A dimensional taxonomy of behavioral problems and emotional difficulties in three-year olds

U svijetlu kontroverze o dijagnostičkoj klasifikaciji i epidemiologiji predškolskih psihičkih poremećaja, čini se da su opravdana daljnja istraživanja taksonomije psihopatologije kod predškolske djece. U Sloveniji se provodi testiranje psihopatologije kod predškolske djece pomoću Sistematskog psihološkog pregleda trogodišnjeg djeteta (SPP-3). Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi taksonomiju bihevioralnih problema i emocionalnih poteškoća dobivenim pomoću SPP-3 te dokumentirati valjanost u odnosu na Achenbachovu check-listu dječjeg ponašanja (CBCL), međunarodno priznatu mjeru dječje psihopatologije. Prikupljeni su podaci za 26 000 djece, koji su korišteni za eksploratorno i potvrdno uspoređivanje strukturalnih modela, dok su podaci za 212 djece korišteni za utvrđivanje usporedne valjanosti sa CBCL-om. Osmofaktorski potvrdni model najbolje je odgovarao prikupljenim podacima (RMSEA = 0,023, CFI = 0,951), a uključivao je dimenzije internaliziranog ponašanja, povučenog ponašanja, problema hranjenja, poteškoća u eliminaciji, problema sa spavanjem, eksternaliziranog ponašanja, tikova i navika te somatskih problema. Naši se rezultati preklapaju s utvrđenim empirijskim modelima psihopatologije kod predškolske djece te upućuju na mogući zajednički okvir za opisivanje psihopatologije kod predškolske djece pomoću različitih mjernih instrumenata. Također ističu moguće istraživačke pravce te prevenciju u području mentalnog zdravlja predškolske djece.In light of the controversy regarding the diagnostic classification and epidemiology of preschool psychiatric disorders, more research into the taxonomy of preschool psychopathology seems warranted. In Slovenia the signs and symptoms of preschool psychopathology are screened for in the population using the Psychological Screening Survey of Three-year olds (SPP-3). The current study aimed to establish a taxonomy of behavioral problems and emotional difficulties obtained via the SPP-3 and document its concurrent validity in regard to the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, an internationally well-established measure of child psychopathology. Data from over 26000 children was used for exploratory and confirmatory structural equation modeling, while data from 212 children was used to establish concurrent validity with the CBCL. An eight-factor confirmatory model provided the best fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.023, CFI = 0.951) and included the dimensions of Internalizing Behavior, Withdrawn Behavior, Eating Problems, Elimination Difficulties, Sleep Problems, Externalizing Behaviors, Tics and Habit Behaviors and Somatic Problems. Our results overlap with previously established empirical models of preschool psychopathology and point towards a possible common framework for describing preschool psychopathology across different assessment instruments. They also highlight avenues for research and prevention work in the field of preschool mental health

Neurofeedback in ADHD/ADD treatment

Neurofeedback, known also as EEG feedback or neurotherapy, is a procedure based on behavioral therapy where subjects learn to modify their brain waves by means of operant conditioning. The procedure is used in treatment of behavioral disorders, learning difficulties, sleep disorders, chronic pain, and epilepsy. It can also be of some help in treating anxiety and depression. The aim of the article is to present the use of neurofeedback in treatment of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD). Research shows that during the procedure subjects improve the core symptoms of ADHD such as the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Neurofeedback could become an important element of multimodal assessment of children with ADHD

Biopsychosocial model of chronic recurrent pain

Pain is not merely a symptom of disease but a complex independent phenomenon where psychological factors are always present (Sternberg, 1973). Especially by chronic, recurrent pain it's more constructive to think of chronic pain as a syndrome that evolves over time, involving a complex interaction of physiological/organic, psychological, and behavioural processes. Study of chronic recurrent functional pain covers tension form of headache. 50 suffering persons were accidentally chosen among those who had been seeking medical help over more than year ago. We tested their pain intensity and duration, extent of subjective experience of accommodation efforts, temperament characteristics, coping strategies, personal traits, the role of pain in intra- and interpersonal communication. At the end we compared this group with control group (without any manifest physical disorders) and with analyse of variance (MANOVA). The typical person who suffers and expects medical help is mostly a woman, married, has elementary or secondary education, is about 40. Pain, seems to appear in the phase of stress-induced psychophysical fatigue, by persons with lower constitutional resistance to different influences, greater irritability and number of physiologic correlates of emotional tensions. Because of their ineffective style of coping, it seems they quickly exhausted their adaptation potential too. Through their higher level of social–field dependence, reactions of other persons (doctor, spouse) could be important factors of reinforcement and social learning processes. In managing of chronic pain, especially such as tension headache is, it's very important to involve bio-psychosocial model of pain and integrative model of treatment. Intra- and inter-subjective psychological functions of pain must be recognised as soon as possible

Biopsychosocial model of chronic recurrent pain

Bolečina ni le znak bolezni, večkrat je povsem samostojen pojav, ki pa je vselej povezan s psihološkimi dejavniki (Sternberg, 1973). Posebno o kronični, ponavljajoči se bolečini, ki se postopno razvije kot sindrom fizioloških, psiholoških in vedenjskih sprememb, v odvisnosti druga od druge, je treba razmišljati v tej smeri. V raziskavo smo naključno zajeli 50 oseb s tenzijskim glavobolom, ki so v zadnjem letu večkrat iskali zdravniško pomoč. Preverili smo jakost njihove bolečine, njeno trajanje, obseg doživetih obremenitev in potrebnih prilagoditvenih poskusov, konstitucionalne oziroma temperaturne značilnosti načine spoprijemanja, osebnostne poteze, vlogo bolečine v intra in intersubjektnem komuniciranju. Rezultate smo s pomočjo multivariatne analize variance (MANOVA) primerjali s kontrolno skupino in podatke testirali z analizo variance. Oseba, ki trpi in pričakuje pomoč, je v naši skupini največkrat ženska, poročena, z osnovnošolsko ali srednješolsko izobrazbo, stara okrog 40 let. Kot kaže se bolečina pojavi v stanju stresne izčrpanosti, ki pa ni odvisna le od ocene doživetih obremenitev ter poskusov razrešiti jih, pač pa tudi od konstitucijsko šibkejšega živčnega aparata teh oseb in njihovega manj učinkovitega sloga spoprijemanja s problemi. Pomemben dejavnik vztrajanja bolečine se skriva v njihovi odvisnosti od socialnega polja pa tudi v odzivih drugih oseb (zdravnik, partner). Pomembno je, da se v obravnavi oseb s kronično bolečino, posebno še tistih s tenzijskim glavobolom, naslonimo na bio-psihosocialni model bolečine ter take osebe vključimo v integrativno terapijo, katere del je tudi psihološka obravnava. Vloga psiholoških dejavnikov v pojavnosti bolečine mora biti zato jasna, saj tudi tako lahko preprečimo kronifikacijo pojava.Pain is not merely a symptom of disease but a complex independent phenomenon where psychological factors are always present (Sternberg, 1973). Especially by chronic, recurrent pain it\u27s more constructive to think of chronic pain as a syndrome that evolves over time, involving a complex interaction of physiological/organic, psychological, and behavioural processes. Study of chronic recurrent functional pain covers tension form of headache. 50 suffering persons were accidentally chosen among those who had been seeking medical help over more than year ago. We tested their pain intensity and duration, extent of subjective experience of accommodation efforts, temperament characteristics, coping strategies, personal traits, the role of pain in intra- and interpersonal communication. At the end we compared this group with control group (without any manifest physical disorders) and with analyse of variance (MANOVA). The typical person who suffers and expects medical help is mostly a woman, married, has elementary or secondary education, is about 40. Pain, seems to appear in the phase of stress-induced psychophysical fatigue, by persons with lower constitutional resistance to different influences, greater irritability and number of physiologic correlates of emotional tensions. Because of their ineffective style of coping, it seems they quickly exhausted their adaptation potential too. Through their higher level of social-field dependence, reactions of other persons (doctor, spouse) could be important factors of reinforcement and social learning processes. In managing of chronic pain, especially such as tension headache is, it\u27s very important to involve bio-psychosocial model of pain and integrative model of treatment. Intra- and inter-subjective psychological functions of pain must be recognised as soon as possible

Elite sport and sustainable psychological well-being

There is conflicting evidence that sport plays a protective role in the development of psychopathological disorders and contributes to the sustainability of mental health. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among elite Slovenian athletes. We were interested in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicide risk, substance abuse, and eating disorders among athletes of both sexes and among athletes of individual and team sports aged 18 years or older. A total of 97 elite athletes participated in the study. We used PAI and EDI-3 questionnaires, and the study also included a control group of 90 non-athletes, matched in gender and age to the target group of elite athletes. Testing was conducted in 2020 and 2021. The comparison between elite athletes and the normative group showed a similar expression of depressive and anxious symptomatology. The athletes have a more pronounced drive for thinness and are more expansive, self-confident, and confident of their abilities compared to the control group. A total of 14% of the athletes show self-confidence to the point of self-grandiosity. Male athletes are more likely to use alcohol and other psychoactive substances and are also more impulsive and risk-taking, while female athletes are at higher risk of developing eating disorders. The study suggests that the prevalence of mental disorders in elite athletes is as high as in the general population. There is an urgent need to sustainably ensure the psychological well-being of athletes