Prevalence Of Psychopathological Symptoms Research Articles

Prevalence of Psychopathological Symptoms and Their Determinants in Four Healthcare Workers' Categories during the Second Year of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Highly stressful situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, induce constant changes in the mental state of people who experience them. In the present study, we analyzed the prevalence of some psychological symptoms and their determinants in four different categories of healthcare workers during the second year of the pandemic. A total of 265 physicians, 176 nurses, 184 other healthcare professionals, and 48 administrative employees, working in different Italian healthcare contexts, answered a questionnaire including variables about their mental status and experience with the pandemic. The mean scores for anxiety and depressive symptoms measured more than one year after the onset of the pandemic did not reach the pathological threshold. In contrast, post-traumatic and burnout symptoms tended toward the critical threshold, especially in physicians. The main determinant of psychological distress was perceived stress, followed by job satisfaction, the impact of COVID-19 on daily work, and a lack of recreational activities. These results increase the knowledge of which determinants of mental distress would be important to act on when particularly stressful conditions exist in the workplace that persist over time. If well-implemented, specific interventions focused on these determinants could lead to an improvement in employee well-being and in the quality of care provided.

The prevalence of psychopathological symptoms in population during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant lifestyle changes for the world’s population. The infection poses a threat to mental health due to direct invasion of the central nervous system of SARS-CoV-2, as well as as a source of mental stress associated, in particular, with the deformation of the structure of interpersonal communications under quarantine conditions.ObjectivesThe study was conducted to comparatively study the phenomenology and severity of psychopathological manifestations in quarantined and non-quarantined people during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsFrom April 18 to June 15, 2020, an online questionnaire “Symptom List 90” (SCL-90) was conducted among 837 adults in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and other countries. 426 respondents were in strict home quarantine; 302 observed social distancing, but could go to work; 109 were not socially isolated.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the overall severity index (GSI) between strictly quarantine and non-quarantine groups with GSI values of 0.51 (0.24; 0.99) and 0.33 (0.16; 0.75), respectively (p = 0.001). Indicators of anxiety, depression, somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, phobic anxiety, hostility and psychoticism were also significantly higher in quarantined individuals than in non-quarantined individuals (p <0.05).ConclusionsThe results of the analysis indicate that in a pandemic, the most susceptible to psychopathological disorders are those living in the most severe quarantine, while the contingent whose lifestyle changes little under these conditions shows the best indicators of mental health. These data indicate the need to optimize the system of psychiatric preventive and curative care for the population in a pandemic.Conflict of interestNo significant relationships.

Parenting Styles as Determinants of Psychopathological Symptoms among Nigerian In-School Adolescents

The controversy concerning the extent to which parental influence matters to children’s psychological and behavioural growth continues. This study investigated the influence of parenting styles on psychopathological symptoms among in-school adolescents in Ogun State, South-western Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design method was utilized. One thousand and twenty-eight (1028) in-school adolescents with mean age ± SD of 15.30 ± 2.14, were drawn from ten secondary schools, and these responded to the Awaritefe Psychological Index (API) Form X, and the Scales for Parenting Style (SPS). A 52.1% prevalence of psychopathological symptoms was observed. A significant mean score difference was found between negligent parenting style and authoritarian parenting style in determining severities of psychopathological symptoms among adolescents. Responsive and control dimension of parenting style jointly predicted psychopathological symptoms (R2 = 0.01, F(2, 1025) = 4.36, p p p < 0.01] than those from polygamous family settings. A balance between the control parenting style and the responsive parenting style is recommended.

Genetic and environmental contributions to psychopathological symptoms in adulthood: Clarifying the role of individual and parental risk factors.

Psychopathology-related suicide attempts and deaths are increasing, and the research focus remains on mental disorder in childhood and adolescence. We examined the genetic and environmental contributions to internalizing, externalizing, and general psychopathological distress to clarify the role of individual/parental risk factors for suicide in young adults. Data from 1206 young adults were obtained from a publicly available dataset from the Human Connectome Project. Heritability estimates were analyzed by twin modelling using OpenMx and data from a subsample of 402 monozygotic and dizygotic twins. The estimated prevalence of psychopathological symptoms ranged from 9 to 16%. The heritability of internalizing, externalizing, and general psychopathological distress reached significance, with estimates ranging from 22 to 46%. Shared (common) environments contributed to aggressive behavior (30 %). Determining factors for psychopathological distress (internalizing, externalizing, general) were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Household income (<$50,000), childhood conduct problems, and maternal drug or alcohol problems were common risk factors of internalizing, externalizing, and general psychopathological distress. Marijuana dependence and maternal anxiety were additional risk factors of externalizing distress. The presence of alcohol and maternal drug or alcohol problems was linked to general psychopathological distress. The results highlight risk factors associated with psychopathological symptoms that should be considered in the early detection of high-risk groups and implementation of family-based interventions. Providing continuous care and/or follow-up in at-risk children and young adults may improve mental health and well-being.

Importance of Illness Acceptance Among Other Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Acromegaly.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze psychological factors of patients with acromegaly and assessment of their relationship with the quality of life (QoL) in the context of the control of the disease.Materials and methods: A total sample of 50 patients (62% of females; mean age = 51.66 ± 14.5) with acromegaly underwent a comparative, cross-sectional cohort assessment including the QoL (AcroQoL, WHOQoL-BREF), psychiatric morbidity (GHQ-28), the acceptance of illness (AIS) as well as influence of treatment, comorbidities and symptoms in the relation of disease activity. Acromegaly group was divided in two subgroups: patients with uncontrolled acromegaly (UA, n = 28) and patients with controlled acromegaly (CA, n = 22).Results: The acromegaly groups did not differ in health-related QoL measured with AcroQoL and WHOQoL questionnaires. However, obtained results showed QoL impairments in all subscales and the study participants had decreased scores compared to reference values. The interaction of the relationship between the AIS and disease activity as well as the prevalence of all psychopathological symptoms and disease activity were tested and the statistically significantly differences in the context of QoL in AcroQoL questionnaires and its domains were observed in relation to the course of the disease. No difference in acromegaly symptoms as well as in number of comorbidities were found between CA and UA but these two parameters affected the results QoL scores in AcroQol questionnaires and their domains, regardless the disease activity. Similarly, the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms (GHQ-28) contributed the level of acceptance of the disease, regardless the disease activity. The strongest predictors of QoL were related to the level of illness acceptance (p = 0.01) as well as serum growth hormone concentration.Conclusion: Minding people with UA, the control of biochemical factors seemed to be more important for the QoL perception, while among CA, psychological variables such as AIS are observed to play a fundamental role in QoL. Moreover, inclusion of patient's acceptance of the illness into clinical routine would promote holistic, patient-centered care and empower doctor-patient partnership where patients' expectations and perceptions are constantly tracked. Obtaining biochemical control should not be considered as the only measure of treatment success.

Psychopathological Symptoms and Psychological Well-being in Mexican Undergraduates

College life involves a process of adaptation to changes that have an impact on the psycho-emotional development of students. Successful adaptation to this stage involves the balance between managing personal resources and potential stressors that generate distress. This epidemiological descriptive and transversal study estimates the prevalence of psychopathological symptomatology and psychological well-being among 516 college students, 378 (73.26%) women and 138 (26.74%) men, ages between 17 and 24, from the city of Monterrey in Mexico. It describes the relationship between psychopathological symptomatology and psychological well-being, and explores gender differences. For data collection, two measures were used: The Symptom Checklist Revised and the Scale of Psychological Well-being. Statistical analyses used were t test for independent samples, Pearson's r and regression analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v21.0). Statistical analyses showed that the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms was 10-13%, being Aggression the highest. The dimension of psychological well-being with the lowest scores was Environmental Mastery. Participants with a higher level of psychological well-being had a lower level of psychopathological symptoms, which shows the importance of early identification and prevention. Gender differences were found on some subscales of the psychopathological symptomatology and of the psychological well-being measures. This study provides a basis for future research and development of resources to promote the psychological well-being and quality of life of university students.

Emocionalna iskustva učitelja kao prediktori njihova mentalnoga zdravlja

Učiteljska je profesija emocionalno zahtjevna profesija te učitelji navode kako u svom poslu doživljavaju različite ugodne i neugodne emocije značajnoga intenziteta. Različite emocije koje učitelji doživljavaju u odnosu s profesionalnim aktivnostima mogu utjecati na njihov profesionalni, ali i osobni razvoj. Učestalo se doživljavanje negativnih emocija u svakodnevnom radu u odnosu s učenicima, roditeljima, kolegama i nadređenima, uz doživljaj emocionalne iscrpljenosti (kao važnog aspekta sagorijevanja na poslu) može nepovoljno odraziti na psihološku dobrobit učitelja te povećati zastupljenost i psihopatoloških simptoma. U ovom je istraživanju ispitana uloga različitih emocija koje učitelji mogu doživjeti u odnosu s učenicima u razredu, roditeljima i obrazovnim sustavom, kao i doživljaj emocionalne iscrpljenosti u objašnjenju zastupljenosti anksioznih, depresivnih i somatizacijskih simptoma kod učitelja. Istraživanje je provedeno na uzorku od 1149 osnovnoškolskih učitelja predmetne nastave iz različitih hrvatskih regija. Ukupno je sudjelovalo 210 učitelja i 939 učiteljica u dobi između 24 i 65 godina. S obzirom su na rodne razlike u zastupljenosti pojedinih psihopatoloških simptoma provedene zasebne analize na poduzorcima učitelja i učiteljica. Provedbom je hijerarhijskih regresijskih analiza utvrđeno da, uz kontrolu duljine radnog staža (koja značajno doprinosi objašnjenju simptoma somatizacije kod učiteljica), određene emocije (zasićenost, ljubav, ljutnja i beznađe doživljene u odnosu s učenicima; anksioznost doživljena u odnosu s roditeljima, te doživljaj razočaranosti u obrazovni sustav), kao i doživljaj emocionalne iscrpljenosti ostvaruju značajne samostalne doprinose objašnjenju anksioznih, depresivnih i somatizacijskih simptoma učitelja. Dobiveni rezultati upućuju na to da objašnjenju psihopatoloških simptoma učitelja i učiteljica u najvećoj mjeri pridonosi doživljaj emocionalne iscrpljenosti kao posljedica svakodnevnog pritiska na poslu.

Seasonality of psychopathology and circannual melatonin rhythm

The association of seasonal changes in health and disease has been known for centuries. The prevalence of psychopathological symptoms with seasonal fluctuations and the use of melatonin as a biological marker of circadian and circannual rhythms is well documented. The aim of this work was to study the variability of melatonin secretion between summer and winter in our geographical area (28 degrees N, 16 degrees W) and relate the changes to the level of psychopathology. Ten drug-free, nonsmoker, healthy subjects were studied in summer (August) and winter (December). Blood samples for melatonin assays were collected every hour at night for 5 hr, from 22:00 to 02:00 hr, and next day at noon. Melatonin was assayed by an ELISA technique. Psychopathology was evaluated by means of the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). All subjects had a circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in summer and winter. There was a seasonal rhythm with melatonin levels being significantly higher at night in winter than in summer. Melatonin levels at 22:00, 23:00, 24:00 and 01:00 hr and mean melatonin area under the curve (AUC) were significantly higher in winter than in summer. Melatonin AUC increased 80% in winter compared with summer. The GHQ-28 somatic and anxiety subscales and the total GHQ-28 score were significantly higher in winter than summer. Psychopathology scores were significantly and negatively correlated with melatonin production in summer and winter. Our data strongly suggest that melatonin production and psychopathology levels present seasonal fluctuations and these variations should be taken into account when conducting research in this field.