ARTICLE INFO

Article Type

Descriptive & Survey Study

Authors

Narimani   M. (1)
Einy   S. (*)
Tagavy   R. (2)






(*) Psychology Department, Psychology & Educational Sciences Faculty, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
(1) Psychology Department, Psychology & Educational Sciences Faculty, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
(2) Psychology Department, Psychology Faculty, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran

Correspondence

Address: Psychology and Educational Sciences Faculty, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Daneshgah Street, Ardabil, Iran
Phone: +98 (45) 33262678
Fax: +98 (45) 33511508
sanaz.einy@yahoo.com

Article History

Received:  June  7, 2017
Accepted:  August 20, 2017
ePublished:  November 6, 2017

BRIEF TEXT


The existence of eight years of imposed war in Iran has caused a significant group of warriors and veterans and a large number of residents of southern and western Iran to become victims of PTSD symptoms [1].

… [2, 3]. Experience of chronic stress in life has a negative effect on the subjective, psychological and physical well-being of the veterans [4]. … [5-10]. One of the structures that has been considered as a welfare index in recent years is spiritual intelligence. … [11-14]. Sharma et al. in a study showed that spirituality and religion are associated with a reduction in the risk of PTSD and the major depressive disorder in life-span, and increases the purposefulness of life even after the growth of PTSD disorder [15]. Another variable that is closely related to subjective well-being is perceived social support. … [16-20]. Inverse relationship has been reported in research findings between PTSD symptoms and social support [21]. … [22-24]. Another variable that seems to be related inversely to the subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD, is perceived stress. … [25-27]. In people with anxiety disorders such as PTSD, perceptions of damages of life tension is much more likely than in normal people [28]. … [29].

There is no research on the role of spiritual intelligence, perceived social support and perceived stress in the subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between intelligence, perceived stress, and perceived social support with subjective well-being of war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

This study is descriptive-correlational.

In this study, all veterans with PTSD who were admitted and treated in Isar Psychiatric Hospital of Ardabil in 2017 were studied.

In the correlation research, the sample size for each predictive variable has been proposed from at least 5 people to 40 people [30]. Therefore, due to the existence of three predictive variables and low population size, 40 individuals were considered for each variable, and a total of 120 people were selected through convenience sampling method. The criteria for entering the study included the absence of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, the absence of other diagnostic features associated with PTSD such as mood disorders, the lack of drug-related disorders, the minimum level of education, the patient's consent to participate in the research process, the acquisition of the score higher than the cut-off point the military post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-M) checklist and treatment.

The tools used in the research were: 1-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-Military version (PCL-M) [31, 32]. 2-Subjective well-being scale [33, 34] 3-Spiritual Intelligence Scale of King [35, 36] 4-multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) [37, 38] 5-Perceived stress scale (PSS) [39, 40]. The samples were first interviewed by the psychiatrist in the hospital and PTSD was diagnosed with psychiatric. Then, a post-traumatic stress disorder check-up military-checklist was completed to confirm the diagnosis of a psychiatric. Subsequently, the research objectives were explained to the subjects and after obtaining satisfaction from patients, they were asked to respond to research questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to examine the distribution of variables. To investigate the correlation between variables, Pearson correlation coefficient test and to explain the role of spiritual intelligence, perceived social support, and perceived stress in the prediction of subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD, multiple regression analysis was used. Spiritual intelligence, perceived stress, and perceived social support were considered as the predictive variables and subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD were considered as criterion variable.

The sample population consisted of 120 veterans with a mean age of 47.24±7.32 years, with a mean age of 41 to 74 years. 29 (24.2%), and 91(75.8%) of these veterans were single and married respectively. 35 (29.2%) and 85 (70.8%) had under diploma and diploma and higher education level respectively. Also, 42(35.0%), 48(40.0%) and 30 (25.0%) were employee, self-employed, and unemployed respectively. The subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD had positive and significant relationship with spiritual intelligence (p<0.01; r=0.91) and perceived social support (r=0.82; p<0.82) and it had a negative and meaningful relationship with perceived social support (r=-0.63; p<0.05; Table 1). The three variables of spiritual intelligence, perceived social support and perceived stress totally explained 76% of variance of subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD that 73.9%, 2.0%, and 3.0% were related to the variables of spiritual intelligence, perceived social support and perceived stress respectively. Also, spiritual intelligence (β=0.395) was the strongest predictor of subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD (p<0.01).

The results of this study supported the relationship between spiritual intelligence and subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD. A research that directly matches these results is not found, but there are studies from which these results can be inferred [15]. Hossein Dokht et al. in their study showed the relationship between spiritual intelligence and spiritual well-being with life quality and marital status that spiritual intelligence encompasses a set of abilities and capacities that use spiritual resources to increase the well-being and adaptability of the individual [41]. … [42-45]. There was also a correlation between perceived social support with subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD, which is consistent with other research results [22-24, 46, 47]. … [48, 49]. Perceived social stress was also negatively correlated with the subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD that this finding is also consistent with other studies [28, 29, and 50].

It is suggested that a similar study be carried out on veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder in other cities and their findings be compared with the findings of the study. Other methods of collecting information such as interviews (individual or family) and observation should be used to obtain more complete and accurate information. Also, in subsequent studies, the role of subscales of variables of spiritual intelligence and perceived social support in predicting the subjective well-being of veterans with PTSD should be investigated. Based on the results of this research, it is suggested that training be provided on increasing social support from the family and hospital staff to improve the subjective well-being of veterans.

This study was performed on veterans with PTSD in Isar Psychiatric Hospital in Ardabil which has the problem of generalizing the results to other cities. The use of self-report scales was one of the other constrains of this study. In addition, due to the small sample size of available population, the subscales of variables were not studied and only the effect of the total score was examined.

Spiritual intelligence and high perceived social support and low perceived stress leads to increased subjective well-being in veterans with PTSD.

The authors of this article are grateful to the respectful veterans of Isar psychiatric Hospital in Aradabil, as well as to the support of the officials of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of the city of Ardabil.

Non-declared

Prior to the implementation of the research, coordination was carried out with the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of the Ardabil Province.

The sources of funding for this study was provided by the authors.

TABLES and CHARTS

Show attach file


CITIATION LINKS

[1]Otared N, Borjali A, Sohrabi F, Basharpoor S. Efficacy of holographic reprocessing therapy on arousal and intrusion symptoms in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Urmia Med J. 2016;27(5):427-37. [Persian]
[2]American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM-5. 5th edition. Rezaei F, Fakhraee A, Charismatic A, lotus A, Hashemi Azar J, Shamloo F, translators. United States: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
[3]Karami GR, Amiri M, Ameli J, Kachooei H, Ghoddoosi K, Saadat AR, et al. Psychological hcalth status of mustard gas cxposcd vctcrans. J Mil Med. 2006;8(1):1-7. [Persian]
[4]Tennant C. Life events, stress and depression: a review of recent findings. Aust N Z J Psychiat. 2002;36(2):173-82.
[5]Diener E. Guidelines for national indicators of subjective well-being and ill-being. J Happiness Stud. 2006;7(4):397-404.
[6]Hejazi E, Sadeghi N, Shirzadifard M. The relationship between basic beliefs and perception of parental relationships and students subjective well-being. J School Psychol. 2014;2(4):43-61. [Persian]
[7]Mirzaei Teshnizi P, Pourshahriari M, Sheibani O. Comparison of the effectiveness of subjective well being program and fordyce cognitive behavior method in reduction of depression in high School Students of Isfahan city. J Shahid Sadoughi Univ Med Sci. 2009;17(4):291-302. [Persian]
[8]Roohi G, Asayesh H, Abbasi A, Ghorbani M. Some Influential factors on life satisfaction in Gorgan Veterans. Iran J War Public Health. 2011;3(3):13-8. [Persian]
[9]Mercer GT, Molinari V, Wright K, Pinnell C, Amin K, Sadek R. A proposed model of Alzheimer's dementia and PTSD: Pathophysiological processes in coping with traumatic negative affect. Alzheimer's Dement. 2010;6(4):494.
[10]Hashemian S A, Khademi M J. The Survey of Veterans’ Mental Health based on spiritual well-being and life satisfaction. J Mil Med. 2015;16(4):205-9. [Persian]
[11]Emmons RA. Spirituality and intelligence: Problems and prospects. Int J Psychol Relig. 2000;10(1):57-64.
[12]Davidson S. Cultivating spiritual intelligence to heal diseases of meaning. Contemp Nurse. 2002;12(2):103-5.
[13]Calhoun LG, Cann A, Tedeschi RG, McMillan J. A correlational test of the relationship between posttraumatic growth, religion and cognitive processing. J Trauma Stress. 2000;13(3):521-7.
[14]Mascaro N, Rosen DH. Existential meaning's role in the enhancement of hope and prevention of depressive symptoms. J pers. 2005;73(4):985-1014.
[15]Sharma V, Marin DB, Koenig HK, Feder A, Lacoviello BM, Southwick SM, et al. Religion, spirituality, and mental health of U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. J Affect Disord. 2017;217:197-204.
[16]Moslem H, Asayesh H, Ghorbani M, Shariaati A, Nasiri H. The relationship of perceived social support, mental health and life satisfaction in martyrs and veterans students of state university in Gorgan. J Res Dev Nurs Midwifery. 2011;8(1):34-41. [Persian]
[17]Gülaçtı F. The effect of perceived social support on subjective well-being. Procedia Soc Behav Sci. 2010;2(2):3844-9.
[18]Taylor SE, Sherman D, Kim HS, Jarcho J, Takagi K, Dunagan MS. Culture and social support: Who seeks it and why? J of Pers and Soc Psychol. 2004;87(3):354-62.
[19]Allen JP, Moore C, Kuperminc G, Bell K. Attachment and adolescent psychosocial functioning. Child Dev. 1998;69(5);1406-19.
[20]Janoff-Bulman R. Shattered assumptions: towards a new psychology of trauma.1st edition. New York: Free Press;1992. pp.69-76.
[21]Ozer EJ, Best SR, Lipsey TL, Weiss DS. Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and symptoms in adults: A meta-analyses. Psychol Bull. 2003;129(1):52-73.
[22]Laffaye C, Cavella S, Drescher K, Rosen C. Relationships among PTSD symptoms, social support, and support source in veterans with chronic PTSD. J Trauma Stress. 2008; 21(14):394-401.
[23]Maheux A, Price M. The indirect effect of social support on post-trauma psychopathology via self compassion. Pers Individ Differ. 2016;88:102-7.
[24]Winter L, Moriarty HJ, Short TH. Self-Reported Driving Difficulty in Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: Its Central Role in Psychological Well-Being. J Inj Funct Rehabilit. 2017;9(9):901-9.
[25]Ratcliff CG, Barrera TL, Petersen NJ, Sansgiry SH, Kauth MR, Kunik ME, et al. Recognition of anxiety, depression and PTSD in patients with COPD and CHF: Who gets missed?. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2017;47:61-7.
[26]Fliege H, Rose M, Arck P, Walter OB, Kocalevent RD, Weber C, et al. The perceived stress questionnaire (PQS) reconsidered: Validation and reference value from different clinical and healthy adult samples. Psychosom Med. 2005;67(1):78-88.
[27]Tehrani H, Rakhshani T, Shojaee Zadeh D, Hosseini SM, Bagheriyan S. Analyzing the relationship between job stress to mental health, personality type and stressful life events of the nurses occupied in tehran 115 emergency. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2013;15(3):272-3.
[28]- Conner KM, Vaishnavi S, Davidson JR, Sheehan DV, Sheehan KH. Perceived stress in anxiety disorders and the general population: A study of the Sheehan stress vulnerability scale. Psychiat Res. 2007;151(3):249-54.
[29]Azizi A, Mohammadkhani P, Abbasi P. Association of thought control strategies and beliefs about worry with stress symptoms among war veterans. Iran J War Public Health. 2014;6(2):35-46. [Persian]
[30]Delavar A. Theoretical and practical research in the humanities and social sciences. Teharn: Roshd Press; 2011. [Persian]
[31]Weathers FW, Litz BT, Herman DS, Huska JA, Keane T. The PTSD Checklist (PCL): Reliability, validity and diagnostic utility. 9th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Hisser Studies. San Antonio. 1993.
[32]Goodarzi MA. Reliability and validity of post traum atic stress disorder Mississippi scale. J Psychol 2003;7(2):135-78. [Persian]
[33]Diener E, Emmons RA, Larsen RJ, Griffin S. The Satisfaction with Life Scale. J Pers Assess. 1985;49(1):71-5.
[34]Shokri O, Kadivar P, Daneshvar Pour Z. Gender differences in subjective well-being: Role of personality traits . Iran J Psychiat Clin Psychol. 2007;13(3):280-9. [Persian]
[35]King DB. Rethinking claims of spiritual intelligence: A definition, model and measure [Dissertation]. Canada: Trent University; 2008.
[36]Sharif Nia H, Haghdoost AA, Ebadi A, Soleimani MA, Yaghoobzadeh A, Abbaszadeh A, et al. Psychometric Properties of the King Spiritual Intelligence questionnaire (KSIQ) in Physical Veterans of Iran-Iraq Warfare. J Mil Med. 2015;3(17):145-53. [Persian]
[37]Zimet GD, Dahlem NW, Zimet SG, Farley GK. The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. J Pers Assess. 1988;52(1):30-41.
[38]Salimi A, Jowkar B, Nikpoor R. Internet connections in life: The role of perceived social support and loneliness in internet use. J psychol stud. 2009;5(3):81-102. [Persian]
[39]Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstin R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983;24(4):385-96.
[40]Behroozy N, Shahani Yeylaq M, Pourseyed SM. Relationship between perfectionism, perceived stress and social support with academic burnout. J Manage Syst. 2013;5(20):83-102. [Persian]
[41]Hoseindokht A, Fathi Ashtiani A, Taghizadeh ME. The relationship of spiritual intelligence and spiritual well-being with life quality and marital satisfaction. J Psychol Relig.2013;6(2):57-74. [Persian]
[42]King LA, Hicks JA, Krull JL, Del Gaiso AK. Positive affect and the experience of meaning in life. J Perso Soc Psychol. 2006;90(1):179-96.
[43]Carmody J, Reed G, Kristellerc J, Merriam P. Mindfulness, spirituality and health-related symptoms. J Psychosom Res. 2008;64(4):393-403.
[44]Steger MF, Kawabata Y, Shimai S, Keiko O. The meaningful life in Japan and the United States: Levels and correlates of meaning in life. J Res Perso. 2008;42(3):660-78.
[45]Borjali M, Bagiyan MS, Bakhti M, Abbasi M. The encouragement training based on adlerian approach and the social and emotional well-being of boarding school students. Q J Fam Res. 2014;10(4):83-100. [Persian]
[46]Besser A, Neria Y. The effects of insecure attachment orientations and perceived social support on posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms among civilians exposed to the 2009 Israel–Gaza war: A follow-up Cross-Lagged panel design study. J Res Perso. 2010;44(3):335-41.
[47]Freedman SA, Gilad M, Ankri Y, Roziner I, Shalev AY. Social relationship satisfaction and PTSD: Which is the chicken and which is the egg?. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.28864.
[48]Friedlander LJ, Reid GJ, Shupak N, Cribbie RA. Social support, self-esteem, and stress as predictors of adjustment to University among first –year under graduates. J Coll Student Dev. 2007;48(3):259-74.
[49]Landman Peeters KM, Hartman CA, Van Der Pompe G, Den Boer JA, Minderaa RB, Ormel J. Gender differences in the relation between social support, problems in parent-offspring communication and depression and anxiety. Soc Sci Med. 2005;60(11):2549-59.
[50]Hyman SM, Paliwal P, Sinha R. Childhood maltreatment, perceived stress and stress-related coping in recently abstinent cocaine dependent adults. Psychol Addict Behav. 2007;21(2):233-8.