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Objective: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of student counsellors regarding comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies for addressing internet addiction among adolescents.

Method: This study employed an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design. Data collection involved focus group discussions (FGDs) with 12 purposively selected student counsellors from high schools in four West Java regions. Counsellors were chosen based on their experience in managing students with internet addiction within the past year. FGDs were conducted virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions, with sessions aimed at exploring perceptions and strategies related to internet addiction prevention and intervention. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis following Clarke and Braun's approach to identify key themes.

Results: The results of the study obtained 5 themes which are: a comprehensive assessment is needed to determine appropriate interventions for students experiencing internet addiction; family is the main supporting factor in managing and preventing internet addiction; various parties must cooperate in overcoming internet addiction; health education about internet addiction during school orientation is important as a prevention program; and digitalization and communication control programs affect the phenomenon of internet addiction.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we can conclude the importance of comprehensive assessments to determine appropriate interventions and the need for support from other parties in overcoming internet addiction among students.

Objective: Because of changes in the population structure over time, dementia is one of the main concerns of the health systems worldwide. Screening for dementia in primary care settings, especially among high-risk populations, is essential. The aim of this study was to design, develop, and evaluate the reliability and validity of a diagnostic scale for Alzheimer's disease tailored to low-educated and illiterate populations.

Method: This study, conducted at Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital and Yaadmaan Institute for Brain Cognition and Memory Studies, utilizes a mixed-methods approach for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data. Once the questionnaire was confirmed to be clear, appropriate, and consistently presented, it was administered to a purposive sample of 250 patients selected based on the study's specific inclusion criteria. These patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, which included the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD), The Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale (Katz ADL) and The Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST). The scale construction process was conducted in four phases.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that all questions significantly loaded on their respective factors, effectively measuring their intended constructs. The root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was less than 0.08, indicating a good model fit and supporting the scale's validity. The Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) and Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) were near 0.9, while the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Normed Fit Index (NFI), Non-Normed Fit Index (NNFI), and Incremental Fit Index (IFI) exceeded 0.9. Correlational analysis with the FAST, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and BEHAVE-AD scales confirmed significant relationships, validating the scale's convergent and divergent validity. The overall reliability, measured by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, was 0.96, indicating excellent internal consistency, with subdomain reliability coefficients ranging from 0.7 to 0.88.

Conclusion: The diagnostic scale for Alzheimer's disease demonstrates adequate fit and construct validity for assessing cognitive impairments in low-educated and illiterate patients across the 12 domains of orientation, judgment, abstract thinking, similarity, verbal fluency, repetition, working memory, visual-spatial skills, calculation, executive function, prosopagnosia, and naming. This culturally and linguistically adaptable assessment addresses gaps in diagnostic tools for low-literacy populations, enabling accurate evaluations of dementia and facilitating early diagnosis and treatment. The findings enhance existing knowledge by providing a reliable tool for early Alzheimer's diagnosis among low-literacy groups. However, further research is needed to validate the scale across diverse ethnic backgrounds and geographical locations to ensure its relevance and sensitivity to various contexts.

Objective: Stigma exacerbates poorer life satisfaction among caregivers of children with epilepsy (CWE); however, the underlying reasons for this connection are still not fully understood. This research aimed to investigate how coping strategies and social support can impact the connection between stigma and life satisfaction.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 210 primary caregivers of CWE from August to November 2023. The participants were selected through convenience sampling. The study included information on participants' demographics (such as gender, age, education level, duration of epilepsy, age of onset, seizure frequency) and four established self-report questionnaires. Caregivers completed self-report scales of perceived social support, stigma, life satisfaction, and coping style. We used the PROCESS 4.1 macro proposed by Hayes to analyze the direct and indirect associations between variables. In addition, SPSS-27 software was used to conduct Pearson correlation.

Results: The research findings confirmed that both perceived social support and task-oriented coping mechanisms played a mediating role in the connection between stigma and life satisfaction (β perceived social support = -0.11; 95% bootstrap CI: -0.12 to -0.02; β task-oriented coping = -0.14; 95% bootstrap CI: -0.26 to -0.05), respectively. Furthermore, the results of serial mediation analyses revealed that the link between stigma and life satisfaction is influenced by perceived social support and task-oriented coping in a sequential process (B = -0.029, 95% bootstrapped CI: -0.060 to -0.006).

Conclusion: These findings shed light on the role of perceived social support and task-oriented coping as serial mediators of the relationship between stigma and life satisfaction. Thus, identifying and correctly understanding the sources of support, as well as teaching effective task-oriented coping through mental health professionals, is necessary to reduce the stigma experienced by these caregivers and improve life satisfaction.

Objective: Excessive sugar consumption is a growing public health concern, with research suggesting it may function as an addictive substance. However, the lack of standardized tools to assess sugar addiction, particularly across cultures, remains a challenge. This study aims to validate the Persian version of the Sugar Addiction Questionnaire (SAQ) for use in Iran.

Method: In this cross-sectional psychometric validation study, 504 Persian-speaking adults (59.1% female, mean age = 29.8 ± 19.5 years) were recruited using convenience sampling from Tehran health centers. Participants completed the SAQ and Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), and participated in DSM-5-based semi-structured interviews for sugar addiction. Factor analysis and reliability measures (Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest, split-half) were used to assess the SAQ's validity and reliability.

Results: The Persian SAQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Factor analysis revealed a five-factor structure explaining 45.08% of the variance. Concurrent validity was confirmed by significant correlations with the YFAS 2.0 (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.55, P < 0.001). The scale showed a good model fit (CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.08), with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79) and a test-retest correlation of 0.54. The optimal cutoff for diagnosing sugar addiction was 9, with the Area-Under-the-Curve (AUC) of 98%.

Conclusion: The Persian version of the SAQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing sugar addiction in Iran. This validated instrument can improve the diagnosis and understanding of sugar-related behavioral issues, supporting better public health strategies for managing excessive sugar consumption.

Objective: The growing acknowledgment of self-esteem as an essential element of psychological well-being has highlighted the influence of parenting styles on the self-esteem of children as a significant concern in developmental psychology. This study enhances prior research on the association between self-esteem and parenting styles by investigating the mediating effect of cognitive flexibility.

Method: This research is a quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study carried out in 2024 involving children between the ages of 6 and 12 in Beijing, China. Parents who volunteered participated by filling out self-report surveys, such as the short version of the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). These surveys were distributed via a Sojump link shared on social media. For the statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and path analysis were employed.

Results: A total of 150 children took part in this survey. The correlation analysis revealed that there were positive associations between the authoritative parenting style and the cognitive flexibility scale among children (r = 0.325, P < 0.01) and cognitive flexibility and self-esteem (r = 0.448, P < 0.01). There was also a significant negative correlation between authoritative parenting and authoritarian parenting (r = -0.402, P < 0.01). Moreover, results support the mediational hypothesis. However, the authoritative parenting style is no longer a significant contributor to self-esteem among children after controlling for cognitive flexibility as the mediator, β = 0.11, SE = 0.10, t = 1.06, P = 0.2897, 95% CI [-0.0941, 0.3131], suggesting a full mediation. This result indicated that the indirect coefficient was significant β = 0.1919, SE = 0.0595, 95% CI [0.0846, 0.3160].

Conclusion: The results of this study present an intriguing profile suggesting that certain psychological factors, such as authoritative parenting and cognitive flexibility, may enhance children's to self-esteem development. This research offers valuable insights for parents, educators, policymakers, and future researchers regarding the significance of authoritative parenting and cognitive flexibility in shaping children's self-esteem.

Objective: Developmental dyslexia is a specific learning disability related to reading that often leads to lifelong challenges. Accurate prevalence estimates are essential for the timely diagnosis, intervention, and formulation of appropriate educational policies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a reliable estimate of the prevalence of developmental dyslexia in primary school students in Iran.

Method: We conducted a comprehensive search of international databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, alongside national databases such as SID and Magiran, using relevant search terms from 1991 to April 2024. Two researchers independently assessed the articles for the risk of bias using the Hoy checklist and extracted the data. Subgroup meta-analysis examined variations in prevalence across different subgroups.

Results: A total of 18 studies, comprising 28,952 participants, were included. The overall prevalence of developmental dyslexia was 5.7% (95% CI: 4.5%-6.9%), with a higher prevalence observed in boys (7.5%, 95% CI: 5.8%-9.2%) compared to girls (4%, 95% CI: 3%-5%). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant impact of diagnostic material on prevalence estimates, with informal reading tests reporting a prevalence of 3.4% (95% CI: 2.4%-4.4%) and the screening inventory reading test showing 8.8% (95% CI: 4.5%-13.2%) (P = 0.002). Prevalence also varied by sample size, with smaller studies (< 500 participants) reporting a prevalence of 6.8% (95% CI: 5%-8.6%) compared to larger studies (>2000 participants) at 3.9% (95% CI: 2.3%-5.4%) (P = 0.034). Most studies (66.7%) had sample sizes under 2000 participants.

Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that developmental dyslexia affects 5.7% of Iranian primary school students, with boys being more affected than girls. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardized diagnostic criteria and evidence-based interventions to enhance early identification and support for students with dyslexia. Addressing these gaps is essential for improving educational outcomes and guiding effective policy planning.

Objective: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can safely influence brain activity, enhancing cognitive functions and offering potential benefits for learning disabilities like dyslexia. This paper aims to fill the current gap in comprehensive reviews on NIBS studies specifically targeting dyslexic individuals.

Method: we conducted a systematic review across several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CENTRAL Cochrane. The initial search strategy was designed to be as comprehensive as possible to capture all pertinent studies. We did not impose any language restrictions or time constraints during our search. The strategy was initially created using MEDLINE MeSH terms and subsequently adapted for the other databases. Our search included the keywords “dyslexia” in combination with “NIBS”, “transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)”, “transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)”, and other NIBS types like repetitive TMS and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).

Results: 17 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were found to meet the eligibility criteria and are included in this review. Findings showed that repeated tDCS sessions, when paired with reading interventions, can effectively enhance reading abilities. Studies indicate that anodal tDCS applied to the left temporo‐parietal cortex (TPC) and cathodal tDCS to the right TPC, along with phonology-based reading training, have led to improvements in various reading metrics, including the reading of pseudo-words and low-frequency words. Notably, traditional reading areas appear to respond well to modulation through NIBS, and facilitative protocols can enhance various subprocesses related to reading.

Conclusion: Research indicates that tDCS, when used with reading interventions, enhances specific reading skills in individuals with dyslexia. Additionally, gamma-tACS applied to the left auditory cortex yields short-term improvements in neurophysiological responses to auditory stimuli. However, further randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-ups are necessary to establish the clinical effectiveness of these interventions.

Objective: This systematic review aims to explore the effects of listening to the Quran on the electrophysiological aspects of the human brain, particularly focusing on how this auditory experience influences cognitive function, emotional well-being, and mental health.

Method: We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as "Quran" and "EEG." Studies included in this review were observational or clinical trials that investigated the effects of Quran listening on brain activity using EEG. Eligibility criteria were assessed according to predefined standards, with a focus on studies published in English. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was employed to evaluate the quality of the selected articles, and data extraction followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results: A total of 236 studies were evaluated, leading to the inclusion of 22 eligible studies in this review. Findings indicate that listening to Quranic verses is associated with increased alpha and theta power, which correlates with relaxation and improved emotional states in participants, including non-Muslims. The review identified significant variations in study designs, methodologies, and quality, with many studies displaying a high risk of bias.

Conclusion: Listening to Quranic verses demonstrates potential therapeutic effects by activating brain regions associated with relaxation and emotional regulation. Despite promising findings, the current body of research is limited, particularly regarding nonlinear EEG dynamics and comprehensive study designs. Further neuroimaging and clinical investigations are warranted to validate these results and explore the therapeutic applications of Quranic listening in diverse contexts, such as pain management, psychological health, and rehabilitation.

Objective: Chronic illnesses carry substantial psychological implications, emphasizing the critical nature of psychological adaptation to these conditions. Adequate assessment tools are essential for gauging adaptation levels within this context. Thus, this study aims to conduct a thorough review of psychological adaptation instruments designed for chronic illnesses.

Method: This narrative review scrutinizes articles published from 1990 to November 2024 in both Persian and English languages, focusing on psychological adaptation to chronic illnesses. The search encompassed prominent scientific databases, including "SID", "Irandoc", "Web of Science", "PubMed", and "Scopus". Relevant keywords were employed to retrieve articles discussing adaptation tools for chronic illnesses. Subsequently, the "consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments" were applied to assess the psychometric properties of the identified tools.

Results: Within this study, the exploration identified 8 instruments tailored to measure psychological adaptation to chronic illnesses. These instruments encompass measures for psychological adaptation to cancer (Mini-Mac), adaptation to ostomy (OAS), adaptation to type 1 diabetes (DAS_1), adaptation to drug-resistant tuberculosis (AS_DRTBP), adaptation to type 2 diabetes (DAAS), psychosocial adaptation to Parkinson's disease (Psychosocial Adaptation in PD), psychosocial adaptation to HIV infection (MAHIVS), and adaptation to breast cancer (AIMI-IBC). However, comprehensive reporting of psychometric properties was often lacking for the majority of these instruments.

Conclusion: The outcomes of this study underscore the significance of employing valid and dependable instruments tailored to the unique requirements of individuals grappling with chronic illnesses. Given the pivotal role of psychological adaptation, the careful formulation and implementation of specialized measures are recommended to facilitate the design and psychometric evaluation of adaptation measurement tools pertinent to diverse chronic illnesses in Iran.

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis was to establish the prevalence of poor sleep quality among individuals aged over 60 years old, utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Method: To identify appropriate records, a thorough search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases was conducted until May 22, 2024. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Hoy tool. To calculate the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval, the random effects model was utilized. Additionally, subgroup analyses were carried out to investigate the potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results: This study examined 52 cross-sectional studies encompassing 24,217 individuals aged 60 and older. The quality of the studies was assessed, with 4 rated as moderate and 48 as good. China reported the lowest prevalence of poor sleep quality at 14%, while Malaysia recorded the highest at 96%. The overall pooled prevalence was found to be 50% (95% CI: 45-55%), exhibiting significant heterogeneity across the studies (I² = 99.60%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that geographic location significantly influenced this heterogeneity (p < 0.001), with Africa showing a lower prevalence of poor sleep quality at 27% (95% CI: 23%-32%) compared to other regions. However, no significant differences were observed in the impact of other factors, such as gender, level of development, sample size, survey time, PSQI cut-off, and response rate on the overall heterogeneity of the analyzed data.

Conclusion: This study reveals that approximately half of older adults experience poor sleep quality. However, this prevalence varies across different locations, underscoring the necessity for targeted interventions that consider regional factors influencing sleep health.