Psychopathological Symptomatology Research Articles

Striatal Functional Alterations Link to Distinct Symptomatology Across Mood States in Bipolar Disorder

BackgroundAs a central hub in cognitive and emotional brain circuits, the striatum is considered likely to be integrally involved in the psychopathology of bipolar disorder (BD). However, it remains unclear how alterations in striatal function contribute to distinct symptomatology of BD during different mood states. MethodsBehavioral assessment (i.e., emotional symptoms and cognitive performance) and neuroimaging data were collected from 125 participants comprising 31 (hypo)manic, 31 depressive, and 31 euthymic patients with BD, and 32 healthy control participants. We compared the functional connectivity (FC) of striatal subregions across BD mood states with healthy control participants and then used a multivariate data-driven approach to explore dimensional associations between striatal connectivity and behavioral performance. Finally, we compared the FC and behavioral composite scores, which reflect the individual weighted representation of the associations, among different mood states. ResultsPatients in all mood states exhibited increased FC between the bilateral ventral rostral putamen and ventrolateral thalamus. Bipolar (hypo)mania uniquely exhibited increased ventral rostral putamen connectivity and superior ventral striatum connectivity. One latent component was identified, whereby increased FCs of striatal subregions were associated with distinct psychopathological symptomatology (more manic symptoms, elevated positive mood, less depressive symptoms, and worse cognitive performance). Patients with bipolar (hypo)mania had the highest FC and behavioral composite scores while bipolar patients with depression had the lowest scores. ConclusionsOur data demonstrated both trait features of BD and state features specific to bipolar (hypo)mania. The findings underscored the fundamental role of the striatum in the pathophysiological processes underlying specific symptomatology across all mood states.

Télépsychothérapie et COVID-long, une indication envisageable ?

BackgroundTelemedicine and virtual psychotherapy have been developing worldwide for over a decade, but evaluations of this new treatment modality are still too rare. Is this evolution in therapeutic treatment protocols satisfactory? Does resistance to this development come from the practitioner or the patient? Can long-term COVID, a chronic pathology that emerged after the pandemic of 2020, benefit from this approach to therapy? This article seeks to answer that question. Objectives and methodsStructured in two parts, this article first presents a detailed review of past and current work on telemedicine, and virtual psychotherapy. In the second part, the authors explore ways of treating the psychopathological symptomatology of long COVID, which is essentially characterized by anxiety-depressive disorders as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ResultsMultidisciplinarity is essential in the management of long COVID. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) have proved to be effective treatment methods for the psychopathological disorders inherent in long COVID. Virtual reality, as well as augmented reality, also seems to be indicated as effective in virtual psychotherapy treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Discussion and conclusionWhatever the theoretical model underlying the actions and methods of virtual psychotherapy, it is important to accept without hesitation the framework. It would appear that the transferential and counter-transferential components of therapeutic relationships are not affected by the change of setting. The quality of the therapeutic alliance is strengthened by the reassuring aspect of consultations from the patient's usual place of residence. In addition to videoconference therapies, epistolary therapies using email exchanges seem also to be particularly interesting.

Pregnant women’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the trimester of pregnancy

ABSTRACT Aim: This study aimed to analyse the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women according to the pregnancy trimester, comparing their psychopathological symptomatology, pregnancy-specific stress, resilience and perceived stress to those of women pregnant before the pandemic. Methods: A total of 797 pregnant women participated in the study, one group of 393 women pregnant before the pandemic and the other of 404 women pregnant during the pandemic. Student-t test was used to analyse continuous data and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Results: Psychopathological symptomatology was significantly higher in six subscales of the SCL-90-R in pregnant women during COVID-19: somatisation, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, obsessions-compulsions, mainly on the first two trimesters. There is also a higher level of pregnancy-specific stress in pregnant women during the pandemic on the first two trimesters, most likely due to the hypervigilance and fears related to the COVID-19 disease. Nevertheless, perceived stress, usually elevated during pregnancy, was lower in women pregnant during the pandemic in comparison to those pregnant before, as a positive consequence of being on lockdown and diminishing the exposure to daily stressful situations. Conclusions: Knowing the struggles these women go through during each trimester of pregnancy can be the key to a better health professional-patient relationship, consequently having a positive impact on their mental and physical health.

Academic climate and psychopathological symptomatology in Spanish medical students

IntroductionMedical Education studies suggest that medical students experience depression, anxiety and psychopathological symptomatology in a proportion higher than in the rest of the population. In the present study, we aimed to conduct a nationwide analysis to describe student’s perceptions of Educational Climate in Spanish medical schools, and its relationship with psychopathological symptomatology.MethodsThe study was carried out in 2022 in all 44 medical schools in Spain, and analyses the academic climate, and psychopathological symptomatology among medical students (n = 4374). To measure these variables, we used the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) for academic climate, and the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire was used to assess psychopathological symptomatology.ResultsThe mean DREEM global score was low, 95.8 (SD 22.6). Worse perception of the academic climate has been found in females (t -2.21, p 0.027), in students of the clinical academic years (t 16.9, p < 0.001), and public medical schools ( t 15.6, p < 0.001).The SA45 general index score was high (p90) in 25.6% of participants. In respect of gender, female students presented higher levels of SA45 general index score, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, somatization, anxiety, obsession-compulsion, and phobic anxiety symptoms.Higher DREEM global and subscale scores corresponded to a higher SA-45 global index score and higher SA-45 subscale scores.ConclusionsOur study suggests a correlation between a poor perception of academic climate, increased depression, anxiety, and other psychopathological symptoms, with a pattern that varies between different faculties. The perception of academic climate varied between medical schools, as did the psychopathological symptoms scores. Our finding suggests the prevalence of these variables in medical students is, at least in part, attributable to factors directly related to the learning atmosphere.

The potential relationship between loot box spending, problem gambling, and obsessive-compulsive gamers.

Loot boxes are digital containers of randomised rewards available in many video games. Individuals with problem gambling symptomatology spend more on loot boxes than individuals without such symptoms. This study investigated whether other psychopathological symptomatology, specifically symptoms of obsessive-compulsive behaviour and hoarding may also be associated with increased loot box spending. In a large cross-sectional, cross-national survey (N = 1,049 after exclusions), participants recruited from Prolific, living in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, provided self-reported loot box spending, obsessive-compulsive and hoarding symptomatology, problem gambling symptomatology, and consumer regret levels. There was a moderate positive relationship between loot box spending and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and hoarding. Additionally, greater purchasing of loot boxes was associated with increased consumer regret. Results identified that those with OCD and hoarding symptomatology may spend more on loot boxes than individuals without OCD and hoarding symptomatology. This information helps identify disproportionate spending to more groups of vulnerable players and may assist in helping consumers make informed choices and also aid policy discussions around the potentialities of harm.

Current status, challenges and future prospects in computational psychiatry: a narrative review.

Computational psychiatry is an area of scientific knowledge which lies at the intersection of neuroscience, psychiatry, and computer science. It employs mathematical models and computational simulations to shed light on the complexities inherent to mental disorders. The aim of this narrative review is to offer insight into the current landscape of computational psychiatry, to discuss its significant challenges, as well as the potential opportunities for the fields growth. The authors have carried out a narrative review of the scientific literature published on the topic of computational psychiatry. The literature search was performed in the PubMed, eLibrary, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases. A descriptive analysis was used to summarize the published information on the theoretical and practical aspects of computational psychiatry. The article relates the development of the scientific approach in computational psychiatry since the mid-1980s. The data on the practical application of computational psychiatry in modeling psychiatric disorders and explaining the mechanisms of how psychopathological symptomatology develops (in schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorders) are summarized. Challenges, limitations, and the prospects of computational psychiatry are discussed. The capacity of current computational technologies in psychiatry has reached a stage where its integration into psychiatric practice is not just feasible but urgently needed. The hurdles that now need to be addressed are no longer rooted in technological advancement, but in ethics, education, and understanding.

RODITELJSKI POSTUPCI I SOCIJALNA PODRŠKA U MEĐUGENERACIJSKOM PRIJENOSU RIZIKA ZA MENTALNO ZDRAVLJE DJECE

Numerous studies confirm the intergenerational transmission of various behaviors and characteristics from parents to children, as a result of complex genetic and non-genetic environmental processes. This large area of research began with studies on the intergenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma from parents to children and over time expanded to include various behaviors and characteristics, including the transmission of psychopathological symptomatology and mental health problems. This paper presents an overview of relevant knowledge related to the role of parental practices and social support in the process of intergenerational transmission of risk for children’s mental health. These constructs are singled out as important in this process because they can be directly affected by appropriate psychosocial interventions. However, their specific role is still insufficiently researched or unclear due to contradictory findings. The paper highlights the methodological issues of previous research in this area, provides guidelines for further research, and discusses the possible application of the existing knowledge in psychosocial work, as well as the importance of interdepartmental cooperation in this context. Key words: intergenerational transmission; mental health; children; parental practices; social support

Analysis of psychopathological symptoms and aggressive expressive and instrumental behavior as a function of the risk of violence in offenders

The goal of this research was to identify the most characteristic psychopathological symptomatology and type of aggression (expressive and instrumental) in individuals who presented a higher risk of violence in a sample of offenders. The sample consisted of 285 incarcerated males aged 20 to 67 years (M= 34.73, SD= 10.34) and it was divided into three groups according to violence risk (high, moderate, and low). The instruments used were the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), the Instrumental and Expressive Aggression Questionnaire (CAIE) and the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ). The results showed that, as violence risk increases, the levels of psychopathological symptomatology increase, as do expressive and instrumental aggressive behaviors, although psychoticism and expressive aggression best predicted belonging to the moderate- and high-risk groups. Therefore, moderate violence risk is sufficient to establish prevention and intervention measures in this population.

Self-reported psychotic-like experiences: differences by age and associated psychopathology

This study aims to explore the differences in psychopathological symptoms that may exist in the general adult population with or without psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), depending on the age range. The presence of PLEs, self-reported general psychopathological symptomatology, and different sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics were assessed in 216 participants without any record of personal psychiatric antecedents. The sample was divided into young adults (18-35 years) and mature adults (36-60 years). The young adults showed a higher expression of PLEs (33.6%). The mature adults with PLEs presented more psychopathological symptoms in the dimensions of hostility-anger, somatization, depression, and anxiety than mature adults without PLEs. Young adults with PLEs showed significantly more symptoms in the same dimensions, and in the obsession-compulsion dimensions, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism, than participants of this age without PLEs. PLEs are more frequent in people between 18-35 years old; however, PLEs can be present in different age ranges and could serve as an alert to high levels of affective and anger-hostility symptoms.

The mediating role of the boredom and loneliness dimensions in the development of Problematic Internet Use

IntroductionDuring the last decade, a growing digitalization allowed to implement technologies in daily life activities. Conversely, the increased use of technologies in general population, particularly in youths, facilitated the emergence of new web-based psychopathologies, including Pathological Internet use (PIU).ObjectivesOur study aims at investigating the relationship between PIU and boredom as well as loneliness dimensions in youths, by also focusing on the association with the main psychopathological symptomatology (i.e., depression, anxiety and stress).MethodsA nationwide population-based cross-sectional case-control study was conducted by recruiting a sample of Italian young adults (aged 18-24), using a snowball sampling strategy. After data cleaning, only 1,643 participants were selected for analysis based on age and classified according to the presence/absence of PIU/non-PIU. Linear regression analyses as well as Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to check for possible associations and correlations between PIU and stress/anxiety/depression. Subsequently, mediation analyses regarding boredom and loneliness were conducted on these relationships.ResultsParticipants were predominantly females (68.7%; n = 1,129). The mean age was 21.8 years (SD = 1.7), particularly ranging 20-24 years-old (88.5%; n = 1454). Around 41.7% (n = 685) of the sample declared previous psychological issues without a history of professional support (psychological and/or psychiatric), while 32.7% (n = 538) stated that they had an overt mental disorder and were currently receiving professional support. Mediation analysis demonstrated that both boredom and loneliness act as mediators in the association between PIU and depression.ConclusionsFurther studies are needed to evaluate how boredom and loneliness dimensions could be managed in order to alleviate the emergence of PIU in youths with clinically relevant depressive symptomatology.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Pandemic Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety Among Adolescents: A Network Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic could be regarded as a chronic psychological burden that may lead to prolonged, unmanageable stress, e.g. burnout. Previous studies on COVID-19 have indicated that pandemic burnout was frequent in the general population and could beregarded as a risk factor for psychopathological symptomatology (e.g. depression, anxiety).This study used a network approach to investigate the associations between pandemic burnout symptoms and symptoms of depression and anxiety among Polish adolescents. A total of 389 adolescents participated in a survey in two stages: in June 2021 (shortly after students’ return to schools after the COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted; n = 181) and in September 2021 (shortly after the beginning of the new school year; n = 208). Data were collected by means of a survey aimed at measurement of anxiety, depression, and symptoms of COVID-19 burnout. The network analysis indicated that (1) pandemic burnout is rather a separate syndrome of symptoms compared to depression and anxiety; (2) emotional and mental exhaustion symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness andworthlessness were central to pandemic burnout; (3) the stability of the pandemic burnout symptoms was relatively low, indicating that this syndrome could be dynamic or internally heterogenic.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): A Potent Inflammation Biomarker in Psychiatric Disorders.

An increasing number of studies have investigated the role of inflammation in psychiatric disorders, by demonstrating how an altered/dysfunctional immunological and inflammatory system may underpin a psychiatric condition. Particularly, several studies specifically investigated the role of a neuroinflammatory biomarker, named C-reactive protein (CRP), in psychiatric disorders. Overall, even though scientific literature so far published still does not appear definitive, CRP is more likely reported to be elevated in several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Moreover, a low-grade inflammation (CRP >3mg/L) has been more likely observed in a subgroup of patients affected with a more severe psychopathological symptomatology, more treatment resistance and worst clinical mental illness course, strengthening the hypothesis of the need for a different clinical and prognostic characterization based on this concomitant neuroinflammatory predisposition. However, even though further research studies are needed to confirm this preliminary evidence, CRP may represent a potential clinical routine biomarker which could be integrated in the clinical routine practice to better characterize clinical picture and course as well as address clinicians towards a personalized treatment.

Features of inflammatory reactions in patients with juvenile depression with a clinically high risk of psychosis

To determine the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, leukocyte elastase, α1-proteinase inhibitor, autoantibodies to neuroantigens in the blood of patients with adolescent depression with clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and to study the relation of these biological markers to the features of psychopathological symptomatology of the patients. Eighty young adults, aged 16-24 years, with the first depressive episode (F32.1-2, F32.38, F32.8) were studied. Based on the presence of attenuated positive symptoms in the structure of depression, all patients were divided into two groups: with CHR-P (clinical group, n=58) and without CHR-P (comparative group, n=22). The HDRS-21, SOPS, and SANS were used for psychometric assessment of the patients. Serum levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. Leukocyte elastase (LE) activity, α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) activity, and plasma levels of autoantibodies to S100B protein and myelin basic protein (MBP) were assessed. Both groups of patients were characterized by the high levels of inflammation as assessed by LE (250.5 (226.2-280.8) nmol/min·ml vs 248.3 (226.8-284.5) nmol/min·ml) and α1-PI activity (44.4 (37.5-50.1) IE/ml vs 45.2 (36.4-49.9) IE/ml). Higher levels (p<0.05) of IL-6 (1.22 (0.64-2.2) pg/ml), CRP (0.93 (0.18-3.18) mg/l), and TNF-α/IL-10 (0.34 (0.2-0.47)) were detected in the group with CHR-P. This group was also characterized by higher levels of antibodies to the S100B protein 0.78 (0.69-0.84 units of opt.density) compared with the group without CRH-P (p<0.05). In each clinical group, different correlations between clinical, psychometric and biological parameters were revealed. The results confirm the involvement of inflammation in the development of depression in youth and indicate a different role of the inflammatory markers analyzed in the formation of CHR-P. The differences in the spectrum of inflammatory markers in depressed patients suggest a more pronounced pro-inflammatory potential in the group with CHR-P.

Common and differential risk factors behind suicidal behavior in patients with impulsivity-related disorders: The case of bulimic spectrum eating disorders and gambling disorder.

Mental disorders with high levels of impulsivity such as bulimic spectrum eating disorders (BSED) and gambling disorder (GD) are associated with high risk of suicidal behavior. The aim of the present study was to identify the common and differential vulnerability factors behind suicide attempts in a sample of patients with BSED compared to patients with GD. A total of 6,077 adults who sought treatment and met criteria either for BSED (n = 2,391) or GD (n = 3,686) were assessed at a specialized hospital unit. Personality traits, psychopathological symptomatology, lifetime history of suicide attempts and socio-demographic variables were evaluated. The prevalence of suicide attempts was higher for BSED patients (26.2%) compared to GD patients (7.1%) being anorexia nervosa (Binge/Purge type) and bulimia nervosa the most affected subtypes. In the predictive model, the transdiagnostic vulnerability factors with the highest contribution to the risk of suicidal behavior both in BSED and GD were unemployment, early age of onset of the disorder, worse psychopathological state, and self-transcendence personality trait. However, specific risk factors for suicidal acts were identified in each disorder: longer duration of the disorder, lower education levels and reward dependence were exclusively associated with BSED while female gender, older age, and higher harm avoidance were associated with GD. Patients with GD and BSED share certain vulnerability factors although certain factors are exclusive to each disorder. Interventions need to pay special attention to both common and specific vulnerability factors to mitigate the risk of suicidal acts in these disorders.

Lifetime suicidal-related behaviour among patients in treatment for substance use disorder: A cross-sectional study

Suicidal-related behaviours are an important concern in individuals who present with substance use disorders (SUDs). The distinction among the specific characteristics of the different patients might help to improve prevention strategies. We describe and compare the sociodemographic characteristics, severity of addiction, and psychopathology of the participants depending on the severity of their lifetime suicidal behaviour. In addition, we examine whether the number of suicide attempts can be estimated based on the variables that differentiate the groups. A sample of 318 men and 86 women who sought treatment for addiction were assessed. The sample was divided into: no ideation or attempts, suicidal ideation, one suicide attempt, and two or more suicide attempts. The group with two or more suicide attempts exhibited a greater severity in the addiction profile. The group with one suicide attempt presented a higher psychopathological symptomatology at the time of the assessment. The severity of the Psychiatric area was related to the group with two or more attempts and to the number of suicide attempts. The presence of any number of attempts is associated with greater severity of addiction. Providing specific intervention strategies for SUD patients depending on their suicidal behaviours is promising for clinical application.

Food addiction in Bulimia Nervosa: Analysis of body composition, psychological and problematic foods profile.

Food Addiction (FA) has been related with eating disorders (ED), especially Bulimia Nervosa (BN). BN + FA may have different physical characteristics than patients with BN without the comorbidity, such as body mass index (BMI) or body composition, and psychological as emotion regulation. However, the relationship between psychological and physical aspects, connected by problematic food and its influence on body composition, has been barely studied. Therefore, the aims of the present study are. (a) To explore the differences in body composition between FA positive (FA+) and negative (FA-) in women with BN; (b) to identify problematic relationship with certain food types, according with the foods mentioned in the YFAS scale questionnaire, between FA+ and FA- patients; (c) to know the psychological characteristic differences between FA+ and FA- patients, considering emotion regulation, personality traits and general psychopathological state; (d) to identify the relationship between physical and psychological traits, and the identified problematic foods, in patients with BN and FA. N = 81 BN women patients, with a mean age of 29.73 years ± 9.80 SD, who completed the questionnaires: Yale Food Addiction Scale V 1.0 (YFAS 1.0), Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), Symptom Checklist-90 Items-Revised (SCL-90-R), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Strategies (DERS). YFAS problematic foods were grouped considering their principal nutrients sources. Body composition and difference in metabolic age was determined using bioimpedance analyzer. The 88% of patients with BN presented FA+. Patients with BN who were FA+ self-reported more problematic relationships with sweets and starches. Also presented higher emotion regulation difficulties, general psychopathology and eating symptomatology severity, than those without FA. Finally, emotional regulation difficulties were positively associated with higher eating disorder symptomatology and more types of foods self-reported as problematic, which increased indirectly fat mass. The results suggest that BN + FA presented more eating and psychopathology symptomatology and higher problems with specific food types. As well, the path analysis emphasized that emotion regulation difficulties might be related with problematic food relationship in BN, impacting over the ED severity. The results may impact the development of precise therapies for patients with BN + FA.

Provision of Medical-psychological and Psychiatric Care to Patients with Post-covid Syndrome in Telemedicine Conditions

Objective. The need for scientific understanding of the revolutionary changes that have occurred associated with the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the organization of psychological and psychiatric care, and in the direction of developing effective treatment and prevention measures, determines the relevance of this study, the purpose of which is to study the clinical manifestations of psychopathological symptoms in patients, survivors of the COVID-19 disease, and develop a conceptual model for providing them with medical care in telemedicine. Materials and methods. We studied the psychopathological manifestations of post-covid syndrome in 129 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and who applied to us for remote medical counseling psychological and psychiatric help for 10 months, from March to December 2020, using clinical psychopathological and psychodiagnostic test research methods. Results and Discussion. The high level of stress, anxiety and depression identified in the studied patients is primarily associated with the negative situation of the pandemic and the COVID-19 disease. A follow-up study proved the effectiveness of a treatment carried out in a telemedicine setting and combining cognitive-behavioral therapy with antidepressants and non-benzodiazepine tranquilizers. In patients who underwent a severe form of COVID-19, in the presence of premorbid chronic bronchopulmonary pathology, in addition to long-lasting psychopathological symptoms, somatic post-covid complications were also observed, and the stressfulness of the situation was perceived at a deeper personal level. For such patients, the course of treatment in telemedicine conditions should be extended and medical and psychological support provided during the entire period of convalescence. Conclusion. Chronic premorbid diseases of the bronchopulmonary and immune systems are predictors of long-term psychopathological symptomatology and the occurrence of post-covid somatic complications. The treatment tactics of patients with post-covid mental health disorders in telemedicine should be based on the protocols of cognitive-behavioral therapy for hypochondriacal and generalized anxiety disorder, in combination with antidepressants and tranquilizers of the non-benzodiazepine series, which ensures the stability of the positive results of therapeutic interventions, confirmed by our studies. The conceptual patientcentered model developed by us for the provision of psychological and psychiatric care for post-covid syndrome in telemedicine can be recommended as a universal algorithm for psycho-psychiatric interventions when providing remote assistance to patients with post-covid mental disorders. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 04 October’22 Page : 719-730

Children’s social and emotional behavior: Role of maternal emotion regulation, psychopathological symptomatology, and family functioning

Research has demonstrated that maternal emotion regulation strategies (self-criticism and self-compassion), mental health, and family functioning impacts child functioning. Due to the paucity of studies, we aimed to analyze: (1) the associations between maternal emotion regulation strategies, psychopathological symptomatology, family functioning, and mother’s perceived child social and emotional behavior (SEB); (2) the differences in mother’s perceived child SEB, according to maternal, child and family characteristics; (3) the predictive role of maternal emotion regulation in mother’s perceived child SEB. A sample of 431 mothers (25-59 years), with children aged 4-17 years (55.5% male), answered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. The results showed positive associations between self-criticism, maternal psychopathological symptomatology, worse family functioning and child social and emotional problems, as well between maternal self-compassion and child prosocial behaviors. Mothers who reported low income, elementary school education, a history of psychiatric illness and whose children had early behavior changes perceived more social and emotional difficulties in their children. Maternal self-criticism was the main predictor of child social and emotional difficulties. In conclusion, maternal emotion regulation strategies and psychopathological symptomatology are associated with family functioning and child SEB.

Gaming Disorder: looking for a specific psychopathological profile in a Russian sample

IntroductionICD-11 describes Gaming disorder as a behavioral pattern characterized by impaired control over gaming, increased gaming priority, and escalation despite consequences. This description is similar to other addictive behaviors with minor specifics. However, it is unclear if gaming disorder has any specific psychopathological profile.ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate gaming disorder’s connection to primary psychopathological symptomatology.Methods515 gamers aged 16-56 (75% male) anonymously completed online questionnaires: SCL-90-R and Video Games Addiction Scale (VGAS) – our new 26-items questionnaire based on ICD-11 criteria for gaming disorder. VGAS showed good reliability (Cronbach`s α=0.858) and external validity (positive correlation with Chen Internet Addiction Scale, r=0.472, p=0.000).ResultsGaming disorder severity showed positive correlations (p=0.000) with all SCL-90-R scales. Pearson`s r ranged from 0.311 (phobic anxiety) to 0.431 (depression). Thus, gaming disorder showed no specific combination of psychopathological symptoms. Instead, all symptoms had almost equal correlations with the VGAS score.ConclusionsGaming disorder is not linked to any particular combination of psychopathological symptoms. On the contrary, as suggested by our study, different symptoms are almost equally related to excessive gaming. Several interpretations are possible. Problematic gaming can be a way for psychologically distressed people to deal with different symptoms. Conversely, gaming disorder can itself lead to psychological maladjustment. Thus, further thorough research is required, specifically when deciding on the primary diagnosis in comorbid cases or choosing the therapeutic aims.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Path analysis from COVID-19 perceptions to psychological health: The roles of critical distance and mastery.

ObjectiveThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic was previously associated with psychopathological symptoms. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying these associations are largely unexplored. Previous studies suggested associations between metacognitive abilities (e.g., mastery) and symptomatology, which may have impacts on COVID‐19 perceptions. This study aims to explore, using path analysis, the mediational role of Critical Distance (differentiation and decentration abilities) and Mastery on the relationships between COVID‐19 perceptions and psychological well‐being and distress.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional design, 227 participants (M = 34.21, SD = 10.9) filled self‐report questionnaires.ResultsMetacognitive abilities were negatively correlated with psychopathological symptoms. Both Critical Distance and Mastery mediated the path from COVID‐19 perceived severity and anxiety to psychological distress and well‐being. Critical Distance seems to augment Mastery which tends to increase psychological well‐being and limited psychological distress.ConclusionsMetacognition seems to play a mediational role on the relationship between COVID‐19 perceptions and mental health. Clinical psychologists and psychotherapists may enhance psychological interventions regarding COVID‐19 psychopathological symptomatology by working on metacognitive Critical Distance and Mastery abilities.