Dating Violence and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood

Dating violence constitutes a serious social and health problem. This study aims to increase knowledge on dating violence in emerging adulthood by analysing the relevance of gender and of having or not having a current partner in the victimization and perpetration of such violence. It also analyses the association between dating violence and mental health, as well as the relevance of traditional gender role attitudes and the internalization of feminine/expressive and masculine/instrumental traits in the victimization and perpetration of such types of violence. The participants were 930 Spanish emerging adults who were assessed by six self-report questionnaires and scales. Men reported more psychological and physical violence victimization and physical violence perpetration than women, and women and men without a current partner reported more psychological and sexual violence than women and men with a current partner. Dating violence victimization was associated with more mental symptomatology, less life satisfaction, and lower self-esteem in men with a current partner and in women without a current partner. The main predictor of dating violence victimization was dating violence perpetration, and the main predictor of dating violence perpetration was victimization by such violence. More traditional gender role attitudes also predicted greater victimization and perpetration of dating violence, except among women without a current partner.

Burnout, mental health symptoms, and empathy in healthcare workers who care for children treated in a liver transplant center

OBJECTIVE

The healthcare workers in pediatric liver transplantation units are exposed to various stresses; however, their burnout has not been clarified yet. This study aimed to determine burnout, psychological symptoms and empathy levels in healthcare workers, to examine the relationship between these variables and to investigate the predictors of burnout.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted on healthcare workers in Turgut Özal Medical Center Pediatric Liver Transplant Institute. The participants filled out a questionnaire that investigating demographic and occupational characteristics, and including questions from Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Brief Symptom Inventory.

RESULTS

Fifty healthcare workers participated in the study. Based on moderate and higher severity scores, 48% of the participants were emotionally exhausted, 22% of them were depersonalized. All of them had a high perception of personal accomplishment. There was a correlation between psychological symptoms level and emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment as well as empathy and personal accomplishment. Not choosing the profession and the department willingly, age, education level, marital status, duration of profession, unit, not receiving in-service training, empathy, depressive symptoms and hostility scores predicted different aspects of burnout.

CONCLUSION

Considering that burnout and psychological stress lead to reduced professional abilities and the development of serious complications, the results obtained can guide managers on the measures to be taken.

Which symptoms are the psychopathological core affecting the manifestation of pseudo-cardiac symptoms and poor sleep quality in young adults? Symptoms of personality disorders versus clinical disorders

Background

Diagnosing and identifying the psychological origin of pseudo-cardiac symptoms and comorbid conditions such as poor sleep quality is very difficult due to its extensive and complex nature. The present study was conducted to determine the contribution of symptoms of personality disorders (PDs) and clinical disorders (CDs; i.e., psychological symptoms measured using the Symptom Checklist-90) to the manifestation of pseudo-cardiac symptoms and poor sleep quality.

Methods

Subjects in this cross-sectional study were 953 (64.3% female; 28.8 ± 6.2 years) community samples in the west of Iran who were selected by convenience sampling. After applying the inclusion criteria, data were collected using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ-4), and the Scale for Pseudo-Cardiac Symptoms and Poor Sleep Quality (SPSQ). Pearson correlations, factor analytical techniques, and hierarchical regression models were used to examine associations between symptoms of PDs/CDs and outcome factors.

Results

Factor analytical techniques confirmed both the integrated structure of symptoms of PDs and CDs. Both pseudo-cardiac symptoms and poor sleep quality were more strongly associated with symptoms of CDs than PDs. The results of the hierarchical analysis show that the CDs factor alone could explain the total variance of both pseudo-cardiac symptoms (change in R² = 0.215 vs. 0.009; p < 0.001) and poor sleep quality (change in R² = 0.221 vs. 0.001; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The different capabilities of two unique factors for the symptoms of PDs and CDs were confirmed by factor analytical methods and regression analysis techniques. Although each of the symptoms of PDs and CDs independently contributes to the manifestation of pseudo-cardiac symptoms and poor sleep quality, the CDs factor is the psychopathological core.

Mental distress and incident functional disability among a rural ageing population in South Africa

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between mental symptoms and incident functional disability among middle-age and older adults in South Africa.

METHODS

Longitudinal data from two consecutive population surveys (2014/2015-2018/2019) in Agincourt, South Africa, were analysed.

RESULTS

In total, 298 of 3813 participants without functional disability in wave 1 (8.8%) had functional disability in wave 2. The prevalence of baseline functional disability was 9.1%. In the fully adjusted models for people without functional disability at baseline, depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.08-2.80) among men and lower life satisfaction among men (AOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80-0.93) and among women (AOR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83-0.98) increased the odds of incident functional disability. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, poor sleep quality, restless sleep, and loneliness were not significantly associated with incident functional disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms among men and lower life satisfaction among both sexes were independently associated with incident functional disability in ageing rural South Africans.

Children and Adolescents' Mental Health Following COVID-19: The Possible Role of Difficulty in Emotional Regulation

The COVID-19 pandemic has shattered routines throughout the world, creating closures and social isolation. Preliminary studies conducted during the pandemic have shown that children and adolescents are mainly affected by social distancing and the lack of a supportive framework. The purpose of the present study was to compare mental health symptoms of 430 children and adolescents who sought mental health services in the community before vs. during the pandemic. The study examined children's perceived burden of the pandemic, reports of emotional and behavioral problems (SDQ) anxiety (SCARED), depressed moods (SMFQ-C), and difficulty in emotional regulation (DERS), as well as intervening variables such as age and gender. Furthermore, the effect of difficulty in emotional regulation on children's mental health symptoms was explored. Findings indicate an increase in all mental health symptoms excluding anxiety, during the pandemic. Boys reported more difficulty in emotional regulation during the pandemic than before, and girls reported more emotional and behavioral problems. Children reported an increase in emotional and behavioral problems and adolescents in peer relationship problems. Difficulty in emotional regulation predicted all mental health symptoms in both samples, more so in girls and adolescents. These initial findings support the need for further studies to examine the long-term mental health effects of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents.

Work exposures and mental and musculoskeletal symptoms in organic farming

This study focussed on harmful exposures and mental and musculoskeletal symptoms in organic and conventional farming using interview data of Finnish farmers over the winter of 2014-2015. The data consisted of 2,169 full-time farmers, out of whom 231 (11%) practiced organic farming and 1,938 (89%) conventional farming. Exposure to poisonous and irritating substances was less frequent while exposures to vibration and mould ('smell of root cellar') were more frequent on organic farms. Mental and musculoskeletal symptoms were slightly more common among organic farmers, but the associations were not statistically significant in regression modelling. Risk factors for mental symptoms included animal production, hired labour, female gender, constant hurry, working alone, economic uncertainty, and inadequate recovery from workdays. Risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms included older age, female gender, constant hurry, economic uncertainty, difficult working postures, heavy lifting and carrying, and inadequate recovery. Workload and recovery, managing the transition period and better follow-up of the occupational well-being were identified as concerns among organic farmers. Practitioner summary: Converting from conventional to organic farming has become increasingly common. Farmer interviews indicated that exposure to poisonous and irritating substances was less frequent while exposures to vibration and mould were more frequent on organic farms. Mental and musculoskeletal symptoms and risk factors were similar in both types of farming.

Tobacco use and associated mental symptoms and health risk behaviours amongst individuals 15 years or older in South Africa

Background

Tobacco use may deteriorate mental health and increase health risk behaviours.

Aim

The aim of this investigation was to identify associations between tobacco use and mental illness symptoms and health risk behaviours in individuals 15 years or older in South Africa.

Setting

Community-based national population sample in South Africa.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were analysed from the 'South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) 2012', using a sample of 15 310 individuals 15 years or older (median age 33 years). Measures included information on tobacco use, sociodemographic factors, mental symptoms and health risk behaviour.

Results

Compared to non-tobacco users, daily tobacco users were associated with psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adjusted logistic regression analysis, and with sleeping problems in unadjusted analysis. Past tobacco use, less than daily, and daily tobacco use were highly associated with a drinking problem. In terms of dietary variables, less than daily and daily tobacco use increased the odds of inadequate fruit intake and salty food intake, and daily tobacco use decreased the odds of fast food consumption. Past tobacco use, less than daily, and daily tobacco use were inversely associated with physical inactivity, and daily tobacco use was associated with not always washing hands before eating.

Conclusions

The study showed that compared to non-tobacco users, daily tobacco users had significantly poorer mental health (psychological distress and PTSD) and increased odds for several health risk behaviours (drinking problem, inadequate fruit intake, salty food consumption and not always washing hands before eating) as compared to non-tobacco users.

[Effects of 22q11 deficit syndrome on mental symptoms and cognitive function in children and adolescents with schizophrenia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of 22 q11 deletion syndrome in children and adolescents with schizophrenia and its effect on mental symptoms and cognitive function.

METHODS

Case-control method was used. 134 cases of children and adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia in hospital from April 2016 to December 2018 were selected as the case group, and the patients in the case group were divided into the two groups including 22 q11 deletion group and the non-deletion group. The control group included 418 healthy children with no history of mental illness or family history. In situ hybridization was used to diagnose 22 q11 microdeletion syndrome, and positive and negative symptom scales and Chinese version of schizophrenia cognitive function battery test were used to score the patients in the case group.

RESULTS

The expression of 22 q11 microdeletion was more significant in children and adolescents with schizophrenia(χ~2=33. 52, P&lt;0. 0001). The negative symptoms(P=0. 034), general condition(P=0. 005) and total score(P=0. 001) were significantly increased in the 22 q11 deletion group. The five indicators of attachment test, verbal memory, spatial span, emotional management, continuous operation and total score in the 22 q11 deletion group were significantly lower than those in the non-deletion group(P&lt;0. 05). Among children and adolescents with schizophrenia, there was a significant decrease in the FA value in the 22 q11 deletion group compared with the non-deletion group, mainly distributed in the corpus callosum, the knee and the cingulate tract(P&lt;0. 05), and no increase in the FA value was observed in other brain areas. FA value of corpus callosum somatic white matter in the absence group was positively correlated with visual memory and language fluency. FA value of the knee in corpus callosum was positively correlated with language fluency. FA value of the buckle was positively correlated with spatial width(all P values were less than 0. 05).

CONCLUSION

22 q11 microdeletion is more common in children and adolescents with schizophrenia, which may affect visual memory, language fluency and spatial span by reducing FA values in corpus callosum, knee and cingulate tract.

Daily Automated Telephone Assessment and Intervention Improved 1-Month Outcome in Paroled Offenders

This randomized trial evaluates whether automated telephony could be used to perform daily assessments in paroled offenders (N = 108) during their first 30 days after leaving prison. All subjects were called daily and answered assessment questions. Based on the content of their daily assessments, subjects in the intervention group received immediate feedback and a recommendation by automated telephony, and their probation officers also received a daily report by email. The outcome variables were analyzed using linear mixed models. The intervention group showed greater improvement than the control group in the summary scores (M = 9.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.5, 18.7], p = .038), in mental symptoms (M = 4.6, CI = [0.2, 9.0], p = .042), in alcohol drinking (M = 0.8, CI = [0.1, 1.4], p = .031), in drug use (M = 1.0, CI = [0.5, 1.6], p = .000), and in most stressful daily event (M = 1.9, CI = [1.1, 2.7], p = .000). In conclusion, automated telephony may be used to follow up and to give interventions, resulting in reduced stress and drug use, in paroled offenders.

Assessment of mental health among nursing staff at different levels

To assess the mental health of nurses and to find the post responsibility and psychological status of clinical nurses.A total of 447 nursing staff at different levels in a teaching hospital was assessed by nursing post responsibility scale and mental symptom checklist (SCL-90) then compared with each other. The study period was from April 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018.There was a positive correlation between the responsibility of post and interpersonal relationship (r = 0.11, P < .05), depression (r = 0.10, P < .05) and hostility (r = 0.10, P < .05). Post risk was negatively correlated with somatization (r = -0.10, P < .05), job involvement scope and communication ability were negatively correlated (r = -0.11, P < .05). Based on the multiple linear regression, knowledge and skills (β = -0.20, P = .02) and risks of the post (β=0.20, P < .01) both significantly related to SCL-90 total score.In conclusion, knowledge and skills and risks of the post associated with mental health of clinical nurses. The sustainable development of nursing post responsibility requires healthy physiological and mental health.

Translational neuroscience and psychiatry: A conceptual analysis

As rapidly developing research disciplines and enterprises, the translational sciences have made significant impact on research direction in medicine. Psychiatry has likewise been affected, and in this regard, the translational neurosciences have been the major drivers. This paper explores the conceptual underpinnings of this enterprise in relation to psychiatry. It shows that translation is used in a metaphorical sense in this context but that this can be misleading because of the resultant connotation that there is equivalence between neurobiological states and mental states. Furthermore, this equivalence is reinforced by the unidirectional flow or bottom up approach of the translational process. Given that the epistemological basis to psychiatry is fundamentally different to that underlying medicine, questions are raised concerning the application of the translational neurosciences approach to mental symptoms and mental disorders. The hybrid structure of mental symptoms and mental disorders demands that attention is paid to the "semantic" as well as the neurobiological constituents. Neglect of the former would carry implications for the validity of research findings as well as have ethical consequences for treating patients. Translational neurosciences may have greater validity in those mental disorders and mental symptoms whose constitution and sense are carried by the neurobiological elements.

Alexithymia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of anxiety, depression, and glycemic control

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with type 2 DM and the factors affecting it.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 326 patients with type 2 DM. Study data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Glycemic control was assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) results. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Pear-son's correlation, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 37.7% were determined to have alexithymia. A significant relationship was determined between alexithymia and HbA1c, depression, and anxiety. According to binary logistic regression analyses, alexithymia was 2.63 times higher among those who were in a paid employment than those who were not, 2.09 times higher among those whose HbA1c levels were ≥7.0% than those whose HbA1c levels were <7.0%, 3.77 times higher among those whose anxiety subscale scores were ≥11 than those whose anxiety subscale scores were ≤10, and 2.57 times higher among those whose depression subscale scores were ≥8 than those whose depression subscale scores were ≤7.

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was determined that two out of every five patients with DM had alexithymia. Therefore, their treatment should be arranged to include mental health care services.

HowNutsAreTheDutch (HoeGekIsNL): A crowdsourcing study of mental symptoms and strengths

HowNutsAreTheDutch (Dutch: HoeGekIsNL) is a national crowdsourcing study designed to investigate multiple continuous mental health dimensions in a sample from the general population (n = 12,503). Its main objective is to create an empirically based representation of mental strengths and vulnerabilities, accounting for (i) dimensionality and heterogeneity, (ii) interactivity between symptoms and strengths, and (iii) intra-individual variability. To do so, HowNutsAreTheDutch (HND) makes use of an internet platform that allows participants to (a) compare themselves to other participants via cross-sectional questionnaires and (b) to monitor themselves three times a day for 30 days with an intensive longitudinal diary study via their smartphone. These data enable for personalized feedback to participants, a study of profiles of mental strengths and weaknesses, and zooming into the fine-grained level of dynamic relationships between variables over time. Measuring both psychiatric symptomatology and mental strengths and resources enables for an investigation of their interactions, which may underlie the wide variety of observed mental states in the population. The present paper describes the applied methods and technology, and presents the sample characteristics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On mental symptoms and health-related quality of life among older adults: results of a three-month follow-Up study in Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of daily use of Gerovital H3 (G.H.3.) tablets on relieving mental symptoms and improving health-related quality of life among Chinese older adults population.

METHODS

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, totally 100 eligible participants were randomly allocated into the G.H.3. group or the placebo group, administered either G.H.3. or placebo tablets and were followed up for three months. All of the participants were required to report their subjective feelings about quality of life, low mood, and anxiety by filling out Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and a 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36 scale). Physicians were responsible for evaluating the related mental health indications through physical examinations at the baseline and at the end of the intervention period.

RESULTS

Participants were men and women between 50 and 89 years of age, with a median of 62.53 years. Before the intervention, the demographic characteristics and the baseline SF-36 scores, low mood, and anxiety statuses were comparable (p > 0.05). After the 12-week intervention, the scores of role-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), mental health (MH) and health transition (HT), mental composite score (MCS) of the G.H.3. group were higher than the placebo group (p < 0.05), There were no significant differences in other domains in SF-36 and PCS between the two groups(p > 0.05), the scores of SDS and SAS in the G.H.3. group were both lower than the placebo group(p < 0.01), the prevalence rates of low moods in the G.H.3. group and the placebo group were 20.8 % and 34.0 % respectively, no significant difference was found (χ (2) =2.127,p = 0.145), while the prevalence rate of clinical anxiety concerns in the G.H.3. group was 2.1 %, which was significantly lower than the placebo group, 22.0 % (χ (2) =9.040,p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminarily use of G.H.3. shows positive effects in supporting mental health and improving general health and well-being while promoting the recovery of cognitive function among older adults. Most of SF-36 domains including PF, RP, BP, GH, VT, RE, MH, and HT, as well as the overall quality of life in MCS might benefit from taking G.H.3. tablets. Average levels of low moods and anxiety concerns were both reduced and the prevalence rate of clinical anxiety concerns were reduced.

Case report of rabies-induced persistent mental symptoms

Rabies is a viral infection with a high case fatality rate. Typical symptoms of rabies include hydrophobia, pharynx muscle spasms, and progressive paralysis. Rabies-induced persistent mental disturbances are rare. Here we report a 22-year-old male who was infected with rabies after being attacked by a dog. He did not receive rabies vaccine immediately after the incident and was only provided with non-standard treatment at a local clinic. A week later he became disorientated, paranoid, and aggressive. One month after the attack, rabies antibody was found in his cerebrospinal fluid and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination of his head revealed abnormal signals in the putamina, caudate nucleus, and insula. His mental symptoms persisted for six years and his daily functioning was severely impaired, but his vital signs were stable without signs of brain stem damage. Six years after the incident, a repeat MRI showed brain atrophy.

Working-aged population's mental symptoms and the use of the Internet

The aim was to study how the working-age population's mental symptoms had a relation to the using of the Internet. In addition, the aim was to analyze how the mental symptoms had a relation to background information. The study was carried out as a cross-sectional study by posting a questionnaire to 15,000 working-age (18-65) Finns. Mental symptoms of responses (6121) were analysed using the model factors age, gender and use of the Internet. Only 0.06% mentioned that they were somehow addicted to the Internet. Based on statistical analyses, age and marital status had an influence on many mental symptoms. The use of the Internet at leisure had an influence on substance addiction and fear situations. The importance of the Internet only had an influence on the fear situations. In the future it will be essential to take into account that the use of the internet can affect mental symptoms.