Severity Of Psychopathological Symptoms Research Articles

Interrelationship of psychological distress, basic beliefs and perceptions of family relationships in informal caregivers of children and adults with epilepsy

BACKGROUND: Relatives caring for an epilepsy patient play a significant role in the care system and maintaining the well-being of the chronically ill and often suffer from significant stress.
 AIM: The aim of the study was to reveal the relationship of psychological distress, basic beliefs and perceptions of family relationships in relatives taking care of children and adults with epilepsy.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 62 relatives caring for patients with epilepsy, 44 relatives of children (mean [SD] age, 34,64 6,73 years) and 18 relatives of adults (mean [SD] age, 48,72 10,99 years). The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the World Assumption Scale and the Family Environment Scale was used as an assessment tools. Also semi-structured interview for assessing socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was applied.
 RESULTS: The results of the study revealed significant similarities of the studied groups both in the explication of the psychopathological symptoms and in perception of their own personality, the surrounding world and intra-family interaction. Informal caregivers of such patients demonstrates significant variability and severity of psychopathological symptoms. And their perception of themselves and the surrounding world is characterized by the faade tendencies that act as psychological protection that prevents the catastrophizing of the subjective assessment of the situation associated with the chronic disease of a loved one.
 CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the need to develop specialized psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the level of psychological distress in informal caregivers of patients with epilepsy. During the development and carrying out of such interventions, it is important to take into account the subjective assessment of caregivers available life situation, as well as his/her personal values and attitudes that largely determine the severity of psychopathological symptoms.

Curiosity Disturbed the Cat: Instagram’s Sensitive-Content Screens Do Not Deter Vulnerable Users From Viewing Distressing Content

In an attempt to mitigate the negative impact of graphic online imagery, Instagram has introduced sensitive-content screens—graphic images are obfuscated with a blur and accompanied by a warning. Sensitive-content screens purportedly allow “vulnerable people” with mental-health concerns to avoid potentially distressing content. However, no research has assessed whether sensitive-content screens operate as intended. Here we examined whether people, including vulnerable users (operationalized as people with more severe psychopathological symptoms, e.g., depression), use the sensitive-content screens as a tool for avoidance. In two studies, we found that the majority of participants (80%–85%) indicated a desire (Study 1) or made a choice (Study 2) to uncover a screened image. Furthermore, we found no evidence that vulnerable users were any more likely to use the screens to avoid sensitive content. Therefore, warning screens appear to be an ineffective way to deter vulnerable users from viewing negative content.

Apelin-13 and Asprosin in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa and Their Association with Psychometric and Metabolic Variables.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a widespread, metabo-psychiatric disorder with high relapse rates, comorbidity, and mortality. Many regulatory proteins and neurohormones studied to date play essential roles in the etiopathogenesis of eating disorders and the maintenance of psychopathological symptoms. Nevertheless, the regulatory and pathophysiological mechanisms of AN are still poorly understood. In the presented study, the plasma levels of apelin-13 (APE-13) and asprosin (ASP), as well as carbohydrate metabolism parameters and psychometric parameters, were evaluated in low-weight adolescent female patients with AN (AN1), after partial weight normalization (AN2) and in an age-matched healthy control group (CG) were evaluated. APE-13 levels were higher in the AN1 group than in the post-realimentation and the CG group. APE-13 levels were independent of insulin and glucose levels. Plasma ASP levels increased with increasing body weight in patients with AN, correlating with the severity of eating disorder symptoms in emaciation. The presented data suggest that APE-13 and ASP may be AN’s biomarkers-regulation of eating behavior by APE-13 and ASP, the close relationship between them and emotional behavior, and changes in neurohormone levels in patients with eating and affective disorders seem to support these hypotheses. Moreover, their plasma levels seem to be related to the severity of psychopathological symptoms of eating disorders.

Ujawnianie problemów ze zdrowiem psychicznym: zakres, predyktory i konsekwencje dla osób z rozpoznaniem zaburzeń psychotycznych

The analysis of the extent, sociodemographic and clinical predictors, and consequences of disclosing mental health problems for people with psychotic disorders. 147 individuals with a diagnosis of psychotic disorder (ICD-10 categories F20-F29) were examined with questionnaires to assess the extent and consequences of their disclosing of mental health problems to others, as well as their social functioning, depressive symptoms, and the global severity of psychopathological symptoms. The majority of respondents talked openly about their mental health problems to their parents, spouses or life partners, as well as physicians and other non-psychiatric health care professionals, while a substantial minority (less than one-fifth) talked about these issues to casual acquaintances, neighbors, teachers and lecturers, co-workers, police officers and municipal guards, representatives of the court system, or public officials. Multiple regression analysis showed that the older the respondents were, the less willing they were to disclose their mental problems to others (β = -0.34; p <0.05). In contrast, the longer they were ill, the more inclined they were to disclose their mental health issues (β = 0.29; p <0.05). Disclosure of mental health problems had varying effects on the subjects' social relationships, with a significant proportion reporting no difference in the way they were treated by others, while others reported either deterioration or improvement in this area. The results of the study provide clinicians with practical guidance on supporting and assisting patients with psychotic disorders in the process of making informed decisions about "coming out".

COVID-19 and the Mental Health of Nursing Professionals in Brazil: Associations between Social and Clinical Contexts and Psychopathological Symptoms.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an important negative psychological impact on people worldwide, especially nursing professionals who seem to be more vulnerable to the development of psychopathological symptoms. Objective: To analyze relationships between variables from the social and clinical contexts with psychopathological symptoms in nursing professionals from different geographic regions of Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 1737 nursing professionals from the five regions of Brazil. Data collection was carried out online with a questionnaire made available via Google Forms containing sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical questions, and the Symptom Assessment Scale-40-R, for the assessment of psychopathological symptoms. Differences between mean scores for the severity of psychopathological symptoms were assessed using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskall–Wallis tests. Results: There was a significant difference in the psychoticism domain scores according to Brazilian geographic region, with greater severity among professionals from the North and Northeast regions when compared with those from the South region. Social context variables (gender, age group, and marital status) and clinical variables (psychological and psychiatric follow-up; psychological or emotional support by the institution; family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker with COVID-19, and death among them; use of psychiatric medication without a medical prescription; and taking steps to take care of their mental health) were significantly related to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: The results point to the importance of mental health promotion strategies for professionals through psychological or emotional support, as evidence indicates that this support can be a predictor of reduced psychological distress.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk Factors Related to Acute Psychiatric Relapses in Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: A Preliminary Study.

Previous studies have indicated that vitamin (Vit) D deficiency is frequent in psychiatric patients, regardless of diagnostic category. We aimed to assess whether acute psychiatric relapses in inpatients was associated with Vit D deficiency compared to stabilized outpatients. The cohort (152 total patients, 75 males and 77 females) had a mean age of 47.3 ± 14.4 years at admission and was grouped according to psychiatric diagnosis. Psychopathological symptom severity was assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), a multidimensional symptom inventory. Total calcium serum levels were measured using standard laboratory methods, while plasma levels of 25-OH-Vit D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured by automated chemiluminescence immunoassays. The psychiatric inpatient subgroup showed a significant difference in serum levels of 25-OH-Vit D and PTH (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis between serum levels of 25-OH-Vit D and BPRS total and subitem scores indicated a significantly negative relationship. In addition, linear regression analysis evidenced that the inpatient condition might predict low PTH and 25-OH-Vit D serum levels. Hospitalized psychiatric patients are at increased risk for Vit D deficiency regardless of their diagnostic categories. The mechanism underlying the association between acute psychiatric relapses and Vit D deficiency remains unclear. Therefore, screening for Vit D deficiency should pertain to the health assessment of patients with major psychiatric disorders.

Moral Injury in Trauma-Exposed, Treatment-Seeking Police Officers and Military Veterans: Latent Class Analysis.

Exposure to morally injurious events may have a severe, prolonged negative impact on psychosocial functioning, known as moral injury (MI). Research into the prevalence of MI has mostly focused on event exposure rather than on psychosocial impact. Also, the relationship between MI and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a matter of interest. The aim of this study was to identify MI and PTSD symptom profiles among trauma-exposed, treatment-seeking police officers and military veterans, and to explore demographic and clinical differences between symptom profiles. Latent class and multinomial regression analyses were conducted in a sample of 1,703 participants, using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Four classes of participants were identified, labeled as a MI class (n = 192; 11.27%), a MI-PTSD class (n = 565; 33.18%), a PTSD class (n = 644; 37.82%), and a Neither MI-nor PTSD class (n = 302; 17.73%), resulting in 44.45% (n = 757) of participants who met an MI symptom profile with or without PTSD. There were significant differences between the classes in terms of gender as well as PTSD and comorbid psychopathology symptom severity, the latter of which was highest in the MI-PTSD class. In conclusion, a substantial subgroup of trauma-exposed, treatment-seeking police officers and military veterans could be classified as suffering from MI. Routinely screening for MI in treatment-seeking police officers and military veterans is recommended, and interventions aimed at relieving MI in these populations may be indicated.

Relationship Between Psychopathological Symptoms, Coping Strategies and Sexual Orientation of Nursing Professionals in Pandemic COVID-19

The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between psychopathological symptoms, coping strategies, and the sexual orientation of Brazilian nursing professionals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional and analytical study with 1737 nurses, midwives, nursing assistants, and technicians, working at different levels of health care, direct assistance and/or administrative/managerial assistance, and linked to teaching and research. These included socio-demographic data, Psychopathological Symptom Assessment Scale, and coping strategies inventory. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal Wallis tests were used, with a significance level of 0.05. Statistically significant differences were evidenced between psychoticism; obsessiveness-compulsivity; somatization and anxiety, indicating mental suffering. Bisexual professionals showed greater severity of psychopathological symptoms. As for the coping strategy, there is a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of Withdrawal, Responsibility, Escape from Fear, and Self-Control, according to sexual orientation. The factors Withdrawal, Self-control, and Responsibility had higher means in bisexuals (p < 0.05) and lower means in confrontation (p > 0.05). In homosexuals, the highest mean scores were for the problem solving and social support factors (p > 0.05) and lowest in the Withdrawal factor (p < 0.05). Among heterosexuals, the highest mean score was in confrontation (p > 0.05) and the lowest in avoidance (p < 0.05). This study reinforces the importance of reflecting on the life context and work settings of nursing professionals, especially bisexual women, through the influence of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on their mental health. The data can guide actions that minimize the impacts on mental health, in addition to recognizing, based on the findings, a collective complaint from the professional category to the health authorities and competent bodies, as a way of explaining the context experienced in the locus of their work.

Association of empathy with clinical symptoms and cognitive function in Chinese chronic schizophrenia patients with and without deficit syndrome

BackgroundPatients with deficit syndrome (DS) are known to experience cognitive impairment. However, there is no consistent conclusion on the impairment of neurocognitive features in DS patients, and no studies have examined their empathy. The purpose of this study was to compare neurocognition and empathy in patients with DS and non-DS schizophrenia. MethodsTotally, 665 patients with chronic schizophrenia were enrolled. DS patients were identified by the Proxy Scale for Deficit Syndrome (PDS). Neurocognition and social cognition were assessed by Repeatable Battery for the measurement of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), respectively. In addition, psychopathological symptom severity was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). ResultsParticipants included 150 patients with DS and 140 patients with non-DS. DS patients performed significantly worse on the all RBANS domain (except for visuospatial) and total scores as well as IRI scores. Regression analysis showed that PANSS general psychopathology and education were associated with RBANS total score in the DS group (adjusted R2 = 0.29), while education and PANSS negative symptoms were correlated with RBANS total score in non-DS patients (adjusted R2 = 0.33). In the non-DS group, suicide attempts and PANSS negative symptom score were independently associated with IRI total score (adjusted R2 = 0.06), whereas in the DS group, no variable was associated with IRI total score. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that patients with DS may have poor neurocognitive and empathy performance. In chronic schizophrenia patients, negative symptoms may play a different role in cognition between DS and non-DS groups.

Psychopathological and clinical-typological aspects of youth chronic endogenous depression

IntroductionYouth ontogenesis contributes significantly to depressive disorders, causing pronounced atypia, a high level of comorbid pathology. A long-term depressive state lead can to persistent, adverse consequences.ObjectivesTo study the clinical, psychopathological and psychometric features of youth chronic endogenous depression (UCED).Methods62 patients of the age 16-25 were examined clinically and psychopathologically; the patients were first hospitalized from 2017 to 2020 for a chronic depressive state with non-psychotic mental disorders (ICD-10: F31, F32, F33, F34, F21 keys) lasting more than two years. Psychometric assessment was done by HDRS, SOPS, and SANS.ResultsUCED are characterized by a pronounced atypia with a predominance of symptoms for negative affectivity with apathy, anhedonia, physical and mental asthenia, depressive devitalization. In contrast with non-chronic youth depressions, cognitive disorders, motor inhibition, a large proportion of comorbid pathology are presented in the chronic ones. Depending on the prevalence of additional psychopathological disorders, 2 types were distinguished: Type I – depression with a clear-cut affective psychopathological structure (54.8%, 34 patients); Type II - depression with the symptoms of other than affective registers (45.2%, 28 patients). Psychometric assessment on the HDRS scale, in the sub-scale “negative symptoms” of the SOPS scale, in the sub-scale “anhedonia-associality” of the SANS scale showed a greater severity of psychopathological symptoms in type II depression (p&lt;0.05).ConclusionsThe obtained data confirm the differences between UCED and non-chronic youth depressions and demonstrate the aggravating effect of symptoms of the non-affective spectrum on the severity of UCED and the level of negative affectivity.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

The Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Procedure for Detecting Changes in Intensive Longitudinal Data in Psychological Research in Real-Time: A Tutorial Showcasing Potential Applications.

Affect, behavior, and severity of psychopathological symptoms do not remain static throughout the life of an individual, but rather they change over time. Since the rise of the smartphone, longitudinal data can be obtained at higher frequencies than ever before, providing new opportunities for investigating these person-specific changes in real-time. Since 2019, researchers have started using the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) procedure, as a statistically sound method to reach this goal. Real-time, person-specific change detection could allow (a) researchers to adapt assessment intensity and strategy when a change occurs to obtain the most useful data at the most useful time and (b) clinicians to provide care to patients during periods in which this is most needed. The current paper provides a tutorial on how to use the EWMA procedure in psychology, as well as demonstrates its added value in a range of potential applications.

Mental Health in German Paralympic Athletes During the 1st Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Compared to a General Population Sample.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has huge influences on daily life and is not only associated with physical but also with major psychological impacts. Mental health problems and disorders are frequently present in elite paralympic athletes. Due to the pandemic situation, new stressors (e.g., loss of routine, financial insecurity) might act upon the athletes. Therefore, the assessment of mental health in athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic is important to identify prevalence of psychological problems and propose countermeasures.MethodsThe mental health of German paralympic athletes was longitudinally monitored (starting in May 2019). The athletes completed the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4) on a weekly basis and reported a stress level, training hours, and training load. During the pandemic, 8 measurement time points (March 2020 to April 2021) were used to reflect the psychological health course of the athletes. In parallel, a convenience sample of the general population was questioned about their psychological distress, including the PHQ-4. To be included in the analysis, participants of both groups had to complete at least 4 measurement time points. Matching of the para-athletes and the general population sample was prioritized upon completion of the same measurement time points, gender, and age.ResultsSeventy-eight paralympic athletes (40 women, 38 men, age: 29.8 ± 11.4 years) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-eight matched pairs of the general population (40 women; 38 men; age: 30.5 ± 10.9 years) were identified. The para-athletes had a significantly (p <0.0001; 0.39 < r <0.48) lower PHQ-4 value at each measurement time point compared to the matched control group. No significant age or sex differences were evident regarding the symptom burden. In para-athletes, no significant and a weak positive correlation was found between decreased training load and PHQ-4 values and a stress level, respectively. Reduced physical activity was significantly (p <0.0001) associated with higher PHQ-4 values in the general population sample.DiscussionLower PHQ-4 values were reported by the para-athletes compared to the general population sample. However, small sample sizes must be considered while interpreting the data. Nevertheless, adequate support for individuals suffering from severe psychopathological symptoms should be provided for para-athletes as well as for the general population.

Externalizing personality characteristics define clinically relevant subgroups of alcohol use disorder.

AimsHigher levels of externalizing characteristics, i.e. impulsivity, novelty seeking and aggression, could contribute to the development, progression and severity of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The present study aims to explore whether these externalizing characteristics together have a potential group-forming role in AUD using latent profile analysis (LPA).MethodsExternalizing characteristics of 102 AUD patients were analyzed using LPA to explore the group-forming role of externalizing symptoms; groups were compared in terms of demographic and alcohol-related variables, indices of psychopathological, depressive and anxiety symptom severity.ResultsLPA revealed and supported a two-group model based on externalizing symptoms. The group with higher levels of externalizing symptoms showed significantly elevated levels of alcohol-related and anxio-depressive symptoms.ConclusionsExternalizing characteristics converge and have a group-forming role in chronic AUD, and are associated with a more severe form of AUD. By making the diagnostic category less heterogeneous, these different subtypes within AUD may provide aid in tailoring treatments to patients’ specific needs.

Clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with ADHD with or without methylphenidate prescription at their first diagnostic assessment.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in the scholar age. It is associated with significant impairment in global functioning, and in moderate/severe presentations the outcome is critically dependent on pharmacological optimization of the multi-modal treatment. Methylphenidate (MPH) is the first-choice pharmacological treatment in children and adolescents with ADHD, with substantial evidence of significant efficacy and effectiveness on global functioning and symptoms' severity. There is some evidence supporting a few clinical and socio-demographic variables as predictors of pharmacological treatment prescription in children with ADHD independently of ADHD symptoms severity. However, it is warranted to investigate clinical and general psychopathological characteristics potentially associated with negative outcomes and the need for pharmacological treatment to inform appropriate prescription strategies. In this context, we compared 268 children and adolescents who were prescribed MPH (ADHD/MPH) for the first time after their first diagnostic assessment at our center, and 444 children and adolescents with ADHD (ADHD/noMPH) who were recommended non-pharmacological evidence-based interventions alone. ADHD/MPH group had higher severity of non-ADHD psychopathological symptoms compared to the ADHD/noMPH group, as documented by higher scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) subscales, higher severity of ADHD symptoms, lower average IQ and lower adaptive levels independently of IQ. More specifically, beside externalizing symptoms, also internalizing symptoms were significantly higher in the ADHD/MPH group. The presence of significant non-ADHD psychopathology should be considered as a clinical factor associated with the need for MPH prescription in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Psychopathology in psychotic disorders: Congruency between self-reported and observer-rated measures highest for affective symptoms and lowest for negative symptoms.

Considering that both observer ratings and patient self-reports on severity of psychopathological symptoms are being used in research and clinical settings, this paper aims to explore the degree of congruence between these two sources. Eighty-two adult outpatients diagnosed with psychotic disorders rated their symptoms using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Observers assessed patients' functioning using the Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale (BPRS). Self-ratings (overall BSI) were strongly correlated to observers' evaluations (overall BPRS). Anxiety/depression symptoms dimension of the BPRS were significantly associated with all nine symptom dimensions of the BSI, while positive symptoms dimension and unusual and withdrawal behavior in the BPRS showed a significant relationship to seven symptom dimensions as measured with the BSI. Mania/activation in the BPRS was significantly and negatively related only to phobic anxiety in BSI. Eight symptom dimensions of the BSI (interpersonal sensitivity was an exception), as well as unusual and withdrawal behavior and positive symptoms in the BPRS were rated as more severe in unemployed study participants. Self-rated paranoid ideation was higher in less educated participants. No sex or marital status differences were found in the BSI and BPRS dimensions. The obtained pattern of correlations implied that congruence was highest in regards to affective symptomatology, followed by positive symptoms, and lowest for disorganization and withdrawal behavior.

Arrest history and psychopathology among veterans at risk for suicide.

While preliminary evidence suggests an association between legal involvement and suicide risk among veterans, no research to date has explored the prevalence and/or correlates of legal involvement among veterans at high risk for suicide. The current study examined the relation of suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and psychopathology to history of criminal arrest in a sample of 286 veterans at risk for suicide. Results indicated approximately half (47%) of at-risk veterans had a history of arrest. Inconsistent with hypotheses, arrest history was not associated with history of suicide attempt, current suicidal ideation, or severity of psychopathological symptoms. Arrest history was, however, associated with diagnoses of substance use disorder and antisocial personality disorder in this high-suicide risk sample. Further, likelihood of an antisocial personality disorder diagnosis was associated with higher frequency of past arrests. Taken together, results indicate that many veterans at risk for suicide have a history of arrest, and at-risk veterans with such history likely have a specific pattern of psychopathology, including antisocial personality traits and substance use. As such, legal status and history of justice involvement may be important considerations when assessing suicide risk and management of this high-risk population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

ПСИХОПАТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ СТАТУС ЗАБОЛЕВАЮЩИХ ТУБЕРКУЛЕЗОМ ОРГАНОВ ДЫХАНИЯ В СВЯЗИ С РАННИМИ ДЕЗАДАПТИВНЫМИ СХЕМАМИ

The article provides data of an analytical correlation study based on hospital data on general severity of psychopathological symptoms, maladaptive schemas, and coping strategies in patients with pulmonary TB. The study involved 78 patients with pulmonary TB aged 18 to 60 years who received treatment at the Central TB Research Institute in 2019–2021. There were 61 (78.2%) women and 17 (21.8%) men. Sixty-five (83.3%) patients were new cases, and 13 (16.7%) patients were previously treated cases. We evaluated severity of psychopathological symptoms (SCL-90-R questionnaire), features of coping with stress (the Coping Strategies questionnaire), and severity of emotional and cognitive patterns associated with childhood experience (YSQ-S3R questionnaire). We established that all the above schemas were more severe in patients with high GSI scores. Patients with low GSI scores did not update addiction/helplessness or defectiveness/shame schemas (feelings of helplessness, inferiority, and shame). Patients with high GSI scores maximally updated abandonment/ instability, unrelenting standards/hypercriticalness, negativity/pessimism, and approval-seeking schemas, as well as escape/avoidance and confrontation coping strategies. There were also inverse correlations between confrontation coping strategy and failure, emotion inhibition schemas; planned problem-solving coping strategy and failure, addiction/ helplessness or subjugation schemas. Diagnosis of maladaptive personality traits is important for the prediction and prevention of a patient’s unfavourable reactions to treatment.Keywords: pulmonary TB, psychological characteristics, severity of psychopathological symptoms, early maladaptive schemas, coping strategies

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Earthquake on the Mental Health of Adults in Croatia

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, research around the world has found that psychophysical health has been affected: elevated levels of depression, anxiety, stress and trauma due to social isolation, economic instability, and restrictions on previously common daily activities. In the world population, loneliness is continuously increasing, as well as economic stressors. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020., Croatia was hit by a series of devastating earthquakes in which thousands of people were temporarily or permanently homeless. The aim of this study was to examine the role of the coronavirus pandemic and earthquake on mental health, life satisfaction, psychological resilience and social support, and the severity of psychopathological symptoms in adults in Croatia. The study involved 562 participants from all counties in Croatia, who voluntarily entered study that consisted of: Questionnaire for testing general psychopathological difficulties CORE-OM, Short Resilience Scale, Short Mental Health Questionnaire, Social support scale and Life satisfaction measured in one particle. Research has shown a high level of psychopathological symptoms and a low level of mental health. Participants rated social support as high. Lower levels of mental health and lower life satisfaction were associated with a higher degree of pandemic and earthquake impact on life, and a higher degree of pandemic impact on life correlated with severity of psychopathological difficulties. Participants were asked two open-ended questions. One was about the most difficult for them during the pandemic and lockdown, and other one was asking what made the pandemic and lockdown period easier for them. The most significant stressors were social isolation, uncertainty, anxiety, fear of infection, challenges, and limitations of working from home and online classes, loosing job threats and financial insecurity, and excessive exposure to information about the pandemic, and protective factors include family and social support. The level of psychological difficulties confirmed by this research is worrying and indicates the need to develop effective ways to actively deal with the pandemic and all its implications on life.

Clinical features of schizotypal disorder in childhood and adolescence

To identify psychopathological features, patterns of formation and course of schizotypal disorder (STD) in childhood and adolescence, to develop criteria for differential diagnosis. A total of 151 patients, aged 7 to 16 years (mean age 12.3 years), with a diagnosis of schizotypal disorder were included in the study. Of these, 48 (31.8%) were women and 103 (68.2%) were men. Psychopathological, pathopsychological, psychometric and statistical methods were used. The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) was used as a formalized tool for assessing the clinical symptoms of STD. Based on the prevailing symptoms, the clinical sample of patients was divided into 3 groups. The 1st group consisted of 56 (32.5%) patients with a predominance of neurosis-like disorders, the 2nd group - 50 (37.7%) patients with a predominance of behavioral disorders, the 3rd group included 45 (29.8%) patients with the dominance of stable personality anomalies. Significant differences between the groups were found in the frequency and severity of psychopathological symptoms, the structure of deficient (negative disorders), the age of onset of disorders, the characteristics of social activity and adaptation. According to the SPQ scale, positive disorders prevailed in group 1 compared to group 3: ideas of attitude (3.3 and 2.7 points respectively), unusual sensations and perceptions (3, 1 and 1.7 points respectively). STD is a spectrum of disorders, on one end of which there are variants with a predominance of positive disorders, on the other negative ones. The predominance of certain psychopathological symptoms is due to the age of onset of psychopathological disorders, age at the time of the current exacerbation, and the duration of persistence of the disease. The predominance of neurosis-like, psychopathic-like disorders and persistent personality anomalies makes it possible to classify STD as one of the identified types, which allows us to substantiate differentiated therapy and prognosis.

Immunological and clinical aspects of the long-term stages of youth schizophrenia

To study the spectrum of inflammatory markers and their association with the psychopathological symptoms in patients with youth schizophrenia in the long-term follow-up study. Thirty-four male patients with schizophrenia (ICD-10 F20) first manifested at the age of 16-25 years were followed-up for 20-25 years (mean duration 22±2.9 years). The mean age of patients at the time of follow-up examination was 46.7±3.2 years. PANSS and PSP scales were used to quantify the severity of psychopathological symptoms. The control group consisted of 20 mentally and somatically healthy people matched for age with the patient group. The immunological parameters (the activity of the neutrophil protease of leukocyte elastase (LE) and its endogenous inhibitor α1-PI, as well as the level of antibodies to S100B and basic myelin protein) included in the medical technology «Neuroimmunotest» were determined in blood plasma. Three types of follow-up outcomes of youth schizophrenia were found: the first type - with a predominance of personality dynamics (n=10); the second type - with actual negative disorders (n=9), the third type - with relevant positive and negative disorders (n=15). All patients showed a significant increase in the activity of LE (227.9 nmol/min ml) and α1-PI (45.8 IU/ml) compared with the controls. There were a significant increase in LE and α1-PI in patients of the first type (245 nmol/min ml and 46.4 IU/ml), a significant increase in α1-PI in patients of the second type (42.0 IE/ml) compared with the controls and the absence of significant differences with the controls in LE and α1-PI in patients of the third type (226.8 nmol/min ml and 49.6 IE/ml). These differences reveal the immunological heterogeneity of the types that makes it possible to identify immunological groups of patients, differing in the level of activation of inflammation. Residual psychopathological symptoms observed in the late stages of schizophrenia can be determined by both low/moderate inflammation and genetic mechanisms (in patients with damped inflammation or depletion of the inflammatory potential).