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  Background and Aim: Familiarity with mental status of students at the beginning of education has a basic role in acquiring mental health and their academic achievement. Thus, this study was carried out with the general objective of determining the mental health among the freshmen in their first term in Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2009-2010.

  Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on all freshmen (136 students) of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences entering the first semester in 2009-2010. The data were collected using GHQ-28 and demographic questionnaire. To determine suspicious cases, the cut-off point of total score was set as 28 and in each scale it was set as 6. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 11 using descriptive and analytical statistics (Chi-square and T-test). The significant level was set as 0.05.

  Results: This study showed that 31.6% of students are suspected to have psychological disorders. These disorders among males and females were 27% and 33 % (p=0.599), and among single and married students were 31% and 33% (p=0.909), respectively. But each of these differences in demographic factors was not statistically significant. The comparison of the mean scores in test scales showed that the mean scores of social dysfunction (9 ± 3.65) and somatization (4.95 ± 3.13) were more than anxiety (4.15 ± 3.55) and depression (2.07 ± 2.89) scales, respectively. By using the cut-off point 6 at these scales, it was indicated that the students have a bad condition on social dysfunction and somatization, but there were not significant differences between these scores and gender (p=0.891), marital status (p=0.220) and academic courses (p=0.455).

  Conclusion: With regard to these results, symptoms related to social conflict at the beginning of study in students were more common than other symptoms. Confirming the existence of mental disorders in students requires more psychological investigation and assessment for students. Thus, providing counseling and psychological services based on the findings are recommended.

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  Abstract

  Background and Aim : Parenting style as one of the basic functions of parents has an important role at the later stages of life. This research has been accomplished to determine the effect of parenting styles on self- efficacy and mental health of students.

  Materials and Methods : This descriptive-analytical research has been done on 210 students (105 males and 105 females) among 3757 humanity students of Payam-e-Noor and Azad Universities in Neyshabour who were selected by multilayer cluster sampling method. The subjects were tested by child rearing self-efficacy and GHQ-28 questionnaires. The data were analyzed applying one-way ANOVA, two-factor (F), and Tukey test.

  Results : The results indicated that parenting styles had a significant influence on self-efficacy of students (p= 0.0064). There was a significant effect on increasing self-efficacy in authoritative style compared with permissive style (p=0.0001) and the authoritarian style (p=0.01). Also, parenting styles had a significant effect on mental health condition (p=0.027). Parenting styles had different significant effects on mental health of students. Authoritative style had an effect more than that of the authoritarian style (p=0.0078) and permissive style more than authoritarian style (p=0.018).

  Conclusion : Regarding the effect of parenting styles on self-efficacy and mental health which is of great importance in students, teaching programs about parenting styles is recommended for parents at different levels.

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Abstract Background and Aim: Nowadays, research interests in cancer, as the second reason of death in the world, concentrate on coping and adjustment styles. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the person's ability of perception and management of emotions in themselves and others, this ability is related to the individuals' health. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the relationship between EQ and adjustment in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This research is a correlational study, in which 60 cancer patients (22 males and 38 females) of the hospitals and therapeutic centers in Mashhad city were selected by cluster sampling. The patients completed the EQ inventory and Bell adjustment questionnaire. Afterwards, the data were analyzed using SPSS Software V.17 through Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results: There are relationship between EQ and physical adjustment )r=-.65) and emotional one )r=-.65), (p<.001). From EQ dimensions, conformity dimension predicted 43% of variance of physical adjustment. Temperament and stress management dimensions predicted 63% of emotional adjustment (p<.001). Also, there was a significant relationship between all the EQ components (15 components, except empathy) and physical (p<0.01) and emotional adjustment (p<.001). The most correlation ratio in physical adjustment and emotional adjustment was related to responsibility component (r=-.72) and self-respect (r=-.76), respectively. Conclusion: With regard to the positive relationship between EQ and adjustment in cancer patients and more adjustment in them, the strategies to improve EQ, such as special workshops in hospitals and therapeutic center, are recommended.

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Aims: Marital adjustment represents the strenght and efficiency of the family system. The family health depends on the existence of healthy and mature communications of couples and if the family foundation is not strong enough, its outcome will be some kind of physical and mental problems. This study objective is to determine the predictive role of spiritual intelligence and coping strategies in marital adjustment of teachers in Gonabad city in 2012-2013. Methods:In this correltional study, 330 teachers (160 males and 170 females) were selected using Morgan table through stratified sampling. They completed the spiritual intelligence, coping strategies, and marital adjustment questionnaires, and the collected data were analyzed through SPSS V.11.5 employing Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Results: The resluts indicated that there was a significant correlation between spiritual intelligence, and marital adjustment (r=0.656, P=0.001), but there was no significant relationship between coping strategies and marital adjustment (P=0.58) and also between coping strategies and spiritual intelligence (P=0.074). However, there was a negative and significant correlation between spiritual intelligence and emotion oreinted syle (r=0.39, P<0.001) from among 3 coping styles of problem oriented, emotion oriented and avoidant styles. According to the results of regression analysis, only spiritual intelligence predicts marital adjustment. Conclusion: According to the findings, it is recommended that expert staff provide the younger individuals with strategies which increase spiritual intelligence including teaching the spiritual intelligence.

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Abstract Aims: Dialysis patients have experienced some degree of pain, especially foot pain. Some complementary interventions such as muscle relaxation are effective in relieving pain. This study was performed with the aim of assessing the effect of muscle relaxation on hemodialysis patients’ pain. Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 hemodialysis patients of Khatamolanbia and Imam Ali hemodialysis centers of Zahedan during 2013 and 2014. The patients were chosen by purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria and randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Pain intensity was measured by McGill questionnaire before intervention. Then, Benson muscle relaxation was taught to patients’ of case group and was performed by them for 15-20 minutes twice a day for a month. The control group received no training. The pain intensity of two groups was compared after one month. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent T and Mann-Whitney tests by SPSS 21 software. Findings: Most of the patients were men, married, housekeeper with under diploma education and the mean age of them was 43.0±15.0 years. There was a significant decrease in pain intensity in the intervention group compared to the control (p=0.03). Conclusion: The muscle relaxation technique can be employed to reduce pain in hemodialysis patients.

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Aims: Anxiety is a common phenomenon in cardiovascular diseases and its control is very important. This study aimed to investigate the effect of guided imagery on anxiety in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome in the cardiac intensive care unit. Materials & Methods: In this clinical trial in 2014, 50 patients with acute coronary syndrome in the cardiac intensive care unit of 22 Bahman Hospital in Gonabad City, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. At first, all the samples completed the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale of anxiety. In addition to usual care, experimental group listened to the CD of guided imagery 2 times a day, morning and night for 16 minutes and the control group received only routine care. At the end, the mentioned questionnaires were filled again and the data were analyzed in SPSS 14.5 software by independent T-test, Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Findings: The mean of pretest and posttest scores of total anxiety and hidden anxiety in the experimental group decreased significantly compare with the control group (p<0.05), but mean score decreasing of the pretest and posttest of clear anxiety in the experimental group was not significant compare with the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Guided imagery can reduce the total anxiety and hidden anxiety of heart patients with acute coronary syndrome hospitalized in cardiac intensive care unit. Keywords Imagery (Psychotherapy) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68019018] Anxiety [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68001007] Acute Coronary Syndrome [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68054058]

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Aims: As other life periods, aging is characterized by physical, mental, and social changes. In the adaptation with such changes, the elderly might face with problems such as sense of helplessness and emotional disturbances, while their quality of life is affected. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of anxiety and depression, as well as the demographic factors, in the prediction of the quality of life of the retired elderly in Gonabad Township.

Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive correlational study, the elderly, who were members of Gonabad Township Retired Center, were studied. 200 persons were randomly selected. Data was collected by four questionnaires including a demographic, Beck depression, Beck anxiety, and quality of life. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using stepwise multiple regression analysis and the effect coding tests.

Findings: Mean anxiety level of the samples was 12.47±7.49. Mean depression level was 15.58±11.07. The quality of life (78.11±14.58) included mental health (29.60±6.24), social relationships and life environment (24.25±5.66), and physical health (24.26±4.71). There was a significant correlation between total mean of quality of life and depression and anxiety, but without any significant correlation with the demographic characteristics. Depression and the sum of depression and anxiety predicted 35.8% and 40.1% of the variance of quality of life, respectively. There was a lineal correlation between depression and anxiety and the quality of life. 17.9%, 30.2%, 21.3%, 39.9%, and 16.1% of the variance of quality of life were predicted by age, diploma certification, post-diploma certification, income, and marital status, respectively.

Conclusion: Anxiety, depression, and some demographic characteristics are the predictors of the quality of life of the elderly.

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Aims: Loneliness is an unpleasant, disturbaing, and prevalent experience in the adolescents. The repetition of the experience badly affects the adolescents’ physical, mental, and emotional health. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of parenting style training on the adolescents’ loneliness feeling. 

Materials & Methods: In the semi-experimental study, 50 adolescents with loneliness feeling, aged between 14 and 17 years, and their parents were studied in Gonabad from July to December 2015. The subjects were selected via stepwise sampling method. The subjects having been divided into experimental and control groups, parents of experimental group received eleven 1.5- to 2-hour training sessions for 6 weeks. Control group received no training. Data was collected by the UCLA revised loneliness feeling scale. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using one-way ANOVA, Chi-square, paired T, and independent T tests. 

Findings: The prevailing parenting style in the mothers of control (32.22±3.80) and experiment (33.78±3.89) groups was ex catherda. The prevailing parenting style in the fathers of control (30.81±4.66) and experiment (31.65±6.30) groups was ex catherda. There was an insignificant increase in the mean loneliness feeling in control group from 41.00±4.40 (befor the intervention) to 41.27±4.64 (after the ntervention; p=0.642). There was an insignificant reduction in the loneliness feeling in experimental group from 39.78±4.08 (before the intervention) to 39.35±6.84 (after the intervention; p=0.776). 

Conclusion: Teaching the parenting style to the parents does not affect the adolescences’ loneliness feeling.

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Aims: As a chronic worldwide spreading disease, diabetes negatively affects the persons’ self-concept. Since self-concept plays an important role in daily life, it should be under consideration especially in the patients with chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of the partnership-care model intervention on self-concept enhancement in persons with type II diabetes. 

Materials & Methods: In the controlled randomized clinical trial, 60 patients with type II diabetes referred to Imam Zaman Hospital were studied in Mashhad in 2015. The subjects, selected via available sampling method, were divided into two groups including control and experimental groups. Data was collected using a three-section questionnaire including demographic information, the disease information, and Beck self-concept test sections. The self-concept of the subjects having been determined, seven 90-minute partnership-care intervention sessions were conducted in experimental group. Then, the self-concept was measured in both groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using paired T, independent T, and Chi-square tests.

Findings: Before and after the intervention, the mean self-concept scores were not significantly different in control group (p=0.066). However, the difference was significant in experimental group (p<0.001). In addition, the mean scores of control and experimental groups were not significantly different before the intervention (p=0.537). Nevertheless, the mean self-concept scores of the groups were significantly different after the intervention (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The intervention based on the partner-ship care model enhances the self-concept in patients with type II diabetes.

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Aims: Diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease in human being. Self-care is the most important way of preventing complications. This study aimed at investigating the effects of peer-education on quality of life in adult patients with type 2 diabetes.
Materials & Methods: This semi experimental study was conducted at a diabetes clinic affiliated to Gonabad University of medical sciences, Iran in 2017 among 80 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were selected based on available sampling method, and they were randomly divided into two groups, namely intervention and control (40 patients each group). The data of all patients were collected by demographic and disease information questionnaire and diabetic patient quality of life (QOL) questionnaire. The present study was carried out in three main steps: In the first step (before intervention), peers were trained by the researcher during four sessions. In the second step (intervention), quality of life of patients was assessed before training; then, patients in intervention group were trained and instructed during three sessions; the control group received the usual instruction, too. In the third step (one month later), quality of life of patients in both groups was assessed. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistics software Version 20, using Chi-square, Fisher, independent t test, paired t test, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon.
Findings: The mean scores of quality of life in intervention group did not have any significant difference with control group before instruction (p>0.05). After instruction, the mean scores of quality of life in the intervention group compared with the control group increased significantly (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Peer education improves quality of life in adult patients with type 2 diabetes.
 

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Aims: Anxiety due to dental interventions and its complications are common in cases, like wisdom tooth surgery. Related pharmacotherapy is also associated with adverse effects and are not accepted by some patients. Virtual Reality (VR) is one of the new and non-invasive technologies proposed in this regard. This study aimed to determine the effects of VR on patients’ anxiety before dental surgery.
Methods & Materials: In this clinical trial, 60 patients who were candidates for dental surgery in Dental School in Mashhad City, Iran, were randomly assigned to two groups of control and intervention (n=30/group). Initially, in addition to demographic characteristics, patients’ anxiety levels were measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Then, the intervention group was placed in VR space for 12 minutes using the Remax-RT-V03 audio-visual device; however, no intervention was performed in the control group. Before surgery, anxiety was re-measured by a questionnaire in two groups with the same time interval (15 minutes after the first stage). The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS by Independent Samples t-test, Paired Samples t-test, and Chi-squared test at a significant level of P≤0.05.
Findings: The Mean±SD age of the examined patients was 26.5±4.9 years. In total, 53.3% and 46.7% of the study participants were female and male, respectively. The research groups were homogeneous concerning demographic characteristics. The Mean±SD scores of anxiety in the research units before the intervention were 55.56±7.08 in the experimental group and 53.70±10.53 in the control group, i.e., not significantly different. However, after the intervention, anxiety decreased in the experimental group (45.56±10.52), compared to the control group (54.53±9.83); the difference between the study groups was significant (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Applying VR was effective in reducing patients’ anxiety before dental surgery; thus, its use in dental clinics is recommended after additional studies.

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Background and Aims: This case report aims to highlight a rare presentation of severe vitamin B12 deficiency resulting in severe pancytopenia in an elderly male patient, occurring in only 5% of patients with known B12 deficiency. Additionally, it discusses the hematological changes associated with B12 deficiency and how they can sometimes mimic hematological malignancies.
Patient Profile: The patient was an 86-year-old man from a rural area with a history of generalized weakness and jaundice. He had no significant past medical history besides prior pneumonia and cataract surgery. He presented with symptoms of anorexia, dizziness, and nausea but no fever. He was not a smoker, drinker, or drug user. The patient was living with his children and seemed to be economically disadvantaged.
Findings: Initial examination revealed icteric sclera, pale conjunctiva, and 1+ edema in both lower limbs. Initial lab tests indicated increasing MCV, and peripheral blood smear showed hypersegmented neutrophils, macroovalocytes, anisocytosis, as well as possible RBC agglutination and schistocytes. The patient was diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia and started on high-dose vitamin B12 and folate. The patient's condition deteriorated, with a drop in platelet and WBC counts and the presence of schistocytes, leading to a bone marrow biopsy, which suggested MDS or AML-M6; however, further tests indicated a nutritional deficiency. The patient improved significantly with high-dose B12 and folate treatment, and blood counts normalized.
Conclusion: The present case demonstrates that severe vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest as severe pancytopenia and that it can be mistaken for acute leukemia or other hematological malignancies.