Levels Of Personal Distress Research Articles

Factors associated with medical radiation and imaging professionals’ willingness to work during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundResilient health systems effectively respond to health crises and coordinate post-event recovery. Central to a resilient system is the willingness of its workforce to work in high-risk scenarios. This study explored traits that may affect Medical Radiation and Imaging Professionals (MRIPs) willingness to work during a pandemic. Specifically, intrapersonal traits of compassion, empathy, and resilience were examined. Understanding such relationships can inform interventions that enhance individuals' willingness and health system resilience (HSR). MethodsIn Fall 2020, a cross-sectional survey of Nova Scotian MRIPs was conducted. Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model, Professional Quality of Life, Intrapersonal Reactivity Index and Adult Resilience Measures-17 tools were used to assess willingness, compassion, empathy, and resilience. Statistical tests included chi-square, binomial, and multinomial logistic regression. ResultsMRIPs were willing to report to work during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic if required (92%); asked but not required (89%); or regardless of severity (94%). Individuals with very high levels of willingness reported lower personal distress (a facet of empathy) compared to those with high (p=.018) or moderate levels (p=.005). MRIPs with < 10 years experience were more likely to report high personal distress (p≤.37). Job role was associated with willingness (p<.001). There were no significant associations between level of willingness, and gender, age, experience, education, or the intrapersonal traits resilience and compassion. ConclusionWillingness was associated with job role and levels of personal distress. Personal distress was higher in participants with less years of practice. Interventions to reduce personal distress in early career MRIPs may enhance willingness to work during crises and thereby support HSR.

Parental Psychological Flexibility as a Mediating Factor of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children after Hospitalization or Surgery.

Background: Illness, surgery, and surgical hospitalization are significant stressors for children. Children exposed to such medical events may develop post-traumatic medical syndrome (PMTS, pediatric medical traumatic stress) that could slow their physical and emotional recovery. Objective: This study examined the relationship between the level of parental psychological resilience and the development of PMTS in young children. Method: We surveyed 152 parents of children aged 1–6 who were admitted to the pediatric surgery department. Parents completed questionnaires in two phases. In the first phase, one of the parents completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-ll) and the Parental Psychological Flexibility (PPF) Questionnaire. In the second phase, about three months after discharge, the same parent completed the Young Child PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Checklist (YCPC) and the UCLA (Los Angeles, CA, USA) PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5 Parent/Caregiver Version for Children Age 6 Years and Younger Evaluating Post-traumatic Disorder. In addition, the parent completed a Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) questionnaire to assess the existence of post-traumatic symptoms in the parents. Results: The findings indicate that (1) a parent’s psychological flexibility is significantly associated with the level of personal distress (r = −0.45, p < 0.001), (2) a parents’ level of distress is significantly correlated with the child’s level of PTMS, and (3) a parent’s level of psychological flexibility is a significant mediating factor between the level of parental post-traumatic distress and the child’s level of PTMS. Conclusions: A parent’s psychological flexibility may act as a protective factor against the development of the child’s mental distress after hospitalization or surgery.

Differences in personality related determinants of empathetic sensibility in female and male students of medicine.

The issues of personality and its relations with the level of empathetic sensibility of medical doctors are broadly discussed in the literature. The aim of this study was an assessment of personality related predictors of empathy indicators in female and male students of medicine with consideration of gender differences. Methods applied were Empathic Sensitiveness Scale (ESS) and Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). The study included 153 participants, who were students of the fifth year of medical studies. Students filled in questionnaires during workshops in clinical psychological skills. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. The statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13 PL and PS IMAGO PRO (SPSS). Linear regression analysis with the interaction component was performed to explore the relationship between personality factors and gender and their interaction with the variable dependent level of empathy. The analysis showed that Extraversion, Openness and Agreeableness are associated with the level of Empathic Concern. Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are associated with the level of Personal Distress. Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are associated with the level of Perspective-taking. The regression analysis with the interactive component showed that there is no relationship between gender and the level of empathy, therefore the interactions were insignificant. Empathetic sensibility is related to personality dimensions of the students of medicine. Although there has been no interaction among chief personality dimensions, empathy indicators and gender, detailed analysis of personality dimensions’ components has shown differences between men and women.

The Effects of Dementia Knowledge on Dementia Worry, Attitudes, Social Comfort, and Affect

Previous work has demonstrated that personhood-based knowledge of dementia is associated with less fear of dementia and greater social comfort with persons with dementia. Nonetheless, a causal link has not been tested. We examined the effects of types of dementia knowledge on dementia worry, fear, and social comfort, as well as affect more broadly and attitudes toward dementia, which have not previously been examined. Participants (N = 338) aged 19-78 (M = 44.82, SD = 16.66) were randomized into one of five experimental conditions: biomedical-knowledge (BK; read biological and medical facts about dementia); personhood-based knowledge (PBK; read accounts written by persons living with dementia); both BK and PBK; baseline control; and active control. Participants then completed outcome measures. Significant effects of knowledge on dementia worry (p < .05) as well as personal distress, empathic concern, and negative affect (ps < .001) emerged; groups did not significantly differ in attitudes, comfort, or dementia fear. Specifically, participants in the BK and PBK conditions exhibited significantly higher levels of personal distress than those in the control conditions. Similarly, participants in the PBK condition had significantly higher levels of negative affect than those in the control conditions and significantly higher levels of dementia worry than those in the baseline control condition. Participants in the PBK condition also had significantly higher levels of empathic concern than those in the biomedical knowledge and control conditions. Results suggest that although reading about dementia induces negative affect, it also induces empathic concern.

Exploring the Effects of Violent Video Games on Healthcare Trainees

Background. The prevalence of video game play has continued to increase. Previous literature has suggested negative emotional consequences related to violent video game play, such as an increase in aggression and decrease in empathy. Healthcare providers require high levels of empathy to effectively work with patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of video games on empathy on a sample of graduate-level healthcare trainees. Methods. A sample of 81 students on a healthcare campus completed a 30-item survey assessing video game habits and empathy levels. Participants were then placed into two groups (violent and non-violent) based on the amount of video game violence they are exposed to. Results. The results revealed no differences between healthcare trainees on overall empathy. A follow-up analysis examining individual subscales that comprise the overall empathy score, indicated the violent video game players had lower scores on the Personal Distress scale. Conclusion. Findings suggest that healthcare trainees who play violent video games do not experience decreased Empathic Concern or Perspective Taking, compared to individuals who do not play violent games. However, healthcare trainees who play violent video games indicated lower levels of Personal Distress. Given the intensity in healthcare settings, findings suggest violent video game play may be adaptive to healthcare trainees, as lower personal distress can lead to better decision-making and potentially prevent burnout. Further research is necessary to determine the role of video game play in healthcare professionals.

Childhood trauma affects processing of social interactions in borderline personality disorder: An event-related potential study investigating empathy for pain

Objectives: Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have difficulties in empathising with others and show disturbances in social interactions. Using a ‘Social Interaction Empathy Task’, we found that BPD patients judged neutral and psychologically painful conditions as more painful than healthy subjects. Here, we present the neural correlates underlying these differences in empathy for pain.Methods: Female BPD patients and healthy controls completed the ‘Social Interaction Empathy Task’ during EEG recording. Event-related potentials (ERP) were analysed for an early anterior component and a late latency positivity. Empathic abilities were assessed using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and early aversive experiences were measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).Results: ERPs in the patient group matched the behaviour results and correlated with the level of personal distress and CTQ. In addition, ERPs of patients were predicted by childhood maltreatment and stress.Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicate that the observed behavioural differences between patients with BPD and controls might be due to modulatory effects of empathic abilities on the evaluation of pain-related social stimuli, which are supposed to be based on childhood maltreatment.

Профессионализация эмпатии и предикторы выгорания помогающих специалистов

The article presents the results of a study of empathy in connection with the severity of symptoms of burnout among nurses. To assess empathy we used Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) by M. Davis, to measure burnout level — Maslach Burnout Test (MBT). As a result of the regression analysis of the data, the main hypothesis of the study was confirmed: it is the level of personal distress as a phenomenon of empathy dysregulation that contributes to the development of symptoms of helping professionals’ burnout. “Positive” empathic processes (perspective taking, fantasy and empathic concern) could serve as a means of burnout prevention. Personal distress is seen in its relationship with alexithymia (measured by Toronto Alexithymia Scale TAS-20-R) and psychological mindedness (propensity to psychological thinking, measured by Psychological Mindedness Scale by H. Conte) as the characteris- tics that reflect emotional regulation and coping strategies. The work experience of nurses did not act as a predictor of burnout indicators. This article was prepared with the financial support of the Russian Foundation of Hu- manities (project № 15-26-01007) and Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research (project №Г15Р-028), international project “Empathy development in socionomic (“helping”) professions”.

The role of empathy in the neural responses to observed human social touch.

One of the ways in which individuals convey feelings and thoughts to one another is through touch. Although the neural responses to felt and observed tactile stimuli between an inanimate object and a part of the human body have been vastly explored, the neural responses to observed human interaction involving touch are not well understood. Considering that the observation of social touch involves vicarious sharing of emotions, we hypothesized that levels of empathic traits modulate the neural responses to observed touch and focused on the attenuation in the mu\alpha rhythm (8-13Hz), a neural marker that has been related to sensorimotor resonance. Fifty-four participants observed photos depicting social touch, nonsocial touch, or no touch while their electroencephalography (EEG) activity was recorded. Results showed that interindividual differences in levels of empathic traits modulated both behavioral and electrophysiological responses to human social touch, such that highly empathic participants evaluated human social touch as inducing more pleasant emotions and exhibited greater mu suppression upon observation of human social touch compared to less empathic participants. Specifically, both the behavioral and the electrophysiological responses to observed social touch were predicted by levels of personal distress, a measure of emotional contagion. These findings indicate that the behavioral and electrophysiological responses to observed social touch are modulated by levels of empathy.

간호대학생의 공감능력과 임상실습 스트레스

본 연구는 간호대학생의 공감능력과 임상실습 스트레스 정도 및 공감능력과 임상실습 스트레스와의 관계를 파악하기 위한 서술적 조사연구이다. 2013년 9월 1일부터 2013년 12월 31일까지 252명의 간호대학생을 대상으로 설문지를 이용하여 자료수집 하였다. 설문에 응답한 249명의 자료를 서술적 분석, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient 이용하여 분석 하였다. 연구결과 간호대학생의 공감능력 수준은 하위영역별로 관점 취하기 3.57점, 상상하기 3.59점, 공감적 관심 3.72점, 개인적 고통 3.15점으로 중간 이상의 수준이었고, 임상실습 스트레스는 3.03점으로 중간 이상의 수준이었다. 임상실습 스트레 스는 공감능력의 하위영역 중 개인적 고통과 정적 상관관계가 있었다. 간호대학생의 임상실습 스트레스를 개선시키기 위해 개인적 고통 수준이 높은 간호대학생의 경우 임상실습 스트레스 수준을 어떻게 관리할 것인지에 대한 방안이 강구되어야 하겠다.

AB029. Meeting sexual health requirements in menopause

Many underlying psycho-physiological complexities can alter the normal manifestation of sexual responses in women. While these factors may be hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or lactation, medical or surgical debilitating illnesses, relationship issues or socio-cultural and environmental factors, a major hallmark along the life stages is menopause per se. The transition from reproductively active period to menopause is the key to a variety of physiological, psychological, functional and relationship adjustments and associated sexual difficulties. Particularly, the rapid hormonal descent during menopause appears to be the basis for personal distress in approximately 50% of women presenting with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in their late fifties and beyond. Abrupt oestrogen decline in the postmenopausal period can lead to vaginal epithelial atrophy, dryness and pain in addition to negative impacts on sexual response and satisfaction. For this reason, surgical menopause is even more likely to precipitate FSD than a natural menopause. The interventional approaches require to be appropriately tailored to reduce the hormonal loss and level of personal distress in women going through this inevitable life-time adjustment. Although emotional, social and cultural taboos or boundaries may exert a significant impact on how Asian women react to sexuality in aging, a multitude of other factors warranting clinical attention is likely to co-exist in these older women. Therefore, integrating counseling and therapy with respective medical interventions for the predisposing and/or co-morbid conditions would optimize clinical outcomes for both the patient and her partner. Renewed emphasis through DSM V classification envisages a pro-active approach so that these women will continue to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, well beyond menopause. Therapeutic intervention classically uses hormonal treatment - estrogen as the mainstay and although evidence-based therapeutic relief with testosterone (in desire or interest disorders) is demonstrable, it remains non-FDA approved. Promising drugs include Flibanserin for efficacy in hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in view of its preferential affinity for serotonin 5-HT (1A agonist and 2A antagonist) and dopamine D receptors and the new SERM, Ospemifene, which is FDA approved for dyspareunia and in the clinical management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. While the future promises pharmaco-therapeutic advancements through several drugs in pipeline, it is imperative to ensure that the concomitant psychosocial or cultural limitations are also holistically addressed.

Educational Research Report: Changes in Students' Levels of Empathy during the Didactic Portion of a Veterinary Program.

Empathy can be defined as the ability to understand and connect with the emotional state and frame of mind of another. Establishing connections with others is a crucial skill for veterinarians who must earn the trust and compliance of their clients to provide quality care for their patients. This is a longitudinal study using the Davis Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to assess changes in veterinary students' self-reported empathy as they progressed through the didactic portion of the DVM program at Colorado State University. The IRI consists of four subscales that measure cognitive and affective components of empathy: Perspective Taking, Fantasy, Emphatic Concern, and Personal Distress. Data were collected at three time points, corresponding to the start of the first year, the fourth semester (second year), and the fifth semester (third year). Results showed an overall decline in Perspective Taking scores, with a significant decrease between first and second year. There was an overall increase in students' levels of Personal Distress as they progressed through the program. The significant difference was found between years 1 and 3. This is especially concerning because the enhanced unease in interpersonal interactions coincides with students entering clinical rotations in the third year-the very time when these traits are necessary for quality client and patient care. Veterinary educators are urged to use this information as a basis for investigating novel curricular and programmatic interventions to counteract these changes in student empathy.

Painful Ejaculation: A Review

Background Pain at ejaculation/orgasm perceived in perineum, urethra and/or urethral meatus, has a profound impact on the quality of life of the affected man. Although underestimated, this condition is reported to have a 1–9.7% prevalence over the general population. Methods Structured review of the relevant available literature. Results Among the main causes of pain experienced at ejaculation/orgasm are: prostatevesicular causes (LUTS/BPH, prostatitis, ejaculatory duct obstruction, vesicular stone), postsurgical causes (radical prostatectomy, inguinal hernioplasty), pharmacologic causes (antidepressants), psychogenic causes (psychosexual conflicts, sexual abuse), rare causes. For these pathologies, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have been proposed. Conclusions Ejaculatory pain is associated with a high level of personal distress, and represents a possible request for help within the andrologic/urologic area. Each field specialist should be competent in correctly interpreting every single case, in order to manage it appropriately.

T09-O-48 Women with sexual problems and with sexual dysfunctions: how distant are they?

Our aim was to investigate if and how women diagnosed with a sexual dysfunction (SD) differ from women without a diagnosis but with sexual problems. Following the most recent recommendations on women's SDs, from the 2nd International Consultation on Sexual Medicine, we focused particularly on descriptors relating to contextual factors and degree of distress associated. We also investigated the role of relational and psychological factors. Participants were 40 women with SD and 40 women from the community sample (matching ages with the clinical group) scoring lower than the cut-off score in FSFI but without a diagnosis of SD neither searching for clinical help. Questionnaires assessed sexual functioning, satisfaction and activity; self-report of sexual problems and associated distress; psychopathology and medical conditions; relationship satisfaction, sexual beliefs, sexual self-esteem, affect and general well-being. We found that women with SD scored significantly lower on sexual satisfaction, desire, arousal and orgasm but not on lubrication or pain. Associated with the self-reported sexual problem, they presented a higher level of personal distress, life's interference and distress perceived in partner. However, no differences were found between the two groups for relationship status. Women with SD referred more health problems and use of medication. Psychopathology didn’t discriminate the groups. Women with sexual problems (but without a clinical diagnosis) scored significantly higher on sexual self-esteem, satisfaction, pleasure and positive emotions during sexual activity. Findings will be discussed addressing recent classification proposals for SD and diagnostic criteria such as degree of distress and interpersonal difficulty.

Models of responsibility and depression in unemployed young males and females

AbstractIn line with previous research, unemployed youth (n = 94) in Liverpool, Australia, reported significantly more depression and loss of behavioural/emotional control than their employed counterparts (n = 87). There was a significant sex effect on both of these scales, and no sex by employment status interaction. Detailed interviews with the unemployed group provided the basis for assessing the importance of causal vs solution attributions for the mental health of young unemployed people. Brickman et al.'s (1982) proposition, that causal attributions are independent of solution attributions and that they form four coherent models, found support. The results did not support the learned helplessness model in so far as internal vs external causal attributions for unemployment did not distinguish different levels of personal distress. There were also no gender differences in causal attributions and no differential relationship with indicators of distress. Attributions of repsonsibility for solutions, on the other hand, were clearly related to depression and loss of behavioural/emotional control. However, no sex differences or differential relations with depression emerged on this dimension either. Some implications for further research and practice are included.

Prevalence, severity and correlates of psychological morbidity among methadone maintenance clients

A sample of 222 methadone maintenance clients was tested for levels of depression, anxiety, and anti-social personality disorder. The prevalence of each type of psychopathology was high. There were large proportions of subjects exhibiting extremely severe depression, anxiety and a majority were classified as "psychiatric cases". Depression and anxiety were strongly related, but anti-social behaviour was unrelated to personal distress. Personal distress levels were predicted by benzodiazepine use, poorer social functioning and poorer health. Anti-social personality disorder was predicted by younger age, being male, poorer social functioning, and current criminality.

Attachment in late adolescence: working models, affect regulation, and representations of self and others.

The purpose of this study was to examine the coherence of attachment organization during late adolescence. In a sample of 53 first-year college students, 3 kinds of working models of attachment were assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview: Dismissing of Attachment, Secure, and Preoccupied with Attachment. Affect regulation was evaluated with peer Q-sort ratings of Ego-Resiliency, Ego-Undercontrol, Hostility, and Anxiety, and representations of self and others were assessed with self-report measures of distress, perceived competence, and social support. The Secure group was rated as more ego-resilient, less anxious, and less hostile by peers and reported little distress and high levels of social support. The Dismissing group was rated low on ego-resilience and higher on hostility by peers and reported more distant relationships in terms of more loneliness and low levels of social support from family. The Preoccupied group was viewed as less ego-resilient and more anxious by peers and reported high levels of personal distress, while viewing their family as more supportive than the Dismissing group. These findings are interpreted in terms of different styles of affect regulation and representational bias associated with particular working models of attachment.

A Partnership Approach to Consultation

Abstract A social ecological approach to consultation was evaluated through a four-year primary prevention field research project with 10,000 people in 24 church congregations. Significantly lower levels of personal distress and alcohol abuse were found in experimental congregations exposed to intervention processes which encouraged an increase in heterogeneous settings and activities when compared to control congregations not exposed to the same intervention processes. Continuing reciprocal social support and mutual empowerment, defined as knowing how to give and receive support, caring for others, knowing others by name, and being asked to help others, were identified as the key process variables which minimized distress and abuse.