Research in psychological health

Distress Intolerance and Worry and Rumination: Analysis of the Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance and Emotional Contrast Avoidance

Alireza Moradi

Distress intolerance, as a psychological vulnerability factor, has been implicated in the development of a wide range of conditions leading to psychopathology, including worry and rumination. Low distress tolerance may also predispose individuals to greater use of avoidance strategies. This study aimed to expand our understanding of the relationship between distress intolerance and worry/rumination by examining the mediating role of two forms of avoidance (i.e., experiential avoidance and emotional contrast avoidance). Questionnaire and cross-sectional data were collected from 1,098 participants from the general population aged 18–55 years (52.3% female). The results of structural equation modeling and mediattion analysis showed that experiential avoidance and emotional contrast avoidance mediated the relationship between distress intolerance and worry/rumination in a chain fashion. More precisely, the lower the distress tolerance capacity, the more people engage in repetitive negative thinking in the form of worry and/or rumination, and the two forms of avoidance mediated this relationship. The applications, limitations, and implications of this research are also discussed.

A Comparison of Multidimensional Mentalization and Metacognitive Beliefs Between Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Healthy Controls in Tehran Province

anis Khoshlehje Sedgh

The present study aimed to compare multidimensional mentalization and metacognitive beliefs between patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and nonclinical individuals. This causal-comparative study was conducted in Tehran Province during 2025–2026. The sample consisted of 100 participants, including 50 patients with IBS and 50 nonclinical individuals, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Mentalization Questionnaire and the Metacognitions Questionnaire and analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and follow-up univariate tests. The results revealed a statistically significant overall difference between the two groups in the set of multidimensional mentalization components. However, subsequent univariate analyses showed a significant between-group difference only in distrust, with patients with IBS obtaining higher mean scores than nonclinical individuals. A significant overall difference was also found between the groups in metacognitive beliefs, with the IBS group scoring higher on all five components: uncontrollability and danger, positive beliefs about worry, cognitive awareness, confidence in memory, and need to control thoughts. These findings suggest that metacognitive beliefs and the distrust component of mentalization are relevant psychological dimensions for examining differences between patients with IBS and nonclinical individuals. Assessing these variables may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological characteristics associated with IBS. Nevertheless, given the cross-sectional nature of the study, causal relationships cannot be inferred from the findings.

Comparison effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and schema therapy self-control of male prisoners in Kermanshah prison

REZA AKBAREE

Given the prevalence of impulse control problems and poor self-control among prisoners and its role in the continuation of risky behaviors and recidivism, identifying effective psychological interventions to improve this ability seems essential. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and schema therapy on the level of self-control of male prisoners in Kermanshah prison. The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group with a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population of this study included male prisoners in Kermanshah in 1403. 45 prisoners were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental (30 people) and control (15 people) groups. Acceptance and commitment therapy was implemented in 8 90-minute sessions and schema therapy in 10 90-minute sessions each, in a group setting. The self-control scale was used to collect data. Data analysis was performed in SPSS-24 statistical software using repeated measures analysis of variance. Using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test, the results of pairwise comparisons between measurement stages showed that there was a significant difference in the treatment groups between the pre-test, post-test and follow-up scores; this indicates the effect of the treatments in increasing self-control in the two treatment groups; however, no significant difference was observed between the post-test and follow-up; this finding alone does not prove the stability of the treatment effect. In the intergroup comparison, the results also showed that there was no significant difference between the two treatments at follow-up (P<0.05); and also that the two treatments were effective in increasing self-control compared to the control group at follow-up (P<0.05). Therefore, the research hypotheses that both treatment approaches are effective on self-control are confirmed and no significant difference was observed in their effectiveness on the dependent variable. According to the findings of this study, two interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy and schema therapy, had a similar effect on the self-control of male prisoners in Kermanshah Prison. Accordingly, it is suggested that these interventions be used in the rehabilitation and education of prisoners.

Comparison of Cognitive Errors and Cognitive Flexibility in Two Groups of Patients with Narcissistic and Histrionic Personality Disorders

Esmaeil Sadipour

Narcissistic personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder are Cluster B personality disorders that, despite sharing certain behavioral traits, differ in their cognitive patterns. The present study aimed to compare cognitive errors and cognitive flexibility in individuals with narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders. A causal-comparative research design was employed. The statistical population consisted of clients at the Mersana Counseling Center in Tehran, from which individuals diagnosed with narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders were selected using simple random sampling. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III) was used to diagnose personality disorders, while the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (Abdollahzadeh & Salar, 2010) and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010) were used to assess cognitive errors and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test. The results indicated no significant difference between the two groups regarding cognitive errors and cognitive flexibility. Regarding the components of cognitive errors, "magnification" ranked highest and "disqualifying the positive" ranked lowest in both groups. Additionally, scores for "jumping to conclusions" and "personalization" were higher in the histrionic personality disorder group compared to the narcissistic group. Overall, while no significant difference was observed between individuals with narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders regarding cognitive errors and cognitive flexibility, variations in specific cognitive error components may reflect distinct cognitive patterns associated with these disorders; recognizing these differences is essential for a more precise understanding and the design of interventions tailored to the specific characteristics of each disorder.

Examining the Factorial Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Emotional Resilience Questionnaire in the General Adult Population of Shiraz City

Bahram Jowkar

This descriptive-correlational study investigated the psychometric properties of the Emotional Resilience Questionnaire (ERQ) (Zhang & Lu, 2010) in the general population of Shiraz. A convenience sample of 501 adults (310 women, 191 men) completed the ERQ (Zhang & Lu, 2010) and the short version of the Big Five Personality Questionnaire (Khormaei & Farmani, 2014). Construct, convergent, and divergent validity were assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and correlation coefficients between ERQ and Big Five personality factors. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability. EFA extracted two components: "positive emotional competence" and "emotional resilience." CFA confirmed the two-factor structure, consistent with the original study (Zhang & Lu, 2010). Furthermore, examining the correlation between emotional resilience and the Big Five personality traits, along with the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) index, demonstrated the convergent validity of the instrument. High Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability coefficients further indicated its reliability. Overall, the ERQ demonstrated suitable psychometric properties for measuring emotional resilience in the Iranian general population and can be utilized by researchers.

The Effectiveness of Couple Bubble Model Training on Empathy and Marital Self-Regulation of Couples

Somayeh Jaberi

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Couple Bubble Model on empathy and marital self‑regulation among couples. Using a quasi‑experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group, 16 couples from Isfahan in 2024 were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight 180‑minute training sessions based on the Couple Bubble Model, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Behavioral Self‑Regulation Questionnaire for Effective Couple Relationships (Wilson et al., 2005) and the Basic Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006) in both pretest and posttest phases. Research hypotheses were analyzed through multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) after confirming its statistical assumptions. The findings showed that the Couple Bubble Model significantly enhanced marital empathy and self‑regulation. Specifically, emotional empathy increased by 40 percent and cognitive empathy by 38 percent. Additionally, relational self‑regulation improved by 45 percent and relational striving by 24 percent. Overall, the results indicate that the Couple Bubble Model, as a developing enrichment approach, can effectively strengthen key relational components and contribute to improving couples’ relationship quality.

Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Aggressive Behaviors and Interpersonal Relations in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Arsalan Barekat

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on aggressive behaviors and interpersonal relationships in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design همراه with a control group. The statistical population included adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder who referred to counseling and psychological services centers in Tehran in the year 1404, from whom 30 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned into two groups of 15, namely the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received Dialectical Behavior Therapy intervention, while the control group did not receive any psychological intervention. The research instruments included the Aggressive Behaviors Questionnaire and the Interpersonal Relationships Scale, and the data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS software. The results showed that Dialectical Behavior Therapy led to a significant reduction in aggressive behaviors and an improvement in interpersonal relationships in the experimental group compared with the control group,

Identifying Emotion Regulation Strategies in Generation Z Students Using Thematic Analysis

Peyman Hatamian

Generation Z is the first generation to grow up in the digital age and in the context of advanced technologies. Emotion regulation, as the process of managing and moderating emotional responses, plays a key role in students' adaptation to challenges. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify emotion regulation strategies among Generation Z students. This qualitative research employed a thematic analysis approach and is therefore considered applied research. The statistical population included all Generation Z students across the country. From this population, 30 students from the University of Tehran were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling and participated voluntarily in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. After coding the interview transcripts, 30 basic themes, 10 organizing themes, and 3 global themes were identified, categorized into three strategies domains: internal, external, and hybrid strategies. The findings highlight the importance of integrating emotion regulation strategies training into intervention programs tailored to the specific needs of Generation Z within university policies.

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment‑Based Mindfulness Exercises on Emotional Schemas of Shame and Emotional Expression in Adolescent Boys with High Social Anxiety

sima Farzaneh

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the emotional schema of shame and emotional expressivity in adolescent boys with high social anxiety in District 13 of Tehran. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all male students in the first and second levels of secondary school with high social anxiety in the 2025–2026 academic year. Using a multistage cluster sampling method, 30 students whose scores on the Social Anxiety Questionnaire were above the cutoff point were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The research instruments included the Leahy Emotional Schema Scale (2002), the Emotional Expressivity Scale (King & Emmons, 1990), and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire (Connor et al., 2000). The experimental group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in eight 120-minute sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26. The results indicated that the effects of time, group, and the interaction between time and group on the dependent variables were statistically significant . Furthermore, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy led to a significant and sustained reduction in the emotional schema of shame and a significant increase in emotional expressivity in the experimental group compared with the control group at the posttest and follow-up stages. Based on the findings, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be considered an effective intervention for reducing the emotional schema of shame and improving emotional expressivity in adolescents with social anxiety.

The effectiveness of a mindfulness-based adolescent-centered stress reduction program on alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms in adolescents

Soheila Rahmani

Test anxiety, as a psychological and educational challenge, imposes a considerable burden on adolescent students. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of adolescent students studying in two schools in Tehran during the 2025 academic year. From among them, 30 students were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program in eight weekly sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Test Anxiety Questionnaire and were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. The statistical results indicated that the adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program led to a significant reduction in alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms among students in the experimental group compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the follow-up results demonstrated the stability and persistence of the effects of this psychological intervention at the two-month follow-up assessment. In conclusion, the adolescent-centered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program can be considered an effective and sustainable intervention for reducing alexithymia and test anxiety symptoms in adolescents, and its application as a complementary intervention in educational settings is recommended.