Ethics code: IR.KHU.REC.1401.024
Abstract: (99 Views)
Introduction: Given the potential risks threatening the mental health of caregivers for children with cancer, and the limitations arising from in-person visits for receiving psychological treatments, The present study was conducted with the aim of designing a computer program for Memory Specificity Training (MeST) and examining its content validity and effectiveness in improving the autobiographical memory and emotional state of caregivers of people with cancer.
Methods: The content validity of the memory specificity training assessment tool, developed through programming as mobile phone software, was evaluated with the help of 10 psychologists. Then, to evaluate the effectiveness of this educational program, we conducted the study on 30 participants: 15 individuals in the intervention group and 15 individuals in the control group. All participants were caregivers of children with cancer. Both groups were examined for psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as autobiographical memory before and after the intervention, and also in a one-month follow-up.
Results: The content validity of the Persian version of the online MeST program showed that the CVI value for most items is above 0.8, indicating the importance and necessity of the questions in the designed scale. Also, the evaluation of content validity in relation to the necessity of the content of the sessions showed that the CVR index for all sessions was 0.99 and the CVI index for all sessions was equal to or higher than 0.8. After the intervention, the comparison of the average depression (t=2.06, P=0.04) and autobiographical memory (Z=2.25, P=0.02) in the two groups indicated a decrease in the scores of these two scales in the intervention group compared to the control group. However, no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of anxiety and stress variables. The follow-up examination of the two groups showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of depression, stress, anxiety, and autobiographical memory scales (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The present study provides an online Persian version of the MeST intervention and validate its content validity. It seems that the MeST-based intervention has a short-term effect on improving autobiographical memory and reducing depression symptoms. However, this intervention does not affect stress and anxiety levels. Given that the MeST-based intervention is practical, easy, and inexpensive, it can be offered alongside traditional or online interventions.
Methods: The content validity of the memory specificity training assessment tool, developed through programming as mobile phone software, was evaluated with the help of 10 psychologists. Then, to evaluate the effectiveness of this educational program, we conducted the study on 30 participants: 15 individuals in the intervention group and 15 individuals in the control group. All participants were caregivers of children with cancer. Both groups were examined for psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as autobiographical memory before and after the intervention, and also in a one-month follow-up.
Results: The content validity of the Persian version of the online MeST program showed that the CVI value for most items is above 0.8, indicating the importance and necessity of the questions in the designed scale. Also, the evaluation of content validity in relation to the necessity of the content of the sessions showed that the CVR index for all sessions was 0.99 and the CVI index for all sessions was equal to or higher than 0.8. After the intervention, the comparison of the average depression (t=2.06, P=0.04) and autobiographical memory (Z=2.25, P=0.02) in the two groups indicated a decrease in the scores of these two scales in the intervention group compared to the control group. However, no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of anxiety and stress variables. The follow-up examination of the two groups showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of depression, stress, anxiety, and autobiographical memory scales (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The present study provides an online Persian version of the MeST intervention and validate its content validity. It seems that the MeST-based intervention has a short-term effect on improving autobiographical memory and reducing depression symptoms. However, this intervention does not affect stress and anxiety levels. Given that the MeST-based intervention is practical, easy, and inexpensive, it can be offered alongside traditional or online interventions.
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2024/01/4 | Accepted: 2024/06/27
Received: 2024/01/4 | Accepted: 2024/06/27
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |