Volume 9, Issue 2 (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Aims: The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between alexithymia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among patients experiencing varying degrees of Chronic Pain (CP).
Method and Materials: This study utilized a descriptive causal-comparative approach. The participants were drawn from patients referred to pain and physiotherapy clinics in Tehran from 2022 to 2023. Out of 300 CP patients, 150 patients with high CP levels and an equal number with low CP levels were purposively chosen. The participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), and Post- traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software, employing multivariate analysis of variance.
Findings: The findings revealed a significant difference in the levels of alexithymia and PTSD between the two groups (P<0.001). Patients with high levels of CP demonstrated increased negative-difficulty identifying feelings (F=241.87), positive-difficulty identifying feelings (F=389.01), negative-difficulty describing feelings (F=190.61), positive-difficulty describing feelings (F=347.81), general-externally orientated thinking (F=376.28), re- experiencing (F=246.75), avoidance (F=100.74), negative alterations (F=378.01), hyper-arousal (F=388.46), and emotional numbness (F=388.47) compared to their counterparts(P<0.001).
Conclusion: These findings underscore the intricate relationship between CP, alexithymia, and PTSD. Therefore, the need for comprehensive assessment and management strategies addressing the interplay of these factors in patient care is highlighted.
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Nazanin Haghighat Bayan, Mona Baheri, Vahid Savabi Niri, Forough Esrafilian,
Volume 31, Issue 4 (11-2024)
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating mental health condition that can arise following exposure to traumatic events. This study aims to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the sense of coherence, social support, and spiritual well-being among students diagnosed with PTSD. The research employed a semi-experimental, pre-, post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included students diagnosed with PTSD at the University of Tehran during the 2023-2024 academic year. A total of 36 students with PTSD were selected using purposive sampling and were divided into experimental (n=18) and control (n=18) groups. The experimental group attended eight 90-minute CBT sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data collection involved administering the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale (Keane et al., 1998), the Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1993), the Social Support Questionnaire (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991), and the Spiritual WellBeing Scale (Paloutzian & Ellison, 2012). The data were analyzed using multivariate covariance (MANCOVA) analysis in SPSS-24. The results indicated that CBT significantly increased the sense of coherence (F=40.69, p=0.001, η²=0.58), social support (F=60.50, p=0.001, η²=0.67), religious well-being (F=52.16, p=0.001, η²=0.64), and existential well-being (F=54.50, p=0.001, η²=0.65) in students with PTSD. These results support the incorporation of CBT into therapeutic programs for students with PTSD to foster resilience and holistic well-being. Future research could explore the long-term effects of CBT and its impact on other psychological and behavioral outcomes in diverse student populations.
