Pub Date : 2024-09-19DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00457-y
Md. Kamrul Hasan
The use of virtual reality (VR) in telepsychiatry signifies a paradigm shift in mental health care. VR provides realistic, interactive environments for therapies like exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, resulting in reliable and reproducible scenarios that improve treatment effectiveness. This technology enhances accessibility for those with geographical or physical limitations, lowers stigma, and boosts patient engagement and adherence by making treatment activities more pleasurable and interesting. Furthermore, VR may emulate social interactions and circumstances that are difficult to replicate in typical treatment settings, providing useful practice for people with social anxiety or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Despite its great potential, integrating VR into telepsychiatry offers problems such as high VR equipment costs, assuring clinical effectiveness and safety, and securing patient data. Future research should prioritize large-scale, randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy of VR-based therapy, investigate long-term consequences, and offer cost-effective solutions. By tackling these issues and investing in novel research, VR has the potential to greatly improve telepsychiatry, making mental health care more effective, engaging, and easily available to people all over the world.
{"title":"Virtual reality in telepsychiatry is a new horizon for immersive mental health therapy","authors":"Md. Kamrul Hasan","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00457-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00457-y","url":null,"abstract":"The use of virtual reality (VR) in telepsychiatry signifies a paradigm shift in mental health care. VR provides realistic, interactive environments for therapies like exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, resulting in reliable and reproducible scenarios that improve treatment effectiveness. This technology enhances accessibility for those with geographical or physical limitations, lowers stigma, and boosts patient engagement and adherence by making treatment activities more pleasurable and interesting. Furthermore, VR may emulate social interactions and circumstances that are difficult to replicate in typical treatment settings, providing useful practice for people with social anxiety or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Despite its great potential, integrating VR into telepsychiatry offers problems such as high VR equipment costs, assuring clinical effectiveness and safety, and securing patient data. Future research should prioritize large-scale, randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy of VR-based therapy, investigate long-term consequences, and offer cost-effective solutions. By tackling these issues and investing in novel research, VR has the potential to greatly improve telepsychiatry, making mental health care more effective, engaging, and easily available to people all over the world.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142251903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-16DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00459-w
Farah M. Abdallah, Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour
Pathological internet use (PIU) refers to excessive use of the internet and is commonly described using various terms, such as internet addiction disorder (IAD). It is a significant concern for mental health professionals in schools and primary care settings, especially among adolescents. Although in the sphere of psychological assessment, PIU is classified as a behavioral addiction and has been proven to be as serious as substance abuse, PIU is not officially classified as a psychological disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate the PIU status and explore the sociodemographic correlates of PIU among adolescents in Jordan. This study employed a descriptive‒explorative design with a cross-sectional approach. The study participants were 735 adolescents, grades 9th–11th. Data were collected via valid and reliable self-report questionnaire related to the main study variables over a period ranging from the beginning of March to the end of April 2024. For the data analysis, t tests and ANOVAs were used to identify any significant differences in the mean PIU total score in relation to the sociodemographic variables. The results revealed that among the 735 adolescents, 75.8% (n = 557) experienced PIU, with a significant difference in the mean PIU total score across grades (F = 3.37, p < .05) and academic performance levels (F = 8.76, p < .05), but not in terms of sex (t = .371, p > .05), father’s education level (F = .789, p > .05), or family income level (F = 1.076, p > .05). This study provides practical findings that students with poor academic performance and lower grades have higher levels of PIU. It is recommended that an ongoing screening for PIU be conducted to intervene proactively through multidisciplinary collaboration to manage disproportionate internet use among adolescents. Furthermore, this study adequately raises awareness about the far-reaching consequences of PIU for adolescents of both sexes. Finally, the results will be utilized to guide future studies to highlight more sociodemographic correlates of PIU.
{"title":"Status and sociodemographic correlates of pathological internet use among adolescents in Jordan: a cross-sectional study","authors":"Farah M. Abdallah, Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00459-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00459-w","url":null,"abstract":"Pathological internet use (PIU) refers to excessive use of the internet and is commonly described using various terms, such as internet addiction disorder (IAD). It is a significant concern for mental health professionals in schools and primary care settings, especially among adolescents. Although in the sphere of psychological assessment, PIU is classified as a behavioral addiction and has been proven to be as serious as substance abuse, PIU is not officially classified as a psychological disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate the PIU status and explore the sociodemographic correlates of PIU among adolescents in Jordan. This study employed a descriptive‒explorative design with a cross-sectional approach. The study participants were 735 adolescents, grades 9th–11th. Data were collected via valid and reliable self-report questionnaire related to the main study variables over a period ranging from the beginning of March to the end of April 2024. For the data analysis, t tests and ANOVAs were used to identify any significant differences in the mean PIU total score in relation to the sociodemographic variables. The results revealed that among the 735 adolescents, 75.8% (n = 557) experienced PIU, with a significant difference in the mean PIU total score across grades (F = 3.37, p < .05) and academic performance levels (F = 8.76, p < .05), but not in terms of sex (t = .371, p > .05), father’s education level (F = .789, p > .05), or family income level (F = 1.076, p > .05). This study provides practical findings that students with poor academic performance and lower grades have higher levels of PIU. It is recommended that an ongoing screening for PIU be conducted to intervene proactively through multidisciplinary collaboration to manage disproportionate internet use among adolescents. Furthermore, this study adequately raises awareness about the far-reaching consequences of PIU for adolescents of both sexes. Finally, the results will be utilized to guide future studies to highlight more sociodemographic correlates of PIU.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142251904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-13DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00458-x
Nadia Amro
Gaza war and the attack on the healthcare system and healthcare personnel influenced the Palestinian people’s psychological status, especially healthcare professionals and university students. The study aims to explore the impact of Gaza war on nursing students of Palestine Polytechnique University (PPU). In a cross-sectional design, 272 nursing students completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Chi-square test used to examine the association of PTSD severity with demographic variables; independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare means of PTSD subscales (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal); relationships between subscale scores and the total IES-R score were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. 71.3% of the Nursing students had high levels of PTSD symptoms, 14.7% were classified as having probable PTSD diagnosis, 10.7% had clinical concerns, and 3.3% with no clinical concern; hyperarousal and intrusion were the highest subscale scores; females showed higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to males (p < .05); feelings of guilt when practicing happy events; negative impact on study significantly associated with higher PTSD severity (p < .05). The study highlighted the significant impact of Gaza war events on nursing students’ mental health as evidenced by a high level of PSTD symptoms, despite the aggressive attack on health care system during war on Gaza students found to have high willingness to challenge and pursue in their future nursing career. Targeted supportive mental health programs, resiliency, and coping mechanisms are needed for nursing students in the Palestinian context.
{"title":"Post-traumatic stress disorder among nursing students at Palestine Polytechnique University during the Gaza war and the attack on the health care system","authors":"Nadia Amro","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00458-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00458-x","url":null,"abstract":"Gaza war and the attack on the healthcare system and healthcare personnel influenced the Palestinian people’s psychological status, especially healthcare professionals and university students. The study aims to explore the impact of Gaza war on nursing students of Palestine Polytechnique University (PPU). In a cross-sectional design, 272 nursing students completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Chi-square test used to examine the association of PTSD severity with demographic variables; independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare means of PTSD subscales (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal); relationships between subscale scores and the total IES-R score were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. 71.3% of the Nursing students had high levels of PTSD symptoms, 14.7% were classified as having probable PTSD diagnosis, 10.7% had clinical concerns, and 3.3% with no clinical concern; hyperarousal and intrusion were the highest subscale scores; females showed higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to males (p < .05); feelings of guilt when practicing happy events; negative impact on study significantly associated with higher PTSD severity (p < .05). The study highlighted the significant impact of Gaza war events on nursing students’ mental health as evidenced by a high level of PSTD symptoms, despite the aggressive attack on health care system during war on Gaza students found to have high willingness to challenge and pursue in their future nursing career. Targeted supportive mental health programs, resiliency, and coping mechanisms are needed for nursing students in the Palestinian context.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Disorders of the aggressive behavior frequently mark the entry in schizophrenia. They are not specific and very varied. The objective of this study was to assess the different risk factors associated with the manifestation of violent and aggressive behavior of schizophrenic patients who follow consultations in service of psychiatry at Kenitra, Morocco. One-hundred twenty-seven patients with schizophrenia were included, and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used respectively to assess the state of aggressiveness and to identify the type of psychotic symptomatology of schizophrenic patients. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained from all patients. The study shows that criminal history, drug addiction, motives for aggressiveness, and the moment of aggressiveness are all potential factors for aggression, and the profile of the patient likely to take the act is that of young schizophrenics under 39 years old, predominantly male, and the majority are single. Judicial history, habits toxic, and the positive psychotic symptoms are reported as the most frequently risk factors. The index of Cronbach (0.64) showed a strong connection between the four items of aggression and strong relation between MOAS and PANSS categories has been shown by independent test (p < 0.001). Aggressive behavior is a frequent symptom of schizophrenia in studied population and poses many clinical challenges. It requires collaboration with the patient for handling difficult situations.
{"title":"Psychological assessment of violent behaviors in schizophrenic patients followed up in My EL Hassan health center of Kenitra, Morocco","authors":"Bouchra Elyadini, Miloud Chakit, Abdelkarim Elkhatir, Ilhame Fitah, Abderazzak Khadmaoui","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00456-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00456-z","url":null,"abstract":"Disorders of the aggressive behavior frequently mark the entry in schizophrenia. They are not specific and very varied. The objective of this study was to assess the different risk factors associated with the manifestation of violent and aggressive behavior of schizophrenic patients who follow consultations in service of psychiatry at Kenitra, Morocco. One-hundred twenty-seven patients with schizophrenia were included, and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used respectively to assess the state of aggressiveness and to identify the type of psychotic symptomatology of schizophrenic patients. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained from all patients. The study shows that criminal history, drug addiction, motives for aggressiveness, and the moment of aggressiveness are all potential factors for aggression, and the profile of the patient likely to take the act is that of young schizophrenics under 39 years old, predominantly male, and the majority are single. Judicial history, habits toxic, and the positive psychotic symptoms are reported as the most frequently risk factors. The index of Cronbach (0.64) showed a strong connection between the four items of aggression and strong relation between MOAS and PANSS categories has been shown by independent test (p < 0.001). Aggressive behavior is a frequent symptom of schizophrenia in studied population and poses many clinical challenges. It requires collaboration with the patient for handling difficult situations.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-06DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00454-1
Shimaa Ibrahim Amin, Rehab S. Mahdy, Dalia A. El-Shafei, Nagda Elmasry, Hassan Eldawy, Rana MagdyAbdalla, Eman Fouad
Job burnout is defined as physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to persistent work stress, and it includes emotional exhaustion (EE), cynicism (CY), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) and usually leads to symptoms of depression, lack of motivation, and decreased enthusiasm. Previous studies from different countries have suggested that job burnout, depression, and anxiety are a common work-related problems. This study aims to assess for job burnout, depression, and anxiety among radiation workers in order to investigate the effects of radiation exposure during work on the mental health. This comparative cross-sectional study was performed on 208 workers in the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) and the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA) at Cairo Governorate, Egypt. Study participants were divided into 2 groups: 1st group which included 104 workers among radiation field and 2nd group which included 104 workers and employees who do not often work among radiation field. Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (MBI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were used to assess for burnout, depression, and anxiety among study participants. The prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, burnout, and among workers inside radiation field group were statistically significantly higher than those working outside radiation field group. Work type (WIRF) and number of working hours per week (> 40 h) were the significant risk factors for all the burnout, depression, and anxiety, while age (> 40–60 years old) was a significant predictor for depression, female gender was a significant predictor for anxiety, and both age (20–40 years old) and years of experience (≤ 10 years) were significant predictors for burnout among workers inside radiation field. Burnout, depression, and anxiety are common among workers inside radiation field with higher prevalence and severity than those working outside radiation field. Younger age, fewer years of experience, and more working hours per week are significantly associated risk factors for burnout among workers inside radiation field.
{"title":"Burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression symptoms among workers in radiation field","authors":"Shimaa Ibrahim Amin, Rehab S. Mahdy, Dalia A. El-Shafei, Nagda Elmasry, Hassan Eldawy, Rana MagdyAbdalla, Eman Fouad","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00454-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00454-1","url":null,"abstract":"Job burnout is defined as physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to persistent work stress, and it includes emotional exhaustion (EE), cynicism (CY), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) and usually leads to symptoms of depression, lack of motivation, and decreased enthusiasm. Previous studies from different countries have suggested that job burnout, depression, and anxiety are a common work-related problems. This study aims to assess for job burnout, depression, and anxiety among radiation workers in order to investigate the effects of radiation exposure during work on the mental health. This comparative cross-sectional study was performed on 208 workers in the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) and the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA) at Cairo Governorate, Egypt. Study participants were divided into 2 groups: 1st group which included 104 workers among radiation field and 2nd group which included 104 workers and employees who do not often work among radiation field. Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (MBI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) were used to assess for burnout, depression, and anxiety among study participants. The prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, burnout, and among workers inside radiation field group were statistically significantly higher than those working outside radiation field group. Work type (WIRF) and number of working hours per week (> 40 h) were the significant risk factors for all the burnout, depression, and anxiety, while age (> 40–60 years old) was a significant predictor for depression, female gender was a significant predictor for anxiety, and both age (20–40 years old) and years of experience (≤ 10 years) were significant predictors for burnout among workers inside radiation field. Burnout, depression, and anxiety are common among workers inside radiation field with higher prevalence and severity than those working outside radiation field. Younger age, fewer years of experience, and more working hours per week are significantly associated risk factors for burnout among workers inside radiation field.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-02DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00455-0
Fahmi H. Fadhel, Abdrabo Soliman, Mohammed M. J. Alqahtani
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 imposed significant shifts in global health, particularly in understanding and addressing anxiety disorders precipitated by pandemic-related stressors. The current study aimed to adapt and validate the COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire (C-19 A) for Arabic-speaking populations (C-19 A-A), assessing its structural integrity, concurrent validity, factorial validity, and reliability. The data of 571 individuals, including age range, educational history, gender, and marital status, were collected through online platforms. The translation process of C-19 A-A underwent rigorous verification by linguistic and subject matter experts. Several advanced statistical procedures were used to examine the C-19 A-A’s reliability, validity, and measurement invariances across demographic subsets. The results indicated robust internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.889, confirming the questionnaire’s reliability. Concurrent validity showed significant and positive correlations between C-19-A and FCV-19S (r = 0.77, p < 0.000). EFA revealed a dominant factor explaining 60.4% of the variance, bolstering the questionnaire’s factorial validity. CFA further validated the model’s adequacy across different demographic groups. Specifically, demographic factors such as age, gender, and educational level showed distinct patterns of COVID-19-related anxiety. The validated Arabic version of the C-19 A-A represents a pivotal tool for assessing pandemic-induced anxiety within Arabic-speaking communities. Its deployment enables targeted identification of vulnerable individuals, facilitating tailored health interventions and informing clinical strategies. This research underscores the pivotal role of culturally attuned assessment instruments in shaping effective public health responses and therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the psychological sequelae of global health crises.
{"title":"Exploring COVID-19 anxiety across demographics: psychometric validation and application of the COVID-19-Anxiety Questionnaire in Arabic","authors":"Fahmi H. Fadhel, Abdrabo Soliman, Mohammed M. J. Alqahtani","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00455-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00455-0","url":null,"abstract":"The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 imposed significant shifts in global health, particularly in understanding and addressing anxiety disorders precipitated by pandemic-related stressors. The current study aimed to adapt and validate the COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire (C-19 A) for Arabic-speaking populations (C-19 A-A), assessing its structural integrity, concurrent validity, factorial validity, and reliability. The data of 571 individuals, including age range, educational history, gender, and marital status, were collected through online platforms. The translation process of C-19 A-A underwent rigorous verification by linguistic and subject matter experts. Several advanced statistical procedures were used to examine the C-19 A-A’s reliability, validity, and measurement invariances across demographic subsets. The results indicated robust internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.889, confirming the questionnaire’s reliability. Concurrent validity showed significant and positive correlations between C-19-A and FCV-19S (r = 0.77, p < 0.000). EFA revealed a dominant factor explaining 60.4% of the variance, bolstering the questionnaire’s factorial validity. CFA further validated the model’s adequacy across different demographic groups. Specifically, demographic factors such as age, gender, and educational level showed distinct patterns of COVID-19-related anxiety. The validated Arabic version of the C-19 A-A represents a pivotal tool for assessing pandemic-induced anxiety within Arabic-speaking communities. Its deployment enables targeted identification of vulnerable individuals, facilitating tailored health interventions and informing clinical strategies. This research underscores the pivotal role of culturally attuned assessment instruments in shaping effective public health responses and therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the psychological sequelae of global health crises.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-30DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00453-2
Hani H. Dessoki, Mohamed R. Soltan, Ahmed S. Ragheb, Mariam E. Dawoud
There is evidence that major depressive disorder (MDD) with its cardinal symptoms, anhedonia and suicide, are linked with raised inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP). This case–control study investigated the correlation between high sensitive CRP (Hs-CRP), anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and depression severity in MDD patients. Forty-one MDD patients and 47 healthy controls were recruited. MDD diagnosis was confirmed using DSM-5 criteria. Depression severity, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation were assessed using standardized scales. Serum Hs-CRP levels were measured as an inflammatory marker. MDD cases had significantly greater Hs-CRP levels compared to controls. Additionally, Hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with both anhedonia and suicidal ideation in MDD cases. Depression severity was significantly linked with both anhedonia and suicidal ideation. This study suggests a link between inflammation, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and depression severity in MDD patients. Additional research is necessary to find out the principal mechanisms.
{"title":"C-reactive protein in anhedonia among patients with major depressive disorder and its relation to suicidal ideation","authors":"Hani H. Dessoki, Mohamed R. Soltan, Ahmed S. Ragheb, Mariam E. Dawoud","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00453-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00453-2","url":null,"abstract":"There is evidence that major depressive disorder (MDD) with its cardinal symptoms, anhedonia and suicide, are linked with raised inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP). This case–control study investigated the correlation between high sensitive CRP (Hs-CRP), anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and depression severity in MDD patients. Forty-one MDD patients and 47 healthy controls were recruited. MDD diagnosis was confirmed using DSM-5 criteria. Depression severity, anhedonia, and suicidal ideation were assessed using standardized scales. Serum Hs-CRP levels were measured as an inflammatory marker. MDD cases had significantly greater Hs-CRP levels compared to controls. Additionally, Hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with both anhedonia and suicidal ideation in MDD cases. Depression severity was significantly linked with both anhedonia and suicidal ideation. This study suggests a link between inflammation, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and depression severity in MDD patients. Additional research is necessary to find out the principal mechanisms.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-26DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00452-3
Radwa M. Borg, Marwa Mostafa Ahmed, Omnia Raafat, Shirin Makawi, Saeed S. Abduljalil Soliman
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests in early childhood and significantly impairs social and communicative functions. Parents of children with ASD typically experience higher levels of stress compared to parents of children with other disabilities or health issues. This study investigates how a home-based early intervention known as the Portage program influences parenting stress and improves family awareness by using the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Family Awareness Scale. We enrolled 41 children diagnosed with ASD and their parents in this study. The median age of the children was 4 years, with a predominance of males (80%). We measured changes in parenting stress and family awareness as primary outcomes, with the children’s behavior as a secondary outcome. Post-intervention assessments showed statistically significant improvements in parenting stress and family awareness (P < 0.001). Additionally, notable improvements were observed in the children’s social, language, self-help, cognitive, and motor skills, as well as general developmental age and ratio. A 3-month engagement with the Portage program markedly reduced stress among parents and increased family awareness regarding ASD. Significant advancements were also noted in multiple developmental domains of the children involved.
{"title":"Evaluating the effectiveness of a Portage program on reducing parenting stress and enhancing child development in autism spectrum disorders","authors":"Radwa M. Borg, Marwa Mostafa Ahmed, Omnia Raafat, Shirin Makawi, Saeed S. Abduljalil Soliman","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00452-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00452-3","url":null,"abstract":"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests in early childhood and significantly impairs social and communicative functions. Parents of children with ASD typically experience higher levels of stress compared to parents of children with other disabilities or health issues. This study investigates how a home-based early intervention known as the Portage program influences parenting stress and improves family awareness by using the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Family Awareness Scale. We enrolled 41 children diagnosed with ASD and their parents in this study. The median age of the children was 4 years, with a predominance of males (80%). We measured changes in parenting stress and family awareness as primary outcomes, with the children’s behavior as a secondary outcome. Post-intervention assessments showed statistically significant improvements in parenting stress and family awareness (P < 0.001). Additionally, notable improvements were observed in the children’s social, language, self-help, cognitive, and motor skills, as well as general developmental age and ratio. A 3-month engagement with the Portage program markedly reduced stress among parents and increased family awareness regarding ASD. Significant advancements were also noted in multiple developmental domains of the children involved.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142224990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-23DOI: 10.1186/s43045-024-00451-4
Mariam Yehia Mohamed Abou Taleb, Maha Sayed, Maha El Gafaary, Reem El Ghamry, Reem Hashem, Yasmine Awwad, Rehab Serag
Worldwide, at least 10% of adolescents have a documented mental illness, which is a leading source of morbidity, mortality, and functional impairment. Among individuals aged between 10 and 24 years, psychiatric disorders account for 45% of all years lived with disability. Parenting discipline styles are fundamental in shaping adolescents’ emotional integrity, cognitive capabilities, and behavioral patterns. To compare parenting styles and parental bonding dimensions in adolescents with different psychiatric disorders versus a group of healthy adolescents matched for age and sex. A case–control study conducted at Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University Hospitals, involved 50 participants of adolescents diagnosed with variable psychiatric disorders and 50 matched healthy controls. Authoritarian parenting style was evident in mentally ill adolescents, while authoritative parenting style was prevalent in healthy controls. In terms of parental bonding, mentally ill adolescents experienced a low level of care and a high level of overprotection from both parents. The results of the study demonstrated that parenting styles may serve as predictors and predisposing factors for psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Adolescents with psychiatric disorders perceived both parents as more authoritarian, less authoritative. They also received a low level of care and a high level of overprotection from both parents.
{"title":"Perceived parenting styles and bonding among adolescents with mental illness: Okasha Institute of Psychiatry experience","authors":"Mariam Yehia Mohamed Abou Taleb, Maha Sayed, Maha El Gafaary, Reem El Ghamry, Reem Hashem, Yasmine Awwad, Rehab Serag","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00451-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00451-4","url":null,"abstract":"Worldwide, at least 10% of adolescents have a documented mental illness, which is a leading source of morbidity, mortality, and functional impairment. Among individuals aged between 10 and 24 years, psychiatric disorders account for 45% of all years lived with disability. Parenting discipline styles are fundamental in shaping adolescents’ emotional integrity, cognitive capabilities, and behavioral patterns. To compare parenting styles and parental bonding dimensions in adolescents with different psychiatric disorders versus a group of healthy adolescents matched for age and sex. A case–control study conducted at Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University Hospitals, involved 50 participants of adolescents diagnosed with variable psychiatric disorders and 50 matched healthy controls. Authoritarian parenting style was evident in mentally ill adolescents, while authoritative parenting style was prevalent in healthy controls. In terms of parental bonding, mentally ill adolescents experienced a low level of care and a high level of overprotection from both parents. The results of the study demonstrated that parenting styles may serve as predictors and predisposing factors for psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Adolescents with psychiatric disorders perceived both parents as more authoritarian, less authoritative. They also received a low level of care and a high level of overprotection from both parents.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Naltrexone prophylaxis is a well-established treatment for opioid use disorder. Our study aimed to track patients on naltrexone and investigate the factors predictive of retention. The study comprised 100 participants initiated on naltrexone, who underwent a 12-week follow-up. We analyzed a range of socio-demographic and clinical variables at 04 and 12 weeks to compare those who remained in treatment program with those who experienced relapse. The results revealed a predominantly young, unmarried, male, rural-dwelling sample with heroin as the primary opioid. Intravenous use was common (75%), with 57% of the participants exhibiting positive serology results for infections by hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and a significant proportion initiating opioids before the age of 20 (31%). The retention rates at 04 and 12 weeks were 83% and 64%, respectively. Several socio-clinical factors including age of initiation of use, rural residence, and comorbid psychiatric illness significantly influenced retention at 04 and 12 weeks. The findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions that take into consideration the age, residence, socio-economic status, and psychiatric comorbidity to enhance retention rates. Identifying these factors can help improve the effectiveness of treatment programs and promote sustained recovery efforts.
{"title":"A study of predictors of retention to naltrexone maintenance therapy in patients with opioid use disorder: a prospective study","authors":"Burhan Bashir Lone, Neelofer Jan, Muntaqueem Ul Kousar, Fazle Roub Bhat, Yasir Hassan Rather, Ubaid Rasool","doi":"10.1186/s43045-024-00450-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00450-5","url":null,"abstract":"Naltrexone prophylaxis is a well-established treatment for opioid use disorder. Our study aimed to track patients on naltrexone and investigate the factors predictive of retention. The study comprised 100 participants initiated on naltrexone, who underwent a 12-week follow-up. We analyzed a range of socio-demographic and clinical variables at 04 and 12 weeks to compare those who remained in treatment program with those who experienced relapse. The results revealed a predominantly young, unmarried, male, rural-dwelling sample with heroin as the primary opioid. Intravenous use was common (75%), with 57% of the participants exhibiting positive serology results for infections by hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and a significant proportion initiating opioids before the age of 20 (31%). The retention rates at 04 and 12 weeks were 83% and 64%, respectively. Several socio-clinical factors including age of initiation of use, rural residence, and comorbid psychiatric illness significantly influenced retention at 04 and 12 weeks. The findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions that take into consideration the age, residence, socio-economic status, and psychiatric comorbidity to enhance retention rates. Identifying these factors can help improve the effectiveness of treatment programs and promote sustained recovery efforts.","PeriodicalId":38653,"journal":{"name":"Middle East Current Psychiatry","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142194221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}