Mentalizing self mind but not others: Self-reported mentalization difficulties in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Mentalization can be defined as a mental process by which an individual directly or indirectly perceives and interprets one's own and others' behavior, emotions, beliefs, and needs based on designed mental states. Mentalization problems may be linked to remove associative white matter fiber disconnection. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the diseases with white matter lesions. By comparing MS patients with healthy controls, it was aimed to assess whether MS patients' mentalization skills are affected. METHOD: This study involved 243 participants (170 healthy controls and 73 patients with MS). All the participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Mentalization Scale (MentS). RESULTS: While it was discovered that MentS scores for the dimension of others-based mentalization (MentS-O) were statistically lower in MS group, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the dimensions of motivation to mentalize (MentS-M) and self-based mentalization (MentS-S) scores. CONCLUSION: We may conclude that MS patients have trouble comprehending other people's thoughts. This effect can be one of the causes of MS patients' issues with social cognition.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Mentalization Scale (MentS). / Zihinsellestirme Ölçegi'nin Türkçe Çevirisinin Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalismasi.

OBJECTIVE: This study, aims to translate the Mentalization Scale (MentS) into Turkish and investigate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version. METHOD: The participants, consisting of 615 (310 female and 305 male) Turkish speaking adults, were asked to complete the MentS and the Emotional Intelligence Feature Scale-Short Form (EIFS) and the Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI). RESULTS: The factor structure of the scale was investigated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Similar with the original scale, findings demonstrated a three-factor structure, namely, 'the self,' 'others' and 'motivation'. Corrected total score correlations for each item were between 0.28 and 0.52. The MentS score showed positive correlations with the EIFS score (r=0.49; p<0.001); and negative correlations with the BPI score (r=-0.37; p<0.001). Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient was calculated as 0.84 for the total score, 0.78, 0.80, and 0.79 for MentS-S, MentS-O, and MentS-M, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings show that the 25-item MentS Turkish form has sufficient psychometric properties. Our data supports the use of the Turkish version of MentS in future studies for assessment of mentalization capacity.

Parenthood motivation scale: psychometric properties of Turkish version and comparison between fertile and infertile women.

Compared to natural conception, being a parent via assisted reproductive techniques (ART) may have some unique characteristics and motivational bases. In this study, Turkish adaptation of the Parenthood Motivation Scale (PMS) was conducted. The factor structure and psychometric properties of the scale were examined with a sample of pregnant women (N = 457) who conceived naturally (n = 272) or via ART (n = 185). Like the original scale, findings demonstrated a six-factor structure (i.e. continuity, nurturance, relationship, identity, social pressure, and materialism) and it is a reliable measure. The two groups of expectant mothers were compared to investigate whether the scale successfully differentiates them in terms of bases of parenthood motivation. After controlling for the effects of covariates, multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that PMS successfully differentiates the women with different conception types. The participants who were impregnated via ART had significantly higher motivations in terms of identity and social pressure dimensions, and overall parenthood motivation. These findings might be associated with the collectivist nature of Turkish culture and emphasized the importance of working on these external bases of parenthood motivations to reduce infertile women's stress concerning having children.

Relation of Anxiety, Depression, and Behavioral Problems With Time Allocated to Television, Computer, and Smartphone in Children Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Children and adolescents with chronic diseases have more screen exposure time compared with their healthy peers. In this study, we investigated screen exposure time of children who received renal replacement therapy, which included kidney transplant and dialysis treatment, versus a healthy control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 55 children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18 years. Although 28 participants did not have any chronic disease, 27 had chronic diseases and received renal replacement therapy. Among these patients, 17 had kidney transplant and 10 were receiving dialysis. A sociodemographic information form and the Conners Short-Form Parent Rating Scale were given to parents. Pediatric and adolescent patients completed the Children's Depression Inventory and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale-2. We analyzed differences between the groups with and without renal replacement therapy and examined relations between continuous variables. RESULTS: Duration of television screen time was significantly higher in children and adolescents receiving renal replacement therapy. Patients in the renal replacement therapy group showed a positive correlation between the Conners Short-Form Parent Rating Scale anxiety subscores and duration of smartphone use. In the kidney transplant recipient group, smartphone and computer durations were positively correlated and television duration was negatively correlated with the Conners Short-Form Parent Rating Scale behavioral problems subscores. CONCLUSIONS: Children on renal replacement therapy may be at risk in terms of excessive television exposure. Children who are on dialysis and have had a kidney transplant may be more prone to the negative effects of screen exposure than healthy peers who do not have chronic illnesses. These children and adolescents should be closely monitored to avoid the negative effects of excessive screen exposure.

Healthcare workers' burn-out, hopelessness, fear of COVID-19 and perceived social support levels.

Background and objectives: During the pandemic, all healthcare workers have tried to cope with mental challenges. This study evaluated the healthcare workers' levels of burn-out, hopelessness, fear of COVID-19 and perceived social support, the relation between these factors, and other possible related components. Methods: Four hundred and fifty-one HCW (healthcare workers) all across Turkey were included in the study. Sociodemographic information form, Maslach Burn-out Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale were given to the participants. This was a cross-sectional study via various online platforms. Results: The participants who were on duty in the COVID-19 clinic, complaining about the low salary or not having enough time for themselves or their own family, had significantly higher scores on three subscales of burn-out scale, and hopelessness scale. Working at governmental hospitals, working at departments containing a high risk of COVID-19 infection, and having a history of COVID-19 infection were found to be significantly associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and hopelessness. Feeling control of your profession and getting social support from others were the two factors that tackle burnout in HCW. Family support is the only support that tackles all 3 subscales of burn-out and hopelessness. Conclusion: The findings emphasized that to tackle the burn-out and hopelessness of HCW, it is important for HCW to receive financial compensation for their hard work, to work under improved conditions, and to receive adequate social support.

Evaluating early maladaptive schemas and depression levels in living kidney and liver donors.

Living organ donation is a stressful process, both in terms of physical and mental consequences after the operation. Studies have found that cumulative depression prevalence in 5-year follow-up after the organ donation is 4.2% in 1 year and 11.5% in 5 years. The aim of the present study was to find out early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and depression levels of living kidney and liver donors. Ninety-three patients who have become living kidney or liver donors in Baskent University Hospital between 2015 and 2019 and accepted to participate in the study are included. Interviews were conducted via telephone or face-to-face and socio-demographic information form, Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form-3 and Beck Depression Inventory were given to the participants. The first three schemas with the highest average scores in living donors were self-sacrifice, punitiveness and approval seeking. The Sschema domain with the highest score is 'other directedness' among living donors. The donors who had depression revealed higher scores in the schema domains of 'abandonment and rejection' and 'impaired autonomy' when compared to those who did not have depression. As the donors had higher scores in the 'other directedness' schema domain and 'self-sacrifice' and 'approval seeking' schemas, overthinking and acting accordingly for the others with the expectation of being praised is thought to be the underlying pattern (motivation) of being a living donor. Culture could have an important impact in this particular way of thinking and acting. There is a cultural and religious impact as well in the high scores of 'punitiveness' schema of the donors. Being adequately informed pre-operatively, feeling safe and independent during the decision process and getting enough social support post-operatively seem to be the important factors of tackling depression for living organ donors.