Negative Psychological Factors Research Articles

Relationships of Psychosocial Factors to Diabetes Self-efficacy: A Cross-sectional, Correlational Study.

Self-care in people with diabetes is poor, which could be influenced by positive and negative psychosocial factors. Self-efficacy is an important factor affecting self-care, and depressive symptoms and diabetes distress may directly and indirectly affect self-efficacy. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of depressive symptoms, diabetes distress, age, sex, self-compassion, resilience, self-esteem, and social support to diabetes self-efficacy and the mediating roles of diabetes distress and depressive symptoms in the relationships among people with diabetes. In this cross-sectional, correlational study, data on all the psychosocial and demographic factors were collected (N = 148; 57.6 years old) through Research Electronic Data Capture in 2023. The PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to address the purpose. The mean score of diabetes self-efficacy was 28.6 (range, 8-40). In 1 model, depressive symptoms were directly and indirectly associated with diabetes self-efficacy through diabetes distress (direct effect, -3.524; t = -3.020, P = .003; indirect effect, -2.089; 95% bootstrap confidence interval, -3.494 to -0.911). In another model, diabetes distress was directly and indirectly associated with diabetes self-efficacy through depressive symptoms (direct effect, -3.778; t = -3.638, P < .001; indirect effect, -0.785; 95% bootstrap confidence interval, -1.868 to -0.089). In addition, self-esteem was associated with both depressive symptoms and diabetes distress. Resilience was associated with diabetes self-efficacy in 1 model. Negative psychological factors were directly and indirectly associated with diabetes self-efficacy. Depressive symptoms, diabetes distress, self-esteem, and resilience can be important targets of interventions to improve diabetes self-efficacy.

Дослідження психічних феноменів в структурі хронічного болю: депресія, тривога, катастрофізація. Огляд літератури.

Introduction. Chronic pain is associated with a plethora of negative personal and social consequences, including impaired functioning, disability, increased suicidality, and mortality. Modern medicine views pain as a complex phenomenon, and the prevailing biopsychosocial model of disease development allows us to take a broader look at the issue of pain, and thoroughly evaluate all components of the pathological process, thus subsequently reducing the impacts of negative biological, psychological, and social factors. An increasing body of research indicates the growing role of psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing in influencing the perception, course of pain disorder, as well as the quality of life of patients with chronic pain. However, unfortunately, the significance of psychological factors remains incompletely recognized by patients, and sometimes even by healthcare providers. Objective. The aim of the study was to explore the role of catastrophizing and negative emotions in the structure of chronic pain and, based on the analysis of scientific sources, to select diagnostic methodologies for appropriate screening of these psychological phenomena. Materials. Literature review on the topic. Results. As a result of the analysis of scientific sources, the following methodologies were chosen for studying psychological phenomena in chronic pain. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was selected for studying catastrophic thoughts in patients with chronic pain. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was chosen for screening depression and anxiety. Conclusions. Depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing are potential indicators of an unfavorable prognosis for individuals coping with chronic pain. The combination of these factors may hinder progress in combating inflammatory processes, prolong postoperative rehabilitation periods, worsen overall functioning, and lead to disability. Further exploration of negative impact factors such as depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing promises to reveal new mechanisms for providing personalized pain relief to individuals suffering from chronic pain.

ASSESSING THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE GERIATRIC SUICIDE IDEATION SCALE IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER MEN

Abstract Middle-aged and older men have high rates of suicide, necessitating risk detection. We developed the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS; Heisel &amp; Flett, 2006) as an age-specific, multidimensional suicide risk assessment tool. The GSIS has shown strong psychometric properties in clinical, community, and residential samples (see Heisel &amp; Flett, 2016), yet research has lagged investigating its utility with middle-aged and older men. The purpose of the present study was thus to assess the psychometric properties of the GSIS administered to 82 men, 55 years and older (M=63.3, SD=4.6 years), who participated in a meaning-centered psychological intervention group for those concerned about or struggling with the transition to retirement (Heisel et al., 2020). Psychometric analyses included investigation of participant response characteristics, internal consistency, and construct validity. Findings demonstrated acceptable internal consistency for GSIS totals (α =.88) and for its Suicide Ideation, Death Ideation, Loss of Personal and Social Worth, and Perceived Meaning in Life subscales (α =.62-.81). Positive associations between the GSIS and negative psychological factors (depression, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness, perceived lack of mattering to others, and history of suicidal behavior; r =.30 to .51) and negative associations with positive factors (life satisfaction, psychological well-being, perceived support, and meaning in life; r = -.21 to -.51) supported its construct validity. These and other findings will be discussed in the broader context of upstream population level approaches to suicide risk detection and prevention. (Note: this abstract was accepted for the 2022 GSA meeting, but we had to withdraw due to family loss)

Associations between psychological risk and protective profiles and cognitive status in two independent cohorts

AbstractBackgroundPositive and negative psychological factors represent pertinent moderators of relative risk and protection for cognitive decline and dementia. For example, repetitive negative thinking has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and AD pathology1, whereas self‐reflection and purpose in life have been related to better cognition and cognitive resilience2,3. Existing studies predominately focus on individual factors, thus it is unknown whether psychological profiles, combining risk and protective features, are differentially associated with cognitive function.MethodIndividuals without objective cognitive impairment were included from two European studies: the middle‐aged Barcelona Brain Health Initiative (N = 741) 4 and the older‐adult Medit‐Ageing (N = 279)5,6 cohorts. Self‐report questionnaires to assess levels of psychological risk and protective factors were completed and global cognitive assessments obtained in both studies (Table 1). Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was performed on psychological questionnaire data to identify statistically different groups of individuals in each cohort separately. ANCOVA (adjusting for age, sex, and education), were then conducted to compare different psychological profiles according to cognitive status.ResultLPA identified a three‐class solution in both cohorts (Table 1 and Figure 1): “low levels of psychological protective factors” (class‐1), “high levels of psychological risk factors” (class‐2), and “average levels of psychological risk and protective factors” (class‐3). In both cohorts, psychological profile membership was significantly associated with cognition. Specifically, individuals with low levels of psychological protective factors had worse global cognitive function compared with individuals with other profiles (BBHI: F:6.05, p&lt;0.002; Medit‐Ageing: F:7.99, p&lt;0.001; Figure 2).ConclusionIndividual psychological risk and protective factors aggregated into three identifiable psychological profiles that were evident across two independent cohorts. In both cohorts, having a psychological profile with low levels of protective factors rather than high levels of risk factors, was associated with worse global cognitive function. Such observations may have implications for future, more personalized, application of psychological therapies contributing to dementia prevention.

Analysis of the Influencing Factors and Intervention Strategies for the Formation of Introverted Psychology: An Empirical Study

This study aims to explore the influencing factors of introverted psychology formation and propose corresponding intervention strategies. Relevant data was collected by means of questionnaires with the application of statistical analysis methods for processing and interpretation. The research results indicate that the formation of introverted psychology is influenced by multiple factors, including individual traits, family environment, negative social experiences, social environment and psychological factors. In terms of intervention, the development of introversion can be effectively reduced and prevented by providing corresponding support, cultivating social skills and establishing a positive psychological environment. This study is of great significance for understanding the formation mechanism of introverted psychology and conducting corresponding psychological interventions.

The Association Between the Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia with Pain Sensitivity and Psychological Factors in Individuals with Musculoskeletal Pain.

The Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia may potentially be a method for subgrouping patients with musculoskeletal pain who have a nociplastic pain presentation. Limited research has explored the convergent validity of this questionnaire against psychophysical measures of pain sensitivity and psychological factors in individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the strength of the association between total scores on the Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia with clinical, pain sensitivity, and psychological factors. As a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study, participants with shoulder (n = 20) or low back pain (n = 20) completed Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), pain-related psychological questionnaires, and the Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia. A Spearman correlation determined the association between total scores on the Patient Self Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia with psychological factors and pain sensitivity behaviorally assessed with QST. Negative psychological factors demonstrate moderate to strong positive associations with the Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia (rho range = 0.36-0.80), suggesting greater negative psychological factors were observed in patients with higher severity of fibromyalgia symptoms. Pain sensitivity factors demonstrated weak to moderate negative associations with The Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia (PPT rho range=-0.36- -0.41), suggesting that elevated pain sensitivity was observed in individuals with higher severity of nociplastic pain symptoms. Collectively, this supports the convergent validity of the Patient Self-Report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia with psychological and pain sensitivity factors in patients with musculoskeletal pain.

The SOOTHE eQuilt of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Supporting Voice

ObjectivesPeople with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to and experience mental health concerns at a higher incidence than their peers without intellectual disabilities. This may be directly related to the aetiology of their intellectual disability but also occur because of negative psychological and social factors that affect their lives, such as loss of self-esteem or lack of meaningful opportunities. The SOOTHE project, sought to understand the meaning that adults with intellectual disabilities attribute to mental health and wellbeing, the factors influencing good and poor mental health, and the strategies they utilised to maintain good mental health and wellbeing. Using an online anonymous survey, participants were invited to electronically submit an image that represented their perspectives on what mental health and wellbeing meant to them.MethodsThis study, which took place in 2020 during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, employed an anonymous survey approach which resulted in individual images being received from 329 people with intellectual disabilities living in Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland. These were analysed thematically and brought together in an electronic quilt/mosaic.ResultsImages were classified into seven potential themes: (1) Covid-19 and mental health; (2) maintaining good mental health; (3) activities that promote good mental health; (4) nature and mental health; (5) perspectives on self; (6) the importance of relationships; and (7) home and feeling safe.ConclusionsThis paper explores the possible meaning of the images and seeks alignment of those meanings with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the UNCRPD. The project supports the belief that persons with intellectual disabilities have an understanding of mental health and wellbeing and are able to identify ways of maintaining positive mental health.

Individual Dimensions of Pain Catastrophizing Do Not Mediate the Effect of Sociodemographic and Psychological Factors on Chronic Orofacial Pain Severity, Interference, and Jaw Limitation: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Pain catastrophization (PC), involving rumination, magnification, and helplessness, can be viewed as a coping strategy associated with chronic pain. PC is considered a driving force in mediating pain-related outcomes, but it is still unclear whether PC mediates the relationship between psychological and sociodemographic factors with chronic pain when considered in a single model. Using baseline data from a parent study, this study examined the effect of positive and negative psychological and sociodemographic factors on pain severity, interference, and jaw limitation mediated by the PC dimensions in a sample of 397 temporomandibular disorder (TMD) participants using structural equation modeling (SEM). SEM revealed that pain severity regressed on age, sex, education, and income; interference regressed on positive and negative psychological factors, education, and income; and jaw limitation regressed on age. The PC dimensions did not individually mediate these relationships. Although they jointly mediated the relationships between negative psychological factors and pain severity and between age and pain interference, the effect size was small, suggesting that PC is not a critical factor in mediating TMD pain outcomes. Reducing negative cognitions, not just PC, may be of greatest benefit to the most vulnerable TMD populations. PerspectiveThis study examines sociodemographic and psychological factors that affect orofacial pain, finding that the pain catastrophizing dimensions do not mediate these relationships. Understanding which factors most strongly affect pain outcomes will help identify targets for intervention to produce the greatest benefit for the most vulnerable persons suffering from pain.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Receiving Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain with a Nociplastic Pain Presentation: A Secondary Analysis.

Individuals with low back pain (LBP) may be classified based on mechanistic descriptors, such as a nociplastic pain presentation (NPP). The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the frequency and characteristics of patients with a NPP referred to physical therapy with LBP. Additionally, we characterized patients with LBP meeting the criteria for NPP by demographic, clinical, psychological, and pain sensitivity variables. Finally, we examined short- and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with a NPP compared to those without a NPP. Patients referred to physical therapy for LBP completed the Patient Self-report Survey for the Assessment of Fibromyalgia. Participants were categorized as "LBP with NPP" or "LBP without NPP" based on the threshold established in this measure. A rank sum test examined for differences in pain-related psychological factors and pressure-pain threshold between groups. Next, a Friedman test examined if LBP intensity and disability trajectories differed by groups at one and six months after initiation of physical therapy. 22.2% of patients referred to physical therapy for LBP met the criteria for a NPP. Patients with a NPP reported significantly greater disability, pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and somatization compared to individuals without a NPP (p < 0.05). Pressure-pain threshold did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Individuals with LBP with a NPP demonstrated nonsignificant, small to medium reductions in pain and disability at one and six months. Individuals experiencing LBP without a NPP demonstrated significant reductions in pain and disability in the short- and long term. Patients with LBP with a NPP displayed greater negative pain-related psychological factors but similar pain sensitivity compared to LBP without NPP.

Small fiber polyneuropathy: A new therapeutic target in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome?

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic disease that, based on the variable efficacy observed with most therapeutic options, is difficult to treat effectively. A more targeted patient selection process for current and emerging therapeutic options would likely help to improve outcomes. This narrative review explores small fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) in IC/BPS as part of a larger widespread pain phenotype and as a potential therapeutic target. Because SFPN is becoming increasingly implicated in polysyndromic pain disorders (e.g., IC/BPS, chronic pelvic pain, and fibromyalgia) in which immune dysregulation is a suspected pathophysiologic etiology, continued consideration should be given to immunomodulatory therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Moreover, since the small fibers affected in SFPN continue to grow even as people age, targeted treatment may prevent further destruction and provide long-term benefits as the fibers are given time to repair. In addition to therapeutic potential, having a definitive SFPN diagnosis may provide psychological benefit in a patient population for which symptoms have historically been attributed to negative psychological factors. Finally, based on emerging data in this area, we propose consideration be given to include SFPN testing in the work-up of patients with IC/BPS that are refractory to treatments or have multiple comorbid pain syndromes since it may be an indicator of the need for alternative therapies. We believe that SFPN will play an increasingly larger role in the clinical evaluation and management of polysyndromic pain disorders, including IC/BPS.

Quadriceps strength and psychological readiness are associated with multiplanar knee kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BackgroundGait asymmetry, negative psychological factors and quadriceps strength deficits are common after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Whether quadriceps strength and psychological factors have impacts on multiplanar knee kinematics remains unclear. Research questionWhat are the relationships of multiplanar knee kinematics during the gait cycle and psychological readiness to quadriceps strength after ACLR? MethodIn total, 45 patients were enrolled in this study at 8.3 ± 1.5 months after ACLR. All patients underwent gait analysis and isokinetic testing. Interlimb differences in the range of motion (ROM) and maximum and initial contact (IC) angles in abduction-adduction, flexion-extension, and internal-external rotation were calculated. The limb symmetry index (LSI) for quadriceps strength was calculated. Psychological readiness was measured using the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. The paired t test analyzed the differences between contralateral and affected limbs in quadriceps and hamstrings strength. Pearson or Spearman correlation was used to assess relationships between the variables of interest. ResultsSignificant differences between contralateral and affected limbs were observed in isokinetic knee quadriceps strength (P < 0.001) and hamstring strength (P = 0.009). The ACL-RSI score correlated negatively with interlimb differences in the knee flexion angle at IC (r = –0.35, P = 0.02) and ROM in the transverse plane (r = –0.41, P = 0.003). The LSI for quadriceps strength correlated negatively with the peak knee flexion angle (r = –0.37, P = 0.02) and positively with the ACL-RSI score (r = 0.3, P = 0.05). SignificanceGreater psychological readiness and quadriceps strength are associated with more symmetrical multiplanar knee kinematics. The improvement of these parameters may aid the recovery of knee kinematics after ACLR, and reduce the rate of reinjury and incidence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis.

Depression and the risk factors for isolated infectious disease fever patients in the hospital during the COVID-19.

To compare and analyze the incidence of anxiety and depression of infectious disease fever patients in hospitalized isolation and home isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the risk factors for the negative emotions of hospitalized isolation patients. Forty isolated infectious disease fever patients in Baoding No.1 Hospital were randomly selected as the study group, and the other 40 isolated infectious disease fever patients at home were randomly selected as the control group from March 2020 to August 2020. The scores and prevalence of depression and anxiety between the two groups were compared and analyzed. The logistic regression analysis was used to judge and analyze the negative psychological factors of hospitalized isolation patients such as depression and anxiety. The HAMA and HAMD-17 scores of study group are significantly higher than those of control group (HAMA, p=0.00; HAMD-17, p=0.01). The prevalence of anxiety and depression in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p=0.03, p=0.04). The gender (p=0.002), economic status (p=0.004) and isolation attitude (p=0.023) are the related factors of anxiety, among which economic status is the protective factor, while women and resistant attitude are the risk factors. Economic status (p=0.003) and isolation attitude (p=0.001) are the related factors of depression, among which economic status is the protective factor, and resistant attitude is the risk factor. The prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression in hospitalized isolation patients due to infectious disease fever are significantly higher than those of home isolation patients. The focus groups are women, with bad economic status and poor isolation attitude. Necessary psychological counseling and social support should be provided to these groups to reduce negative emotions and increase the experience of isolated patients.

Positive psychological well-being: A novel concept for improving symptoms, quality of life, and health behaviors in irritable bowel syndrome.

Though a growing body of research suggests that greater positive psychological well-being in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be protective, existing brain-gut behavior therapies primarily target negative psychological factors. Little is known about how positive psychological factors in IBS relate to IBS symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), or adherence to key health behaviors, such as physical activity and diet modification. Accordingly, per the ORBIT model of behavioral treatment development for chronic diseases, we explored potential connections between psychological constructs and IBS symptoms, health behavior engagement (physical activity and dietary modification), and HRQoL in a qualitative study to inform the development of a novel brain-gut behavior therapy. Participants with IBS completed self-report assessments and semi-structured phone interviews about relationships between positive and negative psychological constructs, IBS symptoms, health behavior engagement, and HRQoL. Participants (n=23; 57% female) ranged in age from 25 to 79 (mean age=54). IBS subtypes were similarly represented (IBS-diarrhea [n=8], IBS-constipation [n=7], and IBS-mixed [n=8]). Participants described opposing relationships between positive and negative psychological constructs, IBS symptoms, health behavior engagement, and HRQoL, respectively, such that experiencing positive constructs largely mitigated IBS symptoms, boosted health behavior participation, and improved HRQoL, and negative constructs exacerbated symptoms, reduced health behavior participation, and worsened HRQoL. Participants with IBS linked greater positive psychological well-being to moderated IBS symptoms and better HRQoL and health behavior participation. An intervention to cultivate greater well-being may be a novel way to mitigate IBS symptoms, boost health behavior participation, and improve HRQoL in IBS.

Pain-related cognitions and emotional distress are not associated with conditioned pain modulation: an explorative analysis of 1142 participants with acute, subacute, and chronic pain.

Reduced conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and psychological distress co-occur frequently in many pain conditions. This study explored whether common negative pain cognitions and emotional factors were related to lower CPM in individuals across the spectrum from acute to chronic pain. Previously collected data on the CPM effect, pain-related cognitions (fear of movement, pain catastrophizing), and emotional distress (depression, anxiety) through questionnaires from 1142 individuals with acute, subacute, or chronic pain were used. The presence of negative psychological factors was dichotomized according to cutoff values for questionnaires. Associations between the presence of each negative psychological factor and the amplitude of pain reduction in the CPM paradigm was explored with Generalized Linear Models adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, and pain duration. A secondary analysis explored the cumulative effect of psychological factors on CPM. When dichotomized according to cutoff scores, 20% of participants were classified with anxiety, 19% with depression, 36% with pain catastrophizing, and 48% with fear of movement. The presence of any negative psychological factor or the cumulative sum of negative psychological factors was associated with lower CPM (individual factor: β between -0.15 and 0.11, P ≥ 0.08; total: β between -0.27 and -0.12, P ≥ 0.06). Despite the common observation of psychological factors and reduced CPM in musculoskeletal pain, these data challenge the assumption of a linear relationship between these variables across individuals with acute, subacute, and chronic pain. Arguably, there was a nonsignificant tendency for associations in nonexpected directions, which should be studied in a more homogenous population.

A Study on the Analysis of Research Trends Using Data on the Human Rights Survey of Children and Youths

Background: This study attempted to discuss the characteristics and the trends of studies (i.e., academic journal articles, thesises, and research reports) using the data set of “Korean Survey on the Rights of Children and Youth.” By doing so, this study drew implications for practical and political improvement for the rights of children and youth as well as the future research. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze and synthesize research outcomes in the studies that have used the data set of “Korean Survey on the Rights of Children and Youth.” Methodology/Approach: From 2011 to May 2020, 77 papers to be analyzed were selected through the Korean academic journal Index (KCI) and RISS, and qualitative content analysis was conducted using Krippendorff's (2004) content analysis process model. Findings/Conclusions: Research using data from the survey on the human rights of children and adolescents first appeared in 2011 and showed an increasing trend, and the year when the amount of academic papers increased significantly was 2016. Social welfare (25.5%) was the most widely used field of data from the child and youth human rights survey, and 62 subjects related to human rights (24%) were the most focused, and as a result of the research method analysis, most studies presented technical statistics. As a result of qualitative content analysis, it emphasized the importance of managing various negative psychological factors such as stress, depression, and vulnerability. Implications: Based on the research findings, this study discussed how to improve the rights of children and youth by providing some practical implications. All in all, the study offered considerations that the future survey need to be grounded in.

ASSESSING THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE GERIATRIC SUICIDE IDEATION SCALE (GSIS) IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER MEN

Abstract Middle-aged and older men have high rates of suicide, necessitating focused risk detection. We developed the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS; Heisel &amp; Flett, 2006) as an age-specific, multidimensional suicide risk assessment tool. The GSIS has shown strong psychometric properties in clinical, community, and residential samples (see Heisel &amp; Flett, 2016), yet research has lagged investigating its utility with middle-aged and older men. The purpose of the present study was thus to assess the psychometric properties of the GSIS administered to 82 men, 55 years and older (M=63.3, SD=4.6 years), who participated in a meaning-centered psychological intervention group for those concerned about or struggling with the transition to retirement (Heisel et al., 2020). Psychometric analyses included investigation of participant response characteristics, internal consistency, and construct validity. Findings demonstrated acceptable internal consistency for GSIS totals (α =.88) and for its Suicide Ideation, Death Ideation, Loss of Personal and Social Worth, and Perceived Meaning in Life subscales (α =.62-.81). Positive associations between the GSIS and negative psychological factors (depression, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness, perceived lack of mattering to others, and history of suicidal behavior; r =.30 to .51) and negative associations with positive factors (life satisfaction, psychological well-being, perceived support, and meaning in life; r = -.21 to -.51) supported its construct validity. These and other findings will be discussed in the broader context of upstream population level approaches to suicide risk detection and prevention.

Recent developments on psychological factors in medically unexplained symptoms and somatoform disorders.

Somatic symptoms which are not fully explained by a medical condition (medically unexplained symptoms) have a high relevance for the public health. They are very common both in the general population and in patients in health care, and may develop into chronic impairing conditions such as somatoform disorders. In recent years, the relevance of specific negative psychological factors for the diagnosis and the stability of somatoform disorders and for the impairment by medically unexplained symptoms gained more and more attention. This resulted-among others- in core changes in the diagnostic classification criteria of somatoform disorders. Against this background, the present "Perspective" will outline recent developments and findings in the area of medically unexplained somatic symptoms and somatoform disorders. Moreover, it will lay a special focus on evidence on specific negative psychological factors that may influence the course of unexplained somatic symptoms and disorders and the impairment caused by these symptoms.

The Relationship of Mental Toughness and Emotional Eating: The Example of a Female Wrestler

Emotional eating is the act of eating to cope with stress and pressure, and it is assumed that this behavior increases as the level of self-control decreases. Several factors, including anxiety about winning and fear of injury, can cause stress in athletes. An athlete’s high mental toughness is closely related to their ability to easily cope with such stress factors. It is still a matter of curiosity how negative psychological factors affect emotional eating in athletes with low mental toughness. This study investigated the relationship between emotional eating and mental toughness in female wrestlers. Emotional Eating Questionnaire and Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire were applied to 69 female wrestlers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation tests. It was found that the participants were low emotional eaters and accepted all of the mental toughness sub-dimensions. There was a significant difference in emotional eating total score and “disinhibition" score according to nationality status (p&lt;0.05). The findings suggested a positive and significant relationship between sub-dimensions of emotional eating and sub-dimensions of mental toughness (p&lt;0.05). It was concluded that national female wrestlers tended to eat more emotionally than non-national athletes and had more difficulty preventing the urge to eat. As female wrestlers’ mental toughness levels increased, they tended to eat emotionally and felt guilty about eating.

How negative and positive constructs and comorbid conditions contribute to disability in chronic orofacial pain.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms develop into chronic pain for some patients, but the reasons for this are unclear. Psychosocial factors and chronic overlapping pain conditions are believed to contribute to the development of pain-related disability. We examined the role of jaw function, negative and positive psychological factors and chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) on pain-related disability whilst controlling for demographic variables. We collected demographics, medical and psychosocial history and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, a measure of pain intensity and pain interference from 400 participants with chronic TMD. Structural equation modelling was used to assess a model of COPCs and the latent variables of psychological unease (pain catastrophizing, somatic symptoms and negative affect), positive valence factors (optimism and positive affect), jaw function (chewing, opening and expression limitation) and pain-related disability (pain intensity and pain interference) whilst controlling for demographic variables. We achieved good fit of a parsimonious model (root-mean-square error of approximation=0.063 [90% CI] [0.051-0.075]), comparative fit index=0.942, standard root-mean-square residual=0.067. Jaw function was the strongest latent variable predictor, followed by psychological unease and COPCs suggesting resources focused on improving joint function, psychosocial support and management of COPCs will improve pain-related disability in TMDs. These findings not only increase the body of knowledge related to TMD clinical phenotypes but also, have a translational impact in further supporting the potential value of targeting physical therapy such as jaw exercise along with psychological interventions as multidisciplinary nonpharmacological therapeutic solutions.

Psychological adaptation level optimization to attain the goal of sustainable education.

The article aimed to study the psychological adaptability of university students. Along with that, the influence of sports activities on enhancing the psychology of students is also examined. The study also analyzes the impact of music on the psychoogy of students. A two-factor model is used for analyzing the level of college students'mental health. In this study, data was collected from 555 first-year undergraduate university students through an online questionnaire survey. Levels of both positive and negative psychological factors among students are examined. The findings indicate that students who participate in sports appear to have higher levels of positive psychological characteristics than students who do not exhibit any interest in participating in sports. Additionally, students that participate in sports have lower levels of negative psychological effects than nonparticipants. As a result, the study concluded that sports and other physical activities have a positive effect on the psychology of university students. The advantages of physical activities and sports in enhancing the mental and emotional health of students are highlighted in this study. To improve students'psychology and attain better academic results, educational institutions should provide students with various opportunities for sports.