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BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS), which is frequently seen in young adults, affects mental health because of disease symptoms and cognitive disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of alexithymia and problem- or emotion-focused coping strategies with stress in MS patients, determine the relationship between these variables, and compare the results of MS patients with those of healthy individuals. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative study was carried out with the participation of 120 MS patients presenting to a neurology clinic and outpatient clinic of a university hospital and 120 healthy individuals. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Ways of Coping Scale. RESULTS: The 40.8% rate of alexithymia in the MS patients was higher than that in the healthy individuals (21.7%). Compared with healthy individuals, MS patients use emotion-focused coping methods, such as a lack of self-confidence approach and a submissive approach, more frequently (P < .05). A significant negative correlation was found between the alexithymia and problem-focused coping strategies of MS patients (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is more common in MS patients than in healthy individuals. Alexithymia negatively affects the methods patients use to cope with stress. In the treatment and care of MS patients, nurses should plan interventions for the ability of these patients to recognize and express their emotions and develop positive coping methods.

WOS: 000372611700006, Objective: To investigate the internalized stigma levels of the mentally ill patients hospitalized in the psychiatry clinic of a university hospital in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey and the factors affecting their internalized stigma levels Design: A descriptive and cross-sectional study Setting: The study was conducted at the Inpatient Psychiatry Department, Cumhuriyet University Research and Implement Hospital, Turkey Subject: Three hundred ninety-one inpatients Main Outcome Measure: Data were collected with the Socio-Demographic Information Form and the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI). Results: Of the 391 patients studied, 48.6% were determined to suffer high levels of internalized stigma. It was determined that patients unemployed, having low levels of education and income and living in a village suffered higher levels of internalized stigma. In addition, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, perceiving their illness as a very serious one, considering his/her disease as untreatable, hiding the illness, and not having any support from their families and people around them also suffered higher levels of internalized stigma. The economic status of the patient, the way he/she perceives the severity of the disease and his/her tendency to hide the disease have been identified as important risk factors associated with internalized stigma. Conclusion: Internalized stigma is a significant problem among hospitalized patients. In order to reduce internalized stigma, practical applications can be implemented by increasing the number of individual and group patient education programs and evaluating the effectiveness of these programs.

WOS: 000368525000021, PubMed ID: 24779558, The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Professional Identity Development Program on the professional identity, job satisfaction and burnout levels of registered nurses. This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental one with 63 nurses working in a university hospital. Data were gathered using the Personal Information Questionnaire, the Professional Self Concept Inventory, Minnesota Job Satisfaction Inventory and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The Professional Identity Development Program which consists of ten sessions was implemented to the study group once a week. The Program significantly improved the professional identity of the nurses in the study group compared to that of the control group. During the research period, burnout levels significantly decreased in the study group while those of the control group increased. The programme did not create any significant differences in the job satisfaction levels of the nurses. The programme had a positive impact on the professional identity of the nurses. It is recommended that the programme should be implemented in different hospitals with different samples of nurses, and that its effectiveness should be evaluated.

WOS: 000278271900013, Objectives: Panic disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders. There are various etiological factors in panic disorder. Dermatoglyphics are special patterns formed by epidermal ridges in fingertips, palms and soles. They form during the intrauterine period and remain unchanged throughout life. Genetic diseases can change the form and structure of dermatoglyphics. The aim of this study was to evaluate fingertip and palmar dermatoglyphic samples of panic disorder patients and to compare these with the control group. Materials and methods: Dermatoglyphic data was collected from 50 patients diagnosed with panic disorder according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and from a control group consisting of 50 healthy people. Data was collected using a digital scanner and was transferred to computer medium. Using the Image J program, atd, dat, adt angles, a-b ridge counts, sample types of all fingers and ridge counts were calculated. Data was analyzed using t-test, Mann Whitney U and chi-square tests. Findings: It was found that the a-b ridge count in both hands and the ridge count in the thumbs of panic disorder patients were significantly higher those of the control group. It was found that, in the right hands of panic disorder patients, there was a significant increase in ridge counts in the ring finger, total ridge count and adt angle when compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of dermal ridges, and the most common characteristic in both groups was ulnar loops. Results: Analyzing dermatoglyphics is non-invasive, straightforward, quick and economical. The use of dermatoglyphics can facilitate identification and early diagnosis of those at risk of panic disorder, allowing preventive measures to be taken.

WOS: 000463912700021, PubMed ID: 29541971, This study was performed in order to determine the effect of Hajj pilgrimage on treatment compliance in individuals with chronic diseases. A total of 168 individuals were included in the prospective and descriptive study. Data were collected in three interviews using a patient identification form and the Religiousness Inclination Scale. When the medicine compliances of the individuals before and after Hajj pilgrimage were compared, a statistically meaningful difference between their regular uses of medicine statuses was found (p = 0.011). However, no difference was detected in the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.094). Additionally, it was found that in individuals with internally driven religiousness inclinations there was no relationship between their statuses regarding having changes in their disease-related complaints after Hajj pilgrimage and their status regarding coping with disease. Hajj pilgrimage was found to negatively affect treatment compliance in the short term in individuals with chronic diseases, while there were no changes in long-term treatment compliance.

WOS: 000368432200005, PubMed ID: 26620984, Objectives: To determine cognitive functions and perceived social support (SS) among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the effects of SS on the development of cognitive dysfunction (CD). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 121 patients with DM presenting at the Endocrinology Clinic of Cumhuriyet University Health Services Application and Research Hospital, Sivas, Turkey between April and June 2014. Data were collected utilizing the "Patient Assessment Form", "Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE)", and "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)". Results: The mean score obtained for DM patients from the SMMSE was 21.55 +/- 5.7, with 65.3% found to have cognitive impairment. The total mean score of the participants for MSPSS was considered moderate (66.61 +/- 14.42). There was a significant positive correlation between cognitive function and SS (r=0.273, p=0.002). It was determined that individuals with CD had low levels of perceived SS, and that insufficient support from families and significant others contributed to the development of CD (p=0.008). Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that the cognitive function of individuals with DM was impaired and would improve as the perception of SS increased, and that perceived SS would affect the development of CD. Therefore, health professionals can contribute to the improvement of cognitive function of individuals with DM by facilitating the use of SS sources.

WOS: 000355387200008, PubMed ID: 25864067, Objective: To determine information needs, dare difficulties, and coping mechanisms of family members of people with mental illness. Methods: In this descriptive cross-secdonal study, the study sample consisted of the families of 134 patients who were. treated in the Psychiatric Unit of Cumhuriyet University Training and Research Hospital in Sivas, Turkey between January and May 2011. Data was collected by a questionnaire and analysed descriptively, and by chi-square testing. Results: It was determined that 79.1% of family members were knowledgeable of the patients' illness. It was found that they experienced difficulties in communicating with the patient, and in ensuring " drug compliance and anger management and that they used psychological and social coping strategies. Conclusion: Our results indicate that access to medical information on its own is not sufficient for carers of people with mental illness, and the necessity of developing positive attitudes when dealing with the illness and its symptoms. We recommend that nurses and other health professionals offer long term support and consultation programs to family members.

Avcı,Dilek (Balikesir Author), Chronic illnesses have negative effects on individuals' perception of health and thus on their life satisfaction by restricting their physical, emotional, social, and sexual functions. In individuals with a chronic disease, it is important to determine life satisfaction that covers their entire life and relevant factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2014 and June 2014 in Bandirma. The study aims to investigate the relationship between life satisfaction and perception of health and sexuality in individuals diagnosed with a chronic physical illness. The sample of the study consisted of 220 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Nottingham Health Profile and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. To evaluate the data, descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used. The participants' perception of health was good, but life satisfaction levels were moderate. Of the participants, 89.5 % experienced sexual dysfunction. Their life satisfaction was affected by the perception of health, but not by sexuality. The level of sexual functioning significantly affected perceptions of health. Therefore, while providing care for individuals with a chronic disease, nurses should be attentive to life satisfaction and the factors affecting life satisfaction and should carefully assess them.

WOS: 000393113900008, PubMed ID: 27744464, Objective: To investigate the relationship between suicide probability and psychological symptoms and coping strategies in hospitalized patients with physical illness. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2014 in Bandirma State Hospital, Balikesir, Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of 470 inpatients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Suicide Probability Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and Ways of Coping with Stress Inventory. Results: In the study, 74.7% were at moderate risk for suicide, whereas 20.4% were at high risk for suicide. According to the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, sub-dimensions of the Ways of Coping with Stress Inventory and Brief Symptom Inventory were the significant predictors of suicide probability. Conclusions: The majority of the patients with physical illness were at risk for suicide probability. Individuals who had psychological symptoms and used maladaptive coping ways obtained significantly higher suicide probability scores.

WOS: 000368261600014, PubMed ID: 25302666, Aims The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction, professional identity and intention to leave the profession among nurses in Turkey. Background Although there are many studies on job satisfaction among nurses in Turkey, there is a gap in the literature in relation to professional identity, particularly for intentions to leave the profession. Method This cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 2122 nurses from Turkey. Results A positive and significant correlation was determined between the nurses' job satisfaction and professional identities. It was found that 15.5% of the nurses intended to leave their profession. Intention to leave the profession was greater among the nurses with inadequate professional identity development and low job satisfaction. Conclusion Professional identity is a factor affecting job satisfaction. Both professional identity and job satisfaction are important factors affecting nurses' intention leaving the profession. Implications for nursing management Given that professional identity and job satisfaction affect intention to leave the profession and professional identity affects job satisfaction, nurse managers who are mainly responsible for the quality of nursing care should develop strategies that support nurses' professional identity and increase their job satisfaction if they are to prevent nurses from leaving the profession.

WOS: 000354198700003, This descriptive and correlational study was conducted to determine both sexual functions of patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and the relationship between sexual function and "life satisfaction and perception of health". The study was conducted with 125 patients with chronic renal failure who were treated at dialysis centers. Data were collected with the socio-demographic information form, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Satisfaction with Life Scale and Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire. Of the participants, 72 % were over the age of 50 and 64.8 % had a chronic illness for six or more years. All the participants were receiving hemodialysis treatment. Of the participants, 85.6 % suffered from sexual dysfunction. There was a moderately significant positive correlation between the participants' ASEX scores and the scores they obtained from the general perception of health, pain, physical fatigue, sleep and emotional subscales. However, there was not a significant relationship between ASEX mean scores and Satisfaction with Life Scale mean scores. The results of this study revealed that sexual dysfunction was common among patients with chronic renal failure and having hemodialysis therapy, and adversely affected their perception of health.

WOS: 000343370100001, Objective Changes in sleep duration, pattern, and quality occur with ageing. The aim of this study was to analyse the sleep quality and affecting factors in the elderly living either at home or in nursing homes. Design Descriptive and cross-sectional study Setting Sivas, a central Anatolian city in Turkey. Subject This study was carried out with 112 individuals; 52 were living in a nursing home and 60 at home. Main outcome measures A personal information form and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results There was no statistically significant difference between mean scores and sleep qualities of both groups (p > 0.05). The sleep quality of the individuals in both groups was not significantly influenced by personal variables such as age, gender, education, income, having children, and having a physical illness (p > 0.05). Individuals in both groups who reported their sleep as inadequate had sleep problems, and those who reported their sleep was affected for various reasons and who perceived their health as poor had significantly worse sleep quality (p < 0.05). Conclusion The sleep quality of the elderly living either at home were at similar levels and more than half of individuals in both groups had poor sleep quality.

Avcı, Dilek (balikesir author), Objective: The aim of this study is to examine suicide probability and affecting factors in psychiatric inpatients. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 155 psychiatric inpatients at Cumhuriyet University Training and Research Hospital. Data was collected using the Descriptive Information and the Suicide Probability Scale. The Suicide Probability Scale includes the following subscales: hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, negative self-evaluation, and hostility. Higher scores obtained from the Suicide Probability Scale indicate elevated suicide probability. In statistical analyses, descriptive statistics, t test, one way analysis of variance, and the Kruskall Wallis test were used. Results: Mean SPS total score of the patients was found to be 82.54 +/- 14.76, which indicates moderate suicide probability. There were no significant differences in SPS total scores according to age, gender, marital status, and economic status. The mean SPS scores of patients who were diagnosed with depression, had previous thoughts about committing suicide and previous suicide attempts, and had suicidal thoughts at the time of the study were found to be significantly higher. Discussion: Mean suicide probability scores of the patients were at moderate levels. Patients who had previous suicidal thoughts and had previous suicide attempts have higher suicide probability. Our results show that suicide potential, which is a threat against patient safety in the psychiatry clinic, is high.