Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children often have a negative attitude towards themselves. They are often negatively affected by these challenges and the failure of their children. Thus, their interaction with their children is negatively influenced. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of family-centered nature therapy on the interaction of parents with their children. Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and a control group. Statistical population included all ASD children aged 3-7 years in Tehran City, Iran. A sample of 14 children with ASD were selected through convenience sampling method. The subjects were non-randomly assigned into either the experimental or control groups. The necessary data were collected through Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS) and the program of nature therapy developed on the basis of the current theoretical frameworks and research findings. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The obtained results suggested that the Mean±SD score of experimental group on PCRS after the treatment was 100.14±11.82. While the Mean±SD score of the control group was 84.14±3.93. Moreover, the results of the statistical tests revealed that the difference between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant, indicating that the family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents' interactions with their ASD children. In addition, the ANCOVA results indicated that the estimated F (13.32) was statistically significant at P=0.001, indicating that the treatment had a positive effect on the dependent variable. Discussion: Family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents' relationship with their children. The ASD children had fewer conflicts with their parents, enjoyed a positive relationship with their parents, and showed lower dependence on their parents after receiving the treatment. Therefore, this therapy can be a complementary method along with other standard treatments received by ASD children. It is an effective, simple and readily accessible option to improve the interaction of parents with their ASD children.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the serious issues which has affected mental health in the world. One of the age groups whose learning processes are highly influenced by the pandemic are adolescents, especially those with low academic performance. Although there have always been problems in the learning process at schools prior to the pandemic, online learning systems have added more challenges to the educational system which results in poor academic performance in this group. Increased stress is among the negative consequence which in turn can affect well-being. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) affects well-being and perceived stress in adolescents with low academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The subjects were 30 adolescents with low academic who were chosen based on by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The research tools were the well-being, perceived stress questionnaires, and CBT. The experimental group received CBT intervention for 10 sessions, each for 120 minutes online, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were analyzed by the repeated measures analysis method. Results: Based on the obtained results, there was a significant effect of CBT on well-being and perceived stress in the experimental group. The finding indicated that CBT led to increasing wellbeing and reducing perceived stress in adolescents with low academic performance (P ≤ 0.05). This effect impact was persisted following 3 months in the experimental group as well. Conclusions: Considering the effectiveness of mentioned therapy methods on adolescents with low academic performance, it is necessary to apply such a way to improve the well-being of adolescents and relieve their stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, which consequently leads to academic and mental improvement. Moreover, CBT is a feasible and acceptable intervention in adolescents with low academic performance.

Self-esteem and lack of social phobia are considered amongst the components of mental health. These features are more likely to be created during the early years of life like any other mental aspect. Hence, the present research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral play therapy in selfesteem and social anxiety of student. The statistical population included all the students in Tehran, from whom a sample of 24 was drawn through multi-stage cluster sampling. They were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. The data gathering tools included Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale and Connor Social Phobia Inventory. The experimental group underwent the group play therapy while the control group received no treatment. The findings indicated that group play therapy was effective in the increase of self-esteem and decrease of social phobia among the students. Therefore, it is recommended that children's counseling and therapy centers as well as school officials employ the necessary interventions to enhance health, improve self-esteem, and decrease social phobia with regard to the necessary constructs for the improvement of children's and adolescents' mental health.Keywords: Anxiety, Cognitive-Behavioral, Play Therapy, SelfEsteem Journal of Research & HealthSocial Development & Health Promotion Research Center Vol. 8, No. 3, May & Jun 2018 Pages: 278-285 DOI: 10.29252/jrh.8.3.278 Original Article

Objectives The present study aimed to examine the meaning in life and well-being of young, middleaged, and older adults. Methods & Materials In this research, a total of 215 participants including 84 young (aged 17-25 years), 59 middle-aged (aged 26-46 years), and 72 older adults (aged 65-80 years) were selected from Tehran city via purposive sampling. The instruments used in this study consisted of the meaning of life questionnaire and Ryffs Scales of Psychological Well-being. Results The results of Mancova analyses showed significant differences between the three age groups. The older people had the most ability in the meaning in life, self-acceptance, positive relation with others, personal growth and purpose in life. Conclusion Research findings indicate that age affects the meaning in life and well-being. So, elderly can be known as a self-awareness, development and relaxation.

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Objective The treatment of autism, a long-term developmental neurological disorder, is controversial. Because of the increasing trend and the lack of a known cause in this area, the treatment is complicated; obscure development of the disorder is a fundamental issue for the parents of these children. Due to the nature of the disorder and involvement of long durations of treatment, various therapeutic methods are used. In addition to the present treatments, a cost-effective and effective treatment is nature therapy (Eco therapy). Therefore, we decided to study the effectiveness of family-centered nature therapy on children with autism spectrum disorder. Materials & Methods A quasi-experimental (pre-test/post-test) study was conducted involving children with autism spectrum disorder (3-7 years old) who were referred to Tehran's rehabilitation and therapeutic centers. Fourteen children with autism spectrum disorder were selected by an available sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In each group, 7 children (6 boys and 1 girl) were placed. Ten therapeutic sessions were conducted in 3 months in the summer of 2017; each session was held for 3 hours (9 am to 12 pm) in the Nature School of Savan (located in Chitgar Forest Park) with the obligatory presence of parents (parents or at least one of them). To collect data, the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Nature Therapy programs (based on the theoretical framework and relevant research findings) were used. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) consisting of four parts, speech / language / communication, socialization, sensory / cognitive awareness, and health / physical / behavior were scrutinized three times, i.e., before the start of the session, 10 days after the last session of education and three months after the last training session. Each family was followed up by the other families. The variables studied in this study were, family-centered nature therapy (independent variable) and autism spectrum disorder syndrome (dependent variable). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum scores) and inferential methods (Leven test to assess the assumption of the equation of error variances, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to examine the normal distribution of covariance analysis and to investigate the effect of test conditions on the dependent variable of the groups). Results The results showed that the average score of the post-test for Autism Treatment increased in the experimental group (172.3±5.11) compared with the post-test for control (1.151±10.24), which was statistically significant. This showed that the nature therapy program brought an improvement in children with autism spectrum disorder. Also, the average follow-up scores (after 3 months) of the experimental group (173.91±12.02) indicated the efficacy of treatment. The results of covariance analysis indicated that the calculated F value (F=21.91) was highly significant (P<0.001), indicating t...

Use your device to scan and read the article online Objectives The present study aimed to examine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas with meaning of life and well-being of the elderly and investigation and its prediction by early maladaptive schemas. Methods & Materials In this research, a total of 200 older people (96 women and 104 men) were selected from Tehran city by convenience sampling. The instruments used in this study consisted of the Yung early maladaptive Schema Questionnaire -Short Form (SQ-SF), Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and Ryffs Scales of Psychological Well-Being (RSPWB). Results The results of multiple regression analyses showed that 37% of the elderly participants found meaning, 27% found meaning in life, 27% in self-acceptance, 24% in positive relationship with the others, and 44% in environment control, as predicted by early maladaptive schemas. Early maladaptive schemas cannot project autonomy, personal growth and purpose in life. This correlation was significant (P<0.001). Based on the analyses of variance, the regression method was also significant and linear because the value of F test for determining the effect of independent variables on finding meaning and meaning in life, i.e., 5.21 and 3.22, respectively, was significant (P<0.001). Also, the effect of independent variables on well-being and self-acceptance (f=3.22) showed a positive relationship with others (f=2.68) and environment control (f=2.17), which was significant (P<0.001) . Conclusion Findings of this research revealed that early maladaptive schemas (unrelenting standards, self-sacrifice, subjugation, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and failure) have predictive power for meaning of life and well-being, which may affect the mental health of the elderly. A B S T R A C T Objectivesince the world's population is aging rapidly, elderly age is of paramount importance. Gerontology seeks to better understand the elderly age, prevent the difficulties related to this age group, help improve the health and well-being of the elderly population, and provide ways to the middle-aged people to be prepared for old age [1]. Therefore, studies aimed at improving mental health and quality of life in elderly age seem necessary. Since schemas are the deepest cognitive levels and the core of personality, it seems that search for meaning and psychological well-being in this period are related to early maladaptive schemes and play an important role in the quality of life and mental health in elderly [2]. Hence, SAutumn 2017. Vol 12. Num 3 327 the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the components of early maladaptive schemas and the components of the meaning of life and psychological well-being. Methods & MaterialsThe present study was a descriptive-correlational research. The study population consisted of all elderly men and women aged between 65 and 80 years who lived in Tehran in 2016. Accordingly, 200 persons were selected among the elderly men and women (96 women and 104 men) through a...

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