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The support provided by parents plays a relevant role in the life satisfaction (LS) of young people, as well as in their level of psychological distress (PD), which are among the important mediators of their well-being. Family structure has also been identified as a protective or risk factor. Hence, the present study provides a more complex analysis of young people’s LS, considering the type of family cohabitation (based on parental presence), the personal conditions of the young people (PS), and their perception of the context (social support; SP). A cross-sectional design was used, and 557 young people, with a mean age of 20.68 (SD = 2.23), 50.8% women, 60.7% students, participated. Their levels of psychological distress, perceived social support, life satisfaction, and parental cohabitation were assessed. A mediation and a moderated-mediation model were used. Young people living in a biparental family reveal higher levels of LS and lower levels of PS. A partial mediation was found in the effect of SP on the relation between PS and LS. The moderated-mediation model tested showed that the indirect effects on the paths PS–SP and SP–LS were not significant by the type of parental family cohabitation. Several implications regarding family structure on young people’s LS are discussed.

(1) Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders often experience psychological distress, which can affect the quality of childcare they provide. It is crucial to screen for psychiatric symptoms among these parents. The core symptom index (CSI) is a widely recognized tool used to assess general symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and somatic issues. It has proven validity and reliability across diverse Thai populations. Given the cultural similarities between Thai and Chinese populations, the CSI has been successfully implemented within the Chinese population. Nevertheless, it is crucial to research its validity and reliability in the general Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the CSI among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). (2) Methods: A total of 794 Chinese parents raising children with autism participated in this study. All completed the CSI, along with the social inhibition subscale of the Interpersonal Problems Inventory and the Couple Satisfaction Index. Factorial validity was assessed using CFA to determine how well the bifactor three-factor model fits the data. Various structural models were compared using model fit indices. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined by exploring correlations with the social inhibition subscale and the Couple Satisfaction Index. Invariance testing of the CSI was conducted across multiple groups based on gender, age, and education using CFA. The reliability of the CSI was evaluated using McDonald’s omega coefficients. (3) Results: The bifactor model emerged as the best-fitting model for the data, suggesting that the total score of the CSI adequately represents overall psychiatric symptoms. The CSI exhibited significant correlations with the social inhibition subscale (r = 0.41, p < 0.01) and smaller correlation coefficients with the Couple Satisfaction Index (r = −0.16, p < 0.05), indicating both convergent and discriminant validity. The invariant test results support scalar invariance levels based on gender and age but only partial invariance for education. The Chinese version of the CSI demonstrated high consistency, with McDonald’s omega coefficients ranging between 0.86 and 0.95. (4) Conclusions: The bifactor model of the Chinese version of the CSI is validated, making it a suitable tool for measuring depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms among parent(s) of children with autism spectrum disorders. Further research on other Chinese populations is encouraged.

Current efforts to better understand alcohol use disorder (AUD) have led to revisions of the most used classification systems, the DSM and the ICD. There is scarce information regarding how the latest versions of those two classification systems (DSM-5 and ICD-11) relate to functional characteristics (functional impairment (FI) and subjective distress (SD)) associated with AUD. Aim: To examine how the primary diagnostic system’s criteria (DSM) and guidelines (ICD) were related to two functional characteristics (FI and SD) as evidence of these systems' concurrent validity in Argentineans with AUD. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional correlational study with a clinical sample (n=34) in 2018. Results: AUD's severity was more strongly related to SD than FI. FI was weakly related to the criterion of much time spent using it. We found weak associations between SD and role impairment, interpersonal problems, tolerance, and physical or psychological problems due to use, withdrawal, and much time spent using. Only one of the ICD guidelines was weakly related to SD, and we found moderate positive correlations between DSM-5 and FI and between DSM-5 and SD. Conclusion: DSM-5 was more accurate than ICD-11 in identifying those with higher levels of FI and SD and, thus, had a greater concurrent validity among a clinical sample of Argentineans with AUD. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the detection of alcohol-related conditions.

To understand the factors related to suicidal ideation in university students, we examined individual and microsystemic variables with an ecological model organizing bidirectional influences between different dimensions. Suicidal ideation, psychological distress, multidimensional self-concept, loneliness, community social support, life satisfaction, family functioning, bullying victimization, and problematic use of virtual social networks were measured in a sample of 376 Mexican university students (67% women) from 18 to 34 years of age (M = 20.8). Data were collected in March 2020, before mandatory confinement for COVID started in Mexico. Discriminant analyses showed that psychological distress, loneliness, self-concept, life satisfaction, family functioning, internet violence/rejection, and informal social support predicted belonging to high or no suicidal ideation groups with 88% accuracy. Only psychological distress and family self-concept predicted suicidal ideation in multilinear regression analyses. There were differences by gender in multilinear regression, with family self-concept significant for women and physical self-concept, but not family self-concept for boys. Conclusions: Early Suicide prevention in universities should include periodic screening of psychological distress, loneliness, and virtual social media use to identify students that need further evaluation and intervention. University-based strategies of mental health promotion that strengthen family relationships and the sense of community, including gender-sensitive orientation, could enhance the effect of protective factors.

Abstract This study aimed to examine gender differences in distress and well-being two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing risk and protective factors for psychological distress and subjective well-being. It is a repeated cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,588 women (50%) and men (50%) from the general Spanish population aged 18-74 years who were assessed online by seven questionnaires and scales. Descriptive, variance, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. From February to April 2022, 57.4% of women and 38.7% of men had psychological distress, percentages that totaled 50.5% and 41.5%, respectively, from October 2022 to February 2023. Women also had greater perceived vulnerability to diseases, more negative feelings, and lower affect balance, resilience, and self-esteem than men. The most important predictors of greater psychological distress refer to lower self-esteem, resilience, and social support and higher perceived vulnerability to diseases. Other statistically significant predictors included lower educational level in women and neither being married nor living with a partner in men. Lower self-esteem also best predicted lower subjective well-being, with lower social support and lower resilience also constituting significant predictors. Moreover, lower educational level and higher perceived vulnerability to diseases statistically and significantly predicted lower subjective well-being in women, as did not being a student in men. We conclude that psychological distress remains greatly prevalent in Spain two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in women.

The present study assesses the evolution of stressful events and psychological distress in male and female students over three different time periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: the initial “lockdown”, with no face-to-face teaching; the “new normality” period, when classes were resumed; and two years after the first wave of the pandemic. The participants were 1200 Spanish university students who were assessed for psychological distress, COVID-19-associated stressful events, social support, and self-esteem. Female students reported more stressful events and higher levels of psychological distress than male students during the “lockdown” and “new normality” time periods of the first wave of the pandemic. However, these differences disappeared in the third period tested, two years after the first wave of the pandemic, with female and male students showing no differences in psychological distress or in the number of stressful events. The main risk predictors of psychological distress during the first wave of the pandemic were lower self-esteem and having suffered a high number of stressful events. The last variable, number of stressful events associated with COVID-19, lost most its effect two years later, when only self-esteem presented a strong and highly significant predictive role.

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological distress of young adults exposed to alienating behaviors during childhood/adolescence. Four hundred and sixteen adults responded to the online survey. A brief sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Scale, and a questionnaire on adverse childhood experiences were included. The analyses revealed that individuals who experienced one or more alienating behaviors exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, somatization, and overall psychological distress. Furthermore, even after controlling for the effect of other adverse childhood experiences, alienating behaviors had a significant impact on psychological distress in adulthood. This highlights an understudied aspect of alienating behaviors, i.e., their conjunction or parallelism with other adverse childhood experiences.

Currently, it is increasingly evident that health workers are prone to occupational stress. Thus, this article aimed to evaluate the prevalence and sources of occupational stress in workers of a public health center in the City of Nampula – Mozambique. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study, which applied questionnaires on sociodemographic and labor data and on stress in health professionals to 100 workers of both sexes and from different areas of activity. The descriptive analysis carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences indicated that 33 workers from the total sample indicated that work often causes them stress, influenced mainly by career/remuneration, and family problems. Faced with this identified situation, it seems necessary to design and implement workers health care policies, as well as carrying out future research to improve knowledge about occupational stress and coping strategies.

Abstract Objectives: A descriptive study was carried out to establish the levels of psychological distress amongst female inmates at a high-security prison in Lima in November 2020, after the first wave of COVID-19. Material and method: The Brief Symptoms Inventory-18 (BSI-18) was applied to a representative sample of 314 female inmates who agreed to participate in the study. Results: Results showed that 34.6% of the inmates could be considered as cases of psychological distress. Moreover, the depression subscale had the highest score, followed by the anxiety and the somatisation subscales. The most prevalent symptom was “feeling blue”. Discussion: The prevalence of distress symptoms was analyzed, taking into account the effects of the first wave of COVID-19, the suspension of family visits, the restriction of treatment and leisure activities, etc. Gender aspects were also taken into consideration.

Abstract: The association between community violence and mental health has been studied by reports of individual experiences, particularly in adolescents and youths, but little is known about the effect of living in disordered and violent communities. This study aims to determine the possible relation between living in disordered and violent community environments and psychological distress in Mexican adolescents and youths regardless of their individual experience of victimization and to assess the potential modifying effect of sex and age on this association. Data come from a cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of adolescents and youths living in Mexican municipalities, including 39,639 participants aged from 12 to 29 years. Disordered and violent community environments were assessed using reports from a secondary sample of adults who lived in the same communities as participants. Using exploratory factor analysis, three contextual variables related to disordered and violent community environment were created: social disorder, vandalism, and criminality. Multilevel linear regression models with random intercept were estimated. Adolescents and youths who lived in environments with higher social disorder had more psychological distress. Men in environments with greater vandalism had a higher level of psychological distress. Unexpectedly, women from communities with higher levels of crime had fewer symptoms. It is necessary to address the violence that exists in these communities, creating strategies that reduce not only crime, but also the social disorder and vandalism that could contribute to developing negative effects on mental health.

Introduction and purpose: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is chronic inflammatory skin disorder. It typically begins in infancy or childhood and might persist into adulthood. AD is characterized by dry, itchy, eczematous skin. The lesions can vary in intensification from mild to severe according to patient age or body region. AD requires ongoing management to control the symptoms. Skin manifestations along with the demand of treatment and care regimens significantly impact quality of life (QOL) in patients with AD. Individuals suffering from this condition are more prone to developing mental health disorders, which are often linked to emotional stress they experience. Exposure to stress exacerbates AD and stimulates skin changes, which in turn leads to intensification of treatment regimens. This cause-and-effect chain can be considered as a vicious circle mechanism. The aim of the review is to highlight the phenomenon by examining current literature on this topic in order to raise the awareness of healthcare professionals regarding this subject as well as implement appropriate and complete support for patients struggling with AD. A brief description of the state of knowledge: The pathophysiology of AD is multifactorial. Numerous studies explore the impact of stress on the deterioration of AD symptoms and delve into its pathogenic concepts. Simultaneously, researchers highlight increased psychological distress in AD patients, which surpass that observed in many other chronic conditions. Summary: Psychological factors play a significant role in AD. It demands considering mental health screening and support as a part of clinical practice, treating AD patients. Further research is necessary to provide efficient and comprehensive interventions.

Objective: This study aimed to relate life satisfaction and psychological distress to coping with the perception of criminal danger in university students. Method: Three scales were used: The Life Satisfaction Scale, the K-10 Psychological Distress Scale, and the Coping with Perceived Danger Scale. A total of 370 university students participated, of whom 65.4% were female, and 13.8% had experienced crime in the previous two years. Result: A positive and statistically significant relationship was found between coping with perceived danger, such as cautious avoidance (r=0.274, p ≤ 0.00), preventive coping (r=0.344, p ≤ 0.00), and extreme avoidance (r=0.207, p ≤0.00), with psychological distress. These relationships were even stronger for victims of crime. Women show higher levels of psychological distress and more cautious, avoidant and extreme coping strategies in the face of danger compared to men. Finally, a negative and significant relationship was observed between psychological distress and life satisfaction. Conclusion: It appears that regardless of whether a person has been a victim of crime in the last two years, perceptions of danger and strategies of cautious and even extreme crime prevention are related.

The COVID-19 outbreak and the worldwide lockdown measures had an impact on the global mental health and psychological well-being of the general population. Several studies attempted to investigate the protective and risk factors for psychological distress related to the pandemic. However, to date, little is known about the role of hope in this context. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between hope and psychological distress related to the COVID-19 outbreak in the general population. The sample consisted of 504 Pakistani people who completed cross-sectionally the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS). Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was run to measure the relationship between hope and psychological distress; hierarchical regression analysis was run to investigate the association between demographics and hope with psychological distress. Higher levels of hope predicted lower levels of psychological distress. Being female, being older, lower level of education, urban residence, being married and living in nuclear family systems were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. The study highlights the protective role of hope on psychological distress related to COVID-19, contributing to knowledge on factors promoting positive mental health during emergency times and providing useful information for implementing effective public health policies and programmes.

Studies on stress and decision-making usually address acute and artificial stressors. However, COVID-19 outbreak set the perfect scenario to address how decision-making, and specifically loss aversion, could be affected by a real and persistent stressor, able to promote a significant psychological distress. In parallel, alexithymia has been identified as a potential moderator of the loss aversion expression, since it could impair the incorporation of emotional information when making a decision, leading to “cold” decisions. Through a within-subjects design (N = 70), our aim was to study the relationship between the psychological distress caused by the pandemic context and the loss aversion changes, considering alexithymia as a moderating factor. Our results show a significant increment in both psychological distress and loss aversion, merely one month after the confinement’s onset. Moreover, both variables were positively associated only when alexithymia was low, i.e., the alexithymia buffered the effect of psychological distress on decision-making: a higher alexithymia implied a lower loss aversion increase.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the levels of professional quality of life and the occupational stress in nursing professionals. Method: Cross sectional study conducted between April and August 2020, with nursing professionals working in inpatient units for clinical and surgical patients of a large hospital. The Work Stress Scale and the Professional Quality of Life Scale were applied. Results: The sample consisted of 150 professionals, with a mean age of 43 ± 8.89 years, being 84.7% (127) female. The mean of the work stress scale was 1.9 (± 0.71), a moderate level of stress. It was found that compassion satisfaction had a median of 50.3 (9.1 - 64.6), burnout of 48.5 (32.2 - 84.8) and post-traumatic stress disorder of 47.1 (38.6 - 98.3). Conclusion: Stress at work and Compassion Fatigue were identified in the sample, especially in secondary-level professionals, demonstrating the need to implement strategies to reduce psycho-emotional harm in these professionals.

Abstract Objective: to analyze the association between moral distress and Burnout Syndrome among nurses in a university hospital. Method: descriptive, analytical study conducted with 269 nurses working in a university hospital located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected in person in 2019 by previously trained collectors. A sociodemographic and employment questionnaire, the Brazilian Scale of Moral Distress in Nurses and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were applied. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was used. Results: an association was identified between moral distress intensity and frequency and its dimensions with Burnout Syndrome and its dimensions. Nurses with low professional achievement and high emotional exhaustion showed a higher prevalence of moral distress. Conclusion: an association between moral distress and Burnout Syndrome, as well as between their dimensions, was evidenced. The results suggest the need to investigate urgent interventions to mitigate the situations and manifestations of moral distress and Burnout Syndrome by developing strategies for workers’ health.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the personal and work-related burden factors associated with physical and emotional symptoms of informal caregivers of the elderly. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted with 121 informal caregivers and 121 seniors who received care, assessed individually for the risk of: physical overload, musculoskeletal symptoms, Self-Reporting Questionnaire, effort perception, and Katz index. Results: a greater perception of effort raises up to 3.3 times the chances of presenting symptoms of pain in the spine region (p=0.01), and lower functional capacity of the elderly increases up to 1.3 times the chances of presenting pain symptoms in the spine region (p=0.02). The symptoms of emotional overload were associated with the caregiver’s low income (p=0.02). Conclusions: the perception of effort, dependence of the elderly, caregiver’s age, and symptoms of emotional overload are involved with caregivers’ symptoms of physical overload, and low income, with emotional overload.

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de burnout y malestar psicológico de los médicos residentes de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (MFyC) de dos unidades docentes y determinar su relación con el año de residencia, los estilos de vida y las condiciones laborales. Diseño: Estudio transversal. Emplazamiento: Atención Primaria. Participantes: Se realizaron encuestas presenciales a los residentes de dos unidades docentes ?(n = 278), incluyendo a todos los residentes de la muestra. El porcentaje de respuesta fue del 76,9%. Mediciones principales: Prevalencia de burnout mediante la escala Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) y prevalencia de malestar psicológico mediante la escala General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). También variables sobre estilos de vida, organización laboral y consumo de drogas. Resultados: El 72% de los participantes son mujeres. La prevalencia de burnout es del 33,8% (IC 95% 27,0-40,6), siendo del 25,6% (IC 95% 19,5-31,7) el agotamiento emocional, 37,9% (IC 95% 31,0-44,7) la despersonalización y 52,9% (IC 95% 45,9-59,9) la baja realización personal. La prevalencia aumenta de forma significativa en todas las dimensiones a partir del segundo año de residencia, excepto en la realización personal. La prevalencia de malestar emocional es del 40,4% (IC 95% 33,5-47,3), sin diferencias significativas según año de residencia.De los residentes con malestar psicológico, el 50,0% presenta también burnout, mientras que este porcentaje es del 22,1% entre los que no presentan malestar psicológico. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de malestar emocional y de burnout (especialmente en baja realización personal) es elevada en los residentes de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria. Esta es superior a la descrita en estudios previos para otros colectivos de profesionales de la salud y se debe tener en cuenta para desarrollar medidas preventivas. Abstract: Objective: To estimate the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among trainee General Practitioners of two training placements and its relationship with the year of residence, lifestyle and working conditions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Location: Primary Care. Participants: On-site surveys for all trainees of two training placements (n = 278), including all trainees of the sample. The response percentage is 76.9%. Main measurements: Prevalence of burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale and prevalence of psychological distress using the General Health Questionnaire-12 scale (GHQ-12). Also variables on lifestyles, labor organization and drug use. Outcomes: 72% of participants are women. The prevalence of burnout is 33.8% (CI 95% 27.0-40.6), being 25.6% (CI 95% 19.5-31.7) emotional exhaustion, 37.9% (CI 95% 31.0-44.7)depersonalization and 52.9% (CI 95% 45.9-59.9) the low personal accomplishment. Prevalence increases significantly in all dimensions after the second year of training, except in personal accomplishment. The prevalence of emotional distress is 40.4% (CI 95% 33.5-47.3), without significant differences according to year of training.In the group of trainees with psychological distress, 50.0% also have burnout, while this percentage is 22.1% among those who do not present psychological distress. Conclusions: The prevalence of emotional distress and burnout (especially in low personal accomplishment) is high in trainee General Practitioners. The prevalence in higher than the described in previous studies for other groups of health professionals and should be taken into account to develop preventive measures.

Introduction: Healthcare workers exposed to SARS-CoV-2 are vulnerable to psychological distress. The goal of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers in Paraguay. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 tertiary hospitals in the Central, San Pedro and Caaguazú Departments of Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic from April to June 2020. The pilot study included 125 healthcare workers as participants, 25 for each hospital. Demographic data and occupational exposure data were collected with an ad-hoc questionnaire. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated employing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress was determined using the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List-C. Results: Of the 125 participants, 68 (54.8%) were doctors, 37 (29.8) nurses, 7 (5.6%) biochemists, 3 (2.4%) obstetricians, and 9 (7.3%) other healthcare workers. Most participants were females (86 [68.8%]), with an average age of 33.8 years (SD ± 7.4), single (71 [56.8%]), with a postgraduate educational level (83 [66.4%]), and reporting a junior level of work experience (52 [41.6%]). A total of 71 (57.3%) were classified as high-risk healthcare workers after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. 61 (48.8%) of participants presented symptoms of depression, and 68 (54.4%) presented symptoms of anxiety. A small group reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress (9 [7.2%]). Conclusion: Healthcare workers in Paraguay reported a significant prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings lend support to the idea that healthcare workers are vulnerable to psychological distress and that they may require specific mental health interventions.

Psychological Inflexibility (PI) has emerged as a compelling construct to explain psychological distress (PD). Different processes have been hypothesized to underlie PI, including high experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion, and low committed action. This study explored whether these PI processes significantly contributed to explain PD and life satisfaction in Italian undergraduate students. Participants were 105 undergraduate students with high PD (clinical group) and a control group of 182 students. They completed self-report measures of the PI processes, PD and life satisfaction. The clinical group reported higher levels of experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion, and lower levels of committed action than the control group. Inflexibility processes explained 29% to 49% of the variation across all outcome measures in both groups. Findings support PI processes as general risk factors for a poorer emotional adjustment and life satisfaction in college students.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the effects of flower essence bouquets on the signs and symptoms of stress in nursing students. Method: Randomized clinical trial, triple blind, with two groups, flower essence group and placebo group, carried out with 101 nursing students. The groups used the formula for 60 days at a dosage of 4 drops 4 times a day. The outcome was evaluated using the Baccaro Test and the Perceived Stress Scale applied at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. The outcome analysis was performed using the mixed effects model, with 〈 = 5% and the effect size verified by the Cohen’s d test. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in stress reduction (p > 0.05). Both groups showed a reduction in scale scores (p < 0.001) with large effect size. There was an influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the reduction of Baccaro Test scores. Conclusion: The intervention with flower essence therapy was not more effective than placebo in reducing stress signs and symptoms. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: UTN U1111–1257-5715.

A positive cognitive illness representation (CIR) of diabetes is associated with better metabolic control and health. The aims of this research were to assess CIR with a newly developed Spanish scale – the ERCE – and to predict metabolic control, health outcomes, and psychological distress. One hundred and fifty-two Type 1 diabetic patients were all administered the ERCE, the MOS SF-36, the PANAS, and the HADS scales. Data on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also collected. Scores on the ERCE led to the creation of two profiles (+/- CIR) by clustering the scores. After patients were grouped, multiple hierarchical regressions were performed. A negative view of diabetes (negative CIR) was associated with poor health outcomes. The ERCE scale demonstrated acceptable psychometric guarantees and validity evidences for being used in clinical contexts. This new instrument allows educators to adjust treatment to each individual, which leads to a more efficient and better support for people with diabetes in Spain.

Introduction: COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. It has affected millions of people and represents an unprecedented threat not only to health, but also to the economy and educational processes. In the confinement, one of the vulnerable groups is that of students of various academic degrees. The objective was to describe the manifestations of psychological discomfort and health derived from the confinement measures in students of a private university in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. A secondary objective, due to the inclusion criteria, was to evaluate the differences between undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the associated factors in social coexistence, vulnerable groups and health measures. Method: The participants were 641 students who were administered an online survey with a response rate of 77.6%. The participants were 63.1% women and 36.9% men. A total of 60.8% were undergraduate students and 39.2% graduate students. The mean age was 25.3 years. The instrument of measurement consists of 24 items, integrating Kessler's K-6 scale, with 6 specific questions on psychological distress referring to symptoms of anxiety and depression in the last month. Four questions on health aspects regarding COVID-19, 8 on healthy distance measures, and 6 on coexistence and habits at home were included. An odds ratio analysis was performed to identify the associated risk of health and coexistence with respect to psychological distress. At each stage, the ethical principles for the research were complied with and the dignity of the participants was respected, as well as the lawful treatment of personal information based on the principles of the current regulatory framework. Results: The 92.6% lived in confinement with family, and the remainder alone or with friends. The 96.2% indicated not having symptoms of COVID. The 44.7% did not have a daily routine, 27.4% went out daily in confinement and 48.3% presented moderate to high and very high levels of psychological distress. A higher risk of presenting psychological distress was identified in women, postgraduate students, belonging to the health and humanities areas, presenting obesity and concern about being infected, not following sanitary measures and presenting any physical discomfort (ORs ranging from 2.05 to 7.02). Discussion and conclusion: As in other populations, the monitoring of confinement measures is not uniform and there is a high proportion of psychological distress in undergraduate and graduate students. It is suggested to serve the population with higher risk with a comprehensive care model that incorporates the educational process, social coexistence and emotional management.

Background: the high contagiousness of COVID-19, the growth of confirmed cases and deaths in the world, and social isolation, has caused negative emotions and thoughts to spread, threatening the mental health of the population.Objective: to identify affective emotional states in lone senior citizens, in social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, belonging to the “Josué País García” Polyclinic of Santiago de Cuba.Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out between April and May 2020, at the aforementioned health district. The study population was made up of 154 single senior citizens. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, marital status, cohabitation, occupation, comorbidity, anxiety, depression, irritability, stress. The information was obtained through a semi-structured interview.Results: 59,1 % belonged to the female sex; 56,5 % were from the 70 to 79 age group; most of the elderly lived with their adult partner, a minor or a disabled person (116 for 75,3 %), only 38 (24,7 %) actually lived alone. 68,8 % did not have work-related ties. 85,7 % had pathologies considered risky for COVID-19. A normal level of irritability prevailed, both external (76,6 %) and internal (87,6 %); a mild level of anxiety (61,7 %); and a mild level of depression (50,2 %). 83,1 % showed alteration in stress levels.Conclusions: social isolation, as a measure to avoid contagion, has had an impact on the mental health of lone senior citizens, with marked alteration in stress levels.

Objective: the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between death distress, psychological adjustment, optimism, pessimism and perceived stress among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic., Method: this study was designed as cross-sectional/cohort. The population of the study involved 408 nurses from Northern Cyprus, which are registered as full members of the Nurse Council. The sample comprised 214 nurses, who volunteered to participate in the study. The study data was collected using a web-based online survey (Demographic form, the Coronavirus Stress Measure, The Optimism and Pessimism Questionnaire, The Brief Adjustment Scale-6, The Death Distress Scale)., Results: the results indicated that perceived stress significantly and negatively predicted optimism (β = -0.21, p < 0.001) and pessimism (β = 0.38, p < 0.001). Perceived stress had significant and positive predictive effects on psychological adjustment (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and death distress (β = 0.17, p < 0.01). Further analysis results revealed that pessimism mediates the association of stress with psychological adjustment and death distress; however, optimism only mediates the effect of stress on psychological adjustment among nurses., Conclusion: a low level of pessimism is effective in strengthening nurses' psychological adjustment skills againt perceived stress and death distress. Nurses should consider behavioral strategies to help reduce the level of pessimism during periods such as pandemics., Background: (1) High levels of perceived stress increased higher score of psychological adjustment. (2) Pessimism mediates the association of stress with adjustment and death distress. (3) Optimism only mediates the effect of stress on psychological adjustment among nurses.

Objective: Several studies stated greater impact on mental health among psychiatric population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper was to study the pandemic effects more than a year after its outbreak on the mental state of adult patients with pre-existing psychopathology attending a Mental Health Center in Madrid (Spain)., Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with a sample of fifty-eight patients using a questionnaire that collected different descriptive variables. Results of the PHQ-9 Depression Scale, the GAD-7 Anxiety Scale, the IES-R Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Clinical Global Impression scale CGI-GI, and the assessment of the professionals responsible for the patients about their clinical state were also collected. A descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression models were performed., Results: There was a prevalence of 70% anxiety, 76% depression and 57% stress due to a stressful event more than one year after the start of the pandemic. Likewise, associations were found between the symptoms and certain clinical, mediating variables and gender., Conclusions: The psychological state of patients with pre-existing psychopathology attended at the Mental Health Center is negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic up to a year and a half after its onset., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Background: adverse outcomes for mental health in confinement and epidemic situations are not usually evident; therefore, a systematic approach is required for the identification of cases and the selection of appropriate interventions.Objective: to characterize aspects of affective emotional states and determine their relationship with some sociodemographic factors, in the adult population of Puerto Padre, as a consequence of the context generated by COVID-19.Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out with 206 subjects over 18 years of age, selected at random, from six family doctor’s offices of the health district of Puerto Padre, during the month of May 2020. For the psychological study of the emotional affective states (stress, anxiety and depression) the DASS-21 scale was applied. Simple descriptive statistical tests were used, and the t-Student and Chi-square tests, as well as and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to compare variables.Results: 32,52 % of the studied subjects presented at least one of the three studied emotional states. The three affective conditions showed a significant relationship with a history of mental illness. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant and positive association among the three emotional affective states, finding the greatest association between anxiety and stress.Conclusions: the relationship between emotional affective states and socio-demographic factors was determined during the COVID-19 pandemic in the studied population.

Introduction: Millions of people live outside their country of origin, they are immigrants, refugees or exiled, each with their own history, their strengths and weaknesses; but they all have something in common: the fact that they must adapt culturally to the place where they now live, and they must be socially accepted in this new group. Objective: The main goal of this article was to perform a search and systematic review in order to find research in the fields of mental health and migration, providing a global view of the situation in Mesoamerica and showing the risk factors and the protective factors that influence the migratory process. Methodology: We performed a systematic review of the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE and LILACS. We included publications from the last five years (2012 – 2017), in English and Spanish, if they were published in indexed journals and if the full text version was available. Results: We found that the most frequent mental disorders were related to stress, the distress generated by the separation from family members, the problems faced when crossing the border, and the conditions that motivate the migration. The most common diagnoses where generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder. Conclusions: In Mesoamerica, there is a dearth of research exposing with clarity the current situation of migration and mental health and describing the details of the reality in each country. This is important because, besides from the personal features and support networks that these people have, a fundamental factor that determines their mental health in their new country is the country of origin: the living conditions in this country and the motives that force people to migrate. Keywords: Psychological distress; Migrants; Migratory process; Mental health; Mental disorders. RESUMEN Introducción: Millones de personas viven fuera de su país de origen, son inmigrantes, refugiados o exiliados, cada uno con su propia historia, sus fortalezas y debilidades; pero todos tienen algo en común: el hecho que deben adaptarse culturalmente al lugar donde residen y, por supuesto, ser aceptados en este nuevo grupo. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS. Se incluyeron las publicaciones de los últimos cinco años (2012-2017), en español e inglés, disponibles a texto completo y de revistas arbitradas. Resultados: Se encontró que los trastornos mentales más comunes están relacionados con el estrés, la angustia generada por la separación de los familiares, los problemas que enfrentan al cruzar la frontera y las condiciones que motivan la migración. Se destacan los diagnósticos de trastorno de ansiedad generalizada, trastorno depresivo mayor, trastorno de estrés postraumático, uso y abuso de sustancias. Conclusiones: Existe poca investigación en Mesoamérica que exponga claramente la situación actual de la migración y la salud mental y detalle la realidad de cada país. Lo anterior es importante puesto que, además de las características personales y la red de apoyo con que cuenten estas personas, un determinante fundamental lo constituye el país de origen, la realidad que se vive allí y cuáles son los motivos que obligan a las personas a migrar. Palabras clave: Malestar psicológico; Migrantes, Proceso migratorio; Salud mental; Trastornos mentales.

Introdution: The period of time elapsed after receiving a positive test result, has been previously associated with distress in BRCA1/2 carriers. However, there is a need for reliable instruments and prospective data on distress and perception of risk by those carriers, given the significant increase in demand for BRCA1/2 testing. Aim: To validate and implement in clinical practice, an instrument for the detection of distress and analysis of risk perception, in individuals that test positive for a BRCA1/2 test. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study to design and test an instrument (Distress and Risk Perception Questionnaire-DRP) to evaluate distress and risk perception by BRCA1/2 carriers. Predictive factors for clinically relevant distress, were also explored. Results: One hundred and seventy consecutive, newly diagnosed BRCA1/2 carriers were included (pre-test phase: 21 and test: 149). Distress was measured with the distress thermometer (DT) and DRP, both applied, by telephone, one month after test disclosure. Clinically relevant distress was observed in 40% of the cases. Being a female (OR male vs female=0.37; 95%CI=0.10-1.09) and index patient (OR index vs relative=3.93; 95%CI=1.13-18.37) were independent predictors for distress after adjusting for personal history of cancer. The risk perception was high and no significant correlation with distress was observed with either DT or DRP (Spearman correlation coefficient0.05 in both). Conclusion: DRP is a new scale, easy to administer by telephone, which measures distress and risk perception in BRCA1/2 carriers. Gender and type of genetic screening (being an index patient or a relative) may play a role in the short-term emotional impact of a positive BRCA test result.

Introduction: During the health emergency, there is concern about the mental health repercussions that Peruvian health workers, who represent the front line of care for COVID-19, may be experiencing., Objective: To determine whether concern about COVID-19 and workloads predict psychological distress in healthcare workers., Methods: Predictive study in which 367 workers (nurses, doctors, nursing assistants, obstetricians, dentists, psychologists, nutritionists, among others) from 12 health networks in the Puno region participated, selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. The data were collected via the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the COVID-19 Scale of Concern and the Workload Scale., Results: It was found that there are no significant differences between men and women in psychological discomfort and concern about COVID-19 infection and workload. Furthermore, highly significant correlations were found between the study variables (P < .01). Multiple regression analysis showed an adequate adjustment for the model (F = 94.834; P < .001), where concern about COVID-19 (β = -0.436; P < .01) and workload (β = 0.239; P < .01) are variables that significantly predict psychological discomfort (adjusted R 2  = 0.33)., Conclusions: Concern about COVID-19 and work overload predict psychological distress in health personnel in the Puno region., (Copyright © 2021 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as their association with screen time, diet and physical activity, in a cohort comprised by nursing students., Method: a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 648 Nursing students. The instruments used were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Spanish Healthy Eating Index (Índice de Alimentación Saludable Español, IASE). Different multiple linear regression models were performed to analyze the association between anxiety/depression symptoms and screen time, diet and physical activity., Results: the prevalence values for anxiety and depression symptoms were 24.1% and 3.7%, respectively. Prolonged screen times (>6 hours a day), low levels of physical activity and inadequate diet were independently and significantly associated with deeper psychological symptoms., Conclusion: Nursing students' mental health might benefit from the implementation of initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles.

In the healthcare context, moral distress (MD) refers to the negative emotions that arise when a person knows the correct course of action in a given situation but is not able to follow it due to personal, hierarchical or institutional impediments. MD has been related to various professional problems, such as vocational disorientation, low work motivation, depersonalized treatment of patients, abandonment of duties, and changes of specialty or profession. Although this phenomenon has not been sufficiently studied in Chile, it presumably exists and would have even increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving its repercussions unknown. Accordingly, this article has the objectives, firstly, to promote the phenomenological study of MD in our country, considering the importance of preventing its potential adverse impact on the mental health of future professionals, and, secondly, to highlight the need to include narrative approaches in medical education, in order to develop a more holistic approach to understanding patients and their condition of vulnerability. Ultimately, it is expected that addressing the implications of MD in medical education and practice will contribute to its humanization, optimizing the quality of healthcare.

Objetivos: Con el fin de valorar y aliviar el malestar emocional al final de la vida, se necesitan instrumentos de cribado sencillos, de fácil uso por los sanitarios y comprensibles por los enfermos. En el presente estudio multicéntrico se analiza la utilidad clínica del cuestionario de Detección del Malestar Emocional (DME) en enfermos hospitalizados con cáncer avanzado. Métodos: Para determinar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala se administró, a la vez que otros instrumentos y procedimientos, a 105 pacientes con enfermedad oncológica avanzada ingresados en unidades de cuidados paliativos de cinco hospitales de Cataluña. Resultados: Se observó que el 58,3% presentaba malestar emocional moderado o muy intenso, similar al objetivado con otras escalas, como el termómetro emocional. El análisis estadístico de las curvas ROC sugiere que el punto de corte para la detección de malestar emocional que muestra el DME equivale a una puntuación > 9 puntos, con una sensibilidad y una especificidad superiores al 75%. Conclusiones: El DME es útil y de fácil manejo para la identificación del malestar emocional en los enfermos oncológicos avanzados ingresados en unidades de cuidados paliativos. Se sugiere que esta escala también se podría aplicar a otros enfermos y ámbitos de la atención sanitaria, por ejemplo la atención domiciliaria o la atención primaria en enfermos crónicos.Objective: To evaluate and alleviate the emotional distress suffered by advanced cancer patients, simple screening methods that can be easily used by health staff and easily understood by patients are required. The objective of this multicenter study was to analyze the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the Detection of Emotional Distress (DED) scale in advanced cancer patients attending a palliative care unit. Methods: The DED scale was administered to 105 advanced cancer patients attended in five palliative care units in Catalonia (Spain). Results: A total of 58.3% of the patients had moderate to severe emotional distress, a result similar to those of other scales such as the emotional thermometer. Statistical analysis of ROC curves suggested that the cutoff for the detection of emotional distress by the DED scale was equivalent to a score of > 9 points, with a sensitivity and specificity above 75%. Conclusions: The DED scale is useful and easy to use in the identification of emotional distress in advancedcancer patients attended in palliative care units. This scale could also be applied in other patients and health care fields, such as patients with chronic diseases, home care, and primary care.

El perfeccionismo ha sido asociado a problemas clínicos y a malestar psicológico, siendo el concepto de discrepancia representativo del aspecto disfuncional del mismo. Este estudio se propone determinar los perfiles de perfeccionismo en estudiantes argentinos de Psicología y analizar la relación entre discrepancia, malestar y bienestar psicológico. 85 estudiantes de Psicología completaron una serie de instrumentos psicométricos evaluándose: perfeccionismo (Almost Perfect Scale-Revised), bienestar psicológico (Inventario de Calidad de Vida Percibida, Escala de Bienestar Psicológico) y malestar psicológico (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Formas Y-I, Y-II, Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition). Resultados: Completaron la evaluación 82 estudiantes; 44 (54%) obtienen un perfil de perfeccionismo, que se desagrega en adaptativo (N=18; 21,9%) y desadaptativo (N=26; 31,7%). La variable discrepancia se asocia significativamente a las variables estudiadas en la dirección esperada: altas correlaciones positivas (p valor ,01) con variables ligadas al malestar psicológico y negativas con variables relativas al bienestar psicológico (p valor ,01).Perfectionism has been associated to clinical problems and psychological distress, being the concept of discrepancy representative of its maladaptive aspect. The aim of this study is to determine the perfectionism profiles of Argentine Psychology students and to analyze the relationship between discrepancy, psychological distress and psychological well-being. 85 university students of Psychology have completed several psychometric instruments evaluating: perfectionism (Almost Perfect Scale Revised), psychological well-being (Inventario de Percepción de Calidad de Vida -ICV; Escala de Bienestar Psicológico and psychological distress (State- Trait Anxiety Inventory. Forms Y-I,Y-II, Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition). Results: 82 students completed the evaluation; 44 (54%) obtain a perfectionism profile, disaggregated into adaptive (N=18 21,9%) and maladaptive (N=26; 31,7%). The variable discrepancy is significantly associated to the studied variables in the expected direction: high positive correlations (p value ,01) with variables related to psychological distress, and negative correlations with variables related to psychological well-being (p value ,01).

The main objective of this paper is to review the psychological effects of the risk reduction surgery (mastectomy and ooforectomy) in BRCA carriers. This option reduce the risk to develop breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA carriers, but we don?t know if these two therapeutic approaches can increase the survival in this risk women group. We need news prospectives studies to clarify the efficacy of this prophylactic surgery.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre demanda psicológica e controle sobre o trabalho e a ocorrência de distúrbios psíquicos menores entre trabalhadoras de enfermagem. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, incluindo 502 trabalhadoras de enfermagem de um hospital público de Salvador, Bahia. O Modelo Demanda-Controle, de Karasek, foi utilizado para avaliar as dimensões psicossociais estudadas. Para mensuração de distúrbios psíquicos menores (DPM), utilizou-se o SRQ-20. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de DPM foi 33,3%, variando de 20,0% entre enfermeiras a 36,4% entre auxiliares. Observou-se nítido gradiente tipo dose-resposta de associação positiva entre demanda psicológica e DPM, e associação negativa entre controle sobre o trabalho e DPM. A prevalência de DPM foi mais elevada (RP=2,6; IC95%: 1,81-3,75) no quadrante de trabalho em alta exigência (alta demanda, baixo controle), quando comparado às profissionais em trabalho de baixa exigência (baixa demanda, alto controle), depois de ajustado, num modelo de regressão logística múltipla, por potenciais confundidores. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados reforçam a relevância da adoção de medidas de intervenção na estrutura organizacional, de modo a elevar o controle sobre o trabalho e redimensionar os níveis de demanda psicológica.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between psychological demand and job control and demand with psychological distress among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 502 female nurses working in a public hospital at the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil. The Demand-Control Model proposed by Karasek to evaluate the association between job control-demand and psychological distress was adopted. The SRQ-20 was used to measure psychological distress. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological distress was 33.3%, ranging from 20.0% among lady nurses to 36.4%, among nurse assistants. Strong dose-response gradients were observed between demand and psychological distress and the negative association between job control and psychological distress. Prevalence of psychological distress was higher (PR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.81-3.75) among professionals in high-strain jobs (high demand, low control) when compared to professionals in low-strain jobs (low demand, high control), after adjustment by potential confounders in a logistic multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings reinforce the relevance of intervening in the organizational structure in order to increase control upon job and adjust the levels of psychological demands.

Study of the changes in health habits of 105 cancer patients’ relatives and close friends after the diagnosis. The aim is to try to verify whether the knowledge of the disease has got some impact in the modification of their life styles. The emotional alterations influence in this change of behaviour has been analysed futhermore. An interview of own creation and HADS (Anxiety Hospital and Depression Scale of Zigmond and Snaith, 1983) instrument, in a Spanish and a Catalan version, were used with this aim. The results show that 21.1% of the participants presented positive changes in their health habits after the diagnosis of the relative or close friend and 11.5% showed negative changes. In relation to the role of the emotions, averages of anxiety (14,33; d.t.=4,98) and depressive (10,17; d.t.=4,93) symptoms were higher in those subjects who made negative changes than in those who did not make any change (9,32; d.t.=5,37 and 6,33; d.t.=4,64). In addition, the youngest participants, with more depressive symptoms and who visit the subject more often, are those who become more assets modifying health habits. The results suggest that emotional alterations, mainly depressive symptoms, are associated with negative change and, therefore, it would be suitable to lend some type of attention to these alterations in the population studied with the purpose of improving their present and future health.

Aims: To analyze the relationship between guilt for perceiving oneself as a burden and negative self-perceptions of aging, perceived control and anxious and depressive symptomatology in older people without cognitive or functional limitations., Methods: Participants were 351 community-dwelling people over 60 years without explicit cognitive or functional limitation. Indirect effet analysis were conducted that examined the indirect effect of negative self-perceptions of aging through 1) perceived control and anxious symptomatology and 2) perceived control and depressive symptomatology in guilt for perceiving oneself as a burden., Results: Both models showed an indirect relationship between negative self-perceptions of aging and guilt for perceiving oneself as a burden through 1) perceived control and anxious symptomatology and 2) perceived control and depressive symptomatology, explaining 26.37% of anxious symptomatology, 48.51% of depressive symptomatology and 13.73% and 14.44% of guilt for perceiving oneself as a burden, respectively., Discussion: The results obtained suggest that higher negative self-perceptions of aging is associated with a lower perception of control and greater psychological distress (anxiety and depression), and this process increases the feeling of guilt for perceiving oneself as burden to family members in older people without functional or cognitive limitations., (Copyright © 2022 SEGG. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue realizar la adaptación argentina de la Escala de Malestar Psicológico de Kessler (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-K10). Para esto, se llevó a cabo una adaptación lingüística del instrumento y un análisis de sus propiedades psicométricas. Para evaluar la confiabilidad de la escala, se efectuó un análisis de la consistencia interna y se examinó la estabilidad temporal de los ítems. La validez del instrumento fue evaluada teniendo en consideración diferentes indicadores de la misma. Se calcularon, a través de las curvas ROC, los niveles de sensibilidad, especificidad y el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la prueba. Los resultados indican que se puede contar con la K10 como un instrumento de despistaje de malestar psicológico que reúne los requisitos psicométricos necesarios para ser utilizado en población argentina.