The high prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with cancer has an impact on a decrease in quality of life. there are practically no studies among people with lymphoproliferative diseases, which determines the relevance of our study.

Purpose: to assess the prevalence of anxiety-affective spectrum disorders and their impact on the quality of life and adaptability in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and a group, including malignant neoplasm of the body of the stomach and T- and B- cellular lymphoma.

95 patients (women - 52, men - 44) diagnosed with NHL, HL, others were examined using a continuous sampling method.

Clinical interviews; the author’s questionnaire; HADS, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, PSM-25. STATTECH were used to process the data.

The average age was 52.8±8.3 years (18 to 86). 3 groups: 1-non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 2-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 3- malignant neoplasm of the stomach body and T- and B-cell lymphoma. In gr-s 1 and 2 (90% and 85%), no symptoms of anxiety were detected. In gr 3, clinically pronounced anxiety levels were uniformly detected in 50%. Depressive symptoms a predominantly absence in all groups (1 - 95%; 2 - 86% and 3 - 75%) p>0.05. The assessment of quality of life: in gr 1 and 2, most of the patients noted that they experience some difficulties in the final indicator (55% and 61%), pronounced problems prevail in gr 3 (50%). The mobility of the majority in all groups does not suffer or suffers to a minor extent, 80% of all noted the absence of difficulties in self-care. “daily activity” were a statistically significant - 64% maintained it at a high level (p=0.006); Pain/discomfort is experienced by more than half of the respondents to a moderate degree 55% (p=0.003). In gr 1 and 3, the average of EQ-VAS determined at a level of more than 70 (the arithmetic mean 78 and 73), which indicates a more favorable sense of self. In gr 2 the average was determined at 68, also characterizes a high level of assessment of their general condition, in all patients with CLL, according to PSM 25, the stress level was determined to be low, indicates a state of psychological adaptation to workloads in 100%. In the gr 1, 12 people (17%) were identified with an average level of stress and reduced adaptation and need the rest for this contingent.

our pilot study showed that patients with lymphoproliferative diseases are characterized by a slight decrease in their quality of life, a high level of life satisfaction, good stress resistance to workloads. The main symptoms (reliably expressed in 55%), are moderate severity of pain and discomfort. The obtained data make it possible to emphasize the heterogeneity of the prevalence and severity of anxiety-affective symptoms in patients with various types of oncological diseases.

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Several authors have demonstrated that COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by feelings of fear, anxiety and insecurity (Wang et al., Int JERPH 2020; 17, 1729) Emotions and affective states as nervous, apprehension, despair, preoccupation was also studied (de Sousa et al., PSYCH 2024; 6(1), 163-176). Therefore, affective but also cognitive factors were important to the perception of the pandemic threat and its impact. In accordance, it seems important to understand if the perception of each one vulnerability to COVID-19 is related with the development of high levels of stress, depression and anxiety symptoms.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the relation between the perception of vulnerability, stress, depression and anxiety in public health threats, as COVID 19.

This study followed a cross-sectional design and its sample consisted of 600 participants, distributed between two countries (N Brasil=300; N Portugal=300). The instrument used to assess the three dimensions: stress, anxiety, and depression, with seven items each were the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21-item version (DASS-21) (Lovibond & Lovibond; BHV, 1995; 33, 335-43 ) presented in a four-point response scale (0-Not applied to me; 3- Applied to me most of the time). To assess the perception of vulnerability to COVID-19 a 5 item Likert Scale were used (1-Not vulnerable; 5-Extremely vulnerable). The protocol was developed online, presenting the objectives of the study, and ensuring the anonymity and confidentiality of data. A non-probabilistic sampling technique of convenience and snowball were used. The data was collected in 2023 and referred to COVID-19.

The results suggest that perception of vulnerability to COVID-19 are very similar in both countries (M Brazil= 3.20, DP Brazil= .98; M Portugal= 3.13, DP Portugal=.91). The values in Brazil of stress (M=7.40), depression (M=5.73) and anxiety (M=4.01) are higher compared to Portugal, with the following values of stress (M=4.07), depression (M=2.62) and anxiety (M=1.6). The perception of vulnerability is related with the three dimensions studied (stress, anxiety and depression) in both countries, with the following values in Brasil: Stress (r=.341; p< .01); depression (r=.270; p<.01) and anxiety (r=.316; p<.01). In Portugal the values of correlation were: Stress (r=.284; p< .01); depression (r=.252; p<.01) and anxiety (r=.350; p<.01). These results emphasized that relation between the perception of vulnerability and anxiety presented higher levels in both countries.

In conclusion, our study have shown significative relations between the perception of vulnerability to COVID-19 with levels of stress, depression and anxiety in the countries studied. Therefore, our data emphasized the relevance to study the perception of vulnerability in public health events to better manage and prevent psychopathological symptoms.

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Insomnia, affecting about one-third of adults and worsening with age, impacts individual’s health, social life, and occupational functioning. Therefore, untreated insomnia can lead to depression. Although it can appear as an independent symptom, it most often presents as a comorbid disorder.

This paper discusses the case of a 71-year-old man with acute necrotizing pancreatitis and history of multiple admissions for recurrent abdominal pain, was assessed by Psychiatry for a possible adaptive disorder. He was diagnosed with persistent insomnia linked to his medical condition and secondary low mood. Sleep hygiene and various medications were recommended but proved ineffective. Eventually, an orexin antagonist, daridorexant, was prescribed.

The aim of this work is to orient, within the wide range of psychopharmacology available for the treatment of insomnia, the effectiveness and advantages of the use of daridorexant in patients with comorbid medical pathology.

To evaluate the efficacy of the drug in improving the quantity and quality of sleep, and the diurnal impact of insomnia, the Athens scale, consisting of 8 items, was used. It has been completed with a sleep diary that provides specific information on sleep. The results obtained were compared with those published by means of a literature search in PubMed.

Permission is requested from the patient to present this case anonymously.

After 30 days of treatment with daridorexant, the Athens Scale score decreased, with a perceived improvement in nocturnal rest (quantity and quality of sleep) and daytime impact of insomnia, with good tolerance and no side effects.

The pharmacological treatment of insomnia has undergone important advances in the last two decades. The treatment of insomnia is multidisciplinary and will depend on its etiology. There seems to be no single, first-choice pharmacological treatment for insomnia, which is why the options are varied and wide-ranging.

The management of this disorder seeks two fundamental objectives: to improve the quality of sleep and to improve daytime symptoms. Both are improved in this patient with the help of daridorexant. The review of the available literature supports the observed case, being daridorexant a safe and effective option for the treatment of insomnia. It is worth mentioning that in Spain, daridorexant has been approved in September 2023, so the clinical experience at present is scarce.

In our patient the drug has been well tolerated, with no reported side effects or variations in analytical parameters. With respect to insomnia, anxious and negative expectations regarding sleep, concern about the potential consequences of not sleeping enough or not sleeping well have decreased and, in short, the quality of sleep, functionality during the day, and even mood have improved in general terms.

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Emotional intelligence (EI) has gained increased attention in medical education and research. EI is often defined as the ability to perceive, express, understand, and manage émotions making it a crucial skill to cultivate during medical school.

This study aimed to explore levels of global EI among Tunisian medical residents based on their demographic characteristics.

This cross-sectional study was carried out with medical residents in training at hospitals across Tunisia. We gathered data anonymously through a Google Forms survey conducted from October 2023 to January 2024. Participants first completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, followed by the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF). This 30-item assessment measures overall trait emotional intelligence and evaluates four specific dimensions : Well-Being, Self-Control, Emotionality, and Sociability.

Our study included 127 participants, with men comprising one-fourth (25.2%). The mean age was 27.24±1.34 years with majority aged under 30 (93.7%). The majority of participants were single (81.8%). Most participants (71.7%) were pursuing a medical specialty. First-year medical residents represented 39.4%, while fifth-year residents made up only 1.2%. The total EI score was 4.6±0.68. The mean scores for the four EI traits factors were as follows : well-being 4.81±1.07, self-control 4.34±0.9, emotionality 4.86±0.73, and sociability 4.45±0.85.

Univariate analysis showed that higher levels of global EI, self-control, and sociability were associated with the male gender, with p= 0.027, p=0.00 and p=0.02 respectively. Also, final-year residents demonstrated significantly lower emotionality scores compared to first-year medical residents. Moreover, participants in medical specialties were significantly associated with higher well-being scores (p = 0.017).

It is crucial to further investigate the factors contributing to these variations in EI and to develop tailored strategies that can effectively enhance EI among medical professionals and to support its development in the next generation of physicians.

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Although stigmatization is a barrier to treatment for many individuals and groups, individuals with mental disorders are the most affected by stigmatization. Among mental disorders, substance use disorders are the group with high levels of social stigma and internalized stigma. Internalized stigma may lead to a decrease in self-esteem and withdrawal from society and may increase depressive symptoms. Among individuals who use substances, depressive symptoms are high due to both the effects of the substances used and the psychosocial and legal problems experienced. In the literature review, no study examining the relationship between internalized stigma and depression in adolescents was found.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between internalized stigma and depression in a group of adolescents diagnosed with substance use disorder.

The study was conducted between December 2023-March 2024 with 71 adolescents between the ages of 12-18 who were diagnosed with substance use disorder and admitted to the outpatient clinic of university hospital in a city located in the southeastern part of Turkey. Information Form, Internalized Stigma of Mental Disorders Scale-Adolescent Form (ISMI-AF), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used for data collection.

The mean age of the adolescents was 15.97 years (1.51); 85.9% were male, 59.2% were high school students, and 90.1% had severe depressive symptoms. According to the Pearson correlation analysis, no significant relationship was found between the total scores of the ISMI-AF and BDI; however, BDI, educational status of the adolescent, and academic achievement was found to be statistically significant as determinants of the ISMI-AF (R2=0.29). It was determined that the variables specified in the model explained 24% of the ISMI-AF (Adjusted R Square = 0.24)

Almost all of the adolescents who participated in this study were found to have severe depressive symptoms. In addition to depression, adolescents’ school life and academic achievement were important variables explaining internalized stigma. Since adolescents’ school attendance may be a situation that will prevent substance use, interventions to be carried out in cooperation with mental health professionals and school nurses are very important.

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern. One of the most common forms of interpersonal violence concerns IPV, one in three women which is approximately 35% of women who experience physical and sexual violence by an intimate partner at some points in their lives. Women with mental illness are a vulnerable risk group for IPV.

The current study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical correlates of IPV among women outpatients with mental illness in a tertiary care psychiatric hospital.

118 participants with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders or depression were recruited. Data on intimate partner violence (IPV) were assessed on the World Health Organization Violence Against Women (WHOVAW) scale, consisting of three domains-psychological, physical and sexual intimate partner violence. Psychopathology was measured using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-18 items (BPRS) questionnaire, consisting of five domains- positive symptoms, negative symptoms, resistance symptoms, activation symptoms, and affect symptoms. Data on socio-demographic characteristics were also obtained. Multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis.

The mean (SD) age of women participants was 32.63 years (10.96). The overall prevalence of IPV among women with mental illness was 55.1%. Participants who were separated/widowed/divorced (versus single) were significantly more likely to experience total VAW scores (OR=14.57), and psychological (OR=21.64), and physical (OR=11.30) domains. Those who belong to Malay ethnicity (versus Chinese ethnicity) were significantly more likely to experience sexual abuse (OR=6.25). Women who were unemployed (versus employed) were significantly more likely to experience sexual IPV (OR=3.94). Women who experienced IPV (OR=1.36), psychological abuse (OR=1.30) and physical abuse (OR=1.25) were significantly more likely to have positive symptoms compared to those who did not experience IPV. Women who experienced IPV (OR=1.14) and psychological abuse (OR=1.13) were significantly more likely to have affect symptoms compared to those who did not experience IPV.

The study highlights the prevalence of IPV among women with mental illness. Overall VAW scores, psychological and physical IPV were strongly associated with higher score on the positive and affect symptoms on psychopathology scale. The high prevalence of IPV among this group of patients is concerning and mental health professionals should actively identify IPV and implement holistic interventions to ensure good care of women with mental illness.

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Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents and its prevalence among young people has steadily increased in recent years.

This study aimed to identify patterns of risk factors that differentiate adolescents who experienced suicidal thoughts from those who attempted suicide using six different machine learning (ML) algorithms for Korean adolescents using data from online surveys.

Data were extracted from the 2011−2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS), conducted annually since 2005 by the Korean Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The pipeline was solely generated from classic ML (CML) methods, namely logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB).

Among the 69,840 adolescents included in the analysis, 13,288 cases (19.0%) were identified as having made a suicide attempt. Prediction models using seven relevant features calculated by Boruta algorithm was developed and five features (drug experience, current smoking, grade, current alcohol drinking and sadness or hopelessness) were identified as the most important predictors. The performance of the six ML models on the balanced testing dataset was good, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under the precision−recall curve (AUPRC) ranging from 0.66 to 0.73.

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The developed and validated SA prediction models can be applied to detect high risks of SA. This approach could facilitate early intervention in the suicide crisis and may ultimately contribute to suicide prevention for adolescents.

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In view of recent global trends in alcohol use, it becomes increasingly relevant to characterize health outcomes related to unhealthy alcohol use. Previous studies found that self-reported alcohol use was related to poor brain health. However, these studies remain inconclusive since they limited their analyses to very narrow demographic strata, considered only a subset of cortical regions, or didn’t validate self-reported alcohol use with biomarkers such as gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT).

This study aimed to comprehensively examine several aspects of brain health (cortical thickness, gray matter volume, and brain age gaps) in participants regularly exceeding the recommended limits of moderate alcohol use versus those who don’t, and to validate self-reported alcohol intake by comparing gamma-GT levels across groups.

This analysis was based on cross-sectional data from the population-based cohort of the BiDirect Study conducted in Münster (Germany). Individuals aged between 35 and 65 years were randomly selected from the local population register and invited to participate in the assessment that included a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and a blood collection. Unhealthy alcohol use was defined as the regular consumption of at least three units of alcohol (one unit = 0.2L beer or 0.1L wine or 2cl spirits) per occasion at least twice a week. Regional cortical thickness and subcortical gray matter volumes were extracted from T1-weighted images in participants who underwent MRI. In addition, brain age gaps were estimated using an elastic net algorithm based on the imaging-derived phenotypes. Associations between unhealthy alcohol use, cortical thickness, subcortical gray matter volumes, and brain age gaps were analyzed using multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, lifetime smoking status, education, and childhood trauma.

Participants engaging in unhealthy alcohol use had significantly higher gamma-GT levels. In addition, unhealthy alcohol use was associated lower regional cortical thickness across all four lobes of the brain. No differences in subcortical gray matter volumes were detected. In addition, we observed a significantly higher brain age gap (+ 1.11 years) in unhealthy alcohol users.

The results of this study indicate that the regular exceedance of the recommended levels of alcohol use is associated with poorer brain health as reflected by lower regional cortical thickness and advanced brain aging. The findings underscore the potentially adverse effects of alcohol on brain health, which are increasingly relevant in view of recent global trends in alcohol use.

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Nature based interventions are becoming more popular in mental health prevention and treatment. Blue therapies are rarely known because of limited access and high costs. The poster presents the results of research on the level of the hardiness and resilience of high sea cruises participants. The study involved 123 people, including 65 girls and 58 boys, and 55 young adults, including 15 women and 39 men.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of blue intervention on the level of the hardiness and resilience of high sea cruises participants.

Pre-posttest study with questionnaires issued on the first and last day of each cruise. Dispositional Resilience Scale (Bartone et. al., 1989) was used to measure mental hardiness, commitment, openness to challenges and a sense of control of participants. EEA Resilience Scale (Maltby et. al., 2015) was used to measure ecological and engineering resilience and adaptive capacity of partifcipants.

The results show a statistically significant increase in hardiness level. There was also a significant increase in commitment, openness to challenges and a sense of control of participants, which are measured by subscales of the DRS. Significant increase of ecological resilience and adaptive capacity has been noted.

Hardiness and resilience are key protective factors for mental health. Blue interventions can be effetcive ways of mental wellbeing improvement.

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Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common psychiatric condition characterized by excessive worry, concentration issues, and insomnia. Despite numerous studies, its neurometabolic mechanisms remain unclear.

This study aims to compare the levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites between GAD patients and healthy control groups, and to investigate the relationship between kynurenine metabolism products, executive functions, and disease severity in GAD patients.

The study included 41 GAD patients and 41 healthy controls. Participants were enrolled after ruling out major depressive disorder using the Beck Depression Inventory. They then completed the Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B, the Digit Span Test (DST), the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), the Stroop Test, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Venous blood samples were collected for serum metabolite measurements. Levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), quinolinic acid (QUIN), tryptophan (TRP), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), kynurenine (KYN), and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

We found that GAD patients performed significantly worse in terms of the number of categories completed on the WCST (p=0.014), TMT-A (p<0.001), TMT-B (p=0.015) and Stroop Test sub-scores (p<0.001) compared to the healthy control group. GAD patients had significantly higher QUIN levels and a lower KYNA/QUIN ratio (p<0.001) than the healthy control group, while the control group had a higher 3-HK/KYN ratio (p=0.008). A negative correlation was found between DST scores and 3-HAA (r = -0.311, p = 0.048), as well as between the KYNA/KYN ratio and the stroop test subscore (r = 0.368, p = 0.019). In the GAD group, we found a positive correlation between kynurenine levels and state anxiety scores (r=0.34; p=0.032). In regression analysis, the KYNA/QUIN ratio significantly reduced GAD risk (p=0.001; OR: 0.531), independent of test performance.

Our study suggests that neurotoxic metabolites in the kynurenine-tryptophan metabolism may explain the executive function impairments observed in GAD. A key finding is that higher KYNA/QUIN ratios significantly reduce GAD risk, which is etiologically important and provides valuable guidance for future research.

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Suicide is a major public health issue and different metrics have been put into place in order to compare suicide rates and adapt prevention strategies to local contexts. Two numbers often cited are the number of suicides in a given country in a given year and the rate of suicides per 100.000 people in this country.

As straightforward as those two indicators may seem, they may nevertheless be subject to considerable caveats in specific national contexts. As an example, we will outline the case of Luxembourg.

Luxembourg is a high-income European Union member state and benefits greatly of its multilinguality and close ties to its neighboring countries. Although other European countries also have considerable populations of foreign nationals working in, but not residing in their country, the Luxembourgish context is unique for its proportions: For a population shy of 680.000, there are about 200.000 foreign workers that cross the boarder every day.

Those frontalier-workers, as they are called, might however die by suicide in both their country of residence as well as in Luxembourg. Moreover, the Luxembourgish health care system offers considerable opportunities for patients to be treated in neighboring countries.

Those patients also might die by suicide abroad, thus not being counted into the Luxembourgish statistics.

To investigate the influence of a considerable foreign commuters demographic as well as of treatment of Luxembourgish nationals in boardering countries on the number of suicides reported for Luxembourg and its suicide rate.

Analysis of data by the Ministery of Health (Ministère de la Santé et de la Sécurité sociale), the National Statistics Insitute (Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg) as well as the National Health Fund (Caisse Nationale de Santé)

Different figures are reported for suicide cases, which cannot easily be converted into one another:

One counts the number of suicides taking place in the territory of Luxembourg, an other one describes the causes of death for Luxembourgers who died outside of the country.

Although a considerable demographic, no data exists on the proportion of frontalier-workers among suicide victims in Luxembourg.

The study of suicide rates in Luxembourg highlights how a seemingly simple metric can prompt researchers to reconsider what exactly they aim to measure, enabling them to better design targeted prevention strategies for groups at higher risk.

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Atypical eating behaviors are more common in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared with neurotypical development. Cognitive inflexibility in ASD can result in rigid food-related rules and preoccupation with eating, similar to Eating Disorders (ED). Several studies have focused on cataloging these atypical eating behaviors, such as Zickgraf H. et al. (2019). [Figure 1].

Case presentation attended at the outpatient clinic of the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Tenerife).

Literature review on atypical eating behaviors in ASD patients and their comorbidity with EDs.

A 14-year-old male, with no prior mental health history, showed normal social and academic adaptation but had a notable deficit in social smiling and persistent food texture rejection. He lives with his mother and has a close relationship with his paternal uncle, a personal trainer and role model.

He was referred to mental health services after multiple episodes of agitation, triggered by disruptions in his eating and exercise routines. Over the past year, he developed an intense focus on physical training practicing calisthenics several times a day, in addition to rejecting high-calorie foods, opting for vegetables (carrots and pumpkins). A conversation with soccer teammates, where comments about his body were made, may have acted as a trigger.

Physical Examination: Yellowish skin pigmentation, particularly on palms and nasolabial folds, not affecting sclera.BMI: 21.7.

Mental Status Examination: Aprosodic speech, limited eye contact. Marked rigidity with daily routines; severe anxiety when disrupted. Irritability related to eating and exercise. Food restriction focused on fruits and vegetables (carrots, pumpkins); interest in “being healthier” (muscle gain, fat loss).No purging or binge eating behaviors.

Psychometric Tests: ASSQ, ASAS, WISC-R suggest Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1, with average intellectual functioning.

Differential Diagnosis: Biochemical tests ruled out jaundice, liver disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes. Diagnosis of carotenemia made by exclusion.

Diagnostic Interviews (EDI-III):Symptoms consistent with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

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The relationship between ASDs and EDs is common. Brede et al. (2020) proposed that certain autism traits, such as sensory sensitivities, social difficulties, identity issues, and the need for control, may contribute to restrictive eating behaviors. Westwood et al. (2018) [Figure 2] found a high prevalence of autism symptoms in adolescents with severe anorexia nervosa. Additionally, studies like Keski-Rahkonen et al. (2023) [Figure 3] report a significant prevalence of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in individuals with ASD and their relatives. Further research is crucial to improve treatment approaches for these comorbid conditions.

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Despite several efforts and public awareness campaigns, suicide rates are still rising in some countries, being third leading cause of death among 15-29-years-old. Some populations are at higher risk for suicidal behavior, such as LGBTIQ+ people and physicians. We found no literature regarding a possible association between physicians emotional response to suicidal patients (countertransference), sociodemographic factors and physicians mental health.

Identify a possible association between sociodemographic factors, countertransference and Burnout Syndrome.

An anonymous web-based survey was implemented through the software REDCap, collected by snowball sampling. Participants were volunteers and could withdraw at any time. The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee. The survey consisted of the Informed Consent Form (ICF), Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Rating Scale for Countertransference (RSCT), which evaluate the main emotional responses (approximation, indifference or rejection). Scales also included Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index of Davis. Other scales were included, but are being developed in other studies.

From the 210 respondents, 179 (85.2%) completed the query: 108 (60.3%) were female; 166 (92.7%) were self-declared white-colored skin; 139 (77.7%) had a sexual partner. The mean age was 37.22 (SD=12.33), 65(36.3%) were medical residents; 112 (62.6%) were already specialists, 54 (48.2%) of those, declared to be psychiatrists. Indifference varies according to sexual orientation (p = 0,002), even when controlling for burnout (p < 0,001). Bissexual physicians had lower indifference rates than the other groups (Heterosexual: N=104, M 1,52, SD 1,52, CV 0,998; Homosexual: N=15, M 2,60, CV 0,870; Bisexual: N=17, M 0,64, SD 0,20, CV 1,332). Females had higher approximation rates when compared to male (Male: N = 53; M 15,71; SD 5,77; Female: N = 90; M 17,94; SD 3,70; p = 0,006). There’s no difference between gender when evaluating indifference and rejection. Homosexual and bisexual physicians experience more burnout (Heterosexual: N = 118, M 49,94, SD 14,5. Homosexual: N = 16; M 60,0; SD 15,2. Bisexual: N = 18; M 59,6; SD 4,6). F (2) = 5,51; p = 0,05.

We find preliminary evidence that sexual orientation could influence emotional response when evaluating suicidal patients. Women have higher approximation. Both results remain the same when controlling for Burnout syndrome.

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Physical restraint in psychiatry is a widely used practice intended to protect patients from harming themselves or others, guided by strict procedures and monitoring. Recent reports and legal updates aim to regulate its use more closely

This study assesses the extent of physical restraint use and explores healthcare workers’ perceptions and experiences regarding this practice, focusing on ethical issues.

Between April and May 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study involving healthcare staff from psychiatry departments across Tunisia, including hospitals in Sousse, Monastir, Kairouan, Mahdia, Sfax, and Tunis. Participants were surveyed using a literature-based questionnaire, and data were analyzed with SPSS21 software.

The study included 16 men (28%) and 43 women (72%), predominantly aged 20-30 years (72%), with most participants from Kairouan (52%). Sixty-four percent of staff viewed physical restraint as a therapeutic tool. Opinions on its impact on the therapeutic alliance and physical integrity were mixed, with 33% considering it dehumanizing. The most common emotions reported were fear (58%) and pity (39%), while anxiety was the least reported (9%). Coping strategies included rationalization (63%) and discussing experiences with colleagues. Sixty-six percent of staff reported encountering ethical dilemmas, with varying frequencies. Views on patient consent were divided, with 42% opposing seeking consent, and differing opinions on obtaining consent from patients with good insight or in relapse.

The study reveals diverse and complex attitudes towards physical restraint in psychiatry. It underscores the need for continuous training, ethical reflection, and efforts to align practices with ethical standards to mitigate negative impacts on staff.

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This ongoing research investigates the attitudes of healthcare workers and students in Bulgaria toward assisted suicide, a practice that remains illegal and ethically debatable in the country.

The purpose of the research is to better understand how Bulgarian healthcare workers and students deal with assisted suicide’s ethical dilemmas and its potential impact on the country’s ability to provide end-of-life care in the future.

Using mixed method approach including quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, focused groups, this research seeks to capture wide range of opinions from healthcare professionals including medical doctors, nurses, laboratory assistants, midwifes, rehabilitators, medical students, nursing students, midwifing students etc.

Initial findings suggests that majority of the respondents of the focused group are opposed to the legalization of the assisted suicide due to ethical concerns including adherence of the Hippocratic Oath, potential misuse, and the influence of religious beliefs. The focus group does, however, include a small but notable percentage of individuals especially younger healthcare professionals and students who recognize, value, and appreciate the significance of patient autonomy and the elevation of suffering as essential components of compassionate care.

This ongoing research into the views of healthcare workers and students in Bulgaria on assisted suicide uncovers a complex situation that is heavily influenced by ethical considerations and long-standing cultural and religious values. As the study progresses, it aims to dive deeper into how factors as age, duration of experience in medical field, specialty in medical field and social status contribute to these diverse views.

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Sleep quality is a critical component of overall well-being, yet it is influenced by a variety of factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and psychological conditions. Despite its importance, research on sleep quality among Bosnian young adults is scarce, making this study particularly valuable in filling that gap.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a range of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychological factors in a sample of Bosnian young adults.

A total of 283 Bosnian young adults were enrolled in the study through convenience sampling. The study assessed sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education level, religion, employment, residential area, marital status, income level), lifestyle factors (use of electronic devices before bedtime, daytime napping habits, exercise level, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, caffeine intake, diet, exposure to natural light, consistent sleep schedule), and psychological factors (mindfulness measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and stress, depression, and anxiety measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.

The findings indicate that sleep quality is significantly predicted by several factors. Negative predictors of sleep quality included the Observe facet of mindfulness and maintaining a balanced diet. Conversely, positive predictors that were associated with poorer sleep quality included higher levels of stress, smoking, and the use of electronic devices before bedtime.

The study highlights the complex interplay between sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychological factors in determining sleep quality among Bosnian young adults. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address these specific factors to improve sleep quality in this population.

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Attachment styles are essential for understanding how individuals form and maintain emotional connections and relationships, significantly influencing emotional well-being and interpersonal dynamics. In Tunisia, where cultural expectations around gender and relationships play a prominent role, exploring attachment styles provides insight into how women navigate intimacy, trust, and emotional security.

This study aims to assess the prevalence of attachment styles among Tunisian women and investigate their associations with various sociodemographic and psychological factors

a cross-sectional study was conducted online using a Google Forms questionnaire between July and August 2024.The inclusion criteria were sexually active women aged 18 years or older who provided informed consent to participate. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, personal medical history, lifestyle habits, and psychometric assessments. The relationship Questionaire (RQ) was used to evaluate attachement style and self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE).

A total of 180 women participated in the study, with an average age of 32.79 years, ranging from 21 to 60 years. The majority, 97.78%, resided in urban areas, while 94.44% held a university degree, and 80% were employed. Medical history revealed that 21.11% reported organic issues, and 27.22% had a psychiatric history. Lifestyle habits indicated that 18.9% of women smoked, 21.1% consumed alcohol, and only 1.1% used psychoactive substances.

Evaluation of attachment styles showed that 57.78% of women exhibited a secure attachment style (n=104), 26.67% had an avoidant style (n=48), 8.89% displayed a disorganized style (n=16), and 6.67% had an anxious style (n=12). Attachment styles were significantly associated with age (p=0.003), employment status (p=0.004), marital status (p=0.01), organic health issues (p=0.02), history of suicide attempts (p<0.001), self-esteem (p<0.001), and the number of sexual partners (p=0.01).

The findings highlight that attachment styles are significantly linked to several sociodemographic and psychological factors among Tunisian women. Understanding these associations is crucial for developing targeted interventions that promote secure attachment patterns, improve emotional well-being, and enhance relationship quality. By addressing these dynamics, we can foster psychological resilience and support healthier relational patterns. Further research could extend these insights to broader sociocultural contexts, offering more tailored approaches to improving women’s mental health and relational satisfaction.

None Declared

While gambling problems are increasingly recognized as a public health concern, knowledge of the prevalence and impact within psychosocially vulnerable populations is scarce. Never before has the prevalence of gambling problems been studied in a forensic psychiatric patient population. Given the risk for gambling problems to exacerbate existing mental health conditions, cause financial strain, and contribute to criminal behavior, understanding its prevalence and associated factors within this population is critical.

The study aims to estimate the prevalence of gambling behavior and gambling problems among forensic psychiatric patients in Denmark and compare the results to the general Danish population. Additionally, the study seeks to identify associations between psychosocial and demographic variables and the occurrence and severity of gambling problems. Lastly, the study will explore gambling motives and their relation to gambling problems in this patient population.

This observational, cross-sectional study will include inpatients and outpatients in Central Denmark Region forensic psychiatric care and inpatients in Capital Denmark Region forensic psychiatric wards from June 1 to December 31, 2024. Participants must be 18, and speak Danish, English, or Greenlandic. Data will be collected via self-report questionnaires and electronic patient records. Key measures include gambling behavior (past year gambling, frequency, and expenditure), gambling problems (the Problem Gambling Severity Index), and gambling motives (the Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial).

Data collection ends by December 31, 2024; preliminary findings will be presented at the conference.

Results will provide valuable insights into the prevalence and characteristics of gambling problems in this population, informing clinical care and potentially guiding the development of targeted interventions. By highlighting the need for attention to gambling issues in forensic psychiatric settings, the study may enhance rehabilitation and recovery efforts and successful discharge by addressing potential risk factors for recidivism.

None Declared

Neuronal pentraxins (NPTXs), particularly NPTX2, play a key role in glutamate modulation and the stabilization of AMPA receptors, influencing synaptic plasticity. Studies have shown a positive correlation between NPTX2 levels and neurocognitive function in neurodegenerative diseases, and it has been proposed as a potential biomarker for synaptic degeneration (San José et al. J Neural Transm 2022; 129 207-230). However, the role of NPTX2 in the etiology of ADHD has not been explored in human samples.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between NPTX2 levels and ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD, while also exploring the potential impact of NPTX2 on executive functions, which are frequently impaired in this population.

Adults with ADHD who were medication-free and had no comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, along with a similar control group with no psychiatric diagnoses, were included in the study. All participants were diagnostically assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders-Clinician Version. Participants completed measurements related to both ADHD and comorbid conditions. In addition, participants underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests, including the Stroop Test, Cancellation Test, Serial Digit Learning Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Judgment of Line Orientation Test. The serum samples obtained after centrifugation were stored at -80°C until the time of analysis, at which point NPTX2 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, who voluntarily agreed to participate. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Selçuk University under decision number 2023/495.

The study included 79 adults with ADHD and 70 healthy controls. Among the participants, 57.7% (n=86) were female, with a mean age of 23.50 ± 4.37 years. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, total years of education, and body mass index. Individuals with ADHD showed higher levels of ADHD- and comorbidity-related symptoms, as well as poorer executive function profiles, compared to healthy controls. NPTX2 levels were significantly elevated in the ADHD group. Significant positive correlations between NPTX2 levels and clinical and neurocognitive data were observed in the ADHD group, but not in the control group. Finally, linear regression analyses conducted separately for each group revealed significant F values, showing that in adults with ADHD, NPTX2 levels were significantly associated with ADHD symptoms independent of age, gender, years of education, and anxiety/depression scores, whereas this relationship was not observed in healthy controls (Image 1).

Image 1:

These results highlight the need for further research into the role of NPTX2 and other neuronal pentraxins in ADHD and suggest that NPTX2 may serve as a biological marker for this disorder.

None Declared

Depressive rumination has been the subject of increasing clinical and research interest in recent years. Numerous studies have demonstrated its central role in the etiopathogenesis and maintenance of depressive disorders. It refers to the struggle to control repetitive and passive thoughts with a hyper-focus on depressive symptoms, their causes, meanings and consequences. It is, therefore, a process that is often active in people with depressive mood and that can exacerbate and prolong depressive symptoms by promoting their chronicity. It can therefore be argued that depressive rumination may contribute to treatment resistance. The metacognitive model of major depressive disorder and its derived treatment focuses on rumination supporting beliefs and on their modification, with the aim of reducing their negative effects.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement in depressive rumination using the metacognitive approach in TRD patients treated with intranasal esketamine.

Twenty-five patients (13F) with a mean age of 55.88 years (±11.31) diagnosed with treatment-resistant major depression (TRD) received an 8-session weekly metacognitive training (MCT) intervention in addition to the standard intranasal esketamine treatment protocol. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PENN) and the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) to assess depressive rumination, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MDRS) to assess depressive symptomatology.

At baseline MADRS and RRS total scores did not differ significantly by gender or age. To assess the effect of MCT as an adjunct to esketamine therapy, a repeated measures ANOVA was performed comparing participants at different time points (T0, T3, T6). The analysis showed an effect of treatment on MADRS total score (η²=0.45; F=18.22, p=0.001), MADRS item 9 (pessimistic thoughts) (η²=0.18; F=4.85, p=0.02) and RRS total score. Post-hoc comparisons were significant for MADRS and RRS total scores, with progressive decreases between T0 vs T3, T0 vs T6 and T3 vs T6; for item 9, comparisons were significant between T0 vs T3 and T0 vs T6, with stability between T3 and T6. MCT treatment combined with intranasal esketamine resulted in significant improvements in depressive symptoms. It also reduced depressive rumination and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs.

These preliminary results show that MCT as an adjunct to esketamine treatment is effective for depressive rumination, with stable results up to 6 months after treatment. The generalisability of the results is limited by the lack of a control group and the relatively small sample size. Further studies in larger populations and comparing MCT with other psychotherapies or usual care are needed to confirm these findings.

None Declared