The danger of being inattentive - ADHD symptoms and risky sexual behaviour in Russian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has indicated that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms may be associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviour (RSB). However, research on this association among adolescents has been comparatively limited and mainly confined to North America. The aim of this study was to examine if inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms were linked to RSB in a community cohort sample of Russian adolescents. METHODS: The study was based on a group of 537 adolescents from Northern Russia. Information on inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity as well as conduct problems was obtained through teacher ratings, while information on RSB (previous unprotected sex, number of sexual partners, sex while intoxicated and partner pregnancies), substance use, perception of risk, and parenting behaviour was based on students' self-reports. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between the variables. RESULTS: Teacher-rated inattention symptoms predicted RSB, independently of co-morbid conduct problems, substance use, risk perception, and different parenting styles (parental warmth, involvement and control). In addition, male sex, binge drinking and a lower assessment of perceived risk were all significantly associated with RSB in an adjusted model. Neither teacher-rated hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms nor conduct problems were linked to RSB in the full model. CONCLUSIONS: Deficits in planning and organizing behaviours, being easily distracted and forgetful seem to be of importance for RSB in Russian adolescents. This highlights the importance of discriminating between different ADHD symptoms in adolescence to prevent risk behaviours and their potentially detrimental outcomes on health and well-being.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and physical multimorbidity: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: There has been little research on the association of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with co-occurring physical diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the association between possible ADHD and physical multimorbidity (i.e.≥2 physical diseases) among adults in the English general population. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 7274 individuals aged≥18 years that came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007. ADHD symptoms were assessed with the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener. Information was also obtained on 20 self-reported doctor/other health professional diagnosed physical health conditions present in the past 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted to assess the associations. RESULTS: There was a monotonic relation between the number of physical diseases and possible ADHD (ASRS score≥14). Compared to those with no diseases, individuals with≥5 diseases had over 3 times higher odds for possible ADHD (odds ratio [OR]: 3.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.48-4.37). This association was observed in all age groups. Stressful life events (% mediated 10.3-24.3%), disordered eating (6.8%), depression (12.8%), and anxiety (24.8%) were significant mediators in the association between possible ADHD and physical multimorbidity. CONCLUSION: Adults that screen positive for ADHD are at an increased risk for multimorbidity and several factors are important in this association. As many adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, the results of this study highlight the importance of detecting adult ADHD as it may confer an increased risk for poorer health outcomes, including physical multimorbidity.

[The comparative characteristics of manual and apparate esophagoenteroanastomosis].

The early and long-term results of 225 gastrectomies, performed on the reason of gastric cancer, were analyzed. The comparative analysis of early and long-term results showed the statistically significant differences in complication and lethality rates between apparate and manual esophagoenteroanastomoses, especially considering the rate of reflux-esophagitis.

[Mechanical strength and biological hermeticity of esophageal anasthomosis in vivo].

Intrapleural esophagogastric anastomosis was experimentally formed in 32 dogs. There were 2 types of anastomoses: two-layer manual ligature anastomosis and compression suture formed with apparatus of own construction. It is ascertained that compression suture possesses more mechanical strength compared with manual ligature anastomosis. During the operation anastomosis and pleural cavity are infected more often (practically in 2 times) and to a greater extent (in 14-21 times) with use of manual technique compared with compression method. Bacteriological permeability of esophagogastric anastomoses was studied. Findings signify that amount of microflora obtained from anastomosis surface and pleural cavity is less in 10-20 times with use of compression method compared with manual technique.

[The use of esophageal anastomoses with "shape memory"].

Two ways of gastrointestinal reconstruction after gastrectomy are presented. The "shape memory" implant (SMI) and compression circular anastomotic device (CCAD) with interchangeable heads are used. The compression effect in CCAD is determined by the use of titanium nickelide, possessing the "shape memory" effect. The leak of esophagointestinal anastomosis, formed with the use of SMI, occurred in 4 (5,4%) of 73 patients. There were no complications in 32 esophagointestinal anastomoses, formed with the CCAD use. No leakage was registered in 105 intestinal anastomoses formed with the use of SMI. Thus, implant and anastomotic device, based on titanium nickelide are simple, handy and reliable in use.

[Epidemiologic indices of cervical cancer morbidity in areas with various levels of industrial pollution]. / Epidemiologicheskie osobennosti raka sheiki matki na territoriiakh s razlichnymi urovniami tekhnogennogo zagriaznenia.

While general cervical carcinoma morbidity is on the decline in most of the surveyed Russian Federation areas characterized by varying levels of industrial pollution, the heavily industrialized region of Salavat revealed a different tendency. Its level was 1.6 times (p<0.05) those in other areas. That was due to the morbidity of women aged 40-69 and even 20-29 and 30-39 years.

Antisocial behaviour and mental health. Findings from three communities.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between antisocial behaviour and psychopathology (depression, somatization, anxiety), expectations for the future, and sensation seeking in adolescents. METHOD: A cross-national self-report study assessing 955 students in Antwerp (Belgium), 1026 in Arkhangelsk (Russia) and 1391 in New Haven (US) was conducted. Adolescents were assigned antisocial group status according to the nature of their reported deviant behaviour. A non-antisocial group, a moderate antisocial group (non-aggressive behaviour) and a severe antisocial group (mainly aggressive behaviour) were identified. RESULTS: In both genders and in all three countries, depression, somatization, negative expectations for the future and sensation seeking gradually increased from the non-antisocial group to the moderate antisocial group, and finally to the severe antisocial group. Levels of anxiety were insignificant across most groups. CONCLUSION: Although cross-national differences exist, the variables of interest showed markedly similar trends between antisocial groups across countries. The current study adds to the debate over the relationship between anxiety and antisocial behaviour.

Cultural considerations in the treatment of children and adolescents. Operationalizing the importance of culture in treatment.

Culture is complex and fluid, constantly changing with the tides of internal and external influence. It is vital for the transcultural therapist to understand the roles, context, and therapeutic consequences that follow from culture. The constructs mentioned previously are interdependent and often inseparable from one another. The interwoven web of political, social, and cultural constructs must be considered to understand the context of mental illness. This being said, therapists should not be content with the broad brush of cultural definition. Subcultural and intracultural dynamics also may play a role in a patient's world view, and the therapist must remain open to these variations. Likewise, one should be careful of stereotype. Culture plays a vital role in shaping physical and psychological conceptions but in and of itself cannot define an individual.

Conduct problems in Russian adolescents: the role of personality and parental rearing.

The purpose of the present study was 1) to assess the predictive value of conduct problems prior to the age of 12 for the severity of antisocial behaviour during adolescence, and 2) to investigate the relationships between personality traits/parental rearing and childhood conduct problems/teenage antisocial behaviour. A group of 193 delinquents was assessed by means of the Antisocial Behavior Checklist (ABC), the Retrospective Childhood Problems (RETROPROB), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the EMBU questionnaire on parental rearing. The extreme groups of delinquents as defined by childhood conduct problems, differed significantly on the experience of a rejecting father and a self-directed character. Furthermore, some specific predictive patterns for current antisocial behaviour by childhood conduct disorder and both personality dimensions and parental rearing factors emerged. The findings are discussed in the light of the interactive nature of relations between personality and parental rearing in the development of antisocial behaviour among adolescents.

Assessment of dysfunctional working models of self and others in schizophrenic patients: a summary of data collected in nine nations. International Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cross-cultural feasibility of a new scale for assessing dysfunctional working models of self and others, and to evaluate its discriminative power. METHOD: Schizophrenic patients (N=351), non-psychotic patients (N= 86) and non-clinical subjects (N= 511) collected in 10 centres completed the DWM-S. Current psychopathology was assessed by means of the BPRS. RESULTS: Alpha coefficients were high in all samples. Mean scores on the DWM-S appeared to be comparable in all countries, suggesting cross-national generalizability. No significant correlation was found with sex, age, levels of psychopathology and duration of illness. Discriminant analyses showed that more than 70% of the schizophrenic patients are correctly classified. CONCLUSION: The DWM-S is an easily administered self-report instrument which allows to pinpoint internal dysfunctional working models of self and others in various types of patients. It is a useful tool for case conceptualization, especially when psychotherapeutic interventions are part of the treatment programme.

Coping styles and psychosomatic problems: are they related?

A number of recent studies have shown avoidant coping to be related with diverse types of somatic and mental pathology. In order to investigate the relevance of coping for both psychological and somatic problems in delinquent subjects, 185 boys from juvenile correction and 96 boys from secondary schools in Arkhangelsk, Northern Russia, were assessed by means of the Coping Scale for Children and Youth, the Youth Self-Report and the Giessen Subjective Complaints List - youth form. The results from the delinquent subjects partly confirmed previous findings on the dominant role of behavioural avoidance in the relationships between coping styles and both behavior/emotional problems and somatic complaints. Further implications of the results are discussed.

[Results of stomach resection by Billroth II with compression gastroenteroanastomosis]. / Rezul'taty rezektsii zheludka po Bil'rot II s kompressionnym gastroénteroanastomozom.

Two methods of resection of the stomach by Billroth II were developed with creation of transversal termino-lateral gastroenteroanastomosis (TTLGEA) and transversal latero-lateral gastroenteroanastomosis (TLLGEA) using compression implant from nickel-titan alloy which possessed "memory of the form" (IMF). 231 resections of the stomach by Billroth II were carried out with formation TTLGEA in 181 cases and TLLGEA in 50 cases. Complications after these operations with compression gastroenteroanastomosis were studied as well as endoscopic and roentgenologic picture of the anastomosis in early postoperative period. Complications were revealed in 8 patients (3.39%). According to gastroscopy data formation of gastroenteroanastomosis is completed 12-14 days after the operation. It heals by primary intention. Roentgenological examination of evacuation from the gastric stump on days 12-14 showed portional, rhythmic evacuation. Evacuation disturbances in 2.1% cases were due to rejection of IMF.

Behaviour/emotional problems in male juvenile delinquents and controls in Russia: the role of personality traits.

Recent studies based on the psychobiological theory of personality by Cloninger postulate a relationship between certain personality traits and various psychopathological manifestations. To test this theory, we administered the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Youth Self-Report to 188 male delinquents from a juvenile correction centre in Northern Russia, and to 111 age-matched male controls recruited from among schoolchildren. As assumed by previous studies, psychological symptoms were primarily positively correlated with harm avoidance and negatively correlated with self-directedness. At the same time, the higher levels of aggressive and delinquent behaviour were positively correlated with novelty-seeking and negatively correlated with co-operativeness. The possible mechanisms underlying these findings are discussed.

Parental rearing and problem behaviours in male delinquent adolescents versus controls in northern Russia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible relationships between parental rearing practices and problem behaviours in a sample of male delinquent adolescents versus controls. A total of 133 subjects from a juvenile correction centre and 108 matched school-children in the Arkhangelsk region, Russia, were assessed by means of the EMBU questionnaire and Youth Self-Report. Delinquents were more severely treated by parents and had more pronounced problem scores. Furthermore, problem scores were found to be highly correlated with parental rejection and lack of emotional warmth in both delinquents and controls. Parental rearing practices may influence the development of problem behaviours. The implications of these findings with regard to preventive measures are discussed.

Juvenile male rape victims: is the level of post-traumatic stress related to personality and parenting?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of post-traumatic stress in juvenile male rape victims and to test for its relationships with perceived parental rearing and personality dimensions. METHOD: Fifteen subjects (mean age of 16 years) were recruited from a correctional camp for juvenile criminals in Arkhangelsk, Russia. They were investigated by means of the "Revised Impact of Event Scale," the "Child Self-Report Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index," the "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale," the "EMBU" (perceived parental rearing) and the "Temperament and Character Inventory" (TCI). RESULTS: The level of post-traumatic stress, in most cases moderate to high, correlated with the temperament dimensions of harm avoidance and reward dependence. As concerns parental rearing, the total level of post-traumatic stress reaction was negatively correlated with paternal emotional warmth and positively with paternal rejection. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of post-traumatic stress is influenced by temperamental characteristics as well as by perceived parental rearing practices. Assumingly, these factors also play a role in becoming a rape victim, which deserves further investigation.

Interrelations between temperament, character, and parental rearing in male delinquent adolescents in northern Russia.

A comparison between 192 male delinquent adolescents and 121 controls from Northern Russia using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and Own Memories of Parental Rearing (EMBU) questionnaire on perceived parental rearing showed significant differences. The delinquent group had a higher level of Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, and Self-transcendence, and also scored lower on Self-directedness. Delinquents who committed nonviolent crimes (thefts) appeared to have a higher level of Harm Avoidance compared with those who committed violent crimes (hooliganism, robbery, rape, and murder). As concerns perceived parental rearing practices, delinquents experienced more parental rejection and overprotection. Most of the personality dimensions were found to be highly correlated with the level of parental emotional warmth. Furthermore, both temperament traits and maternal rearing practices predicted the development of character dimensions. Findings are discussed in light of the interactive nature of parent-child relationships and of character development.

Parental rearing: a comparison between juvenile delinquents and controls in Russia.

Since parental maltreatment is commonly reported in studies of juvenile delinquency, our study aimed at a systematic investigation of perceived parental rearing by means of EMBU questionnaire in young male criminals (N = 190) compared to a matched control group (N = 120) in Russia. The results revealed significant differences between delinquents and non-delinquents in terms of the experience of more rejection, abuse, punishment and lack of emotional warmth in the former group. It became obvious that many of the differences were gender-specific, suggesting the crucial role of the fathers in the rearing practices towards their offsprings. The necessity of further study on the interrelationship between family variables and environmental correlates in an interactional model of delinquency is pointed out.