Implementing family involvement in the treatment of patients with psychosis: a systematic review of facilitating and hindering factors

This paper presents independent research and was partially funded by the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) North Thames at Bart's Health NHS Trust

Personality, posttraumatic stress and trauma type: factors contributing to posttraumatic growth and its domains in a Turkish community sample

Background: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is conceptualized as a positive transformation resulting from coping with and processing traumatic life events. This study examined the contributory roles of personality traits, posttraumatic stress (PTS) severity and their interactions on PTG and its domains, as assessed with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Turkish form (PTGI-T). The study also examined the differences in PTG domains between survivors of accidents, natural disasters and unexpected loss of a loved one. Methods: The Basic Personality Traits Inventory, Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, and PTGI-T were administered to a large stratified cluster community sample of 969 Turkish adults in their home settings. Results: The results showed that conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness to experience significantly related to the total PTG and most of the domains. The effects of extraversion, neuroticism and openness to experience were moderated by the PTS severity for some domains. PTG in relating to others and appreciation of life domains was lower for the bereaved group. Conclusion: Further research should examine the mediating role of coping between personality and PTG using a longitudinal design

Carbamazepine and valproic acid: Effects on the serum lipids and liver functions in children

We aimed to determine the effects of carbamazepine, which induces liver microsomal enzymes, and valproic acid on the serum lipids and liver function test results in epileptic children. Thirty-eight epileptic children (18 males, 20 females, mean age 8.6 +/- 3.9 years) were evaluated for serum lipids and liver function test results at the onset and the second and sixth months of antiepileptic therapy. The results of the children receiving carbamazepine (n = 31) and valproic acid (n = 7) were compared. In addition, the values obtained at different periods of treatment were compared within each group. The differences in the serum lipid levels and liver function test results of the children in the carbamazepine group and the valproic acid group were not statistically significant throughout the study. However, the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein, and gamma glutamyl transferase levels were significantly increased in the carbamazepine group during treatment (P < 0.05) but not in the valproic acid group. Carbamazepine treatment alters the serum lipid profile of the children in such a way that it facilitates the development of atherosclerosis, Valproic acid does not alter the levels of the serum lipids. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved