The cognitive aspect of formal thought disorder and its relationship with global social functioning and the quality of life in schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: It was expected that using a comprehensive scale like the Thought and Language Disorder Scale (TALD) for measurement of FTD would enable assessing its heterogeneity and its associations with cognitive impairment and functionality. This study has aimed to analyze the relationship between formal thought disorder (FTD) and cognitive functions, functionality, and quality of life in schizophrenia. METHODS: This cross-sectional exploratory study included 46 clinical participants meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and 35 healthy individuals as the control groups. Data were acquired by means of the Turkish language version of the TALD, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, the Functioning Assessment Short Test, the Social Functioning Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Short Form, and a neuropsychological test battery on executive functions, working memory, verbal fluency, abstract thinking, and response inhibition. Correlation analyses were conducted to detect significant relationships. RESULTS: The clinical group scored failures in all cognitive tests. The objective positive FTD was associated with deficits in executive functions and social functioning. The objective negative FTD was associated with poor performance in all cognitive domains, physical quality of life, and social and global functioning. The subjective negative FTD was negatively correlated with psychological quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that objective FTD factors reflect different underlying cognitive deficits and correlate with different functioning domains. Significant correlation was determined between subjective negative FTD and psychological quality of life. Given the close relationship of FTD with functioning and quality of life, the FTD-related cognitive deficits should be the key treatment goal in schizophrenia.

Adaptation of the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and Determination of Its Normative Values in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to adapt the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and determine its normative values in Turkey. METHODS: After translation and cultural adaptation processes, a population-based study was conducted between February and June 2016 in Ankara with individuals over the age of 55 years. Subjects with a previous diagnosis of dementia along with neuropsychiatric disorders that might affect cognition were excluded. Data analyses were performed to assess the association of sociodemographic variables with 3MS scores. RESULTS: Two versions of the Turkish 3MS (for educated and minimally educated individuals) were developed. A total of 2,235 participants were included in the field study. After exclusion, the data on the final sample of 1,909 individuals were analyzed, where age, gender, and education accounted for variance in 3MS scores. Younger age and higher educational attainment were associated with better 3MS performance. CONCLUSIONS: A widely applicable dementia screening test was adapted to Turkish and its normative values were determined. The test will make it possible to evaluate the cognitive performance of both educated and minimally educated elderly individuals based on their age, gender, and educational level.

Examination of formal thought disorder and its clinical correlates with the Turkish Version of the Thought and Language Disorder Scale (TALD-TR) in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Formal thought disorder (FTD) is considered to be a fundamental feature of schizophrenia. This study aims to analyze psychometric properties of the Turkish version of "Thought and Language Disorder Scale (TALD)" and investigate the relationship between FTD and various clinical characteristics in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: TALD was adapted into Turkish and applied to a total of 149 participants of which 114 had DSM-5 psychiatric diagnoses (schizophrenia N = 70, mania N = 20, depression N = 24) and 35 were healthy controls. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, and Clinical Global Impression were administered to detect illness severity. RESULTS: The principal component analyses revealed that the Turkish version of TALD (TALD-TR) consisted of four factors including the Objective Positive (OP), Subjective Negative (SN), Objective Negative (ON) and Subjective Positive (SP) symptom dimensions which were in line with the original TALD factorial structure. It was concluded that TALD-TR shows strong construct validity and high interrater reliability. The correlation analyses with TALD-TR and PANSS showed that there are positive correlations between the TALD-TR total score and the PANSS total and subscale scores. Each diagnostic group showed the distinct pattern of FTD. The mania group exhibited the highest mean total score in the OP, whereas the schizophrenia group exhibited the highest mean total score in the ON factor. In the schizophrenia group, the severity of FTD correlated positively with duration of illness and negatively with age at onset of illness. CONCLUSION: Adaptation of TALD into different languages seems to be possible, bringing in an international tool for research on FTD.

Autonomous-related self, eating attitude and body satisfaction in young females.

PURPOSE: This research aimed to investigate the relationship between the self, eating attitudes, and body satisfaction within the framework of the autonomous-related self model, in which the healthy functioning self is described as "autonomous" and "related." METHODS: Female university students (n = 314) with a mean age of 19 (SD = 1.18) were included in the research. The mean body mass index (BMI) of participants was 20.77 (SD = 2.77, range = 15.57-33.06). Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, the Autonomy-Relatedness Scales, Eating Attitudes Test, Body Cathexis Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Lower autonomy-relatedness (ß = -0.13, p < 0.05) predicted more problematic eating attitudes, but autonomy-relatedness itself was not a significant predictor of body satisfaction in young females. Ideal weight scores (ß = -0.19, p < 0.01) negatively predicted a disturbance in eating attitudes, whereas depression scores (ß = 0.12, p < 0.05) positively predicted a disturbance. Although none of the self-constructs (autonomy, relatedness, autonomy-relatedness) were significant predictors of body satisfaction, BMI (ß = -0.20, p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (ß = -0.28, p < 0.001) negatively predicted body satisfaction, whereas ideal weight scores (ß = 0.14, p < 0.01) positively predicted body satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The Autonomous-Related Self was a meaningful measure of associations between the self and eating psychopathology, but not of the relationship between the self and body satisfaction. It was also important to evaluate objective (e.g., BMI) and subjective (e.g., ideal weight) indicators of weight to better understand the nature of eating patterns and body satisfaction. Future research on autonomy-relatedness and other psychopathology is recommended.

Narcissism on interpersonal circumplex model: Reactions to imaginary abandonment and rejection.

Aim: Narcissism is a direct result of the lack of self-expression. Thus, this trait is enshrined in cycles of strategies to protect self-worth in interpersonal relationships. The aim of the present study was to understand in what way narcissistic individuals understand their interactions with themselves and others. Method: The study included two groups comprising high grandiose narcissism (GN, n = 43) and high vulnerable narcissism (VN, n = 44). The participants who received scores that were one standard deviation (SD) above the mean, either on the PNI-grandiosity or on the PNI-vulnerable dimensions, constituted the GN and VN groups among 518 students (Age: M = 23.57, Sd = 2.13). Results: The chi-square test was performed to evaluate the dimensions of narcissism with respect to responses of the participants and their partners (behavioral, cognitive, and emotional). The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) was administered to evaluate narcissistic characteristics. The "Criticism Story" of the Story Completion Inventory in Romantic Relationships (SCIRR) was used for criticism. The circular pattern between the responses of the participants and their partners was examined using the Interpersonal Schemas Scale (ISS). The results revealed that the vulnerable group gave more complementary responses emotionally and made more complementary predictions in terms of the expected reactions from the romantic partner than the grandiose group. Discussion: The results were discussed in reference to the basic self-esteem-protecting motivations of the groups.

Effects of Age, Gender and Education on Phonemic and Semantic Verbal Fluency. / Yas, Cinsiyet ve Egitim Düzeyinin Fonemik ve Semantik Sözel Akicilik Testi Puanlari Üzerinde Etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to obtain normative data for Verbal Fluency Test and investigate the effects of age, gender, and education on verbal fluency in native Turkish-speaking individuals. METHOD: A pilot study was conducted to determine 3 letters with differing levels of difficulty for completing the phonemic fluency task. First names and animals were chosen for the semantic fluency task, and an alternating semantic task (first name-animal) was also used. In total, 415 participants (208 male and 207 female) were recruited and stratified based on the age and education levels. RESULTS: Level of education had a main effect on all verbal fluency tasks; people with higher education performed better. Age and gender were found to have no effect on phonemic verbal fluency. Only the < name production task was affected by gender, women performed better. Younger age groups produced more words in name generation and semantic alternating fluency tasks. CONCLUSION: The effects of age, gender and education on verbal fluency are in accordance with many previous reports. Analysis of various errors were also conducted. Results for Turkish are presented and discussed in the light of literature.

[The Standardization of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory inthe Turkish Language and Testing Its Validity and Reliability]. / Patolojik Narsisizm Envanterinin Türkçe Standardizasyonu,Geçerlik ve Güvenirliginin Sinanmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Despite its importance as a psychological construct, narcissism have been inconsistently defined and measured across studies. Overly narrow construct definition of pathological narcissism and insufficient measurement lead Pincus et al. (2009) to develop Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI). Which is a multidimensional measure of pathological narcissism that assesses both overt and covert expressions of narcissistic vulnerability. The aim of this study was to adapt PNI into Turkish language and investigate the validity and reliability indicators. METHOD: The Turkish version of Pathological Narcissism Inventory was applied to 518 (205 male) university students. Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability coefficients were calculated. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyzes have been carried out to determine the factors. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Bell Object Relations and Reality Assessment Scale (BORRTI) object relational form were used for evaluation of validity. RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha is .93 for the total score, and test-retest reliability is r= .91. The principal components analysis revealed 6 factors explaining 50.24% of the variance. According to the structural equality model, fit indices indicate valid and reliable models. Analyses revealed significant correlation coefficients with NPI and BORRTI. CONCLUSION: The validity and reliability indicators of PNE Turkish form were within an acceptable range and PNE can be used for further studies.

[A Population-Based Study for the Standardization of the Turkish Version of the Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MS) and Assessment of Certain Environmental Risk Factors for Dementia: Methodology and Sample Characteristics]. / Modifiye-Mini-Mental Test (3MS) Türkçe Formu’nun Standardizasyonu ve Demansla Iliskili Bazi Çevresel Risk Etmenlerinin Tespiti için Toplum Temelli bir Çalisma: Metodoloji ve Örneklem Özellikleri.

OBJECTIVE: Objective assessment of the cognitive status and activities of daily living are required for the diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders. No cognitive screening test with normative values exist in Turkey. This study aims to standardize a widely applicable cognitive screening test, determine the activities of daily living in a population-based sample as well as identifying certain individual and environmental risk factors for cognitive disorders. METHOD: Since Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE) is widely used in primary and secondary care and a version for the uneducated exists, an expanded and modified version of MMSE, Modified Mini Mental Test (3MS) was selected for standardization. After the adaptation and pre-testing processes, a population-based study including the individuals over the age of 55 was planned to determine the normative values using the primary health care system in Ankara, Turkey, An age-based stratification procedure was applied. Data were collected through a survey form that was developed to identify certain healthrelated, occupational and environmental risk factors associated with cognitive disorders among with the cognitive evaluation. The study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Grant No: 214S048. RESULTS: The population-based study was conducted between January and June 2016. The data of a total of 2158 participants were analyzed. The geographic distribution of the final sample was representative of the total population in Ankara. Of the study sample, 51,3%were female, and 60% had over 5 years of education. Approximately 25% of all participants were 'screening-positive' for neurocognitive impairment and age was inversely related with daily functioning. CONCLUSION: We were able to reach a population-based sample to determine the normative values of a widely applicable cognitive screening test and the activities of daily living as well as evaluate dementia-related risk factors in Turkey. The findings of the study indicated that 3MS-Turkish form is a cognitive secreening test, which can be widely used in Turkey.

[Reliability and Validity Indicators of Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire in the Context of Culture and Gender]. / Kültür ve Cinsiyet Baglaminda Berkeley Duygu Ifadesi Ölçeginin Geçerlilik ve Güvenilirlik Ölçütleri.

PURPOSE: The Berkeley Expressivity Questionaire (BEQ) was a scale, developed by Gross and John (1995) to measure emotion expression. The purpose of the present study was to investigate reliability and validity indicators of the BEQ in our culture. METHOD: The sample composed of 213 (115 women) people whose average of age 35. The people were voluntered for the study and lived within the borders of Izmir. The validity indicators of the questionaire were investigated through explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses, gender differences between the scores and correlational analyses on Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Anyway, the realibility indicators of the questionaire were explored by internal consistency coefficient and test re-test reliability. RESULTS: Confirmatory and explanatory factor analyses revealed a three factor model explaining % 48 of the total variance. These factors were named as emotional expressivity, impulse strength and masking. The results showed a positive correlation between the DERS and the total BEQ scores, which were congruent with theoretical expectations. It was found that the women had higher scores in the BEQ, emotional expressivity and impulse strength subscales while the men had higher scores than women in the masking subscale, meaning the women might be more emotionally expressive and the intensity of their emotional experience were higher than men. In addition, the Cronbach's alpha value was .81 and test re-test values were .78 for the total BEQ. CONCLUSION: Based on these results it was concluded that The Turkish version of the BEQ has sufficiently high reliability and validity to justify its use as a tool in emotion expression studies.

Workplace Violence in the Health Sector in Turkey: A National Study.

Violence in the workplace is an increasing occupational health concern worldwide. Health care workers are at high risk of assault. To develop, monitor, and manage prevention policies, baseline data should be available. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the current extent of workplace violence nationwide in Turkey. The study population of 12.944 health care workers was a stratified sample of all health care workers (612,639) in the country. A probabilistic sampling was made on the basis of the "multistage stratified random cluster sampling method." This study was conducted by a structured questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. The questionnaire items were adapted and translated into Turkish based on questionnaires of International Labor Organization, International Council of Nurses, World Health Organization, and Public Services International. The percentage of health care workers who experienced workplace violence in Turkey in the previous 12 months was 44.7%. The types of violence included physical 6.8%, verbal 43.2%, mobbing (bullying) 2.4%, and sexual harassment 1%. Multivariate analysis showed that level of health care system, type of institution, gender, occupation, age, working hours, and shift work were independent risk factors for experiencing workplace violence ( p < .05). Our study indicates that the workplace violence among health care workers is a significant problem. The results of the study can serve as the basis for future analytical studies and for development of appropriate prevention efforts.