bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internalized homophobia, social pain, severity of depressive symptoms and quality of sexual life among homosexual young adults
Authors: Wiszniewicz A. , Wojtyna E. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundBeing a homosexual may be burdened by several psychological problems. This is due to the minority stress that results from feeling excluded and it is characteristic of social minorities. Negative beliefs about their psychosexual orientation and sense of exclusion may be the cause of both depressive disorders and internalized homophobia. These factors can affect the quality of sexual life.AimThe aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between internalized homophobia, social pain and the severity of depressive symptoms and quality of sexual life.MethodsThe study included 103 young adults remaining in permanent homosexual relationships. The study was cross-sectional. The study used Beck Depression Inventory, Social Pain Thermometer, Internalized Homophobia Scale and Quality of Sexual Life Questionnaire.ResultsIt observed the significant correlations between the level of internalized homophobia and a sense of social pain and the severity of depressive symptoms. Both internalized homophobia, and severe social pain and depressive symptoms proved to be significant predictors of reduced quality of sexual life of homosexuals.ConclusionsDuring the treatment of depressive symptoms and discomfort associated with the sexual life of homosexuals, it is important to take into account the phenomenon of internalized homophobia.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Sleep quality in epileptic children
Authors: Abouzed M. , Kinawy S. 
Published: May 2016

Sleep problems frequently coexist in epileptic patient. The effect of them on each the other has been extensively evaluated. Little review exists on the reciprocal interaction of sleep problems and epilepsy in the children.Aim of studyTo evaluate prevalence, pattern and risk factors of sleep problems in epileptic children.MethodEighty-two epileptic children and 40 healthy controlled children were evaluated using children's sleep habits questionnaire – Arabic form and night polysomnography (2 consecutive nights).ResultPrevalence of sleep problem in epileptic children was 45% and 17% of normal control children with significant difference in sleep latency, total sleep time and number of awaking per night with significant prevalence with partial epilepsy, poly therapy and poor controlled epilepsy.ConclusionSleep problems are common in epileptic children with close relation to partial epilepsy, number of anti epileptic and poor controlled epilepsy. This is important to deal with it in order to better control of sleep problems in such patient.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Sleep disorders, depression and anxiety among medicine university students in Sfax
Authors: Moalla M. , Maalej M. , Nada C. , Sellami R. , Ben Thabet J. , Zouari L. , Maalej M. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionSleep symptoms, depression and anxiety often coexist and tertiary students are a population group that are increasingly recognised to be at risk. However the rates of these conditions in the tunisian population are poorly understood.AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality among medicine students during exam periods and identify correlations with anxiety and depression.MethodsThis is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It involved students of medicine University of Sfax during the period of exams. Each student filled out demographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess the quality of sleep and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) to screen for anxiety and depressive disorders.ResultsThe average age was 22.27 years. The sex ratio M/F was 0.66. The students were single in 96.7% of cases. The average score of PSQI was 6.67 ± 3.23. According to the PSQI, 53.3% of students had poor sleep quality. The anxiety score ranged from 0 to 7 with an average of 8.37. The depression score ranged from 0 to 16 with an average of 7.47. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were present in 26.7% of students. The PSQI score was significantly correlated with anxiety (p <0.01) and depression scores (P = 0.019).ConclusionAnxiety and depressive symptoms are common among students during exam periods. They are associated with poor quality sleep. The establishment of a helpline for students during exam time, with psychologists and psychiatrists, would help them better manage this difficult period.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Suicide and body mass index
Authors: Barranco E.M. , de la Vega D. , Arcenegui Á. , Rico A. , Blanco M. , Martín R. , Guija J.A. , Giner L. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionIt has been suggested that there is a relationship between BMI and suicide. Thus, BMI of subjects who commit suicide would be lower than the BMI of other unnatural deaths (Flaig 2013).ObjectivesExplore the possible relationship between BMI and suicide.Material and methodsA total of 1197 suicides and 473 unnatural deaths (not by suicide) were collected systematically for 60 months at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Seville. Age, sex, weight, height and cause of death were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v19.0.Results(Figure 1)DiscussionIn our study we found that suicide (of all age groups and both sexes) have a lower BMI than controls. However, the relationship between these two variables is complex and not all studies support it. Moreover, the relationships between depression, suicide and overweight point in different directions. More and more studies indicate the existence of a relationship between depression and overweight, suggesting that perhaps the “epidemic” of depression and overweight that we see in Western societies has some connection. In addition, depression is a risk factor for suicide well established. Our results indicate that suicide group tends to have lower BMI (less weight in relation to its size) than the controls.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Prevalence of mental disorders in 1519 suicides: A meta-analysis
Authors: de la Vega Sánchez D. , Guillén E. , Gordillo M.J. , Giner L. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionPsychological autopsy studies have constantly indicated a clear relation between mental disorders and suicide. This relation has been found in studies across the world, although the percentage of cases with at least one mental disorder diagnosed may vary between studies and specially, between countries and geographical regions.MethodsReview of psychological autopsy studies of suicide completers which contained information on diagnostic distribution. Only studies carried out in Europe and North America were included.ResultsA total of 14 studies, including 1519 suicides, were analyzed (Table 1).ConclusionsSuicide risk is a multifactor phenomenon, however, it is strongly related to mental disorders. Mental health strategies should be directed to target clinical groups at high risk of suicide.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The effect of the financial crisis in Greece on the health habits of young adults
Authors: Menti D. , Fanioudaki V. , Lyrakos G. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundPeriods of financial crisis have been strongly associated with changes in the health habits of affected individuals. Previous research suggests that these periods usually affect drinking, smoking, physical activity and eating habits, thus affecting our psychophysical health as well.AimTo investigate the effect of the financial crisis in Greece on the health habits of young adults.MethodTwo hundred and seven Greek young adults participated in the study, 75 (36.2%) males and 132 (63.8%) females, with a mean age of 29. Analysis of data was conducted with Anova, Ancova, regression and correlation analyses, using the SPSS software.ResultsThe findings showed a significant effect of the financial crisis on drinking patterns (F(1.173) = 4.488, P = 0.036). Individuals whose income was reduced consumed less alcohol (M = 11.646, SD = 1.434) compared to individuals who had not experienced such a reduction (M = 17.957, SD = 2.611). There was a significant effect of annual income on BMI (F(4.10) = 3.74, P = 00.01, ηp2 = 0.96), after controlling for the effect of exercise intensity (F(1.10) = 4.58, P = 0.034, ηp2 = 0.31). However, the financial crisis did not significantly affect exercise, smoking behaviour or eating habits (P > 0.05). Significant correlations between tobacco use and drinking were found (r(206) = 0.22, P < 0.001). A significant correlation was also found between exercise and the consumption of fruits and vegetables (r(174) = 0.26, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe financial crisis reduced alcohol consumption whilst it did not affect physical activity, smoking or eating habits. These findings allow us to propose that, despite the bleak reality of a period of financial crisis, such periods could actually lead to the reduction of unhealthy behaviours.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The orientation to life questionnaire: Assessing older adults’ sense of coherence
Authors: von Humboldt S. , Leal I. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionGrowing literature suggests that the sense of coherence (SOC) positively influences well-being in later life.ObjectivesThis study reports the assessment the following psychometric properties: distributional properties, construct, criterion and external-related validities, and reliability, of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OtLQ) in an cross-national population of older adults.MethodsWe recruited 1291 community-dwelling older adults aged between 75–102 years (M = 83.9; SD = 6.68). Convenience sampling was used to gather questionnaire data. The construct validity was asserted by confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and discriminant validity. Moreover, criterion and external-related validities, as well as distributional properties and reliability were also tested.ResultsData gathered with the 29-items OtLQ scale showed overall good psychometric properties, in terms of distributional properties, construct, criterion and external-related validities, as well as reliability. Three factors were validated for the OtLQ scale: (a) comprehensibility; (b) manageability; and (c) meaningfulness.ConclusionWe validated the 3-factor OtLQ scale, which produced valid and reliable data for a cross-national sample with older adults. Hence, it is an adequate instrument for assessing sense of coherence among older people in health care practice and program development contexts.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Evidence-based psychosocial measures in rehabilitation
Authors: Becker T. , Guehne U. , Riedel-Heller S. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundPsychosocial interventions are essential tools in mental health care and rehabilitation. A range of interventions relevant to rehabilitation that are covered in a German DGPPN S3 guideline on psychosocial interventions are discussed.MethodsLiterature search and (mostly) systematic reviews were performed for a range of psychosocial interventions.FindingsMilieu therapy (MT) includes measures that impinge on therapeutic milieu/atmosphere in joint professional/user groups in the course of treatment. MT provides a context in which psychosocial interventions can be implemented. There is evidence of its effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes. Peer involvement (PI) and peer support are supported by promising evidence as innovative interventions in mental health care. Findings on case management (CM) are inconsistent. There are difficulties in defining CM. CM strengths include treatment satisfaction and continuity of care. With respect to integration in the labour market for people with severe mental illness supported employment (SE) has been shown to be more effective in achieving job placement. A proportion of SE users fail to find jobs on the general labour market. Other types of work rehabilitation are required, and there is room for pre-vocational training interventions.DiscussionPsychosocial interventions are strong interventions. The strength of the evidence is varied. The use of psychosocial interventions rests on experience, evidence and ethics.ConclusionsPsychosocial interventions are indispensable in building mental health care systems. Vocational interventions and residential services are mandatory. Peer involvement could help in moving mental health services forward.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Asian perspective
Authors: Kanba S. 
Published: May 2016

The 1990s saw an inexorable wave of globalization. This came as a massive jolt to the culture of Japan, which until then had been in a state of balance and stability. However, unlike the West, in Japan this economic globalization is not a manifestation born of individualistic value systems and socioeconomic systems that had previously been in place. The spirit that was imported together with economic globalization was not mature individualism. At the risk of overstating the case, Japan went too far in ripping apart the complex, intricate interpersonal relations that had been in place and moving toward the individualism.I will explain that the relationship between culture and the mind takes the form of a cooperative organization. The relationship between culture and the brain therefore also takes the form of a cooperative organization. Culture has a top-down influence even on simple visual perception.I will state that the phenomenon of the depressive state generally known as “modern depression” occurring in epidemic proportions can be explained in terms of a loss of etiquette due to cultural intermingling as well as cultural affordance. Public opinion tends toward the argument of whether or not those who have sunk into this depressive state simply want to slack off. However, from the point of view of psychiatry, it is more important to consider the fact that while manifestations and popular names may differ, mental disorders will continue to develop in the future, regardless of the era, and we need to cultivate a better understanding of their structure. The essential challenge in this respect is the merging of cultural psychology and cultural neuroscience.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
A new humanitarian emergency: Refugees and mental health in Turkey
Authors: Küey L. 
Published: May 2016

Warfare in different parts of the world has led to a humanitarian emergency: forced displacement of millions of people. Global forced displacement in 2014 was the highest displacement on record since WW 2. By the end-2014, 59.5 million individuals forcibly displaced worldwide, as a result of persecution, armed conflicts, general violence, wars, or human rights violations. The number of individuals forced to leave their homes per day reached to 42,500 in 2014, hence, increased 4 times in the last 4 years. Top five refugee hosting countries are Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia and Jordan. While Turkey hosted 1.6 million forced displaced people in 2014; it is estimated that this number reached 2.5 million by the end of 2015.Forced displacement of people due to warfare may be considered as a psychosocial earthquake. Especially after the deaths of thousands of them in the Mediterranean in the last couple years has brought this issue sharply into the focus of the whole world. While the deaths of the forced displaced people on across the borders of the whole world in the first nine months of 2014 were slightly over 4000; it reached the same number of human loss only in the Mediterranean region in 2015.Refugees fleeing with few possessions leading to neighboring or more developed countries face many life-threatening risks on the way, as they have nowhere to turn. A refugee is a person who has lost the past for an unknown future. Experiences of loss and danger are imprinted in their selves. It is shown that, in the short/medium term, 60% suffer from mental disorders, e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and dissociative disorders. In the long term, existing evidence suggests that mental disorders tend to be highly prevalent in war refugees even many years after resettlement. This increased risk may not only be a consequence of exposure to wartime trauma but may also be influenced by post-migration socioeconomic factors.In fact, “we are seeing here the immense costs of not ending wars, of failing to resolve or prevent conflicts.” Once more, psychiatry and mental health workers are facing the mental health consequences of persecution, general violence, wars, and human rights violations caused by the current prevailing economy-politics and socio-politics. So, a serious challenge here is avoiding the medicalization of social phenomena. This presentation will discuss the issue of forced displaced people considering it as a humanitarian tragedy with some examples of its mental health consequences from Turkey.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Social psychiatry in a global perspective
Authors: Jamieson-Craig T. 
Published: May 2016

Social psychiatry starts from the position that as social animals, the cause, course and response to treatment of mental health problems are powerfully determined by the social environment. For example, childhood trauma within the home and bullying at school is associated with both internalizing and externalizing disorders and exerts its influence through life-long impacts on the individual's ability to form supportive relationships with others, their self-esteem and their resilience in the face of future adversity. Difficulties forming and sustaining personal relationships are intensified by the emergence of illness, consequent social exclusion and discrimination that in turn intensifies damaging beliefs of low self-worth and rejection. In contrast, we have considerable evidence for the “therapeutic” value of good relationships, notably the role of family and social support in the remarkable resilience shown by those who have come through the most appalling environmental and personal crises. It is therefore surprising that the balance of psychiatric therapeutic effort is stubbornly focused on the individual patient as the problem with less attention paid to developing and implementing social interventions targeted at the family and wider social network to prevent and alleviate mental illness. In this presentation I will argue that psychiatrists should be more active in developing and leading interventions that focus on the social and interpersonal networks of their patients with illustrations from past and ongoing efforts to this end.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Psychosocial intervention in schizophrenia
Authors: Wykes T. 
Published: May 2016

Psychological treatments aimed at symptoms or behaviours that impede recovery now have a relatively strong database but it is not clear which treatments are more effective and when they should be applied. For large-scale roll out we need to consider which are the most helpful and cost-effective at which stage of the illness and to which individuals. This requires knowledge of how service users ascribe value to different outcomes and treatments as well as which individuals are likely to benefit the most from different treatments to produce a coherent mental health recovery programme. Tailoring treatment requires an understanding of adherence requirements as well as therapeutic interactions to explain how therapy fits with the service users’ personal goals. Not all information for making these clinical decisions is embedded in any database so the burden on research is to provide enough information to signal to health professionals the best course of action. More research on dissemination of treatment approaches as well as training and supervision requirements is needed in the form of dissemination science if patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are to receive the best intervention programme.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Should all psychiatrists be skilled to practice psychotherapy?
Authors: Gargot T. , Sonmez E. 
Published: May 2016

Psychiatrists have a unique place in the spectrum of mental health services, as being able to integrate psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in clinical practice. It is through psychotherapy training that a trainee gains optimal communicative skills and competence in establishing therapeutic alliance with a patient. It helps developing empathic understanding, which is very important for a good collaboration and enable understanding, diagnostic and treatment. It improves trainees’ own insight. All are these fundamental aspects of a biopsychosocial approach of psychiatry.In many countries psychiatry trainees have a positive attitude towards psychotherapy during their training. Moreover, patients often prefer and adhere to combined psychotherapy and medication than split-care treatments. Research in psychotherapy provides ample evidence that these treatments are effective. The UEMS considers psychotherapy education as mandatory. EFPT advocates that all trainees must gain competence in at least one recognized form of psychotherapy and have a basic knowledge for other forms. Altogether, there is a consensus among all actors of mental health services that psychotherapy training is essential and should be improved. Yet, it is still far from being a priority in psychiatric training and is subdued by biological training and research, which is easier, faster and prevailing in training institutions. Also, psychotherapy training is found less affordable by trainees.With collaboration from other organizations, EFPT aims to improve standards of psychiatry training, including psychotherapy. We present some initiatives led by UEMS, EPA, WPA and ECNP. Today's technology allows trainees to reach various psychotherapeutic training availabilities, including online tools (Webinar, MOOCs, online guidebooks) and international courses. It is advisable that training institutions devote more time on psychotherapy training and supervision, associations provide costly training availabilities or scholarships, encourage more scientific research on psychotherapeutics and take into account the progress of research in psychology and neuroscience [1–5].Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.