Close-in Research Articles

Social Frustration Level Questionnaire: Substantiation, Design, and Probation

The current preventive trends in clinical examination draw attention to the role of the external factors and stressful circumstances in psychodiagnostic research. Social frustration is an incapacity to fulfill relevant social needs because of a current situation. This term makes it possible to qualify criteria for the potential stress related to social functioning among family members, colleagues, and peers. The authors rationalized and tested a formalized questionnaire of Social Frustration Level developed at Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology in 2004 for patients with social adjustment disorders. The experiment justified the criterion validity of the Social Frustration Level Questionnaire. The article describes the structure of social frustration regarding the key spheres of activity attributed to internal and external frustration. The pilot study involved 45 patients with adjustment disorders, who showed significant frustration related to health problems and socio-economic status accompanied with relative satisfaction with interpersonal relations, i.e., family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. The research relied on the method of clinical psychological interview, as well as the Questionnaire of Social Frustration Level and the Integrative Anxiety Test. Personal anxiety and actual anxiety experiences proved to correlate with social frustration. The internal social frustration prevailed over the external one. The Questionnaire of Social Frustration Level proved to be an efficient practical tool to be used in systematic medical psychodiagnostics research, programs of disorder prevention, and psychotherapy.

Anxio-depressive disorders, traumatic symptoms, and suicidality among limb amputees: A cross-sectional and prospective study

IntroductionLimb amputation represents an ultimate therapeutic option in certain severe or progressive pathologies. We conducted this study to describe anxio- depressive disorders, traumatic symptoms, and suicidality among limb amputees, as well as factors associated with their occurrence. Materials and MethodsThis was a cross-sectional and prospective descriptive and analytical study conducted over a two-year period from October 2020 to October 2022, at the following departments of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda: Traumatological and Orthopedic Surgery departements A and B, and Peripheral Vascular Surgery departement, involving 122 patients. ResultsThe average age of our patients was 46.42 ± 14.76 years, with a predominance of males (male-to-female ratio of 2.21). Preoperative assessment of patients occurred 6 to 24 h before amputation. Immediate postoperative evaluation took place on average 2.18 ± 1.53 days after surgery, ranging from 1 to 8 postoperative days. The prevalence of anxio-depressive disorders according to the MINI scale was 77 %, comprising Depression (9 %), Adjustment Disorder (36.9 %), Acute Stress Disorder (20.5 %), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (6.6 %), and Anxiety Disorders (10.7 %), with suicide attempts reported in 16.4 % of cases. The mean score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for our patients was 10.81 ± 3.27, on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was 16.33 ± 5.54, and on the Ducher Suicide Risk Scale was 0.82 ± 1.33. ConclusionThe occurrence of postoperative anxio-depressive disorders, traumatic symptoms, and suicidal behavior is associated with the following factors: male sex, personal history of depression, family history of psychiatric disorders, quality of diagnostic disclosure, postoperative sleep disturbances, postoperative panic attacks, psychological support, and socio-professional reintegration.

Beyond Depression and Anxiety in IBD: Forging a Path Towards Emotional Healing.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic, often debilitating diseases characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. IBDs affect up to 1% of the world's population and tend to be diagnosed in the second and third decades of life. In addition to physical burdens, IBDs have significant psychological manifestations stemming from bidirectional inflammatory and coping pathways and thus, are best understood from a biopsychosocial perspective. Though previous IBD literature has predominantly focused on traditional psychological comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, recent studies have uncovered adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress, and disordered eating as prevalent manifestations of the disease. This review will summarize the rates and postulated biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying these conditions to frame how cultivating resilience can protect against IBD symptoms and help forge a path towards emotional healing. We will also provide guidance to aid clinicians in screening for these conditions and creating a trauma-informed healthcare environment.

Clinical Use of Mental Health Digital Therapeutics in a Large Health Care Delivery System: Retrospective Patient Cohort Study and Provider Survey.

While the number of digital therapeutics (DTx) has proliferated, there is little real-world research on the characteristics of providers recommending DTx, their recommendation behaviors, or the characteristics of patients receiving recommendations in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients receiving DTx recommendations and describe provider characteristics and behaviors regarding DTx. This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data from a large, integrated health care delivery system. Demographic and clinical characteristics of adult patients recommended versus not recommended DTx by a mental health provider between May 2020 and December 2021 were examined. A cross-sectional survey of mental health providers providing these recommendations was conducted in December 2022 to assess the characteristics of providers and recommendation behaviors related to DTx. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to examine statistical significance between groups. Of 335,250 patients with a mental health appointment, 53,546 (16%) received a DTx recommendation. Patients recommended to DTx were younger, were of Asian or Hispanic race or ethnicity, were female, were without medical comorbidities, and had commercial insurance compared to those without a DTx recommendation (P<.001). More patients receiving a DTx recommendation had anxiety or adjustment disorder diagnoses, but less had depression, bipolar, or psychotic disorder diagnoses (P<.001) versus matched controls not recommended to DTx. Overall, depression and anxiety symptom scores were lower in patients recommended to DTx compared to matched controls not receiving a recommendation, although female patients had a higher proportion of severe depression and anxiety scores compared to male patients. Provider survey results indicated a higher proportion of nonprescribers recommended DTx to patients compared to prescribers (P=.008). Of all providers, 29.4% (45/153) reported using the suggested internal electronic health record-based tools (eg, smart text) to recommend DTx, and of providers recommending DTx resources to patients, 64.1% (98/153) reported they follow up with patients to inquire on DTx benefits. Only 38.4% (58/151) of respondents report recommending specific DTx modules, and of those, 58.6% (34/58) report following up on the impact of these specific modules. DTx use in mental health was modest and varied by patient and provider characteristics. Providers do not appear to actively engage with these tools and integrate them into treatment plans. Providers, while expressing interest in potential benefits from DTx, may view DTx as a passive strategy to augment traditional treatment for select patients.

Demoralization as a specifier for adjustment disorders

Abstract Adjustment disorder (AD) is the most common psychiatric diagnosis yet carries the most loosely defined diagnostic criteria. The phenomenology of demoralization (hopelessness, pointlessness, discouragement, and entrapment) enriches criteria for AD substantially. Moreover, demoralization mediates the suicidality that can follow from maladaptive coping. The focus of treatment seeks to restore morale, hope, and meaning as clear therapeutic targets. Use of demoralization as a “specifier” for AD introduces a subtype that will enhance understanding of and communication about a patient, while providing optimal treatment targets.

Psychiatric disorders from EEG signals through deep learning models

Psychiatric disorders present diagnostic challenges due to individuals concealing their genuine emotions, and traditional methods relying on neurophysiological signals have limitations. Our study proposes an improved EEG-based diagnostic model employing Deep Learning (DL) techniques to address this. By experimenting with DL models on EEG data, we aimed to enhance psychiatric disorder diagnosis, offering promising implications for medical advancements. We utilized a dataset of 945 individuals, including 850 patients and 95 healthy subjects, focusing on six main and nine specific disorders. Quantitative EEG data were analyzed during resting states, featuring power spectral density (PSD) and functional connectivity (FC) across various frequency bands. Employing artificial neural networks (ANN), K nearest neighbors (KNN), Long short-term memory (LSTM), bidirectional Long short-term memory (Bi LSTM), and a hybrid CNN-LSTM model, we performed binary classification. Remarkably, all proposed models outperformed previous approaches, with the ANN achieving 96.83 % accuracy for obsessive-compulsive disorder using entire band features. CNN-LSTM attained the same accuracy for adjustment disorder, while KNN and LSTM achieved 98.94 % accuracy for acute stress disorder using specific feature sets. Notably, KNN and Bi-LSTM models reached 97.88 % accuracy for predicting obsessive-compulsive disorder. These findings underscore the potential of EEG as a cost-effective and accessible diagnostic tool for psychiatric disorders, complementing traditional methods like MRI. Our study's advanced DL models show promise in enhancing psychiatric disorder detection and monitoring, with significant implications for clinical application, inspiring hope for improved patient care and outcomes. The potential of EEG as a diagnostic tool for psychiatric disorders is substantial, as it can lead to improved patient care and outcomes in the field of psychiatry.

ICD-11 adjustment disorder: Translation and validation of the Danish international adjustment disorder questionnaire among a working population of social educators

Adjustment disorder is frequently used as a diagnostic category for work-related stress disorders in Denmark. However, the diagnostic category is poorly delineated in ICD-10 which has hampered clinical practice as well as research studying the development of work-related adjustment disorders. In ICD-11, the diagnostic category of adjustment disorder has been refined and a new self-report measure is available to operationalize symptoms. The aim of the current study is to translate the International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) to Danish and test the psychometric properties of the scale in a sample of social educators. A total of 609 social educators in current employment participated in an online survey including the IADQ and data was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. Findings suggested that a two-factor model reflecting the distinction between preoccupation and failure to adapt as part of the diagnostic criterion fitted the data best, although strong factor correlations and one cross-factor loading suggests that differentiating between the dimensions of preoccupation and failure to adapt is difficult. Relationships to burnout, posttraumatic stress and general distress support the validity of the Danish translation of the IADQ. Further research should explore the structure of adjustment disorder among other working populations.

Identifying depression, diabetes distress, and suicidality among adolescents with diabetes

ABSTRACT This study explored the frequency of adolescents with diabetes who endorse suicidality on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) with varying degrees of depression scores. Additionally, compared whether diabetes distress levels from the Problem Areas in Diabetes-Teen (PAID-T) assessment tool is associated with and without suicidal ideation. Χ2 analysis was used to assess differences in subjects with or without suicidal ideation based on depression severity. Since all the data were nonparametrically distributed (Shapiro–Wilk test, p < .05), Kruskal–Wallis test assessed differences in continuous variables. Overall, 27 of 355 adolescents screened endorsed suicidal ideation. Both PHQ-9 [13 (9–17.8) vs 1 (0–4.5)] and PAID-T [88 (61.8–104.5) vs 40 (30–58.8)] scores were significantly higher in patients with suicidal ideation. The frequency of suicidal ideation increased with the severity of depression. The frequency of severe depression was higher in adolescents with type 2 diabetes (n = 48) than in type 1, but there was no difference in suicidality. Adolescents with no demonstrable or minimal depression can still have potential suicidal ideation. Suicidality is a separate construct that should be screened routinely and apart from any measures screening for distress or adjustment disorders associated with adolescents experiencing life-long chronic conditions in a healthcare follow-up setting.

A stress-coping analysis of ‘stranded’ Australians seeking repatriation during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective The COVID-19 pandemic declared in early 2020 led to the closure of Australia’s international borders and the stranding of thousands of Australians overseas. We surveyed “stranded” Australians pre- and post-repatriation to evaluate their stress-coping responses at the time and the longer-term impacts of their experience. Method Stranded Australians (n = 587; 18–70 years of age; M = 40.15, SD = 11.90) completed a survey measuring COVID-19 impact, stressor appraisal and coping strategy, and psychological adjustment, and 203 of them completed a follow-up survey of psychological adjustment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms post-repatriation. Results Path analysis showed that “primary” appraisals of the repatriation situation (i.e. as a threat or challenge) were positively associated with negative affect, use of avoidant coping, and poorer psychological adjustment. Although the follow-up survey revealed improvements in psychological adjustment, initial use of avoidant coping was associated with higher levels of PTSD post-repatriation. Conclusion Primary appraisals and avoidant coping were associated with poorer psychological adjustment and longer-term PTSD symptomatology. The results highlight the need for ongoing mental health support for repatriated Australians and call for higher prioritisation of practical and mental health support in the event of future border closures.

Clinical Predictors of Mood Disorders and Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background/Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical correlations of mood disorders in a sample of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Hence, we hypothesized that the prevalence of mood disorders would be lower than reported in the literature and that patients would remain clinically stable and show less damage accrual despite low-dose corticosteroid prescription. Methods: In total, 92 SLE outpatients gave informed consent to participate in this cross-sectional study. Psychiatric and autoimmune clinical data were obtained, and a structured psychiatric interview was performed. The main clinical scales for the assessment of clinical symptomatology were included. To examine the potential relationships of presenting a mood disorder in SLE, clinical correlations and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Mood disorders were the most prevalent disorder reported by SLE patients (16%), followed by adjustment disorders (5%). A significant proportion of patients presented psychosocial disturbances that did not meet the ICD-10 criteria for psychiatric diagnosis. According to the cut-off criterion for the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), up to 27% of the sample met the clinical criteria for depression. The multivariate analysis revealed a relationship between the presence of a mood disorder with total scores of the MADRS and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Conclusions: The prevalence of mood disorders in patients with SLE was lower than previously reported. Although self-report clinical scales are useful for assessing clinical symptomatology, they should not be used in place of a comprehensive standardized interview conducted by a trained mental health specialist. Multidisciplinary teamwork is required for the early identification and therapeutic management of autoimmune patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 during the second wave in Egypt

BackgroundStudies suggested that COVID-19 virus causes neurological and psychiatric manifestations with different mechanisms. However, prevalence of neurological and psychiatric manifestations among COVID-19 patients varies across studies from 18.1%: 82.3%. The objective of this study was to determine neuropsychiatric manifestations in a sample of Egyptian COVID-19 hospitalized patients during the second wave of the pandemic and to detect factors affecting neurological and psychiatric prevalence. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Ain Shams university isolation hospitals and included 110 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, over a 2-month period from June 2021 to August 2021. Patients underwent a careful history taking, full neurological examination including Mini-Mental State Examination, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID I), COVID-19 severity criteria. Any available imaging and laboratory tests were recorded.Results83 (75.5%) patients had neurological manifestations. The most common neurological manifestations were headache (50.9%), hypogeusia (24.5%), hyposmia, paresthesia (23.6% each) and coma (15.5%). After exclusion of 17 patients who could not be examined by Mini-Mental State Examination, psychiatric manifestations were seen in 56 patients (61.5%) out of the remaining 91 patients. The most prevalent psychiatric disorders were delirium (30.8%), depression (19%), and adjustment disorder (17.5%). Moreover, hypertension, COVID-19 severity, place of admission, and high levels of LDH and ALT affected neurological manifestations prevalence.ConclusionsCOVID-19 infection and its immune reaction along with its social and psychological effects have a great impact on mental and physical health. Hence, neuropsychiatric evaluation cannot be ignored in any case with COVID-19 infection.

Do return-to-work trajectories differ by mental disorder diagnosis? A register study among 37 523 Dutch workers.

Return to work (RTW) of workers with mental disorders is often a process of gradually increasing work hours over time, resulting in a RTW trajectory. This study aimed to investigate 2-year RTW trajectories by mental disorder diagnosis, examining the distribution of age, sex and contracted work hours across the diagnosis-specific RTW trajectories. Sickness absence episodes diagnosed within the ICD-10 chapter V (mental and behavioral disorders) and ICD-10 Z73.0 (burnout) were retrieved from a Dutch occupational health service register, together with age, sex and contracted work hours. Sickness absence episodes due to adjustment disorders (N=25 075), anxiety disorders (N=1335), burnout (N=3644), mood disorders (N=5076), and post-traumatic stress disorders (N=2393) were most prevalent and included in latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to estimate 23-month RTW trajectories. Four main RTW trajectories were identified for all mental disorder diagnoses: fast full RTW [range 82.4% (mood disorders) to 92.0% (adjustment disorders) of the study population], slow full RTW [3.5% (burnout) to 6.1% (mood disorders)], slow partial RTW [0.6% (adjustment disorders) to 1.6% (mood disorders)] and no RTW [2.2% (adjustment disorders) to 9.7% (mood disorders)]. Trajectories with a late onset of fast full RTW included higher percentages of women and lower percentages of full-time workers. RTW trajectories were similar for different mental disorder diagnoses although the distribution differed across diagnoses, with more partial and no RTW trajectories among workers with mood disorders. To better guide workers back to work, more knowledge is needed of factors associated with late, partial, or no RTW.

Predicting anxiety treatment outcome in community mental health services using linked health administrative data

Anxiety disorders is ranked as the most common class of mental illness disorders globally, affecting hundreds of millions of people and significantly impacting daily life. Developing reliable predictive models for anxiety treatment outcomes holds immense potential to help guide the development of personalised care, optimise resource allocation and improve patient outcomes. This research investigates whether community mental health treatment for anxiety disorder is associated with reliable changes in Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) scores and whether pre-treatment K10 scores and past health service interactions can accurately predict reliable change (improvement). The K10 assessment was administered to 46,938 public patients in a community setting within the Western Australia dataset in 2005–2022; of whom 3794 in 4067 episodes of care were reassessed at least twice for anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, or reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders (ICD-10 codes F40–F43). Reliable change on the K10 was calculated and used with the post-treatment score as the outcome variables. Machine learning models were developed using features from a large health service administrative linked dataset that includes the pre-treatment K10 assessment as well as community mental health episodes of care, emergency department presentations, and inpatient admissions for prediction. The classification model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 as well as an F1 score, precision and recall of 0.69, and the regression model achieved an R2 of 0.37 with mean absolute error of 5.58 on the test dataset. While the prediction models achieved moderate performance, they also underscore the necessity for regular patient monitoring and the collection of more clinically relevant and contextual patient data to further improve prediction of treatment outcomes.

Acceptability of Telepsychiatry among Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait

The challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) expose them to abuse, harming their mental wellness. Telepsychiatry offers hope by allowing prompt diagnosis, management, and treatment of mental health issues. Yet, the acceptability of this technology among OFWs has not been studied, and specialized psychiatric services for them are scarce. This study assessed telepsychiatry acceptance among OFWs in Kuwait. Using a cross-sectional design, participants with mental health concerns in a Philippine Embassy shelter were selected. Tailored telepsychiatry software facilitated secure online video consultations and psychotherapy sessions with a Philippines-based psychiatrist. Acceptance was measured with the telemedicine satisfaction and usefulness questionnaire. Fifty-five (55) female OFWs participated; most were household service workers (n = 53; 96.36%) with a median age of 35. Mental health disorders were diagnosed in 22 participants (40%) – including acute stress disorder (n = 14; 25.45%), major depressive disorder (n = 5; 9.09%), brief psychotic disorder (n = 1; 1.82%), post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 1; 1.82%), and adjustment disorder (n = 1; 1.82%). Acceptance-wise, the majority of the participants expressed satisfaction with the telepsychiatry service provided (mean = 4.77; SD=0.48). This pioneering research demonstrates the viability of telepsychiatry in providing vital psychosocial support to distressed OFWs in Kuwait. Sustaining and expanding this service across various countries is essential to ensure access to culturally sensitive and responsive mental health resources, thereby promoting mental health equity and the overall well-being of migrant workers

Male sexual disorder in coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Background At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus infection disease, named COVID-19, emerged in China. In this context, couples’ sexual lives could have been significantly altered. Fear of the COVID-19 pandemic implications affects their lives, or the lives of friends and relatives might produce feelings of anxiety and panic. Sometimes, these feelings can degenerate into further negative psychological reactions, including adjustment disorder and depression. Aim To find the relation between COVID-19 pandemic and occurrence of male sexual disorders. Patients and methods In this retrospective study 300 cases with past history of COVID-19 virus infection were included in this study. They were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Al-Azhar University (Assiut) Hospital. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the prepandemic and postpandemic erectile dysfunction scores (P=0.043). There was a statistically significant difference between prepandemic and postpandemic scores according to premature ejaculation (P=0.022). There was a significant difference among erectile dysfunction and both depression degree (χ 2=90.706, P&lt;0.001) and anxiety degree (χ 2=263.652, P&lt;0.001) likewise, it has been found that there was a significant difference among premature ejaculation and both depression degree (χ 2=109.542, P&lt;0.001) and anxiety degree (χ 2=165.382, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion Significant difference between prepandemic and postpandemic scores according to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Among erectile dysfunction and both depression degree and anxiety degree likewise, it has been found that there was a significant difference among premature ejaculation and both depression degree and anxiety degree.

Nurses during war: Profiles-based risk and protective factors.

Nurses in southern Israel's public hospitals were exposed to unusual traumatic events following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, and the ensuing Swords of Iron War. This study aimed to clarify the complexity of wartime nursing by identifying profiles based on risk factors (i.e., psychological distress and adjustment disorders) and protective factors (i.e., positive affect (PA), resilience, and perceived social support [PSS]). This study utilizes a cross-sectional design. Two hundred nurses at a major public hospital in southern Israel completed self-report questionnaires. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify distinct profiles based on nurses' risk and protective factors. Differences in profiles were examined alongside sociodemographic and occupational variables and traumatic event exposure. The LPA was conducted using MPlus 8.8 Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) software. Two distinct profiles were identified: "reactive" and "resilient." The "reactive" group included nurses who had higher risk factor scores (psychological distress and adjustment disorder), whereas the "resilient" group included nurses who had higher protective factor scores (PA, resilience, and PSS). Furthermore, nurses in the "reactive" group were younger, with greater seniority, worse self-rated health, and a higher frequency of kidnapped family members compared to nurses from the "resilient" group. Nurses in wartime are at risk if identified as "reactive." Identifying these profiles can assist in developing effective support practices to help nurses cope with wartime challenges and maintain their mental well-being. Healthcare organizations should tailor interventions to prepare and support nurses of various ages and experience levels, during and after conflicts. This approach aims to reduce risk factors and promote protective factors among nurses during wartime.

Exploring the reality of seafarers' deaths and injuries and preventive measures from the cases of overwork-related disorders

Till date, only few studies have detailed the reality of overwork-related disorders among seafarers. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of overwork-related disorders among seafarers and assess factors such as patient attributes, diseases diagnosed at the time of determination, workload factors, and other aspects, thereby suggesting relevant preventative measures. Among all the patients identified with overwork-related disorders from April 2010 to March 2017, 2,280 cases of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and 3,517 cases of mental disorders were selected. To identify seafarer-related cases, keywords related to seafarers were extracted. Subsequently, 33 cases of cardiovascular disease and 19 cases of mental disorders were obtained. The average age of the patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases was 56.7 years; for those with mental disorders, it was 45.2 years. The patients were most commonly engaged in fishing, transportation, and postal services. Most patients were employed in the deck department or were captains. The most common types of vessels were fishing and cargo ships. Among the diseases diagnosed at the time of determination, cerebrovascular diseases accounted for 20 cases (60.6%) and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 13 cases (39.4%), with cerebral and myocardial infarctions being the most frequent conditions. Among mental disorders, "mood disorders" accounted for 7 cases (36.8%), and "neurotic disorders, stress-related disorders, and somatoform disorders" accounted for 12 cases (63.2%), with major depressive episodes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorders being the most common. The most common workload factor for patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases was "long-term excessive work," and among non-workload factors, "long working hours" and "irregular working hours" were prevalent. For mental disorders, 8 cases were attributed to "extreme psychological stress." Specific events leading to these diseases included "interpersonal relationships," "experiencing accidents or disasters," and "work quantity and quality." Both cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, as well as mental disorders, showed a notable aging trend among seafarers. Thus, measures that consider the characteristics of elderly workers, such as their physical function, are important. Additionally, as seafarers are distributed across various industries and occupations, measures should be specifically tailored to their industry and job type. Our study confirmed that long working hours and irregular working hours were prevalent in both cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further efforts to prevent and mitigate overwork-related deaths among seafarers, including organizational support from onshore workplaces and enhancement of medical and operational support using information and communication technology.

Coping strategies and symptoms of Adjustment Disorder among adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The current study examined whether coping strategies and symptoms of Adjustment Disorder in adults with ADHD differed from what was observed in the general adult population during the Covid-19 pandemic, and compared the extent to which coping strategies and symptom levels of Adjustment Disorder were related to ADHD. This cross-sectional study was based on survey data collected during the spring of 2021 from 231 adult ADHD patients in specialist care and 1148 volunteers without ADHD in Sweden. The survey included questions about sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, along with the Brief-COPE and Adjustment Disorder-New Module 8 questionnaires. Regression models adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were used for between-group comparisons of coping strategies and symptoms of Adjustment Disorder. There were some notable differences in the use of coping strategies between persons with and without ADHD; however, many of these differences were not observed in the adjusted models. The use of behavioral disengagement was more frequently observed among individuals with ADHD, whereas planning was more common among individuals without ADHD. Individuals with ADHD appeared to show higher symptom levels of Adjustment Disorder during the pandemic. Passive coping strategies, such as denial, self-blame, and behavioral disengagement, were associated with higher symptom levels of adjustment disorder in both individuals with and without ADHD. In conclusion, the results highlight that persons with ADHD may need more support to adjust to large societal changes than the general public. Potential targets for intervention towards members of this group include reducing resignation and maladaptive coping strategies.

Psychosexual trauma: Examining public perceptions and approaches to destigmatization

Background and purposePsychosexual trauma can have a serious impact on the psyche and emotional state of victims, it can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and other mental disorders that are difficult to treat, so the issue of psychosexual trauma is constantly discussed and researched by scientists, which indicates its relevance and importance for society. The study aims to examine the features of psychosexual trauma and its consequences to develop an effective programme to raise awareness of this problem in society. MethodsThe following research methods were used: analysis, systematisation, and surveys, which helped to study the issue of psychosexual trauma as an obstacle to a full life for victims in more depth. ResultsThe study examined the consequences of psychosexual trauma, including severe psychological stress, traumatic depression, PTSD, adjustment disorders, gender identity disorders, fear of sexual relations, and a sense of isolation. The study identified ways to overcome psychosexual trauma: seeking professional psychological individual and group support, pharmacotherapy, taking care of physical health, having support from family and friends, and contacting a lawyer or human rights organisation. The study conducted a survey, the results of which indicate significant variability in attitudes towards victims of sexual violence, which correlates with the age and gender of the respondents. According to the survey, tolerance and understanding are more prevalent amongst younger age groups and women, while older age groups and men may be more likely to have negative attitudes. ConclusionsThe survey results served as the basis for the development of an information campaign to eliminate stigma against victims of sexual violence. The findings of the study can be used by psychologists, psychotherapists, and educators to develop training programmes on psychosexual trauma and psychological support to raise public awareness of the seriousness of the problem of psychosexual trauma, its prevalence, and the need for support for victims of violence.

Prevalence and risk of psychiatric disorders in young people: prospective cohort study exploring the role of childhood trauma (the HUNT study).

Better knowledge about childhood trauma as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders in young people could help strengthen the timeliness and effectiveness of prevention and treatment efforts. To estimate the prevalence and risk of psychiatric disorders in young people following exposure to childhood trauma, including interpersonal violence. This prospective cohort study followed 8199 adolescents (age range 12-20 years) over 13-15 years, into young adulthood (age range 25-35 years). Data about childhood trauma exposure from adolescents participating in the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT, 2006-2008) were linked to data about subsequent development of psychiatric disorders from the Norwegian Patient Registry (2008-2021). One in four (24.3%) adolescents were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder by young adulthood. Regression analyses showed consistent and significant relationships between childhood exposure to both interpersonal violence and other potentially traumatic events, and subsequent psychiatric disorders and psychiatric comorbidity. The highest estimates were observed for childhood exposure to two or more types of interpersonal violence (polyvictimisation), and development of psychotic disorders (odds ratio 3.41, 95% CI 1.93-5.72), stress and adjustment disorders (odds ratio 4.20, 95% CI 3.05-5.71), personality disorders (odds ratio 3.98, 95% CI 2.70-5.76), alcohol-related disorders (odds ratio 3.28, 95% CI 2.06-5.04) and drug-related disorders (odds ratio 4.67, 95% CI 2.87-7.33). These findings emphasise the importance of integrating knowledge about childhood trauma as a potent risk factor for psychopathology into the planning and implementation of services for children, adolescents and young adults.