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Introduction: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a common mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in mood, behavior, relationships, and self-image, often leading to crises such as high-risk sexual behaviors. This study aimed to examine high-risk sexual behaviors among female BPD patients referred to Iran Psychiatric Hospital from 2019 to 2020 and compare their sexual risk profiles with those of non-BPD individuals accompanying them. Materials and Methods: Personality and comorbid psychiatric disorders were assessed using the SCID-II and SCID-I questionnaires, while BPD severity was measured over time with the BEST questionnaire. Sexual risk profiles were evaluated using the Sexual Addiction Screening Test-Revised (SAST-R), the Sexual Risk Survey (SRS), and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). Descriptive statistics were reported using central tendency indices. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the BPD and control groups in factors such as age, marital status, occupation, education level, history of psychiatric treatment, and the most common psychiatric comorbidities. Significant differences were also detected in all YRBSS, BEST, and SRS items, as well as in most SAST-R items. Conclusion: Women with BPD exhibited significantly higher rates of high-risk sexual behaviors compared to the control group. Those with severe BPD were particularly vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, pointing to the need for targeted preventive measures.
 

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Introduction: In an era where health and well-being are increasingly prioritized, understanding the impact of physical activity on enhancing the quality of life for middle-aged individuals is particularly important. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of body pump exercises on working memory, mental toughness, and psychological well-being of inactive middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental study that was conducted with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. For this purpose, 30 men in the age range of 45 to 60 years were voluntarily selected as subjects. At the beginning of the study, participants attended a protocol familiarization session. At the end of this session, baseline (pre-test) values were recorded for working memory using the N-back test, mental toughness using the Sheard Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and psychological well-being using the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: a body pump exercise group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group followed a body pump exercise program for eight weeks, consisting of three one-hour sessions per week. Forty-eight hours after the final training session, post-test measurements of the dependent variables were conducted under the same conditions and using the same procedures as the pre-tests. Results: The research results showed that 8 weeks of body pump exercises had a significant effect on improving working memory scores, mental toughness, and psychological well-being compared to the control group. Conclusion: Body pump exercises proved to be an effective method for enhancing cognitive and psychological functions in middle-aged individuals. Therefore, incorporating body pump training into daily physical activity routines is recommended for this age group.
 

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Several investigations demonstrated that anxiety is the most common mental health disorder worldwide affected about one in 13 people. Anxiety disorders are more commonly reported in Western societies but it is also a main health problem in non-Western countries as stress and anxiety levels have drastically increased over the last two decades. Several wars in Middle Eastern countries in the last few years seem to increase the rate of anxiety dramatically in this area. Women, children, and adolescents are the most vulnerable groups. The aim of our congress is to reduce the enormous individual and social burdens imposed by anxiety disorders. Prevention of stress and anxiety as well as effective treatment of different forms of anxiety based on the latest scientific achievements improves the public health. Drawing a clear plan to prevent and combat anxiety will be necessary before we face anxiety epidemics in different societies.

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According to studies, self-esteem plays an important role in mental health. Self-esteem is also one of the most important correlates of anxiety, especially social anxiety. Being anxiety in adolescents make negative impacts on their academic performance, mental health and social function. This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and mental health, according to the mediator role of social anxiety in adolescents. The present study is cross-sectional and correlational. The statistical population is from the guidance and high school students in Shiraz in 2013-2014 that 180 students include 101 girls and 79 boys were selected by cluster sampling. The age range of subjects was 12-18 years and the mean age was 15.4. The instruments used in this study were the general health questionnaire (GHQ), Rosenberg's self-esteem questionnaire and social anxiety scale for adolescents (SASA). Data were analyzed using correlation and regression. There is a significant relationship between mental health and self-esteem (r= -0.368, P<0.01). The relationship between mental health and social anxiety is also significant (r=0.213, P<0.01). There is a significant relationship between self-esteem and social anxiety (r=-0.453, P<0.01). Hierarchical regression shows that the variable of social anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and mental health plays a mediator role. This study shows the role of self-esteem and social anxiety in adolescents' mental health. The relationships between the variables of the study indicate that social anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and mental health plays a mediator role. So, low self-esteem causes social anxiety to rise and increasing social anxiety makes mental health to reduce. On the other hand, high self-esteem reduces social anxiety, in turn reducing social anxiety is associated with increasing the level of mental health.

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Mental health plays an important role in ensuring the dynamism and efficiency of every community. Since human resources have crucial role in the cultural, social and economical developments of communities, students also are the brilliant segments of society and creators of future of each country therefore, assessing of their mental health is of utmost importance. The aim of the present study is the investigation of social factors like social support, social status and social skills associated with student’s mental health in social sciences faculty of Allameh Tabatabai University in 2011. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the B.A. students. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire GHQ-28 including 4 scale somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression and also the new questionnaire containing the variables of social support, social skills, social status and demographic data. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2, t-test, ANOVA and correlation coefficient. In this study, 300 students (218 girls and 82 boys) were examined, the average age of the participants was 21.95 (±2.9) years and 10.7% of the respondents were married. According to the current results, 53.3 % (n=160) was suspiciously recognized to have mental disorder based on the GHQ-28. Results showed that depression was significantly higher in boys than girls. Association analysis indicates a positive and significant relationship between social support and social skills with students' mental health. But there was not proven relationship between the social status and students' mental health. There is a diverse range of psychological problems among students and is influenced by cultural, social, economical and family factors as well as new conditions of life (university) and adjustment concerns with new conditions. The current findings imply that more than half of the students in the study were suspected to have mental disorders and mental health services are needed.

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Mental health in adolescents is influenced by several factors. Body image is one of the factors in predicting mental health. Moreover, it affects social communication and creates the social anxiety. The present study is cross-sectional and correlational. The statistical population is the guidance and high school students in Shiraz in 2013-2014 that 180 students include 101 girls and 79 boys were selected by cluster sampling. The age range of subjects was 12-18 years and the mean age was 15.4. The instruments used in this study were the general health questionnaire (GHQ), fear of body image of Littleton et al and social anxiety scale for adolescents (SASA). Data were analyzed using correlation and regression. There is a significant relationship between mental health and fear of body image(r =0.400, P<0.01). There is a significant negative correlation between mental health and social anxiety (r=0.213, P<0.01). Between social anxiety and fear of body image there is a significant relationship(r=0.280, P<0.01). Hierarchical regression shows that social anxiety variable plays a mediatory role in the relationship between the fear of body image and mental health. In this study, the role of fear of body image and social anxiety has been shown on mental health. The relationships among variables suggest that social anxiety have a mediatory role in relationship to fear of body image and mental health. Therefore, high fear of body image causes to increase social anxiety and high social anxiety reduces mental health. On the other hand, low fear of body image reduces social anxiety which, in turn, is associated with increasing the level of mental health.

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Fermentation may amplify the specific nutrient or phytonutrient content of foods, the ultimate value of which is associated with mental health furthermore, the microbes associated with fermented foods may also influence brain health via direct and indirect pathways. This review is intended to guide the development of fermented foods for enhanced human mental health benefits. We searched databases PubMed and Google using “fermented beverages”, “traditional foods”, “lactic acid bacteria”, “microbiota”, “anxiety” and “depression” to identify articles related to fermented foods, intestinal microbiota and mental health. Fermentation induced bacterias as the class of probiotics, are capable of producing and delivering neuroactive substances such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin, which act on the brain-gut axis. Preclinical evaluation in rodents suggests that certain psychobiotics possess antidepressant or anxiolytic activity. Effects may be mediated via the vagus nerve, spinal cord, or neuroendocrine systems. So far, psychobiotics have been most extensively studied in a liaison psychiatric setting in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, where positive benefits have been reported for a number of organisms including Bifidobacterium infantis. Evidence is emerging of benefits in alleviating symptoms of depression and in chronic fatigue syndrome. Such benefits may be related to the anti-inflammatory actions of certain psychobiotics and a capacity to reduce hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Results from large scale placebo-controlled studies are awaited. Microbes (for example, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species) associated with fermented foods may influence brain health via direct and indirect pathways.

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Introduction: Emotional intelligence is considered as a most important component of mental and physical health. The main aim of the present study was to study the effects of emotional intelligence training on mental health among patients hospitalized in caediology department of Shahid Modares Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental design and the corpus was all hospitalized women with coronary artery disease. Of these, 30 were selected by accessible sampling and were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control groups. After evaluatation of mental health by general health questionnaire (GHQ), Emotional intelligence training course was taught to the experimental group in seven Ninety - minute sessions. After completion of the training process, both experimental and control groups were evaluated by the GHQ questionnaires again. Results: The findings revealed that emotional intelligence training course increased the rate of mental health as well as different components of social performance and reduced the rate of depression and physical symptoms in experimental group. However, this training had no effect on anxiety level in these patients. Conclusion: The emotional intelligence training has an important role in increase the rate of mental health among women with coronary artery disease. This training can be used in revention and remedial interventions programs, like educational programs for patients with cardiovascular disease.

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Introduction: cognitive flexibility and self-differentiation are the appropriate models for understanding psychological problems through which people can meet various challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive flexibility and self-differentiation with psychological problems among female students in Allameh Tabataba’i University. Materials and Methods: The method of this study was descriptive-correlational and statistical population was comprised of all female students at AllamehTabataba’i University in Tehran who have been studying between 2014-2015. Using random multiple cluster sampling method, a group of 380 students were selected. Tools were questionnaires of cognitive flexibility, self-differentiation and symptoms checklist (SCL-90-R). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical parameters, correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. Results: Analysis revealed a significant correlation between total score of psychological problems with cognitive flexibility and self-differentiation. In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that cognitive flexibility and self-differentiation can explain different kinds and levels of psychological problems in students. Conclusion: study of cognitive flexibility and self-differentiation are efficient methods to understand the underlying factors associated with psychological problems. Evaluation of these factors can lead to a new approach in prevention and treatment of psychological problems.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition among military veterans, and research indicates that lifetime prevalence rates of PTSD among military veterans are higher than that of the general population (SAMHSA, 2007). The treatment of PTSD is often complicated by issues of comorbidity, such as substance use disorders, and treatment outcomes are poorer when comorbid issues are present. In addition to exacerbating each other, PTSD and substance use disorder have a functional relationship (Kehle-Forbes et al., 2016), as PTSD symptoms contribute to urges and cravings. Given concerns about difficulty reducing or abstaining from substances during trauma-focused therapy, interventions for treating comorbid PTSD and substance use are often approached sequentially rather than concurrently, despite promising data supporting integrated treatment. The U.S. VA/DOD clinical guidelines will be used to discuss recommendations for initial evaluation, assessment and psychosocial treatments for PTSD, while highlighting the benefits of using integrated models of care for comorbid PTSD and substance use. The benefit and utility of integrated mental health staff in primary care settings will also be discussed as a resource for initial evaluation, triage, and enhancing motivation towards engaging in integrated treatment.

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Introduction: Using direct electrical stimulation of is a therapeutic technique that directly affects the spontaneous activity in the cortical regions. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of direct stimulation of the brain lining the skull (TDCS) on improving the mental health of veterans with psychiatric disorders. Materials and Methods: This study was quasi-experimental investigation with pre-test and post-test computations.  Sixteen veterans with psychiatric problems from Yasouj city were assigned randomly to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 10 sessions of treatment. The SCL-90 questionnaire was used to collect data. All participants took part in the pre-test and post-test. Results: The results showed that the treatment with TDCS had significant therapeutic effects on mental health. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the effectiveness of treatment of TDCS on the mental health of veterans with psychiatric disorders.

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Introduction: Death is inevitable reality and each person may have a unique attitude and response toward it. Death education refers to a variety of educational activities and experiences related to death. Its main issues are meanings and attitudes towards death, the process of dying, grief and bereavement, and the care of people who have been affected. One of the most important tasks in the end of life care is preparation for death. Despite the importance of planning for the end of life care, some of health care professionals have not enough knowledge and skills to prepare their clients for exposure to death. Death education is a relevant international approach to grief, bereavement, and suicide counseling and psychotherapy. There are various approaches to death education program, including deductive, experiential approaches, and 8A conceptual model. Death education program has formal and informal forms with different methods. Conclusion: The 8A model has been presented as a framework to provide death education to health care professionals, such as social workers, nurses, physicians, thanatologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The 8A model, via improving of awareness, knowledge, attitude and action in individuals, can change behaviors associated with death.

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Introduction: Cyberchondria is a form of anxiety that results in increased psychological helplessness, worry, and unnecessary medical expenses. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide a structural model for cyberchondria based on personality dimensions with the mediating role of self-concept. Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive- correlational research using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all individuals aged 20 to 39 with symptoms of cyberchondria in Shiraz, Iran, in 2021. Among them, 400 people were selected by the convenient sampling method and, they answered the Cyberchondria Severity Scale "CSS", NEO-Five Factor Inventory, and Self-Concept Scale. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Smart Pls software. Results: The results of structural equation modeling showed that the model had a relative fit and can be generalized to the entire statistical society so that the reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity of the model were confirmed and the model fit was calculated (Gof=0.37). The results of the mediating role of self-concept also showed that self-concept has a significant mediating role between personality dimensions (Neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness) with cyberchondria. Conclusion: Therapists and counselors at mental health and counseling centers can use this model to assess the personality and self-concept of individuals, enabling them to perform the necessary diagnostics and treatments for cyberchondria.
 

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Introduction: Obesity has a negative effect on women's psychological health. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) on the emotional regulation and psychological health of obese women. Materials and Methods: This study was semi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and follow-up with a control group design. The statistical population of the study included all obese women who were referred to experts and obesity and nutrition clinics in Tabriz, Iran in 2023. In total, 30 people were selected by the available sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (15 people each). The experimental group received the treatment specific to their group in 8 sessions of 1.5 hours; however, the control group did not receive any treatment. Both groups answered the Difficulty Regulating Emotions Gratz and Romer and Goldberg's general health questionnaires before, after, and 3 months after the intervention. Analysis of findings was conducted through repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: In the pretest, the mean and standard deviation of CFT for emotional regulation were (97.8±3.7) and for psychological health were (50.60±3.43); and in the control group, for emotional regulation were (99±2.9) and for psychological health were (52.9±3.5). CFT, compared to the control group, in the post-test, increased emotional regulation and psychological health. In the follow-up phase, the effect of CFT on emotional regulation and psychological health was lasting. Conclusion: CFT can probably improve the emotional regulation and psychological health of obese women.