The relationship between nomophobia and psychiatric symptoms in adolescents

Objective This study aimed to find out whether nomophobia levels are higher in adolescents with internalising or externalising disorders than healthy adolescents and to investigate the correlation of nomophobia levels with externalising and internalising symptoms. Methods K-SADS (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia) was applied to 139 adolescents (ages 13-18) and they were asked to fill No Mobile Phone Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), while the parents were asked to complete Conners Parent Rating Scale-48 (CPRS-48). Results There were no significant differences in nomophobia total scores between the three study groups. However, losing connectedness (LC) and not being able to access information (NAI) subscores were significantly higher in group with internalising disorder than healthy controls and there was no significant difference between group with externalising disorder and healthy group. Separation anxiety, social phobia, total anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and oppositional problems positively correlated with nomophobia total score. Conduct problems correlated with only LC. Total anxiety and hyperactivity predicted nomophobia total score. Conclusions Since anxiety and hyperactivity were predictors of nomophobia according to the study, adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety disorder should be examined for nomophobia as well

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in A Primary School Sample

Objective: This study aimed to determine frequency of DMDD in a community-based sample and to identify comorbid diagnoses in children with DMDD. Methods: The Child Behavior Checklist was given to 650 children attending the primary school and 453 children constituted the sample of the study. 83 children with a total score of 180 in CBCL attention, anxious/depression and aggression subscale scores were evaluated as moderate risk group (MRG) and 14 children with a total score of 210 and higher were considered as high-risk group (HRG) in terms of DMDD. 30 (6.62%of the study sample) from MRG and HRG agreed to participate in the study. DSM-V based psychiatric interview (PI) was done by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Results: Eight of 30 children who underwent PI were within the high-risk group (HRG), and 4 of these children were diagnosed with DMMD (0.88% of the total sample). There was at least one comorbid diagnosis in all four children diagnosed with DMMD. Conclusions: Our study is one of the few studies evaluating the frequency of DMMD in Turkey. Although the prevalence of DMMD is low, comorbid diagnosis rates require detailed examination and multifaceted perspectives in the follow-up and treatment process

The level of anxiety in healthcare workers and their children during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HcWs) reported having high levels of psychological stress caused by the risk of being infected and infecting their families, social isolation, and inadequate protective equipment. This study aimed to determine the level of anxiety and related factors in HcWs and their children during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Online questionnaires were sent to HcWs with children aged 8–18 years via e-mail and WhatsApp messages. In total, 144 HcWs and 135 of their children participated in this study. HcWs completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory state subscale (STAI-S) and the COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale. Their children completed the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). STAI-S and COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale scores of the HcWs in direct contact with COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than of those not in direct contact. Moreover, the children of HcWs that were in direct contact with COVID-19 patients had significantly higher SCARED subscale scores than those whose parents were not in direct contact. There was a significant correlation between the SCARED somatic/panic subscale scores and HcW STAI-S scores. The presence of a mental illness and direct contact with COVID-19 patients were the 2 main predictors of COVID-19 risk perception and the level of anxiety in HcWs. During the COVID-19 pandemic the children of HcWs were observed to be a mentally sensitive group, and preventive mental health programs should be developed