Development of polytoxicomania in function of defense from psychoticism

Introduction. Polytoxicomanic proportions in subpopulations of youth have been growing steadily in recent decades, and this trend is pan-continental. Psychoticism is a psychological construct that assumes special basic dimensions of personality disintegration and cognitive functions. Psychoticism may, in general, be the basis of pathological functioning of youth and influence the patterns of thought, feelings and actions that cause dysfunction. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of basic dimensions of psychoticism for commitment of youth to abuse psychoactive substances (PAS) in order to reduce disturbing intrapsychic experiences or manifestation of psychotic symptoms. Methods. For the purpose of this study, two groups of respondents were formed, balanced by age, gender and family structure of origin (at least one parent alive). The study applied a DELTA-9 instrument for assessment of cognitive disintegration in function of establishing psychoticism and its operationalization. The obtained results were statistically analyzed. From the parameters of descriptive statistics, the arithmetic mean was calculated with measures of dispersion. A cross-tabular analysis of variables tested was performed, as well as statistical significance with Pearson’s χ2-test, and analysis of variance. Results. Age structure and gender are approximately represented in the group of polytoximaniacs and the control group. Testing did not confirm the statistically significant difference (p>0.5). Statistical methodology established that they significantly differed in most variables of psychoticism, polytoxicomaniacs compared with a control group of respondents. Testing confirmed a high statistical significance of differences of variables of psychoticism in the group of respondents for p<0.001 to p<0.01. Conclusion. A statistically significant representation of the dimension of psychoticism in the polytoxicomaniac group was established. The presence of factors concerning common executive dysfunction was emphasized

INFLUENCE OF PSYCHO-SOCIAL FACTORS ON THE EMERGENCE OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL RISK IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of certain psychosocial factors – insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation – on the appearance of depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia. Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that comprised hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in the initial remission phase. The assessment of depression and suicidal risk was made by applying a semi-structured psychiatric interview that included scrutinized factors (insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). On the basis of the assessment results, the sample was divided into two groups: Group of patients with depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia (N=53) and Control group (N = 159) of patients with schizophrenia without depression and suicidal risk. Results: In the Group of patients with depression and suicidal risk, compared with the Control group, there was significantly higher frequency of insight in the mental status

Dysfunctionality of the primary family as a supportive factor for the development of polytoxicomany in young people

Introduction. Dependent behavior represents a strong homeostasis of the family of an addict. Objective. The aim of our research is to record and explore irregularities during the addicts’ growth, as well as the specific type of family relations in the addicts’ family. Methods. For research purposes a general questionnaire was used on growth and development, and GRADIR questionnaire on the assessment of family relationships. Results. Our results indicate that delinquent behavior is often found with the addicts before the occurrence of abuse. A significant dysfunctional family of addicts was detected. Families with an addict were not substantially damaged or altered in terms of emotional exchange, but in their structure that enhanced dysfunction leading to addictive behavior. Conclusion. Emotional investments without control, prohibitions and penalties, contribute to a lack of consciousness that disturbs the process of socialization. Due to the apparent control and the apparent support, the addicts do not have structured organization and socialization. Emotional stimuli without obligation for polytoxicomanes to maintain a reciprocal relationship with their parents influence the parental support of egoistic style of behavior

Vertical distribution of Ra-226 and radiological hazards indices of soil samples

The vertical distribution of Ra-226 was investigated in soils from the cultivated and undisturbed areas in Rudovci, municipality Lazarevac, Serbia. There were three profiles, each profile divided on four horizons, what gives 12 soil samples. The specific activity of Ra-226 in soil and sediment samples was determined by using the gamma-spectrometric method. Analysis of the vertical soil profiles indicated that the activity of Ra-226 was not extremely changed with depth. To evaluate the radiological hazards of Ra-226 in the samples, the absorbed dose rate, the annual effective dose rate, the radium equivalent activity, and the external hazards index were calculated according to the UNSCEAR 2000 report