Industrial Psychiatry Journal最新文献

Background: Studies on bipolar disorder indicate the existence of structural brain abnormalities. There is a paucity of Indian studies in this area.

Aim: To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular, and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with bipolar disorder type-1 (BD-1) and healthy controls.

Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study in which 49 patients of BD-1 were in different phases of illness, and an equal number of normal healthy controls were taken. All the cases and controls were subjected to RNFL, ganglion cell layer (GCL), and estimation of macular thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and choroid layer thicknesses manually using the depth imaging mode of SD-OCT.

Results: The mean age of patients and the control group was 39.55 ± 5.71 and 37.91 ± 6.17 years, respectively. The mean duration of illness in different phases was 14.55 ± 10.71 years. The total number of attacks in the mania group was 4.40 ± 3.30; in the depression group, it was 3.98. ±2.82; and in the remission group, it was 4.0. ±2.20. This study found that patients with BD-1 had significantly reduced RNFL thickness, SFCT, and GCL layers compared to the healthy control group (P < 0.05). The reduction in RNFL thickness was significantly associated with the longer duration of illness.

Conclusion: The BD-1 patients evaluated in our study present structural alterations in the retina. The search for biomarkers of the disease through different ophthalmological examinations such as OCT enhances the usefulness of ophthalmological examination as a way to access the brain.

Background: Female workers often face sexual harassment in the workplace. It places them under stress and reduces their job satisfaction.

Aim: Understanding the mediating effect of job stress in relation to harassment and job satisfaction is the main objective of the study.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study focused on women workers in the private sector from the Kurdistan region of Iraq. We measured sexual harassment using the sex behavior and workplace questionnaire and assessed job stress using the job stress survey questionnaire. The researchers developed a job satisfaction scale. We analyzed the data using ANOVA, simple linear regression, and Sobel mediation.

Results: Study sample consisted of 400 women workers who had experienced sexual harassment at work. The divorced/widowed had higher levels of harassment (M = 76.68), higher levels of job stress (M = 56.94), and worse job satisfaction (M = 50.16). We found a substantial positive link between sexual harassment and job stress and a large, significant negative correlation with job satisfaction. The indirect effect of sexual harassment through job stress accounts for 15% of the impact on job satisfaction.

Conclusion: Among female workers, divorced or widowed, older, and lower levels of education are the main risk factors for sexual harassment.

Background: Substance use disorder is a significant public health challenge globally, especially in conflict-affected regions like Kashmir, where opioid dependence poses a severe health and social burden. Opioid substitution therapy (OST) with buprenorphine is increasingly used to address opioid addiction in Kashmir.

Aim: To explore the reasons and motives of opioid users seeking buprenorphine treatment in a tertiary care center in Kashmir.

Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted at the Drug Deaddiction Center; 31 male opioid users were purposively sampled and interviewed. Inclusion criteria included individuals over 18 years with diagnosed opioid use disorder. Data were collected via in-depth interviews in Urdu or Kashmiri and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis.

Results: Six primary themes and many subthemes emerged from the data analysis, namely, (1) Family Responsibility and Social Pressure, with subthemes highlighting concerns over family reputation and children's wellbeing; (2) Regret Over Financial Consequences, particularly income loss due to addiction; (3) Emotional and Relational Impact, including familial disconnection and marital discord; (4) Desire for Self-Respect and Social Acceptance; (5) Personal Growth and Redemption, with a focus on aspirations for a drug-free future; and (6) External Influence, noting family encouragement for seeking treatment.

Conclusion: Findings reveal that treatment motivations for opioid users are largely rooted in family and social considerations, financial impacts, and a desire for personal growth. These insights highlight the importance of family-centered support and socioeconomic interventions in enhancing the effectiveness of OST programs for opioid dependence in conflict regions like Kashmir.