Cross-national variations in reported discrimination among people treated for major depression worldwide: The ASPEN/INDIGO international study

Background: No study has so far explored differences in discrimination reported by people with major depressive disorder (MDD) across countries and cultures. Aims: To (a) compare reported discrimination across different countries, and (b) explore the relative weight of individual and contextual factors in explaining levels of reported discrimination in people with MDD. Method: Cross-sectional multisite international survey (34 countries worldwide) of 1082 people with MDD. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were assessed by the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC). Countries were classified according to their rating on the Human Development Index (HDI). Multilevel negative binomial and Poisson models were used. Results: People living in 'very high HDI' countries reported higher discrimination than those in 'medium/low HDI' countries. Variation in reported discrimination across countries was only partially explained by individual-level variables. The contribution of country-level variables was significant for anticipated discrimination only. Conclusions: Contextual factors play an important role in anticipated discrimination. Country-specific interventions should be implemented to prevent discrimination towards people with MDD

Sulfuric acid and Amberlyst-H\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e catalyzed condensation reactions of renewable keto acids with paraformaldehyde: Synthesis of a new dispiro bis-lactone ring system 2,9,13-trioxadispiro[4.1.4.3]tetradecane-3,6,10-trione

The sulfuric acid and Amberlyst-H+ catalyzed condensation reactions of renewable feedstock levulinic acid with paraformaldehyde under neat conditions at 80 °C gives 2,9,11,14-tetraoxadispiro[4.1.5.3]pentadecane-3,6-dione in 91-93% yield, in which the structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. A similar condensation reaction between 4-ketopimelic acid and paraformaldehyde at 80 °C gives 2,9,13-trioxadispiro[4.1.4.3]tetradecane-3,6,10-trione. This new dispiro bis-lactone was found to composed of a 1.6 : 1 mixture of isomers with planes of symmetry bisecting the tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-one rings through the carbonyl groups

A model of internalized stigma in parents of individuals with disabilities

Background: Stigma has negative impacts on both individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, including poor mental health and social isolation. In the present study, we aimed to test a model of stigma internalization among parents of individuals with disabilities, as this process in not yet completely understood. Aim: Specifically, we explored effects of experienced stigma and neuroticism on affiliate stigma and examined whether perceived stigma and self-blame are mediators in a stigma internalization model. Methods: We recruited 82 parents of individuals with disabilities in Serbia over the course of six months. Parents were asked about perceived stigma, experienced stigma, affiliate stigma, self-blame, and they completed an assessment of personality traits. Results: Both experienced stigma and neuroticism were positively correlated with affiliate stigma. In addition, perceived stigma was a mediator between these variables: parents who experienced stigma more and had higher neuroticism scores reported higher degrees of perceived stigma, which in turn positively affected affiliate stigma. Self-blame was not a significant mediator in the tested model. Conclusion: We conclude stigma internalization among parents of individuals with disabilities is a complex process, involving experienced stigma, neuroticism, and perceived stigma. Interventions should include multiple paths to adequately support parents to combat stigma