Psychological wellbeing of Turkish university students with physical impairments: An evaluation within the stress-vulnerability paradigm

Generally, universities in developing countries offer little in the way of provisions and support (material, emotional, etc.) for disabled students. Therefore, disabled students experience considerable burdens and barriers in their educational life. This study investigated the psychological wellbeing of disabled Turkish university students by examining influences on stress-related growth and psychological distress. Disability is defined within the framework of a social model. According to this view, impairment refers to the functional limitation(s) that affect(s) a person's body, whereas disability refers to the loss or limitation of opportunities owing to social, physical or psychological obstacles. Seventy disabled university students with physical impairments were administered a questionnaire package, including a sociodemographic information sheet, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Stress-Related Growth Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, Life Events Inventory, and Brief Symptom Inventory. Snowball sampling was used and voluntary participation was essential. The results showed that disability burden, daily hassles, and helplessness coping were significant predictors of psychological symptoms. For stress-related growth the only variable that appeared significant was problem-solving coping. The results pointed out that there may be different pathways to distress and growth. In order to decrease psychological distress and enhance growth in disabled university students, disability awareness programs, changes in the barriers in the academic and physical environments of the university campuses, and coping skills training to increase problem-focused coping and to combat helplessness may prove to be effective. Reducing daily hassles for the disabled students is likely to contribute to their wellbeing by decreasing their burdens. Also, a more disability-friendly environment is likely to be empowering for disabled university students

Antioxidant activity of selected fruits and vegetables grown in Turkey

Antioxidant activities of different fruits (apple, quince, grape, pear and pomegranate) and vegetables (potato, onion, spring onion, red radish and red cabbage) were determined. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of those samples were assessed. Among fruits, pomegranate had the highest (62.7%) antioxidant activity, followed by quince (60.4%), grape (26.6%), apple (25.7%) and pear (13.7%). The antioxidant activity of vegetables ranged from 40.8% (red cabbage) to 12.5% (onion). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in fruits varied from 326 to 4306 mg of catechin kg-1 and from 282 to 2115 mg of catechin kg-1, respectively. Those in vegetables ranged between 536 and 2166 mg of catechin kg-1 and between 153 and 842 mg of catechin kg-1, respectively. A high and significant correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content was determined in fruits (r2 = 0.9307, P < 0.01) and vegetables (r2 = 0.9361 P < 0.05). However, flavonoid content was not significantly correlated with antioxidant activity in vegetables, while it was significantly related in fruits (r2 = 0.8316, P < 0.01). It was observed that total phenolic content is the major contributor to the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables

Psychological wellbeing of Turkish university students with physical impairments: An evaluation within the stress-vulnerability paradigm

Generally, universities in developing countries offer little in the way of provisions and support (material, emotional, etc.) for disabled students. Therefore, disabled students experience considerable burdens and barriers in their educational life. This study investigated the psychological wellbeing of disabled Turkish university students by examining influences on stress-related growth and psychological distress. Disability is defined within the framework of a social model. According to this view, impairment refers to the functional limitation(s) that affect(s) a person's body, whereas disability refers to the loss or limitation of opportunities owing to social, physical or psychological obstacles. Seventy disabled university students with physical impairments were administered a questionnaire package, including a sociodemographic information sheet, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Stress-Related Growth Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, Life Events Inventory, and Brief Symptom Inventory. Snowball sampling was used and voluntary participation was essential. The results showed that disability burden, daily hassles, and helplessness coping were significant predictors of psychological symptoms. For stress-related growth the only variable that appeared significant was problem-solving coping. The results pointed out that there may be different pathways to distress and growth. In order to decrease psychological distress and enhance growth in disabled university students, disability awareness programs, changes in the barriers in the academic and physical environments of the university campuses, and coping skills training to increase problem-focused coping and to combat helplessness may prove to be effective. Reducing daily hassles for the disabled students is likely to contribute to their wellbeing by decreasing their burdens. Also, a more disability-friendly environment is likely to be empowering for disabled university students

Psychopathology, depression and dissociative experiences in patients with lichen simplex chronicus

WOS: 000246770600008PubMed: 17484940Objective: Psychogenic factors may play a contributory role in the development or persistence of lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychiatric profile of patients with LSC, including depression and dissociative experiences. Method: Dermatology outpatients with a LSC (n=30) were compared with outpatients with tinea in which psychological factors are regarded as negligible (n=30). All subjects were given psychiatric scales including the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Results: All mean SCL-90 scores for general psychopathology were higher in the LSC compared to the control group. HAM-D and DES scores were significantly higher in the LSC group (P <.05) as well. In addition, the number of patients whose total DES score of 30 and above was higher in the LSC group. Conclusions: Psychiatric symptoms appear relatively common among patients with LSC. Further research is needed to confirm the possible role of dissociative tendencies in the etiology of LSC. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Pedobarographic measurements after repair of Achilles tendon by minimal invasive surgery

Objective:The aim of the study was to assess the changes of plantar foot pressures with pedobarography in patients with Achilles tendon repair by minimally invasive surgical technique.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study consisted of 15 consecutive patients who were operated between 2010 and 2012.The mean age was 28.7 years (24-42) and the mean follow-up time was 2.3 years (1.5-3).All patients had sports related Achilles' tendon rupture and all had undergone surgery in 24-48 hours.Peak and mean heel and forefoot pressures in injured extremity were measured by pedobarograph and compared with noninvolved foot.Results:There wasn’t any complication associated with surgery such as wound problems, rerupture or neurologic injury.Only three patients had some numbness at the incision site.When we compare the mean foot pressures between the operated foot and the normal foot, there was no statistical difference about peak and mean heel and forefoot plantar pressure between involved site and non involved site.Conclusions:As a result, Achilles tendon repair with minimal invasive technique and early rehabilitation may prevent changes of plantar foot pressure distribution

Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Rapid Delta Formation, Turkish coast

The morphology of river mouths can be completely changed by dramatic flow changes caused by climate changes in catchment basins. Agricultural activities that overexploit water produce changes in sediment discharge that are reflected in sedimentation rates in dams. The basic aim of this study is to assess the causes and effects of rapid delta. formation in Gomec (an important tourism centre on the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey), as a result of river catchment changes between 1998 and 2001. The rapidly developing delta covers an area of approximately 2 km length and 100 m width and was studied using numerical simulation and field studies. Bathymetric measurement, flow velocity and oceanographic parameters were measured. Bottom sediment samples were taken from the river and adjacent sea and sources were determined by mineral analysis. River flows and wave properties (determined from hindcast wind data) were used in the numerical model studies. The development of the delta was predicted for different scenarios. It is concluded that unless remedial action is taken, the delta will continue to develop rapidly and will produce both morphological and ecological impacts