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  Background & Aim: Demographic transition and aging are global conditions result in increased risk of disability and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Considering stress as having mutual interaction with different aspects of health is vital in treatment of common disorders among older adults with diabetes. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the perceived stress with spiritual health among older adults with diabetes registered to the Association of Diabetes Prevention and Control in Babol .

  Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional (descriptive- analytical) study, 194 older adults aged 60-75 years old were selected using convenience sampling from the Association of Diabetes Prevention and Control in Babol. Data were collected using the demographic form as well as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire (SWB). The validity and reliability of the scales were confirmed previously. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including ANOVA, Chi-Squared tests, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient in the SPSS-21 . 

  Results: The study findings showed that perceived stress was low in a substantial percentage of the elderly (74.2%) with the mean ± SD of 22.52±8.06. Also, the levels of spiritual health were medium to high among most participants (97.72 ± 11.51). Interestingly, there was a significant negative relationship between the perceived stress and spiritual health (r=-0.48, P<0.001) .

  Conclusion: This study elaborated the relationship between the perceived stress with spiritual health of elderly patients with diabetes. Considering the results, enhancing spiritual health as one of the health dimensions seems necessary .

  

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Background & Aim: Given the importance of mothers’ health and considering that developmental delay in children affects their mothers’ mental health this study aimed to compare stress and perceived social support in mothers of 6-18 month old children with and without developmental delay.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional, analytical study was performed on 610 mothers and their 6-18 month-old infants in health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected through the multi-stage random sampling. To collect data, the following questionnaires were used: obstetric and demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, infants’ characteristics, the Cohen perceived stress scale, perceived social support, and Ages and Stages questionnaire to determine the children’s development status. The data were analyzed by SPSS v.19 software and using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, chi-square, independent t-test and Man-Whitney statistical tests.

Results: The mean age of infants were 10.68±4.5 months. Independent t-test revealed a significant difference between mothers’ perceived stress (P=0.004) and social support (P=0.01) in the two groups. In addition, a relationship was observed between the mother’s social support and stress (P<0.04).

Conclusion: The results showed that mothers of children with developmental delays have more stress and lower perceived social support than mothers of normal children. Therefore, it is recommended to perform developmental screening for further examination and the reduction of mothers’ stress, as well as to provide appropriate social support.

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Background & Aim: Women with cancer face many stresses. Social support can facilitate coping skills and improve active coping strategies. The purpose of this study was to assess perceived stress and its relationship with perceived social support in women undergoing chemotherapy for genital cancers.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive, correlational study was conducted from March to May 2016 on 151 patients undergoing chemotherapy for gynecologic cancers in oncology wards of Alzahra and Shahid Ghazi hospitals in Tabriz. The perceived stress scale (PSS) and perceived social support scale (PRQ-85-part2) were completed through interviews with patients. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test, one-way ANOVA and independent t-test.
Results: Mean (and standard deviation) total score of perceived stress for women was 42.26 (3.97) in the score range of 0-56. Mean (and standard deviation) total score of perceived social support for women was 127.55 (16.64) in the score range of 25-175. Based on the Pearson correlation test, no statistically significant correlation was observed between perceived stress and perceived social support (P=0.324, r=0.08).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that the perceived stress score for women with genital cancers was high. Nevertheless, no relationship was observed between perceived stress and perceived social support. Therefore, further studies are needed in this area.
 

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Background & Aim: Pregnancy during adolescence is in conflict with the identity structures of adolescents, that can have a negative effect on maternal mental health, and especially cause stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of neonatal care education on perceived stress in adolescent mothers.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 116 adolescent pregnant women referred to Zahedan health centers in 2016. Samples were selected by the convenience sampling method and assigned into two groups of 58 people each. The pre-test was performed before the first session using demographic and perceived stress questionnaires. The intervention group received three educational sessions on neonatal care and stress reduction methods. Routine prenatal education was provided to the control group. A post-test was performed at 38 week of pregnancy and 30 days after delivery. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney, Monte Carlo and Fisher tests through the SPSS software version 21.
Results: Before the intervention, the stress score for the intervention group was higher than that for the control group (P=0.007), but the mean score of perceived stress for the intervention group significantly decreased at the 38th week of pregnancy and 30 days after delivery, compared to the control group. According to the Mann-Whitney test, the decrease was significant (P˂0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the effect of the neonatal care education on reducing stress in adolescent mothers, it is recommended that this type of educational intervention be integrated into care program for adolescent pregnant mothers.
 

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Background & Aim: The average growth indicators in babies from unwanted pregnancy are lower than other babies. Perceived stress in these mothers can have a double effect on the reduction of milk. Considering the importance of breastfeeding in the health of mother and child, the present study aimed to determine the effect of couples counseling on perceived stress and the improvement of breastfeeding self-efficacy in women with an unwanted pregnancy.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial study, 60 women with an unwanted pregnancy referred to comprehensive health centers of Khodabandeh city in 2021 were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly allocated into two intervention and control groups in blocks of four. The control group received routine care, and the intervention group received six sessions of couples counseling based on spousal support twice a week. The data were collected using the Dennis Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Questionnaire, and the Cohen's Perceived Stress Questionnaire in three stages; before, immediately after the intervention and six weeks after delivery. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16 by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA at a 95% confidence level.
Results: In the counseling group, the mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy increased immediately after the intervention and six weeks after delivery compared to before the intervention, and decreased in the control group (P<0.001). In the counseling group, the mean score of perceived stress decreased immediately after the intervention and six weeks after delivery compared to before the intervention, and increased significantly in the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Couples counseling based on spousal support was effective in improving breastfeeding self-efficacy and reducing perceived postpartum stress in women with an unwanted pregnancy. The presence of spouses in the breastfeeding counseling program appears to be a suitable measure that can be taken into consideration by planners in this field.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20150731023423N18