THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MALE PRISONERS' SELF-EFFICACY AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ADDICTION TREATMENT.

The purpose of this study was to attempt to verify the existence of a relationship between internal resources (self-esteem and self-efficacy) and motivation (decisional balance) to undergo treatment in prisoners with alcohol addiction participating in a voluntary treatment as well as referred to obligatory addiction treatment based on a court decision. The study was carried out in penitentiary units in various parts of Poland in 2018-2019. Participants completed the Decision Balance Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory twice - before and after addiction treatment. The study adopted the assumptions of the Transtheoretical Model developed by Prochaska and DiClemente. There were no statistically significant differences between the group of prisoners referred for obligatory treatment and those undergoing voluntary therapy. At the end of the 3-month treatment, there was a significantly smaller number of arguments "for" drinking and less identity integration in both groups studied. The results obtained may indicate that after undergoing the therapy, prisoners remain in a contemplation stage due to their inability to adapt therapeutic interactions to individual needs. It seems that changes in identity integration may be indicative of the crisis that is being experienced, which in effect may allow individuals with alcohol addiction to search for and achieve a potentially new, coherent image of themselves.

Outstanding women psychologists mainly from Europe - What helped and what limited them in their scientific careers? Guidelines for gender equity programs in academia.

The manuscript is based on a series of structured interviews with female scientists from around the world who have made significant contributions to psychology and have an impact on their cultural areas. The authors interviewed female scientists and researchers from a similar age group, but from different regions of the world, to capture the factors influencing careers of interlocutors from a similar period and enabling cultural inference. Both the universal and the cultural barriers faced by female scientists/researchers in career development and the factors that have contributed to success in psychology are discussed. Universal and cultural factors served in this manuscript as a guideline for gender equality programs in academia to overcome gender stereotypes, support early career development, support women in reaching leadership positions, and enhance women's visibility.

Resilience and coping in difficult social situations among children from low socioeconomic families.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare factors influencing social adaptation of children from families at risk of social exclusion versus their peers with higher socioeconomic status. The analysis applied to coping strategies in difficult social situations as well as intrapersonal and interpersonal attitudes, and attitudes towards the world. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: The study involved 169 children (girls n = 85, boys n = 84) aged 13-14 years. Children were included in the criterion group based on a statutory minimum subsistence level applicable for a given year in Poland. RESULTS: Children with higher levels of resilience scored high in cognitive-intellectual and physical spheres as well as in personality, pro-social, socio-moral and support spheres and the sense of efficacy. Factors such as socioeconomic status and family structure were found to differentiate children in terms of coping mechanisms and attitudes towards themselves, other people and the world. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that the child's psychological resilience is of particular importance for social adaptation.

Quercetin decrease somatic cells count in mastitis of dairy cows.

Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid which has an effect on inflammation, angiogenesis and vascular inflammation. In several other flavonoids (e.g. kaempferol, astragalin, alpinetin, baicalein, indirubin), anti-inflammatory mechanism was proven by using mice mastitis model. The aim of the current study was pilot analysis of quercetin tolerability and its impact on somatic cells count (SCC) after multiple intramammary treatment on dairy cows with clinical mastitis. Based on SCC and clinical investigation, 9 dairy cows with clinical mastitis of one quarter were selected for the pilot study. Baseline analysis (hematology, TNFα, SCC) was performed every 24h among all cows three days before the first dose (B1-B3). After the baseline monitoring (B1-B3) eight days treatment (D1-D8) was performed with a high and low dose. Selected blood parameters were analyzed. Starting from D1 to D8, a decrease of SCC in relation to baseline was characterized by declining trend. The presented results allowed the confirmation of the significant influence of quercetin on the reduction of SCC in mastitis in dairy cows after 8days of therapy.

Sexual activity of Polish adults.

AIM: The purpose of this research was to explore the subject of sexual activity in the Polish population, with special focus on age and gender differences, and sexual infidelity. Sexual activity is one of the basic factors in initiating and maintaining relationships. On the one hand, sexual activity enables us to meet natural needs and maintain an intimate relationship with another human being; on the other, it may allow us to overcome loneliness and social isolation by providing the opportunity to express feelings of closeness and unity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The research was conducted on a representative group of 3,200 Poles aged between 15-49, with the support of a well-known Polish research company - TNS OBOP. Face-to-face and Pencil and Paper (PAPI) interviews were carried out. RESULTS: The results focus on two main issues: the age and motives of sexual initiation among teenagers (with a significant percentage starting their sexual activity at the age of 15), and the quality of the sexual lives of adults (average number of sexual partners, sexual infidelity and sexual satisfaction). CONCLUSION: There is dependence between the type of relationship and the performance or non-performance of sexual activity, as well as the quality of the relationship. Among both adolescents and adults, remaining in a stable relationship (partnership or marriage) promotes loyalty. The performance of sexual goals turns out to be an important mechanism regulating the interpersonal aspects of a relationship, influencing their perception and evaluation.

Couvade syndrome among Polish expectant fathers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the conducted study was to analyze the phenomenon of Couvade Syndrome amongst fathers expecting their children in Poland. The authors examined the frequency of couvade symptoms in male subjects as well as their associations with male empathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research involved 143 expectant fathers. All subjects attended antenatal classes, and their female partners were in their third trimester. Before the start of classes, participants were asked to fill in the following questionnaires: a survey for measurement of Couvade Syndrome (which includes a set of 16 symptoms identified by Lipkin and Lamb (19) and translated into Polish), and the Empathic Sensitiveness Scale (SWE). Although participants, on average, did not experience Couvade Syndrome, they did experience symptoms that are commonly linked with the syndrome, namely those related to weight (weight gain, changes in appetite and flatulence). RESULTS: The results indicate that expectant fathers experience couvade symptoms related to weight (weight gain, changes in appetite and flatulence). The only empathic component that positively correlates with Couvade Syndrome is personal distress, i.e. the tendency to take on the negative emotions of others. Demographic characteristics are not associated with Couvade Syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of couvade symptoms in male subjects is associated with male empathy. In other words, men who are emotionally sensitive or prone to distress may physiologically experience the pregnancy of their female partners, which can be interpreted as compathy.

[Analysis of the prevalence of HBV markers relevant to the risk of reactivation of infection in patients with hematologic diseases]. / Analiza wystepowania markerów wirusa HBV istotnych dla ryzyka reaktywacji zakazenia u osób z chorobami hematologicznymi.

The study assessed the incidence of HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs) important for determination of the risk of reactivation of infection, with particular interest of occult infection (presence of HBV DNA in the absence of HBsAg) in patients treated at the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine. Anti-HBc frequency was correlated with the age and sex of patients. HBsAg was detected in 16/468 examined patients, 98/468 (21%) were anti-HBc positive. HBV DNA was detected in 41/98 anti-HBc positives; in 13 simultaneously with HBsAg. 28 patients had occult HBV infection (HBV DNA+/HBsAg). Antibody to HBsAg was detected in 163/430 (38%) patients, 81 out of them on protective level (> 100 IU/l). It was shown that occult HBV infection occurs in approximately 6% of patients. In most of them the protective levels of anti-HBs are detected.

Self-esteem and styles of coping with stress versus strategies of planning in people with psychopathic personality disorders.

BACKGROUND: Psychopathy is a notion that has been difficult to define. The operational definition of psychopathy by Hare is one of the most commonly used in psychology and it is usually identified with the scale used to measure this type of personality, which is the Psychopathy Checklist - Revision (PCL-R). PCL-R is composed of two factors: Factor 1 describes a constellation of psychopathic traits considered by many clinicians to be basic for this type of personality, and Factor 2 describes types of behaviour indicating impulsiveness, lack of stability and antisocial lifestyle. The aim of the research was to verify a hypothesis that people with psychopathic personality disorders are characterised by high self-esteem, unconstructive strategies of planning actions and non-adaptive styles of coping with stress. MATERIAL/METHODS: The group of participants included 30 people at the age of 22-36 convicted with a legally binding sentence. Methods were: 1. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revision (PCL-R); 2. Antisocial Personality Questionnaire (APQ); 3. Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS); 4. Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). RESULTS: The participants were diagnosed as psychopaths (PCL-R), and more specifically - as primary psychopaths (APQ). They revealed a grandiose sense of self-worth, increased self-control, impulsive style of functioning, perceived high self-efficacy (which might be considered as a defence mechanism). Psychopaths prefer a coping style focused on emotions and avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis was confirmed, that people with psychopathic personality disorders are characterised by high self-esteem, unconstructive strategies of planning actions and non-adaptive styles of coping with stress.

The relationship of pathological gambling to criminality behavior in a sample of Polish male offenders.

BACKGROUND: Severe problem gambling is most often related to income producing offences such as larceny and embezzlement. In addition, the high rate of relapse to gambling problems and the link between gambling debts and crime have clinical, forensic and penitentiary implications. Considering the data from the literature presented here I decided to form and empirically verify a hypothesis that incarcerated men with a diagnosis of pathological gambling are characterized by psychopathic personality disorders, alcohol problems and criminality. MATERIAL/METHODS: The groups of participants encompassed 90 men 26-52 years of age, serving a criminal sentence. All participants had to fulfil the following clinical criteria: a) be interviewed by a psychiatrist and diagnosed with pathological gambling and/or antisocial personality disorders b) obtain a result in the PCL-R test; c) estimate the relationship between gambling problems and crime. Taking into consideration the abovementioned criteria three patient test groups were formed: Group 1, which included those for whom gambling had led to crime; Group 2, where gambling was a part of a criminal lifestyle, and Group 3, in which the mutual relationship between gambling and crime was unclear. RESULTS: The participants were diagnosed as pathological gamblers (DSM-IV-TR, ICD-10) and psychopaths (PCL-R). Those tested differed with regard to the intensification of the personality disturbance tested, the co-occurrence of other disturbances, particularly psychoactive addictions, the motivations for taking up gambling, and the type of criminal activity.
CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis was confirmed that incarcerated men with a diagnosis of pathological gambling are characterized by psychopathic personality disorders, alcohol problems and criminality.

Results of p53 analysis in pediatric malignancies in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Mutations of the p53 gene are thought to be causally associated with the development of various neoplasms. In tumors overexpressing the wild-form of p53, its functional inactivation has been suggested, and MDM2 seems to be important in this process. We analyzed p53 in childhood solid tumors, as data on pediatric malignancies are still limited. PROCEDURE: The p53 gene was screened for mutations by the PCR-S SCP method and sequencing. p53, p21, and MDM2 proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Overall, p53 mutations were found at a low frequency, 7% (9/126); the frequency calculated for sarcomas was also low, 8.6%. Interestingly, three of the nine detected mutations were new ones. p53 protein was demonstrated in all tumor histotypes, overall, in 63% (43/68) of the tumors, with 18% showing marked overexpression. No p21 was found; and the 76 kDa MDM2 protein was demonstrated in 18% (6/33) of the sarcomas. CONCLUSIONS: In the series of pediatric malignancies studied, the frequency of p53 mutations was very low, whereas p53 protein was present in a high fraction of the tumors. Thus, in total, p53 abnormalities were frequent.