Search

Background: We investigated the predictors of poor SRH in a representative sample of Lithuanian mainstream school students in grades 7–8. We also checked for gender differences in the associations between SRH and depressive symptoms and other predictors. Methods: A total of 2104 7th–8th-grade students participated (response rate 73.95%) and were asked about depressive symptoms, psychosomatic health complaints, negative acts at school, feeling at school, family stress and violence, sense of coherence, self-esteem, and lifestyle. We used a hierarchical regression analysis including a variety of self-rated health predictors. Results: Boys scored significantly higher on physical activity and smoking, whereas girls scored significantly higher on SRH, depressive symptoms, psychosomatic health complaints, and family stress and violence, though the significance was lost in the hierarchical regression. Depressive symptoms were the strongest predictor of poor SRH (standardized β = 0.309, p < 0.001), though other investigated predictors were also significant but had lower effect sizes. Strong evidence was found supporting the buffering role of sense of coherence in the relationship between depressive symptoms and SRH (standardized β = −0.266, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We can conclude that the magnitude of the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-rated health is dependent on the levels of sense of coherence. We did not find gender differences in those associations. As poor SRH is easy to determine, especially with a one-item question, the cases of poorly rated health should be detected early and corrected by interventions in order to prevent poor health outcomes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palliative care is dedicated to terminally ill patients with advanced disease, regardless of diagnosis, under the overarching premise of optimizing quality of life. This narrative review examines the extent to which principles of cybernetics and psychophysiology underlie this approach. Psychophysiology researches the physiological equivalents of psychological states and traits such as activation and individual reactivity, the interoception and the personal characteristics. Cybernetics specifies these principles, which are possible by understanding terms such as "psychophysiology" or "cybernetics" or "self-organization/autopoiesis". The meaning of these terms for palliative care can also be elucidated in relation to the terms "biofeedback", "consciousness", "pain", and "anxiety". The common themes of cybernetics and psychophysiology are environment, subjectivity, personality characteristics, the difference between time scale separation in cybernetic systems, and real-time procedures in environment and rhythm. These lead to special therapies based on psychophysiology, such as consciousness training. The concepts of quality of life, causality, the biopsychosocial model, therapy, and autonomy are examined as palliative care concepts. The equivalents can be described from the perspective of cybernetics. For some palliative care-related terms, cybernetic thinking is already present (quality of life, autonomy, symptom control), while for others, it is not (biopsychosocial). Cybernetic terms (complexity, stability, identity, rhythm) are still used to a lesser extent in palliative care. Terms like genetic basis are common in cybernetics and psychophysiology to explain the identity of the subject in transition. Identity, on the other hand, is the basis of the concept of dignity in palliative care. Psychophysiology investigates disturbances like pain and psychological illnesses, which are also present in palliative care. Psychophysiology, cybernetics, and palliative care have subjectivity and resources in common. Therapies based on cybernetic principles of psychophysiology can also be used for symptom control in palliative care in the oncology setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective: to study the impact of adenomyosis on the psychosomatic status of women of reproductive age. Materials and methods. A complex clinical-laboratory and instrumental prospective examination for women with adenomyosis was conducted in 224 patients aged 30 to 50 years (average age – 42.0±1.8 years). These patients were included in the main group of the study. The patients of the main group were divided into two subgroups depending on the form of adenomyosis: Group I – diffuse form – 106 women, Group II – nodular form – 118 women. The control group included 84 healthy women of reproductive age with a regular ovulatory menstrual cycle and no history of gynecological diseases. To assess the psychosomatic status of patients with adenomyosis we used the Aleksandrowicz method: a questionnaire of neurotic disorders – symptomatic (QND- S). Results. The conducted studies established that the largest number of patients were 36–40 years old – 92 (41.1±3.3%) women in the main group, and 37 (44.0±5.4%) women in the control group. A total of 152 (67.9±3.1%) patients of the main group were of reproductive age, 72 (32.1±3.1%) patients were of perimenopausal age. In patients with adenomyosis disorder of the menstrual cycle in the form of hyperpolymenorrhea was found in almost every third patient, and algomenorrhea – in almost every second person. The diagnosis was established for the first time in 8.49±2.7% of patients in Group I (9 women) and 3.38±1.8% in Group II (4 women). Less than 5 years of the disease was observed in 34.91±4.6% of patients of the Group I (37 women) and in 51.69±4.6% of the Group II (61 women). From 5 to 10 years, the disease was observed in 56.60±4.8% of patients of the Group I (60 women) and in 44.93±4.6% of the Group II (53 women). Affective stress (up to 15.50%), sleep disorders (up to 20.22%), anxiety-phobic disorders (up to 11.18%) were determined most often. Conclusions. In the vast majority of patients of reproductive age who have adenomyosis with pain syndrome, the personal characteristics are dominated by symptoms such as anxiety-phobic and depressive disorders, affective tension, sexual, obsessive and anankastic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Long-Term Care Nursing / Pielegniarstwo w Opiece Dlugoterminowej is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the midst of the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing challenges of the post-COVID era, this study presents the Integrated Health and Personality Adaptation Model (IHPAM), focusing on the critical examination of psychosomatic health determinants in Ukrainian men. Materials and methods. Conducted on a sample of 708 men from the Kyiv region, the research applies a comprehensive set of assessment tools to probe the complex interactions between physical health, psychological stress, personality dynamics, and adaptive coping mechanisms. We used the I-structural test of Ammon, Lifestyle Index (LSI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Assessment of the level of health by the main functional systems, Clinical questionnaire for the identification and assessment of neurotic conditions and rigorous factor analysis with SPSS-28. Results. The study identifies five key factors within the IHPAM: Physical Functioning Nexus, Destructive Functions of the Personality, The Psychological Stress Nexus, The Constructive Personality Matrix, and The Adaptive Defense Mechanisms. The IHPAM model underscores the multifaceted impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic on men's health, revealing significant psychosomatic disturbances. The study highlights the necessity for healthcare systems to adopt a holistic view, recognizing the pivotal role of psychological support, alongside physical health care, in mitigating the adverse effects of such unprecedented global and local stressors. Conclusions. IHPAM advocates for an integrated healthcare approach to the complex interdependencies between physical health, psychological wellbeing, and the socio-political environment, urging for targeted interventions that address the comprehensive health needs of men during times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Cluttering is a fluency disorder characterized by an abnormally fast or irregular speech delivery rate along with disfluencies that are frequent but are not judged to be stuttering. Data on cluttering prevalence in the general population are scarce, as well as its association with psychological well‐being indices, such as anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Aims: To estimate cluttering prevalence among undergraduates, as well as its relationship with psychological and well‐being indicators. Methods & Procedures: To address these issues, a large sample (n = 1582) of undergraduates completed a questionnaire that provided a lay definition of cluttering and were asked to identify themselves as clutterers (SI‐Clut), as well as to indicate the presence of several psychological and mental well‐being indices. Outcomes & Results: A total of 276 respondents (23%) self‐identified as clutterers (now or in the past), with 55.1% of those being male. Only 56 respondents (3.5% of the total sample; about 21% of SI‐Clut) reported having received speech therapy for cluttering. Relative to students self‐identifying as non‐clutterers, self‐identification of cluttering was associated with higher levels of psychosomatic symptoms, depressive symptoms and stress, indicating a tendency toward internalizing psychopathology, along with lower self‐esteem, and lower subjective happiness. Conclusions & Implications: The current findings point to the high prevalence of students self‐identifying as clutterers, along with a significant link between cluttering and mental distress. Therefore, it is important to increase public awareness of cluttering, its diagnosis and treatment. From the clinical perspective, the elevated levels of somatic complaints, anxiety and depression may represent internalizing psychopathology, associated with more covert rather than overt symptomatology. Such symptom manifestation calls for special attention from the speech–language pathologists providing cluttering therapy, using designated well‐being or mental health screening tools. Although data on standard cluttering treatment are limited, it should be customized to the client's unique difficulties. Speech–language pathologists' understanding of cluttering, which includes both speech characteristics as well as psychological and social aspects of well‐being, may assist them in implementing effective treatments. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Cluttering is a fluency disorder characterized by an abnormally fast or irregular speech rate, along with various disfluencies and articulatory imprecision. It may co‐occur with other disorders, such as learning disabilities, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Data on cluttering prevalence and its association with psychological well‐being indices, such as anxiety and depression, are limited. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: A total of 276 undergraduates (23%) self‐identified as clutterers, of whom 55.1% were males. A total of 56 respondents (3.5% of the total sample, and about 21% of undergraduates self‐identified as clutterers) reported having received speech therapy for cluttering. Psychosomatic symptoms, depressive symptoms and stress levels were higher among these students, suggesting a tendency toward internalizing psychopathology, along with a lower sense of self‐esteem and subjective happiness. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: The high prevalence of students self‐identifying as clutterers, along with the low percentage of respondents who received speech therapy for cluttering, emphasize the need to raise public awareness of the problem, its diagnosis and treatment (Reichel et al., 2010). The association between cluttering and mental distress requires speech–language pathologists to be aware that cluttering may have covert symptomatology, similar to stuttering, which should be addressed in therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental and psychological disorders are serious health problems worldwide. Anxiety among high school students can affect school performance, relationships, and family life. Objective: Our aim is to understand the anxiety levels and associated factors among high school students and compare the results of psychological tests measuring anxiety with the cortisol levels obtained from biological sampling. Method: In our longitudinal follow-up study, we involved 125 individuals in May 2019. Validated measurement tools were used during questionnaire data collection, including the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Clear Communication Scale, Multiple Social Perceived Support Scale, and related HBSC questions. As objective data, we collected hair samples for cortisol level measurement. Results: At the end of the school year, the anxiety levels measured by psychological tests were significantly higher (p = 0.001) compared to the anxiety levels at the beginning of the next school year. Anxiety levels were higher among girls and were influenced by the type of school and parental expectations. Both state anxiety and trait anxiety showed a strong correlation with psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001) and anxiety arising from school expectations (p < 0.05). The changes in cortisol levels did not follow the changes in psychological tests. Cortisol level increased (p = 0.01) in the second sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychogenic purpura is a rare but interesting psychosomatic condition where there are transient dermatohematological manifestations in response to antecedent psychological disturbances most commonly depression, whose pathophysiology is still an enigma. The objective of this case series is finding out the missing link between antecedent psychological disturbances and resultant purpura through psychoimmunologic exploration. In all four cases, patients were female, aged between third–fifth decade with depression being the common diagnosis, where transient painful bruising appeared only during antecedent stressful conditions. Immune-cytokine work-up in all the patients showed type 1/type 2 cytokine shift during bruises. With psychiatric treatment, there was not only improvement in depression and bruises, cytokine alterations were also normalized. Rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines with type 1/type 2 shift during stresses may cause these bruises by increasing the vascular permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosocial factors influence the development, exacerbation, or aggravation of some oral diseases. However, the possible relationship between personality traits, affective disorders, and psychological stress in oral diseases, and their impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), has not been fully clarified. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of neuroticism and stress with the presence of oral lichen planus (OLP), and to discover whether or not these factors impact OHRQoL. This is a case-control study matched for age and sex. The case group (OLP group) was composed of 20 patients diagnosed with OLP, while 20 people with a diagnosis of lesions not associated with stress formed the control group. Three instruments were used: the Holmes–Rahe Social Readjustment Scale, the Five Factor Personality Model, and the OHIP-49. Neuroticism obtained a score of 25.5 (±5.4) in the OLP group, which was higher than the control group value (21.7) (±5.1) (p = 0.03). The OLP group showed a worse quality of life (p < 0.05); the most affected dimensions were psychological discomfort and physical disability. It is important to include a psychological profile to establish a comprehensive treatment for these patients. We propose the recognition of a new area of clinical oral medicine: psycho-stomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psychogenic purpura, also known as autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome, is a rare condition which is characterized by spontaneous development of painful purpura, or ecchymoses. Skin lesions are usually preceded by stress and emotional trauma. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out history of trauma, drug intake and other bleeding disorders. Autoerythrocyte sensitization test (AEST) and a psychiatric evaluation helps in the diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To demonstrate the importance of AEST in diagnosing the patient of Gardner Diamond syndrome. Materials and Methods: Five suspected cases of autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome underwent AEST after ruling out other causes of bleeding. Results: Four out of five patients were positive for AEST while one patient was negative. Psychiatric complaints were present in three patients. One patient was lost to follow up. Rest all patients responded well to vitamin C supplementation. Conclusion: Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome is a rare disorder and is a diagnosis of exclusion, so a thorough workup of the patient to rule out common causes of bruising is essential. A high index of suspicion on the clinician's part and a simple OPD-based AEST may help in the diagnosis. Psychiatric consultation is important to find out the stress factor and timely management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Australian psychiatrist Niall McLaren is presented. When asked about his idea of natural dualism, McLaren explains that it is associated with philosopher David Chalmers and that his work offers biological mechanism by which a nonphysical mind emerges from the physical brain. He explains the computational model of the mind as an informational space he presented. He adds how mental disorders are defined in the biocognitive model.

The objective of the study is to determine the personal, behavioral and psychological variables associated with somatization and the number of diseases in each gender from a sample of Mexican general population. They answered a questionnaire of behavioral and psychological variables including somatization and the sum of 16 different diseases and any additional one, finally the body mass index (BMI) was measured. A total of 164 participants (women = 90, men = 74) were included. We observed that women had more somatization and number of diseases than men and that more variables (mainly psychological) were associated with somatization and with the number of diseases in women than in men. Among the variables most negatively correlated in women with both variables were sleep quality (r = −0.525 and r = −0.536, p < 0.001), self-acceptance (r = −0.460 and r = −0.501, p < 0.001), positive relations with others (r = −0.447 and r = −0.441 p < 0.001), environmental mastery (r = −0.414, p < 0.001, for both variables), purpose in life and optimism; while men only showed a low negative correlation between emotion regulation and the number of diseases (r = −0.289, p < 0.05). The positive associated variables in women were anxiety, negative emotions and depression; while men showed a lower correlation between these three variables only with somatization. The somatization and age were positively related to the number of diseases in both genders and the BMI was significantly associated with the number of diseases only in men. In conclusion, women had more somatization and number of diseases than men and also had more relation between psychological variables and the two dependent variables than men, which could in part explains the higher values of somatization and the number of diseases in women, considering that they usually present higher values of psychopathological variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'reactivity hypothesis' has a long and fruitful history in health psychology and behavioural medicine, with elements of its thesis taken as core and others lost in the plethora of research on its utility as a theory of psychosomatic disease. One such thesis is that the underlying hemodynamic profile of the stress response may be particularly revealing when detailing the impact of psychological stress on the development of cardiovascular disease. This paper re-examines old ideas surrounding the hemodynamic profile of the stress response, asking why its health-predictive properties were never fully explored. Further, this paper reviews the evidence that a vascular profile of stress responding may be especially predictive of disease development, particularly in the case of hypertension. In addition, measurement of hemodynamic profile, as well as its known psychosocial moderators, is reviewed including how examination of patterns of cardiovascular stress response adaptation may extend the field. This paper highlights that the extension of the reactivity hypothesis to include both hemodynamic profile and patterns of cardiovascular stress response adaptation may hold much explanatory power in detailing the impact of how stress responding and stress tolerance promotes disease development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the connections between skin disease and the psyche have been underestimated. Topics include considered psychodermatology is a relatively new discipline – a subspecialty of both psychiatry and dermatology; and considered this discipline addresses the interaction between mind and skin.

Epidemiological studies demonstrate the relevance of cardiovascular diseases for health policies and medical care, especially coronary heart diseases and myocardial infarction. Research has shown that a significant proportion of patients undergoing coronary angiography suffer from clinically relevant mental stress. The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent the psychological state of cardiology patients changes in short- and mid-term periods after coronary angiography has been performed. The study design is naturalistic, longitudinal and comparative about consecutively admitted patients undergoing coronary angiography (N = 419; consenting patients fulfilling inclusion criteria n = 68) at four measurement points: before and after angiography and 6 weeks and 6 months after discharge. The statistical analysis includes paired t-tests, chi-square tests, effect sizes and random effects regression models. The sample was representative of the target population. The prevalence of risk factors were: 84% heart attack, 31% diabetes and 84% hypertension. There were no angiographic pathological findings in 12% of the sample. The neuroticism levels of the sample was higher than in the general population. There were almost no pre-post differences for depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, self-efficacy, resilience or locus of control. At the mid-term, well-being and anxiety decreased and internal locus of control increased. Neuroticism was negatively and extraversion and openness were positively associated with mental state and resources. The sample showed persistent adverse subsyndromal depressivity. At the mid-term, patients realised that their prognosis also depends on their own behaviour (internal attribution). Special psychosomatic attention should be given to people with subsyndromal depression, higher emotional instability and those with angina pectoris symptoms displaying normal coronary angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological stress in a chronic course is implicated in various diseases, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and psychosomatic pain disorders. Commensal microbiota in the host tissues interact with each other and maintain overall health. Oral and gut microbiomes are considered as the most ecologically rich and taxonomically diverse microbiota communities in humans. The effects of psychological stress on the gut microbiome have been well documented, and the interaction is commonly referred as the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Like the gut microbiome, the oral microbiome contributes to maintaining both local and systemic health. Although the effects of psychological stress on the oral microbiome have been studied, comprehensive knowledge about the oral-brain axis is lacking. The oral cavity and gut can communicate with each other through the microbiota. Three-way interactions within the oral-gut-brain microbiota might exist in patients with psychological stress and disorders. The effect of psychological stress on the gut and oral microbiomes, and the potential interactions within the oral-gut-brain axis are discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between parental stress and parental depression symptoms. A total of 67 mothers took part in this study, of whom 39 mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 28 mothers of typically developing children. The self-reported measures of the Parental Stress Index III and the Questionnaire for Measuring Depression were used in this study. Mothers' stress domain, but not children' stress domain, was positively associated not only with mothers' total symptoms of depression but also with its dimensions such as cognitive deficits and a lack of energy, thinking about dead, pessimism, and a feeling of alienation, anxiety and guilt symptoms, psychosomatic symptoms and a loss of interest, and lower self-regulation abilities in a group of mothers of children with ASD. There were not nearly any significant associations between mothers' stress and mothers' depression symptoms in a sample of mothers of typically developing children. The results have practical implications for mental health support providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Despite the ubiquity of cybervictimization among youth, attention to weight‐based cybervictimization is scarce. Aims: This study assessed the prevalence of electronic forms of weight‐based peer victimization (i.e., cybervictimization) and its associations with adolescent health, as indicated by somatic symptoms, stress, depression, and sleep trouble. Materials & Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted online with a community sample of 452 adolescents aged 11–17 years old (Mage = 14.91 years). Results: Thirty‐three percent of adolescents reported at least one experience of weight‐based cybervictimization, with elevated rates among those with overweight (45%) and obesity (60%). Weight‐based cybervictimization was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms (β = 0.24; p < 0.001), stress (β = 0.22; p < 0.001), depression (β = 0.27; p < 0.001), and sleep trouble (β = 0.20; p < 0.001); these associations were consistent across adolescent weight status. Discussion and Conclusion: Findings suggest that the health implications of weight‐based victimization extend to the electronic context, and underscore the importance of addressing weight‐based cybervictimization in antibullying initiatives to support healthy adolescent well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Academic examinations are a frequent and significant source of student stress, but multimodal, psychophysiological studies are still missing. Participants & methods: Psychological and physiological variables were assessed on 154 undergraduate students in daily life using e-diaries resp. blood pressure devices at the beginning of the semester, and again before an examination. Results: Multilevel analysis revealed lower calmness, more negative valence, higher task-related stress, higher demands, lower perceived control, lower frequency of social contact, and a higher desire to be alone during the examination period (all p values <.0001), as well as lower ambulatory systolic blood pressure (p =.004), heightened cortisol at awakening (p =.021), and a smaller increase in cortisol (p =.012). Conclusions: Our study revealed empirical evidence that examination periods are not only associated with indicators of dysphoria, stress, and social withdrawal but also by altered physiological processes, which might reflect anticipatory stress and withdrawal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes one of the effective methods of neuropsychological correction of psychosomatic disorders that arose as a result of nervous breakdown and under the influence of chronic stress. The interrelation between the influence of psychological factors and an inadequate emotional response to stress on the appearance of psychosomatic disorders is described. The classification of psychosomatic disorders, which include neurosis-like, conversion, somatomorphic and hypochondriacal disorders is considered. Some aspects of the action of the mechanism of emotional burnout, which is the cause of the appearance of a complex of symptoms of psychosomatic disorders are analyzed. Taking into account the individual neuropsychological (including characteristics of the encephalic asymmetry) and psychophysiological characteristics of the client with psychosomatic disorders, the neuropsychological correction of psychosomatic disorders is described. The most significant conditions for the neuropsychological correction of psychosomatic disorders are noted. A system of neuropsychological corrective measures has been drawn up for clients with emotional burnout, as a result of which psychosomatic disorders appear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Academic stress negatively affects the students' mental state, leading to lower academic performance, reduction in the level of professional training, and success in the future. This study aims to investigate the medical and psychological status of senior students in medical and pedagogical departments. We hope to propose some recommendations for preventing maladaptation associated with stressful influences Methods: This research is a descriptive and comparative study and investigates the mental health of senior students. A consecutive sample of 192 fifth-year students was selected by convenience sampling method. They were examined using the medico-sociological and psychometric methods. There were 137 students of medical and 55 pedagogical students aged 20-29 years (Mean±SD=21.8±1.2 years; 142 women and 50 men). The participants completed the test for academic stress, social phobia inventory, Beck depression inventory-2, Beck anxiety inventory, and depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (Lovibond, Lovibond). The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software v. 16. Results: There are many differences between the mental health status of the study groups. These differences comprise suicide ideation, suicide attempt, depression, and symptoms of social phobia. However, there were no differences between study groups regarding anxiety, high academic load, and disappointment in the profession, and manifestations of educational stress, including fatigue and psychosomatic symptoms. The routine methods for overcoming stress were drinking alcohol (most often among medical students), smoking, and taking nonprescription sedatives, which was a risk factor for addictive behaviors. Discussion: It is necessary to develop and implement psychoeducational programs for medical and pedagogical students to acquire adaptive skills to overcome stress and reduce anxiety and depression, eventually preventing the development of psychosomatic disorders and addictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Older adults' greater susceptibility to mortality from COVID-19 may have meaningful psychological implications not only for them, but also for their children. In this study, we focused on daughters of older women and examined the intergenerational relationships as a correlate of daughters' anxiety, depressive symptoms, and psychosomatic complaints. Method: Data were collected from 456 daughters of older mothers (M(age) = 40.82) during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Israel, when a relatively strict lockdown was enforced, separating mothers and daughters. Results: Findings suggest that while mothers' objective risk factors (age and morbidity) were mostly not associated with their daughters' distress, the daughters' concern about their mothers, and their perceived ambivalence in the relationship with the mother, as well as structural and affectual solidarity, were. Conclusion: We conclude that the mother-daughter relationship is an important correlate of daughters' reactions to this health crisis. Practically, it suggests that some daughters to aging mothers could be at a greater risk for emotional distress following the COVID-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: There is an urgent need to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health and health behaviours. To date, there are no such studies on Swedish adolescents. As COVID-19 emerged in the middle of our ongoing 2-year follow-up examination of the Study of Adolescence Resilience and Stress, we had the unique opportunity to use the corona outbreak as a 'natural experiment' to study the impact of COVID-19 on 15-year-old adolescents in Sweden. Methods: Adolescents (baseline age 13.6±0.4 years) were recruited from schools in western Sweden (during the COVID-19 outbreak schools were kept open for those under 16 years of age). The COVID-19 pandemic reached Sweden on 31 January 2020. A total of 1316 adolescents answered the 2-year follow-up survey before (unexposed to COVID-19 pandemic, controls) and 584 after 1 February 2020 (COVID19-exposed). Data on stress, psychosomatic symptoms, happiness, relationships with parents and peers, school and health behaviours were collected. Results: Adolescents reported higher levels of stress and psychosomatic symptoms and lower levels of happiness at follow-up compared to baseline. These changes occurred to a similar extent in both the control and COVID-19-exposed groups. Likewise, the COVID-19-exposed group showed no deterioration in peer relations or relations with parents versus controls. We did not find any significant differences between groups regarding sleep duration and physical activity. Conclusions: Swedish adolescents exposed to COVID-19 during most of 2020 showed no differences in longitudinal changes in mental health, relationships with parents and peers, and health behaviours compared to those not exposed to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective wellbeing has been conceptualized as a person's cognitive and affective evaluation of their life. In this line, life satisfaction and somatic complaints may be outstanding indicators of well-being. The aim of this longitudinal study was to analyze the combined contribution of trait emotional intelligence, self-esteem and perceived stress to well-being. Participants were 381 pupils aged 12–16 years (56.1% female). Hierarchical regression models and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) were conducted. Trait emotional intelligence, self-esteem and low perceived stress were related in the expected direction to life satisfaction and somatic complaints. Findings support a specific pathway to improve wellbeing in preadolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the factor structure of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) clinical scales for military service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Retrospective analysis of existing data base. The sample included 210 service members with TBI who completed the PAI as part of a neuropsychological evaluation at a military TBI clinic. Statistical analysis included exploratory factor analysis of 214 items of the 11 PAI clinical scales. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a four-factor solution accounting for 30.4% of the variance in scores. A review of the face validity of the items from each factor generated the following factor labels: Somatic/Psychiatric/Cognitive Distress, Social Distress, Substance Misuse, and Depression. The PAI appears to assess general distress (i.e., somatic/psychiatric/cognitive) and substance misuse constructs for both psychiatric and TBI populations, but it also appears to assess a "social distress" construct (i.e., difficulties socializing in both military and civilian populations) that is unique to military populations. Suggestions are offered to re-conceptualize PAI clinical scales specific to psychopathology (i.e., schizophrenia, paranoia, mania, borderline, antisocial) and personality disorders (i.e., borderline, antisocial) in terms of neurologic and military specific issues for service members with TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive situations often hinge on one pressurized moment. In these situations, individuals' psychophysiological states determine performance, with a challenge state associated with better performance than a threat state. But what can be done if an individual experiences a threat state? This study examined one potential solution: arousal reappraisal. Fifty participants received either arousal reappraisal or control instructions before performing a pressurized, single-trial, motor task. Although both groups initially displayed cardiovascular responses consistent with a threat state, the reappraisal group displayed a cardiovascular response more reflective of a challenge state (relatively higher cardiac output and/or lower total peripheral resistance) after the reappraisal manipulation. Furthermore, despite performing similarly at baseline, the reappraisal group outperformed the control group during the pressurized task. The results demonstrate that encouraging individuals to interpret heightened physiological arousal as a tool that can help maximize performance can result in more adaptive cardiovascular responses and motor performance under pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin and treatment of cancer is analyzed using a biopsychosocial-spiritual model. The initial disorders on the psycho-social-spiritual level (i.e., specific psychosomatic type of "C" personality, unresolved psychic traumas and inner conflicts) creates the chronic psychological stress that extends to the body and becomes physiological. This suppresses the activity of the immune and other systems of anti-cancer defense. When disorders of all the four level persists for a long time, one can ends up in a state of hopelessness, helplessness, depression and develops an avital experience, which the author considers a psychospiritual crisis. Should a patient requests psychotherapeutic help in time, becomes aware of the psychological causes of his illness, gets rid of psychic traumas and conflicts, begins to engage in self-knowledge, and decisively changes his life, then he has a high chance of achieving the post-traumatic growth and psycho-spiritual transformation that activate natural healing resources of his body. This may lead to a state of prolonged remission or even complete healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a painful disorder characterized by severe burning in the oral cavity in the absence of clinical signs. In this case-control study, 60 patients were allocated to 3 groups: patients with BMS, patients with benign changes in the oral cavity (anxiety [positive] control group), or healthy patients (negative control group). A visual analog scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety and Depression inventories, Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory, Xerostomia Inventory-Dutch Version, and a BMS questionnaire were used. Statistical analyses (P< 0.05) were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn post hoc, Pearson chi-square, Fisher exact, and multinomial logistic regression tests. Most of the patients were female. The BMS group had more patients who were older than 60 years (P = 0.008), more patients with high VAS scores (P < 0.001), and more patients with moderate or severe anxiety (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.001) than the 2 control groups. Patients in the BMS group also had higher rates of stress during the alarm (P = 0.003), resistance (P < 0.001), and exhaustion phases (P < 0.001). All patients with BMS reported burning and xerostomia, 90% reported a feeling of dry mouth, and 80% reported a change in taste; these values were significantly higher than those in the control groups (P < 0.001). Anxiety was independently associated with a 123.80 times greater risk of having BMS (P = 0.004). Psychological factors are directly associated with BMS, and anxiety is the most important of these factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Despite the suggestion of a relationship between development or progression of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and psychological stress, few studies have reported its proportion or association with treatment efficacy. Objective: We aimed to investigate the proportion of MPS with psychological stress among cancer patients and to compare the efficacy of trigger point injection (TPI) in the same patients with/without psychological stress. Design: This was a prospective observational study. Setting/Patients: Participants were 205 patients with cancer who received TPIs for MPS at a hospital in Japan. Results: The proportion of patients with MPS and psychological stress was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50–0.64). The TPI efficacy rate at seven days after treatment was 0.55 (95% CI 0.46–0.64) for patients with MPS and psychological stress and 0.82 (95% CI 0.74–0.90) for their counterparts without psychological stress (p < 0.004). The odds ratio for TPI efficacy seven days after treatment with psychological stress versus without psychological stress was 0.25 (95% CI 0.13–0.49). Conclusions: MPS was a clinical symptom of psychosomatic disorder in approximately half of our patients. The TPI efficacy for patients with MPS who had psychological stress was lower than for their counterparts without psychological stress. Trial registration: UMIN000041210. Registered 27 July 2020 (retrospectively registered). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current outbreak of COVID-19 infection among humans is strongly impacting global physical and mental health. This outbreak can induce or exacerbate some chronic disorders such as functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) due to stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, denial, anger, and fear. The current focus on the physical aspects of COVID-19 infection may distract public attention from the psychosocial consequences of this outbreak. The mental disorders related to this outbreak may develop and extend FGIDs in the long term. FGIDs have a significant impact on daily activities and quality of life and also cause high economic burdens through direct medical costs and loss of productivity. The purpose of this mini-review was to emphasize the critical state of old and new cases of FGIDs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Published English papers about mental health disorders related to the COVID19 outbreak or before the infectious outbreak, stress, and FGIDs were considered and reviewed. We selected articles which were current and had the most relevance to FGIDs, psycho-somatization, and infectious outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crisis intervention has become a widespread concern during the Covid-19 pandemic for psychotherapists seeking to support people acutely affected by this crisis. This article aims to introduce core principles of the crisis intervention conception as well as expanding these with relevant contemporary psychophysiological perspectives on somatic crisis phenomena and interventions. Conceptions and interventions are relevant and applicable in face to face, digital and telephone settings. The author draws on the contents of a virtual workshop, held multiple times from March to May 2020, which was created to assist psychotherapists who volunteered for online psychological initiatives and projects aiming to support frontline medical staff during the pandemic and assist with Covid-19 related acute psychological stress issues. The article clarifies distinctions between crisis and trauma and offers perspectives on recognising crisis states as well as ideas and conceptions that may guide psychotherapists seeking to support, contain and resource clients during a crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psoriasis is worldwide but the prevalence varies among different ethnicities. Reported prevalence of psoriasis in North India of 0.8% in the seventies has now risen to 2.8%. Psoriasis is associated with significant psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity. Data on Indian patients is limited. Indian studies reported a psychiatric morbidity ranging from 32.33% to 84%. Furthermore, aspects like correlation with type and severity has not been explored in many studies. Our study aimed to assess the psychological distress and patients’ perceived stress in psoriatic patients, and explore the correlation with type and severity. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Ninety five patients of previously diagnosed cases of psoriasis, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken up for the study. The patients were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire for demographics followed by detailed assessment. Tools used were- (1) Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), (2) General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and (3) Perceived Stress Scale. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 16, represented as Tables. Results: Psychological distress was prevalent in psoriasis (61%). Higher distress was noted in moderate severity (73%) and in guttate variety of psoriasis (100%), with significant correlation (p=0.002). Perceived stress was also highest in moderate severity and guttate variety. Conclusions: Our study reveals that distress and stress experienced by patients need not always be proportional to the disease severity as previously reported. This necessitates evaluation of all psoriasis patients for psychological morbidity and stress irrespective of plaque severity.

Background: In adolescence, physical symptoms may develop due to psychosocial problems, but such problems are not fully evaluated in school medical checkups. The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of students with high and low scores on the Questionnaire for Triage and Assessment with 30 items (QTA30) in a school health checkup. Methods: The QTA30 (a self‐completed questionnaire) was used in checkups for 3,414 students from the 5th grade of primary schools to the 3rd grade of junior high schools in south Wakayama Prefecture. The students were divided into groups with high (QTA30 ≥ 37) and low (QTA30 < 37) risk for psychosomatic disorder. Eleven items, including gender, grade, lifestyle habits, and life events, were compared between these groups, and in subgroups with and without recent absence from school. Results: The QTA30 response rate was 87.9%. The high‐risk group had significantly more 3rd grade students (P< 0.001), females (P< 0.001), problems with teachers or friends (P< 0.001), and experience of bullying (P< 0.001), in addition to game playing for ≥2 h (P< 0.001), late bedtime (P< 0.001), and many absences (P< 0.001). Students in the high‐risk group with no absences for 1 month regardless of age still had a late bedtime and problems with friends, and 76.4% of the high‐risk students had not visited a medical institution. Conclusions: Use of the QTA30 facilitated detection of psychosomatic stress in school medical checkups, with latent risks of truancy detectable at an early phase. The QTA30 may thus be useful in early intervention for psychosomatic stress of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although alexithymia has been found to be associated with physical symptoms in psychosomatic disorders such as asthma, mechanisms linking this association are unknown. However, affective alexithymic features may be associated with physical symptoms in the presence of deficits in affective characteristics such as low empathy and high negative affect. This study aimed to assess direct effects of alexithymic traits on physical symptoms and indirect effects of these subscales through empathy and negative affect (e.g. depressive, anxious and stress symptoms) by controlling for asthma severity in patients with asthma. Three hundred patients with asthma completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale‐20 (TAS‐20), the Basic Empathy Scale (BES), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales‐21 (DASS‐21) and the Physical Symptoms Inventory (PSI). After controlling for asthma severity, the results showed that alexithymia subscales of the TAS‐20 had no direct effects on physical symptoms, but the difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) subscale of the TAS‐20 was associated with affective empathy and negative affect. Affective empathy was significantly related to negative affect. Affective empathy and negative affect were associated with physical symptoms. The affective subscale of alexithymia on the TAS‐20, that is DIF, indirectly affected physical symptoms through affective empathy and negative affect. Findings suggest that patients with asthma who have high levels of DIF may show high physical symptoms in the presence of low affective empathy and high negative affect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Absence from work due to illness is one of the important problems in organizations in Serbia. The subjective experience of stress contributes to the degree of absenteeism for several reasons: the demands of the organization in relation to its employees, the low standard of living and care for existence, poor health prevention, and many others. According to European standards, subjective stress contributes to high absenteeism in organizations and to relatively significant health problems. The lack of preventive health care measures, and unclear organizational requirements that do not correspond to the capacities of employees are among the causes of this phenomenon. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the research is to determine and identify the existence of stress indicators manifested through self-evaluation of the respondents, as well as to establish the nature of the relationship between stress symptoms and general demographic indicators, personal health assessment and the existence of stressful events of the respondents. This paper presents an analysis of the results of stress indicators, as well as psychosomatic difficulties whose existence could indicate the occurrence or increase of absenteeism of employees in organizations. RESULTS: Significant differences between stress symptoms with respect to age, years of service, the self-evaluation of health, and recorded unpleasant events were apparent. CONCLUSIONS: In Serbia, the problem of absenteeism, primarily sickness-related, is quite pronounced and significantly higher than in other European countries. Researching the causes of stress and the possibilities for decreasing and preventing it would help reduce adverse effects on the health, economic and psychological state of both employees and organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Throughout the world, women report poorer self-assessed health than men. In Sweden, women's life circumstances have changed on many levels during the past decades. While cognition and bodily health have improved, mental health has deteriorated. During the 1980s and 1990s, Swedish women's self-rated health was deteriorating with an increase of psychosomatic diseases. Common mental disorders have increased most rapidly and contributed to an increase in sick leaves. Purpose: The aim of this study was to study secular trends in self-assessed health in SF-36, in three different cohorts of women examined in 1992– 1993, 2000– 2001, 2004– 2006 and 2016– 2017. Participants and Methods: Data from the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg were used where 38-, 50-, 70- and 75-year-old women had responded to SF-36 over a period of 24 years. SF-36 is a questionnaire concerning self-assessed health that consists of eight different subcategories, ie, four about physical health and four about mental health. This study made a comparison between the different results in SF-36 during 24 years. Results: Results showed that today's 38-year-old women had poorer self-rated health in four subcategories, social functioning (SF), mental health (MH), vitality (VT) and general health (GH), compared to 24 years ago. Fifty-year-old women rated their health better in one subcategory, physical functioning (PF), and worse in another subcategory, VT. Seventy-year-old women rated their health better in two subcategories, physical role (RP) and emotional role (RE). Conclusion: This study indicates that poor mental health is increasing among middle-aged women and that increased mental stress levels can be an underlying factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to stressful stimuli activates kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling, a process known to produce aversion and dysphoria in humans and other species. This endogenous opioid system is dysregulated in stress-related disorders, specifically in major depressive disorder (MDD). These findings serve as the foundation for a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of KOR antagonists as novel antidepressants. In this review, data supporting the hypothesis of dysregulated KOR function in MDD are considered. The clinical data demonstrating the therapeutic efficacy and safety of selective and mixed opioid antagonists are then presented. Finally, the preclinical evidence illustrating the induction of behaviors relevant to the endophenotypes of MDD and KOR antagonist activity in stress-naïve and stress-exposed animals is evaluated. Overall, this review highlights the emergent literature supporting the pursuit of KOR antagonists as novel therapeutics for MDD and other stress-related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Accelerated brain aging has been proposed to explain cancer-related cognitive impairment, but empirical evidence for this relationship is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau, biomarkers of neurodegeneration, in relation to cognition in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). We explored relationships among peripheral concentrations of Aβ42, Aβ-40, tau, and cytokines; cognitive function; and psychosomatic symptoms in a cohort of BCSs post-chemotherapy. Methods: This secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study was conducted with 65 BCSs. Serum total Aβ-42, Aβ-40, and tau levels were measured with single molecule array technology. Cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], interferon [IFN]-g, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL1-b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, and IL-8) were simultaneously measured in serum using multiplex assays. Cognitive function was measured with five standardized neuropsychological tests and psychosomatic symptoms (stress, loneliness, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness) with self-report questionnaires. Data analyses included correlations and random forest regression (RFR). Results: Significant correlations were identified among hip-to-waste ratio, number of treatment modalities, Aβ-42, Aβ-40, and tau levels (r s =.27–.35, p s <.05). RFR modeling including Aβ-42, Aβ-40, tau, and cytokines as features explained significant variance in cognitive function (R 2 =.71, F = 9.01, p <.0001) and psychosomatic symptoms (R 2 =.74, F = 10.22, p <.0001). Conclusions: This study suggests that neurodegenerative biomarkers interact with cytokines to influence cognitive functioning and psychosomatic symptoms in BCSs following chemotherapy, but additional research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People can experience disasters vicariously (indirectly) via conversation, social media, radio, and television, even when not directly involved in a disaster. This study examined whether vicarious exposure to the MH17‐airplane crash in Ukraine, with 196 Dutch victims, elicited affective and somatic responses in Dutch adults about 2,600 km away, who happened to participate in an ongoing diary study. Participants (n = 141) filled out a diary three times a day for 30 days on their smartphones. Within‐person changes in positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) and somatic symptoms after the crash were studied. Additionally, we tested whether between‐person differences in response could be explained by age, baseline personality (NEO‐FFI‐3), and media exposure. The MH17 crash elicited a small within‐person decrease in PA and an increase in NA and somatic symptoms. This response waned after 3 days and returned to baseline at day four. The decrease in PA was larger in more extraverted participants but smaller in those higher on neuroticism or conscientiousness. The NA response was smaller in elderly. Personality did not seem to moderate the NA and somatic response, and neither did media exposure. Dutch participants showed small acute somatic and affective responses up till 3 days to a disaster that they had not directly witnessed. Vicariously experienced disasters can thus elicit affective‐visceral responses indicative of acute stress reactions. Personality and age explained some of the individual differences in this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When investigating the etiology of diseases, epidemiological observational studies traditionally deemphasize psychosomatic associations. Exploring cognitive behavior provides an insight into how psychosomatic associations affect disease. Yoga philosophy identifies the kleshas (mental afflictions) of ignorance, ego, desire, hatred, and fear of death with disease. This is because individuals' perceptions and beliefs generate and reflect streams of thought that may shape their behavior and manifest as, or predispose them to, particular disease(s). The present study takes a yogic philosophical perspective to help elucidate unexplored associations between thinking about different aspects of life and the severity of Parkinson's disease (PD). The study involved a cross-sectional sample survey. Parkinson's New Zealand selected a random sample of 990 of its members. A self-completed questionnaire was sent to them. It asked questions about how often, over the previous 4 weeks, they had thought about 18 aspects of life commonly associated with the kleshas. A completed questionnaire was returned by 319 people (32%). Respondents thought most about family (87%), health (64%), rest and sleep (57%), food (53%), and the future (52%). They reported thinking least about work (48%), sex (45%), death (42%), and being virtuous (39%). A weak, but hypothesized positive, association (r = 0.2, p < 0.000) was detected between PD severity and thinking about death. The study could not determine whether thinking about death was (1) a cause or consequence of PD severity, and (2) a premorbid behavior. However, the possibility that stress associated with thinking about death accelerates PD progression is consistent with yoga philosophy and with neurophysiological mechanisms associated with the psychosomatic connections. The findings are worthy of future testing. A retrospective cohort study and qualitative research could deepen understanding about the role of kleshas in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Art of Healing / Sztuka Leczenia is the property of Jagiellonian University Medical College and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine whether physical health and well-being are affected by work rumination and the role of work interruptions as job events. It was hypothesized that stressful work interruptions, would be related to affective rumination, psychosomatic symptoms and poorer general health. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of work rumination in the relationship between work interruptions, physical and general well-being. METHODS: Self-reports of distressing work interruptions, psychosomatic symptoms and general health data were gathered from employees (N = 139) from diverse occupational groups. RESULTS: Affective rumination acted as a partial mediator (β= 0.37) and moderator (β= 0.24) in the relationship between stressful work interruptions and psychosomatic symptoms. As a mediator affective rumination explains 34.8% of the effect of work interruptions on psychosomatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Affective rumination about work hinders psycho-physiological recovery, and such an effect relates to stressful work interruptions. Implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the shift toward a biopsychosocial paradigm of medicine, many physicians and mental health professionals (MHPs) find it difficult to treat patients with psycho-somatic disorders. This situation is particularly troublesome due to the high prevalence of these conditions. Although progress has been made over the last few decades in understanding mechanisms underlying the mind-body relationship, disparities remain between research and its clinical implementation. One possible reason for this is the lack of a comprehensive, agreed-upon model that incorporates a biopsychosocial framework and is rooted in an understanding of the various psychobiological pathways. Such a model would enable better communication between physicians and MHPs, allowing them to provide coordinated, stratified treatment. In this paper, four archetypal case studies, together with standard care options are presented to illustrate the current state of affairs. A four-tiered conceptual model of mind-body interrelationships based on pathophysiological and psychopathological mechanisms is suggested to help optimize the treatment of somatic complaints. This Four-Cluster model consists of: (1) Organic Conditions: Structural, or degenerative processes that can affect mood and psychological responses but are not clearly exacerbated by stress. (2) Stress Exacerbated Diseases: Biological disorders with a distinct pathophysiology, such as inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, whose progression is clearly exacerbated by stress. (3) Functional Somatic Syndromes : Conditions wherein heightened sensitivity to stimuli together with hyper-reactivity of the autonomic system form a "vicious cycle" of mutually enhancing learning processes. These processes involve biological mechanisms, such as central sensitization and psychological mechanisms such as catastrophization and selective attention. (4) Conversion Disorder: Physical manifestations of psychological distress, expressed somatically. Symptoms are solely an expression of problems in patients' psychic functioning and are not caused by biological pathology. Finally, suggested management of the aforementioned case studies is presented through the lens of the Four-Cluster model and a proposed integration of our model with existing theories is discussed. As it is rooted in an understanding of psychobiological pathways of illness, the proposed model enables a new way to discern which form of mind-body interaction is manifesting in different diseases and proposes a way to coordinate treatment plans accordingly, to enhance the accuracy and efficacy of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the role of personality traits on psychosomatic distress (PD) and tested the hypothesis that the association between perfectionism and PD would be moderated by self-compassion. One hundred and seventy-three community volunteers, of whom 24.9% were men, mean age 31.52 ± 13.29, reported online on the DS14, a measure of Type D personality, on the TCI-140, a measure of temperament and character, on the Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale, on the short form of the self-compassion scale and on the SOMS-7 for psychosomatic symptoms. We defined psychosomatic distress as the product of the symptom count and severity rating score of the SOMS-7. The hierarchical linear regression model that included all the personality variables as well as the interaction term between self-compassion and perfectionism accounted for 25% of the variance in PD. The interaction between perfectionism and self-compassion entered into the model in the last block was highly protective. High self-compassion moderated the effect of perfectionism on PD. Our finding correspond with the notion that personality can enhance PD but can also mitigate it. Protective personality traits, such as self-compassion, might be good targets for psychological intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although stress has been widely acknowledged to link to psychosomatic dysfunctioning, the underlying mechanism that transmits the impact is not adequately investigated. This study examined self-compassion as a potential mediator that may explain the pathway from stress to depressive and somatic symptoms. Data in the present study were drawn from a baseline survey of 998 Chinese participants who enrolled in an intervention study on sleep disturbance in Hong Kong. Participants completed measures of perceived stress, self-compassion, depressive symptoms, and somatic symptoms. The results showed that stress was associated with depressive symptoms (r = .79, p < .01) and somatic symptoms (r = .47, p < .01). The path analyses showed that low levels of self-compassion mediated the association between stress and psychosomatic symptoms. Our findings provide insight into the pathway how stress affects psychosomatic symptoms. The intervention programs for stress management to improve psychological and physical functioning are recommended to consider self-compassion as a promising component in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the relationship of stress to orofacial pathology. It investigates the effects of stress and how it leads to a certain disease. It identifies that stress varies from one patient to another. It also presents some specific disorders which could anteceded by stress. These disorders include herpes labialis, herpangina or aphthous pharyngitis, angio-neurotic edema, periodontal disease, schmutz pyorrhea. Moreover, the article also presents a case of 33-year-old woman who suffered from pemphigus vulgaris due to psychosomatic stress.