The effect of online group based acceptance and commitment therapy on psychotic symptoms and functioning levels of individuals with early psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of online group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) applied to individuals with early psychosis on psychotic symptoms and functionality levels. METHODS: This randomized controlled study population consisted of 77 individuals who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria at most three years ago. The study sample consisted of 53 individuals who met the inclusion criteria and were assigned to the intervention (n = 26) and control (n = 27) groups by simple randomization method. The intervention group received an eight-session ACT program as online group therapy, while the control group received no application made by the researchers. Data were obtained using the "Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)" and the "Social Functioning Assessment Scale (SFAS)" at pre-test, post-test and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: While it was found that the post-test and 3-month follow-up test PANSS mean scores of the individuals in the intervention group were lower than the mean score of the individuals in the control group; it was determined that the mean score of SFAS was higher than the mean score of the individuals in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, while no hospitalization was observed in the intervention group during the follow-up period, 14.8 % (n = 4) of the individuals in the control group were hospitalized. DISCUSSION: It was found that online group-based ACT applied to individuals with early psychosis reduced psychotic symptoms and increased their functionality levels. It was also found that hospitalizations were less in the intervention group. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID: NCT05210816.

The Turkish version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ): Examination of the validity and reliability and scale structure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). DESIGN AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 250 women who presented to three family health centers in Istanbul/Turkey between April and June 2022 and met the sampling criteria. Validity analysis was performed using the content validity index, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Pearson product-moment correlation and Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficients were used for reliability analysis. RESULTS: To evaluate invariance of the instrument over time, test-retest measurements were conducted at least two weeks apart and showed no difference in mean scores (p > .05). Adjusted goodness-of-fit index >0.97 and comparative fit index >0.98 confirmed the construct validity of the Turkish PBQ. Each item had a content validity index of 96%. Corrected item-total score correlations ranged from 0.50 to 0.93. The Cronbach Alpha was found to be 0.96, indicating high internal consistency. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the Turkish version of the PBQ is valid and reliable. It can be used as a measurement tool to determine the degree of maternal bonding in the postpartum period.

Development and psychometric properties of the Respectful Maternity Care Scale (RMCS).

AIMS/BACKGROUND: The Respectful Maternity Care Scale (RMCS) was developed specifically to assess the health care that women receive during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the RMCS. DESIGN/METHODS: This study used a methodological design. The RMCS, a self-report instrument, was developed in consultation with professionals and women who had given birth, based on the literature. It was tested for content and construct validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest method, and adjusted item-total correlation. The study sample consisted of 405 women between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum who were admitted to a family health centre in Istanbul between April and June 2023. RESULTS: The scale's content validity index is 0.92. The scale consists of 29 items and 3 sub-dimensions, which explain 61% of the total variance. χ2/df was less than 5 and RMSEA was less than 0.08, which confirms the validity of this model. The corrected item-total correlations were acceptable, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.96. CONCLUSION: The RMCS has been shown to be valid and reliable and can be used to assess respectful maternity care among Turkish women.

Reliability and validity of the Toileting Behaviors-Women's Elimination Behaviors scale in a Turkish pregnant population.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Toileting behaviors are related to lower urinary tract symptoms and bladder dysfunction and are an important factor affecting bladder health. The aim of this study was to translate the Toileting Behaviors-Women's Elimination Behaviors (TB-WEB) Scale into Turkish and to validate its internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct and criterion validity for use in Turkish pregnant women. METHOD: The research was conducted with 226 pregnant women who presented to the antenatal outpatient clinics of a university hospital in Türkiye for antenatal follow-up. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire prepared by the researchers and the TB-WEB Scale. Descriptive data were analyzed using numbers, percentage and mean values, whereas psychometric analysis of the scale was performed using semantic equivalence, content validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's α, item-total correlation, and test-retest analysis. RESULTS: The scale consisted of 20 items and five subscales. The content validity index of the items was found to be 93%. Cronbach's α coefficient was found to be 0.77 for the whole scale; 0.60 for the place preference for voiding subscale; 0.73 for the premature voiding subscale; 0.84 for the delayed voiding subscale; 0.83 for the straining voiding subscale; and 0.88 for the position preference for voiding subscale. The scale mediates 62% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis found that item factor loadings varied between 0.31 and 0.99 and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) value was found 0.078. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the TB-WEB Scale is a valid and reliable instrument in evaluating women's toileting behaviors during pregnancy.

Premenstrual Syndrome and Childbirth Fear Prior to Pregnancy in Young Women: An Association and Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the association between premenstrual syndrome and the childbirth fear prior to pregnancy. METHODS: This was an association and cross-sectional study conducted on 327 university students. Data were collected using "Participant Information Form," "Premenstrual Syndrome Scale," and "Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale." RESULTS: It was found that the childbirth fear had increased in students with premenstrual syndrome. The Women Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale score was statistically significantly higher among students who preferred caesarean section than those who preferred vaginal delivery. There was a weak, positive, and statistically significant correlation between the students' depressive sensation, anxiety, fatigue, nervousness, depressive thoughts, pain, appetite changes, sleep pattern changes, and bloating subscales of Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and Women Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale. CONCLUSION: The score of the Women Childbirth Fear-Prior to Pregnancy Scale increases with an increase in the score of the Premenstrual Syndrome subscale. It should be evaluated whether or not women experiencing premenstrual syndrome have the childbirth fear prior to pregnancy.

Psychodrama as a new intervention for reducing fear of childbirth: a randomised controlled trial.

This study was designed to examine the potential benefit of the addition of psychodrama classes to antenatal education as a new technique to address fear of childbirth. This was a randomised controlled trial. A total of 150 women were initially enrolled in two groups. Psychodrama sessions were added to standard antenatal education in the experiment group. The control group participated only in routine antenatal education classes. Birth outcomes and fear of childbirth were measured and analysed to assess the impact. The analysis was completed with an experimental group of 50 women and a control group of 49 women. At the conclusion of the training, it was observed that there was a greater decrease in fear of childbirth in the experiment group than in the control group. Additionally, in the postpartum period, the experimental group had a higher rate of vaginal childbirth and a shorter childbirth time than the control group. Psychodrama may be an effective means of reducing fear of childbirth and reduced caesarean section childbirth. Psychoeducation should be added antenatal education programs. Thus, it may represent an important tool in the efforts to improve maternal mental health and also provide broader social benefits.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Studies examining means to reduce fear of childbirth have found that psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioural therapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, haptotherapy and art therapy were useful.What the results of this study add? Psychodrama as a new intervention may be beneficial decreased of fear of childbirth, increased of normal birth rate and at improving the experience of pregnancy and childbirth.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Protecting and caring for the mental health of the mother and child benefits the entire community. It has been reported that 1 in 5 mothers experience psychiatric difficulties during the postpartum period, and 7 of 10 do not receive treatment, which has a negative impact on the mother, the child and family. Assesment of the mental health of women during the postpartum period is not regularly performed in many countries and women are frequently left to struggle on their own. The identification of pregnant women who have a high fear of childbirth and who are at risk of developing a psychiatric disorder by nurses is an important element of providing of appropriate, high-quality care.

Psychometric properties of the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE-24) Scale.

The objective of this study is to conduct a reliability and validity study of the Turkish version of the 'Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE-24)' in pregnant women. In the Turkish version, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.75, and the item-total score correlations were between 0.75 and 0.85. In the exploratory factor analysis it was determined that the scale had a single-factor structure explaining 65.968% of the total variance. The factor load values of the scale were found to be between 0.776 and 0.831. The Turkish version of scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement in pregnant women.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Complaints of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are common. Therefore, it is important to evaluate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy with a valid and reliable tool. Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE-24) is a reliable tool for assessing the severity of nausea and vomiting symptoms. The original scale was translated into various languages, its validity and reliability were made in some countries and it was used in many studies.What do the results of this study add? The present study showed that Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE-24) is valid and reliable for Turkish pregnant women. Thus, the scale can be used as a reliable tool in Turkish population.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? As a result of this study, Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE-24) can be used as a validated tool for the Turkish population during clinical practice by healthcare professionals and researchers, who are evaluating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. In future studies, it can be used as an objective assessment tool to determine whether an intervention is needed for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy or to reveal whether the intervention has worked.

Does large breast problem and macromastia surgery affect a woman's body image, depression level, sexual life, and quality of life? A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the change in the body perception, sexual life, quality of life, and depression levels in women undergoing a reduction mammaplasty due to breast hypertrophy problem. METHODS: This descriptive and comparative study was carried out prospectively with 34 women who were diagnosed with breast hypertrophy in a public hospital in the province of Kayseri between 1 April and 31 December 2019 and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected via the self-reporting method using the Introductory Information Form prepared in line with the literature, Preoperative Data Collection Form, Postoperative Data Collection Form, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Quality of Life Questionnaire, Body Perception Scale (BPS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: In the preoperative period, 97.1% of the women with breast hypertrophy reported health complaints related to breast hypertrophy, 91.2% need to take a shower frequently, 85.3% social problems like shame and stigma, 85.3% exercise intolerance, and 79.4% sense of dislike. It was determined that general health complaints of these women decreased in the postoperative third month and they obtained significantly high scores from the FSFI, BDI, BPS, and all subscales of the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire, except from the mental subscale (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that there were remarkable improvements in the mental, physical, social, and sexual areas of women with breast hypertrophy after the reduction mammaplasty.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the COVID Stress Scale.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the Turkish adaptation of the COVID Stress Scale (CSS) on the basis of determining the stress caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and to test its validity and reliability. METHODS: The English CSS was translated into Turkish using forward and backward translation. Data were collected online from 360 participants. Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and content validity. Pearson product-moment correlation, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, and test-retest methods were used to evaluate reliability. RESULTS: The Turkish version of the CSS has 36 items consistent with the original scale and has five factors: COVID danger and contamination, socioeconomic consequences of COVID, COVID xenophobia, traumatic stress due to COVID, and compulsive checking for COVID. The construct validity of the Turkish version of the CSS was verified by the adjusted goodness of fit index > .85, and comparative fit index > .95. The content validity index of each item was 91%. The corrected item-total correlations of the scale ranged from .51 to .89. Internal consistency was reliable, with a Cronbach's α of .93. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the CSS is valid and reliable. It can be used as a measurement tool for the assessment of COVID-related stress.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the City Birth Trauma Scale (CityBiTS).

The City Birth Trauma Scale (CityBiTS) was developed to be consistent with the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-DSM-5. It has been used as a complementary instrument that measures the psychological trauma related to childbirth. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the CityBiTS. This research is a methodological study. This study was conducted with 315 women who had 6-month-old infants from August to October 2018. The CityBiTS is a 29-item instrument that was developed according to DSM-5 criteria to assess childbirth-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Test-retest measurements were performed at two-week intervals to evaluate the invariance of the scale over time. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of reliability was used to analyse internal consistency of scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were .76 for re-experiencing symptoms, .57 for avoidance symptoms, .77 for negative cognitions and mood, .83 for hyperarousal and .82 for dissociative symptoms. In conclusion, The Turkish version of the CityBiTS, as an instrument developed to be consistent with DSM-5 criteria in assessing childbirth-related trauma symptoms, is a valid and reliable tool.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? One of the possible barriers for this is the lack of validated questionnaires that measure the postpartum PTSD.What do the results of this study add? The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the CityBiTS. The City Birth Trauma Scale has good psychometric properties and the two symptom clusters identified are consistent with previous research on symptoms of postpartum PTSD.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The City Birth Trauma Scale provides with a measure of birth-related PTSD foruse in research and clinical practice.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the COVID Stress Scale

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to assess the Turkish adaptation of the COVID Stress Scale (CSS) on the basis of determining the stress caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and to test its validity and reliability. @*Methods@#The English CSS was translated into Turkish using forward and backward translation. Data were collected online from 360 participants. Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and content validity. Pearson product-moment correlation, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient, and test-retest methods were used to evaluate reliability. @*Results@#The Turkish version of the CSS has 36 items consistent with the original scale and has five factors: COVID danger and contamination, socioeconomic consequences of COVID, COVID xenophobia, traumatic stress due to COVID, and compulsive checking for COVID. The construct validity of the Turkish version of the CSS was verified by the adjusted goodness of fit index > .85, and comparative fit index > .95. The content validity index of each item was 91%. The corrected item-total correlations of the scale ranged from .51 to .89. Internal consistency was reliable, with a Cronbach’s α of .93. @*Conclusion@#The Turkish version of the CSS is valid and reliable. It can be used as a measurement tool for the assessment of COVID-related stress.

Effects of Music during Multiple Cesarean Section Delivery.

This experimental study was conducted to determine the level of anxiety in women undergoing multiple cesarean section. Sixty multiple cesarean section referrals were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups. Data was collected at the Karaman Public Health Hospital in Turkey, from June 2015 to June 2016. Songs chosen earlier by the patients were played during the cesarean section procedure for the experimental group. The control group was studied without music. Data was collected using a questionnaire form, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine the anxiety levels. The t-test and chi-square test were used to analyse statistically significant differences between the groups. The VAS scores before and during the procedure showed significantly lower scores for the experimental group, compared to the control group (p<0.05). Music therapy reduces the physiological and cognitive responses of anxiety in patients undergoing multiple cesarean section, and can be used in the clinical practice.

The Effects of Alcohol Dependence on the Quality of Life and Sex Life of Women.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol dependence is a multi-dimensional and chronic disorder which affects the physical, psychological, social, sexual health and thus the quality of life of the individual. OBJECTIVES: This research was designed in order to determine the effect of alcohol dependence on the quality of life and sexual life of women. METHODS: The research was a cross-sectional and comparative relation study, consisting of a case study group constituted of women who consulted Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Disorders Training and Research Hospital's Alcohol and Substance Research, Treatment, Education Center between July 2009 and July 2010 and who were diagnosed as alcohol addicted and a healthy group, constituted of women who consulted the Gynecology Clinic of the same hospital (alcohol dependent group = 71, healthy group = 183). The data were collected using 'World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Form' (WHOQOL-BREF TR), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed by percentage, mean, chi-square, student's t-test, and multivariate analysis by use of SPSS 13.0 program. RESULTS: It was determined that the alcohol-dependent women presented lower WHOQOL-BREF-TR sub-dimensions and lower FSFI total scores and sub-dimensions but higher scores in BDI scale in comparison to the healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: The alcohol dependence negatively affects the quality of life and sexual life in women.

Evaluation of sexual functions in Turkish alcohol-dependent males.

INTRODUCTION: It was reported that long-term and high amount of alcohol consumption cause sexual dysfunction in men. There is a lack of descriptive studies focusing on the sexual dysfunction of alcohol dependent men in Turkey. AIMS: This study was conducted to evaluate sexual functions of alcohol dependent men. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed at the Alcohol and Substance Research Treatment and Education Center (ASRTEC). The data was collected between 26 December 2007 and 26 December 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: As research instruments, an interview form of 30 questions that questioned personal characteristics and was developed by researchers, and IIEF (International Index of Erectile Dysfunction) with 15 items that evaluated sexual dysfunction were used. RESULTS: Mean age of men was 41.22 ± 8.19; 36.5% of participants were graduated from primary school, and 57.5% were unemployed. Average daily alcohol consumption was 16.41 ± 4.90 standard alcohol. We found that 47% of alcohol-dependent men had their first sexual experience before they were 18 years old, 64.4% had multiple partners, 1.7% experienced a sexually transmitted disease, 7.7% had a chronic disease, and 18.3% had pain during intercourse. Mean total IIEF scores of alcohol-dependent men was 57 ± 9.23 (mean ED scores 23.41 ± 3.91). Therefore, 70.3% of participants had a mild (17-25), and 4.4% had a moderate (11-16) erectile dysfunction. With a multivariate analysis, predictors of erectile dysfunction in chronic alcohol dependent male were determined as age of subject, age of onset for alcohol, duration of alcoholism, and cigarette use. CONCLUSION: Chronic alcoholism affects sexual functions in men. Sexual dysfunction in alcohol addicted males is related with education level and unemployment and starting alcohol consumption at an early age and long-term cigarette smoking.

Use of alcoholic beverages and other psychoactive substances among women in Turkey: medical, biological, and social consequences. A pilot study.

This research was planned for determining the genitourinary health problems of alcohol and other psychoactive substance-dependent women. This research was conducted using a descriptive method at the Alcohol-Substance Research, Treatment and Education Center (ASRTEC). The research sample comprised 126 women who presented at ASRTEC clinic between September 15, 2006 and March 15, 2007, and were diagnosed as being alcohol/drug dependent according to DSM-IV. The data were collected using an Addicted Women's Genitourinary Health Evaluation Form and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. In this study 37.3% of the women were alcohol dependent and 62.7% were substance dependent. It was determined that alcohol and other psychoactive substance-dependent women experience a high rate of genitourinary health problems, such as unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners, irregular menstrual cycles, sexual dysfunction, unwanted pregnancies, and abortions.