Mediator role of experiential avoidance in relationship of perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health

This cross-sectional study investigated the mediatory role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between perceived stress and alexithymia with mental health. We enrolled 440 students [age 18-30 years] at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences through stratified random sampling method. The study tools were demographic checklist, GHQ-28, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 and Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analysed by SPSS-18 and AMOS-18 using Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling [SEM]. There was a significant positive correlation between perceived stress and experiential avoidance, and alexithymia and mental health problems [P < 0.001]. SEM showed that the relationship between perceived stress and mental health problems by experiential avoidance was 0.19 [[beta = 0.19; standard error [SE] = 0.09; P = 0.001], and the relationship between alexithymia and mental health problems through experiential avoidance was 0.09 [beta = 0.09; SE = 0.43; P = 0.01]. The mediatory role of experiential avoidance was confirmed in such a way that the effects of alexithymia and perceived stress decreased

La présente étude transversale a examiné le rôle de médiation de l'évitement expérientiel dans le rapport entre le stress perçu, l'alexithymie et la santé mentale. Nous avons inscrit dans cette étude 440 étudiants [âge compris entre 18 et 30 ans] de l'Université des Sciences médicales de Kermanshah par la méthode d'échantillonnage aléatoire stratifié. Les instruments utilisés dans l'étude étaient la liste de contrôle démographique, le questionnaire sur la santé générale en 28 items, l'échelle d'Alexithymie de Toronto à 20 items et l'échelle de mesure du stress perçu. Les données ont été analysées au moyen des logiciels SPSS-18 et AMOS-18 en recourant à la corrélation de Pearson, l'analyse de régression hiérarchique et la modélisation par équation structurelle. Il y avait une corrélation positive significative entre le stress perçu et l'évitement expérientiel, et l'alexithymie et les problèmes de santé mentale [p<0,001]. La modélisation par équation structurelle a montré que la relation entre le stress perçu et les problèmes de santé mentale causés par l'évitement expérientiel était 0,19 [[beta =0,19; erreur standard [ES]=0,09 ; p=0,001], et que la relation entre l'alexithymie et les problèmes de santé mentale causés par l'évitement expérientiel était 0,09 [[beta =0,09; ES=0,43; p=0,001.] Le rôle de médiation de l'évitement expérientiel a été confirmé de telle sorte que les effets de l'alexithymie et du stress perçu diminuent

Pattern of psychiatric illnesses among long-stay patients at Mental Health Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia: a 10-year retrospective study

To identify the pattern and determinants of psychiatric illness and the predictors of long stay among long-stay patients at the Mental Health Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia, we examined a total of 430 records of patients who had been admitted during the period January 1999-January 2009 and had stayed for > 9 months. More than half these patients had a history of drug addiction [60.7%]. The majority were diagnosed with schizophrenia [88.8%] and mental retardation was reported in 17.7%. Personality disorders and epilepsy were diagnosed in 3.7% and 1.9% of the participants respectively. The mean duration of hospital stay was 6.16 [standard deviation 2.32; range 1-10] years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients diagnosed with schizophrenia accompanied by mental retardation, those with lower education levels, and those with a history of co-morbid chronic diseases stayed for more than 2 years

Personality disorders / G. de Girolamo, J. H. Reich / Troubles de la personnalité / Trastornos de la personalidad

A state-of-the-art review of current knowledge on the epidemiology of personality disorders. In view of the paucity of data on the incidence and prevalence of these disorders, the book also takes a future-oriented approach, concentrating on the types of studies now possible following the recent development of an internationally-agreed nomenclature, a widely tested and accepted diagnostic system, and standardized instruments for assessment. The book is the first in a new WHO series of studies intended to improve understanding of the epidemiology of mental disorders and thus facilitate the identification of risk factors, including social and cultural determinants. The book opens with a review of the evolution of clinical concepts and diagnostic classifications, concentrating on similarities and differences between the Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) and the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). Further background information is provided through a discussion of several diagnostic categories that have raised important conceptual problems, and a review of the main methods currently available for assessing personality disorders. The chapter also considers questions concerning the concordance between standardized interviews and self-report questionnaires for the diagnosis of these disorders. Findings from epidemiological studies of personality disorders are reviewed in the most extensive chapter, which concentrates on recent prevalence studies conducted in general population samples, in primary health care facilities, and in psychiatric settings. The important issue of comorbidity, among personality disorders as well as with other psychiatric disorders, is also discussed. The book concludes with a series of recommendations for future studies, including the main areas requiring further investigation and key methodological problems that will need to be resolved. Annexed to the book are the ICD-10 clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines, and the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for research for this group of disorders