Maryam Abdolahi Moghadam, Alireza Moradi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2009)
Abstract
This research was conducted to compare the self – definition of the healthy and HIV/AIDS infected bilingual (speaking Farsi and Kurdish) and monolingual (speaking just Farsi) people. Subjects of the study were 60 monolingual (Healthy and Patient) and 60 bilingual (Healthy and Patient) people who were selected through the available sampling method the variables including age, gender and were controlled by the analysis of covariance. Subjects of the study completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Beck depression and Anxiety Inventory ( BDAI), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale- Revised (WAIS-R) and Twenty Statements Test ( TST). The results revealed that in general self – definition was quantitatively more in healthy group and those who were bilingual the self – definition in healthy group was independent in terms of theme, and in bilingual group was dependent. Moreover, trauma- themed self- definition was more in bilingual than monolingual patients. This preference was discussed based on the personality characteristic and growth of the cognitive processes in healthy and monolingual people. Also different self- definition could be developed due to better memory in healthy and bilingual people.
Alireza Moradi, Hosien Jabari, Ali Mohammad Miraghayi, Hadi Parhoon, Maryam Forooghi, Banafshe Moradmand-Badiee,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2010)
Abstract
DSM-IV-TR recognized that it is possible for individuals to receive a PTSD diagnosis following experiencing life threatening illness including HIV/AIDS. This development has raised some questions about the nature of the stressor, and psychiatric symptoms experienced such as memory performance. The current study examines PTSD symptoms and autobiographical memory performance among individuals who have experienced AIDS or HIV. Participants in this study included 30 individuals with AIDS, and were matched by sex, age, level of education, marital and socio- economic status with 30 healthy controls. Both groups were administered the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BDI), Autobiographical Memory Interview (AMI) and Autobiographical memory Test (AMT). The results indicated high PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety among patient group. The findings also showed that the personal semantic memory scores were lower in childhood and early adult stages among HIV/AIDS survivors comparing with normal control subjects. The findings are discussed in terms of the role of the self and processes involved in non-specific retrieval of autobiographical material
