Zahra Akhavan, Mojtaba Rahnemazadeh,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (Volume20, Issue 1 2026)
Abstract
Depression and attention deficit disorders are common childhood problems that can affect children's mental health and academic performance. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training on symptoms of depression and attention deficit disorders in children aged 7 to 12 years. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all children aged 7 to 12 years who referred to Rahyab Counseling and Psychology Center in Amol in 1404. Among them, 30 children were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). The experimental group received mindfulness training during eight weekly sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Connors Questionnaire (Teacher Form) and analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The findings showed that mindfulness training significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved attention functions in children in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the results of the three-month follow-up phase showed that the effects of the intervention continued in both research variables. Based on the research findings, mindfulness training can be used as an effective complementary intervention in counseling centers and educational environments to reduce depressive symptoms and improve children's attention functions.
Asal Rahnema, Anis Khoshlehje Sedgh,
Volume 20, Issue 2 (Volume20, Issue 2 2026)
Abstract
| 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. |
