bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of social media on Working Memory and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students- A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mgbedo N. E. , Musa M. E. , Chhikara P. , Chaturvedi R. , Vyas N. , Zavradashvili N. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionOver the course of the last decade social media has become a very important part of the human experience; it has become the main source of communication and entertainment for a lot of people young and old.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the influence of social media on undergraduates working memory and academic performance. We assessed the association between the harmful use of social media on gender differences, physical activities, academic performance, and working memory.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was designed to examine the effect of social media on the working memory of undergraduate students from three different Universities in Georgia involving 722 participants. The collection survey form was distributed among Undergraduate students from the University of Georgia (UG), Eastern European University (EEU), and Batumi State University (BSU) through google forms from 14th June to 2nd July 2023. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, and institution), social media disorder scale (SMD), academic performance scale (APS), and working memory (WM).Results58.7% were female students, the mean age was 21.94 (SD ± 2.8), and most of the participants were international students. More students from Tbilisi had persistence (59.8%), escape (69%) complaints, and students from Batumi had more preoccupation (43%), persistence (62.5%) and escape (65.7%) complaints. 64.1% of female students are at increased risk of using social media as an ‘escape’ from negative feelings (OR 0.50; χ2 (18.206), p= 0.000, 95% Cl[0.368-0.692]). 51.6% of male students and 48.4% of female students had the risk of ‘conflict’ with families and friends because of social media (OR 1.65; χ2 (6.507), p= 0.011, 95% Cl[1.122-2.452]. 80.3% of students that had good academic performance are at risk of neglecting activities such as hobbies, sports, and class assignments because of social media (OR 0.63; χ2 (5.133), p= 0.023, 95% Cl[0.425-0.942]). 94% of students with good working memory had the risk of withdrawal complaints (OR 0.34; χ2 (6.865a), p= 0.009, 95% Cl[0.154-0.793]). As 93.4% of having conflicts with parents, siblings, and partners because of social media.ConclusionsOur studies presented the prevalence of social media addiction and its effect on academic performance and working memory among undergraduate students. The influence of social media on students has been significant. Students should establish boundaries, use digital moderation, and seek treatment for emotional difficulties as further studies are recommended.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Machine Learning Analysis of Artistic Characteristics for Schizophrenia Classification
Authors: Vasilchenko K. , Leonova A. , Kuznetsova E. , Zdanovich P. , Keren H. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionSchizophrenia is affecting multiple functions such as cognition, perception, emotion, and social behaviors, and it has also been shown to influence artistic works created by patients. Among the deviations observed in the art works are distinct characteristics like delusional themes, disordered shorter lines, and unique creativity. Such features, along with altered pictorial perceptions and possibly altered motoric function, suggest that it might be possible to differentiate art made by schizophrenic patients from that of healthy individuals. Given the shortcomings of existing diagnostic methods being very long and with a 25% error rate, we proposed a novel neural network model that leverages these artistic markers for classification to support diagnosis.ObjectivesTo develop and train a neural network model leveraging unique artistic markers for the classification and support of diagnosing schizophrenia.MethodsOur study involved 764 participants, 45% diagnosed with schizophrenia, while the others were either healthy or diagnosed with other mental disorders. The average age of the participants was 38.25 years (SD=13.43), and 43.88% of the participants were females. All participants were instructed to draw eight drawings of human faces. These drawings were digitized and categorized based on participants’ schizophrenia status to form the initial training dataset for our model. This data was processed using Python and converted into a NumPy array, which served as input for our model developed using the Keras library. The structure of the model is presented (Image 1).ResultsWe used area under curve (AUC), specificity, and sensitivity as key evaluation metrics for our model. The model achieved an AUC of 0.90 on a test dataset that was new to the model and was not used in the preceding training phase. It exhibited a sensitivity of 0.84 and a specificity of 0.85, indicating its capacity to identify schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic individuals, respectively (Image 2).Image:Image 2:ConclusionsThe application of machine learning and AI tools to analyze art created by schizophrenia patients, can offer a promising methodology for exploring the differences between schizophrenic and healthy individuals, as well as a possible support for current diagnostic methods. This approach has the potential to provide an additional fast and more accurate diagnosis, enhancing individualized patient care. Future research will focus on refining and validating the model across diverse populations and various art forms.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Athens Multifamily Group Therapy Project (A- MFGT) after FEP: Preliminary clinical results
Authors: Selakovic M. , Zartaloudi A. , Galanis D. , Valeria P. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe Athens Multifamily Group Therapy Project (A- MFGT) aims to provide systemic multifamily therapy to youths who experienced a first psychotic episode and their families.ObjectivesFamily interventions have been shown to reduce the likelihood of relapse for individuals across the spectrum of psychosis and are recommended in practice guidelines for psychosis internationally (Mc Farlane, 2016).MethodsA group of 22 young adults who presented a first psychotic episode participated with their families to multi-family group systemic therapy, after discharged from in-patient treatment. Sessions were conducted by three therapists twice a month, for nine months and supervision meetings were provided once a month. Six groups of families have been conducted since 2017. Clinical outcome was assessed through PANSS at baseline, one month later after patient’s discharge from in-patient treatment, and one year after, at the end of the multifamily group treatment. Time intervals till relapse were also assessed. Participants’ clinical findings were compared with findings from a matched group of 42 patients who did not attend the multifamily therapy program and were treated as usual.ResultsTwo-way mixed ANOVA was conducted to assess PANSS scores change over time (t1: at base line, t2: at one month and t3: one year), while differences were investigated between the two groups of patients and interactions were checked. Regarding PANSS-positive scale and PANSS-general scale, no differences were found between the two groups in neither of the three time points. Regarding PANSS-negative scale, patients attending MFGT presented statistically significantly lower scores in t3 than patients treated as usual, but not in t1 and in t2 (i.e., prior to therapy). Moreover, both patients’ group showed improvement from t1 to t2, but only patients attending MFGT further improved from t2 to t3. Among patients attending MFGT, two (9.1%) had a relapse compared to nine (22.5%) of the patients treated as usual, however this comparison did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.300).ConclusionsIn term to provide early intervention in psychosis, A-MFGT seems to be a viable way to support the patient as well as the whole system facing psychosis, with the aim of preventing relapse and improved quality of life for all the participants.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Association of oral health related subjective quality of life and severity of negative symptoms of treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study in Croatia
Authors: Mimica N. , Pupić I. , Bosak K. , Folnegović Grošić P. , Bajić Ž. , Filipčić I. , Grošić V. , Zoričić Z. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionPatients diagnosed with schizophrenia, particularly those with severe negative symptoms (NS) and treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS), have poorer oral health than the general population, which can have serious consequences beyond oral and dental problems, but remains poorly addressed in psychiatric clinical practice and mental health research.ObjectivesTo investigate the association between oral health-related subjective quality of life (OHR-sQoL) and severity of NS in TRS.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in a tertiary psychiatric clinic in Croatia during 2022-2023. The target population were patients diagnosed with TRS with more pronounced NS. The outcome was the Self-Evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS) scale and its five dimensions. Exposure was OHR-sQoL measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHR-sQoL). We tested the hypothesis using multivariable linear hierarchical regression analysis.ResultsWe enrolled 130 participants with a median (interquartile range) age of 43 (36-51) years, with an equal number of women and men. Total SNS and OHR-sQoL scores were found to be significantly associated in both bivariate and multivariable analysis adjusted for a large number of covariates (R2 increase over the effect of covariates = 0.22; p < 0.001; false discovery rate < 5%). Total SNS score was significantly associated with the functional limitation dimension of the OHIP-49, as well as diminished emotional range with psychological discomfort, physical and psychological disability, and anhedonia with functional limitation.
Figure 1. Scatter plot of the correlation between the total score of the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49); the solid line represents the 80% smoothed local polynomial regression curve; the dashed line represents the linear regression line (n = 130)Image:ConclusionsNS of TRS are relatively strongly associated with OHR-sQoL, especially with functional limitations. The robustness of this association was confirmed by controlling for a large number of covariates. If the relationship between NS and OHR-sQoL is bidirectional, which should be verified by future studies, perhaps for further progress in solving the serious problems of NS and TRS it will be necessary to include the comorbidity with oral diseases and oral functional disorders and OHR-sQoL.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Awareness of psychiatrists regarding physician suicide and prevention in developed and less developed countries
Authors: Kostyál K. , Terje J. H. , Álmos P. Z. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe World Health Organization estimates that more than 700,000 people worldwide die by suicide every year. Suicide is a complex issue, and occupation can be considered one of the risk factors. Data from the USA indicates that the suicide rate among doctors is higher compared to the general population. Among different specialties, general practitioners face the highest risk, followed by internal medicine, and then psychiatry. Apart from Anglo-Saxon countries, available data regarding physician suicide is limited; in some countries, the topic is considered taboo.ObjectivesThe goal of this pilot study was to explore whether psychiatrists in different countries have access to suicide databases that include occupational information and to determine what prevention strategies and interventions are currently in use.MethodsWe distributed a short questionnaire to a group of psychiatrists (n=25) to assess the existing methods in their respective countries for collecting suicide data and implementing suicide prevention measures. The survey included both developed and less developed countries. Out of the 20 participating countries, 12 returned our questionnaire by the deadline. The final participating countries were Croatia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Qatar, Serbia, Sweden, and the UK.ResultsBased on our colleagues’ reports, none of the responding countries have publicly available data on the number of physicians who committed suicide in the last three years. The risk of suicide and substance abuse among doctors is not systematically assessed or published in any of the participating countries. Kazakhstan is the only country where burnout, anxiety, and depression among doctors are regularly assessed. Ethiopia is the only participating country without a hotline for individuals in a suicide crisis. Mexico, Qatar, and Kazakhstan are the only countries with dedicated hotlines for health workers. Regarding preventive strategies, colleagues from Hungary, Serbia, Sweden, and Ethiopia did not report any strategies specifically aimed at preventing physician suicides. Germany and the UK were the two countries with more than one prevention strategy, both providing a free toolkit to identify and support at-risk populations. There are significant differences in the amount of mental health support that doctors receive in each country.ConclusionsPsychiatrists are not aware of physician suicide data and the utilization of preventive strategies vary widely among the participating countries. There is no standard practice for screening doctors for suicide risk, burnout, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or adequate data collection on suicide. Based on these findings, it would be necessary to include more countries in the sample and conduct a more detailed examination of the issue in the future.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Alcoholism is the mental health issue that best predicts the mortality of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Authors: Calvo F. , Giralt C. , Solench-Arco X. , Carbonell X. , Font-Mayolas S. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe mortality rate among individuals experiencing homelessness tends to be premature and is linked to mental disorders and chronic diseases. In Spain, there is a significant gap in the study of mortality among individuals in situations of residential exclusion with real clinical data.ObjectivesThis study aims to analyze mortality among individuals experiencing homelessness and its relationship with mental disorders and chronic diseases.MethodsAn observational and prospective longitudinal study was conducted on a cohort of 855 homeless individuals in the province of Girona over a 15-year period. Sociodemographic variables, mental health conditions, chronic diseases, and infections were analyzed, employing descriptive and inferential analyses. A binary logistic regression model was created to establish explanatory relationships between mortality and associated variables.ResultsAmong the participants, 87.7% were males with an average age of 53.03 years. A majority of 62.8% were foreign-born, mainly from Africa and Europe. It was identified that 40.8% had mental disorders, with substance dependencies (41.3%) and other disorders (36.4%) being the most prevalent. A total of 30.6% presented chronic diseases, notably hypertension (12.8%) and type 2 diabetes (10.9%). Furthermore, 22.3% had infections, with hepatitis C virus (8.7%) and HIV (4.7%) being the most common. During the follow-up period, 81 individuals (16.4%) passed away, with causes such as cancer (25%), suicide (21.7%), and heart conditions (11.7%).The regression analysis demonstrated that age (OR = 0.915; 95% CI 0.884-0.947), alcohol addiction (OR = 2.354; 95% CI 1.486-3.731), and being born in Spain (OR = 2.906; 95% CI 1.594-5.299) were significantly associated with mortality in the homeless population.ConclusionsThis study highlights the high prevalence of mental disorders, chronic diseases, and infections among individuals experiencing homelessness. Mortality was associated with factors such as age, alcohol addiction, and place of birth. These findings underscore the importance of developing interventions aimed at enhancing the health and care of individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly within the immigrant population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Mental health in challenging times: Psychological perspectives for practitioners and society
Authors: Steinebach C. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn general, resilience is a process in which the interplay of risk and protective factors of the system itself and its environment is balanced in such a way that positive development opportunities open up. The resilience of a person, a system and a profession is therefore reflected in the ability to shape conditions in such a way that positive coping with challenges and crises is possible as a basis for positive further development. The time of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine has led to a large number of adjustments to psychology as a science, as a profession and as a perspective on life. This is associated with opportunities for positive further development of the discipline. European psychology has so far mastered the challenge of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine very well. The task now is to harness its successes as a multifunctional hub for other sciences, professions and society as a whole. The aim is to develop an identity that strengthens the unity of psychology in its diversity. With wisdom and resilience, psychology is also increasingly facing up to the challenges expressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). In the discussion of social and professional change, the possibilities for a joint positive development of all professions in these stressful times become clear.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Community mental health services in Europe: the state of art
Authors: Rojnic Kuzman M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn Europe there is significant variability of attitudes, procedure and strategies in clinical care between psychiatrists and settings across different regions and countries. However, there is a significant overrepresentation of data from mental health services from Western and Northern European countries, due a lack of data from Eastern and Central European countries as it has been suggested the Eastern and Central European regions are a “blind spot on the global mental health map”. In respect to community mental health services, Northern and Western countries introduced a large array of multidisciplinary community-based services for people with mental health problems and reorganized the mental health care services towards the community mental health care, replacing largely large hospitals and hospital-based care following recovery-oriented care models with introduction of numerous services which supported full recovery, including supported employment and housing. This process is only in the beginning in the majority of countries in the South and East of Europe. Here we present the data from these countries including the results of the RECOVER-E study (Large-scale implementation of community based mental health care for people with severe and enduring mental ill health in Europe), which incorporated the implementation of community mental health services in five South-eastern European countries.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Opportunities and challenges of community mental health centers in Türkiye
Authors: Mutlu E. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn 2011, Türkiye restructured the mental health care system in community-based settings following the announcement of the National Mental Health Action Plan. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are the major element of this approach. As of now, the total number of CMHC have reached 186, and the service users have almost reached 100.000.
Mental health care system gained significant advantages through CMHCs, such as 1) improvement in the conditions of mental health services, 2) better follow-up of patients with chronic severe mental disorders, 3) capability of in-home services, 4) decrease in the number of hospitalizations, 5) increased social involvement of patients with severe mental disorder. CMHCs also played a significant role in promoting social rehabilitation, including employment status, development of social relationships, and redress of stigmatization. All these advantages were put into practice by community mental health teams comprising a psychiatrist, psychologists, nurses, social workers and ergotherapists, if available.Community mental health centers come with severe challenges and shortcomings despite their ameliorations. First, CMHCs need trained mental health professionals. However, only 52% of the CMHC teams completed the CMHC trainings currently. Second, standardized work flow algorithms should be developed for CMHCs. Third, there should be a strong relationship between CMHCs, primary health care system and inpatient units as a complementary part of essential mental health care. In addition, hospital administration should be trained in terms of CMHC policy since every CMHC is affiliated with a state hospital. For instance, the ongoing issue of defining quality standards for CMHCs contributes to a misconception, portraying these centers as profit-making units rather than dedicated rehabilitation facilities.In conclusion, community-based settings and CMHCs significantly advance mental health services despite the challenges confronted in practice. To optimize the effectiveness of community mental health care facilitated by CMHCs, it is imperative to review the implementation process with the active involvement and support of non-governmental organizations, including patient-driven organizations and national psychiatric associations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared