Psychosomatic symptoms in patients suffering from morphea

Objective. To study the features of psychosomatic pathology in patients with morphea.Materials and methods. We used the Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90-R) to assess patterns of phychological signs in 95 patients suffering from morphea. The control group included 30 respondents without the skin pathology.Results. The patients with morphea revealed higher values in the Global Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI), Positive Symptoms Total (PST). The group of the patients with morphea showed higher distress levels according to the somatization, obsessive and compulsive disorders, depression, anxiety scales.Conclusion. Patients with morphea have a wider range of psychosomatic symptoms. The prevalent characteristics of psychosomatic changes are somatization, obsessive and compulsive disorders, depression, anxiety.

Maladaptive Daydreaming in Relation to Linguistic Features and Attachment Style

(1) Background: Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is a concept that describes a significant imaginary activity that replaces human engagement and/or interferes with academic, interpersonal, or vocational functioning. We explored the interaction between attachment style, reflective functioning (RF), and the narrative dimension of MD. (2) Methods: 414 adults completed an online survey, including socio-demographic variables, the 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, Relationship Questionnaire, and Reflective Functioning Questionnaire. Participants were asked to write a short description of the most representative episodes of their daydreams. Eighty-four participants were identified as maladaptive daydreamers (MDers). (3) Results: A set of t-tests between MDers and non-MDers group showed differences in attachment dimensions, RF, and linguistic measures. A linear regression model with Global Severity Index (GSI) of the revised Symptom Checklist-90 as the dependent variable, and psychological scales as independent variables showed that the MD score was the strongest predictor of GSI. Regarding differences between the two groups in linguistic measures, the MDers showed more use of reflection and sensory-somatic words, and a smaller number of affective words. (4) Conclusions: These results support the idea that the MD is a process connected to psychopathological mechanisms, probably to a sub-symbolic activation, and to dysfunctional self–other relational patterns that are difficult to integrate.

Relationships Between Cross-Cultural Adaption, Perceived Stress and Psychological Health Among International Undergraduate Students From a Medical University During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Model

International university students may be at greater risk for developing psychological problems due to the unique stressors in them, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of present study is to propose and test a moderated mediation model that would illuminate the underlying relationships of cross-cultural adaption, perceived stress and psychological health as well as the moderating effect of optimism and resilience among international medical undergraduates in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted via a web-based survey in November 2020. Electronic informed consents were obtained from all participants. A total of 453 students including 233 males and 220 females aged 18 to 28 years with an average age of 22.09 (SD = 2.73) completed the questionnaires. Symptom Checklist 90, the measurement of cross-cultural adaption, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Life Orientation Test-Revised and the Resilience Scale were used for the survey. Results for the moderated mediation model testing revealed that cross-cultural adaption significantly and negatively associated with the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Symptom Checklist 90 (β = −0.24, P < 0.01), and perceived stress partially mediated the relationship. Optimism (β = −0.29, P < 0.01) and confidence in COVID-19 control (β = −0.19, P < 0.01) had direct negative effects on perceived stress. Furthermore, optimism and resilience negatively moderated the indirect effect of cross-cultural adaption on psychological health through perceived stress. Findings of this study suggest that university educators ought to promote or make use of programs that cope with stress and boost optimism and resilience in order to support students not only adapt well to a new culture, but also keep good psychological health during the period of COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological impact of polygamous marriage on women and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Over the last two decades, there has been significant growth in public, political, and academic awareness of polygamy. Polygamous families have distinct household problems, usually stemming from jealousy between co-wives over the husband’s affections and resources. This study aimed to ascertain the psychological impact of polygamous marriage on women and children worldwide. Methods A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Google Scholar, and ProQuest using search terms such as “marriage” and “polygamy.” Studies published from the inception of the respective databases until April 2021 were retrieved to assess their eligibility for inclusion in this study. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used for data extraction and the quality assessment of the included studies. The generic inverse variance and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using RevMan software. Results There were 24 studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria, and 23 studies had a low risk of bias. The pooled meta-analysis showed women in polygamous marriages had a 2.25 (95% CI: 1.20, 4.20) higher chance of experiencing depression than in monogamous marriages. Children with polygamous parents had a significantly higher Global Severity Index with a mean difference of 0.21 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.33) than those with monogamous parents. Conclusions The psychological impact of polygamous marriage on women and children was found to be relatively higher than monogamous marriage. Awareness of the proper practices for polygamy should be strengthened so that its adverse effects can be minimized. The agencies involved in polygamous practices should broaden and enhance their understanding of the correct practice of polygamy.

Short Term Caloric Restriction and Biofeedback Enhance Psychological Wellbeing and Reduce Overweight in Healthy Women

Obesity is highly prevalent, causing substantial cardiovascular and mental health morbidity. Women show increased risk for mental health disorders, that is multiplied in obesity and related to cellular and psychological stress that can be targeted by non-pharmacological interventions. A total of 43 women underwent two weeks of caloric restriction, half of which also received 7 h of individualized clinical psychological intervention including psychoeducation, mindfulness, and heart-rate-variability biofeedback. Effects on body mass index (BMI), fatty liver index (FLI), bioimpedance measures, serum parameters, perceived stress (PSS), burn-out susceptibility (burn out diagnostic inventory) and dimensional psychiatric symptom load (brief symptom inventory, BSI) were analyzed with linear mixed effects models. Caloric restriction led to a reduction in BMI, body fat and FLI, decreased serum concentrations of leptin, PSS score, BSI dimensions and global severity index (all p ≤ 0.0001, withstanding Bonferroni–Holm correction). Benefits of add-on biofeedback were observed for BMI reduction (p = 0.041). Caloric restriction was effective in ameliorating both psychological wellbeing and metabolic functions following a BMI reduction. Biofeedback boosted effects on BMI reduction and the combinative therapy may be protective against common progression to mental health and cardiovascular disorders in overweight women while comparing favorably to pharmacological interventions in terms of side-effects and acceptability.

Character Strengths Predict Subjective Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, and Psychopathological Symptoms, Over and Above Functional Social Support

The increasing value of character strengths in the prediction of well-being and psychopathology, after the effects of functional social support and sociodemographic variables are accounted for, is examined. Participants were 1494 Spanish-speaking students between the ages of 18 and 68 (43.3% men and 56.7% women) who completed measures of character strengths, functional social support, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and symptoms of psychopathology. Functional social support had predictive value in explaining the variability of each component of well-being and psychopathology. Regarding character strengths, theological strengths had the greatest predictive power for life satisfaction (β = 0.41), positive affect (β = 0.49), affect balance (β = 0.45), purpose in life (β = 0.60), self-acceptance (β = 0.50), environmental mastery (β = 0.47), and positive relations with others (β = 0.25). Emotional strengths made the strongest contribution to the variance explained (β = 0.41) of autonomy, and intellectual strengths were the strongest predictive variable for personal growth (β = 0.39). Strengths of restraint had the greatest predictive power for the global severity index of psychopathology (β = –0.27). Functional social support and character strengths have strong links to mental health. Positive interventions to develop these variables could contribute to enhance well-being and prevent psychological distress.

Comparison of Sleep Quality Deterioration by Subgroup of Painful Temporomandibular Disorder Based on Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders

This study investigated whether sleep deterioration in patients with painful temporomandibular disorder depends on the origin of pain, and also analyzed which clinical disease characteristics and whether psychological distress affected sleep quality. A total of 337 consecutive patients (215 women; mean age, 33.01 ± 13.01 years) with painful temporomandibular disorder (myalgia [n = 120], temporomandibular joint arthralgia [n = 62], mixed joint–muscle temporomandibular disorder pain [n = 155]) based on the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorder were enrolled. They completed a battery of standardized reports on clinical sign and symptoms, and answered questions on sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and patients’ psychological status. The mean global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores were significantly higher in the mixed temporomandibular disorder pain group (6.97 ± 3.38) and myalgia group (6.40 ± 3.22) than in the arthralgia group (5.16 ± 2.94) (p = 0.001). Poor sleepers were significantly more prevalent in the mixed temporomandibular disorder pain group (76.8%) and myalgia group (71.7%) than in the arthralgia group (54.8%) (p = 0.006). The presence of psychological distress in the myalgia group (β = 1.236, p = 0.022), global severity index of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised in the arthralgia group (β = 1.668, p = 0.008), and presence of headache (β = 1.631, p = 0.002) and self-reported sleep problems (β = 2.849, p < 0.001) in the mixed temporomandibular disorder pain group were associated with an increase in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. Because there is a difference in sleep quality and influencing factors according to the pain source of painful temporomandibular disorder, and the complex interplay between sleep and pain can vary, sophisticated treatment is required for patients.

Psychosocial assessment of patients with chronic pain

The main object of this study is to evaluate the psychological status of chronic pain patients (CPP) and describe the characteristics and frequency of psychological disorders of CPP. Two hundred sixty-three patients with complaints of chronic pain longer than 1 year and fifty healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with cancer were not included. Turkish version of Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL- 90-R) was used for the assessment of the psychological status of participants. CPP were divided into 5 subgroups regarding their painful regions: Headache, cervical or upper extremity pain, axial or radicular back pain, lower extremity pain, and diffuse pain. Global severity index (GSI) and subscales of SCL-90-R were analyzed. In CPP, GSI and almost all subscale scores of SCL-90-R were significantly higher than the control group. Headache patients had worse psychological symptoms than other subgroups of CPP. SCL-90-R scores of female patients were significantly higher than males. 24.7% of patients had moderate and 14.8% had severe psychological symptoms. While the intensity of the pain had a moderate correlation with increased psychological symptoms, the level of education and age had a weak negative correlation with SCL- 90-R scores. Patients with chronic pain are convenient to have phycological symptoms. While almost half of the patients have increased psychological symptoms, the degree of the symptoms can be serious in some of them. Thus, treatment of chronic pain necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.

Is “Self-Experience” Really a Transdiagnostic Concept? Preliminary Evidence in Favor of the Transdiagnostic Conception of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) offers a radically behavioral and transdiagnostic conception of the formation of the “self” and the appearance of a diversity of psychological problems. This study examined the extent to which a wide variety of psychological disorders (somatization, obsessive–compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility/aggressiveness, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism) and a global index of psychopathological severity may in fact be linked to problems of the “self” according to the FAP conception. Two questionnaires, one related to self-experience according to FAP and the other to find the scores on several different psychopathology scales, were administered to 280 adult Spaniards for this purpose. The results confirmed the transdiagnostic nature of the “self”-experience. There are significant and strong correlations between all the psychopathology scales studied and self-experience. Linear regression analyses also show that, along with age and gender, in some cases, the score on self-experience predicts each and every one of the psychopathological variables studied, in addition to the Global Severity Index. These results are discussed and related to the transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology.

Problematiche psicologiche e disturbi da stress post-traumatico in studenti universitari italiani durante il primo lockdown da Covid-19 e terapia EMDR online

La letteratura ha evidenziato problemi psicologici durante il lockdown da Covid-19. È stata condotta una ricerca con 49 studenti che si sono rivolti al Centro di Counseling psicologico dell'Università di Salerno tra marzo e maggio 2020. Gli obiettivi sono stati: a) indagare l'eventuale presenza di disturbi psicologici e in particolare di PTSD; b) valutare l'efficacia di un percorso breve con protocollo EMDR online per quegli studenti con PTSD legato alla riattivazione di traumi pregressi in seguito allo stress da pandemia e lockdown. I dati raccolti in fase di pre e post trattamento (dai colloqui psicologici e dallo scoring della Scala SCL-90-R) mostrano: PTSD (25%), ansia e stress (100%), depressione (88%). Nel post-trattamento EMDR si è evidenziata, alla Scala IES-R, una riduzione dei cut-off da range clinico a range normativo e alla SCL-90-R un passaggio da punteggi clinicamente significativi nelle scale sindromiche a punteggi normativi. In particolare, alla SCL-90, il punteggio all'indice Global Severity Index - GSI, indicatore globale dell'intensità attuale del disagio psichico percepito dal soggetto conferma, nel post trattamento, il raggiungimento di un assetto normativo.