To determine the relationship between the intensity of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the intensity of predominating symptoms.
The study included 151 veterans from 1992-1995 ...war in Croatia (aged 38.3+/-7.3 years) with PTSD. The veterans were psychologically tested with the Mississippi Scale for Combat-related PTSD (M-PTSD), Questionnaire on Traumatic Combat and War Experiences (USTBI-M), and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-version 201 (MMPI-201).
The discriminative analysis of the data revealed that the group with lower PTSD intensity had the highest scores on MMPI scales D (depression, T-score 98.3+/-5.6), Hs (hypochondriasis, 90.1+/-5.1), and Hy (hysteria, 89.5+/-4.9), whereas the group with higher PTSD intensity, besides these three scales (D=95.7+/-5.3; Hs=87.6+/-4.3; Hy=85.6+/-4.7), also had clinically significantly elevated Pt (psychastenia, 80.6+/-5.6), Sc (schizophrenia, 79.6+/-4.8), and Pa (paranoia, 85.6+/-5.4) scales, with the highest Pa scale.
It was possible to differentiate study participants with different PTSD intensity on the basis of their MMPI profile. More intense PTSD was associated with externalized symptoms, such as aggression, acting-out, hostility, and mistrust, whereas less intensive PTSD was associated with mostly depressive symptoms. Our study showed that different intensity of PTSD has different symptom patterns.
Only a small number of studies have used quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) in research of the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results are not consistent. The aim of the present ...investigation was to compare qEEG in combat veterans with and without PTSD. The hypothesis is that differences among qEEG characteristics will be found regarding the presence/absence of PTSD. Seventy-nine combat veterans with PTSD comprised the experimental group and 37 veterans without PTSD were included as controls. After the informed consent, they were investigated by the resting EEG recordings. The results demonstrate that PTSD veterans had decreased alpha power and increased beta power. These results suggest an altered neurobiology in PTSD. Various explanations have been offered for alpha activity decrease observed in PTSD veterans. Increased beta rhythm may play a role as a potential marker in differentiating subtypes of PTSD.
The incidence of aggression and violent behavior in combat veterans varies and can be observed with regard to the presence or absence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Significantly greater ...occurrence of aggression was observed in combat veterans with PTSD compared with those without PTSD. There are various types of aggressive behavior that frequently are combined. Autoaggressive (suicidal) and heteroaggressive (interpersonal violence) behaviors predominate, with dominating verbal aggression and impulsive somatic reactions. Impulsive reactions are more frequently directed toward unknown persons, whereas verbal aggression is mostly aimed at known people. In the occurrence of aggressive behavior in combat veterans with PTSD, important roles are played by education level, low socioeconomic status, maltreatment in childhood, and previous types of violent behavior (before participation in war events).
Various investigations prove the biological basis for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are only a few quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) studies of patients with PTSD. The aim of ...this investigation is to find out whether there are differences in qEEG parameters between PTSD patients and healthy subjects. The experimental group was comprised of 18 veterans with PTSD, and 20 healthy non-veterans were included in the control group. After informed consent was obtained, they were investigated by qEEG recordings. The artifact-free EEG epoch was analyzed by fast Fourier transformation (FFT). Power values of particular frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2) were observed on the regions: Fp I, Fp2, F3, F4, F7, F8, C3, C4, T3, T4, T5, T6, P3, P4, O1 and O2. PTSD patients had increased theta activity over central regions, and increased beta activity. Beta 1 activity increased over frontal, central and left occipital regions; beta 2 activity increased over frontal regions. No significant differences were noted between the PTSD and control group in delta and alpha activity. These results suggest a neurobiological basis for PTSD. Increased theta activity may help to explain changes in hippocampal volume. Various explanations (cortical hyperexcitability, prolonged wakefulness, or attention disturbances) have been offered for the beta activity increase observed in PTSD subjects.
The transition from primary to secondary school can be stressful, although it is something normative. More intense stress manifestation (e.g. psychosomatic and emotional difficulties) can prevent ...pupils from achieving academic success, which is their main task at school. The purpose of this survey was to find out the frequency and persistence of psychosomatic and emotional complaints during the first year of secondary school, depending on gender and school track. It was a two wave longitudinal study. In the first measurement there were 308 participants, and in the second measurement 291 participant. Longitudinal data was collected from 266 of them. They were examined by means of Psychosomatic symptoms questionnaire (Vulic-Prtoric, 2005), CORE-YP questionnaire (Twigg and associates, 2009), and Worries domain scale (Kozjak Mikic, 2011). The results were analyzed with multivariate ANOVA. During the first grade of secondary school, 15%-17% of participants had more pronounced psychosomatic and emotional difficulties. Psychosomatic difficulties were relatively mild, and decreased with time, but emotional difficulties were more intense and persistent during the whole first grade. The frequency of health complaints was related to gender and school track. Girls and general-program high school pupils had more health complaints than boys and pupils in trade schools. Furthermore, the frequency of emotional complaints was related to the interaction of gender and school track. High school boys did not significantly differ from girls when displaying emotional difficulties. During the first grade, the main source of worries and stress were academic requirements. Lazarus stress model, as well as Tripartite model of emotions, can explain the results. Early pupil assessment is helpful in avoiding more serious health difficulties if conducted in the first grade of secondary school. It is necessary to make teachers and parents aware of paying attention and taking the appropriate approach to pupils with psychosomatic and emotional adaptation difficulties, which are the practical implications of the study. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
COVID‐19: Concerns and behaviours in Croatia Lauri Korajlija, Anita; Jokic‐Begic, Natasa
British journal of health psychology,
November 2020, Letnik:
25, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Objectives
The COVID‐19 pandemic has created uncertainty that has heightened fear and worry worldwide, thus elevating the potential for a growth in anxiety. This study aims to examine changes in ...levels of COVID‐19 concern and safety behaviours among persons living in Croatia during the period in which the first COVID‐19 case was identified and when the country recorded its first fatality. These changes were examined with respect to gender and family circumstances.
Design
The repeated cross‐sectional data were conducted over two time points over the 3 weeks (N1 = 888; N2 = 966).
Methods
Participants completed online questionnaire regarding various COVID‐19 concerns and safety behaviours aimed at disease prevention.
Results
Findings demonstrate dramatic increase in concern and safety behaviours among participants during the 3 weeks between the first identified case and the first fatality. The results suggest that parents, and mothers especially, represent the most concerned group, regardless of age. People with chronic health conditions also expressed greater concern and safety behaviour than healthy participants, but with small effect size.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the importance of developing clear guidelines for alleviating the negative effects on mental health through effective communication strategies that minimize fear and emphasize positive behavioural change.
Statement of contribution
What is already known on this subject?
In times of pandemic, people react with elevated levels of anxiety and some will adjust their behaviours in order to protect themselves as well as their family and friends.
Some of the measures introduced to protect the spread of the COVID‐19 disease have induced an atmosphere of fear, which in turn can lead to an increase in maladaptive anxiety and a greater burden on mental health.
What does this study add?
By conducting the research in two waves representing two critical time points in the developing COVID‐19 situation in Croatia, we were able to trace a large increase in anxiety levels and safety behaviours among the general population.
There is a discordance between those who are at most risk from serious consequences of the disease and those who are at greatest risk for maladaptive anxiety. Parents, and mothers in particular, represent the most concerned group, regardless of age.
Lockdown measures have allowed us to ensure the safety of those vulnerable for serious COVID‐19 illness. Now, we must focus on preserving the mental health of our whole community.
Many research has indicated that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers are under greatly increased pressure and at increased risk for the development of mental health problems. ...Furthermore, previous research has indicated that psychiatrists are exposed to a number of unique stressors that may increase their risk for poor mental health. The aims of the present study were to assess the level of COVID-19 related concerns, psychological distress and life satisfaction among psychiatrists and other physicians during the first period of the pandemic and to examine whether individual differences in COVID-19 concerns, psychological flexibility, psychological resilience and coping behaviors account for differences in mental health indicators.
The sample consisted of N=725 physicians, among whom 22.8% were psychiatrists. This study was conducted online during the first lockdown in Croatia and collected data regarding COVID-19 related concerns, coping behaviors and mental health indicators (Psychological Distress and Life Satisfaction).
Physicians of other specialties had higher scores on a measure of COVID-19 anxiety than psychiatrists (p=0.012). In addition, a number of differences in coping behaviors are evident. Specifically, psychiatrists were less likely than physicians of other specializations to believe that being informed about COVID-19 is an effective coping strategy (p=0.013), but more prone to using sedatives and drugs as a coping strategy (p=0.002; p=0.037).
Psychiatrists are at special risk for substance abuse. Younger age, psychological inflexibility, low resilience and greater COVID-19 concerns might act as specific risk factors for distress. Our findings highlight the need for promoting a healthy lifestyle and psychological flexibility as universal protective factors.
Cilj istraživanja: Cilj provedenog istraživanja jest usporedba zdravstvenih briga i ponašanja pripadnika opće populacije i liječnika, kao i indikatora njihovoga mentalnog zdravlja tijekom pandemije ...COVID-19 u Hrvatskoj. Ispitanici i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno u ožujku i travnju 2020. na dva uzorka. Uzorak liječnika sastojao se od 725 sudionika, od kojih su većina žene (71,9%) u dobi između 26 i 81 godine (M=48,3; SD=11,26). U uzorku iz opće populacije sudjelovalo je 780 sudionika, također većinom žene (72,7%); raspon dobi kretao se
od 19 do 77 godina (M=40,2; SD=12,27). Sudionici su ispunili Upitnik ponašanja vezanih uz COVID-19, Ljestvicu COVID-19 briga, Ljestvicu briga vezanih uz pandemiju, a kao indikatori mentalnog zdravlja korišteni su CORE-YP i procjena kvalitete života. Rezultati: Liječnici, u odnosu na opću populaciju, imaju izraženije brige vezane za COVID-19 i brige vezane za funkcioniranje zdravstvenog sustava. Manje su zabrinuti za vlastito mentalno zdravlje, nisu psihološki uznemireniji niti imaju lošiju kvalitetu života u odnosu na opću populaciju. Međutim, imaju
izraženije teškoće sa spavanjem, bili su manje zainteresirani za razgovor o svojim teškoćama, ali su imali dojam adekvatne socijalne podrške i samoefikasnosti. Iako nema razlike između liječnika i opće populacije u općoj razini psihološkog distresa, u objema skupinama ta je razina značajno viša nego u razdoblju prije pandemije. Zaključci: Pandemija je izazvala situacijske specifične zabrinutosti kod liječnika, no njihov stupanj opće uznemirenosti i razina procijenjene kvalitete života jednaki su kao i u općoj populaciji. Iako se prema dosadašnjim stranim istraživanjima očekivalo narušeno psihičko zdravlje liječnika u pandemiji, naši rezultati to nisu potvrdili. Jedan je od mogućih razloga povoljna epidemiološka situacija u Hrvatskoj, koja je pokazivala linearni porast oboljelih od COVID-19.
Internet postaje sve važniji izvor informiranja o zdravlju, pa tako i stresu, te može pridonijeti oblikovanju ili jačanju specifičnih vjerovanja o stresu. Novija istraživanja pokazuju da negativna ...vjerovanja o stresu, primjerice vjerovanje da je stres štetan za naše zdravlje, mogu imati različite negativne posljedice. S druge strane, kratka edukacija o pozitivnim aspektima stresa dovodi do manje uznemirenosti i bolje izvedbe u stresnim situacijama. Ovi nalazi uklapaju se u kognitivno-bihevioralni model prema kojemu vjerovanja o stresu snažno utječu na emocionalne i ponašajne odgovore kada se pojavi stres. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je provjeriti kvalitetu informacija o stresu na internetskim stranicama razumljivima hrvatskim govornicima te provjeriti je li stres u većoj mjeri prikazan kao štetan ili adaptivan. U tu svrhu pregledani su tekstovi o stresu na deset internetskih stranica, i to na prvih deset rezultata pretrage za riječ „stres” na Google tražilici. Na polovini internetskih stranica nije napisano tko je autor teksta, a na mnogima se mogu pronaći netočne informacije. Stres je na pregledanim stranicama uglavnom prikazan kao opasan i vrlo štetan po tjelesno i psihičko zdravlje, dok je opisu funkcionalnih aspekata stresa posvećeno šest puta manje riječi. Neki od savjeta za nošenje sa stresom teško su primjenjivi i mogli bi pojačati intenzitet stresa. Izloženost ovakvim sadržajima može dovesti do razvoja ili učvršćivanja negativnih vjerovanja o stresu. Zato je važno uključiti stručnjake u pisanje kvalitetnih psihoedukativnih tekstova o stresu na internetu.
Cyberchondria is a pattern of repetitive search for health information online, which has adverse psychological consequences in spite of its intention to relieve anxiety. This phenomenon is ...particularly relevant in the current pandemic accompanied by increased levels of uncertainty and fear, which can lead to increased volume of health information search on the internet, as well as cyberchondria. The first objective of this study was to test the factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity of Serbian adaptations of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12) and the Short Cyberchondria Scale (SCS). The second aim was to test the direct effects of cyberchondria on pseudoscientific practices (PSP) and the use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) as well as its indirect effects through conspiracy mentality (CMQ). The sample included 511 participants (73.6% women) from Serbia, from the general population. The results support the adequate alpha reliabilities and four-factor structure of CSS-12 and the single-factor structure of SCS, as well as their positive correlations with health anxiety (HAQ), internet addiction (IAT), and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCI-R Obsessions) and a negative correlation with self-esteem (a single-item scale). Additionally, the composite cyberchondria score had both direct and indirect effects on both questionable health practices. Our results revealed conspiracy mentality as one of the possible mechanisms through which cyberchondria is related to the use of PSP/CAM. It stems from distress related to cyberchondria and leads to an increased likelihood of adopting PSPs or CAM as a tool for maintaining a sense of control in an uncertain situation.
PDF
