Reaction time analysis in patients with mild left unilateral spatial neglect employing the modified Posner task: vertical and horizontal dimensions.

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a common neurological syndrome that develops after a right hemisphere lesion. By examining the performance of the modified Posner task added to the vertical dimensions of the left and right visual fields, we studied whether the lower left area had different neglect symptoms than the other locations. 41 patients with right hemisphere damage were classified into those with mild USN (USN+ ; n = 20) and without USN (USN- ; n = 21). Twenty older participants made up the healthy control (HC; n = 20) group. All participants recorded deficits in the paper-and-pencil tests established for neglect and reaction times in the modified Posner task. In the paper-and-pencil tests, there was no difference in deficit between the upper and lower left visual fields in any of the groups. According to the modified Posner task, the USN+ group exhibited delays in reaction time in the lower left visual field rather than the upper left visual field. Importantly, reaction times were delayed, and USN symptoms persisted, particularly for the lower left quadrant. Our findings imply that the modified Posner task can accurately uncover neglect symptoms in the case of mild USN.

Indirect self-destructiveness in individuals with schizophrenia

Objective: To explore the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Two hundred individuals with paranoid schizophrenia (117 men and 83 women, mean age 37.15 years), all in remission, were examined using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale. Two hundred well-matched healthy individuals served as a control group. Results: The intensity of indirect self-destructiveness was greater in the schizophrenia group than in controls. The intensity of each manifestation was as follows (in decreasing order): helplessness and passiveness in the face of difficulties (A5), personal and social neglects (A3), lack of planfulness (A4), poor health maintenance (A2), transgression and risk (A1). Conclusion: Patients with schizophrenia displayed more behaviors that were indirectly self-destructive than healthy controls; they scored better than healthy controls only on caring for their own health. The patients showed the lowest intensity of behaviors connected with the active form of indirect self-destructiveness, and the highest intensity of behaviors connected with the passive form. These findings may enable delivery of more effective forms of pharmacological and psychosocial help to patients with schizophrenia.

Maus-tratos entre adolescentes do sexo feminino no ensino privado e público / Maltreatment among female adolescents in private and public education

Em função da idade e do gênero, adolescentes do sexo feminino são especialmente vulneráveis à s violências, sobretudo aos maus-tratos (violência no âmbito das relações interpessoais). Neste estudo, objetivou-se descrever/caracterizar a ocorrência de maus-tratos entre estudantes do sexo feminino (n=1.174), com idade entre 11 e 18 anos, por meio do Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Brasil (CTQ-Br). Do total das adolescentes, 87% de escolas privadas e 93% de públicas indicaram algum tipo de maus-tratos, especialmente abuso emocional e negligência emocional, havendo, para a maioria, coocorrências/polivitimização. A pontuação total no instrumento foi significativamente maior nas escolas públicas, assim como a proporção de abusos e/ou negligências em níveis de gravidade moderado/severo. Os resultados denotam uma grande porcentagem de adolescentes maltratadas e a maior vulnerabilidade daquelas de escolas públicas, entendendo o tipo de escola como indicador de classe socioeconômica. Estes resultados podem auxiliar nas discussões de políticas públicas de prevenção e enfrentamento da violência

Due to age and gender, female adolescents are especially vulnerable to violence, particularly to maltreatment (the violence in the interpersonal relationships). The aim of this study was to describe/characterize the occurrence of maltreatment among female students (n=1,174), aged 11 to 18 years, through the Brazilian Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-Br). Considering all the adolescents, 87% of private schools and 93% of public school indicated some abuse, especially Emotional Abuse and Emotional Neglect, existing for the majority co-occurrences/polyvictimization. The total score on the instrument was significantly higher in public schools, as was the proportion of abuses and/or neglect at moderate/severe levels. The results indicate a large percentage of maltreated adolescents and a greater vulnerability of those in public schools, considering the school type as an indicator of socioeconomic class. These can help discussions on public policies prevention and coping with violence