysis was employed. A convenience sample of 304 adults completed Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck et al., 1996), Short Form of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (Sherman et al., 2015), The Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2018) and Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity Questionnaire (Campbell et al., 2021). The results revealed that both dimensions of narcissism had a significant positive indirect effect on depression through reduced mentalizing capacity and increased epistemic mistrust. However, epistemic trust played a significant mediating role only in the path between vulnerable narcissism and depression. The indirect paths through epistemic credulity were also not significant. Also, the direct effect of grandiose narcissism on depression was negative, but the total effect was positive through indirect paths. These findings highlight the distinct mediating mechanisms of narcissism dimensions and underscore the importance of capacities for social information processing in understanding depressive symptoms. The results may inform the development of preventive, psychoeducational, or therapeutic programs focused on enhancing mentalization and restoring epistemic trust in individuals with narcissistic traits.

Prediction of Child Eating Behavior Based on Parental Reflective Functioning: The Mediating Role of Parental Feeding Style

Robabeh Noury

This study aimed to predict children’s eating behavior based on parental reflective capacity, examining the mediating role of parental feeding styles. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design using path analysis. The population comprised all mothers of children aged 6–12 years attending primary schools in Tehran in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 573 mothers were recruited. Instruments included the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ; Wardle et al., 2001), the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ; Luyten et al., 2017), and the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ; Wardle et al., 2002). Data were analyzed using path analysis, and the model demonstrated acceptable fit. Findings indicated that the indirect effect of pre-mentalizing on approach behavior via emotional feeding was significant; the indirect effects of pre-mentalizing on avoidant behavior via instrumental and controlling feeding were also significant. In contrast, the indirect effect of certainty about mental states on avoidant behavior via instrumental feeding was not significant, whereas the indirect effects via encouragement to eat and controlling feeding were significant. All reported significant indirect effects reached (p<0.05). Maternal mentalization, through different feeding styles, influences children’s approach and avoidance behaviors; an encouraging style increases approach, while instrumental and controlling styles reinforce avoidance.

The effectiveness of rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy on interpretation bias in adolescent girls with depressive disorder

Mohammad Borna

The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy on interpretation bias in adolescent girls with depressive disorder. The study community included all female adolescents studying in the age range of 15 to 18 years in Ramshir City in 2023-2024. From the aforementioned population, a sample of 350 people was selected using Sample available and completed the Beck Depression Inventory, of which 28 people scored above the cutoff point (score higher than 25). Then, this group underwent a diagnostic interview and completed the Amir et al. (1998) Interpretation Bias Questionnaire as a pre-test. Both groups were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and a control group. The present research design was a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test type with a control group. The experimental group underwent rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, but the control group did not receive any intervention. The results showed that rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing interpretation bias in adolescent girls with depressive disorder. According to the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy can be used as an effective method to help improve the conditions of adolescent girls with depressive disorder.