Research of correlation between personality traits and hormones with the nature of pulmonary nodules.

Background: Rising rates of lung cancer screening have contributed to an increase in pulmonary nodule diagnosis rates. Studies have shown that psychosocial factors and hormones have an impact on the development of the oncological diseases. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the potential relationship between pulmonary nodules pathology and patient personality traits and hormone levels. Methods: This study enrolled 245 individuals who had first been diagnosed with pulmonary nodules in Tangdu Hospital and admitted for surgery. The personality profile of these patients was analyzed on admission using the C-Type Behavioral Scale and hormone levels were measured in preoperative serum samples. Associations between nodule pathology, personality scores, and hormone levels， were then assessed through Statistical methods analysis. Results: Behavioral scale analyses revealed significant differences four items, including depression, anger outward, optimism, and social support (P< 0.05). Specifically, patients with higher depression scores were more likely to harbor malignant pulmonary nodules, as were patients with lower levels of anger outward, social support, and optimism. Univariate analyses indicated that nodule pathology was associated with significant differences in nodule imaging density, CT value, testosterone levels, and T4 levels(P< 0.05), and logistic regression analyses revealed pulmonary nodule imaging density and T4 levels to be significant differences of nodule pathology. Conclusion: The results showed a significant association between nodules pathology and the personality characteristics of the patients (depression, anger outward, optimism, social support), the patients' T4 levels and the imaging density of the nodules.

Use of default option nudge and individual differences in everyday life decisions.

People often make inefficient decisions for themselves and the community (e.g. they underuse medical screenings or vaccines and they do not vote) also because of their individual characteristics, such as their level of avoidance or anxiety. In recent years, governments have successfully applied strategies, called "nudges", to help people maximizing their decisions in several fields; however, the role of individual characteristics has been poorly explored. The present study investigated whether one kind of nudge, the default option (automatic enrolment in a specific plan), can modulate the influence of such individual differences, promoting favourable decisions in different field, such as the medical and civic ones. One hundred and eighty-three participants completed the Trait Anxiety Inventory, the General Decision-Making Styles Inventory and scenarios about health and civic decisions. Participants have hypothetically been enrolled by default or not enrolled in specific plans and had to decide whether adhere or not to the plan proposed. Result showed that the default option drives anxious and avoidant individuals, who usually refuse to make a choice due to their overestimation of negative events' occurrence, to undergo medical screenings and vaccine and to vote more. Nudge confirmed its effectiveness in favouring better decisions among people according to their individual differences.

Correlation analysis of mental health conditions and personality of patients with alcohol addiction.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol addiction, or alcohol dependence, refers to a psychological state of strong craving for alcohol caused by drinking when both the drinking times and alcohol consumption reach a certain level. Alcohol addiction can cause irreversible damage, leading to mental illness or mental disorders, negative changes in their original personality, and a tendency to safety incidents such as committing suicide or violent attacks on others. Significant attention needs to be given to the mental health of alcohol addicts, which could reflect their abnormal personality traits. However, only a few papers on this issue have been reported in China. AIM: To investigate the correlation between mental health and personality in patients with alcohol addiction. METHODS: In this single-center observational study, we selected 80 patients with alcohol addiction as the research subjects, according to the criteria of the K10 scale to evaluate the mental health of patients with alcohol addiction, and divided these patients into four groups based on the evaluation results: Good, average, relatively poor and bad. And then analyzed the correlation between mental health conditions and personality characteristics from these four groups of patients. RESULTS: The average score of the K10 scale (Kessler 10 Simple Psychological Status Assessment Scale) in 80 patients with alcohol addiction was 25.45 points, the median score was 25 points, the highest score was 50 points, and the lowest score was 11 points. Pearson's analysis showed that the K10 score was positively correlated with the scores of these two subscales, such as the P-subscale and the N-subscale (P < 0.05). In contrast, the K10 score had no significant correlation with the scores from the E-subscale and the L-subscale (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mental health conditions of patients with alcohol addiction are positively correlated with their personality characteristics.

Association between personality characteristics and sleep quality among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: evidence from China family panel studies.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality will have adverse effects on physical and mental health, quality of life and other aspects of middle-aged and older adults. Sleep quality is affected by many factors. Whether the sleep quality measures of the participants had changed in the previous or subsequent time period is not easily taken into account. Moreover, there have been no studies on this topic in Chinese middle-aged and older adults. The objective of this study was to mitigate the bias of sleep quality assessment, and analyze the association between personality traits and sleep quality in Chinese middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: The data came from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). A total of 6031 participants aged ≥ 45 years were included in this study. Personality characteristics were evaluated based on the scores of each dimension of Big Five personality traits. Sleep duration and sleep perception were used as indicators to measure sleep quality. Logistic models were used to analyze the relationship between personality traits and sleep duration or sleep perception, respectively. RESULTS: 4.5% of the participants had abnormal sleep duration, and 14.4% had a pessimistic sleep perception. Conscientiousness was rated the highest among the personality traits (3.97 ± 0.6). Participants with higher scores for extraversion personality traits had more normal sleep duration (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.64-0.93) and more optimistic sleep perception (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76-0.96). Using the Internet and feeling unwell in the past week have a moderating effect on the impact of conscientiousness personality characteristics on sleep duration or sleep perception, respectively (but not overall sleep quality). In addition, participants with a spouse or no recent physical discomfort tended to have a normal sleep duration and a more optimistic sleep perception. CONCLUSIONS: The higher the score of extraversion personality traits, the better the overall sleep quality of middle-aged and older adults. Having a spouse and feeling unwell were the important factors affecting their sleep quality. Specific personality traits intervention should be carried out for middle-aged and older adults with poor sleep quality to make their personality traits are closer to extraversion. In addition, middle-aged and older adults without spouses should be encouraged to marry or remarry. We will strengthen health management and medical expenditures for middle-aged and older adults.

Determinantes Psicológicos da Preparação para a Inovação entre os Jovens Estudantes Ucranianos / Psychological determinants of innovation readiness among the Ukrainian student youth / Determinantes psicológicos de la disposición a la innovación entre los jóvenes estudiantes ucranianos

Resumo No presente estudo analisou-se o tema da aptidão psicológica para a inovação da juventude ucraniana atual e os seus determinantes psicológicos. A relevância do tema baseia-se nas exigências crescentes dos empregadores em relação aos licenciados e às suas características psicológicas, que requerem uma adaptação rápida às novas condições e mudanças constantes, incluindo a aptidão para a inovação. Verificou-se que os fatores mais importantes da aptidão psicológica para a inovação são, por um lado, a baixa rigidez e o neuroticismo e, por outro, a capacidade de correr riscos em prol do sucesso, a elevada necessidade de auto-desenvolvimento e a agressividade. Foram estabelecidas as características psicológicas dos estudantes que têm um elevado nível de aptidão psicológica para a inovação. Foi apresentado o perfil psicológico da pessoa com um elevado nível de aptidão para a inovação. As características mais importantes de uma personalidade inovadora são a elevada autoestima e o nível de exigência, a estabilidade emocional e a força de vontade desenvolvida.

Abstract This study analysed the topic of the psychological aptitude for innovation of today's Ukrainian youth and its psychological determinants. The relevance of the topic is based on the growing demands of employers on graduates and their psychological characteristics, which require quick adaptation to new conditions and constant changes, including aptitude for innovation. It was found that the most important factors in psychological aptitude for innovation are, on the one hand, low rigidity and neuroticism and, on the other, the ability to take risks in favour of success, a high need for self-development and aggressiveness. The psychological characteristics of students who have a high level of psychological aptitude for innovation were established. The psychological profile of the person with a high level of aptitude for innovation was presented. The most important characteristics of an innovative personality are high self-esteem and level of demand, emotional stability and developed willpower.

Resumen Este estudio analiza el tema de la aptitud psicológica para la innovación de la juventud ucraniana actual y sus determinantes psicológicos. La relevancia del tema se basa en las crecientes exigencias de los empresarios a los licenciados y sus características psicológicas, que requieren una rápida adaptación a las nuevas condiciones y cambios constantes, incluida la aptitud para la innovación. Se descubrió que los factores más importantes de la aptitud psicológica para la innovación son, por un lado, la baja rigidez y el neuroticismo y, por otro, la capacidad de asumir riesgos en favor del éxito, una alta necesidad de autodesarrollo y la agresividad. Se establecieron las características psicológicas de los estudiantes que tienen un alto nivel de aptitud psicológica para la innovación. Se presentó el perfil psicológico de la persona con un alto nivel de aptitud para la innovación. Las características más importantes de una personalidad innovadora son una alta autoestima y nivel de exigencia, estabilidad emocional y fuerza de voluntad desarrollada.

The relationship between results of coronary angiography, Mediterranean-type lifestyle, type D personality, and healthy life expectancy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between coronary angiography results and Mediterranean-type lifestyle and type D personality. METHODS: Mediterranean-type lifestyle index and type D personality scale were administered to 230 participants. RESULTS: In univariate analysis according to coronary angiography results, a statistically significant effect was determined between the decision for treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and diabetes mellitus, and total and subscale points of Mediterranean lifestyle index, and between the decision for treatment with bypass and body mass index, Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and total points. In multivariate analysis, there was determined to be an effect between the PCI and systolic pressure, and between bypass and body mass index and subscale of physical activity. When disease-free life expectancy was examined, there was seen to be a negative effect of smoking and low Mediterranean diet points for participants with PCI, and of smoking, presence of hypertension, family history, and high type D personal characteristics score for those with bypass decision. CONCLUSION: The evidence-based recommendations for a Mediterranean-type lifestyle stated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventative guidelines may have a positive effect on the prevention of CVD, disability-free life, and mortality.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar la relación entre los resultados la angiografía coronaria y el estilo vida mediterráneo y los rasgos personalidad tipo D. MÉTODO: El índice de estilo de vida de tipo mediterráneo y la escala de personalidad de tipo D se administraron a 230 participantes. RESULTADOS: Según el resultado angiografía coronaria, subdimensiones intervención coronaria percutánea y diabetes y estilo de vida mediterráneo y puntajes totales en análisis univariante, circunvalación, cuanto a índice masa corporal, dieta estilo mediterráneo, actividad física y puntuación total; en análisis multivariado, se encontró que la intervención coronaria percutánea se asoció con la presión arterial sistólica, circunvalación con el índice masa corporal y subdimensión actividad física. Mirando la esperanza vida libre enfermedades, el tabaquismo y la baja puntuación la dieta tipo mediterránea del participante para el que se tomó la intervención coronaria percutánea, el índice masa corporal bajo, tabaquismo, hipertensión, los antecedentes familiares y los rasgos de personalidad tipo D altos del participante con la circunvalación afectan negativamente la esperanza de vida libre enfermedades. CONCLUSIÓN: Como se indica en las pautas de prevención enfermedades cardiovasculares, el estilo vida mediterráneo puede tener efectos positivos en la prevención enfermedades cardiovasculares, discapacidad y mortalidad.

Effects of BPD tendencies and subjective well-being on NSSI in adolescents with PTSD.

Background: Severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may lead to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and borderline personality disorder (BPD) tendencies may play a role in this process. Secondary vocational students experience more social, familial and other pressures and are more vulnerable to psychological problems. Thus, we explored the effect of BPD tendencies and subjective well-being (SWB) on NSSI in secondary vocational students with PTSD. Methods: A total of 2,160 Chinese secondary vocational students in Wuhan participated in our cross-sectional investigation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), criteria for PTSD, NSSI Questionnaire, Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+, subjective well-being scale, and family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve (APGAR) Index were used. We conducted a binary logistic regression model and linear regression analysis. Results: Sex (odds ratio [OR] = 0.354, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.171-0.733), BPD tendencies (OR = 1.192, 95% CI = 1.066-1.333) and SWB (OR = 0.652, 95% CI = 0.516-0.824) were independent factors that predicted NSSI in secondary vocational students with PTSD. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that BPD tendencies were positively correlated with NSSI frequency (r = 0.282, P < 0.01). SWB was negatively correlated with NSSI frequency (r = -0.301, P < 0.01). The linear regression showed that BPD tendencies (ß = 0.137, P < 0.05 and ß = -0.230, P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with NSSI frequency. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that family functioning was positively correlated with SWB (r = 0.486, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with BPD tendencies (r = -0.296, P < 0.01). Conclusion: In adolescents, PTSD in response to stressful events could lead to NSSI, and BPD tendencies promote the intensity of NSSI, while SWB diminishes its intensity. Improvement in family functioning may actively guide the development of mental health and improve SWB; such steps may constitute interventions to prevent or treat NSSI.

Psychological and sociological determinants of entrepreneurial intentions and behaviors.

Research concerned with the personality of entrepreneurs entails an important part of the research into the management of small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship. This research has added new knowledge about the role of entrepreneurs' personality characteristics, their family entrepreneurial background, and the local supportive entrepreneurial background in entrepreneurial start-up intentions and behaviors. Hypotheses and a model were developed and verified using structural equation modeling and regression analysis considering data from a sample of entrepreneurs and students. This research revealed that several personality and sociological factors can be important for entrepreneurship when it comes to starting a business. The most important were the Big Five personality factors openness, extraversion, and non-agreeableness and, to a smaller extent, emotional stability (non-neuroticism), and conscientiousness. The second-most important group of factors were the specific motivational characteristics entrepreneurial self-efficacy, internal locus of control, and risk-taking propensity. Sociological factors were much less important than psychological elements for establishing business.

Meaning in Life among Older Adults: An Integrative Model.

Meaning in life (MIL) among older adults has a significant physical and mental health impact. This study aimed to present an integrative model of factors that contribute to variability in MIL among older adults, including background characteristics (gender, age, employment status, religiosity), personality characteristics (locus of control, self-efficacy, optimism), and psycho-social factors (psychological distress and loneliness). Participants (751 older adults, Mage = 72.27, SD = 6.28; 446 female, 305 male) responded to a questionnaire in-person or online. Measures included: demographic variables, Short Scale for the Assessment of Locus of Control, New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Life Orientation Test-Revised, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and Hughes Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness. Hierarchical regression revealed that younger and religious older adults reported higher MIL levels than older and non-religious older adults. Internal locus of control, higher self-efficacy, and higher optimism were linked to higher MIL levels. Higher psychological distress and loneliness were associated with lower MIL levels, with psychological distress contributing the most of all variables in the study model to explain the variance in MIL among older adults. Employed older old adults reported lower MIL levels than those unemployed. The study emphasizes the importance of an integrative approach in the examination of MIL among older adults.

Motivations and personality characteristics of candidate sperm and oocyte donors according to parenthood status: a national study from the French CECOS network.

STUDY QUESTION: In a non-commercial national gamete donation programme, do the motivations and personality characteristics of candidate sperm and oocyte donors differ according to their parenthood status? SUMMARY ANSWER: Moderate differences exist between non-parent and parent candidate donors in motivations for gamete donation and representations as well as in personality characteristics. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Several studies have analysed the motivations and experiences of oocyte or sperm donors, but mainly in countries where gamete donation is a commercial transaction, and very few studies have reported results of personality traits using personality inventory tests. No study has specifically investigated the motivations and personality characteristics of candidate gamete donors according to parenthood status. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: A prospective study was carried out including 1021 candidate donors from 21 centres (in university hospitals) of the national sperm and egg banking network in France between November 2016 and December 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: In total, 1021 candidate gamete donors were included in the study. During their first visit, male (n = 488) and female candidate donors (n = 533) completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, their motivations for donation and their representations of donation, infertility and family. Secondly, a NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) exploring the Big Five personality traits was completed online. Results were compared between parent and non-parent candidate donors. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Altruistic values were the principal motive for donation irrespective of parenthood status. Reassurance about their fertility or preservation of sperm for future use was more often reported in non-parent than in parent candidate donors. With regard to representation of gamete donation or of the family, independently of their parenthood status, candidate donors more frequently selected social rather than biological representations. Mean personality characteristics were in the normal range. Non-parent candidate donors had higher scores on openness and depression than parents, while parent candidate donors appeared more social than non-parents. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The personality characteristics inventory was not completed by all candidate donors included in the study. However, family status did not differ between the two groups (NEO-PI-R completed (n = 525) or not), while the group who completed the NEO-PI-R had a higher educational level. This national study was performed in a country where gamete donation is subject to strict legislation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In a global context where reproductive medicine is commercialized and gamete donor resources are limited, this study found that altruism and social representations of gamete donation and family are the main motivations for gamete donation in a country which prohibits financial incentive. These findings are relevant for health policy and for gamete donation information campaigns. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Grant from the Agence de la Biomédecine, France. The authors have nothing to disclose related to this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Psychological Factors of Tourist Expenditure: Neglected or Negligible?

Despite recent progress in identifying the factors of tourist expenditure, knowledge of the psychological characteristics of tourists is necessary to fully understand their impact. Therefore, this study attempts to extend the economic, sociodemographic and trip-related factors by including psychological factors in the econometric models. A total of 1,036 Slovak tourists who paid for summer holidays abroad in the summer of 2021 were interviewed. Three of the six psychological factors analysed (two stable personality characteristics - conscientiousness and agreeableness as well as four tendencies expressing willingness to spend or save - spendthrift, tightwad, thrift and spending propensity) correlated significantly with the amount of expenditure. In addition to income, type of travel, children and duration of the stay, the results of the partial least squares test revealed the net effects of tightwad, spending propensity and thrift. The magnitude of the effects of psychological factors points to the need for further research.

Personality and demographic characteristics of parents who occasionally use psychoactive substances.

Although parenting is considered a turning point that reduces non-normative behaviours, some parents choose to occasionally continue using various drugs. The present study examines the personality and demographic characteristics of these parents by comparing three parent groups: those who do not use at all, those who use only cannabis and those who use other substances. Three self-report quantitative questionnaires: Demographic, Patterns of use of psychoactive substances and the Big Five Personality traits questionnaire, were administered to 627 parents. The findings show that the proportion of unmarried and secular men is higher in the group of parents who use substances. They also were found to be younger and less educated than the other parent's groups. We examined the parents' personality characteristics using the Big Five model and found that parents who use substances occasionally exhibit higher levels of extraversion and openness to experiences, and lower levels of conscience. The differences found in the characteristics of parents who use cannabis to those who use other substances, indicate the normativeness of cannabis use among parents, and reflect the need for intervention programs among parents who use substances, which may have a great influence on drug use among their children.

Analysis of influencing factors of nurse-patient disputes based on patient characteristics: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To explore the prevalence of nurse-patient disputes and the influencing factors based on an analysis of patient characteristics. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study used the convenience sampling method. Three self-designed questionnaires based on clinical experience and literature review were used to collect the current status of nurse-patient disputes and to assess patients' humanistic qualities and patients' recognition of nursing work. The Big Five personality questionnaire was used to assess the five personality traits of patients. RESULTS: Of the patients, 9.6% reported having a dispute with nurses. The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicated that patients' humanistic quality, recognition of nursing work and agreeableness in personality traits had a negative predictive effect on nurse-patient disputes, while family monthly income and neuroticism in personality traits positively predicted disputes.

Effect of Personality Characteristics on Near-term Postoperative Mental Health of Male Patients with Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the effect of personality characteristics on near-term postoperative mental health of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods We included 119 patients with LSCC who underwent surgical treatment. The recent psychological state was assessed by SCL-90, SAS and SDS 5 to 7 days after surgery. The EPQ was used to evaluate the personality characteristics of patients after operation. Multiple linear stepwise regression method was used to analyze the influencing factors of SAS and SDS scores of LSCC patients. Results The postoperative scores of SCL-90, SAS and SDS of LSCC patients were significantly higher than the Chinese norm (P≤0.05). The scores of P scale and N scale in EPQ were higher than the domestic norm (P < 0.01). The scores of somatization, obsessiveness, anxiety, depression, hostility, phobia, paranoia and psychosis were significantly higher than the Chinese norm (P < 0.05). Family income, surgical method, postoperative radiochemotherapy, psychoticism and neuroticism personalities were the influencing factors of postoperative SAS score (P < 0.01). Family income, surgical method, postoperative radiochemotherapy, neurotic personality were the influencing factors of postoperative SDS score (P < 0.01). Conclusion LSCC patients have near-term depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders after operation. In terms of personality, they have psychoticism and neuroticism. Family income, surgical methods, postoperative radiochemotherapy, psychoticism and neuroticism are independent risk factors affecting postoperative SAS and SDS scores.

Cognitive behavioral therapy on personality characteristics of cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The main treatment methods for cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy and so on. Patients often feel anger, anxiety, depression, and other negative psychological reactions in the process of treatment. AIM: To explore the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on the personality characteristics of cancer patients. METHODS: According to the matching design requirements, 150 cancer patients were divided into 3 groups based on sex, age, condition, and cultural background. Patients in the control group received conventional treatment. Patients in experimental group 1 received an intervention based on conventional treatment combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients in experimental group 2 received family members' participation in addition to the treatment given in experimental group 1. An Eysenck personality questionnaire was used to investigate all the patients before and after the intervention, and the scores for psychosis, introversion, neuroticism, and concealment degree were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, for experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 before and after the intervention, the four dimensions of mental quality, neuroticism, introversion and concealment degree all decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the intervention, there were no obvious or statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) among the control group, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2 for two personality traits, psychoticism and neuroticism, both inside and outside degree and all four dimensions. CONCLUSION: Simple cognitive behavioral therapy could not change the personality characteristics of cancer patients quickly, but the patients' personality characteristics were significantly improved after treatment.

Cognition and Academic Performance: Mediating Role of Personality Characteristics and Psychology Health.

This study uses personality and psychology health characteristics of high school students as intermediary variables to study how cognitive ability affects academic performance, and analyzes memory, information processing, presentation, logical reasoning, and thinking transformation ability in high school students. In this study, the structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze the mediating effect, and the bootstrap method was used to test the significance of the mediating effect. The participants were 572 high school students from Beijing, China. They completed a survey that included questions on cognitive ability, personality characteristics, and psychology health. This study uses structural equation modeling for mediation analysis. Through the analysis of four models of comprehensive academic performance, Chinese academic performance, mathematics academic performance, and English academic performance, the results of the study showed that cognitive ability has a significant effect on academic performance, and personality characteristics and psychology health play a partially mediating role between cognitive ability and English academic performance. The mediation effect is about 40%.

Prevalence, phenomenology and personality characteristics of premenstrual dysphoric disorder among female students at Zagazig University, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a female psychiatric disorder affecting the behaviour, cognitive abilities, mental health status and academic performance of female students. It includes: mood symptoms, behaviour symptoms and physical symptoms. AIM: To assess phenomenology, measure the prevalence of PMDD among university students and assess the relationship between PMDD and socio-demographic and personality characteristics. SETTING: This study was conducted at Zagazig University, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to December 2020. It included 755 university students. They filled several questionnaires covering Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders (DSM-5) criteria to diagnose PMDD, socio-demographic, menstrual factors, physical activity and personality traits. RESULTS: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder was found in 159 out of 755 students (21.1%). Overall, the most frequently reported premenstrual symptoms were overeating/food cravings (84.2%), fatigue/lack of energy (83.6%), depressed mood/hopelessness (82.0%) and hypersomnia (78.9%). Binary logistic regression model revealed that significantly related PMDD risk factors include: being a medical student, having a duration of menstrual bleeding ≥ 7 days, the average length of one cycle ˂ 28 days, high menstrual blood loss, presence of dysmenorrhea and positive family history of premenstrual syndrome (sister/mother). Regarding personality traits, low extroversion and agreeableness, and high neuroticism were also significant PMDD risk factors. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of PMDD was high among university students, especially medical students, and it can have a detrimental effect on both academic life and educational accomplishments, quality of life and daily living activities.

User Experience With Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment Methods for an Affective Exergame: Comparative Laboratory-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: In affective exergames, game difficulty is dynamically adjusted to match the user's physical and psychological state. Such an adjustment is commonly made based on a combination of performance measures (eg, in-game scores) and physiological measurements, which provide insight into the player's psychological state. However, although many prototypes of affective games have been presented and many studies have shown that physiological measurements allow more accurate classification of the player's psychological state than performance measures, few studies have examined whether dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) based on physiological measurements (which requires additional sensors) results in a better user experience than performance-based DDA or manual difficulty adjustment. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare five DDA methods in an affective exergame: manual (player-controlled), random, performance-based, personality-performance-based, and physiology-personality-performance-based (all-data). METHODS: A total of 50 participants (N=50) were divided into five groups, corresponding to the five DDA methods. They played an exergame version of Pong for 18 minutes, starting at a medium difficulty; every 2 minutes, two game difficulty parameters (ball speed and paddle size) were adjusted using the participant's assigned DDA method. The DDA rules for the performance-based, personality-performance-based, and all-data groups were developed based on data from a previous open-loop study. Seven physiological responses were recorded throughout the sessions, and participants self-reported their preferred changes to difficulty every 2 minutes. After playing the game, participants reported their in-game experience using two questionnaires: the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and the Flow Experience Measure. RESULTS: Although the all-data method resulted in the most accurate changes to ball speed and paddle size (defined as the percentage match between DDA choice and participants' preference), no significant differences between DDA methods were found on the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and Flow Experience Measure. When the data from all four automated DDA methods were pooled together, the accuracy of changes in ball speed was significantly correlated with players' enjoyment (r=0.38) and pressure (r=0.43). CONCLUSIONS: Although our study is limited by the use of a between-subjects design and may not generalize to other exergame designs, the results do not currently support the inclusion of physiological measurements in affective exergames, as they did not result in an improved user experience. As the accuracy of difficulty changes is correlated with user experience, the results support the development of more effective DDA methods. However, they show that the inclusion of physiological measurements does not guarantee a better user experience even if it yields promising results in offline cross-validation.

Exploring the Biopsychosocial Pathways Shared by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC): A Literature Overview.

This study addressed the following question: "Is it possible to highlight the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) through common biopsychosocial pathogenetic pathways?". The study was conducted through electronic searches of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. All relevant selected human research studies published from January 2003 to December 2020 were included. The scientific literature search was performed through repeated use of the words "OSA" and/or "acute/chronic CSC" paired with "biomedical/biopsychosocial illness model", "psychopathology", "stress", "personality characteristics", "functional diseases", "comorbidity", and "quality of life" in different combinations. Our literature search identified 213 reports, of which 54 articles were ultimately reviewed in this paper. Taken together, the results indicate that there is a cross-link between OSA and CSC that can be classified among biopsychological disorders in which various major biological variables integrate with psychological-functional and sociological variables; many of these variables appear in both diseases. This concept can have important implications for improving patients' quality of life, thus providing the necessary strategies to cope with challenging life events even through nonpharmacological approaches.

Personality traits and body image in adults with oral piercing: a questionnaire analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the growing popularity of body modifications, dental practitioners are increasingly confronted with oral piercing and its implications. Successful consultation and subsequent change of patient behavior require an understanding of the patient's personality and the deep reasons that explain this self-injurious behavior. This is the first study evaluating personality traits and aspects of body perception in a cohort of adults with oral piercing. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Sixty-two individuals with labial and/or tongue piercing completed three validated questionnaires assessing body perception and personality traits (Questionnaire for assessing one's own body; Sensation Seeking Scale; Big Five Inventory Scale). Fisher Exact probability test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine differences in frequency data and in psychologic parameters between subgroups. RESULTS: Eighteen single- and 44 multiple-pierced individuals completed the study (53 women, 9 men). The odds for being multiple pierced was significantly higher for tongue than for labial piercing (3.89 and 0.63, respectively; P = .003). In all psychologic parameters measured, the sample showed score distributions within reference norms. However, multiple-pierced individuals displayed a significantly lesser feeling of attractiveness, less self-confidence, and more uncertainty/anxiety towards their body than single-pierced probands (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Psychologic characteristics of individuals with oral piercing do not fundamentally differ from those of the average population. Therefore, dental practitioners should focus on the medical and dental implications of oral piercing in the counseling of patients who have or intend to have such done.