COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinde anksiyete düzeyleri ve anksiyetenin başa çıkma stilleri ve ilgili faktörler ile ilişkisi

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of anxiety in medical school students during the (Coronavirus Disease-19) COVID-19 outbreak, as well as the relationship between “clinically significant anxiety” and coping styles and selected features. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire was performed to evaluate 713 medical school students. The questionnaire included the subsections of sociodemographic data, items evaluating selected features, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Scale and Coping Styles Scale Brief Form (The Brief COPE). Results: Of the 713 participants, 285 (39,97%) were normal, 261 (36,61%) were mild, 123 (17,25%) were moderate, and 44 (6,17%) had severe anxiety. 167 (23,42%) of the participants had GAD-7 scores ≥ 10, so they had a "clinically significant anxiety" and these individuals needed clinical evaluation in terms of GAD. Being female and younger was associated with significant clinical anxiety. More adoption of the ineffective coping strategies such as focus on and venting of emotions, substance use, behavioral disengagement, mental disengagement, and the problem-focused coping strategies such as suppression of competing activities are considered predictors of “clinically significant anxiety”. On the contrary, those who did not have “clinically significant anxiety” have more adopted problem-focused styles such as planning and using instrumental social support, and emotional-focused styles such as positive reinterpretation and acceptance. Conclusion: Our results emphasize the factors and functional coping styles that should be considered to protect the mental health of medical school students while fighting a disaster that has a major impact on society worldwide.Amaç: Coronavirus Hastalığı-19 (COVID-19) pandemisi sırasında tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin anksiyete prevalansını, ayrıca “klinik olarak anlamlı anksiyete”nin başa çıkma stilleri ve seçilmiş özellikler ile ilişkisini araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: 713 tıp fakültesi öğrencisini değerlendirmek için çevrimiçi bir anket yapıldı. Anket sosyodemografik veriler, seçilmiş özelliklerin değerlendirildiği itemler, Yaygın Anksiyete Bozukluğu-7 (YAB-7) Ölçeği, Başa Çıkma Stilleri Ölçeği Kısa Formu (BÇSÖ-KF) alt bölümlerini içermekteydi. Bulgular: 713 katılımcının 285 (%39,97)‘i normal, 261 (%36,61)’i hafif, 123 (%17,25)’i orta, 44 (%6,17)’ü ciddi seviyede anksiyeteye sahipti. Katılımcıların 167 (%23,42)’sinin YAB-7 skorları ≥ 10'du, böylece “klinik olarak anlamlı anksiyete”ye sahipti ve bu kişilerin YAB bakımından klinik değerlendirmeye ihtiyacı vardı. Kadın ve daha küçük yaşta olmak anlamlı klinik anksiyete ile ilişkiliydi. İşlevsel olmayan (inefektif) başa çıkma stillerinden olan duygulara odaklanma ve ortaya koyma, madde kullanımı, davranışsal olarak ilgiyi kesme ve zihinsel olarak ilgiyi kesme ve problem odaklı başa çıkma stillerinden olan diğer etkinlikleri bırakmayı daha fazla benimseme klinik olarak anlamlı anksiyete üzerinde öngördürücüydü. Aksine, “klinik olarak anlamlı kaygısı” olmayanlar, problem odaklı olan araçsal sosyal destek kullanımı ve planlama ile duygusal odaklı olan olumlu yeniden yorumlama ve kabullenme başa çıkma stillerini daha fazla benimsemiştir. Sonuç: Bulgularımız, dünya çapında toplum üzerinde büyük etkileri olan bir felaketle savaşırken tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin mental refahını korumak için dikkate alınması gereken faktörleri ve işlevsel olabilecek başa çıkma stillerini vurgulamaktadır

Evaluation of mood disorder questionnaire positivity and associated factors in a population-based screening study

The Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) is a 3-item scale that is frequently used in bipolar disorders (BD) screening and questions the symptoms of BD, its effect on functionality, and the coexistence of symptoms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of positive screening of the MDQ among general population and to investigate the associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, the sample was randomly selected from household data to represent the city population. A total of 432 participants were asked to fill in MDQ, CAGE (cutting down, annoyance by criticism, guilty feeling, and eye-openers) questionnaire, which consists of four clinical interview questions proven to aid in the diagnosis of alcoholism, and clinical and sociodemographic data form. The Cronbach’s alpha value of our current study was 0.813 for MDQ. The prevalence of MDQ positivity was found 7.6%. The estimated prevalence rate of bipolar disorders varied between 0.3 and 13.4% according to different cut-off values. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that the presence of possible alcohol addiction, shift work history, and body mass index (BMI) were statistically significant predictors of MDQ positivity. The prevalence of MDQ positivity found is similar to studies in literature. Keeping in mind that psychometric properties of the MDQ, positive screen results should be cautiously interpreted due to the presence of other risk factors and comorbidities

Analysis of post-migration traumatic events influence on immigrants and their personality traits

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyse the way immigrants and their personality traits get affected by traumatic events in the post-migration process. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted through Google Forms with the involvement of 2,509 immigrants. A descriptive questionnaire, the "IFOMA Post-Migration Post-Traumatic Effect Scale" and the "GADOT Personality Types Determination Scale" were used to collect the research data. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and related sample Friedman's two-way analysis tests were used in data analysis. RESULTS: Immigrants were exposed to significant effects in all sub-dimensions of the Post-Migration Post-Traumatic Effect Scale. Experiencing post-traumatic stress was found to be significantly related to the research parameters, which, respectively, are gender, age, marital status, educational background, legal status, years of living in the current country, employment status, ethnicity, Turkish language proficiency, and post-migration psychological problems (p < 0.05); 42.8% of the immigrants had the Type 9 personality, and all personality types were affected by the Psychological Affection, Physical Affection, Anxiety, and Social Adaptation sub-dimensions, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: By analysing the impact of migration-induced trauma on immigrants within their society, it can be recommended to implement initiatives specific to immigrants' personality traits and to carry out protective/preventive projects that will minimize immigrants' exposure to trauma and encourage their participation in social adaptation processes

Evaluation of the relationship between theory of mind relating to cognitive performance and post-traumatic stress disorder in Syrian refugee amputees living in Turkey

BackgroundAccording to the available literature, studies examining the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a small sample size and are few in number.AimsThis study aims to investigate the relationship between the potential presence of PTSD in Syrian refugee amputees living in Turkey, ToM skills measured by Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and variables related to amputation.MethodOur 69 follow-up amputee patients answered a socio-demographic and amputation data form, and the RMET, PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) completed a ToM task.ResultsThose with potential PTSD were significantly less educated than those without (p = .017). Prosthesis usage time (p = .002) and duration of post-amputation (p = .033) were significantly shorter in those with potential PTSD compared to those without. The RMET neutral valence (p = .035) and RMET total (p = .017) accuracy scores were significantly lower in patients with potential PTSD. Those with potential PTSD were higher significantly more depressed (p < .001). In our regression analyses, lower education level (p < .05), shorter prosthesis usage time (p = .008), and lower RMET neutral valence (p = .006) / RMET total (p = .032) accuracy scores predicted the presence of potential PTSD.ConclusionsLower education level, prosthesis use for a shorter period, and poor mind-reading skills from neutral and total eye expressions were predictive of the potential presence of PTSD in amputees, even though they were largely exposed to similar traumas. Our findings suggest that treatment and follow-up of PTSD should also target deficits in cognitive and emotional abilities

The evaluation of personality of epileptic patients by using cloninger’s temperament and character ınventory

Amaç: Epilepsi hastalarının kişilik yapısını boyutsal olarak değerlendiren az sayıda araştırma vardır. Bu çalışmada epilepsi hastalarının kişilik özelliklerinin, kişiliği boyutsal açıdan değerlendirmeye olanak tanıyan Mizaç ve Karakter Ölçeği (MKÖ) kullanılarak sağlıklı kontrollere göre farklılık olup olmadığının araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu araştırma, 78 epilepsi hastası ve 85 sağlıklı kontrol grubu üzerinde yürütülen kesitsel, karşılaştırmalı bir araştırmadır. Denekler SCID-I, SCID-II, MKÖ ve HAM-D ölçekleri ile değerlendirildi. Gruplar arasında fark olup olmadığı, parametrik koşullarda t testi ve nonparametrik koşullarda Mann-Whitney U testi ile analiz edildi. Bulgular: Epilepsi grubu ile kontrol grubu arasında (s=85) MKÖ alt ölçekleri bakımından; zarardan kaçınma, yabancılardan çekinme, sebat etme, amaçlılık, beceriklilik, kendini aşma, kendilik kaybı, kişiler ötesi özdeşim ve manevi kabullenme skorlarında anlamlı farklılık bulundu (p<0.005). Buna göre epilepsi hastaları kontrollere göre karamsar, sakıngan, utangaç, bitkin, tembel, elde ettiğiyle yetinen, faydacı, amaçlı, beceriksiz, hayal gücü kıt, aşırı denetimli, materyalistik ve paylaşımcı olmayan bireyler olarak tanımlanabilir. Epilepsi grubunda %23 oranında I. eksen tanısı saptandı. En sık saptanan bozukluk majör depresyondu (s=10, %56). Aynı grupta %37 (s=29) sıklığında saptanan DSM-IV II. eksen kişilik bozukluklarının %59’unu (s=17) C kümesi kişilik bozuklukları oluşturmaktaydı. Tartışma: Araştırmamızın sonucunda epilepsi hastalarının kontrollere göre MKÖ parametreleri açısından farklılıklar gösterdiği ortaya konmuştur. Bu farklılıkların epilepsi hastalığıyla nedensel ilişkisini saptamaya yönelik daha büyük hasta serilerinde yapılacak izlem çalışmalarına gereksinim vardır.Objective: There is little research evaluating the personality of epileptic patients dimensionally in the literature. In this study we aimed to evaluate the personality traits of epileptic patients and compare them healthy controls by using Cloninger&amp;#8217;s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Methods: Seventy-eight consecutive epileptic outpatients and 85 healthy controls were included. Both groups were given TCI after evaluation by SCID I, SCID II and HAM-D. The data were analyzed with regard the group differences with t test (parametric condition) or Mann- Whitney U tests by using computer program. Results: The epileptic group were found significantly different (p<0.005) regarding TCI parameters; shyness, harm avoidance, persistence, self-forgetfulness, transpersonal identification, spiritual acceptance and self-transcendence. Accordingly, epileptic patients can be defined as pessimistic, fearful, shy, fatigable, lazy, underachiever, pragmatist, unimaginative, controlling, materialistic and possessive individuals compared to the control group. 23% of the epileptic group has had at least one DSM Axis I disorder. The most common diagnose was depression (n=10, 56%). Detected 37% (n=29) DSM-IV Axis II diagnosis of which 59% (n=17) consisted of cluster C personality disorders within the same group. Discussion: Our results showed that epileptic patients were differentiated with regard the TCI parameters compared to the healthy controls. Our results indicate that epileptics are more fearful, impersistent (easily discouraged) and concrete (lower in ST, less insightful and intuitive). To find out causal relationship between these differentiation and epilepsy, follow up studies in a larger sample are needed

Prevalence of anxiety and relationship of anxiety with coping styles and related factors in healthcare workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The aim is to investigate anxiety prevalence among the healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic and the also relationship of "significant clinical anxiety" with coping styles and the related factors. Subjects and methods: An online questionnaire was performed to evaluate the anxiety responses of 544 healthcare workers, the adopted coping styles and the related factors during COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire included the subsections of sociodemographic data, other clinical data and the items on exposure to social media, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Scale and Coping Styles Scale Brief Form. Results: Minimal, mild, moderate and severe anxiety were present in 214 (39.3%), 191 (35.1%), 95 (17.5%) and 44 (8.1%) participants, respectively. GAD-7 score was ≥10 in 139 (25.6%) of the participants indicating "significant clinical anxiety". Being female and a nurse were associated with significant clinical anxiety. In addition, the parameters such as "concern about COVID-19, concern about infect COVID-19 to relatives, unwillingness to work, frequency of social media use about COVID-19, sleep disturbances and experiencing somatic symptoms" were observed to be extremely significantly more common in the healthcare workers with "significant clinical anxiety" than those without that mental condition. The regression analysis revealed that higher adoption of using emotional social support, one of the emotional focused coping styles and behavioral disengagement, one of the ineffektive focused coping styles are considered to be predictor of significant clinical anxiety. Whereas, positive reinterpretation, one of the emotional focused coping styles was a predictor in reduction of significant clinical anxiety. Also more frequent exposure to social media and sleep disturbances were the predictors of significant clinical anxiety in the healthcare staff. Conclusion: Our results have emphasized the factors that should be taken into account and application of coping styles that may be functional in protecting mental health of the healthcare workers in their struggle against a huge disaster affecting worldwide societies

The relationship of probable clinical anxiety with attitude-behaviour, coping styles and social support in healthy pregnant women during the late period COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of state and trait probable clinical anxiety and their relationship with socio-demographic factors, attitude-behaviour, coping styles and social support level in high-risk pregnant women in the late period of COVID-19 pandemic. The pregnant women followed up in the gynaecological outpatient clinic were evaluated during their admissions. About 191 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Data were collected using the socio-demographic and pregnancy attitude-behaviour data form, STAI (Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), the Coping Styles Scale Brief Form (Brief-COPE) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Our study found that pregnant women had high anxiety levels (STAI-S:37.90 +/- 8.88; STAI-T:42.46 +/- 7.80) and probable clinical anxiety prevalences (STAI-S:81(42.4%); STAI-T:123(64.4%)) in the late period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that COVID-19 determined the preference of the birth method and the level of knowledge about COVID-19 predicted state probable clinical anxiety. Educational status, concern for COVID-19 transmission to the baby during pregnancy/birth, behavioural disengagement, focussing on and venting emotions predicted trait probable clinical anxiety. Our results have emphasised the factors that should be taken into account and coping styles that may be functional to protect the mental well-being of healthy pregnants.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to increase the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression of the general population and healthcare workers. There is limited studies about pregnant women. What do the results of this study add? According to our study, we can say that approximately half of the pregnant women in a pandemic need psychiatric evaluation due to probable clinical anxiety. The relationship between anxiety in the pandemic process and birth preference has been shown and coping styles in healthy pregnant women have been investigated for the first time, effective and ineffective coping styles have been shown. In addition, it has been found that the social support of pregnant women is effective in managing the pandemic process. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? According to our current findings, a multidisciplinary approach in which pregnant women are screened with self-report psychiatry tests and appropriate pregnant women are consulted to psychiatry during pandemic processes will make it easier for obstetricians to manage the patient. Especially strengthening effective coping styles and social support will have a great effect in mental rehabilitation. In this respect, further studies on pregnant women are needed

Anxiety, attitudes-behaviors, coping styles, and social support among high-risk pregnant women in the late period of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety among high-risk pregnant women in the late period of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and to evaluate the relationship between anxiety levels, attitudes-behaviors, coping styles, and other psychometric parameters. METHODS: Pregnant women who were followed up in our gynecology outpatient clinic were evaluated during their admissions between November 15, 2020 and February 15, 2021. This cross-sectional study analyzes prospectively collected data from a university hospital. Inclusion criteria were those being at risk of pregnancy and between the age of 18 and 45 years, while exclusion criteria were mental retardation and the presence of serious psychiatric illness. The study included 140 participants. Sociodemographic and pregnant attitudes-behaviors data form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Coping Styles Scale Brief Form (Brief-COPE), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used to collect data. RESULTS: Participants had high anxiety levels (State-STAI: 40.32±9.88; Trait-STAI: 42.71±7.32) and high prevalence of probable clinical anxiety [State-STAI: 84 (60.0%); Trait-STAI: 92 (65.7%)]. The fact concerning the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 to the baby during pregnancy/birth, extent to which coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic prevents regular pregnancy checkups, and family subgroup-Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support predicted state probable clinical anxiety. Use of disinfectants predicted trait probable clinical anxiety. Employment status predicted state/trait probable clinical anxiety. The existence of trait probable clinical anxiety was significantly associated with behavioral disengagement and substance use which are considered ineffective coping styles. Participants without trait probable clinical anxiety had significantly more adopted positive reinterpretation, one of emotion-focused coping styles. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, the concern of the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 to the babies during pregnancy/birth may be the main factor influencing anxiety among high-risk pregnant women