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Objective:To investigate the mental health status of plastic surgery patients.Methods:A total of 487 plastic surgery patients [4 males and 475 females, aged 17-66 (30±10) years)] from Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine were investigated by symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90).Results:In a sample of 479 cases, 111 were positive for SCL-90, accounting for 23.1%. Among non-reconstructive surgeries, 92 out of 439 cases were positive, representing 21.0%, while in reconstructive surgeries, 19 out of 40 cases were positive, amounting to 47.5%. The positive detection rate of SCL-90 in reconstructive surgeries was significantly higher than that in non-reconstructive surgeries (χ 2=21.20, P<0.05). Compared with the national norm, the overall mental health status of patients with plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery showed that the average scores of obsessive-compulsive state (1.91±0.43), anxiety (1.46±0.31), hostility (1.60±0.36), and terror (1.28±0.24) were statistically significant higher than the norm ( t=10.03, P<0.05; t=3.27, P<0.05; t=5.20, P<0.05; t=2.50, P<0.05). The average score of obsessive-compulsive state (2.11±0.54), interpersonal sensitivity (1.82±0.39), depression (1.68±0.50), hostility (1.74±0.45), terror (1.39±0.28), paranoia (1.49±0.34), and psychotic (1.35±0.28) in patients undergoing reconstructive surgeries were all higher than those without reconstructive surgeries ( t=2.97, P<0.05; t=2.10, P<0.05; t=2.18, P<0.05; t=2.18, P<0.05; t=2.80, P<0.05; t=2.20, P<0.05; t=2.10, P<0.05). Conclusions:The results of SCL-90 show that the mental health level of plastic surgery patients (especially repair surgery patients) is lower than that of the normal population, which suggests that we should pay attention to the psychological evaluation and care about the physical and mental health of these patients.
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Objective:To investigate the physical and mental health of trainees receiving standardized residency training of anesthesiology in four large teaching hospitals in Wuhan, China, as well as related risk factors.Methods:The trainees who received standardized residency training of anesthesiology in four large general teaching hospitals in Wuhan were selected as subjects, and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were used to investigate mental health and personality state. SPSS 22.0 was used to perform the independent samples t-test, a one-way analysis of variance, and the chi-square test, and Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for SCL-90. Results:A total of 328 questionnaires were distributed and 326 valid questionnaires were collected, with a recovery rate of 99.39%. Among these trainees, 68 (20.86%) were found to have abnormal mental status (SCL-90 score >160), with a relatively high proportion of the trainees with obsessive-compulsive symptoms or depression. The trainees with abnormal mental status showed the personality characteristics of tendency neuroticism and tendency psychoticism, and compared with the trainees with normal mental status, the trainees with abnormal mental status showed a higher proportion of trainees with abnormal personality characteristics. The univariate analysis showed that the grade of residency training, scientific research pressure, monthly on-duty frequency, and personality characteristics were associated with abnormal mental status, and the multivariate analysis showed that a monthly on-duty frequency of >5 times ( B=0.997, odds ratio [ OR]=2.709, 95%CI: 1.051-6.986, P=0.039), great pressure of scientific research ( B=3.235, OR=25.412, 95%CI: 3.239-199.363, P=0.002), emotional instability ( B=2.015, OR=7.504, 95%CI: 3.529-15.954, P<0.001), and psychosomatic abnormalities ( B=1.640, OR=5.154, 95%CI: 2.510-10.581, P<0.001) were risk factors for psychological abnormality in trainees, while extroversion personality ( B=-2.758, OR=0.063, 95%CI: 0.019-0.215, P<0.001) was a protective factor against abnormal mental status. Conclusions:The positive rate of psychological abnormality is 20.86% among trainees receiving standardized residency training of anesthesiology in four large teaching hospitals in Wuhan, and possible influencing factors include monthly on-duty frequency, scientific research pressure, work pressure, and different personality characteristics.
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Objective:To estimate the mental health status and personality traits of the nuclear radiation emergency rescuers, allowing to provide reference basis for improving their mental health.Methods:Totally 52 nuclear radiation emergency rescuers were selected as the subjects. The symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) and Cattell′s 16 personality factor scale (16PF) were used to assess their mental health status and personality traits. The results obtained from the survey of these rescuers were compared with those obtained using Students′ t-test, One-Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:The average scores of multiple factors and positive items of the SCL-90 were significantly lower in the rescuers than in the norm ( t=-4.77 to -2.04, P<0.05), and the positive rate was 21.15%. The symptom checklist 90 subscales such as somatization, obsessive-compulsive and depression were found in the rescuers. Rescuers received high scores in the following components among the 16 factors of Cattell: less intelligent-more intelligent, emotionally stable. Rescuers also received low scores in the following components among the 16 factors of Cattell: tough-minded-tender-minded, trusting-suspicious. Life satisfaction, educational degree and Cattell′s 16 PF were significantly associated with the factors of SCL-90( r=-0.569 to 0.627, P<0.05). Conclusions:The rescuers are better than ordinary Chinese people in psychological health. Mental health-related factors such as literacy, life satisfaction, and personality traits should be taken into account when selecting team members and conducting psychological interventions.
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Objective To explore the mental health status and characteristics of professional degree postgraduates.Methods 326 professional degree postgraduates from 3 universities were selected as subjects by cluster sampling.Symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) was applied to assess psychological health of the postgraduates in order.Results 1) The positive rate of psychological symptom screening was 11.11%.The detection rate of psychological problems from high to low was:obsessive-compulsion,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,hostility,somatization,paranoid ideation,anxiety,phobic anxiety and psychoticism.2) Excluding the factors of phobic anxiety,there was significant age difference in each factor score and total score of SCL-90 (P<0.05).The somatization,interpersonal sensitivity,anxiety,hostility,paranoid ideation,psychoticism factor scores and total score of the "≥30 years" group was significantly higher than those of "≤24 years"and the "25-29 years" group (P<0.05),the depression factor scores of "≥ 30 years" was significantly higher than the "≤24 years" group (P<0.01).3) The scores of somatizations (P=0.038) and obsessive-compulsive factors (P=0.043) of doctoral students were significantly higher than those of master students.4) In different grades,there were significant differences in the scores of obsessive-compulsives,depression,anxiety,hostility,paranoid ideation factor scores and SCL-90 total score (P<0.05).The factor scores and total score of the Grade Three were significantly higher than those of the first grade (P<0.05),and the scores of hostilities,paranoid ideation factors and total score were significantly higher than those of the second grade (P<0.05).5) Excluding phobic anxiety,the factor scores and total score of SCL-90 in the "peace and tranquility" group were significantly lower than those of "quarrel" group (P<0.05).6) Except for somatization and paranoia ideation,the factor scores and total score of SCL-90 of caring group were significantly lower than those non-caring group (P<0.05).Conclusion The psychological health of graduate students of professional degree varies with age,educational level and grade,and is influenced by collective atmosphere and mentor attitude.The differences in the characteristics of the crowd should be taken into full consideration in the mental health education of colleges and universities,and the educational model should be explored,the educational goals,contents and forms should be refined to improve the mental health level of the population.
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Objective@#To investigate the application of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) in Chinese nurses.@*Methods@#We performed a literature search for articles in Chinese on the mental health of nurses investigated using the SCL-90 that were published from January 2007 to December 2016. A total of 129 articles were included, involving 178 groups of valid samples as well as 36316 subjects in 27 provinces or cities in China. The metafor package of R 3.2.1 software and Excel were used for meta-analysis and data statistics.@*Results@#Heterogeneity was identified for the nine factors included in the literature data (Q test: P<0.05; I2 test >40%) , so a random effects model was used. For all factors except interpersonal relationship factor, the 95% confidence intervals of the pooled effect sizes did not include 0. For all factors except interpersonal relationship factor (Egger test: P<0.05) , no significant asymmetry or incompleteness appeared in the funnel plots. The fail-safe number of each factor was much larger than 5k+10. The merger scores and mean values of nine factors were higher than the national norm.@*Conclusion@#The SCL-90 is widely used in the study of mental status of Chinese nurses, but the SCL-90 norm for nurses is lacking.
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Objective@#To evaluate the mental health of female doctors and nurses.@*Methods@#Investigat the psychologic status of female doctors and nurses using symptom checklist 90. And statistical software was applied to analyze results of symptom checklist 90.@*Results@#There were differences in the score of SCL-90 between doctor and nurse groups, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Negative life events (OR=2.940) , relative suffer from mental illness (OR=3.683) , shift work (OR=1.611) and heavy workload (OR=2.265) were found to risk factors for the positive of SCL-90.@*Conclusion@#There were differences in the score of SCL-90 between doctor and nurse groups. Negative life events, relative suffer from mental illness, shift workand heavy workload are risk factors for SCL-90 positive of female doctors and nurses.
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Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture on the mental health score and serum ghrelin levels in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).Methods Sixty-eight FD patients were randomized to treatment and control groups, 34 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture and the control group took domperidone tablets orally. The TCM symptom score and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) subscores were recorded and serum ghrelin levels were measured in the two groups before and after treatment.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post- treatment differences in the TCM symptom score and serum ghrelin level in the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the TCM symptom score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the SCL-90 somatization, obsessive- compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety and psychotic factor subscores in the treatment group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in the somatization subscore in the control group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the interpersonal sensitivity, depression and anxiety subscores between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). In FD patients there was a negative correlation of the ghrelin level with the SCL-90 somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, depression and anxiety subscores (P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture can reduce the clinical symptomsand psychological problems in FD patients. Its mechanism of action may be related to raising serum ghrelin levels.
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Objective@#To evaluate the mental health of occupational females in different industries.@*Methods@#We investigated the psychologic status of Chinese occupational females using symptom checklist 90. And statistical software was applied to analyze results of symptom checklist 90.@*Results@#There were 41, 166 effec-tive questionnaires. The number of positive questionnaires was 14 361, and the positive rate was 34.89%. The positive rate of obsessive-compulsive factor was 24.07%. The positive rate of somatization factor was 16.12%. The positive rate of depression was 15.50%. The median positive item number was 20 (IQR: 34) , and the median split of positive symptoms was 2.11 (IQR: 0.37) . There were differences in the positive rate of SCL-90 scale among different age groups, different regions and different industries, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The positive rate of SCL-90 for the occupational females was 34.89%. The top three factors of the high-est positive SCL-90 were obsessive-compulsive symptoms, somatization and depression.@*Conclusion@#There were differences in the psychological status of occupational females for different regions, different ages and different occupations.
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The Symptom Checklist - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale (SCL-PTSD), also known as Crime-Related PTSD Scale has been validated in survivors of interpersonal trauma in the general population. However, the psychometric properties have not been investigated in a clinical setting for patients with PTSD from diverse traumatic events. This study investigates the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the SCL-PTSD among 104 psychiatric outpatients with PTSD, caused by interpersonal (n = 50) or non-interpersonal trauma (n = 54). Self-report data of the SCL-PTSD, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) were gathered. The Korean version of the SCL-PTSD showed excellent internal consistency and moderate-to-good four-week temporal stability in both the interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma groups. In comparison with other diagnostic groups, the scores of the SCL-PTSD were significantly higher compared to those of adjustment disorder, depression, other anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia, demonstrating its criteria-related validity. Convergent validity was confirmed because the scores of the SCL-PTSD were significantly correlated with BDI, SAI and TAI scores. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by significant correlation with the IES-R score. This study demonstrated the favorable psychometric prosperities of the Korean version of the SCL-PTSD, supporting its use in clinical research and practice.
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Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Transtornos de Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Povo Asiático , Comparação Transcultural , Depressão/diagnóstico , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , República da Coreia , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/diagnósticoRESUMO
Objective:To explore the influence of psychological factors on temporomandibular disorders(TMD) in school students.Methods:52 school students aged 14-26 years with TMD classified as muscular dysfunction (MD,n =26),temporomandibular displacement(TD,n =14) and MD with TD(MD +TD,n =12),and 53 healthy adolescents as the controls were investigated.All the participants accepted TMD examination and their psychological status were tested by symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90).The patients were divided into acute(case history ≤6 months,n =32) and chronic(case history >6 months,n =20) groups.The psychological differences among the related groups were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 statistical software package.Results:The total and the factor scores of the TMD group were higher than those of control(P < 0.05).There was no significant statistically difference between the MD group and the TD group(P > 0.05).MD + TD group got higher SCL-90 total score and factor scores (except depression,phobic anxiety and Psychoticism score) than the other 2 groups (P < 0.05).The acute and chronic group got similar SCL-90 total scores and factor scores (P > 0.05),except somatization score (P < 0.05).There was a positive correlation between the TMD pain level and total score of SCL-90.Conclusion:The psychological status have remarkable influence on the students with TMD.The pain degree of TMD is affected by psychological factors.Therefore,psychological therapy should be applied during the diagnosis and treatment of students with TMD.
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Objective:To study the mental health of old people who live in endowment institutions in Shandong Province and its influencing factors. Methods: A sample of 2200 old people over 60 years old was selected with the stratified random sampling method. They were investigated using the self-designed questionnaires, symptom checklist (SCL-90), and Social Support Rating Scale. A total of 2013 questionnaires were recovered effectively (91. 5%), and 271 questionnaires were analyzed in this study. Results:41. 7% of old people in endowment insti-tutions in Shandong Province is positive in SCL -90 . Multivariate analysis showed that self -care ability ( P =0 . 045 ) and type of chronic disease ( P=0 . 025 ) associated with mental health problems of old people in Shandong Province. Conclusion:The mental health status of old people in endowment institutions in Shandong Province was not optimistic and its influencing factors included self-care ability and the type of chronic disease. It should take measures to promote successful aging in Shandong Province.
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Objective To investigate palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) and the effects on mental health in a military command.Methods 26 392 soldiers were enrolled in this study by stratified-cluster random sampling.Each was required to complete a self-administered questionnaire regarding PH.The soldiers were assessed with symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) and the factor scores were compared with army norm and civilian norm.Results A total of 25680 subjects fulfilled the questionnaires,and the response rate was 97.3%.The prevalence of PH in the survey sample was 2.66% and the mild,moderate,and severe PH were 1.49%,0.83%,and 0.34%,respectively.The total mean score of SCL-90 in soldiers with PH (1.72±0.54) was higher than those none PH soldiers (1.65±0.58),civilian norm (1.49±0.41) and military norm (1.63±0.30).Multiple regression analysis showed that age,level of education and severity of PH were important factors for mental health of soldiers with PH (P<0.05).Conclusion PH is more common in the military,which affect the mental health.The health service departments should pay attention to the treatment and psychological intervention of PH.
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Objective To investigate and analyze the personality characteristics and situation of mental health in patients with sudden deafness,and discuss the relationship between the two,so as to provide basis for the auxiliary diagnosis and mental health intervention.Methods Eighty-eight patients with sudden deafness(sudden deafness group) were evaluated by Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and adult Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).The survey results were compared with the norm of healthy people (norm group).The correlation analysis was performed between SCL-90 results and EPQ score.Results The SCL-90 total score in sudden deafness group was higher than that in normal group,but there was no significant difference,P>0.05.The scores of somatization,depression,anxiety,panic,psychosis and positive number,positive projects split were (1.58±0.46),(1.71±0.43),(1.59±0.44),(1.38±0.39),(1.46±0.51) scores,(32.65±15.81) nubmers,(2.96±0.65) scores in sudden deafness group,which were higher than those in normal group (1.37±0.48),(1.50±0.59),(1.39±0.43),(1.23±0.41),(1.29±0.42) scores,(24.92±18.14) nubmers,(2.60±0.59) scores,and there were significant differences,t=3.640,2.996,3.855,3.045,3.314,3.562,5.033,P<0.01.The standard T points of psychotic,neurotic and emotional stability dimensions were (54.63±10.37),(45.59±8.67) scores in sudden deafness group,which were higher than those in normal group (48.14±9.74),(41.27±9.42) scores,and there were significant differences,t=8.207,3.811,P<0.01.The standard T points of internal and external dimensions,hide were (52.28±11.67),(48.68±8.57) scores in sudden deafness group,which were lower than those in normal group (57.75±8.26),(51.27±10.43) scores,and there were significant differences,t=5.455,2.066,P<0.01 or 0.05.Neurotic and emotional stability dimension,psychotic part dimension were a positive correlation with SCL-90 factor points.Multi-factor stepwise regression analysis showed that the neurotic or emotional stability were correlated with interpersonal relationship,depression,anxiety,hostility,terror.Conclusions Patients with sudden deafness overall mental health status is poorer,the somatization,depression,anxiety,terror,psychoticism of various factors on negative emotions is more obvious.Sudden deafness patients have emotional instability and psychotic personality characteristics.The personality characteristics of sudden deafness patients have a correlation with the mental health.In the process of comprehensive treatment for patients with sudden hearing loss,individual psychological health intervention is necessary.
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Objective To analyze themental health status of 10 113 military personnel of China in 2011 and the changes of the mental health of military personnel.Methods Symptom check list-90 (SCL-90) was used to assess 10 113 military personnel of China.The result was compared with the army norm and civilian norm in the past over ten years.Results ①Except somatization,other items of SCL-90 of 10 113 military personnel was generally lower than that of civilian norm and army norm.Sensitive human interrelationship was the highest item in 1986 civilian norm,1999 army norm and 2000 army norm.Obsessive-compulsive disorder became the highest item in 2005 army norm,2006 civilian norm and 2011 armymen.②16.88% military personnel have various mental health problems,which includes sensitive human interrelationship,somatization disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder,depression,phobia and anxiety.③The proportion of positive item including somatization disorder,sensitive human interrelationship,anxiety,phobia and lunacy were significantly higher in 2011 compared with 2005 army norm(P<0.01).While obsessive-compulsive disorder,hostility and crankiness were lower(P<0.01).The proportion of positive item including anxiety,phobia and lunacy were significantly higher in 2011 compared with 2006 civilian norm (P < 0.01).The proportion of positive item of somatization disorder had no difference (P >0.05).While other items were lower(P<0.01).Conclusion The military personnel' s mental health is becoming fine in the past over ten years,but the proportion of positive item including somatization,sensitive human interrelationship,anxiety,phobia and lunacy were still high.
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Objective To explore the effect of group psychological training on the mental health and self consistency of nurses from operating rooms.Methods 52 nurses of an operating room were randomized into the treatment group(n=25)and the control group(n=27): The latter received humane care and instructions for mental self care and the former received group psychological training for 8 weeks based on the same treatment as in the control group.Symptom checklist 90(SCL-90)and self consistency and congruence scale(SCCS)were used to assess and compare the difference of the two groups before and after training.Results The intra-and inter-group comparisons between pre-and post-intervention showed statistical differences in terms of the total score by SCL,interpersonal sensitivity,depression and hostility,total score by SCCS and the score on the subscale of inconsistency between themselves and their experience(all P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Group psychological training can effectively improve the level of mental health and self consistency of OR nurses and thus can improve the total psychological status of the OR nurses.
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@#Objective To observe the psychological state in patients accepting prosthesis and the effect of psychological intervention on them. Methods38 patients were assessed with Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) before, after prosthesis fitting, and after rehabilitation training and psychological intervention. ResultsThere were 33 cases with somehow disorder in some factors of SCL-90 before prosthesis fitting. Except somatization, interpersonal and psychotic factors, all the other factors increased after fitting (P<0.05). All the factors scored lower after rehabilitation and intervention (P<0.05). ConclusionPatients accepting prosthesis appear with some psychological disorders, and get worst after prosthesis fitting. Rehabilitation training and psychological intervention can relieve these disorders.
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@#Objective To investigate and compare the special psychologic characteristics of the post-traumatic epilepsy patients and their spouses.Methods The complete clinical data of 244 patients and their spouses were retrospectively and constractively analyzed. There were two distinct groups because of the etiology: group A including 122 patients of post-traumatic epilepsy and their spouses, and group B including essential epilepsy. Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used to evaluate the psychologic status of objects.Results All of the single-item score of SCL-90 were significantly higher than the China norm (P<0.01) in both groups, and the score in group A was higher than that in group B. But the characteristics of the abnormal data were diffierent in patient from in spouse. The scores of the post-traumatic patients were higher than that of the spouses in 3 items, and lower in 5 items. Specially the depression and anxiety emotion of the spouses were more obvious than the patients in group A (P<0.01).Conclusion Both the patient and spouse have the conspicuous psychosomatic disorder, and the appearance is diffierent from each other. The psychosomatic disorder of post-traumatic epilepsy patient and spouse is more conspicuous than the essential epilepsy.
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Objective To assess the mental health status of the pregnant women with missed abor-tion, as well as related influencing factors, and to provide the basis for mental nursing. Methods 100 pregnant women with missed abortion were chosen as the observation group by convenience sampling, while other 100 normal pregnant women as the control group. The mental state of the pregnant women in both groups was evaluated by using symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90), the results of which were then studied in contrast using t test and variance analysis. Results The total scores and the average scores of pregnant women in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The mental health status of pregnant women with missed abortion was influenced by age, education degree, and the times of pregnancy. Conclusions There are significant mental health problems in pregnant women with missed abortion, to which should be paid much attention. And the psychological counseling should be carried out in time in case of detrimental influences in treatment, rehabilitation, and next pregnancy.
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Objective To investigate of mental health level and coping style in emergency nurses. Methods Investigations were conducted in 78 emergency nurses who had been m the emergency department over one year from 4 general hospitals in Huizhou using general condition questionnaire, symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) and simple coping style questionnaire, the results underwent analysis. Results The subfactor score of SCL- 90 was significantly higher than that of Chinese norm. Emergency nurses adopted positive coping style more then conunon adillt group. The positive coping style of nurses was negatively correlated with the total score of SCL-90, somatization, interpersonal relationship, depression and anxiety factor of SCL-90. The negative coping style was positively correlated with the total score, sornatization, depression and anxiety factor of SCL-90.Conchusions Emergency nurses have poor mental health. We must adopt effective means to improve theirs mental health level.
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OBJECTIVE: Depression has been associated with alexithymic features. However, few studies have investigated the differences in the general symptoms of patients with depressive disorders according to the presence of alexithymia. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia and symptoms experienced by patients with clinically diagnosed depressive disorders. METHODS: A chart review of patients who were evaluated using the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) at the same time between the years 2003 and 2007 was conducted. A total of 104 patients with depressive disorders were included and divided into two groups: alexithymia (n=52) and non-alexithymia (n=52). A direct comparison between the two groups was carried out. Regression analysis was also carried out for the TAS-20 total and subset scores in order to model the relationship between alexithymia and symptoms. RESULTS: The presence of alexithymia was confirmed in 50% of the patients with depressive disorders, and the symptoms of depressive patients with alexithymia were more severe than those of their non-alexithymic counterparts on all 9 symptom domains of the SCL-90-R. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that the presence of alexithymia was positively associated with depression, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism but inversely associated with anxiety. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the clinical features of depression are partially dependent on the presence of alexithymia. Alexithymic patients with depressive disorders are likely to show more severe depressive, psychotic, and phobic symptoms. In other words, clinicians should suspect the presence of alexithymic tendencies if these symptoms coexist in patients with depressive disorders and address their difficulties in effective communication.