Exposure to domestic violence and its effects on adolescents: A survey among Turkish students.

PROBLEM: Exposure to domestic violence is an important social problem. What remains unknown are the effects of domestic violence on Turkish adolescents. METHODS: This study was performed in Kirikkale, Turkey, to determine the state of verbal and/or physical domestic violence and its effects on adolescent behavior. A total of 1,807 students (44.4% female and 55.6% male) with a mean age of 15.1 ± 1.6 years at two high schools and five elementary schools were enrolled in the study and completed questionnaires that surveyed their exposure to domestic violence and its possible relationship to their disruptive behaviors. FINDINGS: Twenty-three percent of the students were exposed to violence. Among those, 75% had been exposed to violence within the family, 53% by their friends and 17% by their teachers. Of those exposed to domestic violence, 70% were exposed only verbally and 24% only physically. The economic level of the family, gender, marital status of the parents, and education level of the father were significant factors on violence exposure within the family. The results showed that the rates of being involved in a fight, getting injured at a fight, using a gun, bringing knives (mostly pocket knives) to school and using it were higher in children exposed to domestic violence than with the children who were not. CONCLUSIONS: To address the impact of domestic violence on teens and possibly decrease the adolescent's violent behavior and its consequences, policies aiming to reduce violence in the social environments of adolescents are needed.

Psychological characteristics of patients with asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological distress of patients with asthma may be reduced when they learned to live with their illness. Asthma can change the psychological and personality characteristics. We aim to investigate the psychological and personality characteristics of patients with asthma using MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). METHODS: Thirty-three adult patients with asthma (23 female and 10 male) and 20 healthy controls (14 females and 6 males) were enrolled in this study. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Turkish version of the MMPI. The patients were separated into two groups according to the duration of symptoms (recent-onset asthma < 10 years, long-standing asthma ≥10 years). RESULTS: Patients with asthma compared with control group had significantly higher the rate of clinical elevation on depression, hysteria, psychasthenia and social introversion. Patients with recent-onset asthma compared with long-standing asthma have significantly higher the rate of clinical elevation on depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia and social introversion. MMPI mean t score in patients with recent-onset asthma was higher than patients with long-standing asthma. MMPI mean t score in patients with asthma was negatively associated with the symptom duration in multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with asthma have relatively more inactivity, anergia, guilt, pessimism, nonspecific physical complaints, irrational fears and introvert. Patients with long-standing asthma have less psychological distress, suggesting that learned to cope with his illness.

Personality profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: To investigate the personality traits of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Forty-nine patients with PCOS and 34 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Additionally, Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were also performed. RESULTS: Polycystic ovary syndrome patients had significantly higher absolute and clinical elevation scores on depression, hysteria, psychasthenia and hypomania compared with the controls. Patients with PCOS had lower SF-36 physical and mental health summary scores and higher HADS anxiety and depression subscale scores. CONCLUSION: Polycystic ovary syndrome patients seem to have depressive, hysterical, psychasthenic and hypomanic personality traits.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profile in patients with restless legs syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with psychiatric disorders. We aim to investigate the personality traits of RLS patients using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. METHODS: Twenty adult patients with RLS (14 females and 6 males) and 20 healthy controls (14 females and 6 males) who were referred to university neurology were enrolled in the present study. Diagnosis of RLS was established using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Turkish version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. RESULTS: RLS patients have significantly higher absolute and clinical elevation scores on hypochondriasis and hysteria, and clinical elevation scores on psychasthenia, compared with the controls. Absolute scores on depression were higher at the border in RLS patients compared with the controls. DISCUSSION: RLS patients have hypochondriac, hysterical, depressive, and anxious personality traits.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults with sleep apnea.

AAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood illness. In some patients, this illness may persist into adulthood and an association between ADHD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has been found in childhood. However, it is unclear how OSA and ADHD coincide in adulthood. Therefore, to explore the relationship between OSA and adult ADHD the current investigation utilized a clinically-based cross-sectional survey. Subjects consisted of 81 treatment-naïve OSA patients and 32 controls. Measures included each patient completed a questionnaire regarding sleep, Adult ADHD scale. Clinical information, body mass index, 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and polysomnography.The subjects with Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 5 events/h were defined as patients with OSA. The control group was accepted as individuals with AHI > 0 events/h. The prevalence of adult ADHD was not different between the patients with OSA and the control group [(7.4 % (6/75) vs. 6.3 % (2/30), p = 0.8, respectively]. OSA patients with ADHD, as compared with those without, had higher anxiety scores and poorer physical component scores of quality of life and higher ESS scores. ADHD scores in patients with OSA were associated with anxiety and depression scores and SF36 physical and mental component scores in bivariate analyses. Thus, in our sample ADHD was not a frequent illness in adult patients with OSA. However, in patients with OSA and ADHD higher levels of anxiety and daytime sleepiness and poorer quality of life was found.

Personality profiles in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) responses between snorers and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be different. Thus, we compared the MMPI responses between snorers and OSA. DESIGN: A clinical-based cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: This is a survey of 94 treatment-naive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) subjects. METHOD: Clinical information, body mass index (BMI), 36-item Short Form Health Survey, the Turkish version of the MMPI, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), fatigue scale, attention-deficit scale, and polysomnography were collected. All patients with OSA and snorers was accepted as individuals with SDB (AHI > 0 events/h). The threshold of five apnea and hypopnea per hour of sleep was chosen to define both OSA and snorers. Disability profile is consisting of four or more MMPI clinical scale elevations. RESULTS: OSA patients compared to snorers have significantly higher absolute scores on hypochondriasis (Hs) (65.0 ± 12.0 vs 58.4 ± 7.9, p = 0.01, respectively). OSA patients compared to snorers have significantly higher rate of clinical elevation on both psychopathic deviance (13.0 vs 0 %, p = 0.03, respectively) and Hs (26.1 vs 3.3 %, p = 0.01, respectively). People with disability profile has lower the quality of life, a higher score for inattention, a higher fatigue scores, and higher sleepiness scores. The quality of life and attention deficit and daytime sleepiness scores were associated with total MMPI absolute score in individuals with SDB in bivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Present study indicated that patients with OSAS compared to snorers displayed significantly more hyopchondriasis and psychopathic deviance personality characteristics. The daytime functions in individuals with sleep-disordered breathing may be influenced by the severity of psychopathology.

State and trait anxiety levels of adolescents in a changing society, Kirikkale city, Turkey.

Adolescents face rapidly changing challenges. Psychosocial health problems during adolescence are relatively common in all cultures. This study was designed to evaluate the state and trait anxiety status and influencing sociodemographic and other factors, thought to pertain to youth, on anxiety among school children in Kirikkale. It was carried out at three public primary and two high schools representative of two different socioeconomic statuses. 430 Turkish school children (246 girls, 184 boys) were asked voluntarily to answer a set of questionnaires in their classrooms at the beginning of a training programme. Then the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children was administered. Mean age of the students was 14.16 ± 1.87 years. The mean total STAI-CS and STAI-CT scores were 40.24 ± 11.64, and 44.71 ± 9.64, respectively. There were no differences in STAI-CS and STAI-CT scores between boys and girls in both schools and in all age groups. Among girls, a positive body image had a significant effect on state anxiety scores. There was a positive correlation between age and anxiety scores (r = .17, F:12.176, p < .001). Students identifying their families SES as bad and/or moderate scored significantly higher in comparison to the other groups (p < .05). STAI-CS scores were higher for lower educational grade, higher body weight and sleep problems. In Kirikkale, a city faced with substantial changes in cultural and traditional norms, adolescents could be expected to be under stress and appear to be responding to stress with anxiety.

State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessment of mothers with language delayed children.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the continuous and state anxiety levels of mothers with children with language delay. METHODS: The study group consisted of the mothers of 18 children with language delay. The control group consisted of the mothers of 29 healthy children without language delay. To gain data about mothers, a personal information form and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form were applied to determine continuous and state-trait anxiety levels. RESULTS: State anxiety levels in the study group were significantly higher (by Student t-test) than that of the control group. For continuous anxiety level, no statistically significant difference was determined between two groups. In the study group, higher education levels of mothers and their husbands were associated with lower levels of both continuous and state anxiety. CONCLUSION: In the majority of the group of mothers with language delayed children and even mothers of children with normal language development, there were high levels concern. Mothers' concerns and anxiety levels may decrease with increasing levels of their education levels. We recommend providing detailed information regarding language development to the families at all stages of the childs' training programme.

Differences in quality of life in rural and urban populations.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To examine the predictors of health related, quality of life in rural and urban populations. METHODS: Parents and grandparents of students from 20 randomly selected primary schools in urban and rural areas of Kirikkale, Turkey were questioned for health-related quality of life (HRQL) and psychological distress, using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), respectively, which were returned by their children. RESULTS: Of 13,225 parents and grandparents 12,270 returned the questionnaires, for an overall response rate of 92.7%. SF-12 physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and overall scores were lower in participants from rural than those from urban areas. Mean HADS overall score was higher in subjects from rural than those from urban areas (16.6+/-6.8 vs. 14.8+/-6.8, P=0.0001). A linear regression model showed associations between SF-12 overall, PCS, and MCS scores with HAD total score after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, smoking, income, and education. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life scores in subjects vary between areas. Psychological distress in subjects in rural areas may account for the poorer scores of quality of life in rural areas.

Occupational noise-induced tinnitus: does it affect workers' quality of life?

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study aimed to investigate the quality of life of workers in a steel factory. METHODS: The study group was composed of 16 male workers with tinnitus and 30 ears. Fifteen male workers without tinnitus and 30 ears were included into the control group. Workers were evaluated by questionnaire, pure-tone audiometry, and the SF-36 Health Survey. In the study group, tinnitus loudness levels (TLLs) were found. RESULTS: In the study group, the domains general mental health and role limitations owing to emotional problems were significantly lower than in the control group. Older age, industrial noise exposure over a long period, higher noise exposure during work, and hearing loss secondary to occupational noise caused workers to experience higher TLLs. Earheadings protected workers more than earplugs, and TLLs were lower. Important factors that affect workers' quality of life are maximum exposed noise levels, daily and total noise exposure time, and exposure to continuous noise. Occupational noise-induced tinnitus mainly causes emotional disability rather than physical disability. Emotionally impaired QOL results may be due to tinnitus-related psychological problems. CONCLUSION: Workers should have knowledge about the hazardous effects of noise. Periodic health checkups and regular seminars have great importance. Workers must be aware of other ototoxic factors, such as medications and noisy music. In the future, researchers should develop a screening method to detect those with a more hereditary affinity to hearing loss.

Does subjective tinnitus cause sexual disturbance?

OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus can cause psychological problems, which can affect sexual performance. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual disturbance related to the psychological problems of patients with subjective tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The subjective tinnitus group with normal hearing levels consisted of 20 patients (10 male, 10 female) who were nonpsychiatric. The control group consisted of 20 healthy patients (10 male, 10 female) with normal hearing levels who did not have tinnitus and were nonpsychiatric. All subjects were married and had an active sexual life. Using a questionnaire, the subjective tinnitus loudness level score (STLL-Sc) was found. Using Zung Anxiety and Depression Scale, self-rating depression scale (SDS) was found in the study and control groups. Sexual function was assessed in all male subjects with the International Index of Erectile Functions (IIEF) and in all female subjects with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: In females, the satisfaction subscore was slightly lower than normal limits in both the study and control groups. In males, the IIEF showed an insignificant, negative correlation with the STLL-Sc and the SDS and a positive correlation with tinnitus duration. In females, the FSFI showed an insignificant negative correlation with the STLL-Sc and a positive correlation with tinnitus duration and the SDS. CONCLUSION: Sexual disturbance is seen in very quiet- and intermediate-level tinnitus sufferers in the early period of the disease. Over time, they become used to living with their tinnitus, and no loss in sexual performance is seen. In the future, we plan to investigate the sexual disturbance of patients with severe STLL-Scs.

Emotional effects of nasal packing measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in patients following nasal surgery.

The aim of this study was to test the validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale in patients who underwent nasal surgery as a method of screening for emotional disorders during their hospital stay. The study group consisted of 50 adult patients (29 male, 21 female) who underwent nasal surgery for different reasons, such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, and nasal septal deviation. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery and/or septoplasty were managed in these patients, and all of the patients had nasal packing applied bilaterally for 2 days. The HAD Scale was given to all of the patients 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery, with anterior nasal packing bilaterally during the hospital stay. The anxiety and depression levels of the male group were under the cutoff points. For the female group, the depression levels were under the cutoff points, and the anxiety levels were high in the preoperative period and decreased after the operation. Anxiety and depression levels in the pre- and postoperative periods for the male and female groups were analyzed by Paired t-test. No statistically significant result was found (p > .05). It was concluded that, for patients well informed about nasal packing and hospital conditions, nasal packing may be used safely, without any psychological disturbance. The HAD Scale should be a more useful screening method to diagnose emotional disorders, especially in patients who are hospitalized for a long time.

Psychological status and quality of life in elderly patients with asthma.

The psychological status and quality of life of 70 stable patients with asthma age > or =60 years and 40 age-matched comparison subjects were examined. The patients with long-standing asthma (duration > or = 8 years) had lower quality-of-life scores than those with recent-onset asthma (duration < 8 years). In multivariate linear regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender duration of disease, and level of bronchial hyperreactivity, worse quality of life was predicted by anxiety, depression, and asthma severity scores. In elderly patients with long-standing asthma, disease severity significantly impairs quality of life. Impaired quality of life in these patients may be partly related to psychological status indicators.

Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory profile of patients with allergic rhinitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis and personality traits in a nonpsychiatric population of proven allergic status. Subjects were assigned to the allergic group (n = 29) and the nonallergic group (n = 29) on the basis of the medical examination, allergic prick tests, and self-reported allergic status. Analysis of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Profile (MMPI) profiles showed that male subjects with allergic rhinitis had significantly higher scores on depression, paranoia, and social introversion. Depression, hypochondriasis, and hysteria scores were significantly higher in female subjects. It may be concluded that patients with allergic rhinitis have poorer psychological function compared with the nonallergic subjects.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profile of patients with subjective tinnitus.

Subjective tinnitus is frequently seen in the general population. We investigated the personality traits in tinnitus and nontinnitus groups, both of which were nonpsychiatric. In this study, we evaluated 28 patients with subjective tinnitus and 28 subjects for a control group. In the analysis of psychiatric status, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles were used. Psychasthenia was found to be higher in tinnitus patients of both sexes, whereas Hypochondriasis, Hysteria, Masculinity/Feminity, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, and Social Introversion scores were higher in females with tinnitus. In our research, it is thought that the experience of tinnitus may cause the psychological disturbance.