Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale Research Articles

The Association Between Spirituality, Self-Esteem, Anxiety and Depression: A Comparative Exploratory Study Between People with a Spinal Cord Injury and Healthy Subjects in Greece.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate spirituality, religiosity, self-esteem, depression, and stress in people with spinal cord injuries. The Royal Free Questionnaire for Spiritual and Religious Beliefs, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale were all designed for the current study to collect demographic and injury-related information. In the study, 88 patients with traumatic SCI and 88 healthy subjects were included. Half of the participants and healthy subjects were women, while the mean age of the healthy subjects was 42.8years and that of the subjects was 42.4years. The majority of participants were Greek (97.2%), while 44.1% were married or with a partner and 43.2% were single. The mean depression and stress score was higher in patients than in healthy subjects, and the mean score of self-esteem was lower in patients than healthy subjects. Multivariable linear regression model showed that patients who believed more that a spiritual force or power outside of ourselves can influence what happens in everyday life had less depression and stress. People with spinal cord injuries experience extreme stress, anxiety, and depression. Spirituality and religiosity can play a significant role in their recuperation, rehabilitation, and adaptation.

A network analysis of eating disorder, PTSD, major depression, state-trait anxiety, and quality of life measures in eating disorder patients treated in residential care.

The network approach in the eating disorder (ED) field has confirmed important links between EDs and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, studies including comorbid symptoms are scarce, which limits our understanding of potentially important connections. We hypothesised that anxiety, depression and poor quality of life (QOL) would provide a more complete picture of central, maintaining factors. Network analysis using R was performed in 2178 adult ED patients (91% female) admitted to residential treatment. Assessments included the ED Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PTSD clusters (PCL-5)), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), and the ED QOL Scale (EDQOL), which measure symptoms of EDs, PTSD, major depression, state-trait anxiety, and QOL, respectively. EDI-2 ineffectiveness showed the highest centrality (expected influence) followed by EDI-2 interoceptive awareness, STAI state anxiety, EDEQ shape concern, EDQOL psychological subscale, and PTSD cluster D (hyperarousal) symptoms. Eating Disorder Quality of Life psychological and physical-cognitive subscales and PHQ-9 major depressive, STAI state anxiety and PCL-5 PTSD cluster E (negative alterations in mood and cognition) symptoms showed the highest bridge expected influence, suggesting their interactive role in maintaining ED-PTSD comorbidity. This is the first network analysis of the interaction between ED and PTSD symptoms to include the comorbid measures of depression, anxiety, and QOL in a large clinical sample of ED patients. Our results indicate that several symptom clusters are likely to maintain ED-PTSD comorbidity and may be important targets of integrated treatment.

Maternal lifetime stress and psychological functioning in pregnancy is associated with preschoolers' temperament: Exploring effect modification by race and ethnicity

BackgroundPsychosocial stress and psychopathology frequently co-occur, with patterns differing by race and ethnicity. We used statistical mixtures methodology to examine associations between prenatal stress and child temperament in N = 382 racially and ethnically diverse maternal-child dyads to disentangle associations among maternal stressful life events, maternal psychological functioning in pregnancy, childhood neurobehavior, and maternal race and ethnicity. MethodsThis study utilized data from a longitudinal pregnancy cohort, PRogramming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM). Mothers completed the Lifetime Stressor Checklist-Revised, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale during pregnancy. When their children were 3–5 years of age, they completed the Children's Behavior Questionnaire, which yields three temperament dimensions: Negative Affectivity (NA), Effortful Control (EC), and Surgency (S). We used weighted quantile sum regression to derive a weighted maternal stress index encompassing lifetime stress and depression and anxiety symptoms and examined associations between the resulting stress index and child temperament. Differential contributions of individual stress domains by race and ethnicity also were examined. ResultsMothers self-identified as Black/Black Hispanic (46.1 %), non-Black Hispanic (31.9 %), or non-Hispanic White (22 %). A higher maternal stress index was significantly associated with increased child NA (β = 0.72 95 % CI = 0.35, 1.10). Lifetime stress was the strongest contributor among Hispanic (36.7 %) and White (17.8 %) mothers, whereas depressive symptoms in pregnancy was the strongest contributor among Black (16.7 %) mothers. ConclusionPrenatal stress was most strongly associated with negative affectivity in early childhood. Consideration of multiple stress measures as a mixture accounted for differential contributions of individual stress domains by maternal race and ethnicity. These findings may help elucidate the etiology of racial/ethnic disparities in childhood neurobehavior.

SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MENTAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC ARTHRITIS DEPENDING ON SEX

The work is devoted to the study the specific characteristics of mental status in patients with different variants of polymorphic regions of the A1438-G gene of the serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A), ill with rheumatoid arthritis, depending on gender, and to study the relationship between anxiety-depressive disorders and pain intensity and clinical signs of the disease. Materials and мethods used in the study. The distribution of genotype rate of serotonin receptor 5-HT2A A1438-G gene was studied in 100 patients with RA. Anxiety level was assessed by Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale. Depressive status and depression severity was evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Females with GG genotype were found to have higher level of pain feelings and the presence of anxiety signs associated with depression symptoms, while in males with GG genotype had the prevalence of inflammatory component and the depression symptoms.In females with AA genotype pain syndrome indices were associated with high anxiety indices, and in females with AG genotype they were dependent on the presence or absence of anxiety and depression, while in males with AG genotype pain syndrome was associated with SA indices.

The Resilience of South African School Teachers in the Time of COVID-19: Coping with Risk of Infection, Loneliness, and Anxiety.

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an overall increase in the global prevalence of mental health disorders and psychological distress. However, against this backdrop, there was also evidence of adaptation and coping, which suggested the influence of protective factors. The current study aims to extend previous research on the role of protective factors by investigating the health-sustaining and mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between perceived vulnerability to disease, loneliness, and anxiety. Participants consisted of a convenience sample of schoolteachers (N = 355) who completed the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire, the short form of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and the trait scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, through an online link created with Google Forms. The results of path analysis indicated significant negative associations between resilience and both loneliness and anxiety. These results indicate the health-sustaining role of resilience. In addition, resilience mediated the relationships between germ aversion and perceived infectability, on the one hand, and loneliness and anxiety, on the other hand. The findings confirm that resilience can play a substantial role in counteracting the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health.

The effect of training on coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients.

In the pre-operative process, patients who will undergo cardiovascular surgery and their families require planned education and education materials. Education given to patients plays a key role in reducing anxiety, overcoming stress, and accelerating discharge. This study was conducted to determine the effect of an education booklet in addition to training by nurses on efficacy expectation, pain and anxiety levels in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery patients. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the cardiovascular surgery service of a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey, between June and October 2018 and involved 60 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: control (n= 30) and intervention (n= 30). The intervention group was patients educated before surgery by using the booklet, but the control group only received routine care by nurses. The data were collected using the Mini-Mental Test, Patient Information Form, Visual Analogue Pain Scale, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Barnason Efficacy Expectation Scale, and Education Evaluation Form. After the intervention at discharge, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of anxiety, pain, and efficacy expectation among the intervention group which received booklet education with the control group which received routine care (p< .05). The booklet education given to patients before CABG surgery was found to have potential effects on patients' post-operative pain levels, the efficacy expectation, and satisfaction. In the pre-operative process, the use of booklet education in addition to routine care increases the level of efficacy expectation and decreases pain and anxiety in CABG surgery patients. Therefore, nurses can use booklet education to improve self-efficacy and reduce pain and anxiety in patients who have CABG surgery.

Effectiveness of Using Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Sleep Pattern among Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Abstract Background: Advanced nursing interventions for patients diagnosed with cancer included progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training that has positive effects on anxiety and sleep pattern. Aim: To evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation technique on anxiety and sleep pattern among newly women with breast cancer. Design: A quasi-experimental research design with a pretest-posttest was used in this study. Sample: A convenient sample of 80 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer that equally was divided into two groups. Setting: This study was conducted at the inpatient and outpatient clinic of Fayoum Oncology Center and University Hospital. Tools: Three tools were used: (I) an Interview Structured Questionnaire, (II) Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI), and (III) Sleep State Self-Rating Scale (SRSS). Results: The results of the present study indicated that the mean age of the women was 46.51 ± 12.03 years. There were significant differences in anxiety score and improvement in sleep quality score after the intervention (p < 0.05) of the progressive muscle relaxation. Conclusion: The current study concluded that progressive muscle relaxation has been found to reduce anxiety and improve sleep pattern among women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Recommendations: Providing an educational program to women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer regarding progressive muscle relaxation technique and how to perform and its benefit.

Does having a high-risk pregnancy influence anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic?

ObjectiveWe aimed to analyze the changing level of anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant women, with and without high-risk indicators separately, in a tertiary care center serving also for COVID-19 patients, in the capital of Turkey. Study designWe designed a case-control and cross-sectional study using surveys. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale questionnaire (STAI-T) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) which were validated in Turkish were given to outpatient women with high-risk pregnancies as study group and normal pregnancies as control group. A total of 446 women were recruited. ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between those with and without high-risk pregnancy in terms of Trait-State Anxiety scores with COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05). We found an increased prevalence of anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in high-risk pregnant women comparing to pregnancies with no risk factors (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the education level in high-risk pregnant women in terms of anxiety scores (p < 0.05), Beck Anxiety score was highest in high school graduates (42.75). While the level of Trait Anxiety was the highest with pandemic in those with high-risk pregnancy with threatened preterm labor and preterm ruptures of membranes (58.0), those with thrombophilia were the lowest (50.88).The State Anxiety level and Beck Anxiety Score of those with maternal systemic disease were the highest (53.32 and 45.53), while those with thrombophilia were the lowest (46.96 and 40.08).The scores of Trait Anxiety (56.38), State Anxiety (52.14), Beck Anxiety (43.94) were statistically higher during the pandemic in those hospitalized at least once (p < 0.05). ConclusionHigh-risk pregnant women require routine anxiety and depression screening and psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. High-risk pregnancy patients have comorbid conditions most of the time, hence they not only at more risk for getting infected, but also have higher anxiety scores because of the stress caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

Yoga as a Complementary and Alternative Therapy in Children with Hematologic and Oncologic Disease.

A diagnosis of a hematologic or oncologic disease in a child can be stressful for the patient and the family. Yoga as an intervention has been reported to decrease stress in adults diagnosed with chronic disorders but few studies have been reported with children and their families. A convenience sample of patients diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder (ages 7-17 years) and their caregivers was selected to participate in a single bedside yoga class. Participants were surveyed pre and post yoga with the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Scale. Children were also surveyed pre and post yoga with the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale. Children had a significant decrease in pain post yoga but no change in anxiety. Adolescents and parents had a significant decrease in anxiety post yoga intervention.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in patients with COVID-19

BackgroundPatients with Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19) will experience high levels of anxiety and low sleep quality due to isolation treatment. Some sleep-improving drugs may inhibit the respiratory system and worsen the condition. Prolonged bedside instruction may increase the risk of medical infections. ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality of COVID-19. MethodsIn this randomized controlled clinical trial, a total of 51 patients who entered the isolation ward were included in the study and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group used progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technology for 30 min per day for 5 consecutive days. During this period, the control group received only routine care and treatment. Before and after the intervention, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI) and Sleep State Self-Rating Scale (SRSS) were used to measure and record patient anxiety and sleep quality. Finally, data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 software. ResultsThe average anxiety score (STAI) before intervention was not statistically significant (P = 0.730), and the average anxiety score after intervention was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The average sleep quality score (SRSS) of the two groups before intervention was not statistically significant (P = 0.838), and it was statistically significant after intervention (P < 0.001). ConclusionProgressive muscle relaxation as an auxiliary method can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality in patients with COVID-19.

AUDIOVISUAL CORRECTION OF THE PSYCHOEMOTIONAL STATUS IN YOUNG BOXERS

Aim. The article deals with establishing and justifying the efficiency of audiovisual stimulation for the correction of the psychoemotional status in young boxers. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the premises of Bashkir State University sports facilities during the special preparatory stage. 72 athletes aged 13–14 were examined in educational and training conditions. The diagnostics of psychodynamic characteristics in athletes was conducted every 2 days with the help of the ‘Psychophysiolog’ psychophysiological testing device. We used the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale and Well-Being, Activity, Mood scale (V. Doskin). Results. Audiovisual stimulation in the experimental group significantly improved the indicators of situational anxiety, well-being, activity, and mood. Conclusions. The course of audiovisual stimulation improves psychophysiological resistance to physical load, relieves excessive mental stress and premature mental fatigue, improves performance and mood. The analysis of psychodynamic characteristics in boxers with different types of the nervous system allowed to establish that athletes with a weak nervous system require 6–8 sessions of audiovisual stimulation, while athletes with a strong nervous system – 10 sessions.

Maternal Distress and Infant Social Withdrawal (ADBB) Following Infant Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease.

Mothers and infants are exposed to multiple stresses when cardiac surgery is required for the infant. This study reviewed infant responsiveness using a standardized objective observational measure of social withdrawal and explored its association with measures of maternal distress. Mother-infant pairs involving infants surviving early cardiac surgery were assessed when the infant was aged two months. Infant social withdrawal was measured using the Alarm Distress Baby Scale. Maternal distress was assessed using self-report measures for maternal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale), and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index-Short Form). Potential associations between infant social withdrawal and maternal distress were evaluated. High levels of maternal distress and infant social withdrawal were identified relative to community norms with a positive association. Such an association was not found between infant social withdrawal and the cardiac abnormality and surgery performed. The vulnerability of infants requiring cardiac surgery may be better understood when factors beyond their medical condition are considered. The findings suggested an association between maternal distress and infant social withdrawal, which may be consistent with mothers' distress placing infants subjected to cardiac surgery at substantially increased risk of social withdrawal. However, it is unclear to what extent infant withdrawal may trigger maternal distress and what the interactive effects are. Further research is warranted. Trialing a mother-infant support program may be helpful in alleviating distress and improving the well-being and outcomes for these families.

The Functional Competence State of Patients with Rheumatic Arthritis and Different Variants of Polymorphic Site of 5-HTR2A T102C Gene or A-1438-G Depending on Sex

The state of functional competence in 100 patients with RA and different variants of polymorphic sites of serotonin receptor 5-HT2A T102C or A-1438-G gene was studied using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Polymorphic sites of T102C or A-1438-G gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction. Anxiety level was assessed by Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI). Depressive status and depression severity were evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).Results. In the study, we found that women with RA and TT and TC genotypes had significantly more frequent symptoms of fatigue, autonomic anxiety and depressive disorders (DS), high state, trait anxiety and symptoms of severe depression (p &lt;0.001). Whereas women with CC genotype significantly more (p &lt;0.05) often had mild symptoms of DS than women with GG genotype as compared with АG genotype women. According to HAQ findings women with TC, TT and GG genotype had decreased ability to perform minimal household physical activity as compared to male patients.Conclusions. Functional competence values proved to be considerably worse in female patients with TC and GG genotypes than in males. There was a tendency of more severe disorders in women with TT and AA genotypes. Positive relationship between HAQ index and anxiety depressive disorders in female patients with TC, CC, AA and GG genotypes were found while in patients with TT genotype this relationship was inverse.

Treatment with group psychotherapy for chronic psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Although there have been a number of psychotherapy trials for chronic psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, evidence-based treatment options are limited. We developed an eclectic group psychotherapy which combines psychoeducation and behavioral and psychoanalytic techniques. Nine patients completed 12weeks of psychotherapy. Patients were interviewed with SCID-I. They also filled in the following measures at the beginning and end of the therapy: Beck Depression Inventory, Dissociative Experiences Scale, Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Scale, SF-36 Life Quality Scale, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Seizure frequency was assessed before and after the therapy and on follow-up visits at the fourth, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months. After one year of follow-up, the decrease in seizure frequency was highly significant (p<0.001). In addition, we observed significant improvements in the mental health subscale of the SF-36 (p=0.03) and the state (p=0.006) and trait (p=0.02) subscales of the Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Scale at the end of the therapy. These results suggest that group psychotherapy might be a treatment option for chronic psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

No Association between the Response to Methylphenidate and DRD4 Gene Polymorphism in Korean Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Control Study

ObjectiveRecently the relationship between alleles frequency distribution, drug response and the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has been actively researched. We investigated the association between the genetic type, alleles and drug response for the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene in ADHD patients in Korea.MethodsOne hundred fourteen patients diagnosed with ADHD according to the the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria were selected for the study. The clinical features of patients were confirmed by Korean version of Conners' parent rating scale, Attention deficit Diagnostic System, Korean version of Spielberger state-trait anxiety scale. Blood samples were taken from the 198 subjects. DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes, PCR was performed for DRD4 Polymorphism. Alleles, genotype frequencies, the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement score were compared using the chi-square test. Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and CGI severity scores were compared using the t-test.ResultsIn comparing the ADHD with 4/4 repeats group and without the ADHD with 4/4 repeats group, no significant difference was seen between the DRD4 genetic type, alleles distribution, and CGI drug response.ConclusionAs a result, it is viewed that there is no relationship between ADHD and DRD4, but final decision is indefinite. Follow up studies with larger patient or pure subgroups are expected.

Depression and Anxiety Disorders among Patients with Psoriasis: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study

Background. Psoriasis is a common, genetically determined inflammatory and proliferative disease of the skin. Psychological stress can exacerbate the disease. This study sought to investigate the depression and anxiety disorders among patients with psoriasis and control group. Method. In this hospital-based case-control study, One hundred patients with psoriasis (case) referred to the dermatology department and 100 patients with otolaryngology problems and dermatological healthy volunteers (control) who referred to the Otolaryngology Department of Bouali Sina Hospital in Sari, Iran, in 2007 were studied. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale I-II were administered to the patients in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and descriptive statistical tests. Results. From One-hundred patients in each group, 44 (45%) were men. Depression score was 67% and 12% in psoriatic patients and control, respectively. The Beck depression scores of patients with psoriasis were significantly higher than scores of the control group (P < 0.05). Based on Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, anxiety was found in 45% of patients in case group and 18% of controls. Conclusion. The results revealed that psoriatic patients reported significantly higher degrees of depression and anxiety than controls. In addition, psoriatic women were more depressed than psoriatic men.

Caregiver Anxiety upon Discharge for Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease

Parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been shown to be at an increased risk of having psychosocial morbidities including anxiety, depression, and somatization. Little is known about the anxiety level of these parents during the initial hospital course. The goal of this study was to evaluate the anxiety level of the parents at the time of hospital discharge and to determine if certain characteristics predict higher anxiety levels. Caregivers of neonates admitted with CHD within the first 30 days of life were recruited. Anxiety levels were measured by using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale just prior to discharge. Spearman correlations were performed between state and trait scales vs. clinical variables. Fifty-nine questionnaires were completed for 38 neonates. Based on state score measure of anxiety, 81% of parents denied anxiety, 14% reported borderline anxiety, and 5% reported significant anxiety. Trait scores of anxiety reflected 93% of parents who denied anxiety, 2% who reported borderline anxiety, and 5% who reported significant anxiety. There was a significant positive correlation between state score and level of education (ρ= 0.30, P < .05) and the trait score and level of education (ρ= 0.23, P < .10). Number of medications was also significantly negatively associated with standard trait score (ρ=-0.37, P < .05). In general, anxiety trait scores were low for caregivers of neonates with CHD; however, there was a higher proportion of caregivers that reported anxiety in the state anxiety score. Higher education was associated with a higher level of anxiety. Future studies are needed to determine how to minimize anxiety levels during this stressful time period.

Ways of problem solving as predictors of relapse in alcohol dependent male inpatients

Aim The purpose of this study was to identify how remitters and relapsers view their everyday problem solving strategies. Method A total of 128 male alcohol dependent male inpatients who were hospitalized at the Ankara University Psychiatry Clinic, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Unit were recruited for the study. Subjects demographic status and alcohol use histories were assessed by a self-report questionnaire. Also, patients were evaluated with The Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSI), The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI-I-II), and The Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). Patients were followed for six months with monthly intervals after hospital discharge. Drinking status was assessed in terms of abstinence and relapse. Data were assessed with Student t-test, and univariate and multivariate analyses. In the logistic regression analysis, age, marital status, employment status and PSI subscores were taken as the independent variables and drinking state at the end of six months as the dependent variable. Results There were significant differences in reflective and avoidant styles, and monitoring style of problem solving between abstainers and relapses. It was found that subjects who perceived their problem solving style as less avoidant and less reflective were at greater risk to relapse. Conclusions The findings demonstrated that active engagement in problem solving like utilizing avoidant and reflective styles of problem solving enhances abstinence. In treatment, expanding the behavior repertoire and increasing the variety of ways of problem solving ways that can be utilized in daily life should be one of the major goals of the treatment program.

P02-276 - Comparison of depression and anxiety disorders in patients with psoriasis and control group

ObjectivePsoriasis is a common, genetically determined inflammatory and proliferative disease of the skin. Psychological stress can also exacerbate the disease. The goal of the present study was to compare depression and anxiety symptom in patients with psoriasis and control group.MethodsOne-hundred patients with psoriasis (case) referred to the dermatology department and 100 patients with Otolaryngology problems and dermatological healthy volunteers (control) who referred to the Otolaryngology department of Bouali Sina hospital in Sari/Iran in 2007 were studied. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Then the Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale I-II were administered to the patients in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and descriptive statistical tests.ResultsFrom 100 patients in each studied group, 44 (45%) were men. Patients with psoriasis and controls had depression scores of 67% and 12%, respectively. The Beck depression scores of patients with psoriasis were significantly higher than scores of the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Based on Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, anxiety was found in 45% of patients in case group and 18% of controls.ConclusionThe results revealed that Psoriasis patients reported significantly higher degrees of depression and anxiety than controls. In addition, psoriatic women were more depressed than psoriatic men.

Healthcare Utilization in the Pregnancy Following a Perinatal Loss

To evaluate the influence of previous perinatal loss, anxiety, depressive symptoms, impact of the previous loss, and maternal investment in the baby on mothers' healthcare utilization (HCU) during the subsequent pregnancy and postpartum periods. A longitudinal, cohort study design gathered telephone interview data from 36 mothers with a history of prior perinatal loss, 32 mothers with no loss history, and 38 first-time mothers. These data were collected during the third trimester of pregnancy until 8 months postpartum. Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire, Impact of Events Scale, Maternal Attitude Questionnaire, and a questionnaire regarding HCU. Mothers with a history of prior perinatal loss utilized more healthcare resources in the subsequent pregnancy when compared with non-loss controls. Increased HCU during pregnancy was associated with increased maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms after birth. Mothers with a history of prior perinatal loss may attempt to cope with their anxiety in pregnancy and depression in early postpartum with requests for additional healthcare resources. Nurses need to listen with compassion, providing appropriate education and information, and make referrals to mental healthcare providers and support groups as indicated. These nursing interventions during the subsequent pregnancy may be a better use of healthcare resources than providing extra, but medically unnecessary, laboratory and ultrasound testing for the sole purpose of fleeting reassurance.