International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences

Effectiveness of Bigdeli Neuro-Cognitive Learning in Improving Brain-Function Mapping Indicators Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mojtaba Bigdeli Shamloo iD , Hamid Kamarzarin ^* iD , Mohana Mohammadi iD , Fatemeh Pirzal Mobarak iD

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Bigdeli Neuro-Cognitive Learning in improving EEG-based brain-function mapping indicators associated with ASD-related neurocognitive dysregulation.

Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group was used. The sample included 66 participants with ASD-related symptoms, assigned to an intervention group (n = 33) and a control group (n = 33). The intervention group received six individual sessions of Bigdeli Neuro-Cognitive Learning over a three-month period, with sessions held approximately once every two weeks, while the control group did not receive the intervention. EEG-based brain-function mapping was conducted under open-eye conditions at pretest and posttest. The main outcomes included absolute and relative power indicators, high-beta activity, hyperconnectivity, and hypoconnectivity.

Findings: After controlling for baseline scores, the intervention group showed significantly lower posttest scores than the control group in absolute delta, absolute theta, relative delta, and hyperconnectivity. These findings indicate improvement in selected neurofunctional indicators related to slow-wave regulation and excessive connectivity patterns.

Conclusion: Bigdeli Neuro-Cognitive Learning may be a promising complementary intervention for improving selected brain-function mapping indicators associated with ASD-related neurocognitive dysregulation. However, future randomized studies with standardized behavioral ASD measures and follow-up assessments are needed.

The Effectiveness of Stress-Management-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Bruxism Severity, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Patients with Sleep Bruxism

Ali Nasr Esfahani iD , Mohammad Shayan Kolahdouzan ^* iD

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of stress-management-based cognitive-behavioral therapy on bruxism severity, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients with sleep bruxism.

Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest–follow-up design with experimental and control groups was used. Sixty patients with probable sleep bruxism were selected from dental and oral medicine clinics and assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute sessions of stress-management-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, while the control group received routine dental recommendations. Bruxism severity, anxiety, and sleep quality were assessed at pretest, posttest, and six-week follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni comparisons.

Findings: Significant time × group interactions were found for bruxism severity, F(2, 116) = 58.92, p < .001, ηp² = .504; anxiety, F(1.71, 99.18) = 44.85, p < .001, ηp² = .436; and sleep quality, F(1.82, 105.67) = 47.74, p < .001, ηp² = .452. Posttest and follow-up comparisons showed significantly greater improvement in the experimental group than the control group (p < .001).

Conclusion: Stress-management-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective in reducing bruxism severity, anxiety, and poor sleep quality in patients with sleep bruxism.

Structural Modeling of Dental Phobia Severity Based on Anxiety Sensitivity and Negative Dental Experiences: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance in Adults

Mohammad Shayan Kolahdouzan iD , Ali Nasr Esfahani ^* iD

Purpose: This study examined a structural model of dental phobia severity based on anxiety sensitivity and negative dental experiences, with experiential avoidance as a mediator, among adults.

Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional correlational design was used. The sample comprised 400 adults aged 18–60 years recruited from public and private dental clinics. Participants completed the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, dental-event section of the Level of Exposure–Dental Experiences Questionnaire, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and bias-corrected bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples.

Findings: The partial mediation model demonstrated acceptable fit, χ²/df = 2.07, CFI = .948, TLI = .941, RMSEA = .052, and SRMR = .047. Anxiety sensitivity (β = .31), negative dental experiences (β = .29), and experiential avoidance (β = .39) directly predicted dental phobia severity (all p < .001). Anxiety sensitivity (β = .42) and negative dental experiences (β = .24) also predicted experiential avoidance (both p < .001). Experiential avoidance significantly mediated the effects of anxiety sensitivity (β = .164, 95% CI [.112, .225]) and negative dental experiences (β = .094, 95% CI [.058, .142]) on dental phobia severity. The model explained 61% of outcome variance.

Conclusion: Experiential avoidance partially explains how cognitive vulnerability and adverse dental experiences contribute to dental phobia. Assessment and treatment should target catastrophic interpretations, distressing dental memories, and avoidance processes.

A Comparison of Cognitive Emotion Regulation, Hope, Psychological Flexibility, and Quality of Life Between Male Working Adolescents and Non-Working Male Adolescents

Farkhondeh Dashab ^* iD , Mahmood Borjali iD , Jafar Hasani iD , Farshid Fathy Karkaragh iD

Purpose: This study aimed to compare cognitive emotion regulation, hope, psychological flexibility, and quality of life between male working adolescents and non-working male adolescents.

Methods and Materials: In terms of its objective, this was an applied study, and in terms of the data-collection method, it employed a descriptive causal-comparative design. The statistical population consisted of all male working adolescents aged 12–18 years residing in Khorramabad, Iran, during 2023–2024 (N = 160), whose names and records were registered with the Welfare Organization of the city. G*Power software was used to determine the sample size required for two independent groups and the comparison of four variables. The results indicated that a sample of 30 participants was appropriate for this study. The participants were selected through simple random sampling. Four questionnaires were used to collect the data: Gross’s Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Snyder’s Hope Scale, the Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire developed by Bond et al., and the Quality of Life Questionnaire developed by Varni et al. Using SPSS version 23, multivariate analysis of variance was employed to examine differences between the groups, and independent-samples t tests were used to compare each of the study variables separately between the two groups.

Findings: The statistical analyses revealed significant differences between male working adolescents and non-working male adolescents in terms of quality of life, psychological flexibility, hope, and cognitive emotion regulation (p < .001).

Conclusion: Considering the findings and the significant differences between male working adolescents and non-working male adolescents in quality of life, psychological flexibility, hope, and cognitive emotion regulation, researchers in psychology, counseling, social work, and educational sciences are advised to design and conduct intervention-oriented studies in various institutions and organizations, including schools, municipalities, and welfare organizations, to improve the quality of life of working children and adolescents.

Examining the Relationship Between Ambivalence Over Emotional Expressiveness and Suicidal Ideation in Veterans: The Mediating Role of PTSD Symptoms

Rasoul Heshmati ^* iD , Dena Alizadeh iD , Murtadha Abd Salman Al-Dujaili iD

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expressiveness and suicidal ideation in veterans, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms considered as a mediating variable.

Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study included 100 Iran–Iraq War veterans hospitalized at Fajr Hospital who were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed the Ambivalence over Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, and the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD. Pearson’s correlation was used to examine relationships among the variables. Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation was conducted in Mplus version 8 to test the mediation model. Normality was assessed using skewness and kurtosis, and multicollinearity was evaluated through variance inflation factors. Model fit was assessed using the chi-square-to-degrees-of-freedom ratio, comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, and root-mean-square error of approximation. Bootstrapping was used to test the indirect effect.

Findings: Suicidal ideation was significantly correlated with ambivalence over emotional expressiveness and PTSD symptoms. Ambivalence over emotional expressiveness significantly predicted suicidal ideation in the model without the mediator. In the mediation model, ambivalence over emotional expressiveness significantly predicted PTSD symptoms, and PTSD symptoms significantly predicted suicidal ideation. However, the direct path from ambivalence over emotional expressiveness to suicidal ideation was not statistically significant after PTSD symptoms were entered into the model. The indirect effect of ambivalence over emotional expressiveness on suicidal ideation through PTSD symptoms was statistically significant. The structural model demonstrated acceptable fit to the data.

Conclusion: PTSD symptoms fully mediated the relationship between ambivalence over emotional expressiveness and suicidal ideation, suggesting that interventions targeting emotional-expression conflicts and trauma-related symptoms may help reduce suicidal ideation among veterans.

Assessment of the Efficacy of Multicultural Therapy in Reducing Anxiety and Improving the Psychological and Socio-Affective Well-Being of International Students in West Asia

Mamoon Alwan Noori iD , Akbar Atadokht ^* iD , Niloofar Mikaeil iD , Malahat Amani iD

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of multicultural therapy in reducing anxiety and psychological distress and improving social well-being and social performance among international students in West Asia.

Methods and Materials: This quantitative study was conducted in two descriptive and quasi-experimental phases. The statistical population consisted of 250 international students studying at Mohaghegh Ardabili University during the 2023–2024 academic year. In the screening phase, 124 students were selected through multistage cluster sampling and completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Keyes Social Well-Being Scale, Hadian-Nasab Social Performance Questionnaire, and Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. Following screening, 30 students who met the inclusion criteria, including a Beck Anxiety Inventory score greater than 17, were selected and randomly assigned to a multicultural therapy group and a wait-list control group, with 15 participants in each group. Both groups completed pretest and posttest assessments. The experimental group received multicultural therapy, whereas the control group received no active intervention during the study period. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance after examining the relevant statistical assumptions.

Findings: After controlling for pretest scores, multicultural therapy produced a significant reduction in anxiety compared with the wait-list control condition, F(1, 27) = 44.83, p < .001, partial η² = .624. Significant group differences were also observed in social well-being, F(1, 27) = 35.63, p < .001, partial η² = .569, and social performance, F(1, 27) = 29.73, p < .001, partial η² = .524, with higher adjusted posttest scores in the experimental group. General psychological distress was also significantly lower in the multicultural therapy group, F(1, 27) = 40.25, p < .001, partial η² = .598.

Conclusion: Multicultural therapy appears to be an effective culturally responsive intervention for reducing anxiety and psychological distress and enhancing the social well-being and social performance of international students.

A Conceptual Framework for Nature-Based Art Therapy Based on a Neurological Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Faezeh Sadat Hasani Helm ^* iD

Purpose: The present study aimed to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for nature-based art therapy grounded in neurological mechanisms to enhance emotional, sensory, cognitive, and social functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods and Materials: This study was designed as a theoretical–applied research using a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through a systematic review of Persian and international scientific literature in the domains of art therapy, autism spectrum disorder, nature-based interventions, and neuroscience. Relevant sources were identified using databases including SID, MagIran, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria consisted of direct relevance to the study topic, scientific credibility, peer-reviewed status, and conceptual or empirical contribution. After screening and selection, the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Key themes were extracted and categorized into three primary domains: art therapy processes, nature as an enriched therapeutic environment, and neurological mechanisms underlying intervention effects. Finally, conceptual inference was employed to integrate these domains into a coherent framework.

Findings: The analysis revealed that nature-based art therapy operates through a dynamic interaction between expressive artistic processes, enriched natural environments, and neurobiological mechanisms. The findings suggest that engagement in structured art activities within natural settings facilitates sensory–motor integration, emotional regulation, and attention restoration, which are mediated by processes such as neuroplasticity, modulation of limbic activity, and enhancement of executive functioning. The integration of these components is inferred to produce synergistic effects, leading to improvements in adaptive behavior, cognitive flexibility, emotional stability, and social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Conclusion: By emphasizing the interplay between experiential, environmental, and neurological factors, the model highlights the potential of nature-based art therapy as a holistic and developmentally responsive strategy for enhancing functional outcomes in affected children.

Effectiveness of a Neuropsychology-Based Therapeutic Package on Distress Tolerance and Emotional Ambivalence in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Maryam Shaygannik iD , Hasan Rezaei Jamalouei ^* iD , Hamidreza Nikyar iD , Ahmad Sobhani iD

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.ijecs.327

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a neuropsychology-based therapeutic package for individuals with multiple sclerosis and evaluate its effectiveness in improving distress tolerance and reducing emotional ambivalence.

Methods and Materials: This mixed-methods research was conducted using a sequential exploratory design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with neurologists were analyzed through directed content analysis to identify the key cognitive, emotional, and self-management components required for a neuropsychological intervention. Based on the extracted codes and categories, a structured 12-session therapeutic protocol was developed. In the quantitative phase, a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up was implemented with an experimental group receiving the neuropsychology-based intervention and a control group receiving standard care. Validated scales of distress tolerance and emotional ambivalence were administered across all timepoints, and data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Findings: Mixed ANOVA results indicated significant group × time interaction effects for total distress tolerance (F = 36.75, p < .001, η² = .43) and total emotional ambivalence (F = 30.77, p < .001, η² = .40), demonstrating the superiority of the intervention over standard care. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons revealed significant improvements in the experimental group from pre-test to post-test (p < .001) for both variables, with gains largely maintained at follow-up (p > .05 for post-test to follow-up), while the control group showed no significant changes across timepoints (p > .74).

Conclusion: The neuropsychology-based therapeutic package demonstrated strong and sustained effects in enhancing distress tolerance and reducing emotional ambivalence among individuals with multiple sclerosis. Integrating cognitive rehabilitation, emotional regulation training, mindfulness, communication skills, and self-management strategies offers a comprehensive and effective approach for addressing the complex cognitive-emotional challenges associated with the condition.

International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences

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Effectiveness of a Neuropsychology-Based Therapeutic Package on Distress Tolerance and Emotional Ambivalence in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Self-Efficacy Training and Mindfulness Training on the Academic Motivation of Female Secondary School Students

Examining and Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Curriculum Planning Course Using an Approach Aimed at Enhancing Self-Regulation and Active Learner Participation (A Case Study of Islamic Azad University Students)

Application of Artificial Intelligence Models to Explore the Optimal Structural/Predictive Model of Gender Transition Request Based on Childhood Trauma

Exploring the Components of Social and Emotional Competencies (SEC) for Iranian EFL Teachers: Teachers’ Perceptions in Focus

Effectiveness of Self-Regulatory Strategies Training on Achievement Motivation and Academic Self-Concept among Bilingual Male Middle School Students

The Association Between Psychological Distress and Pain Perception in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Mediating Role of Behavioral Activation and Inhibition Systems

The Effectiveness of Meaning-Centered Group Therapy on the Dimensions of Illness Attitude in Women with Amputation-Related Grief Syndrome Due to Cancer

Designing a Model of Fear of Missing Out Based on Identity Styles with the Mediating Role of Behavioral Brain Systems in Female University Students Using Cyberspace

The Effectiveness of Self-efficacy Training on Self-handicapping and Hope of Probation Students

A Phenomenological Study of the Spiritual Education Curriculum in Lower Secondary Education with a Dynamic Lifestyle Approach

The Relationship Between Attitudes Toward E-Learning and Information Literacy: The Mediating Role of Academic Resilience

Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Rumination: A Systematic Review of Iranian Trials

The Effect of AI-Supported Microlearning on the Development of Language Skills

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Indexing & Abstracting

Effectiveness of Bigdeli Neuro-Cognitive Learning in Improving Brain-Function Mapping Indicators Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Effectiveness of Stress-Management-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Bruxism Severity, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Patients with Sleep Bruxism

Structural Modeling of Dental Phobia Severity Based on Anxiety Sensitivity and Negative Dental Experiences: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance in Adults

A Comparison of Cognitive Emotion Regulation, Hope, Psychological Flexibility, and Quality of Life Between Male Working Adolescents and Non-Working Male Adolescents

Examining the Relationship Between Ambivalence Over Emotional Expressiveness and Suicidal Ideation in Veterans: The Mediating Role of PTSD Symptoms

Assessment of the Efficacy of Multicultural Therapy in Reducing Anxiety and Improving the Psychological and Socio-Affective Well-Being of International Students in West Asia

A Conceptual Framework for Nature-Based Art Therapy Based on a Neurological Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effectiveness of a Neuropsychology-Based Therapeutic Package on Distress Tolerance and Emotional Ambivalence in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis