Fatemeh Masoudizadeh; Fariba Hafezi; Sahar Safarzadeh; Zahra Dasht Bozorgi
Abstract
Background: Adolescent girls often struggle with negative body image, leading to rumination and distress. The objective of this investigation was to examine the potential of self-compassion therapy (SCT) to mitigate rumination and bolster distress tolerance in adolescent girls experiencing body image ...
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Background: Adolescent girls often struggle with negative body image, leading to rumination and distress. The objective of this investigation was to examine the potential of self-compassion therapy (SCT) to mitigate rumination and bolster distress tolerance in adolescent girls experiencing body image concerns.Methods: This experimental study comprised all adolescent girls in Ahvaz, Iran, who reported body image concerns in 2023. A sample of 30 adolescent girls was drawn using multi-stage cluster sampling and then randomly allocated to either an experimental (n=15) or a control (n=15) group. Data collection was facilitated using the Ruminative Response Scale and Distress Tolerance Scale. The experimental group participated in a ten-week structured self-compassion training (SCT) program, with one 60-minute session per week. The control group received no intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to assess the impact of SCT on the dependent variables, using SPSS version 25.Results: At pre-test, both groups reported similar levels of rumination (SCT group: M=64.53, SD=7.59; control group: M=68.26, SD=9.46) and distress tolerance (SCT group: M=31.06, SD=6.86; control group: M=32.06, SD=5.23). After the 10-week SCT intervention, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in rumination (M=36.26, SD=5.57) and a significant increase in distress tolerance (M=66.60, SD=5.02) compared with the control group (P<0.001). SCT was found to be effective in significantly reducing rumination and increasing distress tolerance in adolescent girls with body image concerns (P<0.001).Conclusion: SCT has demonstrated its efficacy in mitigating rumination and enhancing distress tolerance among adolescent girls confronting body image challenges. The study findings underscored the potential of SCT as a promising intervention for this vulnerable population.
Afsaneh Aslinejad; Maryam Abdoshahi; Malihe Naiemikia
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness is defined as the deliberate and non-evaluative awareness of the current moment. This study examined the effects of two training techniques, specifically strength-endurance and balance training, on mindfulness, aggression control, and emotion regulation in female high school students.Methods: ...
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Background: Mindfulness is defined as the deliberate and non-evaluative awareness of the current moment. This study examined the effects of two training techniques, specifically strength-endurance and balance training, on mindfulness, aggression control, and emotion regulation in female high school students.Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental approach with a pretest and posttest design, conducted at a high school located in the 3rd district of Tehran, Iran in 2022. Among the 78 eligible female participants, 45 students were selected using a lottery method and were randomly assigned into three groups including body combat, body balance and control groups (each group including 15 participants). The experimental groups exposed to respected exercises for six weeks, with two weekly sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes. The participants completed the Children and Adolescent Mindfulness Questionnaire (AAMS), the Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) in the pretest and posttest. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26, employing ANOVA, paired t-test, ANCOVA, and LSD post hoc test.Results: BMI of the participants was 19.64±1.67. Results showed that in the posttest, body balance and body combat groups had significantly better scores than the control group in mindfulness (3.80±0.46, 3.52±0.68, and 2.95±0.35, respectively, P=0.023), aggression control (1.10±0.33, 1.57±0.47, and 1.77±0.32, respectively, P=0.001) and emotion regulation (5.62±0.52, 507±0.67, and 4.34±0.55, respectively, P<0.001). Moreover, body balance had significantly higher scores than body combat group in terms of mindfulness (P=0.041), aggression control (P=0.004) and emotion regulation (P<0.001).Conclusion: Body combat, and body balance training can be assumed as an important intervention for enhancing the mindfulness, aggression, and emotion regulation among female adolescents. These findings may have practical implications for school teachers, exercise psychologists and occupational therapists.
Ali Khanzad; Sheida Ranjbari; Amir Dana; Shaghayegh Hashemi Motlagh
Abstract
Background: The relationship between mindfulness and the repercussions of obesity, particularly in girls, has received limited attention. Consequently, the current research aimed to explore the correlation between mindfulness and social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and physical activity (PA) participation ...
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Background: The relationship between mindfulness and the repercussions of obesity, particularly in girls, has received limited attention. Consequently, the current research aimed to explore the correlation between mindfulness and social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and physical activity (PA) participation in obese teenage girls.Methods: The research was a descriptive-correlational study conducted from October 2022 to May 2023 in Tehran, Iran. The statistical population for this study comprised obese teenage girls aged 13 to 15 attending their first secondary school. The study sample consisted of 384 obese teenage girls selected through convenience sampling. Standard instruments were employed to assess mindfulness, social anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and PA participation. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test and ANOVA, facilitated by SPSS version 26.Results: The results indicated that, on average, participants engaged in 13.01±3.02 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. Furthermore, teenage girls exhibited relatively high levels of social anxiety (mean=39.79±8.85) and depression (mean=9.55±2.67). Moreover, there were significant correlations between mindfulness and reduced levels of social anxiety and depression (both P<0.001). Finally, significant associations were observed between mindfulness, higher self-efficacy, and increased PA (P<0.001).Conclusions: These findings suggested a link between mindfulness and reducing the adverse consequences of obesity in teenage girls. In this regard, reinforcing mindfulness practices can prove an effective way for reducing anxiety and depression. Such practices may encompass meditation, mindful breathing, mindful observation, attention to the surrounding environment, heightened awareness, and mindful listening.
Maryam Kasraeian; Forouzan Esmaielzadeh; Giti Hozhabrian; Saeedeh Shadmehri; Nasibeh Kazemi
Abstract
Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most prevalent adverse physical, behavioral, and psychological changes in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It reduces fertility and quality of social life. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an eight-week ...
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Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most prevalent adverse physical, behavioral, and psychological changes in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It reduces fertility and quality of social life. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an eight-week elastic training and Foeniculum Vulgare consumption on PMS in adolescent girls.Methods: In this experimental study, we selected 40 inactive subjects diagnosed with PMS in Shiraz, Iran in October 2020. They were randomly divided into four groups: elastic training, fennel, elastic training and fennel, and control. Elastic training was performed three sessions (45 minutes) per week for eight weeks. Fennel was consumed as oral drops of phenylene 2% daily, 30 drops every 12 hours for two months. The subjects were assessed using a premenstrual symptom screening questionnaire in pre- and post-test phases. In order to analyze the data, we utilized analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), paired t-test, and Tukey’s post hoc tests. Results: The results showed that after elastic training and fennel consumption, mood (8.00±1.25 vs 16.50±2.32) and physical (6.17±1.08 vs 15.50±1.92) symptoms of PMS reduced compared to those in the control group (P <0.05). The combined use of elastic training and fennel consumption had the greatest effect on physical (3.14±0.72 vs 15.50±1.92, p <0.001) and behavioral (5.23±1.53 vs 16.50±2.32, P <0.001) symptoms reduction in adolescent girls.Conclusion: It could be recommended to use elastic training along with fennel consumption in order to reduce the physical and mood symptoms of adolescent girls with PMS.
Sunday Joseph Ayamolowo; Love Bukola Ayamolowo; Esther Kikelomo Afolabi
Abstract
Background: Sexual relationship between young women and older men is a major contributor to women’s risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and behavioural intentions for intergenerational sexual relationships (IGS) among young ...
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Background: Sexual relationship between young women and older men is a major contributor to women’s risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and behavioural intentions for intergenerational sexual relationships (IGS) among young female students in Nigeria. Methods: We conducted study between July and August 2018 using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Using convenience sampling method, we selected 160 young female students enrolled in a Joint Universities Pre-Degree Educational Programme in a Nigeria university. For data collection, we employed a self-report questionnaire. Data were analysed by use of a Chi-square test. Alpha was set at 5%. Results: The study revealed that 60% of the respondents had a moderate level of knowledge regarding IGS. More than half (56.3%) of the respondents had indifferent attitudes towards IGS. About two-thirds (62.5%) of the respondents had a moderate level of behavioural intentions. The main motive of young girls for IGS was to get money and gifts (83.8%). There was a significant association between monthly stipend (P≤0.0001), level of knowledge (P≤0.0001), attitude (P≤0.0001), and overall behavioural intentions to practice IGS among the students. Conclusion: The study concluded that female students had a moderate level of behavioural intentions to practice intergenerational sexual relationships. There is a need for appropriate health interventions that will address both present and future engagement in intergenerational sexual relationships among young women and prevent negative health outcomes from unsafe sex among this age group.
Fatemeh Ghodrati; Farideh Vaziri; Narjes Saadatmand; Mohammad Zarenezhad; Marzieh Akbarzadeh
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of trauma in sexual assault victims aged 15 years and less referred to legal medicine centers of Fars Province, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional was carried out on all female victims of sexual assault aged ...
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Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of trauma in sexual assault victims aged 15 years and less referred to legal medicine centers of Fars Province, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional was carried out on all female victims of sexual assault aged 15 years old and less referred to legal medicine centers of Fars, Iran, during 2006 - 2012. The study population consisted of 3140 victims that was reduced to 2113 due to incomplete records of some cases. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used in SPSS, version 16.
Results: The prevalence of teenage victims was 32.01%. The highest frequency was reported in 2006 and the next highest rate was reported in 2011. The ordinal place of the victims in family was between 4 and 6 in 79% of the cases. All the crimes happened in cities. In 6.4% of the cases, victims had experienced sexual assault. In 90.1% of the cases, criminals were aged 16 - 25 years old, and in 40.3% of the cases, they were familiar and had familial relationship with the victim. Sexual traumas in 57.1% of the cases were hymen tear and in 11.8% cases anal tear.
Conclusions: Most adolescent sexual assaults remain hidden from the law because of fear of exclusion from the family and society. Therefore, community awareness regarding the prevalence of rape should be raised, and the necessary steps should be taken by the authorities and families to control this crime. Enforcing severe punishments for offenders can be considered as a preventive measure.
