Background and aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disorder with complex etiology, which is highly affected by psychological factors. These factors should to be identified to help patients with MS (PwMS). This study aimed to compare coping styles, personality traits, and resiliency in PwMS and healthy subjects. Methods: In this case-control study, we selected 75 PwMS from the members of Tehran MS Society in 2016 as case group and 75 healthy subjects as control group. To collect data, we used the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOCQ), Big Five Factor Inventory–Revised, and Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and independent T-Test were used to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that PwMS use emotion-focused coping styles more often (44.53±9.13, P=0.008) and problem-focused coping styles less often (39.84±5.79, P=0.001) compared to control group. Also, they showed higher scores in neuroticism (32.10±4.80, P=0.001) and lower scores in extraversion and conscientiousness (27.46±7.12, P=0.005 and 32.98+±5.72, P=0.008, respectively). The resiliency levels in these patients were also lower than healthy subjects (68.13±13.90, P=0.021). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that PwMS are more likely to use emotional coping strategies in stressful situations compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, data confirmed that a maladaptive personality configuration, which is specified by high neuroticism, along with low extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness are somehow related to MS.

This meta-analysis was aimed at evaluating the evidence related to the effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) in patients with social phobia. A systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with regard to the effectiveness of ICBT for patients with social phobia was sought across multiple databases. The outcome variable in clinical trials was decline in symptoms of social phobia. The measures used included LSAS, SPS, SP-12, BAI and SAD. Twenty clinical trials met the inclusion criteria (1211 patients overall). The results of the analysis revealed that the ICBT is more effective compared to other treatments or control conditions based on patients' evaluation. The results of the present meta-analysis provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of ICBT as a clinical method for social phobia and suggest that more RCTs are needed to compare ICBT with common treatments such as medication, neurological methods, and behavioral interventions.

Background and Objective: Psychological problems including sleeping problems, anxiety, and job burnout are more prevalent among the treatment staff of the patients who suffer from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rather than other treatment staff. Therefore, the current study aimed to predict the quality of sleep based on job burnout and the anxiety of being infected by the disease among this staff. Materials and Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional research in which 215 participants from the treatment staff filled out the relevant questionnaires online. The sampling was performed by available method and the instruments included Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Finally, the data were analyzed in two sections of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software. Results: A correlation among all variables was observed. Moreover, the total model was significant (adjusted r² = 0.37, P = 0.01) and COVID-19 anxiety (standardized beta = 0.33, P = 0.01) and emotional exhaustion (standardized beta = 0.40, P = 0.01) predicted the sleep quality more than variables of depersonalization (standardized beta = -0.22, P = 0.01) and feeling of success (standardized beta = -0.12, P = 0.06). Conclusion: COVID-19 anxiety and job burnout are good predictors for sleep problems in the treatment staff of the patients who suffer from COVID-19.