bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 infection and psychological distress : a prospective sero-survey in southern Switzerland
Authors: Bano B. , Sculco C. , Piumatti G. , Amati R. , Purgato M. , Albanese E.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of the population that, to some extent, may be due to the neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2. However, evidence is extremely sparse on the prospective association between serological evidence of COVID-19 infection and psychological distress.

Objectives

We aimed to explore the prospective association between seropositivity and psychological distress – assessed by symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress – in the general adult population in southern Switzerland. Further, we investigated whether this association varied over time and between pandemic waves.

Methods

We used data from 305 adults who participated in the Corona Immunitas Ticino (CIT) prospective sero-survey cohort study. We tested the association between serologically confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection at baseline (June–December 2020) and depression, anxiety and stress scores as measured by the DASS-21 scale at three time points between December 2020 and March 2021, also taking into account for sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, education level, presence of chronic diseases, smoking, obesity).

Results

In our sample, 84.3% (mean age of 51.30, SD= ± .93) were never infected. Seropositive participants were significantly younger on average (M=46.90, SD= ±2.00, P= .04). At the first follow-up (see Table 1), seropositive participants had higher rates of mild conditions for depression (OR= .64; P= .014) and anxiety (OR= .50; P= .030), than seronegatives. Overall, after the 6-month follow-up, seropositive participants had significantly lower rates of mild conditions for DASS-21 subscales. In addition, prevalence of mild conditions for depression, anxiety and stress decreased more rapidly over time among infected vs. never infected (see Figure 1). Older age and the presence of chronic diseases were associated with mild anxiety (OR= .97; P= .013; OR=3.47; P= .001) and stress (OR= .96; P= .003; OR= 2.56; P= .010).Table 1.

Associations (Odds Ratios) between seropositive immunological status and mental health between December 2020 and March 2021 in Ticino, southern Switzerland (N=305)

DASS-21 defined mild conditionORP valueCI (95%)Depression0.6410.0140.449 – 0.914Anxiety0.5020.0300.270 – 0.936Stress0.7120.1130.468 – 1.083

Note. Generalized estimating equation models results. Co-variates include time, age, gender, chronic diseases, obesity, smoking and education level.

Conclusions

Our results provide new evidence on the association between COVID-19 seropositivity and poor mental health and underline the public health implications of the pandemic because the number of infected individuals largely exceed the 770 million of recorded COVID-19 (symptomatic) cases.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
University students’ perspectives towards digital mental health: a qualitative analysis of interviews from the cross-country ‘CAMPUS study’
Authors: Riboldi I. , Calabrese A. , Piacenti S. , Capogrosso C. A. , Lucini Paioni S. , Bartoli F. , Carrà G. , Armes J. , Taylor C. , Crocamo C.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Poor mental health of university students is a growing concern for public health. Indeed, academic settings may exacerbate students’ vulnerability to mental health issues. Nonetheless, university students are often unable to seek mental health support due to barriers, at both individual and organisational level. Digital technologies are proved to be effective in collecting health-related information and in managing psychological distress, representing useful instruments to tackle mental health needs, especially considering their accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

Objectives

Although digital tools are recognised to be useful for mental health support, university students’ opinions and experiences related to such interventions are still to be explored. In this qualitative research, we aimed to address this gap in the scientific literature.

Methods

Data were drawn from “the CAMPUS study”, which longitudinally assesses students’ mental health at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and the University of Surrey (United Kingdom). We performed detailed interviews and analysed the main themes of the transcripts. We also performed a cross-cultural comparison between Italy and the United Kingdom.

Results

Across 33 interviews, five themes were identified, and an explanatory model was developed. From the students’ perspective, social media, podcasts, and apps could be sources of significant mental health content. On the one hand, students recognised wide availability and anonymity as advantages that make digital technologies suitable for primary to tertiary prevention, to reduce mental health stigma, and as an extension of face-to-face interventions. On the other hand, perceived disadvantages were lower efficacy compared to in-person approaches, lack of personalisation, and difficulties in engagement. Students’ opinions and perspectives could be widely influenced by cultural and individual background.

Conclusions

Digital tools may be an effective option to address mental health needs of university students. Since face-to-face contact remains essential, digital interventions should be integrated with in-person ones, in order to offer a multi-modal approach to mental well-being.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
A bibliometric analysis of research in the field of forensic psychiatry
Authors: Kaggwa M. M. M.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Forensic psychiatry is a subspeciality that encompasses applying scientific and clinical expertise in legal contexts. As a field of psychiatry, forensic psychiatry has continued to evolve in various jurisdictions. Several journal publications continue to highlight the contributions and works of various psychiatry researchers in this area on scientific development and trends in practice. However, a quantitative assessment of these publications using a bibliometric analysis has yet to be done. Thus, the present study.

Objectives

Provide a qualitative assessment of the bibliometrics of peer-reviewed research in forensic psychiatry.

Methods

In this bibliometric analysis, we used Web of Science (the most frequently used database) to identify research articles in forensic psychiatry from inception to December 2023. Analysis was done using citespace and VOSviewer software.

Results

Five thousand six hundred ninety articles were identified with 115 countries, 4144 institutions and universities, and 1660 authors. The articles were published in 1022 journals (most are specific to the field), and 4707 unique keywords were used to identify relevant articles. Risk assessments, violence, recidivism, psychopathy, and schizophrenia are the main areas researched. Sixteen funding agencies have funded ten or more articles in the field. The studies were mainly from high-income countries and a relatively scant number from low-income countries, especially African countries. Publications with themes on risk assessment tools – such as the HCR-20- appeared predominant across the analyzed publications.

Conclusions

Research in forensic psychiatry has continued to grow over time. While many jurisdictions across the globe have embraced the field, more effort is needed to promote forensic psychiatry and research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The themes or keywords that emerged from the publications included in this analysis suggest that forensic psychiatry mainly deals with offenders with schizophrenia or psychopathy.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Impact of a daily supportive text message program (text4hope) on the stress, anxiety, and depression levels of elderly (60 years and above) subscribers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta.
Authors: Owusu E. , Shalaby R. , Agyapong B. , Vuong W. , Gusnowski A. , Surood S. , Greenshaw A. J. , Agyapong V. I.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

One of the biggest global crises in our generation is the COVID-19 pandemic. It has had a severe and far-reaching negative impact on our health systems, economies, and societies. Older adults were particularly at higher risk of severe illness, isolation from social distancing measures, and concerns about their health.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the daily supportive text message program (Text4Hope) on the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by elderly subscribers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta six weeks after enrollment.

Methods

An online survey link was used to gather demographic and clinical information on several self-report scales, such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) ≥ 14 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7). Scale ≥ 10, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) ≥ 10. Descriptive and inferential statistics were run using SPSS version 25.

Results

172 subscribers out of 1136 completed baseline and six weeks using an online questionnaire, giving a response rate of 15.1%. There were significant reductions in mean scores on the PSS-10 and GAD-7 scales at six weeks compared to baseline (P>.05), but not on the PHQ-9 scale. There were also significant reductions in the prevalence of moderate or high stress (68.6% vs 60.5%, p=0.036) and likely GAD (14.9% vs 22.7%, p=0.029) from baseline to six weeks, with the highest reduction in stress (8.1%). A change (27.6% to 25.2%) in the prevalence of likely MDD from baseline to six weeks was insignificant. (P>.05)

Conclusions

This study’s findings show a decrease in the prevalence rates and the mean scores for stress and anxiety on standardized scales, indicating an improvement from baseline to six weeks. This outcome has potential implications for planning an intervention to meet the mental health needs of the elderly in similar situations like the pandemic

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Stigmatizing attitude of psychiatrists in the Netherlands
Authors: Kakar S. , Birkenhäger T. , Baars L. , Őri D.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Even in the current times people with mental health disorders face negative treatment due to negative stereotyping. This occurs not only within their private environment and in the public community, but also by healthcare professionals. Mental health related stigma results in various disadvantages, such as: worse treatment in healthcare and discrimination in job interviews, in work environment, in education and in housing.

Objectives

Our aim with this cross-sectional study, was to investigate the attitudes of adult and child psychiatrists in the Netherlands towards people with mental health problems.

Methods

We used the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC) to measure the stigmatizing attitudes. Participants filled in this internet-based survey anonymously. The OMS-HC total scores as well as the subscales were used to determine the stigma.

Results

Altogether, N=170 practitioners (n=45 males, n=124 females) completed the survey. The bifactor ESEM model showed the best model fit (RMSEA=0.057, CFI=0.968, TLI=0.935); however, exploratory factor analysis results indicated the weakness of items 13 and 15. Participants who provide psychotherapy to their patients prefer less social distance towards them (9(7-10) vs 10(7.5-11), p=0.051)). Also those who have ever been treated medically for their own mental health problems, prefer less social distance (7,5(6-10) vs 9(8-11), p=0.009). Rural working psychiatrists are more willing to disclose and seek help for their mental health problems than those working in urban areas (9 (8-10) vs 8 (6.5-9.5), p = 0.024). Those who are open to (29(26-32.5) vs 32.5(31.25-35), p=0.009) or having an opportunity to regularly participate in case discussion groups (29(25.25-32) vs 32(28-35.25), p=0.012) have an overall favourable attitude towards people with mental health problems.

Conclusions

This is the first study on the stigmatizing attitude of practicing psychiatrists in the Netherlands from their own perspectives. It will contribute to the gaps of knowledge of the stigmatizing attitude of psychiatrists towards people with mental health problems. Moreover this study will provide new interventions towards less stigmatizing attitude of psychiatrists.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Study of mental health perceptions among Central African refugee populations and host communities in the East Cameroon region
Authors: Dozio E. , Jaccard A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Cameroon’s eastern region faces numerous security challenges linked to successive crises in the Central African Republic, particularly with the massive influx of refugees especially since 2013. Official UNHCR figures speak of 349,409 Central African refugees present on Cameroonian soil. These are both refugees already well established in their host communities, and new arrivals. Since the post-electoral crisis in CAR at the end of 2020, the situation has gradually stabilized in the Kadey department, but remains volatile due to daily insecurity in the northern regions of the Central African Republic.

Objectives

With a view to meeting the mental health and psychosocial support needs of the region’s population and better integrating refugees into their host communities, it was necessary to obtain a more exhaustive picture of the population’s perception of mental health, to understand the mechanisms of psychosocial support at community level and any differences between refugees and the indigenous population.

Methods

A mixed methodology with quantitative and qualitative data was chosen for a more detailed analysis. The survey was carried out in two communes in the Kadey department: Kentzou and Kette. The sample was disaggregated to take account of the socio-demographic characteristics and to enable to make comparisons between the situations of host communities, living in refugee sites and outside sites. For quantitative data, 205 the individuals responded to a questionnaire. 12 individual interviews and 12 Focus Group Discussions (involving 60 participants ) guided by semi-structured questions were used to collect qualitative data from key members of the community.

Results

Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data has confirmed the successful integration of Central African refugees into the host community. Nevertheless, there is a difference between these two groups in terms of their perception and understanding of the definition of mental health, mental health disorders and treatment options. Thus, there was a clear difference in training and awareness needs between the host and refugee communities.

Conclusions

Based on the qualitative and quantitative results of our assessment, a number of recommendations have been drawn up. It would be interesting to find a balance in the definition, attribution of causes and treatment of mental disorders between the traditional, mystical and cultural vision and the psychological and psychiatric one. It would be important to encourage refugee communities to return to some of their traditional practices, and to allow several visions of the human being to coexist between a traditional and a more medical vision.

To address the lack of resources for mental health care in the Kadey area, more training in mental health and psychosocial support is needed for health and social workers in the area.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Social Determinants and Mental Health in Newly Arrived Young Migrants in Spain
Authors: Franch-Roca M. , Gabarrell-Pascuet A. , Salomon-Mallat E. , Group M. , Haro J. M. , Cristóbal-Narváez P.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Research has shown that factors related with the migratory process (such as travelling alone, living away from family, and discrimination after arrival) considerably increase the risk of mental health problems in young migrants. Moreover, they are among the most vulnerable migration groups with a high risk of social exclusion.

Objectives

To identify coping strategies and behavioural changes used to deal with perceived discrimination and its impact on the emotional well-being and mental health of newly arrived young migrants in Spain.

Methods

A subsample of 15 audio-recorded in-depth qualitative interviews were analysed from the national action-research Migrasalud project (II IN 190517 EN 162 FA 01). The interviews were transcribed, translated from Arabic to Spanish, and analysed through content analysis.

Results

Most participants were males (93.3%; n=14), ranging from 18 to 20 years, and from Morocco (93.3%; n=14). All participants were from foster care placements in Barcelona and arrived to Spain as minors. Newly arrived young migrants reported that they perceived themselves as being healthy before the migratory process. Adverse experiences during the journey and discrimination after arrival impacted their well-being and mental health. Specifically, they reported perceived discrimination in their daily life due to culture, language, or origin. This negatively impacted their well-being and mental health, increasing their emotional distress response and ‘undervalued or inferior’ and ‘vulnerable’ feelings about themselves. Concerning coping with discrimination, they reported using internalised coping strategies such as ‘ignoring’ or ‘not responding’ for fear of having their legal documents revoked or not obtaining them. Their behavioural changes often occurred when they perceived unfair treatment or prejudice towards their migrant status or their socioeconomics, culture or religion. These changes were motivated by being more accepted by the local community by ‘westernisation or cultural assimilation’ and by ‘creating a good image’ of oneself and its culture.

Conclusions

Findings establish that the cumulative experience of post-migration stressors (such as discrimination) negatively impacts their mental health and well-being in the long term. This suggests the need for specific policies and services to address this population’s effects of post-migration risk factors. Further research is needed to explore the causes and effects of perceived discrimination on mental health more closely and to develop more targeted and effective interventions.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Sexuality in patients treated for borderline personality disorder at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé
Authors: Ait Bensaid N. , Bensalah Y. , Sabir M. , El Omari F.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Borderline personality disorder is a severe mental disorder characterized by generalized instability of emotional regulation of interpersonal relationships and self-image, and marked impulsivity. Several features of this disorder are likely to be associated with problematic sexual health, such as impulsivity (impulsive sexual behavior), identity disorders (unstable sexual identity) and unstable and intense interpersonal relationships. In addition, childhood sexual abuse and violence are common in people’s histories.

Objectives

Assessing sexuality in patients followed for borderline personality disorder at Arrazi Salé psychiatric hospital.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including socio-demographic criteria with a questionnaire on sexual behavior in female patients followed for borderline personality disorder at the Arrazi Salé psychiatric hospital. Inclusion criteria: women over 18 years of age diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Exclusion criteria: psychosis, intellectual disability.

Results

We collected 45 patients with borderline personality disorder. The average age was 22, 80% were single, 58% unemployed, 46% had dropped out of high school. The majority of participants were using psychoactive substances. 25% had attempted suicide. 83% were victims of childhood sexual abuse. The majority were significantly more likely to engage in sexual activity at a younger age than their peers. Over 60% had never used contraception 10% had their first pregnancy at a younger age, with termination. 15% have had genital infections. 53% were attracted to both sexes, and over 66% had more than one sexual partner. Over 73% did not experience sexual satisfaction (sexual satisfaction scale less than 10).

Conclusions

The results indicate that sexuality in patients with borderline personality disorder is present early in the course of the disorder, often at a young age, with significant physical, mental and social consequences. Primary care mental health, sexual health and sexual assault services need to be attentive to the clinical diagnosis of this personality disorder, as the nature of the disorder represents both a risk factor and a health threat.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Sodium oxybate – new views on an old candidate This presentation will outline the outcome of a clinical development program, including a Phase 3 study, on sodium oxybate in the treatment of alcohol dependence
Authors: Guiraud J.
Published: August 2024

Sodium oxybate (SMO) has shown efficacy in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and in the maintenance of abstinence in alcohol dependent (AD) patients in a series of pilot randomized controlled trials. SMO is marketed in these indications in Italy and Austria since 1991 and 1999, respectively. To expand access to SMO for the treatment of AD in other EU countries and since regulatory standards have evolved, a clinical development and research project in accordance with regulatory guidelines has been initiated in the maintenance of abstinence to further support the already available data. Phase 2 and 3 studies in AD patients were conducted. Results of this development program showed efficacy of SMO in the maintenance of abstinence in AD patients. Since heterogeneity of SMO treatment effect between studies was identified, various analyses explored the potential moderators of SMO efficacy. SMO efficacy was larger in high-severity AD population and with longer treatment duration. SMO was well tolerated both in regular clinical use and in clinical trials.

Disclosure of Interest

J. Guiraud Shareolder of: Vergio, Employee of: Vergio
Community Mental Health in Postgraduate Education of Psychiatrists and Public Health Professionals- A Proposal for a New Subspeciality
Authors: Polat I. , Karadag O. , Tiryakioglu Engin A. , Altıner Yas M. , Karazag B. O. , Coskun B. , Karabey S.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

“Community Mental Health (CMH)” is defined as policies and practices aimed at improving mental health of communities and promoting healthy societies. Community mental health issues require a multidisciplinary approach because of their complex pattern, in which social determinants play a direct role in both their causes and solutions. However, training of healthcare professionals on CMH issues is still inadequate in many countries.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess mental health and public health professionals’ awareness on CMH, as well as their opinion on the quality of their postgraduate education on CMH in Türkiye. The findings of this study are expected to provide guidance for the improvement of postgraduate education programs of psychiatry and public health.

Methods

The descriptive quantitative study was conducted with psychiatrists, public health physicians, and nurses with a postgraduate degree in Public Health or Psychiatric Nursing, who voluntarily participated by completing an online questionnaire. Data from a total of 131 physicians (43.5%) and nurses (56.5%) were analyzed by using the SPSS statistical package, where descriptive statistics, chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA were used.

Results

The majority (65.6%) of participating physicians and nurses were employed in tertiary healthcare institutions, with the remainder working in other healthcare settings. While half of the healthcare professionals had CMH topics embedded in their postgraduate education curriculum, only 40% had practical training in Community Mental Health Centers. Only one third (37.4%) expressed confidence in their knowledge of CMH, while only one participant reported feeling adequately informed about CMH services at the central and provincial level in Türkiye. One-third of the participants suggested CMH to become a subspecialty for health professionals, emphasizing the need for dedicated theoretical and practical courses in postgraduate curricula of public health and psychiatry education. The study also highlighted a significant difference between nurses and physicians regarding their postgraduate curriculum and perceived knowledge on CMH.

Conclusions

The study revealed that postgraduate education on CMH is still limited in Türkiye, with more emphasis of CMH in psychiatric nursing education. The findings indicate that education programs need to be revised to include more practical training, including practicum in Community Mental Health Centers and that CMH can potentially become a subspecialty for public health professionals and psychiatrists. Conducting more comprehensive quantitative and qualitative studies on this subject, and enriching existing postgraduate education programs in terms of Community Mental Health, are of great importance for protecting and promoting community mental health.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Suicidality during treatment with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Da Fonseca Pinto I. , Elias de Sousa A. , Vieira-Coelho M. A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Treatment choice when prescribing antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD) is often influenced by safety and tolerability profiles. A transient increase in suicidality following antidepressant treatment initiation is a key concern. Although rare, its unpredictability and consequences make them a significant worry. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a “black-box” warning regarding a potential increase in suicidality in adolescents receiving antidepressant treatment for depression that was later expanded to include both young adults and a broader range of antidepressants.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of increased suicidality during the treatment with serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in young adults with MDD.

Methods

We conducted a non-systematic literature search on PubMed using the combination of MeSH terms ([Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors] OR [Levomilnacipran] OR [Desvenlafaxine Succinate] OR [Venlafaxine Hydrochloride] OR [Duloxetine Hydrochloride]) AND [Suicide] AND [Young Adult], and the keywords [(“Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors” OR “Levomilnacipran” OR “Desvenlafaxine” OR “Venlafaxine” OR “Duloxetine”) AND (“Suicide” OR “treatment-emergent suicidal ideation”) AND (“Young” OR “Youth”)].

Results

A total of 31 manuscripts were retrieved and 6 were selected, 3 original research and 3 non-systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials. Only studies written in English that provided information about suicidality with SNRIs in young adults with MDD.

Globally, studies show that not only antidepressants decrease the risk of suicide attempt in depressed patients, but also there is no evidence of an increased suicidality in young adults treated with SNRIs.

Interestingly, one study showed that increasing suicidality could be related to side effects of the treatment, such as anxiety, agitation and irritability. The authors found that poor antidepressant response and greater severity of depression during follow-up were associated with treatment increasing suicidal ideation, as it was suggested in another study.

Another study reinforced that there may be an emotional component to the activating effects produced by some antidepressants that could explain their controversial association with rare cases of suicidal ideation and behaviour.

Conclusions

In conclusion, growing evidence shows that antidepressants overall decrease the risk of suicide attempt in depressed patients. Therefore, reducing antidepressant use over the FDA concerns about increased suicidal tendencies in young patients may actually increase suicide risks due to inadequate treatment of depression. Additional studies are essential to further confirm the importance of early treatment for depression.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The perspective of psychiatric nurses by the European Psychiatric Nurses (Horatio)
Authors: Kilkku N.
Published: August 2024

In the health care system, nurses are often the biggest professional group and therefore their role is important in the development of service system to meet the current needs of support and help in mental health. Novel solutions are needed, solutions which are not only developed between the professionals, but in collaboration with the people seeking for help, family members, other social networks, and different service providers, like NGOs. Human rights and community-based approaches are guiding this development together with the principles of recovery approach. At the same time there are challenges to overcome, like the shortage of professionals, which also demand new kind of collaboration and solutions to make the field of mental health attractive for future professionals and to support the retention of those who are working in practice at the moment. In the joint symposium the viewpoint of mental health/psychiatric nurses on these issues will be presented.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Role of Personalization in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy During the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Buwalda V. J. J. A. , Jansen B. , van Gisbergen M. , Rashnoodi S. R.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In Cue-Exposure-Therapy (CET), clients are exposed to triggers through objects, people and environments that arouse craving (Sinha et al. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2009;34 1198–1208). Virtual Reality Exposure therapy (VRET) is used to experience these triggers in a realistic, safe, and personalized way. VR has been used successfully in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. It has not yet been developed and sufficiently tested as an adjuvant in the clinical post-detoxification phase of treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUD) (e.g. Bordnick et al. Addict.Behav 2008;33 743-756; Hone-Blanchet et al. Front.Hum.Neurosci. 2014; 8(844) 1-15). Additionally, these treatment methods have been tested for effect, but not for effectiveness around different VR technologies (Ghita & Gutierrez-Maldonado. Addict.Behav 2018; 81 1-11; ). This study focuses on VRET-Recovry to examine to what extent VR worlds could be personalized in an effective manner to help treat AUD as well as clarifying on the ways in which the VR worlds could be optimized to achieve its goal.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this study are to assess the necessity of personalization in VR environments for AUD treatment, identify the critical elements for personalization, and examine their impact on craving in AUD patients.

Methods

The study included 10 AUD patients diagnosed according to DSM-V criteria, aged between 18 and 65, who were in the final week of clinical detoxification at a large addiction clinic in The Netherlands. A controlled experiment was conducted using the Recovry 1.0 VR system on Samsung Gear VR and Samsung Galaxy S9. The experiment involved exposure to various VR scenes (CG and 360o), including a neutral setting, a bar scene, and a home situation, with the duration and sequence controlled by a therapist. Data collection consisted of pre- and post-exposure questionnaires, heart rate and blood pressure measurements, and interviews.

Results

Craving was remarkably low in the VR bar scene, primarily due to its unsociable context, limited alcohol visibility, and absence of peer pressure. Technical limitations, such as suboptimal resolution, also affected the feeling of presence. Positive results were shown that craving was predominantly stimulated in the apartment scene, driven by the presence of alcohol-related visual cues and social elements, resembling relaxed drinking with others.

Conclusions

This study underscores that some degree of personalization is needed on all craving dimensions with clear preference was given to CG or 360°. The environments were dependent on the personal history and associations they represent to different levels of alcohol visibility (messy or clean), and types of drink (based on past drinking behavior), and different emotional contexts are needed (positive and negative).

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The effect of catastrophising on health-related quality of life in two chronic somatic illness groups among Hungarian adolescents
Authors: Klein M. , Török S. , Papp Z. , Kökönyei G.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Psychological factors, such as emotional regulation strategies, play a crucial role in the management and care of chronic somatic health conditions among adolescents. In the existing literature, catastrophising has been associated negatively with health-related quality of life in the context of chronic health conditions in general. However, there is limited knowledge about its role in specific illness types.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the impact of catastrophising on the health-related quality of life in two distinct illness groups: diabetes and oncology, within a Hungarian sample.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using self-report measures was carried out, involving a total of 273 adolescents (mean age: 14.72 years, SD: 1,82 years; 50.2% females) in the two paediatric samples. The diabetes group consisted of 171 participants, while the oncology group was comprised of 102 individuals. No significant differences were found between the two chronic condition groups in terms of gender (χ2 = 116.51; p = 0.50), or mean age (F(-0.82; 0.77) = 1.66; p = 0.19). The short-version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ-short) was used to assess the cognitive emotional regulation strategies of the children, specifically focusing on the catastrophising subscale. Health-related quality of life was measured using the 4.0 version of the PedsQL, which included subscales for Physical, Emotional, Social, and School Functioning.

Results

A Hayes-moderation analysis with an interaction effect was conducted, controlling for gender, age, and the duration of the illness. A significant interaction effect was observed between catastrophising and the illness groups, impacting School Functioning (F(1, 243) = 4.17; p = 0.04), Physical Functioning (F(1, 245) = 4.67; p = 0.03), Social Functioning (F(1, 245) = 4,23; p = 0.04), and Emotional Functioning (F(1, 245) = 4.20; p = 0.04). The association between catastrophising and health-related quality of life remained stronger in the oncology group.

Conclusions

Catastrophising appears to be a risk factor that affects the quality of life of children facing oncology illnesses. Therefore, addressing catastrophising in interventions tailored to this paediatric illness group may be beneficial.

Keywords: catastrophising, health-related quality of life, adolescents, chronic somatic

This study was supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office (K143764).

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Progressive grey matter atrophy in adolescents with major depressive disorder revealed by causal structural covariance network
Authors: Chen J. , Jin X. , Gao J. , Zhang Y. , Bai C. , Xu F. , Yao Y. , Yu D. , Yang Y. , Zhang W. , Zhu X. , Wang K.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Adolescence is a period marked by highest vulnerability to the onset of depression, with profound implications for adult health. Neuroimaging studies have revealed considerable atrophy in brain structure in these patients with depression. Of particular importance are regions responsible for cognitive control, reward, and self-referential processing. However, the causal structural networks underpinning brain region atrophies in adolescents with depression remain unclear.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the temporal course and causal relationships of gray matter atrophy within the brains of adolescents with depression.

Methods

We analyzed T1-weighted structural images using voxel-based morphometry in first-episode adolescent patients with depression (n=80, 22 males; age = 15.57±1.78) and age, gender matched healthy controls (n=82, 25 males; age = 16.11±2.76) to identify the disease stage-specific gray matter abnormalities. Then, with granger causality analysis, we arranged the patients’ illness duration chronologically to construct the causal structural covariance networks that investigated the causal relationships of those atypical structures.

Results

Compared to controls, smaller volumes in ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), middle cingulate cortex (MCC) and insula areas were identified in patients with less than 1 year illness duration, and further progressed to the subgenual ACC, regions of default, frontoparietal networks in longer duration. Causal network results revealed that dACC, vmPFC, MCC and insula were prominent nodes projecting exerted positive causal effects to regions of the default mode and frontoparietal networks. The dACC, vmPFC and insula also had positive projections to the reward network, which included mainly the thalamus, caudate and putamen, while MCC also exerted a positive causal effect on the insula and thalamus.

Conclusions

These findings revealed the progression of structural atrophy in adolescent patients with depression and demonstrated the causal relationships between regions involving cognitive control, reward and self-referential processes.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Kids are not alright - When did we start getting more more distressed?
Authors: Glozier N. , Morris R. , Botha F. , Butterworth P.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Much has been made of the decline in population mental health over COVID but most studies show this just exacerabted a loing term trend This has predominnatly been attributed to changes in adolescent mental health over the past decade but there ahs been little evalaution of whether this post Millenium cohort was the first to demonstrate such a decline

Objectives

This study investigates to what extent mental differs in people born in different decades – i.e., possible birth cohort differences in the mental health of the popualtion over the past two decades To remove the linear dependency and identify any differences in trends between cohorts, we model mental health for each cohort as a nonlinear smooth function of age in an age-cohort model.

Methods

This analysis draws on 20 annual waves of the Household Income and Labour Dynamic in Australia (HILDA) survey.,is a nationally representative household panel that commenced in 2001 with 13,969 participants. The birth cohort of each person was defined by the decade of birth year(1940s, 1950s, etc). Mental ill health was assessed with the MHI5 from the SF36, in each wave and K10 from alternate waves. We estimate and compare penalized smooth trends in mental health for each cohort using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) using generalized additive mixed modelling (GAMM). Cohort effects are captured by directly estimating the differences between the smooth age trends of adjacent cohorts.

Results

Later cohorts were more likely to have poorer mental health, higher distress, more likely to be single and unemployed, and less likely to be chronically ill or disabled. Mental health was worse for younger age-groups in each survey year, and this discrepancy is much greater in more recent surveys - consistent with a birth cohort effect. Millennials (those born in the early 1990s) had a lower score at the same age as earlier generations, and the later cohorts do not show the age-related improvement seen in other earlier cohorts as they aged. At age 30 the average MHI-5 score of those born in the 1990s was 67, compared to 72.5 and 74 for people born in the 1980s and 1970s.

Conclusions

The deterioration in mental health over time which has been reported in large cross-sectional surveys, likely reflects cohort-specific effects related to the experiences of young people born in the Millennial generation and, to a lesser extent, those from the immediately prior cohort born in the1980s. We need to understand whether later cohorts are less resilient to similar risk factors experienced by earlier cohorts or whether they experience more and/or a greater severity of risks for mental ill-health. Such evidence is critical if the deteriorating pattern of mental health is to be arrested.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Influence of Gender Roles on Eating Attitudes: A Study Among Female College Students
Authors: Ozel B. , Hosgoren Alıcı Y. , Koçak O. M.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Eating disorders (ED) are serious mental and physical illnesses that involve complex and damaging relationships with eating, exercise, and body image. They emerge due to a multifaceted interplay of factors, including familial predispositions, personality traits, and cultural influences. While societal beauty standards are recognized as significant risk factors, it is hypothesized that the roles and responsibilities associated with adult womanhood may also contribute to their development. In particular, the unique challenges faced by women, especially in developing countries like Turkey, may lead to discontent with traditional gender roles.

Objectives

This study aims to explore the connection between eating disorders, female identity perceptions, body attitudes, expectations regarding women’s roles within families, and their potential association with body dysphoria. We investigate whether eating disorders are linked to a form of sexual dysphoria and body dysmorphia related to femininity rather than solely driven by societal beauty ideals.

Methods

Data from 228 female college students, both undergraduate and graduate, were collected via online surveys. The survey instruments included a sociodemographic form, the Eating Attitude Test, the Gender Roles Attitude Scale, and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire.

Results

The average age of the participants was 24.41 (18-33) years. Regression analysis revealed that age (β=-0.155, p=0.015), the belief that physical appearance would be less important if they were male (β=0.292, p<0.001), and maternal criticism about weight (β=0.239, p<0.001) were influential factors in shaping eating attitudes. Surprisingly, no significant relationship was found between eating attitudes and traditional gender roles (β=0.072, p=0.246). However, we did establish a connection between aspiring to meet ideal thinness standards and perceiving women as disadvantaged in the workplace due to their traditional gender roles (t(226)=2.32, p=0.021), as well as with maternal criticism (t(225)=3.55, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the absence of a direct link between eating attitudes and traditional gender roles may be attributed to an individual’s perception of their environment rather than their self-assessment of masculinity within an egalitarian context. Notably, maternal influences specifically their criticism regarding their daughters’ weight and the roles assigned to mothers significantly shape these perceptions and, consequently, eating behaviors, aligning with existing literature (Ferreira et al. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry 2021;48,168–177).This underscores the need to consider eating disorders within a broader biopsychosocial framework, encompassing attitudes toward the world and one’s role within it.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Working memory capacity in naturally cycling women and oral contraceptive users
Authors: Kowalczyk M. , Kornacka M. , Krejtz I.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Miyake and Friedman’s model (2012) presents three core executive functions: inhibition, updating and shifting. Updating refers to working memory (WM) because it involves passive storage but also active manipulation of information. According to a review by Hampson (2018), the literature is consistent on the fact that 17b-estradiol (the most prevalent type of estrogen in women of reproductive age) is associated with improved WM. Levels of estradiol are at their highest in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The use of OC is linked with a noticeable decrease in levels of estradiol and progesterone (Hampson, 2020). Nevertheless, combined OC contain synthetic steroids, usually ethinylestradiol and progestins which can be androgenic or anti-androgenic. Androgenic progestins are derived from testosterone while anti-androgenic progestins block androgen receptors (Raudrant & Rabe, 2003). The review by Beltz (2022) concluded that the use of androgenic OC is linked to an enhanced performance in spatial WM whereas anti-androgenic OC are linked with an impaired performance. When it comes to verbal WM, OC use is related to an enhancement in performance, irrespective of androgenicity.

Objectives

To measure the differences in WM capacity between NC women and OC users at two times points in one menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal phases for NC women).

Methods

78 women (18-45; M= 28.93, SD=6.81), including one group of NC women (N=40) and one group taking OC (N=38), were tested twice over the course of one menstrual cycle. The NC women were tested during their follicular and luteal phases while the OC users were tested during the active phase of their OC. They completed an automated version of the Operation Span task (OSPAN; Unsworth et al., 2005). The OSPAN task involves completing simple math problems while simultaneously trying to remember a series of randomly generated letters.

Results

There was no difference in WM capacity between NC women and OC users. However, we found a significant difference in the number of math errors (speed or accuracy) made by NC women. The number of math errors was higher (M=5.12) during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase (M=2.68). Moreover, we also found a significant difference in the number of math errors made by OC users (M=4.00) and NC women (M=2.68) in their follicular phase. The difference disappeared when the OC users were compared to NC women in their luteal phase.

Conclusions

We found no difference in WM capacity between NC women and OC users. However, we found that NC women made more math errors during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase and that OC users made more errors than NC women in their follicular phase. The follicular phase has an increased level of estradiol whereas OC users experience a decrease in their levels of estradiol. Estradiol levels could be linked with math performance.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared