Early experiences of abuse and current depressive disorders in Iranian women

Early experience of abuse may be viewed as a risk factor for mental disorders in women later in life. This case-control study in Isfahan screened 709 women aged 20-45 years using the Beck Depression Inventory and structured clinical interviews for Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV criteria. Lifetime history of abuse was determined using a standard questionnaire. Among the women 35.1% had experienced fear of or actual abuse [physical, sexual or both] in childhood or adolescence. The risk of having major depression in adult life was significantly higher in women who experienced abuse in childhood and adolescence [OR 4.3], severe degrees of abuse [OR 3.9] or multiple forms of abuse [OR 3.8]

Psychological profile of Iranian patients with low-back pain

A hospital case - control study in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, compared the features of 200 patients with low - back pain with 350 matched controls. The control group psychological scored lower than patients in all dimensions of the Symptom Checklist - 90 checklist. Female patients were more psychologically affected by low - back pain than males. In both groups, grudge, general complaints, anxiety, depression, obsessive - compulsive behaviours, somatization and phobia varied with level of education. Patients' levels of depression and anxiety were related to occupational background. Longer duration of illness was accompanied by higher levels of anxiety, depression, obsessive - compulsive behaviours and somatization

Job burnout in psychiatric and medical nurses in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

By means of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, we examined job burnout among randomly selected nurses working on psychiatric [55 nurses] and medical units [51 nurses] at 2 universities in Isfahan during 2003. Psychiatric nurses experienced a greater degree of emotional exhaustion hospitals than the medical nurses [P < 0.05]. Significant positive correlation was noted between age, years of experience and frequency of on- calls and emotional exhaustion for the psychiatric nurses. Frequency of on- calls was also significantly associated with a sense of non- accomplishment. Longer duration of service was accompanied by higher degree of emotional depersonalization for the medical nurses