Modeling the relationship between attachment styles and somatic symptoms with the mediating role of emotional processing.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of our general knowledge about psychological roots and defects of developmental processes in the formation of somatic symptoms, the effect of the interaction of developmental components with cognitive-emotional variables is unclear. Previous researches suggest that individuals with insecure attachment may have a higher risk to experience of somatic symptoms. The main aim of this study is "Modeling the Relationship between Attachment Styles and Somatic Symptoms with the Mediating Role of Emotional Processing." MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a descriptive-correlational study. Two hundred and twenty individuals aged 18-59 years living in Tehran were selected by available sampling from the general population. Collins and Reed's Adult Attachment Scale, Baker's Emotional Processing Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire were used to collecting data. Data analysis was performed by Pearson correlation and independent t-test. The conceptual model presented in this study was tested with a path analysis approach. RESULTS: Given the Chi-squared size (χ2= 1.214; P > 0.05), it can be said that the proposed conceptual model fits well with the observed model. Besides, checking the other absolute and relative indices also shows a very good fit of the model. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that when the reciprocal effects of attachment styles were controlled, secure attachment could be considered as a protective factor against deficits in emotional processing and somatization of negative emotions. On the other hand, we found that when the dominant attachment style in individuals was anxiety based, it could be possible that they experience deficiency in the processing of emotion and more severe somatic symptoms.

Comparison of road traffic fatalities and injuries in Iran with other countries / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare fatalities and injuries in road traffic crashes (RTC) in Iran with other countries.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data were obtained from national health sources of Iran. These data included population number, registered motor-vehicles number, number of RTCs and consequent fatalities and injuries from 1997 to 2006.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RTC fatality and injury rates increased from 1997 to 2005, but decreased in 2006. The overall men/women ratio in the RTC fatalities was 4.2:1. High RTC fatality rate of 39 per 100 000 population in Iran was almost the same as some other developing countries. In Iran, RTC fatalities in recent years were almost twice as much as the highest rate among the European countries.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This investigation shows that in spite of reduction of RTC fatality in Iran in 2006, it is still one of the highest in the world. Moreover, this paper describes the state of RTC-related parameters in a developing country in comparison with the developed countries.</p>

Spinal cord injuries from road traffic crashes in southeastern Iran / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the data of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) induced by road traffic crashes in southeastern Iran for better understanding the pattern of these injuries and therefore for better designing health system planning.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this historical cohort study, the patients who had been transferred to Level I trauma center in southeastern Iran due to road traffic accidents with radiographic documented SCI were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 64 patients with SCI, 38 patients (59.4%, 36 males and 2 females, aged 27.42 years+/-9.44 years on average) were injured by road traffic accidents. Car and motorcycle accidents were responsible for 26 cases (68.4%) and 12 cases (31.6%), respectively. And 31 patients (81.6%) had complete SCI. Conus medularis (T12-L2) was the most affected level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Results are discussed in terms of preventive measures, specifically those concerning the use of restraint and helmet and driving behavior. This study should be extended nationally to gain a larger case series so that the SCI risk of particular vehicle configurations, considering other crash factors, can be more precisely quantified and the characteristics for low occurrence of SCI can be more precisely identified.</p>