Depression and the risk of developing temporomandibular disorders in different diagnostic groups: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of depression in the development of TMD groups. METHODS: This systematic review with meta-analysis compared the prevalence and scores of depression between TMD groups and controls. RESULTS: The results showed that depression was a significant risk factor in the development of RDC/TMD axis I muscle disorders (group I) and arthralgia/osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis (group III), and non-significant for disc displacements (group II). Severe depression had almost four times the risk of developing TMD as compared to moderate depression. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that addressing psychological factors in general, and depression in particular, in the managemenof TMD is crucial, especially in those TMD groups with higher pain levels (I and III), and the TMD pain reduction is crucial in reducing depression levels.

Evaluating the complete (44-item), short (20-item) and ultra-short (10-item) versions of the Big Five Inventory (BFI) in the Brazilian population.

The Big Five Inventory (BFI) is an instrument designed to assess the personality of individuals aged 18 and above. The original version consists of 44 items divided into five sub-scales representing each of the five personality factors: agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion. The main purpose of this study was to assess the factorial structure of the 44-item BFI and the reliability of two shorter versions with 20 and 10 items. The study also aimed to present normative data for interpreting scores from the short and ultrashort versions of the BFI for the Brazilian population. A total of 3565 individuals with a mean age of 33.3 years (SD = 13.0) from all Brazilian states participated in the study, with 44.2% from the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the BFI. Confirmatory factor analysis showed poor adaptation of the original 44-item model, but the short and ultrashort versions with 20 and 10 items respectively had good adaptation indexes and reliability, with Omega coefficients above 0.70. Normative data for the shorter versions were presented using mean, standard deviation, and percentiles (lower, medium, and higher). The study concluded that the short and ultrashort versions of the BFI have good reliability and can be used in surveys requiring a brief personality assessment.

Coping with stress and personality: A study in pregnancies complicated by hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to investigate the role of personality in pregnancies complicated by hypertension, thru analysis of structure and associations between negative affect and coping strategies, and their role towards psychological distress. METHOD: A cross-sectional study with 343 women, where 192 pregnancies complicated by hypertension, was carried out by employing the following tools: the five-factor model (Big Five), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Jalowiec's Coping Inventory. Two complementary strategies were carried out: an exploratory approach on the interactions between latent variables and a confirmatory technique. RESULTS: Coping strategies seem to be dissociated in the hypertensive group, and these participants tend to use strategies according to their personality, mostly emotion focused, extraversion, and neuroticism. The extraversion model exclusively shows an acceptable goodness-of-fit after a structural equation modelling. A multigroup analysis reached a full metric invariance level for extraversion. CONCLUSIONS: These results are of interest for both clinical and research settings. Prenatal screening and associated interventions may reduce perinatal negative affective states and related pregnancy complications.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer outpatients: predictive variables / Síntomas de depresión y ansiedad en pacientes con cáncer: variables predictivas

Objectives: The objectives of the present study are to investigate the association among symptoms of depression and anxiety, sociodemographic variables and personality factors and also verify the predictive power of these variables in cancer outpatients. Method: The sample was composed by 220 individuals, 138 (62.7%) women and 82 (37.3%) men. The instruments used were: Questionnaire on sociodemographic and clinical data; NEO-FFI Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-FFI-R) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The t test and the Spearman correlation were used to verify the relation between sociodemographic and clinic variables and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A Multiple Linear Regression analysis was made to verify the predictive power of sociodemographic and clinic variables and personality factors. Results: The personality factor neuroticism was predictor of anxiety symptoms. The variable previous psychiatric history and the personality factors neuroticism and extraversion were predictors of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with some sociodemographic variables and personality factors, and these variables can be deemed risk factors for the development of these symptoms. It is important that health professionals who follow-up this population design strategies to collect this information, in order to help patients manage treatment the best way possible

Objetivos: Los objetivos del presente estudio son investigar la asociación entre síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, variables sociodemográficas y factores de personalidad y también verificar el poder predictivo de estas variables en pacientes con cáncer. Método: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 220 individuos, 138 (62,7%) mujeres y 82 (37,3%) hombres. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: Cuestionario sobre datos sociodemográficos y clínicos; NEO-FFI Personality Inventory Revised (NEO-FFI-R) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). La prueba t y la correlación de Spearman se usaron para verificar la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas y los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión. Se realizó un análisis de Regresión Linear Múltiple para verificar el poderpredictivo de las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas y los factores de personalidad. Resultados: elfactor de personalidad neuroticismo fue predictor de síntomas de ansiedad. La variable antecedentespsiquiátricos previos y los factores de personalidad neuroticismo y extraversión fueron predictores desíntomas depresivos. Conclusión: Los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad están asociados con algunasvariables sociodemográficas y factores de personalidad, y estas variables pueden considerarse factoresde riesgo para el desarrollo de estos síntomas. Es importante que los profesionales del campo de la saludque hacen el seguimiento de esta población proyecten estrategias para colectar esta información, a finde ayudar a los pacientes a administrar el tratamiento de la mejor manera posible

Stressful Events and Executive Functioning in Adolescents with and without History of Grade Repetition / Eventos estresores y funcionamiento ejecutivo en adolescentes con y sin historia de repetición escolar

Abstract A number of studies have investigated the association between psychiatric disorders and alterations in cognitive development, academic performance, and learning ability. However, few studies have explored the relationship between stressful events and grade repetition. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to compare the frequency of exposure to stressful events, academic performance, executive functioning, and performance on working memory tasks between adolescents with and without a history of grade repetition. This was a cross-sectional study. The sample was composed of 83 adolescents divided into two groups: (1) individuals with a history of grade repetition (n = 39) and (2) participants who had never repeated a grade (n = 44). Participants were administered tests to assess executive functions, intelligence, exposure to stressful events, and academic performance. Results showed that individuals with a history of grade repetition reported to experiencing a higher number of stressful events in adolescence, had worse academic performance, and obtained lower scores on executive functioning and working memory tasks than non-repeaters.

Resumen Varios estudios han investigado la asociación entre trastornos psiquiátricos y alteraciones en el desarrollo cognitivo, el rendimiento académico y la capacidad de aprendizaje. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han explorado la relación entre los eventos estresantes y la repetición escolar. Por lo tanto, el objetivo principal de este estudio fue comparar la frecuencia de exposición a eventos estresantes, el rendimiento académico, el funcionamiento ejecutivo y el desempeño en tareas de memoria de trabajo en los adolescentes con y sin antecedentes de repetición escolar. Se trata de un estudio transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 83 adolescentes, divididos en dos grupos: (1) los individuos con antecedentes de repetición escolar (n = 39) y (2) los participantes que nunca repitieron un año escolar (n = 44). Los participantes fueron sometidos a pruebas para evaluar las funciones ejecutivas, la inteligencia, la exposición a eventos estresantes y el rendimiento académico. Los resultados mostraron que los individuos con historia de repetición escolar relataron la ocurrencia de un mayor número de eventos estresantes durante la adolescencia, tuvieron un peor rendimiento académico y obtuvieron puntuaciones más bajas en las tareas de funcionamiento ejecutivo y memoria de trabajo que los que no repitieron.

Correlations between Cognitive Performance and Readiness to Change in Cocaine/Crack Users / Correlaciones Entre La Performance Cognitiva Y La Prontitud Al Cambio En Usuarios De Cocaína/Crack

Abstract A substance user's readiness to change is fundamental to the success of psychological interventions and treatments. Preserving neuropsychological functions is an integral part of moving towards readiness, yet few studies have evaluated the influence of cognition on a user's motivation to change. Therefore, this paper aimed to verify the possible correlations between a user's cognitive deficits and readiness to change through examining cocaine/crack users. This study analyzed a sample of 113 chronic cocaine/crack users' performances on the WCST and WAIS-III subtests, the URICA, and the Readiness to Change Ruler. The results showed significant correlations between the presence of cognitive deficits and lower levels of motivation to change. Multiple regression analyses revealed the influence of cognitive test performance on the increase of readiness to change among the participants, suggesting a direct relation between the preservation of neuropsychological functions and a stronger willingness to change in cocaine/crack users.

Resumen La prontitud al cambio es un factor clave en el éxito de las intervenciones en los usuarios de drogas. Parte de este proceso está relacionado con la preservación de las funciones neuropsicológicas. Sin embargo, pocos estudios se han centrado en la influencia de estos en los procesos motivacionales. Este estudio examinó las asociaciones entre los déficits cognitivos y prontitud para el cambio en 113 usuarios de cocaína/crack, a los que se les aplicó el WCST , sub-tests del WAIS-III, la URICA y la Regla de prontitud para el cambio. Encontramos una correlación significativa entre los déficits cognitivos y menores grados de motivación. Tambien eran encontrados niveles de influencia del rendimiento en tests cognitivos en el aumento de la prontitud al cambio, lo que sugiere una relación directa entre la preservación de las funciones neuropsicológicas y una major prontitud para el cambio en los usuarios de cocaína/crack.

[Neuropsychological performance and demographic characteristics in alcoholic patients in treatment]. / Desempeño neuropsicológico y características sociodemográficas en pacientes alcohólicos en tratamiento.

This study compared the cognitive performance of alcoholics (AG) and participants from the general population (CG) without alcohol dependence. The sample consisted of 141 men, aged 18 and 59. Divided into two groups, 101 alcoholic patients without comorbidities, hospitalized for drug abuse treatment, and 40 healthy individuals from the general population, matched for age and socioeconomic status. The instruments assessed the sociodemographics data and economic classification, alcohol dependence, psychiatric comorbidities, cognitive performance, executive functions, memory and perception. The results showed that the AG group presented severe dependence on alcohol and 92.1% indicated having a family with problems associated with alcohol for only 41.5 % of the CG. At the moment of the evaluation, 59.4 % of the participants of the AG group were abstinent between 8 and 15 days, and the in CG, 43.9%, were more than 60 days alcohol free. The neuropsychological performance verified that there was a decline in cognitive functions in alcoholics’ participants, whereas the AG suggests psychomotor retardation. Thus, it can be inferred that alcohol greatly affects cognitive functions of people who depend on this substance. In addition, there was a greater number of family stories with prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and nicotine addiction in alcoholic patients compared with the general population.

The effects of age and emotional valence on recognition memory: an ex-Gaussian components analysis.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of valence and age on visual image recognition memory. The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) battery was used, and response time data were analyzed using analysis of variance, as well as an ex-Gaussian fit method. Older participants were slower and more variable in their reaction times. Response times were longer for negative valence pictures, however this was statistically significant only for young participants. This suggests that negative emotional valence has a strong effect on recognition memory in young but not in old participants. The τ parameter, often related to attention in the literature, was smaller for young than old participants in an ex-Gaussian fit. Differences on the τ parameter might suggest poorer attentional performance in old participants.

Cognitive Development across Different Age Ranges in Late Adulthood / Desarrollo cognitivo de personas mayores en diferentes grupos de edad

This study sought to assess the cognitive development of older adults in different age groups, examining subjective perception of memory, verbal fluency, orientation in time and space, memory, and attention. The sample consisted of 121 subjects randomly selected, between the ages of 60 and 95 years, of both sexes and with varied educational attainment, took part in the study. Data were collected with a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Revised (WAIS-R), the Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and a category verbal fluency test (animals). Results showed an inverse correlation between subjective perception of memory complaints and cognitive test performance. Age and educational attainment influenced cognitive test performance. Younger subjects and those with a higher educational attainment scored better on the verbal fluency test, MMSE, and digit span.

El actual estudio tiene como objetivo verificar el desarrollo cognitivo de las personas mayores en los diversas grupos de edad, examinando memoria, fluidez verbal, orientación secular y de espacio, memoria y atención subjetiva. Participaron en la muestra 121 personas mayores, seleccionadas aleatoriamente, entre 60 y 95 años, de ambos sexos y escolaridad variada. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS), el cuestionario de quejas subjetivas de Memória (MAC-Q), Mini-Examinación de Estado mental (MEEM), la Secundario-prueba Span de Números (WAIS-R), la prueba libre del mandato selectivo y con las pistas (Buschke) y la fluidez verbal (categoría animal). Los resultados mostraron una correlación inversa entre la opinión subjetiva de las quejas de la memoria y las pruebas de los cognitivos. La influencia de la edad fue verificada y la escolaridad en las pruebas cognitivas, así, las personas mayores con menos edad y mayor escolaridad presentaron una mejor puntuación en la prueba de fluidez verbal, del MEEM y del palmo de números.

Neuropsychological performance and demographiccharacteristics in alcoholic patients in treatment / Desempeño neuropsicológico y características sociodemográficas en pacientes alcohólicos en tratamiento

This study compared the cognitive performance of alcoholics (AG) and participants from the general population (CG) without alcohol dependence. The sample consisted of 141 men, aged 18 and 59. Divided into two groups, 101 alcoholic patients without comorbidities, hospitalized for drug abuse treatment, and 40 healthy individuals from the general population, matched for age and socioeconomic status. The instruments assessed the sociodemographics data and economic classification, alcohol dependence, psychiatric comorbidities, cognitive performance, executive functions, memory and perception. The results showed that the AG group presented severe dependence on alcohol and 92.1% indicated having a family with problems associated with alcohol for only 41.5 % of the CG. At the moment of the evaluation, 59.4 % of the participants of the AG group were abstinent between 8 and 15 days, and the in CG, 43.9%, were more than 60 days alcohol free. The neuropsychological performance verified that there was a decline in cognitive functions in alcoholics’ participants, whereas the AG suggests psychomotor retardation. Thus, it can be inferred that alcohol greatly affects cognitive functions of people who depend on this substance. In addition, there was a greater number of family stories with prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and nicotine addiction in alcoholic patients compared with the general population

Este estudio comparó el desempeño cognitivo de sujetos alcohólicos (GA) y de participantes de la población general (GC) sin la dependencia del alcohol. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 141 hombres, con edad entre 18 y 59 años. Divididos en dos grupos, 101 pacientes alcohólicos sin comorbilidades, internados para el tratamiento de la dependencia química, y 40 sujetos de la población general sin dependencia, emparejados por edad y nivel socioeconómico. Los instrumentos utilizados evaluarán los datos socio-demográficos y la clasificación económica, la dependencia del alcohol, las comorbilidades psiquiátricas, el desempeño cognitivo, las funciones ejecutivas, la memoria y la percepción. Los resultados mostraron que el grupo dos GA denota dependencia grave en relación al alcohol y el 92,1% indican tener algún familiar con problemas asociados al alcohol; para el GC, el 41,5% afirmaron este dato. En el GA 59,4% estaban abstinentes entre 8 y 15 días, en la evaluación, y en el GC el 43,9%, lo estaban más de 60 días. En el desempeño neuropsicológico, fue verificado que había una disminución de las funciones cognitivas en los participantes alcohólicos, siendo que el GA sugiere un enlentecimiento psicomotor. Así, se puede inferir que el alcohol afecta en gran medida las funciones cognitivas de las personas que dependen de esta sustancia. Además, hubo un mayor número de historias familiares con prevalencia de síntomas de ansiedad y depresión y de adicción a la nicotina en pacientes alcohólicos en comparación con la población general