bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stress and self-esteem in young high school students
Authors: Chiha K. , Ben Touhemi D. , Chaabane M. , Boudabous J. , Kammoun W. , HadjKacem I. , Ayadi H. , Khemakhem K. , Moalla Y. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe course of adolescence is marked by feelings of insecurity, vulnerability and can be accompanied by the emergence of several mental health problems.Having a good self-esteem brings many benefits such as security, well-being and a strong sense of confidence. Low self-esteem is often accompanied by psychological distress such as stress.ObjectivesTo assess the level of stress and self-esteem in young high school students and to identify the risk factors associated with low self-esteem in these adolescents.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted among a sample of adolescents randomly collected in 6 schools in the region of Sfax-Tunisia, during the month of February 2022. The level of stress was assessed using the Lovibond Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and self-esteem by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, both scales are validated in Arabic.ResultsWe collected 396 adolescents. The mean age was 16.65+/-0.897 years and the sex ratio was 0.82.Of these adolescents, 102 had stress symptoms according to the DASS-21 scale, i.e. 26% of the sample. Stress was severe to extremely severe in 37.2% of cases.Low to very low self-esteem was found in 65.7% of cases compared to 14.7% with high self-esteem.In addition to the association with high levels of stress in these adolescents (p=0.002), low self-esteem was associated with other psycho-social factors such as intra-family relationship problems (p=0.014), a history of repeating a year (p=0.026), low to average school performance (p=0.027) and behavioural problems in the school environment (p=0.032).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the association of stress with certain psycho-social factors helps the deterioration of self-esteem in adolescents and vice versa.Having high self-esteem may protect the individual from psychological vulnerabilities such as stress and help him/her to cope with them.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation in OCD
Authors: Menchon J. M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDeep brain stimulation has become a last resource procedure for severe, chronic and refractory OCD. However, the procedure is highly invasive and its efficacy must be balanced against the risks it may entail. In addition, there are a number of procedure-related issues that may influence the efficacy of DBS, such as the target of stimulation, the stimulation parameters to be selected, the presence of comorbidities as exclusion criteria, or the efficacy in different OCD subtypes, among others. A comprehensive review of the knowledge and experience of DBS in OCD may be useful in helping to select appropriate candidates.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Telepsychiatry: the use of technology to improve access to mental health care
Authors: Palazzo M. , Conti D. , Galbassini A. , Prodi T. G. , Cerioli M. , Bernardo D. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionTelepsychiatry (TP) uses communication technology to provide psychiatric consultation to patients unable to reach consultation services. Due to COVID-19 outbreak, many mental health services implemented TP. The University of Milan developed a patient-specialist video consultation service: the Cure Ospedaliere Domiciliari (Home Hospital Care system; COD20).ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to assess the digital skills of the mental health professionals and to assess both the confidence and the satisfaction with the COD20 platform, as well as their skills in handling certain degrees of technostress.MethodsMental health professionals of the outpatient clinics of the department were interviewed through an online anonymous survey. Data collected were sociodemographic, job position, educational level, digital skills, adequacy of devices in the workplace, satisfaction degree, ease of use of the COD20 tool, as well as main technostress score. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.27.ResultsAmong 95 subjects, more than 95% of the sample is familiar with the use of electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers; 93% employs appropriate devices in the workplace. Only 12% had an ECDL certificate, while the majority of the sample (77%) learnt the use of electronic devices independently. The levels of the digital skills were considered intermediate-advanced for communication and information research. Despite all the respondents being aware of the use of COD20, only 50% received adequate training; 77% deemed it worthwhile to attend an individual or a group training (40% vs 43%). Telemedicine was used for clinical interviews by 80% of the sample: 41% of these used Telemedicine at least 10 times/year, 18% between 10 and 20 times/year, and 42% more than 20 times/year. With regard to the appreciation of the COD20 platform, 75% of the sample considered this tool useful, while 61% considered it easy to use. There is a significant correlation between the ease of use and a higher level of education (p<0,00). Among all categories, psychologists were more likely to use the platform compared to other workers ( p=0,016). The average score of technostress among operators was 22.78±6.84 (maximum score: 45).Image:Image 2:ConclusionsTP can improve mental health professionals’ working conditions. The COD20 platform represents a valid implementation in mental health care. It is necessary to provide training and updated programs for healthcare workers in order to facilitate the use of TP tools.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Gender gap in nonmedical use of anxiolytics among high school adolescents: Tunisia, 2021
Authors: Rejaibi S. , Silini A. , Zid M. , Mallekh R. , Ben Slema I. , Zoghlami N. , Zribi M. , Ben Youssef S. , Ben Salah N. , Aounallah-Skhiri H. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionNon-Medical Use of Anxiolytics (NMUA) and sedatives is a focus of scientific interest worldwide. In Tunisia, no national epidemiological data related to this issue, are published.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the prevalence of NMUA in Tunisian adolescents and assess specificities from a gender scope.MethodsData from the 2021-Mediterranean school Survey on Alcohol and other Drugs (MedSPAD) were used. Based on random sampling method (three-stage stratification), high school teenagers in first and second year of secondary education, were enrolled. Data were collected using a self-administered standardized questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, and specific questions related to NMUA (among adolescents and close environment), perceived accessibility and initiation age. We studied weighted prevalence estimates of NMUA at least once in a lifetime, presented with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Epi data software was used for data entry and statistical analysis was performed with STATA software.ResultsThe survey included 6.201 adolescents with a mean age of 16.8 years and sex ratio F/M equal to 1.5. Only half of surveyed adolescents, perceived accessibility to NMUA as “impossible” and almost 20% had at least one family member or friend using a nonmedical prescription of anxiolytics. The overall prevalence of NMUA was (8.4%; 95% CI [7.6-9.2]), significantly higher among girls (9.8% Vs 6.1%, p-value<10-4). Initiation age was over 13 years for almost 70% of consumers.ConclusionsOur study highlighted high prevalence of NMUA, mainly among girls. Although COVID mental health impact might have a role in explaining our findings; however, decisions makers should be aware of non-medically prescribed anxiolytics accessibility especially among this vulnerable population. Audit prescription monitoring programs should be reinforced, and multisectoral collaboration should be reinforced to promote adolescents mental well being and avoid falling into addiction trap.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Associations between placental DNA methylation and emotional and behavioral outcomes in preschoolers: insights from the EDEN Mother-Child Cohort study
Authors: Nakamura A. , Broseus L. , Tost J. , Vaiman D. , Martins S. , Keyes K. , Bonello K. , Fekom M. , Strandberg-Larsen K. , Sutter-Dallay A.-L. , Melchior M. , Heude B. , Lepeule J. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionBehavioral (externalizing) and emotional (internalizing) problems were showed to be associated with the prenatal environment. Changes in placental DNA methylation was identified as a relevant potential mechanism of such association.ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the associations between placental DNA methylation and child behavior in order to explore pathways that could link prenatal exposures to child behavior.MethodsData including 441 children of 3 years of age from the EDEN mother-child cohort. Child behavior assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Both hypotheses-driven and exploratory analyses (including epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) and differentially methylated regions (DMR) analyses) were conducted. The analyses were adjusted for confounding and technical factors and estimated placental cell composition. All the p-values were corrected using a false discovery rate (FDR) procedure for multiple tests.ResultsIn the hypothesis-driven analysis, cg26703534 (AHRR), was significantly associated with emotional problems (pFDR = 0.03). In the exploratory analyses, cg09126090 (pFDR = 0.04) and cg10305789 (PPP1R16B; pFDR < 0.01) were significantly associated with peer-relationship problems and 33 DMRs were significantly associated with at least one of the SDQ subscales. Placental DNA methylation showed more associations with internalizing than externalizing symptoms, especially among girls. DMRs tented to include highly methylated CpGs.ConclusionsThis study investigated for the first time the associations between placental DNA methylation and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in preschoolers. Further analyses, such as consortium meta-analyses would be necessary to confirm and extend our results.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Criminal behaviors and substance abuse in psychiatric patients
Authors: Benatti B. , Achilli F. , Leo S. , Molteni L. , Piccoli E. , Gobbo D. , Dell’Osso B. M. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPeople with mental illness are overrepresented throughout the criminal justice system. In Italy, an ongoing process of deinstitutionalization has been enacted: the Judicial Psychiatric Hospitals are now on the edge of their closure in favor of small-scale therapeutic facilities (Residenze per l’Esecuzione delle Misure di Sicurezza - REMS). Law 81/2014 prescribes that a patient cannot stay in a REMS for a period longer than a prison sentence for the same index offense. Therefore, when patients end their duty for criminal behaviors, their clinical management moves back to outpatient psychiatric centers. Elevated risks of violent behavior are not equally shared across the spectrum of psychiatric disorders. In the past several years, multiple studies in the field of forensic psychiatry confirmed a close relationship between violent offenders and comorbid substance abuse.ObjectivesIn order to broaden the research in this area, we analyzed sociodemographic, clinical and forensic variables of a group of psychiatric patients with a history of criminal behaviors, attending an outpatient psychiatric service in Milan, with a focus on substance abuse.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional single center study, conducted in 2020. Seventy-six subjects with a history of criminal behaviors aged 18 years or more and attending an outpatient psychiatric service were included. Demographic and clinical variables collected during clinical interviews with patients were retrospectively retrieved from patients’ medical records. Appropriate statistical analyses for categorical and continuous variables were conducted.ResultsData were available for 76 patients, 51,3% of them had lifetime substance abuse. Lifetime substance abuse was significantly more common in patients with long-acting injectable antipsychotics therapy, >3 psychiatric hospitalizations, history of previous crimes and economic crime (Table 1). Additionally, this last potential correlation was confirmed by logistic regression.Table 1.Lifetime substance abusers (N=39)Non-lifetime substance abusers (N=37)Proportion DifferenceP-valueN%N%Depot administrationYes11(28,9%)0(0%)28,9%0,02HospitalizationsFour or more25(64,1%)5(33,3%)30,8%0,04Economic crimeYes15(40,5%)1(6,7%)33,8%0,02Previous crimesYes17(51,4%)2(13,3%)38,1%0,02ConclusionsData emerging from this survey provide new information about offenders in an Italian mental health service with a focus on lifetime substance abuse in these patients. Our preliminary results should be confirmed in larger sample sizes.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
One year snapshot: antipsychotic use in institute of forensic psychiatry of kosovo
Authors: Halilaj G. , Gjocaj M. , Dakaj N. , Drevinja F. , Rakaj S. , Fanaj N. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe use of antipsychotics in the treatment of the mentally ill represents a complex modality, especially in specialized institutions such as the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry of Kosovo. Current best practices are summarized in clinical guidelines, which nevertheless recognize the importance of individualizing treatment. In literature there is the scarcity of knowledge on the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment within a forensic psychiatric population.ObjectivesTo understand the features of the use of antipsychotics in IPFK as a prerequisite for increasing the quality and adequate treatment in psychiatric institutions in Kosovo.MethodsIt is a retrospective study. The files of 100 patients admitted to IPFK for evaluation and treatment in 2021 were analysed. The age ranged from 18 to 71 years (Mage=36.33; SD=12.66). General demographic data, types of antipsychotics, their doses, their combinations were looked at. Data analysis was processed with SPSS 26 and Microsoft Excel 2016.Results43% of patients were not prescribed any antipsychotic drugs. 38% used one antipsychotic, 16% used 2 antipsychotics at the same time and 3% used three types of antipsychotics. 12% of patients used four types of psychotropic drugs (antipsychotic, anxiolytic and mood stabilizer), 12% were on three types of psychotropic drugs, 42% did not use any type of medication. No side effects were noted. Only one case of refusal of therapy was recorded. The doses of the drugs used are within the recommended therapeutic limits. Most of the antipsychotics used were of the second generation. In 44% of cases they received Risperidone, in 17% of cases Haloperidol, in 14% of cases Olanzapine, in 5% of cases Clozapine and in only 1% Aripiprazole.ConclusionsAntipsychotic medication is the main method of treatment in IPFK, based on the specifics of the cases. The impression of overuse of several antipsychotics at the same time requires deeper professional consideration in order to avoid chemical restraint as a management method.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Burnout among physicians: Prevalence and predictors of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion and professional unfulfillment among resident doctors in Canada
Authors: Shalaby R. , Oluwasina F. , El Gindi H. , Eboreime E. , Nwachukwu I. , Hrabok M. , Agyapong B. , Abba-Aji A. , Agyapong V. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionBurnout in the medical profession has garnered a lot of attention over the recent years. While it is reported across all specialties and all stages of medical education; resident physicians in particular are at high risk for burnout throughout their years of training.ObjectivesThis study aimed at evaluating the prevalence and correlates of burnout among resident physicians in Alberta.MethodsThrough a descriptive cross-sectional study design, a self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from resident physicians at two medical schools in Alberta, Canada. Maslach Burnout Inventory was used as an assessment tool. Chi-squared and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used.ResultsOverall burnout prevalence among residents was 58.2%. Working more than 80 hours/week (OR= 16.437; 95% CI: 2.059 – 131.225), being dissatisfied (OR= 22.28; 95% CI: 1.75– 283.278) or being neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with a career in medicine [(OR= 23.81; 95% CI: 4.89 – 115.86) were significantly associated with high depersonalization. Dissatisfaction with efficiency and resources (OR= 10.83; CI: 1.66- 70.32) or being neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with a career in medicine (OR= 5.14; CI: 1.33- 19.94)] were significantly associated with high emotional exhaustion. Working more than 80 hours/week (OR= 5.36; CI: 1.08- 26.42) and feeling that the residency program is somewhat having enough strategies aimed at resident well-being in place (OR= 3.70; CI: 1.10- 12.46) were significantly associated with high work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement. Young age of the residents (≤ 30 years) (OR= 0.044; CI: 0.004- 0.445) was significantly associated with low professional fulfillment.ConclusionsBurnout is a serious occupational phenomenon that can degenerate to other conditions or disrupts one’s professional performance. Significant correlates were associated with high rates of burnout. Leaders of medical schools and policy makers need to acknowledge, design, and implement various strategies capable of providing continuous effective mental health support to improve the psychological health of the medical resident across Canada.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Quality in Psychiatric Care in a global perspective
Authors: Schröder A. , Lundqvist L.-O. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionWorldwide efforts to standardize instruments measuring quality in psychiatric care are rare. The international project “Quality in Psychiatric Care” (QPC) is a large research programme aiming at adapting the versions of the QPC instrument for patients and staff to different international settings.ObjectivesThe aims were to test the psychometric properties and equivalence of dimensionality of the different language versions of QPC and also to describe and compare the quality of psychiatric out-patient, in-patient, forensic in-patient and psychiatric care across different countries.MethodsThe QPC is a family of instruments based on a definition of quality of psychiatric care from the patients perspective with adapted versions for staff. In this project, we used different language versions in three areas for patient and staff: psychiatric out-patient (QPC-OP/OPS), in-patient (QPC-IP/IPS), and forensic in-patient (QPC-FIP/FIPS).ResultsPatients in out-patient psychiatric care in Brazil rated the quality of care higher than Swedish patients. Comparisons of forensic in-patient care (QPC-FIP/FIPS) patients were more critical of the care they received while staff were generally more positive on the quality of care provided in both Denmark and Sweden. Quality of in-patient care (QPC-IP/IPS) in Spain show staff rating lower quality of care than patients and lowest in the secure environment, which the Swedish staff rated low as well. In Indonesia the patients rated lower quality than staff and lowest in the discharge dimension, followed by the participation dimension. Generally, staff and patients were similar in their perceptions of the low quality of participation. Several studies in Turkey, Indonesia, Spain, Faroe Islands and Norway is ongoing.ConclusionsThe psychometric test and validations of the instrument QPC in different language and country versions will assist countries to compare quality of care, quality improvement and permits benchmarking. Since there are few standardized instruments for measuring quality of care in the psychiatric care, the QPC is expected to make an important contribution to the development in the field.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Relationship between self-esteem, self-efficacy and academic procrastination among medical students
Authors: Turki M. , Sahnoun F. , Guermazi A. , Elleuch O. , Bennaceur F. , Halouani N. , Ellouze S. , Aloulou J. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionRecent studies proved that academic procrastination is a very common pervasive problem that has a negative impact on general well-being, causing distress, anxiety, remorse and unhappiness. It could also result in poor academic performance and negatively affect students’ satisfaction with themselves and their academic life.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the influence of self-esteem and self-efficacy on academic procrastination among Tunisian medical students.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study among medical students from Tunisia. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire, exploring sociodemographic characteristics, the “Tuckman Procrastination Scale” (TPS), the “Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale” (RSES) and the “General Self-Efficacy Short Scale” (GSESS).ResultsA total of 133 participants completed the questionnaire. Their mean age was 26 ± 3,8 years, with a sex-ratio (F/M) of 4,5. Among them 87.2% were engaged in academic procrastination, 57,1% showed low self-esteem and 55,6% perceived themselves as non-effective.GSESS score were higher among males (p=0.019)TPS score was negatively correlated with RSES score (p<0.001; r=-0.372). RSES score was positively correlated with GSESS score (p<0.001; r=0.44).No relationship was proved between TPS and GSESS.ConclusionsEven though procrastination is most of the time considered as a maladaptive and detrimental behavior with a psychological cost, some authors consider it acting in a beneficial way, as it reflects self-reliance, autonomy and self-confidence knowing that they are able to finish their task in time. As a result, procrastination is linked to feelings of superiority and it should be recoined as “purposeful delay”.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
High number of refugees in Italy - which strategy works in Italy?
Authors: Galderisi S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA negative impact on mental health of Ukrainian people who will survive the war is very likely.Those who leave are exposed to the trauma of leaving behind home, relatives, friends, job, habits, i.e., most of what they had built in their life, and to the unpleasant feeling of knowing nothing of what they will go through.Mutual support and nurture problem-solving strategies, including favoring family reunion, restoring people dignity and control over the environment, help children recover a more positive social reality, are major protective factors in buffering the impact of war, displacement and related trauma.By November 2022, Italy had hosted more than 170.000 Ukrainian refugees. The National Service intervention, coordinated by the Civil Protection Department, has developed a Plan for the reception and assistance of the population from Ukraine to uniform the response to the emergency on the national territory. The plan has focused on two aspects: humanitarian assistance and reception. The network for reception is composed of the CAS - Extraordinary Reception Centers and the SAI - Integration Reception System. The Plan also provides measures related to health care and education to ensure mandatory vaccination requirements and the access to the school system for unaccompanied foreign minors. As to plans aimed to address mental health issues, the right to care is guaranteed, but several issues can be identified that limit the impact of the national policies on the needs of this population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared