Family Therapy in Iran: A Case Study of Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder

Iranian clinical psychologists have devised family therapy methods that use cognitive behavior models that fit with their collectivist Islamic culture. The authors review Islamic‐based strategies and describe family therapy with a culturally specific case of childhood obsessive‐compulsive disorder. Family therapy, adapted to integrated, religious‐based cognitive behavior therapy seems appropriate for clients who are served in Iran. Los psicólogos clínicos iraníes han ideado métodos de terapia de familia que emplean modelos cognitivo‐conductuales que se ajustan a su cultura colectivista islámica. Los autores examinan estrategias basadas en el Islam y describen la terapia de familia con un caso culturalmente específico de trastorno obsesivo compulsivo en la niñez. La terapia de familia, adaptada a una terapia integrada cognitivo‐conductual basada en la religión, parece apropiada para clientes tratados en Irán.     

Developing and Testing a Spiritual Care Questionnaire in the Iranian Context

As most research exploring nurses?? perceptions on the topic of spiritual care was conducted in Western countries, these findings may not be applicable in Iran because of cultural and health system differences. Therefore, a new survey instrument was developed for the Iranian context. The study was conducted in two steps: (1) development and validation of items for perception scale and (2) distribution of the questionnaire among nursing students to determine scale reliability and construct validity. The preliminary scale consisted of 50 items designed to measure the participants?? perception of spiritual care. Construct validity of the scale was examined on the remaining 33 items. On interpretation of the items, the following four components were identified: (1) meeting patient as a being in meaning and hope, (2) meeting patient as a being in relationship, (3) meeting patient as a religious being, and (4) meeting patients as a being with autonomy. The results in this paper showed that preserving dignity in the nurses?? practice meant getting involved in interpersonal caring relationships, with respect for the involved peoples?? religious beliefs and their autonomy. Proper education and professionally led supervision with reflection on past and recent experiences may develop student nurses?? and nurses?? perceptions as well as their attitudes toward spiritual care and to achieve a realistic view of the profession.     

Linguistic recovery after closed head injury

Recovery from acute aphasia after closed head injury was studied in 21 young adults at least 6 months after injury. Three profiles of scores were found using standardized language tests. Persistent expressive and receptive impairment was present in 6 patients who sustained severe diffuse brain injury resulting in global cognitive deficit. Residual expressive impairment, primarily of naming, was associated with mild diffuse brain injury though focal left-hemisphere injury was present in 3 of 6 cases. Patients who recovered to normal levels on all language tests generally had acute neurologic findings consistent with mild diffuse brain injury. Cranial computed tomography at the time of followup frequently disclosed ventricular enlargement.     

Cardiovascular dysfunction related to threat, avoidance, and vigilant work: Application of event-related potential and critique

An integrative approach is suggested to track symbolically simulated work environment stressors, as an act to burden higher cortical function in the exposed groups. ERP would be made together with measurement of end organ stress responses as well as measurements of perceived conditions. Field studies would be the necessary complement. The following conclusions are culled from the reviewed literature: among the pilots, cardiovascular problems are the most important cause of loss of license in Europe and North America. Interactions with coworkers for air traffic controllers have been associated with cardiovascular disability. Comparing various degrees of heart disease severity among professional drivers, the IHD drivers showed the smallest N2 amplitudes and the greatest diastolic blood pressure reactivity. P300 target amplitude showed an inverse correlation with number of work hours behind the wheel. The IHD drivers were envisioned in a phase of disturbance of the selective attentional process. An interrelation has been found between Event-Related Slow Potential ERSP and midinterval heart rate acceleration associated with displeasure and arousal. A positive correlation has been found between the amplitude of the ERSP and ventricular arrhythmia rate in cardiac patients. Lowering of arrhythmia rate in response to antiarhythmic agents was associated with a significant attenuation of the ERSP. Either acceleration or deceleration is associated with the appearance of the late CNV to the aversive noise burst. There might be a “common generator behind both anticipatory heart rate responses and cortical events.” CNV might be related to frontally mediated stress mechanisms.     

Is There a Significant Trend in Prevalence of Consanguineous Marriage in Tehran? A Review of Three Generations

Consanguineous marriage is a common practice in Iran. The present study surveyed the trend in consanguineous marriage across three generations of Iranians. Index cases, consisting of 400 individuals attending the diabetes and osteoporosis clinic in Shariati Hospital, were interviewed. Data on consanguinity status for 1789 marriages within the index cases’ families were obtained. Generation 1 consisted of marriages contracted before 1948, Generation 2 consisted of marriages contracted between 1949 and 1978, and Generation 3 consisted of marriages contracted after 1979. Prevalence of consanguineous marriage within these three generations was 8.8%, 16.6% and 19%, respectively, and represented a significant trend (p < 0.001). First cousin marriage was the most common type of consanguinity (69%). Socioeconomic level of families was not significantly related to having a consanguineous marriage. These data suggest that premarital genetic counseling and mass media efforts are needed to increase public awareness about genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriage.     

Autonomy,Euthanasia and the Right to Die with Dignity: A Comparison of Kantian Ethics and Shicite Teachings

This article engages in a conceptual analysis and discussion of the definition of euthanasia, including a number of inherent distinctions, together with a concomitant examination of various value perspectives that are applied to the way the idea of ‘life’ itself is understood, especially the notion of autonomy. Among a number of considerations, the pro-life and pro-choice controversy and its relevance cannot be ignored in the context of a comprehensive discussion of the issue from a Shi^cite point of view. An attempt is made to show that euthanasia is a sophisticated normative subject with different aspects and categories. An outright normative refutation of the act by many Muslim writers and jurists seems to be a kind of oversimplification of this multi-faceted issue.     

Relationship of self-reported mysticism with depression and anxiety in Iranian Muslims

This study examined relationships of self-reported Mysticism with dispositional Depression and Anxiety in Iranian Muslims. The sample contained 80 women and 51 men undergraduates who volunteered to participate (M age=20.5 yr., SD= 2.0). Participants responded to the Hood Mysticism Scale and to the Costello and Comrey Depression and Anxiety Scales. Scores on the Religious Interpretation dimension of mystical experience correlated negatively with those on Depression, explained a similar relationship observed for Extrovertive Mysticism, and moderated the otherwise positive relationship between Introvertive Mysticism and Anxiety. Moderation occurred when Introvertive Mysticism correlated negatively rather than positively with Anxiety in those who scored high on Religious Interpretation and very high on the Introvertive factor. These data suggested possibilities for reconciling conflicts that have appeared between philosophical interpretations of Introvertive Mysticism and previous self-report data.     

Reliability and factorial validity of a Farsi version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale with a sample of Iranian students

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Farsi version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale for 587 undergraduate students (349 women and 238 men) at the University of Tehran. All participants were asked to complete the Farsi version of the TAS-20, the Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the Mental Health Inventory. Findings supported the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and three-factor structure of the Farsi version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The factors found in the Farsi version of this scale are similar to the three factors found previously and were accordingly labeled as Difficulty Identifying Feelings, Difficulty Describing Feelings, and Externally Oriented Thinking. The results provide evidence for applicability of the TAS-20 and its cross-cultural validity.     

Mitochondrial myopathy complicated by eating disorder: a case report highlighting the potential interaction of genetic, metabolic, and psychodynamic factors

A case is presented of a 56-year-old woman with a history of an eating disorder that preceded recognition of a mitochondrial myopathy. The possibility exists that her eating disorder was causally related to a more fundamental defect in mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. This case report highlights the phenotypic variability of mitochondrial myopathies. An increased risk of eating disorder may be associated with drugs that interfere with mitochondrial oxidative respiration.