Differences in predictors of sexual satisfaction and in sexual satisfaction between female and male university students in Slovenia.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports on some factors correlated with sexual satisfaction and on differences between female and male university students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 174 female and 74 male Slovene undergraduate university students was studied. RESULTS: It has been found that an increased frequency of sexual interaction and agreeableness in sexual interactions increase sexual satisfaction, while a desired frequency of sexual interactions and estimation of a partner's agreeableness in sexual interactions decrease sexual satisfaction. Sex was not found to be an important predictor of sexual satisfaction. Male students' agreeableness in sexual interaction is significantly higher than that of female students. Male students are significantly more conservative in their attitudes towards abortion and concerning sexual myths. Female students are less satisfied with their sexual life than their male colleagues. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of the study demonstrate that there are some differences in problems with sexuality between both sexes. Female students are in general more dissatisfied. On the basis of the findings of the present research it should be possible to plan interventions for increasing satisfaction with sexuality, specifically for each gender.

Stress, coping and social support in three groups of university students.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the findings of our study researching the differences in strategies for coping with stress, social support, hassles and uplifts of sport, medical and psychology students at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A random sample of 237 Slovene undergraduate university students was studied. The three groups were chosen among students of medicine, sport and psychology. RESULTS: It was found that there were no significant differences in strategies for coping with stress between the three groups of students. Significant differences between the groups were found in the number of uplifts and hassles, but not in the mean of both variables. Sport students had less social support compared with the other two groups of students, but the difference between actual and ideal social support is not significant. DISCUSSION: The results were interpreted according to our hypothesis and compared with findings of research in students' stress. CONCLUSION: Some suggestions for further research are given on the basis of the present research.

Antidepressants and suicidal behaviour in the Psychiatric Emergency Clinic - preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: In the literature evidence of two claims that have been made about the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Ithas been reported that there is: (i) a decreased suicide rate in the population; and (ii) an increased suicide rate in some individuals early in treatment with SSRIs. The aim of this observational study of suicidal behaviour in patients prescribed SSRIs and other antidepressants was to investigate at arrival in Psychiatric Emergency Clinic (PEC) at the University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana the differences in expressed suicidal behaviour regarding prescribed antidepressant medications. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From the medical documentation of Psychiatric Emergency Clinic (PEC) at University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana all admissions in the year 2004 were extracted (N=1437). The first subgroup had prescribed SSRIs and the second subgroup had prescribed other antidepressants before arrival in PEC. RESULTS: During this period 338 patients were examined in PEC who had already been prescribed antidepressants. Among patients with prescribed antidepressants 273 of them had been prescribed SSRIs and 65 had been prescribed other antidepressants. Suicidal behaviour (suicidal ideations, threats and attempts) was observed in 30% of patients with prescribed SSRIs and in 38% of the patients who had been prescribed other antidepressants. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data about suicidal behaviour and antidepressant usage are in accordance with recent observations where no evidence was found that the risk of suicide or non-fatal self harm in adults prescribed SSRIs was greater than in those prescribed other antidepressants.

Slovenia.

Slovenia, with an area of 20 000 km2 and a population of 2 million, is one of the smallest members of the European Union. It gained its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. The country has a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$27 300 per capita. (Largely because of its historical links with Western Europe, Slovenia has a higher GPD compared with other countries in transition in Central Europe.) The health budget represents 8.4% of GDP. Slovenia has a low birth rate and an ageing population. It is divided into 210 municipalities; however, the reorganisation of government into several separate regions with more administrative and economic autonomy is in progress. The prevalence of mental illness is comparable to that in other European countries, although there are high levels of alcoholism and suicide.

Trait aggression and hostility in recovered alcoholics.

There is a long-recognized association between alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior. This study was designed to examine aggression in a group of socially well-adapted recovered alcoholics (RA). The question addressed was whether the treatment, together with long-term abstinence from alcohol, could reduce aggression and hostility in RA. A group of male RA (n = 64), who did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for any psychiatric or personality disorder, were recruited to the study from aftercare groups. According to data from their group therapists, they were reliably abstinent for at least 3 years and socially well adapted. The study participants representing the control group (n = 69), diagnosed as being 'reliable nonalcoholics' (NA) by the Munich Alcoholism Test, were recruited from general practice. Data were derived from an in-house questionnaire on general characteristics of both groups, and aggressive and hostility traits were assessed using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). The univariate and multivariate between-groups design was used for data analysis. Taking into account the BDHI dimensions of aggression and hostility, the difference between RA and NA groups was statistically significant [Wilks' lambda (8, 125) = 0.769; p = 0.00004]. There were statistically significant differences in the BDHI scales for indirect aggression, irritability, negativism, suspicion, resentment, and guilt. Both RA and Na groups did not differ significantly in variables that assessed physical and verbal aggression. After a 3-year abstinence, subjects from the RA group displayed signs of hostility and covert aggression.

The development of psychiatric reform in Slovenia.

The situation of mental health care in Slovenia is briefly reviewed. The reduction of beds in psychiatric hospitals has started already in the 1970s; a further decrease has occurred in the last few years. The number of admissions to these hospitals has increased recently, while hospitalizations have become shorter. On the other hand, the access to psychiatric outpatient facilities is becoming increasingly difficult. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to enhance community mental health care. Patients and families have great expectations about the new mental health legislation, which is supposed to be associated with a national mental health program.

Risk of suicide after attempted suicide in the population of Slovenia from 1970 to 1996.

OBJECTIVE: All suicide attempts cannot predict suicide, therefore we examined those characteristics of suicide attempt which could most accurately predict completed suicide. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Subjects were all individuals registered as committed suicides (N=16,522) or attempted suicides (N=15,057) in the register of suicides of the Republic of Slovenia between 1970 and 1996. Log linear analysis of a frequency table was used to uncover relationship between categorical variables. RESULTS: The model we found fit between variables: mode, number of repetitions and type, then between number of repetitions, type and gender, and between mode, type and gender. DISCUSSION: The risk of suicide in those who previously attempted suicide is approximately 773 times higher than the risk of suicide without a previous suicide attempt. Those who attempt suicide by hanging (hanging being in Slovenia the most frequent mode of completed suicide) are at even greater risk to commit suicide. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that clinicians should heighten their awareness that any suicide attempt can in some 20% predict suicide. Someone who has attempted suicide by hanging is at the highest risk of suicide.

Community rehabilitation service for patients with severe psychotic disorders: the Slovene experience.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation can be carried out at various sites. METHOD: Two groups of patients with severe mental disorders were compared: those included in community rehabilitation service and those only attending an outpatient clinic regarding their clinical status, social functioning, standard of living and quality of life. RESULTS: We found no significant global differences in group characteristics, social functioning and clinical status, but we did prove the lower social status of the group included in the rehabilitation service and their satisfaction with the services they use. CONCLUSIONS: The community rehabilitation services in Slovenia are coping with existential social needs of their users but this study failed to demonstrate their success in improving health or social functioning.