bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adolescents’ mental health and well-being in light of their substance use and the presence of special education needs
Authors: Dudok R. , Pikó B. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Promoting mental health during adolescence is an essential health education objective and a crucial time for the formation of healthy mindset and behaviors. During this period, individuals are more likely to engage in health risk behaviors that can contribute to mental health problems that manifest in later adulthood. It has been demonstrated that optimal psychological health and the quality and application of students’ emotional and social skills may prevent and reduce the onset of risky health behaviors, such as subtance abuse. Students with specific learning difficulty (SpLD) are at higher risk to develop problem behaviors and they require special attention for promoting their mental health.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study is to investigate mental health and well-being, and health behaviors as well as substance use in a sample of adolescents including those with SpLD, using the SDQ ‘Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire’, a widely utilized instrument for the multidimensional assessment of mental health in children and adolescents.MethodsOur study included 276 school-aged children (mean age: 13.57 years; SD: 1.81; boys: 54.7%), 143 of whom had SpLD. We utilized a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire that included the Adolescent Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the WHO Well-Being Questionnaire. Peer support, individual internal psychological resources, and health risk behaviors were also assessed.Results
The statistical analyses revealed a number of noteworthy differences. First, the SDQ scores of smoking and drinking adolescents were substantially different from those of their peers on the dimensions of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity in the case of smoking (p<.05), and on the dimensions of hyperactivity and prosocial behavior in the case of drinking (p<.05). On the other hand, significant differences were found between boys and girls, particularly in the domains of prosocial and affective symptoms (p<.05). Individuals with SpLD exhibited distinct patterns, particularly in the domains of emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems (p<.05). Furthermore, all of the investigated components of mental well-being had significant negative correlations with the SDQ dimensions of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer relationship problems, whereas the dimension of prosocial behavior showed a significant positive correlation (p<.05).ConclusionsOur findings support differences in mental health domains according to the adolescents’ substance using status or the presence of SpLD. The results of this study may contribute to the development of health promotion programs and intervention strategies as well as draw attention to the unique challenges faced by children with special education needs.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Exponential increase in the number of prescriptions for ADHD medication between 2012 and 2022 for in Poland.
Authors: Rzeszutek M. , Konowałek L. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionADHD medication prescribing trends are increasing in North America and both Northern and Western Europe (Raman, Sudha R et al. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(10):824-835). Methylphenidate and atomoxetine are two substances available for use in ADHD in children and adolescents in Poland. To our knowledge, there is the lack of data on prescription trends for Poland and Middle-Eastern Europe.ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to estimate the increase in the total number of prescriptions for methylphenidate and atomoxetine and factors influencing it, like the impact of the proportion of prescriptions for women and for people aged 18-24
on.MethodsMethylphenidate and atomoxetine prescription data for the period between 2012-2022 and for patients aged 5-59 were obtained from e-Health Centre, which contains data on prescribed medications in Poland. We conducted a series of linear regression models to explore the relationship between the number of prescriptions as the dependent variable and calendar year as the independent variable. Additionally, we considered two more variables: Percentage of prescriptions for women and percentage of prescriptions people aged 18 – 24. Further, we decided to run a mediation analysis to see whether the effect of calendar year was mediated by percentage of women.ResultsWe analyzed data on 925,536 prescriptions for methylphenidate and atomoxetine.The model demonstrates a robust and statistically significant ability to explain the variance in the log-transformed dependent variable (R² = 0.98, F(2, 8) = 201.14, p < 0.001). The model’s intercept, corresponding to calendar year = 0 and percentage of prescriptions for women = 0, is estimated at -93.95, with a 95% confidence interval of [-152.74, -35.15]. The t-statistic for the intercept is -3.68, and the associated p-value is 0.006, demonstrating its statistical significance.Within this model, the effects of the independent variables are as follows:1.Calendar year (β=0.05, t=4.07, IC95%: (0.02, 0.08), p<0,004)2.Percentage of prescriptions for women (β=0.06, t=4.18, IC95%: (0.02, 0.09), p<0,003)The inclusion of the percentage of prescription for people aged 18-24 doesn’t improve the model’s ability to explain the variation in the number of prescriptions.Mediation analysis showed that the indirect effect of percentage of prescriptions for women were significant.ConclusionsThese results provide robust evidence for the predictive power of the model, with both calendar year and percentage of women emerging as statistically significant and positively associated with the log- transformed dependent variable.Between 2012 and 2022, the number of prescriptions for methylphenidate and atomoxetine increased exponentially in Poland. The percentage of prescriptions for women significantly contributed to the increase in the total number of prescriptions for methylphenidate and atomoxetine in Poland.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Maternal awareness and practices in managing screen-time for children
Authors: Atturu H. , Gujju S. C. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe issue of screen time usage among children has become a contentious topic for parents in contemporary society. While electronic devices offer undeniable benefits, their inappropriate use can lead to substantial mental and physical health challenges for children. Parents are tasked with the responsibility of equipping themselves and their children with the knowledge and skills necessary for mindful electronic device use.ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the awareness levels of mothers regarding their children’s screen time usage and to promote mindful screen usage. It also aims to understand the reasons behind parents’ decisions to allow their children access to electronic devices.MethodsAn adapted short online screen-time questionnaire (Vizcaino et al 2019), was distributed through online Google forms, primarily to mothers residing in India. The questionnaire comprised of ten questions encompassing topics related to the child’s background, mothers’ awareness and patterns of screen-time usage.Results213 mothers with children aged one year to 17 years responded. 157 mothers (73.7%) were in employment (104 were working in an office, 32 were working from home and 18 were freelancing). 121 mothers had >one child. Majority of the mothers (n=170, 79.81%), believed that children should have <one hour screen-time. However, they also admitted that majority of their children spent >one hour per day screen-time. The usage was more during weekends (>one hour=161, 75.58%) than weekdays (>one hour = 145, 68%)(p=0.021). Weekend screen-time was more in children whose mothers were employed (p=0.006). There is a significant increase in weekday (p=0.044) and weekend (p=0.006) screen-time usage as the child’s age increased. Children predominantly watched television, followed by mobile phones and tablets. Except for 29 children, the rest enjoyed interacting with other people (54 with everyone, 73 with only family members and 57 only for some time). The primary context in which children engaged with electronic devices was while they were being fed/ meals-time (n = 114,54%) or when the mothers were busy with household chores (n = 85,40%).ConclusionsDespite maternal awareness about healthy screen-time, majority of the children were allowed to use higher screen-time. Efficient strategies should be imparted to parents to change the current practices of using digital-media as pacifier or distractor to mindful screen-time including usage for educational purposes.Disclosure of InterestH. Atturu Consultant of: Advisor to CognitiveBotics, AI based software., S. Gujju: None Declared
The quality of life of Hungarian adolescents in the light of their emotions
Authors: Rábavölgyi N. , Mayer Z. , Szabó B. , Miklósi M. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Mental health professionals pay particular attention to adolescents, as many psychiatric disorders begin at this age, and the mental state of adolescents has been deteriorating worldwide in the last decade. Based on previous international research, the ability to regulate negative emotions and mentalizing - that is, the ability to identify the thoughts and emotions behind one’s own and others’ behaviour - mediate the negative effects of attachment difficulties experienced in close relationships on the quality of life. This relationship has not yet been investigated among Hungarian adolescents. Adolescent events can have a long-term effect on a person’s mental health, so it is very important to examine the factors that influence the quality of life.ObjectivesThis research aimed to examine the relationship between attachment, mentalizing, emotion regulation and quality of life among adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age.Methods
In our non-clinical cross-sectional research, 141 adolescents filled out the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire and the Quality of Life Scale after informed consent. We tested two mediator models, in which emotion regulation and mentalizing were the mediating variables in the relationship between attachment difficulty and quality of life.Results
In our analyses, attachment difficulties (c’ = -1,87, p < .001, β = -0.41) and emotion regulation problems (b = -0.08, p < .001, β = -0.39) also predicted a reduced quality of life. Attachment problems also reduce the quality of life of young people through emotional regulation difficulties (∑ab = -0,81 [-1,21 – -0,45], β = -0.17). However, mentalizing was not significantly related to the adolescents’ quality of life (b = -0,05, p = .10, β = -0,11). Mentalizing also did not mediate the relationship between attachment and quality of life (∑ab = -0.09 [-0.27 – -0.02], β = -0.02).Conclusions
Our results suggest that adolescents’ emotion regulation has a prominent role in their quality of life in addition to attachment styles. To improve the quality of life among adolescents, we recommend using techniques that develop emotion regulation.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of hospital employees: single center experience
Authors: Kristic M. , Kuresic V. , Miskulin I. , Dumic J. , Dumic L. , Miskulin M. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Hospital employees are at high risk of developing mental health issues during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Indeed, several studies have shown increased rates of anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health issues but existing studies show inconsistencies, and each country has some local specificities.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of the mental health of hospital employees (health workers and non-health workers) from Croatia.MethodsThis cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from February to April 2023 period. A validated, anonymous questionnaire that contained questions regarding demographic data, as well as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was self-administered to a convenient sample of hospital employees from one general hospital in northwestern Croatia.ResultsThe study sample included 360 subjects with a median age of 42 years (interquartile range 35-50), 24.7% males, and 75.3% females. According to the PSQI, 21.1% of subjects presented sleep disturbances. According to the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, there were 39.4% of subjects with anxiety while according to the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, there were 6.4% of subjects with depression. Sleep disturbances were more frequent among subjects who considered their socioeconomic status as under average (p=0.040), and among health workers in comparison to non-health workers employed in hospital (p=0.040). Anxiety was more frequent among females (p=0.010), and subjects with lower levels of education (only elementary school) (p=0.040). Depression was more frequent among females (p=0.030).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has a significant negative influence on the mental health of hospital employees where health workers in comparison to non-health workers, females, subjects with lower levels of education, and subjects who considered their socioeconomic status as under average are more prone to the development of investigated mental health issues. The development of appropriate supportive programs that enhance the mental health of all hospital employees during pandemics is needed to address mental health issues in this vulnerable population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Tackling adversity through innovation: A pilot study exploring VR as a tool to identify and diagnose depression
Authors: Sutori S. ,   Karolinska Institutet: E. Eliasson, G. Hadlaczky, I. Todorov, V. Carli; University of Padua: F. Mura, V. Cardi; Polytechnic University of Valencia: V. Ortiz, M.A. Raya; University of Pisa: A.L. Alfeo, V. Catrambone, G. Valenza
Published: August 2024

AbstractIntroduction
The final aim of the EXPERIENCE project is to enable individuals to record and share extended-personal realities in Virtual Reality (VR) - which entails the consideration of a person’s neurophysiological, psychological, and cognitive states. One prospective application is using this technology to aid in assessing symptoms of affective disorders.ObjectivesThe objective is to test the ability of a pre-designed VR environment to differentiate between individuals with depressive symptoms and healthy controls (HCs) via machine learning algorithms.Methods
Conducted as a pilot study in Italy, we recruited 100 volunteers, comprising 50 HCs and 50 individuals with moderate depressive symptoms assessed via the PHQ-9. Through a 40–60-minute VR engagement, comprehensive data on cognitive (inc. cognitive flexibility, sustained attention, working memory, processing speed), behavioral (exploration, attentional bias), and physiological (heart-rate variability, skin conductance) variables was collected. Subsequently, an explainable artificial intelligence model (xAI) was trained on data from 80% of the sample and tested on the remaining 20% in terms of accuracy for between-group classification.ResultsFollowing an iterative process that considered both the importance assigned to each variable in the different models and the theoretical relevance of these variables to depression the final model achieved an average accuracy of 71% (with individual trials ranging from 64.5% to 77.1%). Key predictors included exploratory behaviors and heart-rate variability during both exploration and cognitive tasks.ConclusionsThese results are comparable, however remain below the levels of accuracy achieved based on fMRI and DTI data alone (around 80%). Nonetheless, the EXPERIENCE system, slated for refinement beyond this pilot phase, shows potential in integrating multimodal data for evaluating affective disorder symptoms, aiming for a more objective screening and diagnostic approach at a lower cost.AcknowledgementThe EXPERIENCE project is funded by the European Commission H2020 Framework Program, Grant No. 101017727.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The impact of Extremely Low Frequency Electro- Magnetic Fields on Depression Anxiety and Stress
Authors: Kacem I. , Jammeli I. , Ghenim A. , Aloui A. , Chouchane A. , Bouhoula M. , Brahem A. , Kalboussi H. , El Maalel O. , Chatti S. , Kekeni A. , Bouzabia K. , Maoua M. , Mrizak N. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionAccording to World Health Organisation (WHO), Extremely Low Frequency Electro-Magnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) include frequencies ranging from 0 to 300 Hz. They are widespread in our daily life and in the workplace. These fields have an impact on physical and mental health including depression and anxiety.ObjectivesTo assess the impact of chronic occupational exposure to ELF-EMF on Depression, Anxiety and Stress among workers in the Tunisian Electricity and GasCompany of Sousse, Tunisia.MethodsIn this cross-sectionalstudy, participants were enrolled into two groups: an “exposed group” including workers in a power plant and an “unexposed group” including administrative workers belonging to the same company. The Exposure to ELF EMFs was assessed by spot measurements using a portable magnetometer. Depression,Anxiety and Stress were assessed by the the Depression,Anxiety and Stress Scale(DASS-21).ResultsThis study included 77 exposed subjects and 88 unexposed subjects. The median age was 37 years for the exposed group and 43,5 years for the unexposed ones. Almost half of the exposed group were technicians and had a work experience of 9 years. The median value of EMF was 5,86 uT in the power plant[Min 0,1 Max 40,34 ut].The interpretation of DASS-21 showed that 24.7% of the exposed group and 3.4% of the unexposed group had depression (p<10-3). Anxiety was reported by, 23.4% of the exposed group and by none of the unexposed group. Stress was observed among 46.8% of the exposed group and by none of the unexposed group. After multivariate analysis, ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated only with depression (p<10-3 ; OR=1,45 [1,17-1,81]) ).ConclusionsChronic occupational exposure to ELF-EMF increases the risk ofDepression, anxiety and Stress. Underlying mechanisms are not established yet suggesting the need of further studies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Descriptive study of 100 patients with a diagnosis of psychosis treated with Paliperidone Palmitate 6-Month Long-Acting Injectable.
Authors: Mesones J. , Miller A. , Bautista N. , Dieguez J. , Calero I. , Griñant A. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionPsychotic disorders are serious mental illnesses that require long-term antipsychotic treatment that provides sufficient efficacy, safety and therapeutic adherence. The latter is an essential factor that must be emphasized in clinical practice in order to avoid relapses. On this occasion, we have the need to know the long-term impact on our clinical practice and on the evolution of patients after the change in formulation of paliperidone palmitate 1 (PP1M) and 3 Month long-acting injectable antipsychotic (PP3M) to paliperidone palmitate 6 Month (PP6M).ObjectivesThe present study describes a sample of patients with severe mental disorders (n= 100) treated with six-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP6M) studying the diagnoses, socio-demographic characteristics, number of relapses, tolerability and treatment adherence of patients.MethodsProspective descriptive study with a sample selected by non-probabilistic consecutive sampling, retrospective type, in a time interval of 15 month (n= 100 outpatients). The patients selected were all those who received 6 monthly paliperidone palmitate treatment from May 2022 to September 2023. A descriptive analysis was performed. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and N and percentage for categorical variables.ResultsProspective study with consecutive sampling of 100 outpatients (62% men, 38% women; mean age 48 years) diagnosed with psychosis (76 % Schizophrenia, 21 % Unspecified psychosis, 3 % Delusional disorder) those who are administered PP6M long-acting injectable antipsychotic previously treated with PP1M (35%) and PP3M (65%).After 15 months of the study, 4 patients (4%) have suffered a relapse, one of them (1%) requiring hospitalization. 5 patients (4%) declined to continue PP6M and have returned to their previous injectable. 1 patient (1%) has died of unknown causes outside the treatment. 90 patients continue treatment with PP6M (90% retention rate). 54 patients maintain antipsychotic monotherapy (54%). No additional adverse effects were reported after switching to PP6M. The subjective perception of satisfaction after the switch to PP6M by patients and caregivers was very high.ConclusionsThe present real clinical practice study shows that PP6M could be an effective and well tolerated treatment in patients with severe mental disorder, for patients diagnosed with psychosis, with a high rate of relapse prevention and high rates of compliance. Changing treatment from PP1M or PP3M to PP6M could help patients with severe mental disorder to normalize their lives and functionality.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Relation between the first psychotic episode in schizophrenia patients and IL-1β plasma levels – Serbian population study
Authors: Stojanovic N. M. , Tošić Golubović S. , Vujić S. , Stefanović N. , Nikolić G. , Todorović A. , Vrućinić A. , Petković M. , Simonović M. , Randjelovic P. , Jevtović Stoimenov T. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionAccording to immunological theories of schizophrenia prenatal and postnatal exposure to pathogens may contribute to the etiopathogenesis, suggesting that chronically activated immune system cells (macrophages and T lymphocytes) constantly secrete proinflammatory cytokines which affect the development and function of central nervous system.ObjectivesIn the present work we aimed to evaluate IL-1β plasma levels in schizophrenic patients during their first psychotic episode and to compare the obtained results to those from healthy subjects.MethodsPlasma was obtained from 32 drug-naive schizophrenic patients, without history of substance abuse or addiction, immediately after their admission to the medical ward, while the control samples were obtained from 20 healthy volunteers.ResultsLevels of IL-1β were measured using ELISA assay, which measures IL-1β protein in a range from 7.81 to 500 pg/ml. Results revealed that the levels of IL-1β in patients with first psychotic episode were not increased and were below the limit of detection in all studied samples. The same was found in the samples belonging to the control group.ConclusionsThese data contribute to the poll of knowledge and a still unresolved dogma about the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia since the results obtained by some studies are also questioning this marker. Thus, whether or not an increase of IL-1β is congenital, acquired during the prodromal phase or absent until the time of first psychotic episode has not yet been investigated.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared