bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived helpfulness of various sources of help for 5 mental illnesses
Authors: Shahwan S. , Tay E. H. , Chong S. A. , Subramaniam M. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction1 in 8 people worldwide live with a mental illness (MI). This is expected to rise with increasing societal pressures. Despite the availability of evidence-based treatments, MIs remain undertreated. In Singapore, efforts such as the ‘It’s OK to Reach Out’ campaign was launched to encourage help-seeking. Help-seeking behavior is complex; determined by an interplay of factors including perceptions towards help sources. As seeking ineffective sources contributes to unmet needs, understanding beliefs towards various sources of help is vital.ObjectivesThe study aims to examine perceived helpfulness of various sources of help for 5 mental illnesses and changes in perceptions towards them over time.MethodsThe Mind Matters 2023 (M2) is an ongoing nationwide survey of mental health literacy among Singapore residents aged 18-65 years. Analysis is based on a preliminary sample (N=2500). Interviewers read a vignette depicting 1 of 5 randomly assigned MIs- depression (DP), schizophrenia (SZ), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), alcohol abuse (AA) or dementia (DT). Respondents were asked to rate whether 10 Professional/Informal sources and 12 Actions were ‘helpful, ‘harmful’ or ‘neither’ for the person in the vignette. Frequencies of helpful ratings were compared with the first Mind Matters study (M1) conducted in 2015 (N=3006).ResultsIn M2, seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist and counsellor were rated helpful most frequently (79%-96%) while seeking traditional medicine and religious advisors were rated the least (12%-60%) across the vignettes, except for DT where doctor and close family (81%-85%) replaced psychologist and counsellor (66%-70%). Compared to M1, phone counselling saw an increase in helpfulness rating across all vignettes (p<.05) except AA. For Actions, reading about how others dealt with similar problems was rated helpful most frequently (76%-89%) while dealing with problems on one’s own was rated the least across all vignettes (3%-11%) in M2. Compared to M1, being more social saw an increase in helpfulness (p<.001) rating for DP but a decrease for AA (p<.001). Admission to an institution was associated with a decrease in helpfulness rating for DP (p=.006) and OCD (p=.04) but increase for AA (p=.03).ConclusionsThe findings suggest recognition that MIs would be helped by professionals and self-reliance is ineffective to address these problems. Increased perceived helpfulness of telephone counselling was promising as studies have shown high client satisfaction coupled with its potential in reducing some barriers to care. Differences in directional changes in helpfulness rating for institutional care and socialising for DP and AA may represent understanding of the importance of behavioral activation and stimulus control for these MIs respectively. Literacy regarding help-seeking sources has improved in Singapore over the last 8 years which may translate into increments in seeking appropriate care.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Psychotic experiences in university students: prevalence, correlates and association with non-specific psychological distress
Authors: Werbeloff N. , Sobol N. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Subclinical psychotic experiences (PEs) are far more prevalent than psychotic disorders, with an estimated prevalence of 7.2% (Linscott & Van Os. Psychol Med 2013;43(6) 1133-1149). PEs are particularly prevalent in late adolescence and young adulthood, when obtaining academic education is one of the main developmental tasks. University students are at the peak age of onset of mental disorders, and often experience high levels of social and academic stress that may contribute to the onset of psychopathology. Hence, estimating the prevalence and correlates of PEs among university students is particularly important.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of PEs in a sample of Israeli students; assess whether rates of PEs differ by selected sociodemographic characteristics; and examine the association between PEs and non-specific psychological distress.Methods150 students from universities and colleges in Israel participated in a cross-sectional online survey. All students were over the age of 18 and were not diagnosed with psychotic disorders. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Prodromal Questionnaire - Brief Version (PQ-B), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and sociodemographic details. The PQ-B yields a score for the total number of items endorsed (range 0–21), and a total distress score (range 0–105). A cutoff of ≥8 distressing symptoms was used to identify participants at high-risk for psychosis.Results
21 participants (14.0%) reported 8 or more distressing PEs. PEs were more common in males and among those with a psychiatric illness (Table 1). PEs were not associated with marital status, religiosity, or immigrant status. While a greater number of PEs was positively associated with non-specific psychological distress (r=0.589, p<.001), there was no association between distress caused by PEs and non-specific psychological distress (r=0.145, NS).
Table 1.Sociodemographic characteristics by groupPEs-PEs+X2, pSexM29.5%52.4%4.32, .038F70.5%47.6%Marital StatusMarried17.1%23.8%0.56, NSUnmarried82.9%76.2%ImmigrantNo89.9%85.7%0.34, NSYes10.1%14.3%ReligiositySecular74.4%57.1%2.67, NSOther25.6%42.9% PsychiatricillnessNo87.6%61.9%8.87, .003Yes12.4%38.1%ConclusionsThe findings confirm that self-reported PEs are much more prevalent than clinically diagnosed psychotic disorders, particularly among young adults. As PEs were found to be associated with non-specific psychological distress, and as they are known forerunners for severe mental disorders, it is important to address mental health issues in school settings and promote prevention and early intervention programs.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Assessment of the intensity of state-trait anxiety of children with cancer
Authors: Kyritsi G. , Zartaloudi A. , Kyritsi H. , Dousis E. , Evangelou E. , Dafogianni C. , Polikandrioti M. , Vlachou E. , Koutelekos I. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionChildren with cancer face many difficulties on a daily basis which place them at increased risk of developing anxiety and discomfort.ObjectivesTo assess the intensity of state-trait anxiety in children with cancer.MethodsThe sample of the study consisted of 100 children from Greek Children’s Hospital, aged 8-16 years, of which 56 had cancer, representing the study group while the control-group was 44 in an outpatient clinic with endocrinological problems. Data were collected by the completion of the questionnaire “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children” by Ch. Spielberger. Statistical package S.P.S.S. was used for statistical analysis. 22 and the statistical test, t-test and anova. The significance level was set at p <0.05.ResultsOf the total sample, sarcoma 38%, brain Ca 14%, 48% endocrine problem, and the largest percentage (57%) were aged 8-10 years. Children with cancer in 44.6% were under treatment and 55.4% in remission or recovery. Body image change was experienced by the 44%. The mean value of the state anxiety was 30.3±5.4 and trait was 35.3±6.9. Children with cancer experienced lower levels of state anxiety compared to control group, p =0.049, and did not differed in terms of trait anxiety, p=0.060. In the total sample, girls experienced trait anxiety of the highest intensity, p=0.018 and children aged 14-16, p=0.020. No statistically significant differences were found in relation to the type of cancer in both state and trait anxiety, p=0.096 and p=0.424, in relation to the phase of the disease and the change of body image, p>0.05. Children whose fathers were of higher education experienced less anxiety and differed significantly from those of primary and secondary education, p=0.036 and p=0.021, respectively. Comparison between control group and study group in relation to gender, showed that girls with cancer experienced trait anxiety of higher intensity, p=0.029 but children between 14-16 years from the control group experienced trait anxiety of higher intensity, p=0.030.ConclusionsChildren of both groups experienced mild to moderate anxiety and its intensity was related to socio-demographic factors of the children and their parents.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Methylomic signature of lithium response in bipolar disorder
Authors: Bourdon C. , Courtin C. , Bellivier F. , Etain B. , Marie-Claire C. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder, characterized by the alternance of episodes of (hypo)-mania and major depression. Lithium (Li) is the first-line treatment for BD but unfortunately response to Li is highly variable: after at least two consecutive years of treatment, only a fraction of patients receiving Li will display significant improvement in the frequency and/or severity of mood recurrences. This interindividual variability of treatment response is difficult to predict, in the bipolar disorder context. This could be determined by genetic factors still misidentified by available genetic studies. In addition, no clinical or biological markers are available to reliably define eligibility criteria for a lithium treatment in bipolar disorder. A consequence is a long process of therapeutic trials (18-24 months) to phenotype Li response, delaying the stabilization.ObjectivesTo identify objective biomarkers of the prophylactic response to lithium in order to improve patient care and propose therapeutic alternatives to patients who do not respond to lithium.Methods
Using a genome-wide methylomic approach, and then logistic regressions incorporating as covariates the different types of treatments, we were able to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) whose methylation difference between responders and non-responders was not impacted by co-prescribed treatments. Then, we used Methylation Specific High-Resolution Melting (MS-HRM), a PCR based method than can be implemented in any medical laboratory at low cost and with minimal equipment, to estimate methylation proportion of 9 DMRs in 61 samples of bipolar patients.Results
In the sample of 61 individuals with BD, the 9 MS-HRM-measured DMRs combined with clinical variables (age, sex, cigarette smoking status, lifetime number of hospitalizations, age at onset of BD, polarity at onset, psychotic symptoms at onset, family history of BD, lifetime alcohol/cannabis misuse, panic disorders, Li prescribed as the first mood stabilizer (vs 2nd or 3rd choice)) correctly classified 83,6% of individuals as good or non-responders (n=61, prophylactic response phenotype defined using the “Alda” scale). Excluding the partial responders, the percentage of correctly classified individuals is as high as 100% (n=43, 18 non responders and 25 responders). The AUC are respectively AUC=0.913 and AUC=1.0.ConclusionsThe MS-HMR method allow to identify the response status of individuals with BD with 9 DMR. These DMRs discriminate good from non-responders and can be used in combination with clinical variables.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Changing our way of working for a greater integration of mental health patients: The evolution of the Zamora’s Assertive Community Treatment over the last 10 years
Authors: Vicente Rodriguez L. , Giménez Robert L. , Carrascal Laso L. , Saez Enguidanos V. , Gamonal Limcaoco R. S. , Franco Martin M. A. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionSince its beginning in the 1970s in Wisconsin, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), has been adopted by numerous hospitals worldwide. It improves outcomes for people who are most at-risk of psychiatric hospitalization. The main goal is to provide a global attention with a focus on promoting maximum autonomy and facilitating integration into society. In 2012, the Health Care Complex of Zamora, Spain, adopted this pioneering approach to Mental Health. The main efforts were focused on creating a community network for individuals with severe mental disorders. It embraced a biopsychosocial model of intervention aimed at facilitating patient recovery, giving them tools to create a new life project based on their own autonomy.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to assess the progress of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) since its introduction at the Health Care Complex of Zamora, with a specific focus on analyzing the number of hospitalizations as the dependent variable.Methods
A quantitative analysis about psychiatry number of hospitalizations was conducted using the database of the Zamora’s Psychiatry Hospitalization Unit. SPSS Statistics for Windows was used to calculate statistical values related to number of hospitalization. The dataset covers de period from 2010 to 2017.ResultsThe implementation of ACT has resulted in a significant reduction in hospitalizations reaching up to 75% in the Psychiatry Service of Zamora. It has been revealed a decrease from 17107 hospitalizations registered in 2011 to a total reduction to 4869 stances in 2013. A consistent trend in the reduction of hospitalizations has been observed (figure 1).A restructuration of the Hospitalization Unit was performed in order to implement de community model and reduce hospitalizations. Removal of more than 50% of the beds was developed.Besides, there has been implemented a community subunit with the objective of regaining their autonomy after a psychiatric exacerbation.Image:ConclusionsGetting hospitalized in a Psychiatry Unit can have many different socio-laboral consequences. The ACT model has demonstrated a significative reduction in hospitalizations and it has evolved into a support network dedicated the integration of individuals that are usually left behind by society. Moreover, it presents itself as a positive cost-benefit intervention.ACT allows us to envision a future with fewer hospitalization and greater integration of mental health patients into modern society.It is important to emphasize that the city of Zamora possesses unique characteristics that have facilitated the adaptation of this model. Not only are the rental prices for housing usually affordable, but the city’s small size, which easy walking, allows for easy access to Community Mental Health resources and services.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Awareness of the disease and attitude to treatment in patients with various mental disorders at the initial stages of the disease
Authors: Mitikhin V. , Tiumenkova G. , Alieva L. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionAn important aspect in providing effective psychiatric care and treatment is the formation of an adequate perception of their mental disorder in patients and awareness of the need for treatment, especially at the initial stages of the disease. Patients’ misunderstanding of their own psychopathological manifestations can act as a serious obstacle to their compliance and lead to an increase in the frequency of exacerbations and repeated hospitalizations.ObjectivesTo assess the attitude to the disease and treatment in patients with various mental disorders at the initial stages of the disease.MethodsClinical and psychopathological, psychological, statistical. The following scales were used: Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI, Hogan T.P. et al., 1983); Insight Scale for Psychosis (ISP, Birchwood M., 1994); Questionnaire “Style of self-regulation of behavior” (SSPM, V.I. Morosanova, 1988) and others. 17 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD, F31.xxx, ICD-10) were examined, the average age of patients was 25.52±4.55 years and 39 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (F20.1xx and F23.1xx, ICD-10), the average age of patients was 29.29±9.71. The duration of the disorder in both groups of patients was 0.5-3 years.ResultsA comparative analysis of the average scores of the scale of attitude to the disease revealed significant differences in the groups (p≤0.01). Patients with schizophrenia had a lower awareness of their disease (2.31±0.91 points) than patients with bipolar disorder (3.59±0.76 points). Correlation analysis revealed reliable connections (p≤0.01) between the scales of attitude to the disease and drugs and the self-regulation questionnaire. In patients with schizophrenia, deeper violations were found in the links of self-regulation, such as programming and planning when assessing the presence of a mental disorder and deterioration of their condition due to discontinuation of medication (r=0.38 and r=0.36, respectively). The low level of self-regulation in general and the rigidity of negative attitudes in awareness of the disease and the need for treatment also have a negative impact on compliance with the medication regimen. No such correlations were found in patients with bipolar disorder: they were more aware of the presence of a mental disorder and the need for treatment, but the degree of compliance with the medication regimen was not high enough.ConclusionsThe treatment of patients with mental disorders requires an integrated approach with the mandatory inclusion of a psychoeducational component in order to form an adequate model of their disease and an understanding of the expected risks when therapy is discontinued. Psychoeducation is especially relevant in the early stages of the disease, both for patients with schizophrenia and with BD.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The presence of autistic traits might explain the relationship between sensory sensitivity and eating disturbances in a sample of young adults referring to a mental health clinic.
Authors: Nistico’ V. , Ingrosso G. , Lombardi F. , Chiudinelli E. , Faggioli R. , Bertani A. , Gambini O. , Demartini B. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe relationship between autistic traits and eating disturbances, although gaining considerably more attention in the last decades, is still unclear. Most of the studies up to date were conducted on individuals with a full diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and/or of Eating Disorders (ED). One of the common features reported in both conditions is the alteration of sensory sensitivity, which is, in both cases, widely discussed in the literature, but mostly in the pediatric age.ObjectivesTo investigate the association between sensory sensitivity, autistic traits, and eating disorders symptomatology in a group of young adults (18-24) who were referred, for the first time, to a mental health outpatient clinic.Methods259 patients completed: the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), the Autism Quotient (AQ), the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R), the Sensory Perception Quotient - Short Form 35 item (SPQ-SF35) and the Swedish Eating Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (SWEAA), which investigates specific eating behaviour related to autism.Results23.55% participants scored above the cut-off at the EAT-26, suggesting that they should be assessed for the presence of an eating disorder by a specialized clinician. The RAADS-R explained a great proportion of variance in the relationship between sensory sensitivity and both the SWEAA (Total Score and subscales) and the EAT-26 (Total Scores and subscales).Conclusions
Our study revealed a substantial prevalence of potential eating disorders among young adults in our sample, with nearly one-fourth of participants surpassing the EAT-26 cutoff score. Additionally, we observed a noteworthy association between the presence of autistic traits and not only autistic-like eating behaviors but also a broader spectrum of eating disorder symptoms; this relationship was found in a cohort of young adult patients seeking clinical attention due to generalized distress, prior to receiving specific diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Eating Disorders (ED). These findings give rise to several intriguing inquiries. Could the existence of autistic traits, even when subthreshold, function as a mediator between alterations in sensory sensitivity and the emergence of maladaptive eating behaviors? Furthermore, if these traits exist at subthreshold levels, might they manifest in various psychiatric conditions, distinct from traditional categorizations, during episodes of acute distress? What potential precipitating factors should be considered in such cases?Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The truth about modelling – disordered eating, body image, abuse and more: A content analysis among professional fashion models
Authors: Bogár N. , Túry F. , Kővágó P. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe escalating demand for models to uphold a slim physique and extremely small measurements could play a pivotal role in contributing to the onset of eating disorders, in their clinical or subclinical forms.Objectives
The study aimed to explore models’ relationship with food, exercise, body image, industry members, experience of abuse and other related factors through self-narrated reports. To our knowledge, this study involved a larger number of multicultural female models than any previous qualitative research and is the first-ever study to use content analysis for the assessment of ED-like symptoms and body image disturbances in this population.Methods87 models’ data was analyzed. Snowball sampling was used. Semi-structured interviews targeted models’ careers, attitudes towards the fashion industry, their body image, eating, exercising and dieting habits, etc. Thematic content analysis was performed on the transcripts of the interviews. A coding booklet was developed containing instructions on 31 codes. The codes developed for the analysis included calorie restriction, weight gain, loss of control, laxative abuse, self-induced vomiting etc. They also included specific symptoms of eating and/or body image disorders. the analyses were conducted using relative frequencies. The absolute frequency of the codes was divided by the wordcount corresponding to the interview.Results
The mean BMI of the subjects was 16.8 (SD= 1.30, range 13.58- 19.37). 44.7% of the models reported BMI of between 18.5 and 17.0, and 21.2% were under 17.0. Body image disorder symptoms were expressed by 63.10% of the models, and 36.90% have referred to eating disorders. The most referenced code was statements about the subjects’ bodies (95.24% neutral, 89.29% negative, 64.29% positive statements). Statements about eating included 96.43% neutral and 45.24% negative claims. Monotrophic eating occurred in 27.38% of the answers, and 40.48% claimed to have used extreme calorie restriction. Juice fasting was occurrent amongst 3.57% of the interviewees. 22.62% have lost control over their food intake. 83.33% of the participants received criticizing comments on their bodies and such individuals talk negatively significantly more often about eating. Those individuals who engage in psychotherapy (16.67%) show significantly fewer signs of body image disorders, however, talk significantly more about eating disorder-related content.ConclusionsThe persistent expectation for thinness in the fashion industry elevates the likelihood of eating disorders and body image disorder development among models. The current study aims to offer insights into prevention strategies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared