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Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Mastectomy, while often life-saving, significantly affects physical, emotional, and social functioning. Acceptance of illness is recognized as a key psychological resource that may facilitate adaptation, reduce symptom burden, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Objectives
To assess the relationship between the level of disease acceptance and quality of life in women after mastectomy, with consideration of sociodemographic determinants of acceptance.
Methods
A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in 2024 among 125 women after mastectomy at the West Pomeranian Oncology Center and the Amazon Association “AGATA” in Szczecin, Poland. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and Spearman’s correlations, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results
The mean AIS score was 28.8 (SD=7.05). Higher acceptance was significantly associated with better global quality of life and improved physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning (all p<0.001). It was negatively correlated with fatigue, pain, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, and financial difficulties. In the breast cancer-specific module, greater acceptance was linked to a more positive body image, higher sexual enjoyment, and a better future perspective, and negatively correlated with systemic therapy side effects, breast and arm symptoms, and distress related to hair loss. Sociodemographic determinants of higher acceptance included higher education (p=0.002), better financial status (p=0.019), and being professionally active or retired compared with pensioners (p=0.024). Age, marital status, and living arrangement showed no significant associations.
Conclusions
Acceptance of illness significantly improves the quality of life in women after mastectomy, enhancing multiple domains of functioning while reducing the severity of treatment-related symptoms. Its level is influenced by sociodemographic factors such as education, financial situation, and employment status.These findings highlight important practical implications: interventions aimed at strengthening disease acceptance and addressing social determinants should be integrated into psycho-oncological care and rehabilitation to support adaptation, reduce symptom burden, and improve long-term well-being in breast cancer survivors.
Bone scintigraphy is a key imaging method in nuclear medicine, widely used to assess oncological and skeletal disorders. Its high sensitivity allows early detection of metabolic bone changes, and advanced techniques such as SPECT/CT enable detailed structural and functional evaluation. Despite its diagnostic value, waiting for scintigraphy results can generate significant stress and anxiety, particularly among oncology patients, thus negatively affecting overall and mental health.
Objectives
This study aimed to compare the mental health status of oncology and non-oncology patients undergoing bone scintigraphy using the GHQ-28 questionnaire and to evaluate the impact of selected sociodemographic variables (gender, age, education, marital status, and employment) on GHQ-28 outcomes.
Methods
The study included 220 oncology and non-oncology patients from Poland undergoing bone scintigraphy. Mental health was assessed with the GHQ-28, which covers four domains: somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression. Statistical analyses examined the influence of sociodemographic factors and compared outcomes between oncology and non-oncology patient groups.
Results
Significant differences were observed between oncology and non-oncology patients. Non-oncology patients exhibited poorer overall mental health and more pronounced somatic symptoms. Women scored higher on the GHQ-28, indicating greater psychological distress. Among oncology patients, divorced individuals reported higher levels of depression, while those with lower education experienced more severe somatic complaints.
Conclusions
Sociodemographic factors significantly influence mental health in patients awaiting bone scintigraphy results. Special attention should be given to women, divorced individuals, and patients with lower education levels. These findings highlight the importance of individualized psychological and medical interventions and underscore the need for a tailored approach throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic process.
Differentiating bipolar disorder (BD) from major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a major challenge in psychiatry. Although both present with depressive episodes, their underlying mechanisms and treatment pathways differ significantly. As BD often begins with depression, diagnostic approaches relying on symptoms and interviews lack precision, leading to the misdiagnosis of BD patients as MDD. The average diagnostic delay (about 10 years) has serious clinical consequences, including inappropriate treatment, risk of manic switching and increased suicide rates. A-to-I RNA editing is a highly dynamic process implicated in regulatory mechanisms relevant to psychiatry. Recent studies used circulating RNA editing biomarkers to generate AI-based algorithms capable to differentiate BD from MDD patients (Salvetat et al., 2024, J. Affect. Disord. 356, 385–393).
Objectives
This study aimed to externally validate and compare the diagnostic performance of three previously developed algorithms for distinguishing BD from MDD in patients experiencing a major depressive episode in a multicentric cohort.
Methods
In this multicenter cross-sectional trial (NCT05603819), adults with BD or MDD presenting a current depressive episode (N=393) were recruited across four sites in Barcelona, Paris, and Copenhagen. Blood samples were collected, RNA was extracted, and sequencing data were processed via a secure HDS-certified platform. Algorithm outputs were compared with physician diagnoses (MINI, MADRS, YMRS and EQ-5D-5L).
Results
The three algorithms were evaluated and compared using ROC analysis. Observed AUC were 0.834 (CI 95%: [0.793 - 0.875]) for Algorithm A1, 0.873 (CI 95%: [0.837 - 0.909]) for Algorithm A2, and 0.741 (CI 95%: [0.690 - 0.792]) for Algorithm A3. Algorithm A2, exhibited the strongest results and highest performance, with high sensitivity (82.6%) and specificity (80.3%). These results confirm our previous findings and reproduce the performances obtained on a previous independent cohort (Salvetat et al., 2024, J. Affect. Disord. 356, 385–393).
Conclusions
The study confirms the diagnostic potential of RNA editing signatures combined with AI for differentiating BD from MDD. Algorithm A2 demonstrated robust and reproducible accuracy in three independent cohorts, corroborating its value as an innovative complementary diagnostic tool in clinical practice.
Disclosure of Interest
D. Weissmann Grant / Research support from: Part of the funding for this study was provided by EIT Health., N. Salvetat: None Declared, F. ROBLES: None Declared, C. Cayzac: None Declared, F. SCHNEIDER: None Declared, M. MENHEM: None Declared, D. Vetter: None Declared, J. Haro: None Declared, C. Henry: None Declared, L. Kessing: None Declared, E. VIETA: None Declared
Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease and a major public health challenge, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation leading to metabolic disturbances and comorbidities. Contemporary obesity management includes lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and, in severe cases, bariatric surgery. Psychological factors, including body image perception, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms, play a crucial role in treatment decisions and outcomes.
Objectives
The study aimed to identify and analyze factors influencing body image perception among patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery.
Methods
The study was conducted among 125 participants. Data were collected using a diagnostic survey that comprised a self-designed questionnaire alongside standardized instruments, including the Body Esteem Scale (BES), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Results
Motivations for bariatric surgery varied, with the majority aiming to improve overall wellbeing (49.6%) and achieve sustained weight loss (25.6%). Sociodemographic variables such as age, marital status, education, residence, and employment significantly influenced self-perception and psychological measures. Older age was associated with lower self-esteem, while individuals in informal relationships reported higher SES scores. Higher depressive symptoms were observed among married patients and those with a family history of obesity. Strong correlations were found between body image, self-efficacy, and self-esteem―higher self-efficacy and self-esteem were associated with better physical attractiveness, weight control, and physical fitness. Lower self-esteem and self-efficacy were linked to higher depression scores. In women, higher self-efficacy and self-esteem correlated with improved physical attractiveness and fitness perception; in men, higher self-esteem was associated with higher ratings of attractiveness, strength, and fitness.
Conclusions
The patients undergoing bariatric surgery exhibited substantial body dissatisfaction, low self-efficacy, and low self-esteem, which were closely related to depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic and psychological factors significantly influenced body perception and treatment-related decisions. Family history of obesity increased the risk of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological assessment and support in bariatric surgery planning.
Suicide is a public health issue with immense personal and economic costs. While education is highlighted as a key preventive measure, a critical gap exists in higher education, where few programs offer comprehensive suicide prevention training, leaving students and teachers underprepared. The ELLIPSE Resilience Enhancement (ERE) project addresses this deficit by creating a scalable, sustainable, and innovative curriculum to improve knowledge and skills in academic communities. Its primary objective is to strengthen academic resilience by developing a comprehensive suicide prevention curriculum, conducting a large-scale needs assessment, developing innovative materials, and advocating for the integration of suicide prevention into university curricula and national policies. The project also supports the cooperation with Ukrainian universities, promoting inclusivity and innovative teaching practices.
Objectives
To present and describe the ERE project.
Methods
ERE is organized into five interdependent work packages (Figure 1): WP1. Project Management: Oversees the project’s successful implementation and monitoring. WP2. Needs Assessment and Challenges Inventory: Conducts international surveys to gather data from over 1200 participants and identifies stakeholder needs. WP3. Course Development and Innovation: Develops an online e-learning course, risk scenarios, and the 12-Step Safety Plan for Academia digital tool. WP4. European Summer School of Suicidology and Alumni Network: Tests the educational resources developed in WP3 and establishes an alumni network for ongoing knowledge exchange. WP5. Evaluation and Impact Assessment: Evaluates the program’s impact and develops a comprehensive dissemination strategy.
The project is led by Karlstads University (Sweden). The consortium includes a diverse partnership of academic institutions and organizations from six European countries (Poland, Spain, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belgium and Germany).
Results
Expected results include a comprehensive needs assessment, a tailored online curriculum, a robust evaluation framework, and a policy document advocating for curriculum integration. The project will deliver the European Summer School of Suicidology and the online course will be available as an open educational resource.Image 1:
Conclusions
The ERE project addresses a pressing need for suicide prevention training in higher education by developing and disseminating a multidisciplinary, evidence-based curriculum. The project’s outcomes will be integrated into institutional policies and national suicide prevention strategies. By leveraging the expertise of its partners and providing accessible digital tools, the project ensures long-term sustainability and a lasting positive impact on student mental health and well-being. This investment is highly cost-effective, with a potential return of 31 EUR for every 1 EUR invested.
Workaholism, defined as a compulsive and excessive involvement in professional duties to the detriment of personal life, has been identified as a significant risk factor for impaired family functioning among nurses. Prolonged working hours, heightened occupational stress, and the emotional demands inherent to nursing practice contribute to the weakening of family bonds, increased conflict, and social isolation.
Objectives
The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of workaholism on family relationships among nurses and to determine the extent to which excessive professional commitment shapes family dynamics and psychosocial wellbeing.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 165 Polish nurses. Data were collected using a diagnostic survey method, which included both a researcher-designed questionnaire and validated instruments: the Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17), the Survey Work–Home Interaction Nijmegen (SWING), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28).
Results
Overall levels of workaholism were moderate, with a predominance of excessive work investment. Elevated workaholism scores were most frequently observed among nurses with higher education, those employed on civil contracts, working rotating shifts, holding multiple jobs, and employed in surgical wards. Work engagement was moderately high, particularly in the domain of dedication, with the highest levels observed among permanently employed nurses working in a single institution. Negative work–family interactions were most prevalent among shift workers, individuals performing 12-hour shifts, and those employed in multiple facilities. Workaholism was associated with both negative and positive spillover effects between work and private life. Poorer mental health outcomes (GHQ-28) were reported by nurses on contracts, night-shift workers, and those holding multiple jobs, with significant associations found with somatization, insomnia, depression, and social dysfunction.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that the intensity and structural organization of nursing work exert a substantial influence on both mental health and the work–life balance of nurses. A moderate yet significant level of workaholism, in conjunction with average levels of work engagement, was strongly associated with occupational strain and employment conditions. These results underscore the necessity of implementing organizational interventions aimed at mitigating workaholism and promoting the psychosocial wellbeing of nurses, thereby supporting both professional performance and family functioning.
Quality of life in oncology is a multidimensional construct encompassing physical, psychological, and social domains, particularly in advanced stages of disease. Cancer patients often experience pain, fatigue, and prolonged exhaustion, limiting daily functioning. Coping with the trauma of diagnosis, side effects of treatment, and maintaining psychosocial stability are crucial challenges. Supportive medical, psychological, rehabilitative, and palliative care, along with family and professional support, play a key role in improving wellbeing during chemotherapy.
Objectives
The primary objective was to assess the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors influencing its different domains.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. Data were collected using a diagnostic survey method, which included an original questionnaire and standardized Polish versions of validated research tools: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Results
Most patients received intravenous chemotherapy (83.09%), usually for less than five years and up to 20 cycles. Quality of life scores varied significantly by age, education, marital status, and residence. The patients treated for less than one year reported better physical and functional wellbeing compared to those treated for 1–5 years or more than 10 years. Higher numbers of chemotherapy cycles correlated with better social functioning but also increased dyspnea. The respondents with colorectal and breast cancer achieved higher social and functional wellbeing compared to those with bladder, cervical, or renal cancers. Commonly reported symptoms negatively affecting quality of life included pain, fatigue, irritability, and helplessness. A significant negative correlation was observed between depression, anxiety, and stress and functional/social wellbeing.
Conclusions
The chemotherapy patients reported reduced quality of life, mainly due to insomnia, fatigue, and appetite loss. Shorter treatment duration and oral regimens were linked to better outcomes, while comorbidities and long-term therapy worsened them. Depression, anxiety, and stress strongly correlated with lower physical, emotional, and social functioning, with colorectal and breast cancer patients showing relatively higher wellbeing.
Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, leads to sleep disorders, and complicates the balance between professional, family, and social life. For nurses, this challenge is intensified by the constant need for vigilance, rapid decision-making in stressful situations, and responsibility for patients’ lives, all of which contribute to high occupational stress and adverse health outcomes.
Objectives
The study aimed to assess the relationship between shift work and stress levels among nurses and to evaluate the impact of occupational stress on their health.
Methods
The study included 224 nurses and male nurses employed at three hospitals in Szczecin, Poland. Data were collected using an original questionnaire and standardized instruments: the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Results
According to the PSS-10, most respondents reported moderate (36.28%) or high (42.92%) stress levels, while the DASS-21 indicated normal severity of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The ENSS identified the most stressful factors as workload, discrimination, and conflicts with physicians and supervisors. Stress was most strongly associated with responsibility for patient health (63.72%), aggressive behavior of patients and families (62.83%), and fear of committing irreversible errors (60.18%). A majority (91.15%) confirmed that workplace stress affects their health, with 66.81% reporting negative consequences such as back pain, insomnia, fatigue, and low mood. No statistically significant associations were found between stress severity and sociodemographic variables. However, work experience, education, place of residence, and workplace were significant predictors of occupational stress. Generational differences were also observed, with Generation Z reporting higher stress levels than Millennials, particularly in relation to interactions with patients.
Conclusions
Nurses working shifts are highly exposed to occupational stressors, which adversely affect both physical and mental health. Sociodemographic and occupational factors, including work experience, education, and generation, significantly influenced perceived stress. The findings emphasize the need for effective organizational strategies and time management interventions to mitigate stress and protect nurses’ wellbeing.
Knowledge brokers, usually conceptualized as passive intermediaries between scientists and policymakers in evidence-based policymaking, are understudied in the philosophy of science. Here, we challenge that usual conceptualization. As agents in their own right, knowledge brokers have their own goals and incentives, which complicate the effects of their presence at the science–policy interface.We illustrate this in an agent-based model and suggest several avenues for further exploration of the role of knowledge brokers in evidence-based policy.
Recent research on European integration has largely profited from the institutionalist turn in political science. Theoretical progress has, however, been hampered by the diverse understandings of this new research tradition. This paper tries to tackle the conceptual diversity in a positive way. We first analyze the neo–institutionalist turn in political science and European studies and then move on to a detailed analysis and comparison of the three competing approaches — sociological, historical, and rational choice institutionalism. Next, we will show that the main differences are as much epistemological as theoretical. A convergence towards a unifying institutionalist approach can thus only be possible if some sort of a methodological convergence takes place. We sketch how a synthesis between the competing schools might appear.
Paleontology provides insights into the history of the planet, from the origins of life billions of years ago to the biotic changes of the Recent. The scope of paleontological research is as vast as it is varied, and the field is constantly evolving. In an effort to identify “Big Questions” in paleontology, experts from around the world came together to build a list of priority questions the field can address in the years ahead. The 89 questions presented herein (grouped within 11 themes) represent contributions from nearly 200 international scientists. These questions touch on common themes including biodiversity drivers and patterns, integrating data types across spatiotemporal scales, applying paleontological data to contemporary biodiversity and climate issues, and effectively utilizing innovative methods and technology for new paleontological insights. In addition to these theoretical questions, discussions touch upon structural concerns within the field, advocating for an increased valuation of specimen-based research, protection of natural heritage sites, and the importance of collections infrastructure, along with a stronger emphasis on human diversity, equity, and inclusion. These questions offer a starting point—an initial nucleus of consensus that paleontologists can expand on—for engaging in discussions, securing funding, advocating for museums, and fostering continued growth in shared research directions.
Workaholism is an addiction, however the obsessive-compulsive components alone may prove insufficient in determining its nature.
Objectives
The aim of the following study was to determine the mediating role of depressiveness in the relationships between workaholism and personality traits according to the five-factor model among Polish women.
Methods
The research study was carried out among 556 women residing in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. The research was based on a survey performed using a questionnaire technique. The following research instruments adapted to Polish conditions were employed to assess the incidence of work addiction among female adults: The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), The Work Addiction Risk Test (WART) Questionnaire, and The Beck Depression Inventory–BDI I-II.
Results
A positive correlation between the intensity of neuroticism and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = 0.204, p < 0.001). A partial mediation (35%) with the severity of depression symptoms as a mediating factor was observed (β = 0.110, p < 0.001). Respondents characterized by high neuroticism showed a greater severity of the symptoms of depression (β = 0.482, p < 0.001), which is a factor increasing the work addiction risk (β = 0.228, p < 0.001). Respondents characterized by a high level of extraversion displayed lower severity of the symptoms of depression (β = –0.274, p < 0.001). A negative correlation between the intensity of agreeableness and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = –0.147, p < 0.001). A partial mediation (27.8%) was observed. A positive correlation between the intensity of conscientiousness and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = 0.082, p = 0.047). Respondents characterised by a high level of conscientiousness showed a lower severity of depression symptoms (β = –0.211, p < 0.001).
Table 1. Indirect and total effects: Mediation model 1 - Neuroticism
Depressiveness plays the role of a mediator between neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness as well as conscientiousness, and work addiction. Depressiveness is a factor which increases the risk of work addiction.
Technological development and the ever-expanding range of functions that a mobile phone offers to its users cause that more and more people overuse this device. The problem of smartphone addiction and nomophobia has become a significant social problem, especially among young mobile phone users. It has been observed that excessive use of smartphones can cause psychological problems, such as increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, decreased cognitive function, and can also negatively affect students’ academic activities.
Objectives
The primary aim of the study was to assess the extent of phone addiction among nursing students. Additionally, the researchers aimed to investigate the impact of various variables, including socio-demographic and psychological factors, on the severity of pathological phone use among nursing students.
Methods
This survey based study was performed using the author questionnaire and standardized research tools: the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale for Adolescents (MPPUSA), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale version 21 (DASS-21).
Results
The study involved 303 nursing students of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. A subjective feeling of addiction to a mobile phone was noted in 51.16% of respondents, and to the internet in 22.44%. In addition, 66.34% of the respondents had sleep problems. Some 38.28% of the nursing students did not show symptoms of depression, 38.61% had normal levels of anxiety, and 37.62% had normal levels of stress. Phone use was significantly more problematic among single people and those in an informal relationship, as well as among younger respondents. Analysis of the data revealed statistically significant positive correlations between problematic phone use according to the MPPUSA and the severity of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia according to the AIS.
Variable
MPPUSA [score]
r
p
NMP-Q
No possibility of communication
0.531
< 0.001
Loss of connectivity
0.6
< 0.001
Being unable to get the news
0.682
< 0.001
Inconvenience
0.64
< 0.001
DASS-21
Level of depression
0.324
< 0.001
Level of anxiety
0.333
< 0.001
Level of stress
0.404
< 0.001
AIS
0.317
< 0.001
Conclusions
The vast majority of nursing students use a mobile phone correctly and do not exhibit symptoms of nomophobia. Age and marital status are the sociodemographic variables that have a statistically significant effect on the pathological pattern of smartphone use. There is no statistically significant relationship between mobile phone addiction and gender or place of residence. Phonoholism statistically significantly positively correlates with nomophobia, as well as the severity of depressive symptoms and insomnia. Moreover, the more pathological the smartphone use, the higher the levels of anxiety and stress experienced by nursing students.
Selenium seems to have the ability to alleviate inflammatory signaling path-ways. Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Depression is also defined as an inflammatory disorder. PPAR-γ has been shown to have antidepressant-like effects The levels of inflammatory cytokines that are parameters associated with obesity―are also related to the severity of depression. Studies confirm an increased risk of depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider the influence of selenium, PPAR-γ, and selected proinflammatory cytokines in the context of obesity and depression among middle-aged women.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum selenium on PPAR-γ and selected proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in relation to depressive symptoms and obesity in middle-aged women.
Methods
The study sample included 443 middle-aged women living in north-western Poland. The research procedure: a survey performed using the authors’ questionnaire and the BDI, anthropometric measurements, and analysis of blood for the levels of selenium, cytokines, and genetic analysis of the PPAR-γ polymorphism.
Results
It has been found that BMI increases along with the concentration of IL-6. No moderating effect of selenium was observed, although cut-off values for “p” were established for IL-β*Se (p=0.068) and IL-6*Se (p=0.068), so there is a potential association with these two markers. At high selenium levels, the effect of higher IL-β levels on a decrease in BMI was stronger. So was the effect of an increase in IL-6 levels on an increase in BMI.
Conclusions
No effect of selenium on PPAR-γ has been found in relation to depressive symptoms and obesity. 2. Higher selenium levels may have a beneficial effect on BMI even at high IL-β concentrations, however, at high IL-6 concentrations, this effect was not observed. 3. Selenium levels had no impact on depressive symptoms.
Nonadherence in transplantology stands for a not cooperating patient in terms of taking medication, having the laboratory, and imaging tests taken, missing appointments, not following dietary and lifestyle recommendations related to smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and other high-risk behaviours. Factors of not following therapeutic recommendations in patient after liver transplantation are high costs, psychiatric disorders, convictions regarding harmfulness of the immunosuppressive medicine and its side effects as well as rejection episodes, infections, stress related to suffering from a chronic disease and inadequate social support.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to therapeutic recommendations in patients after liver transplantation including the level of depression, anxiety, degree of acceptance of the disease and social support.
Methods
Study was carried out among 112 respondents after liver transplantation. The Delphi method was used and the following standardised tools were used: ISSB, AIS, BDI, STAI X-1 and X-2 as well as a questionnaire form regarding sociodemographic data.
Results
An average level of adherence to therapeutic recommendations was on an average level (6.8±1.85). A statistically significant positive correlation between disease acceptance and following therapeutic recommendations was observed (r = –0.20, t = –2.040; p = 0.044). The adherence to recommendations increased with growing disease acceptance. Six factors were distinguished from the analysed predictors which in a relevant way influenced the level of adherence to therapeutic recommendations in the group of patients after liver transplantation. Regression model consisting of six independent variables explains 55% of variation of the dependent variable (r2corrected= 0,55, F(6, 98) = 22.127; p<0.001). Such positive factors include always following recommendations (β = –0.23; p = 0.002) and seeking various sources of information (β = –0.34; p<0.001), while negative ones constituted of illness duration (β = 0.18; p = 0.008), experiencing side effects (β = 0.40; p<0.001), suffering from concomitant diseases (β = 0,40; p<0,001).
Conclusions
Patients who have accepted their disease constitute a group that adheres to therapeutic recommendations to a lesser extent.
The main factors affecting adherence to therapeutic recommendations are the search for other sources of information and declarative adherence to therapeutic recommendations. Negative predictors- duration of disease, experiencing adverse effects of treatment, and comorbidities.
The way in which a physician communicates to the patients after liver transplantation the information about the results indicating that the medications were taken irregularly significantly more often influenced not following therapeutic recommendations which might suggest an unintended non-adherence.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 3% of children and adolescents in the U.S. This condition is increasingly prevalent worldwide and presents significant treatment challenges. Preliminary evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis extracts may help manage ASD symptoms, but their efficacy and potential harms have not yet been systematically investigated.
Objectives
To systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence from clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of CBD cannabis extracts in alleviating symptoms of ASD in children and adolescents.
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive search in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using MeSH terms including “Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “Cannabidiol,” “Cannabis,” “Child,” and “Adolescents.” No language or publication date restrictions were applied. The search was last updated on September 8, 2024. We included randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the efficacy or safety of CBD cannabis extracts in children and adolescents with ASD. For outcomes with limited study data, we used a fixed-effects model. The risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.
Results
Three studies met our criteria, comprising 276 participants (78.3% male; mean age 10.5 years, range 5 to 21). Interventions included orally administered CBD cannabis extracts, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in minimal amounts or in ratios of 9:1 to 20:1 CBD to THC. Dosages of CBD started at 1 mg/kg per day and were titrated up to 10 mg/kg per day. CBD cannabis extracts significantly enhanced social responsiveness (SMD = -0.75 [-1.08, -0.43], p < 0.01, I² = 17%), reduced disruptive behavior (SMD = -0.36 [-0.67, -0.06], p = 0.02, I² = 0%), and alleviated anxiety (SMD = -0.33 [-0.63, -0.03], p = 0.03, I² = 59%). CBD cannabis extracts also improved sleep quality, without reaching statistical significance (SMD = -0.19 [-0.49, 0.11], p = 0.21, I² = 0%). There was no significant difference in adverse effects between interventions and placebo (odds ratio = 2.11 [1.00, 4.46], p = 0.05, I² = 38%).
Conclusions
CBD cannabis extracts appear to provide meaningful benefits for children and adolescents with ASD, showing moderate improvements in social responsiveness and small yet notable reductions in disruptive behaviors and anxiety. They do not seem to significantly increase adverse effects compared to placebo, suggesting a favorable safety profile. These findings support the potential consideration of CBD cannabis extracts in ASD treatment plans. However, the review’s limitations include a small number of studies, limited sample sizes, and significant heterogeneity. Future research with larger, robust trials is needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of CBD cannabis extracts in managing ASD.
Nurses often face situations where they must deal with aggression from patients or even coworkers. This challenge can have negative consequences for both medical staff and patients.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the level of aggression, the severity of fatigue, and the occurrence of sleep disorders among nursing staff.
Methods
The study was conducted in Szczecin and was survey-based, involving 241 nurses working in surgical wards, medical wards, outpatient clinics, and the emergency department. The following tools were used to collect data: a custom survey, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results
It was found that a greater tendency toward overall aggression, verbal aggression, and higher levels of anger and hostility were associated with more severe insomnia problems (p<0.05). Data analysis showed statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) between overall, physical, and verbal aggression, as well as hostility (based on BPAQ) and sleep quality (based on PSQI). A statistically significant positive correlation (p<0.05) was also found between fatigue levels (FSS) and sleep quality (PSQI) — the higher the level of fatigue, the worse the sleep quality.
Table 1. Comparison of results according to BPAQ and AIS, PSQI
Examined Traits
AIS
PSQI
r
p
r
p
BPAQ: Total Aggression
0,297
<0,001
0,227
<0,001
BPAQ: Verbal Aggression
0,143
0,026
0,147
0,022
BPAQ: Anger
0,202
0,002
0,118
0,068
BPAQ: Hostility
0,353
0,001
0,317
<0,001
Conclusions
There is a link between aggression levels, fatigue, and sleep disorders. Individuals with stronger tendencies toward aggression were more likely to experience insomnia and sleep problems. Those with higher levels of fatigue also experienced more frequent insomnia and sleep disturbances. Preventive and therapeutic measures are necessary to improve the health of nursing staff.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been recognized as an international public health emergency.
Objectives
The aim of our study was to identify contributors to nurses’ depression.
Methods
This survey-based study was conducted in the Pomeranian Medical University Hospital no. 1 in Szczecin and involved 207 nurses. The following standardized research instruments were applied: the World Assumptions Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a questionnaire of our own authorship.
Results
The study showed that 72.95% of the subjects experienced severe stress, and 40.58% sufferred from insomnia. In addition, 65.7% of the respondents had anxiety symptoms of varying degrees of severity, and 62.8% had depressive symptoms of mild to severe severity. The mean score on the IES-R scale, reflecting a psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was 34.25 points.
Table 1. Influence of insomnia by AIS, anxiety by GAD-7, stress by PSS-10, World Assumptions Scale on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among nurses according to PHQ-9 (Model 1,2,3)
b - regression coefficient, βstand. - standardized regression coefficient, CI - confidence interval, ref - AIS reference level, Athens Insomnia Scale, GAD-7, generalized anxiety disorder; IES-R, Impact of Event Scale - Revised; PSS-10, The Perceived Stress Scale; WAS, The World Assumptions Scale
Model
factor
b
βstand.
-95% CI
+95% CI
p
Model 1
AIS (insomnia vs no insomnia)
1.571
0.250
0.155
0.344
0.000
GAD-7 (total)
0.613
0.535
0.426
0.643
0.000
Model 2
AIS( insomnia vs no insomnia)
1.471
0.234
0.139
0.329
0.000
GAD-7 (total)
0.600
0.524
0.416
0.632
0.000
PSS-10 (steny)
0.402
0.101
0.001
0.200
0.047
Model 3
AIS(( insomnia vs no insomnia)
1.536
0.244
0.148
0.340
0.000
GAD-7 (total)
0.616
0.537
0.428
0.646
0.000
PSS-10 (steny)
0.442
0.111
0.011
0.211
0.029
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the psychological health of medical staff, particularly through increased stress and anxiety symptoms. Anxiety levels and insomnia significantly affect the prevalence of depression among nurses.
Personality dimensions should be taken into account when diagnosing individuals with disordered eating behaviours in the hope of better understanding their etiology and symptom progression and when planning treatment.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to attempt to determine the moderating role of self-esteem in the relationships between personality traits included in the Big Five model among Polish women and the occurrence of eating disorders.
Methods
The study was conducted among 556 Polish women from Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method, and the empirical data were collected using the following research tools: The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), ORTO – 15 Questionnaire, The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-13), and the authors’ original questionnaire.
Results
Only the personality trait of neuroticism exhibits a statistically significant effect on the “Cognitive Restraint of Eating”, “Uncontrolled Eating”, and “Emotional Eating” scores (p<0.001). The moderation effect was demonstrated between self-esteem and the personality trait of conscientiousness on the “Cognitive Restraint of Eating” scale score. There is a moderation effect between self-esteem and the personality trait of extraversion on the “Uncontrolled Eating” subscale score. There is a moderation effect between self-esteem and the personality trait of conscientiousness on the “Uncontrolled Eating” scale score.
Table 1. Analysis and the moderation effect between self-esteem and the personality trait of conscientiousness in the effect on the “Cognitive Restraint of Eating” subscale score.
95% Confidence Interval
b
Lower
Upper
Z
p
C stens
-0.150
-0.220
-0.080
-4.214
< 0.001
Rsbrg
-0.001
-0.022
0.020
-0.097
0.923
C stens ٭ Rsbrg
0.010
0.000
0.019
2.040
0.041
Low (-1SD)
-0.221
-0.320
-0.122
-4.380
< 0.001
Average
-0.150
-0.220
-0.080
-4.200
< 0.001
High (+1SD)
-0.079
-0.176
0.018
-1.590
0.111
b – unstandardised regression coefficient, CI – confidence interval; ٭ moderation effect. Note. shows the effect of the predictor (conscientiousness) on the dependent variable (Cognitive Restraint of Eating) at different levels of the moderator (Rsbrg)
Conclusions
Self-esteem was not a predictor of the occurrence of eating disorders while playing a moderating role in the relationship between certain personality traits and the occurrence of eating disorders. A higher level of neuroticism was identified as an important predictor of higher results for orthorexia, Cognitive Restraint of Eating, Uncontrolled Eating, and Emotional Eating. It was also demonstrated that the orthorexia risk index decreased with increased extraversion and openness to experience.
Research has demonstrated the effect of eating disorders on the occurrence of depressiveness as well as the effect of depressiveness on the occurrence of eating disorders.
Objectives
The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between depressiveness and the occurrence of eating disorders, i.e., emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraint of eating, and the risk of orthorexia.
Methods
The study was conducted among 556 women from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland). The study employed the diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique: The Beck Depression Inventory, the ORTO—15 Questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire.
Results
Higher depressiveness severity is associated with a higher score on the “Cognitive Restraint of Eating” scale. The authors’ original study demonstrated a statistically significant relationship only between depressiveness and the “Uncontrolled Eating” subscale (p = 0.001).
Table 1. A multivariate model without moderation—analysis of the effect of sociodemographic variables and the severity of depressiveness according to the BDI on cognitive restraint of eating according to TFEQ-13
Table 2. A multivariate model with moderation—analysis of the effect of sociodemographic variables and the severity of depressiveness according to the BDI on cognitive restraint of eating according to TFEQ-13
The results of this study suggest that depressiveness is an important factor that contributes to a better understanding of eating behaviors. In addition, the results of this study suggest that eating behaviors and psychological factors should be taken into account in psychological interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. The clinical goal can be considered to be an improvement in non-normative eating behaviors, such as a reduction in overeating episodes or eating less frequently in the absence of a feeling of hunger.