bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice and well-being of global mental health professionals
Authors: Rebello T. , Reed G.
Published: February 2022

Some of the most direct and brutal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are experienced by health care professionals who are working in demanding environments while having to deal with their own fears of infection and mortality. To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the practice and well-being of global mental health professionals, we designed a three-part, longitudinal, internet-based study. Here we present data from part 1, implemented in June-July 2020 in six languages to members of WHO’s Global Clinical Practice Network composed of 15,500 mental health practitioners. The study assessed COVID-19’s impact on: work circumstances; occupational well-being; use and transition to telehealth; and expectations, needs and recommendations. 2,505 mental health professionals from 126 countries responded to the study (47% psychiatrists). 93.7% of respondents were currently practicing and 70.9% continued to see patients in person. The impact on clinical workload varied in terms of direction and extent depending on type of service provided and country of practice. Most participants had started or increased their use of telehealth services, and we identified a need for training to support telehealth use. Overall, clinicians scored high on well-being indices. However, a subset scored above the cutoff for low well-being and reported a significant number of post-traumatic symptoms. Five factors affected work-related stress: fear of infection, severe COVID-related events, life disruption, lack of adequate protection and role disruption. Data from this study will provide information relevant for the design, development, and integration of mental health services in the continuing pandemic, and in similar future scenarios.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Profile of tunisian students consulting in psychopedagogy unit
Authors: Messedi N. , Abdelkafi N. , Bouattour O. , Chamseddine A. , Ghorbel A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

A signifiant proportion of adolescents and young adults suffer from mental disorders that interfere with their development and influence their academic and professional succes.

Objectives

To describe the soscio-demographic and clinical profile of tunisian students who have consulted in the psycho-pedagogy unit.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive study, data were collected from the files of 359 pupils and students having consulted in the psycho-pedagogy unit of the psychiatry (B) department of the Hedi Chaker university hospital of Sfax in Tunisia, from 2014 to 2018.

Results

The average age of students was 20.38 ±2.38 years old. The Sex ratio = 0.95 (175 M / 184 W). Students were undergraduates in 55.4 of the cases. THey are smokers in 19% and consume alcohol in 7% of case. A family psychiatric history was present in 34% of students and personal history in 25%. A difficult childhood was found in77.5% of patients and their academic results were low (< 10/20) in 54%. Adjustement disorders were the most frequent disorders in psycho-educationel counseling (47% of case). The most prescribed psychotropic drugs were antidepressants (31.8%) followed by anxiolytics (23.7%) and the withdrawel syndrome was found in 18% of patients.

Conclusions

A students with a difficult childhood, low academic results and adjustement disorders such is the profile most frequently encountered among patients consulting the psychopedagogy unit. In this way,the promotion and protection of adolescent’s health particulary pupils and students benefits not only for their own health, but also for the economic and the society.
Perceived stress among nurses: A hospital-based study
Authors: Hrairi A. , Kchaou A. , Masmoudi R. , Abbes A. , Hammami K. Jmal , Masmoudi M.L. , Masmoudi J. , Hajjeji M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Stress can be described as a dynamic and reciprocal relationship between the person and the environment. Nursing is considered as an occupation with a constellation of circumstances leading to stress.

Objectives

This study aims to assess perceived stress among staff nurses in Hedi Chaker and Habib bourguiba Hospital from Sfax city, Tunisia

Methods

Nurses from Hedi Chaker and Habib bourguiba University hospitals in Sfax- Tunisia were invited to complete a structured self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of the following parts: Perceived Stress Scale (10-item form), personal data and information relevant to types of work shifts and years of experience.

Results

A total of 146 (males = 49; females = 97) nurses participated in this study. The mean age was 37 years. Nearly 82 % of the participants considered themselves in very good health. Rotating shifts work was noted in 72.50% of cases. The average length of working experience was 7.96 years. The stress in most of nurses was in severe level (74.65%), followed by mild (23.28%) and moderate (2.05%) levels. High level of perceived stress was significantly associated with general health problems (P= 0.032). No significant association was found between level of perceived stress, types of work shifts and years of experience.

Conclusions

The results show a significantly high level of stress among staff nurses. Hence, nurses need support and subsequent interventions to cope with stress. Actions in this direction may contribute to the improvement of health, well-being and quality of life of the professionals.

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
Mental health impact of covid on athletes
Authors: Shah K. , Jain S. , Glick I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact all aspects of the daily life of the public worldwide. With decreased economic activity, the sports industry faces significant challenges of maintaining athletes’ mental health while seeking the best strategies for eventual return to sports competition.

Objectives

We aim to evaluate COVID-19 related factors impacting on the mental health of athletes and provide appropriate management steps.

Methods

We examined MeSH terms “Athletes,” “Sports,” “COVID-19,” in the context of “Mental Health,” “Mental Disorders,” “Behavioral Medicine,” “Risk Factors.” We identified seven studies for the qualitative synthesis per the PRISMA guidelines, searching Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central, and PsychInfo databases until July 2020.

Results

The pandemic has negatively impacted athletes’ mental wellbeing due to decreased physical activities, limited resources, fears, and delays or cancellations of the sporting event. The negative psychological impact on athletes is due to self-isolation measures leading to worries of less preparedness for the lockdown, reduced physical activity, loss of competitive advantages, fear of being infected, social isolation, and loneliness. During this period, athletes struggled to maintain baseline routine and engaged in excessive calorie intake, eating low-quality food, substance use, and sleep disruption. It has caused anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mood disorder at varying degrees of severity in athletes.

Conclusions

Limited resources during a pandemic have caused adverse mental impact on athletes. We recommend improving physical activity through confined or virtual training programs with colleagues. A collaborative approach is required by clinicians, psychologists, coaches, sports organizations, government bodies to limit the pandemic’s mental health impact.
Dying child and nurses’ mourning
Authors: Zartaloudi A. , Lekas C. , Koutelekos I. , Evangelou E. , Kyritsi E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

One of the most complex and emotional aspects of nursing is the interaction between the nurse and the dying child. The attitudes of nurses towards death, affect the quality of care.

Objectives

To investigate pediatric nurses’ attitudes towards death.

Methods

Methodology: 170 nurses, working in pediatric hospital departments completed a questionnaire which included sociodemographic characteristics and information related to their previous training and clinical experience regarding death issues in general and dying children’s care in particular.

Results

68.6% reported that the death of a child affects them very much, while 44.7% of the participants didn’t feel well prepared to manage death issues. Pediatric nurses were greatly affected by children’s death, expressing mainly feelings of sadness (44%), compassion (22%), guilt (22%) and anger (22%). 73% of the sample wished the hospitalized child, died when they were not present. 53.5% had been trained regarding the care of dying patients and the management of death and mourning as part of their curriculum and 21.2% had attended a relative seminar / lecture. The importance of proper and adequate education becomes particularly apparent considering that the majority of our sample either did not feel sufficiently prepared in order to deal with death and mourning, even though more than 70% of our participants had been relatively educated.

Conclusions

The incorporation of the notions of death and care at end of life in the theoretical and practical fields of nursing will improve the quality of services offered at the end of life for patients and their families.
Assessment of attitudes toward schizophrenia in tunisian family medicine residents
Authors: Abassi B. , Fekih-Romdhane F. , Fayhaa H. , Ghrissi F.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Assessing the attitudes of family medicine residents toward schizophrenia is of greatest concern since family physicians potentially have a key role in identifying the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia at earlier stages and in engaging young people in treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate attitudes towards schizophrenia in a group of Tunisian family medicine residents, and to examine the link between these attitudes and help-seeking intentions in this group.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey. A 18-item questionnaire concerning attitudes toward schizophrenia was used.

Results

A total of 88% participants have reported favorable help-seeking intentions. In total, 48.4% of residents would oppose if one of their relatives would like to marry someone who has schizophrenia, and 37.1% of them would not like to have a neighbor with schizophrenia. Only about a half of residents agreed that “schizophrenia has the chance of recovery”, and 68.8% thought that “schizophrenia can be treated”. Pearson correlations found a significant negative relationship between age and social distance in residents (p<.001). Year of residency was significantly associated with attitudes toward schizophrenia, with more unfavorable attitudes in third-year residents (p=.042). After controlling for potentially confounding sociodemographic variables, help-seeking intentions did not contribute to the prediction of attitudes toward schizophrenia in the residents.

Conclusions

Implementing anti-stigma programs in medical schools may help improve future physicians’ attitudes and prepare them to provide primary mental health care to young help-seekers with psychosis should be given priority attention.
Characteristics of psychotic disorders occurring during immigration: Comparative study
Authors: Lajmi I. , Omri S. , Bouali M. Maalej , Feki R. , Smaoui N. , Thabet J. Ben , Zouari L. , Charfi N. , Maalej M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Many studies showed an increased incidence of psychotic disorders (PD) among immigrants.

Objectives

Study the characteristics of patients suffering from PD and having immigration experience (IE) by comparing them to patients without IE.

Methods

A retrospective controlled study, involving 58 male patients having IE and suffering from PD (DSM 5) who were followed in the psychiatry department of Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia), between January 2013 and December 2018.They were compared to 60 male patients suffering from PD who lack the IE. Samples were matched on age and socio-economic status. Data was collected from their medical records.

Results

The mean age was 36 years old. The countries of destination were almost European (65.5%). The most common PD were schizophrenia (62%) and schizoaffective disorder (19%). The use of psychoactive substances (PS) was noted in 55% of cases.The average time interval between the onset of the PD and immigration was 4,7 years. The mean age of the onset of PD was 27 years old. The mean age of PD onset was earlier among patients having IE (27 year old vs 28.5 year old, p=0.24).The use of PS was significantly higher in these patients (p=0.04).

Conclusions

Our study identified some of the features associated with PD that occur during an immigration experience such as the use of PS. Further studies should be conducted in collaboration with countries of destination of immigrants to clarify the relationship between immigration and PD.
Adjunctive antidepressive pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Zink M.
Published: February 2022

Depressive symptoms during long-term course of schizophrenia constitute an important and frequent clinical problem. They may occur either as stand-alone major depressive episodes (MDEs) or as part of the schizophrenic negative syndrome. Teatment resistant schizophrenia due to affective deficits results in high subjective burden of disease and a marked subgroup of schizophrenia patients die from suicide. International treatment guidelines strongly suggest offering cognitive behavioural therapy to all patients with schizophrenia. Within pharmacological approaches evidence in favour of second generation antipsychotics exist. The application of mood stabilizers lacks evidence from clinical trials, but is often used in clinical practice. Several antidepressive agents have been administered to depressed patients with schizophrenia and were effective in alleviating both affective and negative symptoms. Treatment outcomes, however, were often limited by side effects and pharmacokinetic interactions, which constitutes the necessity of more easily tolerable pharmacological interventions. Data regarding duloxetine, bupropion, vortioxetine and agomelatine are presented in more detail and discussed within the perspective of multimodal treatment of schizophrenia.

Disclosure

M.Z. received scientific grants from the German Research Foundation and Servier. Speaker and travel grants were provided from Otsuka, Servier, Lundbeck, Roche, Ferrer and Trommsdorff.
Pedophilic sex offender show reduced actiation in the right dlpfc during integration of emotion and cognition – preliminary results
Authors: Szczypiński J. , Wypych M. , Michalska A. , Krasowska A. , Kopera M. , Suszek H. , Marchewka A. , Jakubczyk A. , Wojnar M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The pedophilic disorder is characterized by a sexual preference for children and leads to child sexual abuse (CSA) in half of the patients. Studies showed that pedophiles with a history of CSA (CSA+) are inferior, in inhibitory control, to those without (CSA-).

Objectives

Inhibitory control may be influenced by negative affectivity, which was shown to be a state factor facilitating sexual abuse. Nevertheless, it is not known if distress influence CSA+ and CSA- equally.

Methods

We recruited three groups of participants: healthy controls (HC) CSA+ and CSA- who performed an emotional Go-NoGo block task. The task was design specifically to correspond to a situation in which an indivisual is opposed by a negative life event. In each trial, participants were presented with photographs, either of neutral or negative valence, which did not require reaction. After the photographs, a circle (Go stimuli) or a square (NoGo stimuli) was presented.

Results

We found that HC and CSA- had slower reaction time in negative compared to neutral condition (regardless of the block type), while CSA+ did not. Consequently, HC and CSA- showed increased activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in negative compared to the neutral condition, what was not observed in CSA+.

Conclusions

DLPFC is crucial for cognitive control, however, the activity of this region is modulated by emotional valence. Reduced engagement of dlPFC in CSA+ in negative condition (irrespectively of the task instructions), suggest that negative emotions in CSA+ disrupt also other aspects of cognitive control, rather than inhibition specifically.
The (ANTI)psychotic paradox: Lewy body dementia
Authors: Galvañ J. , Angélico I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Lewy Bodie Dementia (LBD) is the second more common progressive dementia caused by the deposition of proteins at the neocortical level, producing motor and psychotic symptoms (parkinsonism and visual hallucinations) which typically get worse with antipsychotics.

Objectives

Find the best antipsychotic treatment in a real patient with LBD balancing control of motor and psychotic symptoms.

Methods

A clinical trial about a real case based on an updated bibliographical review. Received a 70 years old man with more than ten years LBD diagnosis, treated with clozapine (25mg / 12h). According to his wife (principal keeper), it stills a paranoid speech with fluctuant delusional ideas conditioned by visual hallucinations, predominantly in the evening, with no amelioration in four years clozapine treatment, adding a progressive parkinsonism impairment despite neurological drugs (carbidopa:levodopa). Doing a bibliographical review, we found a 2019 article (with 3 Systematic review/Metanalysis and 3 Clinical Practice Guidance, including in NICE), where point olanzapine 5mg well effective but worse tolerated and light up quetiapine as choice that should be considered (no doses specified).

Results

One month later of therapeutic trial following the review in our clinical case, changing clozapine for quetiapine (50mg / 12h), we found an improvement of motor control and a reduction of psychotic manifestation that allows a less disruptive behavior in our patient, also objectified by his principal keeper.

Conclusions

While bibliography doesn’t point a specific dose drug guide for antipsychotic treatment in LBD, in our clinical trial we detected a better control of symptoms using low dose quetiapine, nevertheless more studies are needed.
Psilocybin in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: What do we know so far?
Authors: Descalço N. , Medeiros A.B. , Santos C. Fernandes , Borges G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring plant alkaloid in mushrooms and a prodrug of psilocin. It is a serotonin receptor (5-HT2A) agonist and known psychedelic, with similar hallucinatory properties to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). It has been identified as a safe and effective option in treatment-resistant depression. Literature focus mainly on its use on depressive but its interest in other psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has grown.

Objectives

To review the clinical evidence for the use of hallucinogens such as psilocybin in OCD.

Methods

Non-systematic review of literature found on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Google Scholar, using the keywords “obsessive-compulsive disorder”, “psilocybin” and “hallucinogens”. Articles may include clinical trials, case report or case series. Articles found were admitted according to their relevance for the topic in review; only articles in English were included. Ongoing research trials on this topic were checked on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Results

So far, only one open-label non-randomized study directly assessed the effects of psilocybin on OCD patients that found acute reductions of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Case reports of patients improving with off-label use of psilocybin are reported. There are two ongoing phase I research trials, aiming to explore the effect of the substance on symptomatology, hypothesizing that psilocybin will normalize cerebral connectivity and thus correlate with clinical improvement.

Conclusions

More research to establish the usefulness of psilocybin in OCD patients is needed; the collected data is encouraging are there may be a role for its use on this disorder.
Cognitive decline and psychotropic drugs use in elderly people with mental disorders
Authors: De Oliveira K. Cestari , De Oliveira Bastos P. Haidamus
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The growth in the number of aged people in the population is considered a worldwide phenomenon, with direct consequences in health systems. The literature indicates an increase in the diagnosis of mental disorders and the use of psychotropic drugs for that population, as well as frequent complaints regarding to cognition.

Objectives

To analyze the possible relationship between cognitive decline and use of psychiatric drugs in elderly with mental disorders, assisted by psychiatric outpatient clinics, city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Methods

Quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional research, with 59 participants.Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected through semi-structured clinical interviews and medical records. To screen for cognitive decline, the Mini Mental State Examination was used.

Results

Majority of females, with a mean age of 66.75 ± 0.63 years, married, up to 8 years of completed studies and living with family members. The prevalence of depressive disorders was higher (52.54%), with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant use in 67.8%. Most were using 2 or more psychotropics the most prevalent combination being benzodiazepines and antidepressants. 52.5% of the elderly reported cognitive complaints and 45.8% presented Mini Mental scores, suggesting cognitive decline. It was associated with depressive disorders and the consumption of 2 or more psychotropics.

Conclusions

Although there is evidence that psychotropic drugs represent effective strategies for the treatment of mental disorders, the use for this group of elderly should be carefully analyzed, due to the predisposition or worsening of cognitive decline, with impairment to the quality of life of this population.
Delirium at the elderly patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Authors: Kuzminov V. , Linskiy I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The psychoses in patients with dependence of alcohol are in many cases polyethiologic, this is especially common in the elderly due to accumulation of various somato-neurological pathologies.

Objectives

88 men, with alcohol withdrawal syndrome accompanied by delirium; the average age - 70,4 ± 3,9 years, duration of alcohol abuse - 27,4 ± 6,5 years.

Methods

clinical, psychopathological and statistical

Results

The psychoses in patients with dependence of alcohol are in many cases polyethiologic, this is especially common in elderly due to accumulation of various somato-neurological pathologies. One of such factors is alcohol dependence syndrome and alcohol withdrawal. ICD-10 allows sharing out delirium with mixed etiology F05.8; this category can include patients when there is a severe alcohol withdrawal condition and somato-neurological pathology that can be an independent factor in the delirious syndrome. 88 elderly patients with were examined in state of alcohol withdrawal. All patients had delirious syndrome. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 1st – patients with a condition of alcohol withdrawal with delirium; 2nd - patients with a delirium of mixed etiology (the factor of the presence of dyscirculatory encephalopathy, was considered a competing factor in the onset of delirium). Some differential-diagnostic signs of the studied disorders were established. In the case of prolongation of psychosis, the clinical picture was similar in both groups, which was explained by exacerbation of the existing somatic pathology.

Conclusions

Estimation of the leading factor in the emergency of acute psychosis in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome is of great practical importance for selection of therapeutic tactics.
Dementia and suicide: What relationship to establish and what risks to consider?
Authors: Andrade F. , Guedes R. , Santos C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Given the marked population aging in the world, the incidence of dementia has significantly increased, becoming a growing health care problem. Suicide is a considerable health issue throughout the life span, being prevalent in older adults, and in many countries the highest suicide rates are found in the elderly. Thus far, the relationship between dementia and suicide remains poorly understood and inconsistent.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to do a non-systematic review of the current literature regarding the association between suicide risk and dementia.

Methods

We conducted a research using the Medline database, through the Pubmed search engine, using the following key-words: “dementia”, “suicide” and “risk factors”.

Results

Overall, the risk of suicide in people with dementia appears to be the same as that of age-matched general population. However, studies point to the existence of a number of factors that can increase this risk, such as: early age of dementia diagnosis, recent diagnosis, disease awareness and depression, hopelessness, male gender, failure to respond to anti-dementia medication, history of inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations, concurrent medical comorbidities.

Conclusions

Studies have reported mixed results as to whether dementia itself is an independent risk factor for suicide. Despite these findings, understanding the risk factors for suicide among people with dementia is crucial and suicide prevention efforts should be carried out in this population.
The impact of life hardiness, attachment style and personality profile on ptsd vulnerability manifestation in breast cancer patients undergone successful surgical treatment
Authors: Vasileva A. , Lukoshkina E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

PTSD manifestation is determined by facing extreme life threatening experience going beyond our stress coping skills. The diagnosis of the serious illness like cancer or SARS-2 COVID 19 can be considered as one of the PTSD risk factors. In our clinical practice we have to distinguish the patients groups vulnerable to comorbid PTSD as well as define the psychological factors like good life hardiness, adaptive internal illness image or specific personality profile that can help to cope with disease stress and should be strengthen with psychosocial interventions.

Objectives

After screening with PTSD Trauma Screening Questionnaire and an expert clinical interview aimed to verify the PTSD diagnosis according to ICD-10 criteria 97 breast cancer patients were enrolled in the study, 46 with comorbid PTSD, 51 well coped with stress

Methods

Semi-structured interview, Hardiness Survey questionnaire,Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) Adult Attachment questionnaire,Impact of Event Scale-R – IES-R, the questionnaire of the internal disease model, Ego-structure test by G. Ammon(ISTA),.

Results

The correlation analysis revealed negative correlation between PTSD diagnosis and hardiness, especially its Involvement, Control, Risk acceptance sub-scales and with the Traumatic event impact score. Deficient-destructive ISTA personality profile had a positive correlation with PTSD and traumatic Impact scores, the strongest correlation were with deficient aggression(r=0,698, p=0.01), destructive anxiety (r=0,674, p=0,01), and deficient internal and external demarcation (r=0,678, p=0,01). The adaptive internal illness image types had a negative correlation with PTSD

Conclusions

Hardiness, maladaptive illness images types and destructive-deficient personality dimension should be the main targets for psychotherapy in comorbid PTSD treatment and prevention

Keyword

life hardiness ptsd breast cancer internal image of the illness construct anxiety social support
Breast cancer: The level of stress correlated with the type of surgery and the instructive level of patients
Authors: Dana T. Catalina , Giurgi-Oncu C. , Daciana G. , Cristina O. , Ica S. , Rivis I. , Adriana N. , Bianca D. , Bredicean A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Breast cancer is a severe pathology that once detected completely changes the patient’s perception of life.

Objectives

Evaluating the relationship that is established between the level of stress, the type of surgery applied and, the instructive level of women.

Methods

We selected 67 patients which were divided into 2 groups: group I(31) women who benefited from immediate reconstruction and group II(36) subjects who benefited from a late reconstruction. We split each group into two subgroups: women with secondary education and women with higher education. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the DASS-21 scale were applied.

Results

Comparing the two groups we noticed that stress level was more present in group I(38,7%) than in group II(25%). The differences were not statistically significant(p>0,05). In the subgroup of women with higher education in group I, high levels of stress were observed at 23,08% and, in the subgroup of patients with secondary education, 50% had high levels of stress. The differences were not statistically significant (p>0,05). We also analyzed the two subgroups of group II and we identified increased levels of stress in 20% of patients with higher education compared to those with secondary education where 26,93% had high levels of stress. Also, the differences were not statistically significant(p>0,05). A statistically significant difference(p<0,05) was found when we compared the level of stress between women with secondary education of group I and those of group II.

Conclusions

The study revealed that stress levels tend to be higher in women with immediate breast reconstruction and secondary education.
Cancer-related cognitive impairment in cancer: Examining portuguese cancer survivors’ acceptability and expectations regarding cognitive telerehabilitation interventions
Authors: Oliveira A.F. , Torres A. , Pereira A. , Santos I.M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is one of the most frequent and worrying side effects experienced by non-central nervous system (CNS) cancer survivors, generally related to cancer treatments. Considering its detrimental impact on quality of life, including work-related outcomes, it is necessary to identify effective intervention options. Cognitive rehabilitation is considered the first-line intervention to address CRCI, being effective at improving cognitive functioning. Internet-based interventions are emerging as important means of intervention in the field of cognitive rehabilitation (known as cognitive telerehabilitation), considering the potential to overcome accessibility issues and being cost-effective.

Objectives

To assess the acceptability and expectations regarding such interventions, considering the scarce literature.

Methods

A nationwide online survey was disseminated to Portuguese non-CNS cancer survivors, aged 18-65 years, who had finished active treatments, with no metastases/history of neurological or psychiatric disease/alcohol or drug abuse. Preexisting knowledge about CRCI, expectations for support to cognitive difficulties, Internet use for health and support purposes, and intervention needs and preferences in the context of cognitive telerehabilitation were examined; sociodemographic and clinical variables (e.g., age, education, employment status, cancer treatments), as well as cognitive complaints (Portuguese version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive, FACT-Cog), were also assessed.

Results

Findings from this study are important to help health professionals and researchers understand and identify cancer survivors’ needs regarding cognitive telerehabilitation interventions.

Conclusions

This information could be used as a support and guide for the development and delivery of these interventions for non-CNS cancer survivors.
Personality and features of metacognition and perception of everyday life
Authors: Lianguzova V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In our study, we aimed to understand how an individual perceives everyday life, as well as, which role the features of metacognitions and personality play in this process. Everyone is immersed in society and therefore exposed to external influences. Attention has already been focused on the relationship between metacognition and social context. “Internal orientation” depends largely on our personal and family history, socio-economic situation, group membership, and cultural context.

Objectives

The sample consisted of 30 participants (women and men, M=25,7, Sd=3,6), selected by the criterion of personal interest in this research.

Methods

The study consisted of several stages. The first stage was devoted to the theoretical analysis of everyday life in modern psychology. The data were processed using descriptive qualitative analysis using the phenomenological method, where we identified categories (Central topics) among the participants ‘ responses. To study the features of metacognition, we selected methods for assessing metacognitive involvement in awareness of internal activity, as well as metacognitive beliefs. The metacognitive awareness inventory questionnaire (MAIL) (Schraw & Dennison, 1994) in adaptation (Karpov & Skiteva, 2005) allows you to assess the level of metacognitive engagement, answer the question about the level of metacognitive awareness of the participant.

Results

Pearson correlation is revealed a significant relationship between MAI and cognitive self-consciousness (p=0.003), positive beliefs (p=0.002), and needs of controling the thoughts (p=0.076).

Conclusions

Our research opens the study of the subjective dimensions of person-situation-activity and offers a way of linking research on personality with research on the social processes whereby persons conduct their everyday lives.
Deviations of personality development in children from families of different social status
Authors: Burlakova N. , Davidovich P.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Methodological foundations of Lev Vygotsky’s school enable to reveal the mechanisms shaping personality disorders and to explore the process of disorder formation. The genesis of symptoms is examined in the context of the social situation of child’s development and historical environment.

Objectives

2 groups of children (aged 5,5-7): (1) upper middle class, from prestigious development center (n = 31); (2) lower middle class, from social assistance center (n = 35).

Methods

The following methods were used: СAT (Bellak); objective description of the cultural and social context of the child’s development; long-term observation.

Results

1) Deviations of personal development in children from the first group are expressed in individualism and related narcissism. This feature is actualized in CAT stories with the situation of rivalry between the characters (t. 1, 4, 5): the central character is either ignored by the child, or pampers the “small” character, which represents the child’s identification model (t. 3, 7). Another feature is intolerance to frustration; frustration is ignored in pictures dealing with this topic (t. 8, 10). 2) For the second group, typical features include anxiety, rigidity when acting not according to the rules. These features are manifested at the beginning of the CAT test and in situations when self-expression is required (t. 1). Moreover, children demonstrate the negative sense of self, which is expressed in identification with losing characters (t. 2) and in projections of the early social fears (t.8)

Conclusions

The social and genetic approach enables more thorough and careful examination of the onset of the deviation.
On contemporary aspects of assisted suicide at plato
Authors: Voinov A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Usually, Plato is not considered a philosopher that comprehensively treated the matter of suicide. By studying Plato’s work (especially Crito, Phaedo, the Republic and the Laws), we observe that Plato was concerned with the problem of suicide and that he gave an elaborate answer regarding the problem of suicide, laws against its practice as well as exceptions from them, customs and punishments.

Objectives

This paper, in the light of a trial to overcome the monistic approaches of the matter of suicide, proposes the modest but fundamental goal to point out the resemblance between Plato’s position (especially from the Laws and the Republic) regarding the matter of suicide and the nowadays reasons invoked by the patients requesting assisted suicide.

Methods

Looking at the patients from the United States of America which requested assisted suicide, by analyzing the available annual reports (at the time of writing this abstract, only 6 out of 9 states that have a legal status that permits assisted suicide are publishing annual reports regarding the patients and their assisted suicide requests), we compare them with Plato’s attitude towards suicide.

Results

We observe that the most invoked reasons (concerns and underlying illnesses), by the patients wich request assisted suicide, are also the cases in which Plato permitted suicide.

Conclusions

This comparison and insight into Plato’s philosophy does not resolve any particular issues of the medical praxis but is binging out the utility of a multidisciplinary, especially philosophical and ethical, approach to the practice of assisted suicide.
Mental health and sexual health - two modern definitions and their impact on holistic care
Authors: Kosmowski W.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Definitions of health in different branches of medicine are one of the key paradigms in medical sciences. Nowadays, there are two distinct definitions of sexual health and mental health. The definition of sexual health, as well as sexual rights, was proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2006), and the definition of mental health was published in World Psychiatry (Galderisi et al, 2015).

Objectives

The analysis and comparison of these two definitions: mental health and sexual health are two main objectives of this study.

Methods

The analysis was carried out in three areas: logic, philosophical aspects (values) and the impact of other disciplines.

Results

The definition of sexual health reveals a eudaimonistic approach, whereas the definition of mental health is based on a holistic paradigm. Regarding the main principles in the definition of sexual heath, one can identify the following values: well-being, pleasure, safety, sexual rights – compared to harmony, empathy, coping skills, universal values in the definition of mental health. Sexual rights are a constitutive part of sexual health. There is no comparative element in the definition of mental health (e.g. the rights of mentally disabled persons).

Conclusions

These two definitions can have different effects on the prophylaxis and therapy of patients. It all depends on the specific context of care (sexology or psychiatry). Sometimes universal values matter and sometimes not. This is contradictory. Consistency is needed between definitions and practices.
Narrative exposure therapy for refugees and asylum seekers with PTSD: A review of the literature
Authors: Macallin A. , Wynn R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Refugees and asylum seekers have often been exposed to multiple or complex traumas and are known to have a high rate of trauma-related disorders. Different therapeutic approaches have been used to treat this group with varying success. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is one promising intervention for refugees and asylum seekers that are suffering from post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD). NET is a treatment given individually or in small groups in typically 12 sessions or less. In NET, memories are reorganized through a process involving imaginary exposure to trauma.

Objectives

To review the literature on NET for refugees and asylum seekers suffering from PTSD.

Methods

The data bases PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo and Web of Science were searched using a selection of search terms, including ‘Narrative therapy’, ‘refugees’ and ‘stress disorders, post-traumatic’. The identified relevant articles were qualitatively assessed and effect sizes were compared. Methodological quality was assessed according to the GRADE-criteria.

Results

Thirteen studies were assessed with a total study population of 745. Nine of the included studies were RCTs. Overall, the studies found medium to very high effects of NET. The quality of the studies varied from very low to high. More studies of NET for refugees and asylum seekers are needed, and in particular studies reporting long-term outcomes.

Conclusions

The review suggests that NET shows promise as a method for the treatment of PTSD in refugees and asylum seekers. However, the review is based on relatively few studies and more studies of long-term outcomes are particularly needed.
No distance is too far between friends: Associations of comfortable interpersonal distance with PTSD and anxiety symptoms in traumatized individuals
Authors: Haim-Nachum S. , Sopp M.R. , Michael T. , Shamay-Tsoory S. , Levy-Gigi E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Previous research indicates that traumatized individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may show alterations in interpersonal distance regulation that are not evident in traumatized individuals without PTSD symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms of these alterations are yet to be investigated. Moreover, it is not clear whether altered interpersonal distance regulation is correlated with trauma-related psychopathology.

Objectives

The current study investigated behavioral and neurophysiological markers of interpersonal distance regulation as predictors of PTSD and anxiety in traumatized firefighters.

Methods

Twenty-four active-duty firefighters (M = 30.58, SD = 3.62) completed an experimental task that measures comfortable interpersonal distance. During the task, event-related potentials were recorded to assess attentional processing as reflected in the P1 and N1 components. Trauma-related psychopathology was assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale and the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results

Participants who did not choose a closer distance towards friends as compared to strangers experienced greater anxiety post-trauma. On a neurophysiological level, participants who showed attentional avoidance towards strangers reported more PTSD symptoms. By contrast, participants who showed hypervigilant attention towards strangers reported greater anxiety.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate associations between interpersonal distance regulation and psychopathology after trauma, shedding light on the underlying processes of interpersonal distance regulation in anxiety and PTSD. Future studies should re-investigate these associations in a larger sample and explore potential implications for the prevention and treatment of trauma-related psychopathology.
Therapeutic interventions for PTSD – current evidence on the the role of psychedelics
Authors: Figueiredo I. , Viegas F. , Ferreira F. , Santos A. , Ramos J. , Miranda J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often a chronic condition, despite the existence of evidence-based treatment options. Psychotherapy is the designated first line treatment for PTSD, although high rates of psychiatric and medical comorbidity are observed among patients who have undergone treatment. The psychoactive properties of psychedelics may be of particular interest within a substance-assisted psychotherapy approach, offering new treatment opportunities for this debilitating disorder.

Objectives

Review current evidence, therapeutic context, and possible mechanisms of action of different types of psychedelics in the treatment of PTSD.

Methods

Literature review using Medline database.

Results

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy appears to be a potentially safe, effective, and durable treatment for individuals with treatment-refractory PTSD. Based on a small number of studies, ketamine administration appears to result in temporary symptom relief and may, in combination with psychotherapy, lead to lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms. Although these have not yet been investigated in controlled studies, it is known that psilocybin and LSD induce psychoactive effects that could as well contribute to the psychotherapeutic treatment of PTSD.

Conclusions

The use of psychedelic compounds within a substance-assisted psychotherapy framework offers a novel method for pharmacotherapy-psychotherapy integration, although there is still much to learn from both a clinical and neurobiological perspective. It is necessary to generate more data regarding the safety and efficacy of psychedelics, in addition to research on cost-effectiveness, its use in mental health care infrastructure and also regarding the training of specialized therapists.
Rorschach test with exner cs in assessing damage and trauma in suspected cases of abuse. Traumatic intrusions in thinking: Ptsd and adaptation disorder
Authors: Galletta D. , Suarato V. , Confuorto M. , Subosco F. , Mastrola A.M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

This study wants to identify elements that could be informative in diagnosis and prognosis process of all those subjects who, following traumatic experiences, may develop PTSD, or even show signs of a more general and pervasive adaptation disorder, allowing a more precise damage assessment.

Objectives

In this perspective, the analysis of the Rorschach test according to the comprehensive system of Exner, reading Structural Summary and the analysis of the constellations, allows to make interesting inferences, in all the descriptive areas associated with the key variables as regards not only the cognitive area (Processing >> Mediation >> Ideation) but also the affective and relational area (Interpersonal Perception >> Self-Perception >> Controll >> Affect), so as to have a picture of the functioning of these subjects and, to be able to plan a more functional therapeutic plan.

Methods

It is based on a sample of 29 subjects, 20 women and 9 men with an average age of about 35 years (54-14 years), who came to the attention of the clinic, at the request of the reference psychiatrist for diagnostic personality assessment. All subjects complained of various kinds of discomfort, affective-relational difficulties and anxious-depressive symptoms.

Results

The results that emerged, in line with the initial hypotheses, converge in describing a personality style, not very resilient that could suffer in overcoming difficulties and in the search for new equilibrium.

Conclusions

It’s emphasized how the weight of a traumatic event like abuse can evolve into an adaptation disorder,strongly affecting the functionality of the subjects and their social integration.