Psychology of Exceptional Individuals

Abstract The purpose of this
study was to determine the effectiveness of couple communication patterns
training on the performance of families with ADHD children.60 parents whose
children were suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were
chosen randomly. Then, the samples wererandomly divided into two groups:
control group (30 participants) and experimental group (30 participants). The
experimental group received 7 treatment sessions. Both groups filled out the
Family Performance Questionnaire in thepretest and the posttest. The data were
analyzed by statistical methods (covariance analysis).The results showed that
the couple communication patterns training leaded to enhancement of family
performance and its subtitles such as, emotional involvement, role playing,
problem solving, emotional support, behavioral control, and the overall
performance (P<0.05). The present study showed that the couple communication
patterns training to parents could significantly enhance the performance of
families such as emotional involvement, role playing, problem solving,
emotional support, behavioral control, and the overall performance.

Abstract This study examined the life experiences and the factors that mothers of children with intellectual disabilities used to forgive others.For this purpose, a qualitative method was used. 20 mothers of children with intellectual disabilities, who referred to the Department of Education to complete their children's assessment data, were selected randomly. To gather data,semi-structure interview was used. These mothers were interviewed up to the saturation point.  Dataanalysisthroughopencodeanddeterminingthemajor and minorpropositionsshowedthat mothers of children with intellectual disabilities used spiritual resources, internal resources, and social interests and resources to forgive others. These findings indicate that the rich content in the Iranian-Islamic culture help the mothers of children with intellectual disabilities to forgive others.

Abstract Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan) was the first neurological imaging equipment used on a large scale which allowed the assessment of structural lesions of the brain such as tumors and stroke. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) enabled the more precise investigation of smaller lesions of the brain as well as abnormalities of the white matter. In addition to neurostructural imaging by means of CT Scan and MRI which occurred in neurofunctional imaging, it enabled clinical scientists to gain a unique knowledge of the human brain by using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). The literature discussed specifically with regard to ADHD is the result of the latest studies and investigations achieved via modern neurological imaging techniques.
By using the library method, the latest papers published in the PubMed website, American Journal of Psychiatry (AJP), British Journal of Psychiatry (BJP), and Neuroscience website in this area during a specific period of time from 2007 to 2014 were investigated.
The findings of the investigation of damaged areas by means of imaging showed that none of the studies discussed a specific region or part of the brain as the main site of likely damages responsible for ADHD, neither did they make any definite emphasis or have consensus. Each study mentioned a different area or region of the brain as being responsible for such disorder. Despite the willingness and aim of all researchers involved in the areas of psychiatry and other neurological sciences, none of the functions or disorders of the brain has been attributed to a specific part or structure of the brain so far, because the brain functions as a very complex system consisting of billions of intertwined neurons and synaptic structures thus making it impossible to segregate and determine the duties of each part of the brain without investigating the other parts of the brain and their relationships with one another. That is why the general term of ‘minimal brain damage’ was used to explain the cerebral pathology of this disorder in the past, and it has not lost its application despite all the advancements made in this area.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of environmental variables (parent-child relationship), locus of control, and academic performance to explain the depression of the children with ADHD. After screening the fifth grade elementary school students by Conner's teacher rating scale, throughDiagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (according to DSM-IV), 113 children were selected as the clinical group. Behavioral management and parenting stress scales as ADHD symptoms indicators were given to mothers, and academic performance test, parent-child relationship questionnaire,locus of control and depression scale were administrated on the children. Pearson correlation coefficientsindicated positive relationships between depression with inattention dimension.There was also a significant relationship between the three mediating variables with depression and inattention dimension of ADHD. Structural equation modeling indicated the importance of parent-child relationship as a mediator variable for inattention-depression relationship. Academic achievement and locus of control couldn’t beeffective mediators in this model. Results of the current study implied the importance of parent-child relationship in ADHD children's depression. This result should be more considered in counselingwith these children.

Abstract This research was conducted to investigate the
effectiveness of visual arts training using "ArtsEducation, Advocator of
Innovator Child". The researcher made an educational package for
creativity in elementary school children.80 students(40 girls and 40 boys) were
selected among the fourth grade students in the cityof Tehran, district3,
through multistage cluster sampling and they were randomly assigned into two
experimental and control groups. The instruments of the research included TorranceTestof
Creative Thinkingimageand the researcher made educational package. The
experimental groupreceived 15 one-hour sessions of educational interventionand
the follow up was done after 6 weeks.The obtained data were analyzed
throughcovariance analysis. The findings
showed that educational intervention hadasignificant influence on the total
creativity score(p=0.00,p=0.005)
as well as on two components of creativity,
originality(p=0.005,
p=0.008)andelaboration(p=0.00,p=0.001). There were no significant differences in
fluency scores and flexibility scores between experimental and control groups.
It can be concluded that the "Arts Education, Advocator of Innovator
Child"educational package, can be used as an appropriate educational tool
for developing creativity in elementary school children.

Abstract The present study was to investigate the effectiveness of spatial relations perception training on the mathematics performance of boy students with math learning disability. The research method was experimental with pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population of the study included elementary students in grade three with mathematics learning disability in the city of Isfahan in year 2011-12.  In order to do the study 30 students were selected through cluster random sampling method. The applied instruments included WexlerIntelligence Scale for Children4, dyscalculia diagnosis test, math academic performance test. 30 students were randomly selected and they were put into experimental and control groups among the boy students who had been diagnosed to have math learning disability. The data were analyzed through Covariance method. The results showed that there was a significant difference between groups (P<0.0001). Therefore, the independent variable had made a significant difference in the experimental group and it leaded to the improvement of math academicperformance in male children with math learning disability in elementary school. It is suggested to apply spatial relations perception training in teaching mathematics to students.

Abstract The
purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of stress reduction
program training based onmindfulness on stress levels of mothers with
intellectually disabled children. Research method was quasi-experimental design
with pretest-posttest and control group. The statistical population of this
study was all the mothers of intellectually disabled preschool children of
ShohadaSchool in the city of Marlikin year 2012-2013.Among these mothers, 24
mothers whose stress scores were one standard deviation above the mean were
selected using simple random sampling and they were assigned randomly into
experimental (12) and control (12) groups. The experimental group received 8
sessions of stress reduction program training based on mindfulness. To collect
data,the 52-item Frederick Stress Resources Questionnaire (QRS-F) was used.
Data were analyzed by ANCOVA statistical method. The results showed that the
research hypothesis has been approved and the mothers in the experimental group
had significantly lower stress than the mothers in the control group in
posttest. It can be concluded that stress reduction program training based on
mindfulness has a significant impact on reducing stress in mothers with
intellectually disabled children.

Abstract This
study aimed to investigate the role of meta-cognitive beliefs and emotional
intelligence in predicting social adjustment in blind peopleand its comparison
with normal individuals. The research method was causal comparative and the
statistical populations were all the blind persons who were the members of
Ardabil Blindness Association in the first 6 months of 2013 and the ordinary
people in the age range 20 to40that had no disabilities. 80 subjects (50
percent blind persons and 50 percent normal people) were chosen with available
sampling method and the data were gathered using Meta-Cognition Questionnaire,
Emotional Intelligence Index and Adjustment Index, and they were analyzed by
chi-square, ANOVA and multivariate regression. The results showed that there
were significant differences between blind persons and normal people with
respect to some variables such as self-awareness, self-management, social
awareness and cognitive self-awareness. The emotional intelligence of the blind
subjects was higher than normal subjects (p<0.05). Regression analysis
showed that the related models about the prediction of social adjustment based
on emotional intelligence components and meta-cognitive components were
significant in the blind persons (p<0.01), but they were not significant in
normal subjects (p>0.05).20percent of the total variance of social
adjustment in the blind persons was explained by emotional intelligence and
meta-cognitive beliefs. These results have applications for the prevention of social and psychological dysfunctions
and are usable in rehabilitation for blind people.

Abstract The present research was done with the aim of spiritual training effectiveness on the amount of stress and general health of mothers of children with mental retardation.The research type was experimental with control and experimental groups. Population included all mothers ofmental retarded children in Aligoodarz city in 2012. The sample under study here were 30 mothers of children with mental retardation chosen by random sampling who were assigned randomly into 15-person experimental and control groups. Then was done the spiritualitytraining on experimental group in 8 sessions for two months.Reseachinstruments were Male­k­­­­poor Stress Questionnaireand General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28).The results of analysis of covariance showed, that effectiveness of spirituality training on the stress reduction of mothers has significanted (P<0.05(.Effectiveness of training on generalhealth improvement, reduction of physical symptoms and depression symptoms was also significant (P<0.05(, But was no significant effect on social dysfunction and anxiety (P>0.05).According to the effectiveness of spirituality training on stress reduction and general health improvement, it can be used in order to educational and therapeutic planning asa supplement together withotherinterventions related tothe problems of stress and general health threatening.