The psychological symptoms and behavioral problems of children with mothers working as medical staff in the crisis of Covid-19 outbreak in Hamadan, Iran.

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological symptoms and behavioral problems of children with mothers working as medical staff in the crisis of Covid-19 disease in Hamadan. Methods: This descriptive causal-comparative study was conducted on all mothers with children aged 6 to 12 years in Hamadan from September 2 to November 29, 2020. In this study, eligible individuals were selected using random sampling and were assigned to two groups of mothers working as the medical staff and the control group. The research instruments included the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach) and the Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4). Results: The results showed that the mean scores of psychological and behavioral symptoms of children in terms of group membership (group of mothers working in the medical staff and control group) had a significant difference. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of depression and aggression in children of the staff group and the control group meaning that for depression and aggression scores of children of the staff group are higher than children of the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean anxiety scores and there was almost a significant difference between the attention scores of the staff group and the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Children whose mothers worked as medical staff during Covid-19 show more depression, attention, and aggression problems than children whose mothers do not work as medical staff.

Temperament and character traits in substance use disorder in Iran: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Substance use disorder have distinct personality traits, they were high score in novelty seeking (NS) and sensation seeking and lower in Self-directedness and higher in Self-transcendence, so we aim to investigate the relationships of temperament and characteristics with related some variables such as substance of choice. DESIGN AND SETTING: A case-control study enrolling 70 Substance use disorder patients and 70 controls was conducted at Mashhad University of medical sciences. METHODS: Using a case-control design, a group of 70 Substance use disorder patients and 70 controls was conducted at Mashhad university of medical sciences. All participation completed the 240 questions of Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was employed to compare the relationship between temperament and character traits and patterns of substance use. RESULTS: The scores of reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence were significantly lower in the case group compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.05). In contrast, the score of novel seeking was significantly higher in the case group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, harm avoidance was not significantly different between the two studied groups (P = 0.637). CONCLUSIONS: Higher NS in patients with substance use disorder is common and different traits, and temperaments would choose different substance combinations.

Investigating the effect of quarantine caused by COVID-19 on mental health and social trust.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the effect of quarantine caused by COVID-19 on people's mental health and social trust. METHOD: In this study, the sample size covers 2919 people in the southwest of Iran that was selected cluster sample method and was evaluated online using tools of social trust and a checklist of mental disorder syndrome. RESULTS: Due to the results, COVID-19 affected all people's mental health negatively, but there was a significant difference between the rates of COVID-19 caused anxiety and the dimensions of the psychological problems and social trust different between men and women and married and single people, and also the education level. There was no significant relationship between any of the demographic variables and social trust variables, corona anxiety, and dimensions of psychological problems. And there was a negative and significant relationship between the dimensions of social trust and the dimensions of psychological problems. Moreover, the social trust rate in the subjects was desirable. Based on the results and the cutoff point of 2.5 as a border of healthy and unhealthy psychological dimensions, 4.5% had pathological anxiety, 7.3% had pathological depression, 5% had aggression, and 5.9 % had pathological obsessive-compulsive disorder. Depression had the highest scores, and aggression had the lowest scores. CONCLUSION: Due to this study's results, policymakers should consider measures that should be taken in crisis to support all people, especially vulnerable people in psychological, economic, social, spiritual, and psychological fields. On the other hand, the government must train the public through the mass media to cope with COVID-19.

Development of a pre-hospital emergencies protocol for the management of suicidal patients in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a painful consequence of many psychiatric disorders and one of the most frequent psychiatric emergencies. Generally, pre-hospital technician is the first person in the treatment chain who attends the situation; hence, his/her sound clinical judgment and professional behavior can play an important role in preventing or stopping the suicide process. We tried to develop a concise, evidence-based, and step-by-step guide for dealing with a suicidal patient, which could be quickly reviewed by technicians before confronting a suicide situation. METHOD: We reviewed the literature for suicide management plans and protocols, to extract the evidence-based interventions and instructions for dealing with a suicide situation. Then, we discussed the extracted material in an expert panel, and developed the initial version of the protocol considering the local socio-cultural issues and available facilities. Subsequently, we reviewed the protocol in a meeting with pre-hospital technicians and emergency physicians, to receive their feedback and address any possible executive problems. Finally, we revised the protocol to its final version considering the feedbacks. RESULTS: The basic principles of dealing with a suicidal patient are similar to other psychiatric emergencies and include: Patient Safety; Patient evaluation and diagnosis; and Patient (behavioral and pharmacological) management. However, specific considerations should be taken into account and special arrangements are necessary for suicidal patients. Whether the patient has attempted suicide or not, would guide the management to one of the two major paths. In addition, the needs of the family should be considered. CONCLUSION: A locally adapted protocol considering existing facilities in the emergency system and cultural issues in Iranian society is provided for pre-hospital emergency technicians.