Validity and Reliability Study of Mental Health Recovery Measure's Turkish Version. / Ruh Sagligi Iyilesme Ölçegi'nin Türkçe Formunun Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalismasi.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to translate into Turkish and investigate the validity and reliability of the Mental Health Recovery Measure (MHRM). METHOD: The sample consisted of 343 outpatients - and in-patients under treatment for a variety of psychiatric diagnoses at a state hospital and a university research hospital. The MHRM along with the Subjective Recovery Assessment Scale (SRAS), Psychological Well Being Scale (PWBS), Emotional Eating Scale (EES), and The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI). RESULTS: The mean MHRM total score was estimated at 31.66 (sd=10.02). Exploratory factor analysis revealed one single robust factor explaining 64% of the variance of the total scores. Alpha internal consistency coefficient was calculated as 0.94 and corrected item-total correlation coefficients were entirely above 0.60. The MHRM scores showed positive and strong correlations with the PWBS (r=0.695; p<0.001) and SRAS (r=0.732; p<0.001), negative and strong correlation with the ISMI (r=-0.696; p<0.001) and no correlation with the EES scores (r=-0.021; p=0.703). CONCLUSION: Our data provides initial evidence supporting the validity and reliability of the Turkish MHRM in evaluating the tendency for recovery of mental health consumers for clinical and research purposes. Further studies addressing psychometric properties of the scale are warranted.

COVID-19 Patients' Life Events, Emotional Health And Post-Illness Awareness: A Qualitative Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the life events, emotional health and post-illness awareness of COVID-19 patients. We interviewed 25 people who experienced COVID-19. DESIGN: The study was executed in qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: The study was conducted with a phenomenological design approach. Data were collected using an in-depth, semi-structured interview method. We interviewed 25 people who experienced COVID-19. FINDINGS: Three themes were identified in the content analysis: "Experiences before COVID-19," "The active experience of COVID-19," "Remnants of COVID-19." We found that when participants first heard they tested positive for COVID-19, the anxiety they experienced turned into panic and fear of death as the duration and severity of the symptoms of the disease increased. That uncertainty, as well as the influence of the media, intensified their fears. However, despite the unfavorable conditions, experiencing the disease led to positive awareness in all the participants. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the intensity of the symptoms of COVID-19, the uncertainty of the treatment process, and the attitude of the media were important factors in producing fear and anxiety. Experiencing the illness created an awareness that resulted in the participants' questioning the meaning of life. CLINICAL EVIDENCE: Within the scope of preventive health services, there is a need for informative programs of education on COVID-19 prevention, coping, and self-improvement that will be useful in reducing the psychological effects of the disease.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ-TR). / Duygusal Yeme Ölçegi'nin Türkçe Çevirisinin Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalismasi.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to translate the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) to Turkish and investigate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version. METHOD: The participants, consisting of 749 undergraduate students majoring at nursing or midwifery, completed on the EEQ and the Oxford Happiness Scale (OHS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Orthorexia Nervosa-11 Scale (ORTO-11), the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT). RESULTS: An internal consistency coefficient of 0.84 was computed for the entire scale which, similarly to the original scale, demonstrated a three-factor structure, namely, "Disinhibition", "Type of food" and "Guilt". All corrected item-total correlations were above 0.34. The EEQ score showed negative correlations with the OHS score at a low level (r=-0.15, p<0.001), and the EAT score at a moderate level(r=-0.33, p<0.001); and positive correlations with the BDI score (r=0.16, p<0.001) at a low level and the ZCBS score at a moderate level (r=0.36, p<0.01). The variance analysis demonstrated significant differences in the EEQ scores of the normal-weight, overweight and obese students [F(2.712) =11.17, p<0.001, η2 = 0.03]. CONCLUSION: EEQ Turkish version seems to have sufficient internal consistency which supported its reliability as well as the construct validity. Our data provided additional support for the validity of the EEQ for assessing the emotional overeating tendency among the Turkish university students.

Relationship between premenstrual syndrome and basic personality traits: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have investigated premenstrual syndrome and related factors, there is still only a limited number of studies investigating the relationship between premenstrual syndrome and basic personality traits. This study was conducted to investigate the association between premenstrual syndrome and basic personality traits among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted in a city in western Turkey. METHODS: The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, the Basic Personality Traits Scale and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics developed by the present researchers were applied to 490 female students at the College of Health Sciences of a state university. RESULTS: Premenstrual syndrome was more common among students living in rural areas (65.1%), students with chronic diseases (74.1%), students who suffered from menstrual cramps (61.1%), students who used cigarettes (72.1%) and students with alcohol intake (65.5%). In the final model of the logistic regression analysis, presence of pain during the menstrual period increased the risk of presence of PMS by a factor of 1.554 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.033-2.336; P = 0.034) and high scores on the total basic personality traits scale increased it by a factor of 1.016 (95% CI: 1.002-1.030; P = 0.029). The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was found to be higher among students who were less extrovert (P = 0.007) and less conscientious (P = 0.001); and among students with higher neuroticism (P = 0.000) and negative valance (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that personality may be associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Relationship between premenstrual syndrome and basic personality traits: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Although many studies have investigated premenstrual syndrome and related factors, there is still only a limited number of studies investigating the relationship between premenstrual syndrome and basic personality traits. This study was conducted to investigate the association between premenstrual syndrome and basic personality traits among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted in a city in western Turkey. METHODS: The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, the Basic Personality Traits Scale and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics developed by the present researchers were applied to 490 female students at the College of Health Sciences of a state university. RESULTS: Premenstrual syndrome was more common among students living in rural areas (65.1%), students with chronic diseases (74.1%), students who suffered from menstrual cramps (61.1%), students who used cigarettes (72.1%) and students with alcohol intake (65.5%). In the final model of the logistic regression analysis, presence of pain during the menstrual period increased the risk of presence of PMS by a factor of 1.554 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.033-2.336; P = 0.034) and high scores on the total basic personality traits scale increased it by a factor of 1.016 (95% CI: 1.002-1.030; P = 0.029). The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was found to be higher among students who were less extrovert (P = 0.007) and less conscientious (P = 0.001); and among students with higher neuroticism (P = 0.000) and negative valance (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that personality may be associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Insomnia in nursing students and related factors: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting insomnia in nursing students. METHODS: This study was conducted with 379 nursing students, studying at a university in western Anatolia/Turkey between 2014 and 2015 as a descriptive and cross-sectional analytic study. Data of the survey were collected using the Personal Inquiry Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory, and a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The Insomnia Severity Index score for the students is 11.51 ± 5.04 on average. It was found that as anxiety and depression increased, the Insomnia Severity Index score for the students also increased and there was a weak positive correlation. Also, a moderate positive correlation between sleep quality and insomnia severity was found. Significant correlations were found between some of the socio-demographic characteristics (lower socio-economic situation, irregular bedtime, and smoking) and insomnia, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSION: Anxiety, depression, irregular bedtime, and lower socio-economic situation are factors that make falling asleep difficult.

Effects of Psychoeducation Given to Caregivers of People With a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation given to caregivers of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia on their perceptions of burden and on clinical course of patients. This was a quasi-experimental study with pre-post tests and a control group and designed as a nonrandomized controlled intervention trial. While the patients in both the intervention and the control group received treatment as usual (TAU), only the caregivers in the study group were offered two sessions of psychoeducation a week for one month, with a total of eight sessions. Effectiveness of the psychoeducation given was evaluated by comparing scores of Perceived Family Burden Scale (PFBS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) obtained before and three months after delivery between the intervention and the control groups. Mean PFBS burden scores of the control group at baseline and follow-up were 45.7 and 44.5, respectively. Mean PFBS burden scores of the intervention group were 45.2 at baseline and 38.6 at follow-up. Analysis of variance revealed significant and medium to large size interaction effects of time and group factors on total burden scores of family members (F1.58 = 5.59; p < 0.05; ηp2 = 0.09) and on total PANSS scores of patients (F1.58 = 104.78; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.64). Our findings suggest that psychoeducation offered to the caregivers along with TAU offered to patients might result in diminished perceptions of burden among caregivers and enhanced improvement in the clinical course of patients as a result of psychoeducation offered to caregivers.

Loneliness in Elderly People, Associated Factors and Its Correlation with Quality of Life: A Field Study from Western Turkey.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the factors that affect loneliness of older people and their relationship with quality of life. METHODS: Data in this cross-sectional study were collected through survey form, UCLA Loneliness Scale and Quality of Life (QOL) Short Form (SF-36) Scale. The total number of elderly people over the age of 65 yr from whom the study population was chosen was 4,170. The study population was determined as 190 with G-power program by taking impact size 0.362, α=0.05, power (1-ß) =0.80 at a confidence level of 95% and a substitute group composing of 10 individuals was added. In total, 83.2% (n=174) of the target population was reached via Multi-Stage Sampling Methods. RESULTS: UCLA Loneliness median score of the participants was 33 (25(th)p= 27, 75(th)p= 40). It was found that the existence of chronic diseases and physical handicaps, regular use of medication, lack of hobbies and living with spouse increased loneliness (P<0.05). A negative relationship was identified between all sub-scales in the QOL scale and loneliness. CONCLUSION: Loneliness negatively affects QOL in old age and that the existence of chronic health problems and lack of hobbies are strong predictors for loneliness. Elderly people living alone must be evaluated as a high-risk group and thus policy makers and health personnel should be aware of the factors that can affect loneliness. In order to increase life quality of the aged population and psychological well-being of the elderly, social support systems must be taken into account and the elderly should be encouraged to participate in social activities.

Domestic violence during pregnancy in an eastern city of Turkey: a field study.

Violence is an increasing and important community health problem that can be seen in any area of human life. Limited studies were found about domestic violence among pregnant women and its relation with social status of women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of domestic violence during pregnancy, factors affecting it, women's thoughts about violence, and relation between social status of women and domestic violence. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 253 pregnant women, using cluster and simple random sampling methods. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis methods were used to analyze the data. Women who indicated that they have been exposed to violence at some point of their lives were 24.1% and who indicated that violence continued while they were pregnant were 11.1%. Physical violence was the most common type of violence reported (18.2%). It was found that women who had primary school or lower level of education and who made unwanted marriage suffered from more violence during pregnancy. It can be said that violence against pregnant women is still a social problem. In societies where gender roles are dominant, decision makers have to take necessary steps such as supporting education of girls to improve social status of women, increasing awareness among women in regard to personal rights and legal regulations which will contribute to the solution of the issue.

Schizo-obsessive and obsessive-compulsive disorder: comparison of clinical characteristics and neurological soft signs.

The purpose of the study was to examine whether schizophrenia with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) represents a severe form of OCD-spectrum disorders on the basis of neurological soft signs (NSS) and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms. Sixteen patients with OCD-schizophrenia, 25 OCD patients and 23 healthy controls (HC) were studied. Scales for the Assessment of Positive (SAPS) and Negative Symptoms (SANS), Clinical Global Impressions Scale and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) were used to assess the schizophrenic and OC symptomatology. NSS were evaluated with the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES). OCD-schizophrenics had significantly higher scores on total NES than HC. The patients with OCD were more likely to have total Y-BOCS and subscale scores of compulsions than patients with OCD-schizophrenia. The rate of symmetry obsessions and cleaning/washing compulsions were significantly higher in patients with OCD compared to OCD-schizophrenics. We have found no correlation of OC symptoms with schizophrenic symptomatology. Our findings may suggest that OCD-schizophrenia is a distinct subtype of schizophrenia, not a more severe form of OCD-spectrum disorder.

Neurological soft signs in schizophrenic patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The purpose of this study was to examine neurological soft signs (NSS) in schizophrenic patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Neurological soft signs were assessed in 15 schizophrenic patients with OCD (OCD-schizophrenia), 38 schizophrenia patients without OCD (non-OCD-schizophrenia), and 24 healthy controls (HC) by means of the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES). The OCD-schizophrenia group had significantly higher scores on total and subscales of 'sensory integration' and 'others' of NES than the HC group. Subscale scores of 'sequencing of motor acts' in-non-OCD-schizophrenia patients were significantly higher compared to OCD-schizophrenia patients. Total NES scores of both groups were significantly correlated with Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) scores. Only the subscale of 'sequencing of motor acts' was significantly correlated with SANS within the OCD-schizophrenia group. These results suggest that NSS do not significantly differ between schizophrenia patients with and without OCD, contrary to expectations. The NES scores in OCD-schizophrenic patients do not appear to be related to a more severe form of schizophrenia. Neurological signs and negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients with and without OCD may be considered as neurodevelopmental predisposing factors. Further research is required in schizophrenia patients with OCD to investigate the relationships between NSS and several neuroimaging or neuropsychological findings, constituting a subgroup within the schizophrenia spectrum.