Objective: Due to easy accessibility to pornography for adolescents and youth, research on the use of pornography has proliferated in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine the role of difficulties in emotion regulation and thought control strategies on pornography use. Methods:The population of this research included all students of the Sistan and Baluchestan University in southeastern Iran. A total of 395 students (193 men and 202 women), with a mean age of 22.35 years, were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method. The participants completed the standardized measures of frequency of pornography use, difficulties in emotion regulation, and thought control strategies. Data were analyzed in SPSS (v. 22) software by using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Stepwise multiple regression. Results:The results showed that 74% of men used pornography in the past 12 months; however, only 35% of women used pornography in the past 12 months. The results also revealed that pornography use was correlated with difficulties in emotion regulation and thought control strategies. Multiple regressions revealed that, in men, difficulties in emotion regulation (β=0.27; P<0.001) can positively predict pornography use and distraction (β=-0.28; P<0.001) can negatively predict pornography use. In addition, the results demonstrated that, in women, difficulties in emotion regulation (β=0.30; P<0.001) can positively predict pornography use and social control (β=-0.18; P<0.001) can negatively predict pornography use. Conclusion:These findings indicated that difficulties in emotion regulation and thought control strategies (distraction and social control strategies) may successfully address the frequency of pornography use.

Background: Although high-risk behaviors lead to adverse physical, psychological, and sociological consequences, less attention has been paid to identifying their related factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between defense mechanisms and high-risk behaviors among adolescents in Zahedan. Methods: In this descriptive-correlative study, junior and senior high school students of Zahedan, Iran were studied in the academic year 2015-2016. A sample of 250 (125 males and 125 females) students were chosen by multi-stage cluster sampling and asked to complete the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Risk-Taking Scale (IARS) for Iranian Adolescents. Data analysis was conducted by measuring coefficients of correlation and performing a path analysis. Results: Path analysis showed a significant correlation between defense mechanisms and alexithymia (P<0.01) and a significant correlation was found between immature defense mechanisms and high-risk behaviors (P<0.01). Conclusion: In the relationship between dysfunctional defense mechanisms and high-risk activities, alexithymia played a mediating role. It can be inferred that dysfunctional defense mechanisms play a key role in high-risk activities by influencing alexithymia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of positive and negative affect in the association of perceptions of parental involvement, autonomy support, and warmth with resilience among Adolescents with Addicted Parents. Method: In this descriptive-correlational study, 63 Adolescents of Addicted Parents studying in Zahak and Hirman, located in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Iran, were selected using convenience sampling method. The participants completed the questionnaires on perceptions of parenting styles, resilience, and positive and negative affect. Data were analyzed via the correlation coefficient and path analysis. Results: The results showed that the adolescents’ perceived parenting styles were directly and significantly related to positive affect and resilience (P < 0.01). Moreover, the results of the path analysis indicated that mediated by positive affect, the adolescents’ perceived parenting styles predicted resilience indirectly (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Given the results of this study, perceived parenting styles can directly and indirectly predict resilience. It can be concluded that adolescents’ perceived parenting styles can enhance resilience among them through promoting positive affect.

Background: This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Cyber Pornography use Inventory-9 (CPUI-9) in the Iranian context. Methods: The current research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study sample included 262 (190 male and 72 female) university students, who were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method. The psychometric properties of the Persian version of CPUI-9 were assessed in this study. Results: The descriptive findings indicated that the Mean±SD age of the participants was 21.64 (2.36) years. Psychometric analyses indicated the high validity and reliability of this inventory. The exploratory factor analysis identified three factors that are consistent with the results of previous studies. Besides, confirmatory factor analysis revealed the model goodness of fit. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of CPUI-9 was also found as 0.87. Additionally, the concurrent validity showed that CPUI-9 was significantly and positively related to depression, anxiety, and stress (P<0.01). Conclusion: Finally, the study results supported the reliability and validity of the Persian version of CPUI-9 among Guilan university students. Moreover, the findings were in line with the results of the original study.