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The last decade has seen the increased prevalence of obesity as a public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. At the same time, studies have shown that there is a two-way relationship between low-calorie diets and depression in obese individuals. This study was designed and implemented to investigate the effect of a low-calorie high-protein diet on psychometric variables in obese individuals. The present study is a Randomized Clinical Trial. Individuals meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (low-calorie diet with increased protein percentage) or the control group (standard protein percentage) using block stratification. Psychometric characteristics of the participants were evaluated using the DASS-21 questionnaire. There were no significant differences in enrollment between the two groups with respect to anthropometric variables, body composition, and physical activity (p-value >.05). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of psychological variables (depression, anxiety and stress) (p-value >.05). However, the intervention groups had significantly lower depression and anxiety scores 15 days into the intervention (p-value <.05). After 30 and 60 days of intervention, significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of depression, stress, and anxiety (p-value <.05), indicating a relative improvement in psychometric variables in the intervention group (p-value <.05). The results of this study showed that low-calorie diets with a high-protein percentage can significantly improve psychometric variables in obese people. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20221101056371N1.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While clinical diagnosis of mental health issues focuses on factual details represented by literal language (e.g., the onset and process of the triggering event and duration of symptom), the relationship between metaphorical language and psychopathological experiences remains an intriguing question. Focusing on psychological trauma triggered by the 2019–2020 Hong Kong social unrest, this study explored the correlations between trauma victims' quantitative metaphor usage patterns and their experience of specific Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) symptoms. Methods: Forty-six individuals with trauma exposure within 28 days were recruited through convenience sampling. Each completed a 20– to 30-minute semi-structured interview and filled out the Chinese version of the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ; 1). Metaphors in the interviews were identified using the discourse dynamic approach (2), and clinically interesting categories related to trauma and emotion expression, as revealed by previous literature, were sorted out. Standardized frequencies of the categories were correlated with participants' SASRQ scores of five major ASD symptoms, and the correlational patterns were interpreted from a discourse analytic perspective. Results: The study reveals how metaphor usage patterns can reflect the speakers' differentiated experiences of psychopathological symptoms. Compared with individuals who experienced less trauma, those more disturbed by the re-experiencing symptom were more inclined to use emotion-related metaphors and to metaphorize about the self and the self-society relationship. Individuals who experienced more severe anxiety and hyperarousal showed a heightened awareness of self-related issues and diminished attention to others. Those who suffered from more severe impairment in functioning produced more metaphors in the negative valence. Dissociation and avoidance, which were less experientially salient and intense than the others, were not significantly correlated with metaphor usage patterns. Conclusion: This study establishes symptom-level metaphor usage patterns as a previously overlooked but interesting avenue in trauma evaluation, treatment, and research. While the study is confined to a single context, it nevertheless reveals the potential for metaphor research findings to be incorporated as useful materials in psychology education and therapist training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The global prevalence of obesity has become a significant public health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of a low-calorie, high-protein diet on psychometric variables in obese individuals. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, eligible participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group, which received a low-calorie diet with an increased percentage of protein, or the control group, which followed a standard protein percentage diet. The psychometric characteristics of the participants were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-2 (DASS-2) questionnaire. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in anthropometric variables, body composition, and physical activity between the two groups (p-value > .05). Likewise, no significant differences were found in psychological variables, including depression, anxiety, and stress, (p-value > .05). However, the intervention group exhibited significantly lower depression and anxiety scores at the 15-day mark of the intervention (p-value < .05). Furthermore, at 30 and 60 days, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of depression, stress, and anxiety (p-value < .05), indicating a relative improvement in psychometric variables in the intervention group (p-value < .05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that implementing low-calorie diets with a high protein percentage can lead to significant improvements in psychometric variables among obese individuals. The trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, with the identifier IRCT20221101056371N1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate daily deviations of selected physiological and psychometric variables in elite Gaelic football players during a pre-competition training camp to minimize the risk of overtraining and injury. Thirty elite Gaelic football players (26.9 ± 3.5 years, 182.8 ± 6.1 cm, 84.6 ± 8.1 kg) participated in this study. Data were collected during a 5-day warm-weather training camp. External training loads (TL) of total distance (TD) and high-speed running distance (HSR) were measured via global positioning system (GPS) technology. Physiological response to external load was measured via countermovement jump (CMJ) using an Electronic Jump Mat. Internal TL (Session RPE X Session Duration) was recorded for each player post-session and psychometric data were recorded each morning upon rising using the Metrifit athlete monitoring system, calculating a readiness to train (RTT) score for each player. There were no statistically significant day to day variations in countermovement jump (CMJ) scores and RTT (Coefficient of Variation: 7.98% & 13.87%, small to moderate effect size respectively). Data were stratified based on the volume of HSR performed, with no statistically significant differences in RTT on the following day between selected high or low 'loaders'. While TD, HSR and internal TL varied significantly from day to day, there were no adverse effects on individual CMJ or RTT scores on the following day. The findings of the current study demonstrate that an appropriately planned pre-competition training camp can provide a dedicated and prolonged period of time to develop tactical and team play elements while not adversely impacting levels of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a descriptive account of ratings based on psychometric variables of perceived twenty-five health risk factors, their information sources and the confidence in the information sources among Cameroonians nationwide. Health risk factors such as HIV/AIDS, natural disasters, terrorism, unprotected sex, unemployment, alcohol consumption, street crime, cigarette smoking, poverty, malaria, cholera and motorcycle accidents were among the greatest perceived health risk factors by the population. On the other hand, female genital mutilation and natural health products were ranked the lowest posing health risk factors among Cameroonians. Also, women perceived more health risks than men, with large differences in the perceived risks of unemployment and chronic diseases. Respondents across the regions younger than forty years old reported greater concerns over health risk factors than those over forty years old. Media organisations, health and professional groups were reported as the main sources of information as well as greater confidence in information obtained from health personnel compared with other information sources among the population. The results obtained from this study showed public concern over several health risk factors, and policies directed towards the effective communication and management strategies of health risks within the communities aimed at the development of health prevention/promotion programmes of the nation should be encouraged.

In a 2013 US national public opinion survey, data were collected from 1321 adult respondents for five psychometric variables – Dread, Scientists’ Level of Understanding, Public’s Level of Understanding, Number Affected, and Likelihood – for six threats (sea-level rise, increased flooding, and four others) associated with climate change. Respondents also rated perceived risk and indicated the resource level that they believed should be invested in management programs for each threat. Responses did not vary significantly across the six threats, so they were combined. The survey collected standard demographic information, as well as measuring climate change knowledge and environmental values (New Ecological Paradigm, NEP). Psychometric variables predicted perceived risk extremely well (R = .890,p < .001); all five psychometric variables were significant predictors. The results were generally consistent with previous research except that Scientists’ Level of Understanding was a positive, rather than negative, predictor of perceived risk. Jointly the demographic variables, knowledge, and environmental values significantly predicted perceived risk (R = .504,p < .001). Consistent with previous research, significant positive predictors were age, Democratic Party Identification, and NEP score; significant negative predictors were male gender and White ethnicity. When demographic variables, knowledge, and environmental values were added to psychometric ones, only the psychometric variables were statistically significant predictors. Perceived risk strongly predicted resource level (r = .772,p < .001). Adding demographic, knowledge, and environmental value variables to perceived risk as predictors of resource level did not appreciably increase overall predictive ability (r = .790,p < .001), although White ethnicity emerged as a significant negative predictor and religiosity, Democratic Party Identification, Liberal Political Ideology, and NEP score were significant positive predictors. The results demonstrate that risk perceptions of climate change and policy preferences among climate change management options are highly predictable as a function of demographic, knowledge, environmental values, and psychometric variables. Among these, psychometric variables were found to be the strongest predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 2009 national telephone survey of 924 U.S. adults assessed perceptions of terrorism and homeland security issues. Respondents rated severity of effects, level of understanding, number affected, and likelihood of four terrorist threats: poisoned water supply; explosion of a small nuclear device in a major U.S. city; an airplane attack similar to 9/11; and explosion of a bomb in a building, train, subway, or highway. Respondents rated perceived risk and willingness to pay (WTP) for dealing with each threat. Demographic, attitudinal, and party affiliation data were collected. Respondents rated bomb as highest in perceived risk but gave the highest WTP ratings to nuclear device. For both perceived risk and WTP, psychometric variables were far stronger predictors than were demographic ones. OLS regression analyses using both types of variables to predict perceived risk found only two significant demographic predictors for any threat-Democrat (a negative predictor for bomb) and white male (a significant positive predictor for airline attack). In contrast, among psychometric variables, severity, number affected, and likelihood were predictors of all four threats and level of understanding was a predictor for one. For WTP, education was a negative predictor for three threats; no other demographic variables were significant predictors for any threat. Among psychometric variables, perceived risk and number affected were positive predictors of WTP for all four threats; severity and likelihood were predictors for three; level of understanding was a significant predictor for two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Is there a group of psychometric variables, which correlates with the criteria of an interdisciplinary team about the course of ED? Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between the clinic criteria of an interdisciplinary team with respect to the course of eating disorders (ED) and different psychometric criteria. Methods: The course was analysed in a final sample of 30 ED outpatients during their six first months of treatment. A scale of clinical criteria of the course of ED (therapeutic team's opinion) and different questionnaires on psychological, psychopathological and eating-related variables were used. The statistical analysis comprised of a discriminant analysis in order to find the variables with a discriminant function to distinguish between a fair-bad course and a good course. Results: Perceived stress, self-esteem, the variables of the SCL-90-R, depression, thought-shape fusion, anxiety, food craving and the score on body shape questionnaire were found to have discriminant function. Comparing the therapeutic team's criteria and the results of the questionnaires a 10% of patients were misclassified. Discussion: The results highlight the necessary and permanent checking of the relationship among the clinical criteria regarding the course of ED (members' team opinion) and different psychological, psychopathological and eating-related variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Goals: Analysis of aspects of intelligence and perceptive-motor aptitudes, according to the Spanish Driver model test. Material and methods: Observation of the analysed variables in the applied laws since the beginning of locomotion in Spain and the current protocols of evaluation recommended by the Directorate General of Traffic and The Ministry of Health. Conclusions: The variables considered have served the preventive models of each time period. Currently, their goal is to meet the prevention needs of current social habits. The evaluated aspects have hardly changed in the last few years. The evaluation and data collection system evolved with the standardisation of psychotechnical devices in 1988, remaining unchanged to the present. The protocol is, without question, an effective system for determining driving aptitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2009 national telephone survey of 924 U.S. adults assessed perceptions of terrorism and homeland security issues. Respondents rated severity of effects, level of understanding, number affected, and likelihood of four terrorist threats: poisoned water supply; explosion of a small nuclear device in a major U.S. city; an airplane attack similar to 9/11; and explosion of a bomb in a building, train, subway, or highway. Respondents rated perceived risk and willingness to pay (WTP) for dealing with each threat. Demographic, attitudinal, and party affiliation data were collected. Respondents rated bomb as highest in perceived risk but gave the highest WTP ratings to nuclear device. For both perceived risk and WTP, psychometric variables were far stronger predictors than were demographic ones. OLS regression analyses using both types of variables to predict perceived risk found only two significant demographic predictors for any threat--Democrat (a negative predictor for bomb) and white male (a significant positive predictor for airline attack). In contrast, among psychometric variables, severity, number affected, and likelihood were predictors of all four threats and level of understanding was a predictor for one. For WTP, education was a negative predictor for three threats; no other demographic variables were significant predictors for any threat. Among psychometric variables, perceived risk and number affected were positive predictors of WTP for all four threats; severity and likelihood were predictors for three; level of understanding was a significant predictor for two., (© 2013 Society for Risk Analysis.)