Objectives: Parenting style has a significant impact on the natural development of children. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Positive Parenting Program also known as Triple-P, on the improvement of parenting methods, children’s behavioral problems, mothers’ psychological problems and marital issues. Method: In an interactive semi-experimental study (pretest, post-test), 120 mothers working at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, who had at least one child, were evaluated. Data were gathered before and after the sessions, using Demographic Questionnaire, Parenting Scale, Being a Parent Scale, Parent Problem Checklist, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Constructive parenting methods were taught in 8 two-hour sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The mean age of mothers participating in the study was 36.76±5.27. The results related to SDQ in children showed that a change in the mean total score of SDQ at the end of the intervention is statistically significant (p<0.01). Based on the general change, the mean scores related to the measures of Parenting Scale (p<0.01), Being a Parent (p<0.01), Parent Problem (p<0.01), and disagreement between parents (p<0.01) were statistically significant. In the dyadic adjustment scale the mean score of adjustment changed from 21.15±4.88 to 21.25±4.58, which was not statistically significant. The differences in the indicators of depression, anxiety and psychological pressure were also significant. Conclusion: Positive parenting education can be effective in the improvement of different aspects of parenting. �

Objectives: The goal of the present study was to determine the prediction model of social phobia by investigating a number of its predictors. In this study shyness, behavioral inhibition, attentional bias, interpretation bias, social self-efficacy and attachment were assessed as predictors of social phobia. Method: 438 students of Tehran University participated in this study. All participants completed Social Phobia Inventory, Stanford Shyness Survey, Adult Measure of Behavioral Inhibition, Retrospective Measure of Behavioral Inhibition, Focus of Attention Questionnaire, Consequences of Negative Social Events Questionnaire, Self-efficacy for Social Situation Scale and Adult Attachment Scale. Results: All variables were significantly correlated with social phobia (p<0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis suggested a predictive model for social anxiety including shyness, ambivalent attachment, avoidant attachment, adult behavioral inhibition, retrospective behavioral inhibition, social self-efficacy, negative self-evaluation and negative evaluation by others. Conclusion: Except for attentional bias and secure attachment which cannot predict social phobia, the other studied variables (shyness, social inhibition, interpretation bias, and social self-efficacy) can predict social phobia.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of an integrated treatment (IT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in a group of inpatient children and adolescents with first episode psychosis (FEP) during a two year follow-up. Method: In a randomized controlled trial, 40 children and adolescents with FEP based on DSM-IV criteria were recruited from referrals to Robe Hospital (Tehran, Iran). They were divided into a TAU group (N=20), and an IT group (N=20) who received a low dose of atypical antipsychotic medications and family psycho-education program, and were followed up by telephone contacts. All participants were evaluated at admission and discharge as well as in 6, 12, 18 and 24 month intervals using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version-Persian Version (K-SADS-PL-PV), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and Children Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). Statistical methods consisted of analysis of independent t and c² for qualitative variables, and random effect regression model for quantitative variables. Results: The two groups showed significant improvement in all outcome measures at different time-points. The rate and duration of recurrences were lower in the IT group compared to the TAU group. All of the other outcome measures were comparable in the two groups and there was no difference between them in different follow-up periods. Conclusion: Integrated treatment may decrease the rate and duration of recurrences in children and adolescents with FEP.

  Objectives : The present study was conducted to determine national priorities of mental health and funded by Iranian Mental Health Research Network. The most important advantage of priority setting is effective investment and budgeting on mental health problems. Exact prioritizing increases cost-effectiveness of interventions and prevents waste of national resources. Method: Researchers from various related disciplines, health care program planners and authorities, executive managers and service providers participated in this study. In the first stage, a comprehensive list of mental health topics was prepared and classified by reviewing the literature and brain storming. In the second stage, the criteria for priority setting of topics under each field and their impacts were determined. In the third stage, using nominal group technique (NGT), 50 topics were screened and 25 topics were selected. These 25 topics were classified to smaller subjects and then expert(s) in each subject reviewed the national and international evidence of relevance and importance of each subject. Using available evidence, and by nominal group technique, priority of subjects in each field was set based on the prioritizing criteria. Results: Finally, 25 subjects were chosen. The top 10 subjects as the national mental health priorities were: three subjects from psychiatric disorders including substance dependence, depression and suicide two subjects from mental health problems and determinants including domestic abuse and aggressive behaviors, stress and disasters three subjects from mental health & substance use services, systems and policies including integration of mental health in primary health care, urban mental health and emergency services and two subjects from specific populations including children and adolescents, and vulnerable women. Conclusion: The document on national priorities in mental health confirmed by main authorities in the field would, as much as possible, support and promote mental health policies and programs in the country towards the determined priorities.