Poor Social Adaptation Research Articles

COMPUTER PRODUCTION OF FACIAL EPITHETS

BACKGROUND: The issue of rehabilitation of patients with facial defects is extremely acute. In addition to the annual increase in the number of patients with cancer of the maxillofacial region, in recent years the number of people with shrapnel and gunshot wounds to the face has increased as a result of local wars and conflicts. Traditional methods of orthopedic rehabilitation of patients and the manufacture of facial epitheses are quite a complex and lengthy process. In the postoperative period, there is a sharp decrease in the quality of life of this category of patients, a violation of the basic body functions necessary for vital activity and poor social adaptation. Direct prosthetics of the face in the postoperative period was impossible due to the lack of necessary digital modeling technologies and structural materials for additive or subtractive production methods. The production of temporary or permanent facial epitheses using digital technologies is an urgent task that can improve the social and functional living conditions of patients. AIMS: Development of 3D modeling technology for additive manufacturing of facial epithets. METHODS: To achieve this goal, the first task was to develop specialized three-dimensional software for modeling defects in the facial area. The functionality of the program should allow you to virtually simulate the missing parts of the face (ear, eye, nose, orbit). To create a digital platform together with IT specialists, it was decided to use the following programming languages: C++ - Writing the software core, writing UI/UX interaction modules, interacting with the Windows operating system; C# - Complex assembly of the entire project; Python is an automated assembly of virtual library modules; OpenGL HSLS is a shader language for graphical visualization of objects; C is the creation of functions for interacting with shaders that require high speed. RESULTS: A specialized computer program has been developed for 3D modeling of prostheses in patients with defects in the middle zone of the face using combined facial scanning and computed tomography data (Computer program. Apresyan S.V., Stepanov A.G. "A program for 3D modeling of facial epitheses. Registration number (certificate) 2023663490, Registration date: 07/04/2023). Instead of obtaining analog impressions with plaster or silicone material, the developed technology uses a special 3D facial scanner, which greatly eases the suffering of patients. A virtual three-dimensional database of ears, noses, orbits, and zygomatic bones of patients of various ages and gender is integrated into the developed program. This allows the specialist to select the most adaptive part of the face to make up for the defect. Built-in modeling tools allow you to personalize a 3D model of a part of the face, based on the structural features of the maxillofacial region of a person. The finished three-dimensional model of a part of the face can be exported in various formats CONCLUSIONS: The developed 3D program for modeling defects allows to avoid invasive prosthetics approaches, to coordinate the shape of future structures with the patient. The built-in library of structures with a database provides remote manufacturing of the prosthesis without the presence of the patient, in case of a need to replace it. Among the undeniable advantages of the technology, it is important to include the fact that prostheses can be made directly on the day of surgery to remove part of the face, completely restoring lost functions and providing rapid social adaptation.

Slow-wave brain connectivity predicts executive functioning and group belonging in socially vulnerable individuals

Important efforts have been made to describe the neural and cognitive features of healthy and clinical populations. However, the neural and cognitive features of socially vulnerable individuals remain largely unexplored, despite their proneness to developing neurocognitive disorders. Socially vulnerable individuals can be characterised as socially deprived, having a low socioeconomic status, suffering from chronic social stress, and exhibiting poor social adaptation. While it is known that such individuals are likely to perform worse than their peers on executive function tasks, studies on healthy but socially vulnerable groups are lacking. In the current study, we explore whether neural power and connectivity signatures can characterise executive function performance in healthy but socially vulnerable individuals, shedding light on the impairing effects that chronic stress and social disadvantages have on cognition. We measured resting-state electroencephalography and executive functioning in 38 socially vulnerable participants and 38 matched control participants. Our findings indicate that while neural power was uninformative, lower delta and theta phase synchrony are associated with worse executive function performance in all participants, whereas delta phase synchrony is higher in the socially vulnerable group compared to the control group. Finally, we found that delta phase synchrony and years of schooling are the best predictors for belonging to the socially vulnerable group. Overall, these findings suggest that exposure to chronic stress due to socioeconomic factors and a lack of education are associated with changes in slow-wave neural connectivity and executive functioning.

The neurocognitive impact of loneliness and social networks on social adaptation

Social adaptation arises from the interaction between the individual and the social environment. However, little empirical evidence exists regarding the relationship between social contact and social adaptation. We propose that loneliness and social networks are key factors explaining social adaptation. Sixty-four healthy subjects with no history of psychiatric conditions participated in this study. All participants completed self-report questionnaires about loneliness, social network, and social adaptation. On a separate day, subjects underwent a resting state fMRI recording session. A hierarchical regression model on self-report data revealed that loneliness and social network were negatively and positively associated with social adaptation. Functional connectivity (FC) analysis showed that loneliness was associated with decreased FC between the fronto-amygdalar and fronto-parietal regions. In contrast, the social network was positively associated with FC between the fronto-temporo-parietal network. Finally, an integrative path model examined the combined effects of behavioral and brain predictors of social adaptation. The model revealed that social networks mediated the effects of loneliness on social adaptation. Further, loneliness-related abnormal brain FC (previously shown to be associated with difficulties in cognitive control, emotion regulation, and sociocognitive processes) emerged as the strongest predictor of poor social adaptation. Findings offer insights into the brain indicators of social adaptation and highlight the role of social networks as a buffer against the maladaptive effects of loneliness. These findings can inform interventions aimed at minimizing loneliness and promoting social adaptation and are especially relevant due to the high prevalence of loneliness around the globe. These findings also serve the study of social adaptation since they provide potential neurocognitive factors that could influence social adaptation.

Analysis on influencing factors on loneliness in the elderly aged 60 and above in China

Objective: To analyze the influential factors of loneliness in the elderly aged ≥60 years in China. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from participants aged ≥60 years from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, with a sample size of 7 593. Loneliness was measured with loneliness scale, and the influence of subjective and objective factors on loneliness and their interaction were analyzed with stepwise linear regression model and simple slope test. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. PROCESS 3.3 macro program was used for simple slope test. Results: A total of 8 926 participants were included. Among the objective factors, the elderly with poor family network have a higher level of loneliness (P<0.05), and community provision of elderly care services could reduce the loneliness of the elderly (P<0.05). Elderly people with subjective aging age ≤60 years old and poor social adaptation and emotional perception have higher levels of loneliness (all P<0.05). Subjective aging age plays a negative regulatory role in the impact of community elderly care services on loneliness (P<0.05), Social adaptation and emotional perception play a negative regulatory role in the impact of family network on loneliness (P<0.05). Conclusions: Elderly people aged ≥60 years of feeling of loneliness was affected by both subjective and objective factors and subjective factors play an important regulatory role in the influence of objective factors on elderly people's feeling of loneliness in China. Therefore, while creating a good aging environment to provide strong external support for the elderly, the subjective initiative of the elderly should also be fully mobilized, to alleviate the loneliness of the elderly from these two aspects.

Perceived social cohesion and depressive symptoms among internal migrants in China: The mediating role of social adaptation.

Internal migrants are exposed to higher risks of depressive symptoms due to migration-related stress. It has been recognized that perceived neighborhood social cohesion has direct and indirect associations with depressive symptoms. However, the pathway from perceived social cohesion to internal migrants' depressive symptoms was less discussed. To assess mental health disparities among internal migrants. To investigate the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms among urban-to-urban and rural-to-urban migrants and to examine the mediating role of social adaptation. Data from the "2017 Urbanization and New Migrant Survey" was used, including 2,584 internal migrants age 18-65 from 10 cities in China. Social cohesion was measured by a six-item modified Community-level Cohesion Scale. Depressive symptoms was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and social adaptation was assessed by a single-item question of migrants' adaptation to local life. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms. Baron and Kenny's mediation tests were conducted to examine the mediating role of social adaptation on the association. All analyses were adjusted using sampling weights to account for this survey's sampling design. Rural-to-urban migrants were found to have more clinically significant depressive symptoms, lower perceived social cohesion, and fair or low social adaptation than urban-to-urban migrants (all p < 0.001). Being rural-to-urban migrants as compared with urban-to-urban migrants [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.46, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.456, 1.461, p < 0.001], had lower perceived social cohesion (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.458, 1.463, p < 0.001), and poorer social adaptation (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.932, 1.941, p < 0.001), are associated with higher odds of having clinically significant depressive symptoms. Social adaptation partially mediated the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms by explaining 15.39% of its effect for urban-to-urban migrants and 18.97% for rural-to-urban migrants. Findings from this study reveal mental health inequalities among internal migrants and demonstrate the importance of social adaption on the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms. Social strategies and public policies are needed to build a more cohesive community that serves both local residents and internal migrants, especially rural-to-urban migrants.

Longitudinal associations of neuroticism with life satisfaction and social adaptation in a nationally representative adult sample.

Correlational studies have frequently linked neuroticism to lower well-being and poorer social adaptation. In this study, we examined the longitudinal associations of neuroticism with life satisfaction and aspects of social adaptation (i.e., loneliness, number of close friends, and interpersonal trust). Cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) and random intercepts cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs) were used to analyze the prospective associations between variables in a nationally representative adult sample from Germany (N=5,663 to 11,079 per analysis; 2-4 measurement waves with lags of 4-5 years). CLPMs indicated that higher neuroticism was related to lower life satisfaction, higher loneliness, fewer friends, and lower interpersonal trust, but not vice versa. At the within-person level, RI-CLPMs revealed similar findings with increased neuroticism predicting decreases in life satisfaction, increases in loneliness, and decreases in interpersonal trust. Indices of social adaptation partially mediated the link between neuroticism and life satisfaction at the between-person but not at the within-person level. Exploratory multigroup analyses support the generalization of the cross-lagged effects of neuroticism on life satisfaction and social adaptation across age, gender, and geographical regions (East versus West Germany). These findings highlight the role of neuroticism in shaping psychosocial outcomes over time.

Reading and reacting to faces, the effect of facial mimicry in improving facial emotion recognition in individuals with antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits

Individuals with antisocial behavior and psychopathic traits are characterized by deficits in processing facial expressions, which results in poor social adaptation and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. However, it is not clear how individuals with varying levels of these traits differ in this emotional impairment and if these deficits are due to correctly identifying or reacting appropriately to facial expressions. The aim of the study was to examine how individuals with these traits recognized and responded to affective facial expressions by using FaceReader software (which analyses footage of faces) across different experimental conditions (imitation, suppression, and control). Imitating facial expressions was introduced to examine whether it could direct participants’ attention to the facial cues and improve participants’ performance on the facial task. A total of 643 individuals from the community were pre-screened and a sample (N = 107; M age = 21.08, SD = 1.55), differentiated on levels of antisocial personality disorder (APD) symptoms and psychopathic (PSY) traits, who were selected based on extreme scores (high/low), were invited to participate in the study. Individuals with higher levels of APD symptoms and PSY traits (APD + PSY) expressed more anger than other groups, while those in the APD-only group expressed more sadness, compared to other groups. Overall, participants were compliant in following the instructions to imitate facial expressions. However, only the group with predominantly APD symptoms and the group with combined symptoms (APD + PSY) showed improvement in their accuracy ratings specifically when instructed to imitate facial expressions, compared to when no instructions were provided. The study offers a promising direction for targeting deficits in facial emotion recognition, suggesting that the deficits found in individuals with behavioral problems (with and without psychopathic traits) can be improved by asking them to imitate facial expressions.

A-86 Reactive Attachment Disorder in Adulthood: A Neuropsychological Perspective

Abstract Objective The sequelae of poor attachment and trauma on psychological and social functioning is well documented, however, this complex relationship applied to a neuropsychological profile is less understood. The current case uses a neuropsychological assessment to further understand the brain-behavior relationship in a case of poor maternal attachment, multiple traumas, psychiatric comorbidities, and poor social adaptation. Method Patient is a 22-year-old, right-handed, Eastern European woman with fetal alcohol and infant toxic mold exposure, failure to thrive, maternal neglect, adoption and relocation to the United States (age four), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; multiple reported sexual traumas and bullying victimization), and depression. Referred for a neuropsychological evaluation for longstanding inattention, learning difficulties, being socially and emotionally withdrawn, and suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Results Data revealed average intellectual ability, dyscalculia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), PTSD, and depression. A self-report measure of ASD revealed a strong perception of ASD, characterized by inability to read verbal cues or other’s emotions, and poor communication and self-expression, however, this diagnosis was not supported by formal assessment and behavioral observations; instead, it was determined a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Conclusions This case provides an example of the complex interplay of poor maternal–infant bonding coupled by adolescent trauma on adult attachment style and compromised social interactions. More specifically, the case addresses the poly-etiologic and neuropsychological impact of an insecure attachment style and trauma on self-perceptions of social and emotional withdrawal commonly seen in ASD. The case further stresses the overlapping presentations RAD, ADHD, learning disabilities, and psychiatric comorbidities.

Przystosowanie szkolne dzieci twórczych i nietwórczych w wieku 6–7 lat

&lt;p&gt;Zagadnienie aktywności twórczej interesuje badaczy od dawna, ale obecnie zauważamy wzrost zainteresowania tą problematyką. W szkołach zmieniają się systemy kształcenia; metody, które były stosowane kiedyś, stają się przestarzałe, a więc należy szukać nowych – takich, które zaspokoją dzisiejsze oczekiwania dzieci i młodzieży. Postawa twórcza pozwala dziecku bardziej poznać siebie, pomaga mu odnaleźć właściwą drogę, zrozumieć zawiłości życia. Zagadnienie twórczości u dzieci rozpatrywano w niniejszych badaniach w kontekście przystosowania do szkoły. Sformułowano następujący problem badawczy: Czy istnieje zależność między poziomem zdolności twórczych a stopniem przystosowania szkolnego? W badaniach wykorzystano następujące metody diagnostyczne: Arkusz Zachowania się Ucznia B. Markowskiej oraz Rysunkowy Test Twórczego Myślenia K.K. Urbana i H.G. Jellena (TCT-DP). W badaniach uczestniczyło 81 dzieci z dwóch lubelskich szkół podstawowych w wieku 6–7 lat, w tym 46 chłopców i 35 dziewczynek. Uwzględniając dotychczasową literaturę przedmiotu, spodziewano się wystąpienia istotnej zależności między poziomem zdolności twórczych u dzieci w wieku 6–7 lat a ich przystosowaniem społecznym. Jak wynika z przeprowadzonych analiz wyników badań własnych, takie związki w badanej grupie nie występują. W praktyce oznacza to, że dzieci, które odznaczają się wysokimi zdolnościami twórczymi, mogą ujawniać zachowania świadczące o słabym przystosowaniu społecznym, z kolei dzieci „nietwórcze” mogą być ocenione wysoko w tym zakresie.&lt;/p&gt;

Social adaptation status of Syrian refugee physicians living in Turkey.

Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, over 3.5 million Syrians have fled to Turkey. Considering the massive burden of healthcare service needs of this population, the Turkish government has launched an initiative as employing Syrian doctors to provide health services to their citizens in Refugee Health Centres. In this study, we aimed to explore the social adaptation status of Syrian physicians living in Turkey using a structured questionnaire and the Social Adaptation Self Evaluation Scale (SASS). Between November 2016 and April 2018, 799 physicians who participated in "Syrian Physicians' Adaptation Training" were enrolled in the study and underwent a structured questionnaire that questioned socio-demographic data and the SASS. The participants were divided into two groups as having poor and normal/high SASS scores. The binary SASS groups were compared with some demographic data. The median SASS score of the respondents was found as 43 (min. 10, max. 60, IQR 10) which can be accepted as normal. In the binary grouping, it was seen that 107 (13.39%) participants had poor social adaptation, whereas 692 (86.61%) participants had normal or high social adaptation scores. The physicians who were certain about not going back to Syria had significantly higher SASS scores. The social adaptation scores of the Syrian physicians were considerably high. The adaptation status was found to be associated with some characteristics like living in Turkey for a long time and having pre-knowledge about the Turkish healthcare system.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Internalizing Problems of Children With Externalizing Disorders

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on internalizing problems of children with externalizing disorders Methods: It was an experimental study with a pre-test/post-test control group design. Among the students of elementary schools of Tehran City, Iran, 90 boys were selected based on the mothers' report and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) by convenience sampling method. Fifty students whose scores equaled 63 or higher in the externalizing scale were diagnosed as individuals with externalizing disorders. Afterward, 32 individuals who acquired T-score ≥ 60 were assigned randomly in the experimental and control groups (each with 16 students). The experimental group was divided into two subgroups (8 individuals in each subgroup) and participated in 16 cognitive-behavior therapy (Coping Cat program) sessions (1 hour, twice a week). The control group received only the mainstream Program of the school. After the last session, their mothers completed the CBCL again. The obtained data were analyzed by One-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results of One-way ANCOVA showed that the internalizing problems, i.e. withdrawn/depressed, somatic complaints, and anxious/depressed symptoms of the experimental group have reduced significantly after participating in the cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions. Discussion: Cognitive behavioral therapy (Coping Cat Program) is an effective method for reducing internalizing problems of children with externalizing disorders. Therefore, the program can be used to prevent the negative consequences of internalizing problems such as poor academic performance and social adaptation of the students with externalizing disorders.

Type D personality is associated with poor quality of life, social performance, and psychological impairment in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: A cross-sectional study of 130 patients.

Psoriasis is a systemic autoinflammatory disease that is related to an increased risk of organic and psychological comorbidities. Type D personality has been related to poor quality of life and worse physical and psychological outcomes in different diseases. The aim of this study is to explore whether type D personality is associated with an increased risk of presenting physical and/or psychological comorbidities, their relationship with the capacity of social adaptation, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with psoriasis. This was a cross-sectional study. In all, 130 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis were included in this study. Participants completed the DS14 test and different validated questionnaires regarding quality of life and psychological morbidities. Type D personality was present in 38.4% (50/130) of the participants of the study. Patients with psoriasis and type D personality presented a higher risk of depression and anxiety. We observed that type D personality was associated with a lower educational level. These patients also presented a worse HRQOL in different dimensions of the Short Form Health Survey-36 questionnaire, more sleep problems, poor social adaptation, and a higher frequency of sexual disturbances. Due to the cross-sectional design of the study, we could not confirm causality. Selection of sample was not random. Diagnoses of physical comorbidity were collected through clinical interview of patients under active treatment, which may imply a classification bias. Type D personality could represent a frequent personality profile in patients with psoriasis that could identify subjects with poor coping abilities to the disease with poorer levels of quality of life, increased psychological comorbidities, and inadequate social adaptation mechanisms.

THE INFLUENCE OF CHRONIC ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE ON THE SOCIAL LIFE OF PATIENTS

Chronic diseases, including chronic ischemic heart disease, have an impact on patients' daily life and social lives. On the other hand, behavioral and psychological risk factors, poor social adaptation are predictors of disease progression or acute coronary syndrome. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of chronic ischemic heart disease on patients' social lives.Methods: 146 patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and a control group of 146 subjects were interviewed. The two groups are equal by gender. A survey questionnaire containing questions about the demographic characteristics of respondents, issues related to social life and addressing personal and professional engagements is used to collect the data.Results: Patients have lower self-esteem to deal with professional and family commitments compared to the control group. Difficulties have been identified in communicating with family and friends, creating new social contacts, organizing everyday life and opportunities for other activities. These problems are typical of patients living alone, in small settlements and aged over 65. There is a difference in the self-esteem of life between the two groups studied, with the patient's assessment being lower.Conclusion: Information on factors related to social adaptation and dealing with everyday life is essential for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and improving the quality of life of patients.

Specific psychological features of anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis

The dissertation study addresses specific psychological features of anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis.&#x0D; The research findings as based on theoretical analysis are justified and unveil specific psychological features of anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis. The diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders were chosen according to the DSM-5 international diagnostic classification.&#x0D; Anxiety disorders as resulted from otosclerosis have been proven to cause psychological and emotional disorders which can be accompanied by specific mental and behavioral disorders, and poor social adaptation.&#x0D; The study reveals that patients with otosclerosis who suffer from specific types of anxiety disorders (panic attack, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia) exhibit specific psychological features. This questionnaire was used as a screening instrument and a research method in the determination of the anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis, during which it was confirmed to be fully consistent with the tasks assigned. A psychocorrectional program has been developed to overcome and correct of anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis, which can be used by psychotherapists and medical psychologists in medical institutions.&#x0D; The proposed sophisticated approach to empirical study of specific psychological features of anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis who suffer from hearing impairment can be used not only clinically but also can be used for the provision of psychological support and for selecting risk groups for further psycho-diagnostics and psycho-correction.&#x0D; As a result of factor analysis of the patients under study, a four-factor model was constructed that revealed the different nature of anxiety disorders, and the effectiveness and effectiveness of the psycho-correction program was proved.&#x0D; The dissertation sets forth the proofs of the hypothesis that anxiety disorders arise both as a result of negative effects of otosclerosis and as a result of psychotraumatic experiences associated with otosclerosis and determine the pathological and genetic mechanisms that give rise to psychosomatic pathology in patients with otosclerosis.

Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with nosocomial pneumonia against a background of severe traumatic brain injury

Introduction. Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) is one of the most dangerous infectious complications of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to some researchers, NP formed 0.5–1 % of hospitalized patients and in patients of ICU – NP develops with a frequency from 15 to 65 %. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with NP, developed on the background of severe TBI. Materials and Methods. 166 patients had been examined, including 58 patients with isolated severe head injury (group 1) and 108 patients with traumatic brain injury, which were complicated by the development of NP (group 2). Results. Out of the first group patients 50 (86.2 %) were men, 8 (13.8 %) were women. The average age of patients in this group was 49.2 ± 15.2 years. Out of the first group patients 89 (82.4 %) were men, 19 (17.6 %) were women. The average age of patients in this group was 48.2 ± 16.7 years. The average length of in-patient treatment was 14.1 ± 6.2 days in patients of the 1 st group versus 38.7 ± 17.6 days in patients of the 2 nd group. In the 1 st group 41 (70.7 %) were non-smokers, 10 (17.2 %) smokers 10 cigarettes per day, 10 to 20 cigarettes per day – 3 (5.2 %), more than 20 cigarettes per day – 4 (6.9 %). In the 2 nd group 40 (37.0 %) were non-smokers, 33 (30.6 %) smokers 10 cigarettes per day, 10 to 20 cigarettes per day – 16 persons (14.8 %), more than 20 cigarettes per day – 19 (17.6 %). Conclusions. In demographic structure of the NP, developed on the background by TBI, young men were dominated. The mean duration of hospital treatment of patients with NP increased 2.7 times compared with the patients with TBI uncomplicated by NP. Most patients of both the 1 st and the 2 nd groups were overweight (more than 50 % of patients). There is a significant percentage of the unemployed. A larger percentage of people who consume alcohol in the 2 nd group of patients could be indicative of their poor social adaptation and difficult social conditions. Significantly greater number of smokers among the patients of the 2 nd group confirms the importance of smoking as a risk factor of the NP development on the background of TBI.

Alteraciones neurocognitivas en la esquizofrenia. Análisis factorial

Objective: The deficit in cognitive processes, specifically in executive function of patients with schizophrenia, has been associated with poor social adaptation. A factor model of executive functions would allow for the detection of the association between the symptomatic profile, the deterioration of the executive function, and rehabilitation needs. The objective of this study was to identify factors of the executive function through factor analysis of typified scores from a series of neuropsychological tests in a group of outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Methodology: Factor study through principal components analysis (PCA) with orthogonal rotation (varimax) of 13 standardized neuropsychological measures. Results: Three independent factors were obtained: (1) cognitive flexibility, (2) interference control and working memory, and (3) processing speed and attention, which provide an adequate psychometric measurement of executive function in the patients studied. Conclusions: The analysis reveals a complex structure of three discrete cognitive dimensions that can be measured with cognitive assessment tools commonly used in the hospital.

Body dysmorphic concerns, social adaptation, and motivation for psychotherapeutic support in dermatological outpatients.

Dermatologists are increasingly confronted with patients affected by body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD is characterized by excessive preoccupation with one or more perceived defect(s) or flaw(s) in physical appearance which are not observable or appear slight to others. So far, there have been only few studies examining the prevalence of BDD in dermatological outpatients. In addition, the need for psychotherapeutic support in dermatological outpatients with body dysmorphic concerns has not yet been systematically examined. The objective of the present study was therefore to investigate the frequency of body dysmorphic concerns as well as social adaptation and the need for psychotherapeutic support in the aforementioned patient group. A total of 252 dermatological outpatients seen at a German university hospital were consecutively enrolled, and examined using the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire, the Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale, and the German version of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale. 7.9% of all outpatients (unselected sample) showed positive test results, suggesting clinically relevant body dysmorphic concerns. Patients with clinically relevant body dysmorphic concerns exhibited poor social adaptation. Contrary to expectations, these patients revealed a high motivation for change, indicating the necessity for psychotherapeutic support. Our findings confirm previous prevalence rates of BDD in dermatological outpatients, and highlight the need for providing psychotherapeutic support to dermatological patients.

Étude sur l’attachement et les troubles du comportement à l’adolescence chez des jeunes placés en institution

ObjectiveDrawing on attachment theory this study seeks to show the existence of a link between behavioral and social skills among teenagers placed in care with a failure in their social attachments. Our hypothesis is that the attachment of these young people will be significantly influenced by insecurity, they will have behavioral and poor social adaptation problems and that these insecure attachments will correlate with behavioral disorder and poor social adaptation. MethodsThe study involved 26 teenagers ranging from 12 to 15 years. They completed the Inventory of Attachment to Parents and Peers (IPPA Armsden and Greenberg, 1987) and to study behavior and social adaptation, we used the LCE, the French validated version of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). ResultsThe results of the research showed that these young people's representation of their parental attachment tended towards the secure, that they had both externalized and internalized behavioral issues, poor social adaptation, and in particular experienced issues at school. Furthermore we were able to establish a link between maternal attachment and antisocial personality disorders. ConclusionThis study will enable insight into the understanding of behaviors of institutionalized teenagers in order to inform and adjust therapies.

Using Autobiographical Digital Storytelling for the Integration of a Foreign Student in the School Environment. A Case Study

Immigrant students face a multitude of problems, among which are poor social adaptation and school integration. On the other hand, although digital narrations are widely used in education, they are rarely used for aiding students or for the resolution of complex problems. This study exploits the potential of digital narrations towards this end, by examining how the development and presentation of an autobiographical digital narration can assist immigrant students in overcoming their adaptation difficulties. For that matter, a female student presenting substantial problems was selected as the study’s subject. Data was collected from all the participating parties (subject, teacher, classmates) using a variety of tools, before, during, and after the intervention. It was found that through the digital narration she was able to externalize her thoughts and feelings and this, in turn, helped her in achieving a smoother integration in the school environment. In addition, the attitudes and perceptions of the other students for their foreign classmate were positively influenced. The intervention was short in duration and it did not require special settings. Hence, it can be easily applied and educators can consider using similar interventions. On the other hand, further research is recommended to establish the generalizability of the study’s findings.

The outcome of treatment for anorexia nervosa inpatients who required urgent hospitalization.

BackgroundThis study was done to determine which psychosocial factors are related to the urgent hospitalization of anorexia nervosa patients (AN) due to extremely poor physical condition and to evaluate their outcome after inpatient treatment.Methods133 hospitalized AN patients were classified into an urgent hospitalization (n = 24) or a planned hospitalization (n = 109) group. Multiple regression analysis was done of clinical features, body mass index (BMI), psychological tests [The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), alexithymia, relationship with parents, and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)]. The effectiveness of treatment was prospectively determined two years after discharge by the Global Clinical Score (GCS). The hospitalized weight gain and the frequency of outpatient visits were evaluated.ResultsOf the factors assessed, only BMI at admission was related to the necessity of urgent hospitalization (β = − 1.063, P = 0.00). The urgent group had significantly more weight loss after discharge and poorer social adaptation on the GCS, even when the patient had a sufficient increase in body weight during inpatient treatment and an equivalent number of outpatient consultations.ConclusionNone of the parameters of the psychosocial tests studied were significantly different between the groups. The outcome of the urgent group was poor. Two years after discharge they had difficulty maintaining weight and continued to have poor social adaptation.