bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the frequency and predictive factors of psychotropic drugs consumption among students of the university of pharmacy of monastir
Authors: Bensaid N. , Ghorbel A. , Rekik M. , Messedi N. , Smaoui S. , Hachicha S. , Messadi F. , Aloulou J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPsychotropic medications are widely used in Tunisia. Studies about frequency of substance use are rareObjectivesThe purpose of this work is to determine frequency of use of psychotropic medication among pharmacy students in Monastir University during their university years and during the last year and to assess the factors associated to this consumptionMethodsA retrospective study was used to collect the information about 145 participants using a questionnaire asking about the consumption of psychotropic medications and the factors associated to substance useResults145 subjects aged 22.71 years +/- 2.04 among them 25% was men and 75 % women. Psychotropic medication use was 20 % during university years and 17.24 % during the last year. 45 % of the users had their medications without a prescription from a doctor. 17 % of the users of psychotropic medication weren’t informed about the effects of the drugs. A higher consumption of psychotropic drugs was observed among older individuals (p=0.009; F=6.928), redoubling individuals (p=0.003), with conflictive relationships with family (p=0.001), using others psychotropic substances, feeling often nervous (p=0.003; F=9.318) and with personal history of mental illness (p=0.002).ConclusionsOur finding underlines the need of larger more comprehensive surveys to determine the efficiency of the prevention strategies and to minimize the consumption of psychotropic drugs or to control it.Keyworddependence Risk factors drugs students
Further validation of the internet addiction test: Psychometric characteristics in a portuguese university sample
Authors: Bento C. , Pereira A.T. , Marques C. , Mota D. , Macedo A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a 20-item, self-reported questionnaire that measures the presence and severity of Internet addiction which is an increasing problem in adolescents. Although a Portuguese version IAT has been validated in adults, its psychometric properties have never been evaluated before, in adolescents.ObjectivesTo analyse the reliability and construct and concurrent validity of the IAT in a Portuguese adolescent sample.Methods772 adolescents (53.5% girls), mean aged 13.21±2.246, answered the Portuguese versions of the IAT and the Portuguese versions of validated scales to evaluate: Cyberbullying, Game Addiction, Agressivity and Anxiety, Depression Scales. To study the temporal stability, 377 (60.5% girls) respondents answered the questionnaires again after approximately four-six weeks. The total sample was aleatory splitted to realize the exploratory and the confirmatory factor analyses.ResultsExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a second order two-factor structure - “Isolation and Social Commitment” and F2-“Negligence and Functional Commitment”. The χ2/df value was 2.260 and had a significant p value; it had the lowest RMSEA score = .074 (p< .001) and it had the highest TLI (.980) and CFI (.905). IAT mean scores were no different between genders [Girls=29.25±18.775 vs. Boys: 30.85±17.929, p=.405]. The Cronbach’s alphas were > .85. Pearson correlation between the test and the re-test was r=.660. The IAT, video game addiction (r=.434), Cyberbullying (r=.383), anxiety (r=.209) and depression (r=.263) were significantly correlated (p<.001).ConclusionsThe Portuguese IAT has good reliability and validity, showing to be an adequate instrument for measuring Internet Addiction symptoms in Portuguese Adolescents.
Prevalence of internet addiction in tunisian adolescents
Authors: Daoud M. , Omri S. , Feki R. , Smaoui N. , Zouari L. , Thabet J. Ben , Bouali M. Maalej , Charfi N. , Maalej M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionInternet addiction (IA) is a significant public health issue among adolescents. There is considerable evidence that IA is associated with various psychosocial harms.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of internet addiction among secondary school.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 students enrolled in secondary school. The participants had filled the Internet Addiction Test of Young and a data file regarding the socio-demographic information, physical and information about the internet access and use.ResultsThe sample consisted of 90 males and 62 females with a mean age of 13.14 ± 1.2 years. The majority of participants had their own smartphone (83.6%). The average duration of connection among participants was 5.3 hours per day. The prevalence of IA was 14,5%. Results showed that 46,8% feel their internet use significantly hinders their family relationships. Twenty participants (13,2%) reported that they connected to the internet while they were in classroom. The prevalence of IA was higher among boys than girls (p= 0.018). There was, also, a significant relation between IA and having academic difficulties (p=0.037).ConclusionsThe prevalence of IA is elevated in Tunisia. Many negative consequences are identified. Urgent measures should be taken to counter the problem.
Comparative study of psychoactive substance use pattern in romania and hungary
Authors: Costescu C.R. , Nemeș B. , Coman H.G. , Cozman D. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionEurope’s drug situation is facing an increasing trend.ObjectivesTo compare the psychoactive substance use pattern in Romania and Hungary.MethodsData was collected from the electronical databases of the 3rd Psychiatry Clinic of Cluj County Emergency Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania and from the Psychiatry Department of Kenezy Gyula Hospital Debrecen, Hungary. We included adult patients who had at least one hospital admission for mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use between 01/01/2013 and 31/12/2016.Results96 patients from Romania (80.2% males, mean age 27.8 years (18, 82)) and 816 from Hungary (71.93% males, mean age 47 years (18, 90)) were included. Romanian patients consumed more opioids (31.52% vs 4.34%, p<0.05 Chi-square Test), cannabinoids (66.3% Ro vs 13.04%, p<0.001 Chi-square Test), and synthetic drugs (declared 73.91% vs 8.21%, p<0.001 Chi-square Test), an underlying personality disorder (52.08% vs 34.06% p=0.001 Chi-square test) was more often diagnosed. Hungarian patients consumed more alcohol (89.46% vs 30.43%, p<0.001 Chi-square Test), a comorbid bipolar disorder (18.75% vs 5.2%, p=0.001 Chi-square Test), a major depressive disorder (40.8% vs 16.6% p<0.001, Chi-square Test) or an anxiety spectrum disorder (55.26% vs 7.29%, p<0.001 Chi-square test) were more often diagnosed. Overall, more than 85% had a dependence use pattern, more than 65% having multiple admissions.ConclusionsRomanian drug users are younger, prefer opioids, cannabinoids and synthetic drugs and have more often a comorbid personality disorder than Hungarian patients, who consume more alcohol and have a comorbid affective disorder.
“New” drugs associated with chemsex? 2C-B in sexual context. A case report and review
Authors: Ramos J. Curto , Dolengevich H. , Romerosa M.A. Morillas , Pascual E. Mateos 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe intentional use of drugs before or during sexual intercourse (chemsex), due to its impact on mental health, is a phenomenon of high importance in men who have sex with men.ObjectivesWe report the case of a patient with polysubstance acute intoxication, including 2C-B, in order to review the evidence about the mechanisms of action of 2C-B, its efects on sexual pleasure, toxicity, patterns of abuse and somatic and mental health related consequences it may present.MethodsCase report and narrative review.ResultsWe present the case of a patient using 2C-B as a substance in chemsex practice. As the patient presented in our emergency with psychotic symptoms, he was diagnosed with “stimulant acute intoxication” and “acute psychotic symptoms induced by stimulants”. 2C-B increases dopamine (DA) serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) and cause stimulating and hallucinogenic effects.ConclusionsMSM is a group vulnerable to the problematic use of drugs in a sexual context. Several mental health problems have been associated with chemsex users such as psychotic sypmptoms, suicidal ideation, encephalopaty, delirium. Polysubstance use is common in chemsex practice and it can be difficult to identify the drugs used in states of acute intoxication but psychiatrists must explore the use of differents drugs from the “classic chemsex drugs” (mephedrone, GHB and metanphetamine) including 2C-B and other substances such as cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and other cathinones different from mephedrone.
Managing ethical issues in community-based adolescent self-harm research. ethical practice in an adolescent self-harm preventative intervention research project with pupils in secondary schools in wales
Authors: Parker R. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAdolescent self-harm in Europe is a major public health challenge and shares a risk continuum with suicide. Recent research demonstrates a strong risk correlation with attempting suicide in the community-based adolescent self-harm population group, similar to research findings for populations in health setting-based research. In the UK increasing rates in hospital admissions represent the “tip of the iceberg” within the community, with potentially two thirds of the population group not accessing health services for support. This brings many health risks, including an increased suicide risk. Finding a solution to these issues requires a preventative intervention approach for young people, including community-based delivery to address service access barriers. Secondary schools are posited as key settings where this type of support could be delivered. But emerging UK research demonstrates challenges in completing adolescent self-harm research with young people in schools.ObjectivesThis paper centres on a current adolescent self-harm preventative intervention research project in Cardiff University. It focuses on ethical research practice in community-based adolescent self-harm research.MethodsThis paper appraises some of the core ethical issues, challenges and their management in completing adolescent self-harm prevention intervention research in secondary school settings in Wales. It also provides an overview of the project’s innovative safety protocol design.ResultsThis project was successful in managing the potential risks to the school-based adolescent research participants.ConclusionsThis work helps address some of the current research barriers to completing adolescent self-harm prevention intervention research in schools, to facilitate shared solutions to the urgent public health challenge of adolescent self-harm.
Suicidal behaviour in medicine students and residents
Authors: Lietor M.D.C. Molina , Cuevas I. , Prieto M. Blanco 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAmong medical students the rate of depression varies between 5-32% and it is known that the suicide rate is higher than in the general population.ObjectivesClear and current data are needed to design studies for the diagnosis and treatment of students and residents of Medicine with psychological and psychiatric disorders in order to reduce rates of suicidal behavior in this population group.MethodsA systematic search for articles on the UpToDate, PubMed and Mendeley platforms has been conducted with the keywords “suicide”, “suicidal behavior”, “suicidal ideation”, “medicalschool” and “medical students”. We found 435 items from which a total of 42 items were selected.ResultsThe prevalence of depression is 27.2%, of which only 15.7% of them are under treatment. Burnout, has a high prevalence of 45-50%. The prevalence of suicidal ideation in the last year is 11.1%. The most commonly used method is medication overdose. Suicidal behavior is greater among students who choose to choose Psychiatry or Family and Community Medicine as a specialty.ConclusionsThe rate of suicidal ideation among medical students is 11.1%. Nearly one out of every three medical students suffers from depression in some degree, and only one in five is treated. The similar prevalence of burnout at all levels supposes poor management of stress from the faculty. Medical schools should reduce the associated stigma and should encourage depressed students to seek treatment.
How genetics can help diagnosis and treatment in psychiatric conditions
Authors: Chaumette B. , Laurent-Levinson C. , Almos P. , Degenhardt F. 
Published: February 2022

The understanding of the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders has made significant advances in the last decade and some scientific findings can now be translated into clinical practice. The rise of genetic testing and the awareness of patients and their families motivate psychiatrists to examine this approach. The COST Action EnGagE (CA17130) is promoting these developments in Europe. Whereas the findings of common variants are the domain of research, screening for rare variants at the genome-wide level is already applicable in clinical practice. It is now possible to return meaningful results to the individual to help him/her understanding the disease and the comorbidities, to guide treatment and to perform genetic counseling. In this presentation, we will give meaningful examples for psychiatric practice. For instance, around one-third of the patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder can benefit from a molecular diagnosis (fragile X syndrome, SHANK3 deletion…). Microdeletion or microduplication may explain a fraction of schizophrenic cases (e.g. del22q11). Identification of rare variants causing the disease may decrease the stigma and feeling of guilt often reported by patients and families. This could also help to detect and manage other comorbidities. It is expected that treatment guidelines and clinical trials would be developed in the near future for patients carrying a rare variant, opening the way to personalized psychiatry. Finally, this effort has a huge impact on the family, by enhancing genetic counseling in psychiatry. The rise of psychiatric genetics might align our field more closely with the other medical specialties.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Individual factors associated with suicidal recurrence in patients of southern tunisia
Authors: Tfifha M. , Abbes W. , Mahdhaoui W. , Frikha A. , Ghanmi L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionNowadays, suicide is a global public health problem thus detection of risk factors more specifically individual factors can be used as a method for prevention and intervention.ObjectivesThe aims of our study were to assess the incidence of suicidal recurrence and its individual associated factors.MethodsA retrospective descriptive and analytical study was undertaken including all patients consulting for the first time at Gabes psychiatry department (in southern Tunisia) from the 4th March 2009 to the 25th September 2020 for suicidal attempt. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as suicidal attempts’ characteristics were assessed. The statistical analysis was executed on the software SPSS (20th edition).Results278 patients were collected including 217 female. The mean age was 26. Suicidal patients were unmarried (75.9%), childless (79.1%) and unemployed (47.5%). The common suicidal attempt method was voluntary drug intoxication (67.8%). Interference of individual factors was reported in 77% of cases, especially difficulties to cope with stress (46.4%), followed by low self-esteem (36.5%), personal psychiatric history (17.3%), personal medical history (8.3%) and alcohol or drug abuse (6.1%). A suicidal re-attempt was notedin 24.9 % of cases. Recurrence was associated with the female gender (72.4%), difficulties to cope with stress (<10-3) and low self-esteem (p=0.012).ConclusionsAfter the first suicidal attempt, it’s crucial to identify the individual factors that seems to have an influence on subsequent suicidal behaviour in order to ensure a proper treatment.
Relationship to pain and suicidal-related experience: Validation of discomfort intolerance scale и the pain catastrophizing scale in russian female adolescents
Authors: Sadovnichaja V. , Rasskazova E. , Tkhostov A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPerception of and relationship to pain are considered as important factors of suicidal behavior (Joiner, 2005, Klonsky & May, 2015, O’Connor & Kirtley, 2018, Galynker, 2017). Some studies of pain demonstrated that there are common mechanisms of emotional and physical pain (DeWall & Baumeister, 2006, MacDonald & Leary, 2005, Eisenberger, Lieberman, & Williams, 2003).ObjectivesThe aim was to validate Discomfort Intolerance Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale on the female adolescent sample and to reveal their relationship to suicidal experience.Methods183 adolescents females (13-21 years old) filled Discomfort Intolerance Scale (Schmidt, Richey, & Fitzpatrick, 2006) and The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (Sullivan, Bishop, & Pivik, 1995). Then they replied to items related to their own or their friends’ suicidal experience.ResultsFactor analysis for PCS explained 73.6% of variance with Cronbach’s alphas .77-.91. Factor analysis of DIS explained 67.1% of variance with Cronbach’s alphas .63-.70. There were no relationships between suicidal-related experience and pain-related experience.ConclusionsDiscomfort Intolerance Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale could be used as reliable and valid methods of measuring relationship to pain in studies of adolescents, although we found no associations between them and suicidal intentions.
Building interest in psychiatry: Could peer-to-peer learning be a way forward in improving engagement in psychiatric education amongst medical students?
Authors: Cole G. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionStigma, stereotypes, and preconceptions have meant psychiatry has been subject to poor engagement from medical students when compared to other specialties. Whilst efforts have been made to understand reasons for this and formulate strategies to build interest, the problem still exists.ObjectivesThis piece explores whether giving those with a passion for psychiatry a platform to share this could gradually but positively influence their peers and thus, be a potential way to drive engagement in psychiatry as a career.MethodsAdvanced literature searches explored items such as engagement in psychiatry and benefits of peer-to-peer education. CASP checklists facilitated selection and appraisal of literature for use in this discussion. Key themes were identified and used to formulate suggestions for the use of peer-to-peer teaching in building interest in psychiatry.ResultsThematic analysis of the data found 4 main themes relating to engagement in psychiatry. Current strategies to improve this have varying impact and include clinical exposure, using patients with lived experience in learning and enrichment activities, whilst the main negative influence is a long-standing stigma and stereotype around psychiatry. Three themes regarding the relevant benefits of peer-to-peer teaching were found, being peer-to-peer connection, peer influence and means to overcome stigma.ConclusionsThree key strategies for the use of peer to peer learning are suggested. These are ‘learning from students with lived experience’, ‘peer-teaching from passionate students prior to clinical exposure’ and ‘using peer learning to initially introduce topics in psychiatry in a relatable manor’.
A COVID-19 necessity or the future of medical education? An evaluation of online psychiatry tutorials for medical students
Authors: Wyke C. , Butler S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionFollowing the national lockdown in the UK in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we instigated regular online tutorials for fourth year medical students undertaking their psychiatry placement.ObjectivesThe aims of these tutorials were threefold: to ensure that students covered a range of key psychiatry topics, to enable them to have the opportunity for interactive tutorials with experienced psychiatrists and, not least, to create a sense of continuity and connection with their tutors and peers across the mental health block.MethodsEach student was allocated to a tutorial group comprising 10 – 15 medical students and a psychiatrist facilitator. These groups met weekly for 7 consecutive weeks at an agreed time for 60 – 90 minutes via an online platform and all covered the same allocated topic each week. We evaluated these groups via an online survey sent to the students following the programme.ResultsThe students rated the tutorials on average as 4.5/5 on whether they met the defined learning outcomes. On average the students did not consider that the virtual format made a significant difference to their learning, but this disguised a wide range of views that were expressed via a comment box.ConclusionsThe evaluation of this project supports the use of virtual tutorials as a valuable learning tool but educators need to be aware that student views’ on these can be varied and so, long-term, a blend of virtual and face to face learning is most likely to meet the needs of all students.
Medical education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: The challenge of collaborative learning in three european countries
Authors: Salas D. Gurrea , Álvarez R. Palma , Toparlak S.M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionCOVID19 keeps being a challenge, not only facing the outbreak and the treatment of the cases, but also in the education sector. Most learning centres and high schools in the world are closed to avoid further outbreaks, as well as institutes for psychotherapy throughout the world.ObjectivesTo gain a better knowledge and understanding about alternatives identified in the scope of psychiatric trainee training, through the support provided by digital resources.MethodsSystematic review on PubMed and Uptodate databases since declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 was performed using the keywords: Distance Education, Pandemia, COVID-19, Medical Residency. Discussing online-learning.ResultsThe described European countries (Germany, Spain, United Kingdom) used different strategies to maintain the e-learning. Practical undergraduate education was replaced in countries like Spain by “problem-based learning” tasks, clarifying and commenting case reports or videos through working groups. The increase of the resources from teachers and trainers wasn´t taken in account for the preparation of the digital program. Social inequities for the digital access for groups of students or clients were also claimed.ConclusionsEach of the described countries adopted different strategies regarding continuing training of residents, their assessment and their certification. Covid-19 should set down a trend of social collaborative learning as part of resident training and asset hybrid or even digital methods for the mental health training.