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  1. Sharif Nia H, Lehto RH, Pahlevan Sharif S, Mashrouteh M, Goudarzian AH, Rahmatpour P, et al.
    Omega (Westport), 2021 Sep;83(4):760-776.
    PMID: 31366310 DOI: 10.1177/0030222819865407
    Ensuring use of valid and reliable scales for evaluating death anxiety that are relevant to the cultural context where they are applied is essential. The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the psychometric properties of Templer's Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) across cultures. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, SID, and Magiran databases were systematically searched for studies published between 1970 and 2017 using Mesh terms. Two independent researchers used Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies and Checklist of Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy to evaluate study quality. Included studies were conducted in Iran, United States, Italy, China, Egypt, Spain, and Australia. Overall study quality was acceptable in 15 evaluated articles. However, findings demonstrated that two (one study), three (seven studies), four (four studies), and five factors (three studies) were extracted across the respective studies. Confirmatory concurrent validity was assessed in two studies. While Templer's DAS has stood the test of time as a commonly used index of capturing the conscious experience of death anxiety, there are psychometric inconsistencies in identified factor solutions across cultures. Findings emphasize the need for continued evaluation of how the DAS is translated in specific countries with assessment in relation to other death construct tools.
  2. Pahlevan Sharif S, Amiri M, Allen KA, Sharif Nia H, Khoshnavay Fomani F, Hatef Matbue Y, et al.
    Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2021 Feb 15;19(1):57.
    PMID: 33588858 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-021-01695-y
    BACKGROUND: Attachment and support from family and friends are core to the experiences of ageing for older adults. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between attachment styles and hope, religiosity, and life satisfaction and provide new knowledge that may assist future planning for a rapidly ageing global population.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 504 Iranian older adult participants from Qazvin province were recruited between December 2015 and April 2016. They completed a questionnaire that included the Revised Adult Attachment Scale, the Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and the Herth Hope Index.

    RESULTS: Participants in the study had a mean age of 66.20 years (SD: 5.76) and most of them were women (57.5%). A mediation model testing the direct relationships between attachment, hope, religiosity, and life satisfaction showed a positive relationship between close attachment and religiosity (β = .226, p 

  3. James SL, Castle CD, Dingels ZV, Fox JT, Hamilton EB, Liu Z, et al.
    Inj Prev, 2020 Oct;26(Supp 1):i125-i153.
    PMID: 32839249 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043531
    BACKGROUND: While there is a long history of measuring death and disability from injuries, modern research methods must account for the wide spectrum of disability that can occur in an injury, and must provide estimates with sufficient demographic, geographical and temporal detail to be useful for policy makers. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study used methods to provide highly detailed estimates of global injury burden that meet these criteria.

    METHODS: In this study, we report and discuss the methods used in GBD 2017 for injury morbidity and mortality burden estimation. In summary, these methods included estimating cause-specific mortality for every cause of injury, and then estimating incidence for every cause of injury. Non-fatal disability for each cause is then calculated based on the probabilities of suffering from different types of bodily injury experienced.

    RESULTS: GBD 2017 produced morbidity and mortality estimates for 38 causes of injury. Estimates were produced in terms of incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, cause-specific mortality, years of life lost and disability-adjusted life-years for a 28-year period for 22 age groups, 195 countries and both sexes.

    CONCLUSIONS: GBD 2017 demonstrated a complex and sophisticated series of analytical steps using the largest known database of morbidity and mortality data on injuries. GBD 2017 results should be used to help inform injury prevention policy making and resource allocation. We also identify important avenues for improving injury burden estimation in the future.

  4. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Lehto RH, Allen KA, Goudarzian AH, Yaghoobzadeh A, et al.
    Iran J Psychiatry, 2017 Jul;12(3):172-181.
    PMID: 29062368
    Objective: Limited research has examined the psychometric properties of death depression scales in Persian populations with cardiac disease despite the need for valid assessment tools for evaluating depressive symptoms in patients with life-limiting chronic conditions. The present study aimed at evaluating the reliability and validity of the Persian Version of Death Depression Scale - Revised (DDS-R) in Iranian patients who had recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method: This psychometric study was conducted with a convenience sample of 407 patients with AMI diagnosis who completed the Persian version of the DDS-R. The face, content, and construct validity of the scale were ascertained. Internal consistency, test-retest, and construct reliability (CR) were used to assess reliability of the Persian Version of DDS-R. Results: Based on maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis and consideration of conceptual meaning, a 4-factor solution was identified, explaining 75.89% of the total variance. Goodness-of-fit indices (GFI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Normed Fit Index (NFI), Incremental Fit Index (IFI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) in the final DDS-R structure demonstrated the adequacy of the 4-domain structure. The internal consistency, construct reliability, and Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were greater than .70. Conclusion: The DDS-R was found to be a valid and reliable assessment tool for evaluating death depression symptoms in Iranian patients with AMI.
  5. Sharif Nia H, Heidari M, Naghavi N, Lehto RH, Haghdoost AA, Jafari-Koulaee A, et al.
    Omega (Westport), 2020 Oct 26.
    PMID: 33106088 DOI: 10.1177/0030222820966934
    This review study fills an important gap by aiming to determine the age changes in attempted and completed suicide in Iran during the past decade. A systematic review of related articles in international and Iranian databases from January 2008 to January 2020 was first conducted and relevant studies were extracted based on established criteria. Results showed that the mean age of suicide in Iran is 29.8 (range 27.7 - 31.8) years old for men and 27.4 (range 25.8 - 28.9) for women (P 
  6. Pahlevan Sharif S, Sharif Nia H, Lehto RH, Moradbeigi M, Naghavi N, Goudarzian AH, et al.
    J Relig Health, 2021 Apr;60(2):999-1014.
    PMID: 31646425 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00931-6
    The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among spiritual intelligence, spiritual well-being and death anxiety among Iranian veterans. In this predictive correlational study, 211 veterans completed King and DeCicco's Spiritual Intelligence Scale, Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual Well-being Scale and Templer's Death Anxiety Scale-Extended. After confirming the reliability of the constructs using intra-class correlation coefficient, partial least squares structural equation modeling method was utilized to assess the impact of spiritual well-being and spiritual intelligence on death anxiety. This study found a significant positive relationship between spiritual intelligence and death anxiety after controlling for the effects of age, education level and disability. However, there was a significant negative relationship between spiritual well-being and death anxiety among Iranian veterans. Negative relationships were found between spiritual well-being and death anxiety among Iranian veterans. However, spiritual intelligence had a positive impact on death anxiety.
  7. Sharif Nia H, Chan YH, Froelicher ES, Pahlevan Sharif S, Yaghoobzadeh A, Jafari A, et al.
    Health Promot Perspect, 2019;9(2):123-130.
    PMID: 31249799 DOI: 10.15171/hpp.2019.17
    Background: Meteorological parameters and seasonal changes can play an important role in the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, there is almost no evidence on a national level to suggest the associations between these variables and ACS in Iran. We aim to identify the meteorological parameters and seasonal changes in relationship to ACS. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 03/19/2015 to 03/18/2016 and used documents and records of patients with ACS in Mazandaran ProvinceHeart Center, Iran. The following definitive diagnostic criteria for ACS were used: (1) existence of cardiac enzymes (CK or CK-MB) above the normal range; (2) Greater than 1 mm ST-segment elevation or depression; (3) abnormal Q waves; and (4) manifestation of troponin enzyme in the blood. Data were collected daily, such as temperature (Celsius) changes, wind speed and its direction, rainfall, daily evaporation rate; number of sunny days, and relative humidity were provided by the Meteorological Organization of Iran. Results: A sample of 2,054 patients with ACS were recruited. The results indicated the highest ACS events from March to May. Generally, wind speed (18 PM) [IRR = 1.051 (95% CI: 1.019 to1.083), P=0.001], daily evaporation [IRR = 1.039 (95% CI: 1.003 to 1.077), P=0.032], daily maximum (P<0.001) and minimum (P=0.003) relative humidity was positively correlated withACS events. Also, negatively correlated variables were daily relative humidity (18 PM) [IRR =0.985 (95% CI: 0.978 to 0.992), P<0.001], and daily minimum temperature [IRR = 0.942 (95%CI: 0.927 to 0.958), P<0.001]. Conclusion: Climate changes were found to be significantly associated with ACS; especially from cold weather to hot weather in March, April and May. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific conditions and cold exposures.
  8. Sharif SP, Lehto RH, Nia HS, Goudarzian AH, Haghdoost AA, Yaghoobzadeh A, et al.
    Support Care Cancer, 2018 Aug;26(8):2571-2579.
    PMID: 29450638 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4088-2
    PURPOSE: The study investigated relationships among the extent of disease, religious coping, and death depression in Iranian patients with cancer.

    METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 482 Iranian cancer patients. Participants completed demographic and health, death depression, and religious coping surveys.

    RESULTS: After controlling for demographic and health characteristics, positive and negative religious coping behaviors were significantly related to the experience of death depression. There was an interaction effect between negative religious coping and extent of disease with significant positive relationships to the experience of death depression.

    CONCLUSIONS: Negative religious coping was found to be more closely associated with death depression in patients with earlier stage disease than those with advanced stages of cancer in this sample of patients with cancer from Iran. Findings support assessing patients for use of religious coping strategies. Muslim patients who are religiously alienated and have existential anguish may be vulnerable and need heightened support following diagnosis and during treatment of early stage cancer.

  9. Yaghoobzadeh A, Pahlevan Sharif S, Ong FS, Soundy A, Sharif Nia H, Moradi Bagloee M, et al.
    Int J Aging Hum Dev, 2019 12;89(4):356-371.
    PMID: 30569732 DOI: 10.1177/0091415018815239
  10. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Yaghoobzadeh A, Yeoh KK, Goudarzian AH, Soleimani MA, et al.
    Int J Nurs Pract, 2017 Apr;23(2).
    PMID: 28058748 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12513
    Nonpharmacological methods of pain relief such as acupressure are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Practitioners often claim that such methods are highly effective and less invasive than analgesic drugs, but available empirical evidence is largely inconclusive. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that, postacupressure intervention, the amount of pain experienced by sampled leukemia patients, who received acupressure in addition to standard care, will reduce substantially compared to patients who received only routine treatment. This controlled trial was undertaken with hospitalized leukemia patients between February and June 2015. Our primary sample consisted of 100 participants who were randomly allocated to 2 groups. One (intervention) group underwent 12 acupressure sessions in addition to standard treatment while the control group received no intervention apart from being given the standard treatment for leukemia. The visual analogue scale was used to measure the levels of pain experienced. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups across 12 interventions. However, each group reported significantly different pain level changes before and after each intervention, suggested that the acupressure method was effective in reducing pain in the short term. Nurses are able to apply this complementary therapy alongside other procedures to manage these patients' pain. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to better understand the specific conditions under which acupressure can provide effective pain relief.
  11. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Goudarzian AH, Allen KA, Jamali S, Heydari Gorji MA
    J Relig Health, 2017 Dec;56(6):2109-2117.
    PMID: 28229351 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0376-2
    In recent years, researchers have identified that coping strategies are an important contributor to an individual's life satisfaction and ability to manage stress. The positive relationship between religious copings, specifically, with physical and mental health has also been identified in some studies. Spirituality and religion have been discussed rigorously in research, but very few studies exist on religious coping. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between religious coping methods (i.e., positive and negative religious coping) and self-care behaviors in Iranian medical students. This study used a cross-sectional design of 335 randomly selected students from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A data collection tool comprised of the standard questionnaire of religious coping methods and questionnaire of self-care behaviors assessment was utilized. Data were analyzed using a two-sample t test assuming equal variances. Adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate the independent association of religious copings with self-care. Adjusted linear regression model indicated an independent significant association between positive (b = 4.616, 95% CI 4.234-4.999) and negative (b = -3.726, 95% CI -4.311 to -3.141) religious coping with self-care behaviors. Findings showed a linear relationship between religious coping and self-care behaviors. Further research with larger sample sizes in diverse populations is recommended.
  12. Sharif-Nia H, Sivarajan Froelicher E, She L, Jafari-Koulaee A, Hejazi S, Mosazadeh H, et al.
    Front Psychol, 2024;15:1296498.
    PMID: 38348261 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1296498
    INTRODUCTION: The psychometric properties of the body esteem scale have not been assessed in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the body esteem scale among Iranian adolescents.

    METHODS: The sample of this methodological study consisted of 504 adolescents [mean age: 16.55 (SD = 1.54) years] living in Tehran City, Iran. After translation of the scale, its content validity (quantitative and qualitative) and structural (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), convergent, and discriminant validity were evaluated. Exploratory graph analysis was performed to determine the number of factors. Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, and maximal reliability were calculated.

    RESULTS: In the content validity evaluation step, all items had acceptable scores and were retained. The results of exploratory factor analysis with Promax rotation and exploratory graph analysis extracted three factors accounting for 49.49% of the variance, comprising 18 items. Furthermore, after necessary modifications during CFA, the final model was approved. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed. Cronbach's alpha, CR, and MaxR for all constructs were greater than 0.7, demonstrating good internal consistency and construct reliability.

    CONCLUSION: According to the results, the Persian version of the body esteem scale has a valid structure and acceptable reliability. Health professionals, in many ways, can use this scale.

  13. Sharif Nia H, Gorgulu O, Naghavi N, Froelicher ES, Fomani FK, Goudarzian AH, et al.
    BMC Cardiovasc Disord, 2021 11 23;21(1):563.
    PMID: 34814834 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-021-02372-0
    BACKGROUND: Although various studies have been conducted on the effects of seasonal climate changes or emotional variables on the risk of AMI, many of them have limitations to determine the predictable model. The currents study is conducted to assess the effects of meteorological and emotional variables on the incidence and epidemiological occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Sari (capital of Mazandaran, Iran) during 2011-2018.

    METHODS: In this study, a time series analysis was used to determine the variation of variables over time. All series were seasonally adjusted and Poisson regression analysis was performed. In the analysis of meteorological data and emotional distress due to religious mourning events, the best results were obtained by autoregressive moving average (ARMA) (5,5) model.

    RESULTS: It was determined that average temperature, sunshine, and rain variables had a significant effect on death. A total of 2375 AMI's were enrolled. Average temperate (°C) and sunshine hours a day (h/day) had a statistically significant relationship with the number of AMI's (β = 0.011, P = 0.014). For every extra degree of temperature increase, the risk of AMI rose [OR = 1.011 (95%CI 1.00, 1.02)]. For every extra hour of sunshine, a day a statistically significant increase [OR = 1.02 (95% CI 1.01, 1.04)] in AMI risk occurred (β = 0.025, P = 0.001). Religious mourning events increase the risk of AMI 1.05 times more. The other independent variables have no significant effects on AMI's (P > 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that sunshine hours and the average temperature had a significant effect on the risk of AMI. Moreover, emotional distress due to religious morning events increases AMI. More specific research on this topic is recommended.

  14. Sharif Nia H, Rezapour M, Allen KA, Pahlevan Sharif S, Jafari A, Torkmandi H, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 09 01;20(9):2803-2809.
    PMID: 31554380 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.9.2803
    Objectives: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was specifically created to assess
    depression in cancer patients. However, to date, the CES-D has not been validated in Farsi. Therefore, this study aimed to
    assess the psychometric properties of the CES-D in Iranian cancer patients. Methods: During a three-month period
    (October to December, 2015), a total of 380 cancer patients completed a Farsi version of the CES-D. The construct
    validity of the scale was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha
    and McDonald Omega. All of the statistical procedure were run by SPSS 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results:
    The construct validity of the CES-D determined three factors (somatic affect, negative affect, and positive affect),
    which explained 65.60% of the total variance. The internal consistency was greater than 0.70. Conclusion: Findings
    revealed that the Farsi version of the CES-D has acceptable validity and reliability, which can be used to measure
    depression in Iranian cancer patients.
  15. Sharif Nia H, Pahlevan Sharif S, Lehto RH, Boyle C, Yaghoobzadeh A, Kaveh O, et al.
    Jpn J Clin Oncol, 2017 Aug 01;47(8):713-719.
    PMID: 28505271 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyx065
    Objective: The surfacing of thoughts and depressive affect associated with the prospect of death are prevalent among patients with advanced cancer. Because death cognitions and associated negative affect occur along an adaptive-less adaptive continuum, it is essential that valid and reliable instruments are available to measure death depression. The present study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Death Depression Scale among Iranian patients with advanced cancer.

    Methods: About 497 cancer patients completed a Persian version of the 21-item Death Depression Scale-Revised. The face, content and construct validity of the scale were ascertained. Reliability was also assessed using internal consistency, construct reliability and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).

    Results: Construct validity determined one factor with an eigenvalue greater than 1. The model had a good fit (χ2 (179, N = 248) = 520.345, P < 0.001; χ2/df = 2.907, CFI = 0.916, TLI = 0.902, IFI = 0.917, SRMR = 0.049 and RMSEA = 0.088 (90% confidence interval = 0.079-0.097)) with all factors loadings greater than 0.5 and statistically significant. The internal consistency, construct reliability and ICC were greater than 0.70. Convergent validity of the scale was demonstrated.

    Conclusions: Findings revealed that the Persian version of the Death Depression Scale-Revised is valid and reliable, and may be used to assess and evaluate death depression in Iranian patients with advanced cancer.

  16. Pahlevan Sharif S, Lehto RH, Amiri M, Ahadzadeh AS, Sharif Nia H, Haghdoost AA, et al.
    Palliat Support Care, 2021 02;19(1):55-61.
    PMID: 32580795 DOI: 10.1017/S1478951520000383
    OBJECTIVE: This study investigated relationships among spirituality, hope, and overall quality of life in Muslim women with breast cancer in Malaysia.

    METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive design with a convenience sample of 145 Malay patients was used. The mediating role of hope in the relationship between spirituality and quality of life as well as the moderating effect of education level on the spirituality hope link were examined.

    RESULTS: Participants with higher self-reported spirituality reported more hope (b = 6.345, p < 0.001) and higher levels of quality of life (b = 1.065, p < 0.001). Higher educational attainment weakened relationships between spirituality and hope (b = -1.460, p < 0.001).

    SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The role of advanced education in contributing to lessened hope in relation to spirituality emphasizes the importance of skilled and personalized spiritual counseling in the respective socio-cultural religious context.

  17. Sharif-Nia H, She L, Rahmatpour P, Sharifi M, Goudarzian AH
    J Nurs Meas, 2024 Jan 18.
    PMID: 38238033 DOI: 10.1891/JNM-2023-0001
    Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to translate the Sherer Self-Efficacy Scale into Persian and assess its psychometric properties among Iranian patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional research design was done in 2019. The Persian version of the Self-Efficacy Scale was completed by 400 cardiovascular patients. The scale's reliability and validity (face, content, and construct) were evaluated. Results: A four-factor structure of the Self-Efficacy Scale explained 39.22% of the total variance. Additionally, this Scale demonstrated good construct validity on the basis of the confirmatory factor analysis's findings. The reliability of the scale was assessed and proved with Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's and ICC. Conclusions: The Persian version of the Self-Efficacy Scale had acceptable reliability and validity. This Scale could be used by Iranian patients with cardiovascular disease to determine how effective they are at treating themselves.
  18. Sharif Nia H, Gorgulu O, Pahlevan Sharif S, Froelicher ES, Haghdoost AA, Golshani S, et al.
    Iran J Public Health, 2020 May;49(5):923-930.
    PMID: 32953680
    Background: The prevalence of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) varies from region to region caused by seasonal climate changes and temperature variation. This study aimed to assess the relationship between changing meteorological conditions and incidence of AMI in Iran.

    Methods: This retrospective prevalence study was based on medical records of the heart center of Mazandaran Province on all patients diagnosed with AMI in Mazandaran, northern Iran between 2013 and 2015. Patients' sex and the day, month, year and time of hospital admission were extracted from patients' records. Moreover, the meteorological reports were gathered.

    Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the distributions of AMI cases across 12 months of the year (P < 0.01). Fuzzy clustering analysis using 16 different climatic variables showed that March, April, and May were in the same cluster together. The other 9 months were in different clusters.

    Conclusion: Significant increase in AMI was seen in March, April and May (cold to hot weather).

  19. Nayeri ND, Goudarzian AH, Herth K, Naghavi N, Nia HS, Yaghoobzadeh A, et al.
    Int J Health Sci (Qassim), 2020 9 22;14(5):50-57.
    PMID: 32952505
    Objective: The psychological construct of hope is an important determinant for mental health and well-being. The availability of valid and reliable instruments to measure hope is, therefore, critical. Despite a large number of psychometric studies on the Herth Hope Index (HHI), its construct validity has not yet been determined. Therefore, this paper aimed to conduct a systematic review of the psychometric properties of the HHI.

    Methods: Databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Magiran, SID, IranDoc, and IranMedex were evaluated systematically using the terms "HHI," "psychometric," "validity," "reliability," and related terms (with the use of OR and AND operators) and no restrictions on the year of publication. A total of 13 eligible studies were found published between 1992 and 2018 in the USA, Portugal, Switzerland, Iran, Germany, Petersburg, Japan, the Netherlands, Lima, Peru, and Norway. The methodology used in the available studies included principal component analysis (n = 6), maximum likelihood estimation (n = 5), and principal axis factoring (n = 1). One study did not point the methodology.

    Results: Four studies reported the total extracted variances to be less than 50%, six studies reported variance between 50% and 60%, and three papers reported variance that exceeded 60%. Of the papers that examined the factor structure of the HHI, two studies reported a one-factor solution, seven reported two factors, and four reported a three-factor solution. Although the HHI is the most widely translated and psychometrically tested tool in languages other than English, psychometric variations in factor solutions remain inconsistent.

    Conclusion: Findings highlight the need for future research that appraises the validity of the HHI in different countries, and how the measure relates to other scales that evaluate hope.

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