Novel motivational interviewing-based intervention improves engagement in physical activity and readiness to change among adolescents with chronic pain.

INTRODUCTION: Engaging adolescents with chronic pain in physical activities is challenging. Motivational interviewing (MI) combined with activity promotion may encourage teens to make behavioural changes. This research aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of our MI-based physical activity promotion programme, the M3 training. METHODS: In our exploratory study with 35 adolescent-parent dyads, we evaluated the feasibility by enrolment, drop-out and retention rates. Acceptability of the M3 training was examined by adherence rates and participation experiences through open-ended questions. We also assessed changes in pain self-efficacy and readiness to change after the M3 training intervention. RESULTS: The M3 training was feasible with an adequate enrolment (77.8%) and retention (85.7%) rate. Both teens and parents found the M3 training acceptable and considered exercise and physical activity the most helpful elements of the programme (36% and 37%, respectively). While self-efficacy remained unchanged, we identified a significant increase in the readiness to change for adolescents and parents. CONCLUSION: M3 training improved physical activity engagement while prioritising adolescents' autonomy. Furthermore, it appears to be a clinically relevant approach and could result in a positive shift in readiness to change within a shorter timeframe. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The preliminary version of the M3 training was reviewed and commented upon by the public (adolescents and adults). Adolescents who participated in this study were designing their own movement programme, considering their lived experiences. Participants' feedback was used to create the online version of the M3 training (which will be published elsewhere).

High prevalence of burnout among midwives in Hungary: High job demands and low resources as potential persistent stressors, a focus on prevention.

Background: Midwifery practice in Hungary is characterized by chronic stress, which may in turn lead to burnout and impaired perinatal care. However, little is known about the degree and potential stressors of burnout, which hinder the development of strategies to promote well-being among midwives in Hungary. Aim: To assess the prevalence of burnout and identify persistent individual and occupational stressors among midwives in Hungary over the past decade to inform prevention. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional studies among midwives in 2014 and 2022. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) over time. We also collected data on individual and work characteristics. We performed a multivariate regression analysis to explore associations between burnout and respondents' characteristics. Findings: The degree and prevalence of emotional exhaustion among midwives increased significantly between 2014 (N = 224) and 2022 (N = 152). High workload, not feeling valued at work, poorly perceived health status and work dissatisfaction emerged as a significant positive correlate of emotional exhaustion or depersonalization in both studies. Living alone showed both a positive and inverse association with burnout in 2014 and 2022, respectively. Work satisfaction was a positive correlate of personal accomplishment in both studies. Conclusions: Our results add to and confirm the growing body of evidence about the high prevalence of burnout among midwives in Hungary. We identified potential risk factors and outcomes of burnout, which remained unchanged over time. To prevent or reduce burnout among midwives, future interventions should focus on addressing these potential persistent risk factors. However, the time-varying role of factors influencing burnout makes it advisable to review preventive interventions from time to time.

Diagnostic and treatment recommendations from international guidelines for chronic low back pain / A krónikus derékfájdalom korszeru diagnosztikája és kezelése a nemzetközi irányelvek tükrében.

Összefoglaló. Nemzetközi kutatások szerint a deréktáji fájdalom 2019-ben 568 millió embert érintett világszerte. Magyarországon a lakosság 20%-a él krónikus derékfájdalommal, ami nemcsak egészségügyi, de szociális és ökonómiai krízist is jelent. A probléma aktualitását jól mutatja az is, hogy a Nemzetközi Fájdalomkutatási Társaság a 2021. évet a derékfájdalomról szóló globális évnek kiáltotta ki. A derékfájdalmak megfelelo kezelése és a krónikussá válás megelozése tehát kiemelten fontos. Ebben nyújthatnak segítséget az evidenciákon alapuló irányelvek. Magyarországon azonban jelenleg nincs hatályos, egységes irányelv, mely a derékfájdalmakkal, azon belül is a krónikus derékfájdalom kezelésével foglalkozna. A jelen közleményben a krónikus derékfájdalom evidenciákon alapuló diagnosztikai és kezelési lehetoségeinek áttekintését tuztük ki célul. Az irodalomkutatást követoen, a jelenleg is hatályos, AGREE II. rendszer szerinti magas minoségu besorolást eléro, krónikus deréktáji fájdalomra vonatkozó, angol nyelvu nemzetközi irányelvek ajánlásainak összehasonlítását végeztük el. Tanulmányunkban hét irányelvet dolgoztunk fel (négy európai, ketto amerikai, egy kanadai), melyek mindegyikében a következo közös ajánlások kerültek megfogalmazásra: a súlyos patológiák kizárása az alarm tünetek alapján, a pszichoszociális tényezok figyelembevétele, a szükségtelen képalkotó vizsgálat visszaszorítása, az elsosorban aktív, nem gyógyszeres terápiák preferálása és a nemszteroid gyulladáscsökkentok körültekinto felírása. Az európai irányelvekben új elemként szerepelt a krónikussá válás korai rizikóbecslése. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(49): 1951-1961. Summary. In 2019, low back pain caused the highest burden globally, among musculoskeletal disorders, affecting 568 million people. According to Hungarian sociodemographic data, 20% of the Hungarian adults live with chronic low back pain that is a global health priority. Therefore, the International Association for the Study of Pain announced 2021 as the global year about back pain. Evidence-based guidelines about the appropriate treatment of acute low back pain and prevention of chronic low back pain are therefore of paramount importance. However, there are currently no valid, uniform treatment guidelines in Hungary about acute and chronic lower back pain. In this paper, we aimed at summarizing up-to-date, evidence-based diagnostic and treatment recommendations for chronic low back pain. Using a literature review, we identified seven international treatment guidelines (four from Europe, two from the United States and one from Canada) in English for the management of chronic low back pain that were previously assessed by the AGREE II quality assessment tool. We found consistent recommendations in the guidelines such as exclusion of alarm symptoms, assessment of psycho-social factors, reduction of unnecessary imaging, initialization of primarily active, non-pharmacological therapies, and careful and cautious prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. A new recommendation in the European guidelines is the early risk assessment of low back pain becoming chronic. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(49): 1951-1961.

[Comparative analysis of the full and shortened versions of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory]. / Az Oldenburg Kiégés Kérdôív és rövidített változatának összehasonlító elemzése.

Background - The two free-to-use versions of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) have been increasingly utilised to assess the prevalence of burnout among human service workers. The OLBI has been developed to overcome some of the psychometric and conceptual limitations of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the gold standard of burnout measures. There is a lack of data on the structural validity of the Mini Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory in Hungary. Purpose - To assess the structural validity of the Hungarian versions of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and the Mini-Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Methods - We enrolled 564 participants (196 healthcare workers, 104 nurses and 264 clinicians) in three cross-sectional surveys. In our analysis we assessed the construct validity of the instruments using confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency using coefficient Cronbach's α. Results - We confirmed the two-dimensional structure (exhaustion and disengagement) of the Mini-Oldenburg Inventory and a shortened version of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory Internal consistency coefficient confirmed the reliability of the instruments. The burnout appeared more than a 50 percent of the participants in every subsample. The prevalence of exhaustion was above 54.5% in each of the subsamples and the proportion of disengaged clinicians was particularly high (92%). Conclusions - Our findings provide support for the construct validity and reliability of the Hungarian versions of the Mini-Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and a shortened version of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory in the assessment of burnout among clinicians and nurses in Hungary.

Self-reported specific learning disorders and risk factors among Hungarian adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite its increasing clinical significance and diagnostic challenges, little is known about functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) in Central-Eastern Europe. In this paper, the prevalence and potential sociodemographic correlates of FAPDs among Hungarian adolescents are explored. METHODS: A cross-sectional, nationwide, questionnaire study in a representative sample of 657 adolescents has been conducted. With a response rate of 80.2%, 522/527 (99.1%) questionnaires were eligible for data analysis (N = 267, 51.1% girls, mean age 14.8, SD 2.4 years). The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables (age, sex, place of residence, marital status of the parents, family income, religion, educational level of parents), questions regarding self-reported specific learning disorders and the Questionnaire for Paediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rome ΙΙΙ Edition. RESULTS: The prevalence of FAPDs was 11.9% (N = 62). FAPDs were significantly associated with female sex. Living in a county town showed a negative correlation with FAPD. Adolescents with self-reported arithmetic learning disorders had an 8.7-fold likelihood of FAPD (OR, 8.7; 95% CI (3.5-21.9). Adolescent girls reported pain in all subtypes of FAPDs more frequently than adolescent boys except functional abdominal pain syndrome. The most prevalent FAPD was abdominal migraine (N = 32, 6.1%), followed by irritable bowel syndrome (N = 24, 4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FAPDs in Hungary is similar to that reported worldwide, however, contrary to international data, abdominal migraine is the most frequently encountered FAPD in Hungary. In addition to well-known correlates of FAPDs, such as female sex and place of residence, arithmetic learning disorders have also been identified as correlating with the prevalence of FAPDs. Our results suggest culture-specific differences in the distribution of FAPDs, and confirm the significance of school performance indicators such as specific learning disorders as a correlate of FAPDs.

[Potential risk factors and consequences of chronic pain among Hungarian adolescents]. / A krónikus fájdalom lehetséges rizikótényezoi és következményei a magyar tizenévesek körében.

Introduction: Based on international data, the prevalence of chronic pain is 25% among adolescents which is associated with poor quality of life, extensive use of healthcare, and overuse of pain medication. Little is known about the medication use and chronic pain in Hungary. Aim: To assess the prevalence and potential socio-demographic risk factors of chronic pain and medication use among Hungarian adolescents. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study at primary and secondary schools with 354 school-children. Adolescents responded to questionnaires about demographic variables, characteristics of chronic pain, use of health-care system and medication. Results: 110 adolescents (31.1%) suffered from chronic pain in our sample. Pain in extremities was the most prevalent pain type. 4.6% (n = 5) of children suffered from continuous pain. The prevalence was lower among boys (χ2 = 9.4; p = 0.002) and younger subjects (Mann-Whitney U = 10906.5; p = 0.004). Sleep disorder was more frequent among adolescents with chronic pain (χ2 = 8.9; p = 0.03). Time from onset, intensity, prevalence and duration of pain were associated with the prevalence of visits to physicians. 78% (n = 276) of the sample took medication in the previous 6 months, however, regular medication use was as high as 48.3% (n = 171). We found a significant association between medication use and older age, female sex, and the presence of chronic pain. Medication use against pain among adolescents with chronic pain was significantly higher (n = 83.0, 75.5%). Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic pain, medication use and visits to physicians is considerable among Hungarian adolescents. It is an important healthcare challenge with long-term consequences until adulthood. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(13): 502-509.

Factors associated with serious intent to die among suicide attempters in Hungary.

As suicide attempts pose major risk for future suicide death, understanding the underlying factors of suicide attempts and suicidal behaviour is an important mental health imperative. The aim of this study was to examine suicide attempts with a special focus on the intention. A total of 2540 discharge summaries were collected between 2009 and 2011 in Miskolc, Hungary, and a content analysis was conducted. Data regarding the method, the reason for suicide attempts, the amount, the source, and the type of the medication taken were examined. Deliberate self-poisoning was the most frequent method (73.8%) committed with more than 200 different types of drugs. 40.5% of the patients attempted suicide with an intent to die, whilst 35.6% of the patients wanted to escape from an unbearable situation. Older age groups, greater amount of taken pills, and affective disorders were associated with self-reported serious intention to die. Our findings should be taken into consideration when monitoring drugs for older patients with depressive disorders.

Potential correlates of burnout among general practitioners and residents in Hungary: the significant role of gender, age, dependant care and experience.

BACKGROUND: Burnout is increasingly prevalent among general practitioners (GPs) in Hungary, which may lead to functional impairment and, subsequently, to poor quality of patient care. However, little is known about potential predictors of burnout among GPs. The aim of this study was to explore psychosocial correlates of burnout among GPs and residents in Hungary. METHODS: We collected socio-demographic and work-related data with self-administered questionnaires in a cross-sectional study among GPs (N = 196) and residents (N = 154). We assessed burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and calculated the mean level of burnout and the proportion of physicians suffering from low, intermediate and high degree of burnout. To identify potential socio-demographic and work-related correlates of burnout among physicians, we determined Spearman's and Mann-Whitney U correlation coefficients and conducted stepwise linear regression analyses. We deployed Mann-Whitney U test to explore gender disparity in the level of burnout between female and male physicians and between general practitioners and residents. RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate to high level emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and impaired personal accomplishment was 34.7, 33.5 and 67.8% as well as 41.0, 43.1, and 71.1% among GPs and residents, respectively. Residents reported significantly lower level of personal accomplishment vs GPs. We identified a significantly higher level of depersonalization among male physicians compared to female physicians. Age correlated negatively with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and positively with personal accomplishment among GPs. Dependant care was positively associated with burnout among female GPs. Female residents were more likely to report depersonalization. High workload was positively correlated with depersonalization among female GPs. Younger age emerged as the strongest predictor of emotional exhaustion. Male gender and fewer years of experience predicted depersonalization best, and male gender showed a significant predictive relationship with low personal accomplishment. CONCLUSION: We identified specific socio-demographic and work-related correlates of burnout, which may guide the development of specific and effective organizational decisions to attenuate occupational stress and subsequent burnout as well as functional impairment among GPs, and thus, may improve the quality of patient care.

Risk factors for multiple suicide attempts among Roma in Hungary.

In recent years, suicide rates in Hungary have been among the highest in the European Union. Attempted suicide rates in the Roma population are 2-3 times higher than in the non-Roma population. Since individuals making multiple attempts have a higher pro-bability of eventual death by suicide, and there are limited data on suicidal behaviour of the Roma population, the aim of this study was to explore the sociodemographic and psychological background factors of multiple suicide attempts in the Hungarian Roma population. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 150 individuals admitted to hospital toxicology departments, who made suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning, 65 of whom were multiple attempters. Detailed information regarding the current attempt and previous suicidal acts was recorded. Patients also completed the Shortened Beck Depression, the Beck Hopelessness Questionnaire, and the Social Support Questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were used to evaluate differences in psychological variables between the Roma ( N = 90) and non-Roma ( N = 60) groups. Stepwise linear regression and odds ratios analyses were performed to identify potential background factors of multiple suicide attempts. There was a significantly higher level of previous suicidal events among the Roma in the sample population (3.53 vs. 0.84, p < .001). Roma ethnicity was found to be a strong predictor of multiple suicide attempts. Current major depression, hopelessness, and diagnosed mood disorder were identified as significant risk factors of repeated attempts. Smoking (OR = 5.4), family history of suicide (OR = 4.9), and long-term unemployment (OR = 4.6) were additional risk factors among Roma patients. A thorough understanding of the ethnicity-specific risk factors for multiple suicide attempts could facilitate the development of effective intervention and postvention programmes.

A two-week inpatient programme with a booster improved long-term management of severe chronic paediatric pain.

In the context of limited healthcare resources and increasing demands for more cost-effective healthcare solutions, this study assessed the short- and long-term clinical outcomes and resource utilization of a two-week inpatient, interdisciplinary, pain treatment (IIPT) including individual and group cognitive behavioural, occupational, physical and recreational therapy, education and family intervention and a booster in the chronic paediatric pain setting. Using a longitudinal design with a two-year follow-up, two-week IIPT resulted in sustainable improvements in mean and maximum pain intensity, physical functioning and internalization and reductions in the mean number of medical visits, school absence and frequency of pain medication at year 2 following IIPT. While pain-related disability scores did not improve, problem-focused coping became more prevalent, and patient and parent-assessed satisfaction as well as pain experience continued to improve throughout the study. Our results demonstrate that a two-week IIPT with a booster confers meaningful short- and long-term improvements in clinical outcomes and resource utilization among paediatric patients with severe chronic pain.

Quantifying Multiple Work-Related Psychosocial Risk Factors: Proposal for a Composite Indicator Based on the COPSOQ II.

PURPOSE: To determine national reference values for the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II) across occupational sectors and develop a composite score to estimate the cumulative effect of multiple work-related stressors, in order to facilitate the implementation of occupational health directives on psychosocial risk assessment. METHOD: Cross-sectional data was collected via an online questionnaire. The sample included 13,104 individuals and was representative of the general Hungarian adult working population in terms of gender, age, education, and occupation. Mean scores were calculated for 18 scales on work environment and for 5 outcome scales of the COPSOQ II across 18 occupational sectors. We analyzed the association between a composite psychosocial risk score (CPRS), reflecting severity of exposure to multiple risk factors, and high stress, burnout, sleep troubles, and poor self-rated health. RESULTS: We found occupation-related differences in the mean scores on all COPSOQ II scales. Scores on the "Stress" scale ranged from 47.9 to 56.2, with the highest mean score in accommodation and food services sector. Variability was greatest with respect to emotional demands (range 40.3-67.6) and smallest with respect to role clarity (range 70.3-75.7). The prevalence of negative health outcomes increased with the CPRS. Five risk categories were formed, for which the odds ratio of negative outcomes ranged from 1.6 to 56.5. CONCLUSION: The sector-specific psychosocial risk profiles covering 18 work environmental factors can be used as a reference in organizational surveys and international comparisons. The CPRS proved to be a powerful predictor of self-reported negative health outcomes.

Validation of the Hungarian version of Carlson's Work-Family Conflict Scale.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Work-family conflict has been associated with adverse individual (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, anxiety disorders), organizational (e.g., absenteeism, lower productivity), and societal outcomes (e.g., increased use of healthcare services). However, lack of standardized measurement has hindered the comparison of data across various cultures. The purpose of this study was to develop the Hungarian version of Carlson et al.'s multidimensional Work-Family Conflict Scale and establish its reliability and validity. METHODS: In a sample of 557 employees (145 men and 412 women), we conducted confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the factor structure and factorial invariance of the instrument across sex and data collection points and evaluated the tool's validity by assessing relationships between its dimensions and scales measuring general, marital, and job-related stress, depressive symptomatology, vital exhaustion, functional somatic symptoms, and social support. RESULTS: Our results showed that a six-factor model, similarly to that of the original instrument, fit the data best. Internal consistency of the six dimensions and the whole instrument was adequate. Convergent and divergent validity of the instrument and discriminant validity of the dimensions were also supported by our data. CONCLUSION: This study provides empirical support for the validity and reliability of the Hungarian version of the multidimensional Work-Family Conflict Scale. Deployment of this measure may allow for the generation of data that can be compared to those obtained in different cultural settings with the same instrument and hence advance our understanding of cross-cultural aspects of work-family conflict.

[HIGH PREVALENCE OF BURNOUT AND DEPRESSION MAY INCREASE THE INCIDENCE OF COMORBIDITIES AMONG HUNGARIAN NURSES]. / A MAGYAR EGÉSZSÉGÜGYI SZAKDOLGOZÓK KÖRÉBEN MEGFIGYELHETO GYAKORI KIÉGÉS ÉS DEPRESSZIÓ MEGNÖVELHETI SZÁMOS BETEGSÉG MEGJELENÉSÉNEK AZ ESÉLYÉT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Poor mental health among health care professionals may have a significant impact on public health. There is limited information about the prevalence and potential consequences of burnout and depression among nurses in Hungary. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between burnout as well as depression and somatic symptoms as well as comorbidities among nurses in Hungary. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaires among 1,713 nurses. Burnout and depression were assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS) and the Shortened Beck Depression Questionnaire, respectively. Somatisation was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-1 5). Correlates of burnout and depression were assessed by logistic and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptom and clinical depression was 35% and 13%, respectively. The prevalence of moderate and high level emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and decreased personal accomplishment was 44%, 36% and 74%, respectively. We identified burnout and depression as a predictor of high prevalence of subjective somatisation. Whilst burnout showed a strong association with increased prevalence of hypertension, depression predicted almost all examined diseases, in particular, cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as neoplasms. CONCLUSION: We found high prevalence of burnout and depression among nurses in Hungary. As depression has been shown to be associated with higher prevalence of comorbidities than burnout, its consequences may be more significant. Appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and adequate treatment of burnout and depression may decrease the prevalence of ensuing comorbidities.

[Facilitating the diagnosis of depression and burnout by identifying demographic and work-related risk and protective factors among nurses]. / A kiégés és a depresszió diagnosztizálásának elosegítése demográfiai és munkahelyi védo- és kockázati tényezoik feltárásával egészségügyi szakdolgozók körében.

INTRODUCTION: Depression and burnout are frequent comorbidities among nurses. Despite similar symptoms, their management differ. Therefore, their timely diagnosis is essential. AIM: To identify demographic and work-related risk and protective factors of burnout and depression, and facilitate their diagnosis. METHOD: A cross-sectional study among 1,713 nurses was carried out. Depression and burnout were assessed by the shortened Beck Depression Questionnaire and Maclach Burnout Inventory, respectively. Risk and protective factors were explored using t-tests and analysis of variance. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression and moderate-to-high burnout was 35.1% and 34-74%, respectively. Having a partner/child and longer employment in the outpatient setting protected from burnout. Lack of a partner and male sex emerged as risk factors of depression and depersonalisation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of depression and burnout among nurses poses a significant public health issue. Familiarity with the disease-specific risk and protective factors identified in this research may facilitate timely diagnosis and effective disease management.

[The relationship of work-related psychosocial risk factors with depressive symptoms among Hungarian workers: preliminary results of the Hungarian Work Stress Survey]. / Munkahelyi pszichoszociális kockázati tényezok kapcsolata a depressziós tünetegyüttessel a magyar munkavállalók körében. Az Országos Munkahelyi Stresszfelmérés elozetes eredményei.

INTRODUCTION: Research has shown that psychosocial stress acts as a risk factor for mental disorders. AIM: The present study aims at processing the preliminary results of the Hungarian Survey of Work Stress, concerning the relationship between depressive symptoms and work stress. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey among Hungarian workers was carried out (n = 1058, 27.5% man, 72.5% woman, age 37.2 years, SD = 11 years). Psychosocial factors were measured using the COPSOQ II questionnaire, while BDI-9 was used for the assessment of depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis was carried out applying Spearman's correlation and logistic regression. RESULTS: A quarter of the workers reported moderate or severe symptoms of depression (BDI≥19). The study confirmed the association between depressive symptoms and work-family conflict (OR = 2.21, CI: 1.82-2.68), possibilities for development (OR = 0.76, CI: 0.59-0.97) meaning of work (OR = 0.69, CI: 0.59-0.89) and commitment (OR = 0.60, CI: 0.47-0.78). CONCLUSION: The results point toward the need of such organizational measures that allow for the reduction of psychosocial stress.

[Negative and positive predictive relationships between coping strategies and the three dimensions of burnout among Hungarian medical students]. / A megküzdési stratégiák negatív és pozitív prediktív kapcsolata a kiégés három dimenziójával orvostanhallgatók körében.

INTRODUCTION: Effective management and prevention of widespread burnout among medical students in Hungary require thorough understanding of its relations to coping strategies, which lacks sufficient data. AIM: To explore the prevalence of burnout and its relations to coping strategies among medical students. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with 292 participants. Burnout was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey. Coping strategies were evaluated by the Folkman-Lazarus Ways of Coping Questionnaire and questions about health-maintenance behaviours. Associations between burnout and coping strategies were explored with linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of high-level burnout was 25-56%. Both problem-focused coping and support-seeking were protective factors of exhaustion and cynicism, however, they predicted reduced personal accomplishment. Emotion-focused coping predicted exhaustion and cynicism and correlated negatively with reduced personal accomplishment. Health-maintenance behaviours were protective factors for exhaustion and predicted reduced personal accomplishment. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of coping strategies that target the most prevalent burnout dimension may improve effective management of burnout.

Gender differences in deliberate self-poisoning in Hungary: analyzing the effect of precipitating factors and their relation to depression.

BACKGROUND: The suicide rate in Hungary is one of the highest in the European Union, with a male-female ratio of 3.55:1. Suicide rates correlate positively with suicide attempts, for which depression is the most frequent underlying disorder. AIMS: The aim of this qualitative study was to examine gender differences in suicide attempts, with a focus on the effect of precipitating factors on depression. METHOD: Semistructured interviews were conducted among 150 suicide attempters. Data on circumstances, reason, and method of attempt were recorded. Patients completed the Shortened Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Social Support Questionnaire. RESULTS: Interpersonal conflict was found to be the most frequent precipitating factor. There were significant gender differences in depressive symptoms among patients with interpersonal conflicts. We found differences in depressive symptoms according to presence or absence of interpersonal conflicts among men, but not among women. Male suicide attempters who indicated interpersonal conflicts had lower levels of depression. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms are frequent among suicide attempters. However, a subgroup of male attempters reporting interpersonal conflicts are characterized by a lower level of depression. This subgroup of attempters would probably not be detected with depression screening programs and may have an unmet need for other forms of screening and prevention.

[Coping with work-related stress in health care professionals -- strategies for the prevention of burnout and depression]. / A munkahelyi stresszel való megküzdés egészségügyi szakdolgozók körében -- lehetoségek a kiégés és depresszió megelozésének szolgálatában.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depression and burnout among health care professionals is high in Hungary. However, there is limited empirical data on disease prevention among these populations. AIMS: This study aims at evaluating the mediating role of coping mechanisms in preventing depression and burnout. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey among 1333 health care professionals. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires about their perception of work stress, burnout and depressive symptoms, as well as their preferred coping strategies. Analyses were performed using structural equation modelling. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe depression and lack of personal accomplishment was 5.6% and nearly 50%, respectively. Work stress predicted symptoms of burnout and depression both directly and indirectly through the mediation by coping strategies. Of the coping strategies, cognitive restructuring, which accentuates the realistic assessment of challenging situations, was found to reduce the probability of the development of burnout and depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further data for the development of cognitive interventional strategies and highlights the significance of these strategies in the prevention of depression and burnout among Hungarian health care professionals.