Attitudes of psychiatrists towards people with mental illness: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of stigma in 32 European countries.

Background: Mental health-related stigma occurs among the public and professionals alike. The lived experience of mental illness has been linked to less stigmatising attitudes. However, data on psychiatrists and the relationship between stigmatising attitudes and psychotherapeutic activity or case discussion groups remains scarce. Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study was performed in 32 European countries to investigate the lived experiences and attitudes of psychiatrists toward patients with mental illness as well as the relationship between stigma, psychosocial and professional factors. The self-reported, anonymous, internet-based Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers was used to measure the stigmatising attitudes. The survey was translated into the local language of each participating country. All participants were practising specialists and trainees in general adult or child and adolescent psychiatry. The study took place between 2nd October, 2019 and 9th July, 2021 and was preregistered at ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT04644978). Findings: A total of 4245 psychiatrists completed the survey. The majority, 2797 (66%), had completed training in psychiatry, and 3320 (78%) worked in adult psychiatry. The final regression model showed that across European countries more favourable attitudes toward people with mental illness were statistically significantly associated with the lived experience of participants (including seeking help for their own mental health conditions (d = -0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -1.68 to -0.15, p = 0.019), receiving medical treatment for a mental illness (d = -0.88, 95% CI = -1.71 to -0.04, p = 0.040), as well as having a friend or a family member similarly affected (d = -0.68, 95% CI = -1.14 to -0.22, p = 0.004)), being surrounded by colleagues who are less stigmatising (d = -0.98, 95% CI = -1.26 to -0.70, p < 0.001), providing psychotherapy to patients (d = -1.14, 95% CI = -1.63 to -0.65 p < 0.001), and being open to (d = -1.69, 95% CI = -2.53 to -0.85, p < 0.001) and actively participating in (d = -0.94, 95% CI = -1.45 to -0.42, p < 0.001) case discussion, supervision, or Balint groups. Interpretation: Our study highlights the importance of psychotherapy training, supervision, case discussions and Balint groups in reducing the stigmatising attitudes of psychiatrists toward patients. As the findings represent cross-national predictors, Europe-wide policy interventions, national psychiatric education systems and the management of psychiatric institutions should take these findings into consideration. Funding: National Youth Talent Award (Ministry of Human Resources, Hungary, (NTP-NFTÖ-20-B-0134). All authors received no funding for their contribution.

Sedum Growth Patterns under Different Pedoclimatic Conditions.

This research paper presents a case study analysis of the behavior of three Sedum varieties and their growth in three different types of substrates without additional watering or fertilizing. The study aims to identify a suitable substrate for propagation and to provide insight into the plant's growth patterns. By analyzing the growth of the Sedum species and varieties-SS'PW', SS'CB', and SS'P'-without intervening in their growth process, we were able to identify factors that play a more crucial role in promoting root growth, plant growth, aesthetic value, and use. Over a 20-month period, various technical tools were employed to conduct observations and measurements for both plants and weather conditions. The type of substrate significantly affected plant growth, with the green roof substrate exhibiting the highest overall average monthly root growth rate (0.92 ± 0.05 d, 1.01 ± 0.05 b, 0.96 ± 0.05 c) while in the case of stem growth, among all three varieties, the best results were obtained in the commercial mix (0.87 ± 0.04 a, 0.40 ± 0.02 c, 0.35 ± 0.02 d). Based on the morphological analyses, all values were significantly lower than the control. Best results for leaf weight and surface area were noticed in the green roof substrate with an average growth of 46%, 53%, 55%, and for stem weight, length, and thickness in the commercial mix with 64%, 61%, and 55% compared to the control, respectively. Leaves had varying morphological characteristics, but the chromatic characteristics were preserved. The plants had an overall poor growth which may not be desirable in landscape designs. The findings of this study are applicable in the planning and execution of eco-friendly infrastructure initiatives, leading to the development of more robust and environmentally friendly urban settings.

Psychometric properties of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers in 32 European countries - A bifactor ESEM representation.

Aims: To measure the stigma of healthcare providers toward people suffering from mental illness, the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC) is a commonly applied instrument. However, this scale has not been thoroughly validated in many European countries, its psychometric properties are still unknown and data on practicing psychiatrists is lacking. Therefore, this multicenter study aimed to assess the psychometric characteristics of the 15-item OMS-HC in trainees and specialists in adult and child psychiatry in 32 countries across Europe. Materials and methods: The OMS-HC was conducted as an anonymous online survey and sent via Email to European adult and child psychiatrists. Parallel analysis was used to estimate the number of OMS-HC dimensions. Separate for each country, the bifactor ESEM, a bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling approach, was applied to investigate the factor structure of the scale. Cross-cultural validation was done based on multigroup confirmatory factor analyses and reliability measures. Results: A total of 4,245 practitioners were included, 2,826 (67%) female, 1,389 (33%) male. The majority (66%) of participants were specialists, with 78% working in adult psychiatry. When country data were analyzed separately, the bifactor model (higher-order factor solution with a general factor and three specific factors) showed the best model fit (for the total sample χ2/df = 9.760, RMSEA = 0.045 (0.042-0.049), CFI = 0.981; TLI = 0.960, WRMR = 1.200). The average proportion of variance explained by the general factor was high (ECV = 0.682). This suggests that the aspects of 'attitude,' 'disclosure and help-seeking,' and 'social distance' could be treated as a single dimension of stigma. Among the specific factors, the 'disclosure and help-seeking' factor explained a considerable unique proportion of variance in the observed scores. Conclusion: This international study has led to cross-cultural analysis of the OMS-HC on a large sample of practicing psychiatrists. The bifactor structure displayed the best overall model fit in each country. Rather than using the subscales, we recommend the total score to quantify the overall stigmatizing attitudes. Further studies are required to strengthen our findings in countries where the proposed model was found to be weak.

Evaluating real-patient learning in medical education - Hungarian validation of the Manchester Clinical Placement Index.

Introduction: The Manchester Clinical Placement Index (MCPI) is an instrument to measure medical undergraduates' real-patient learning in communities of practice both in hospital and in GP placements. Its suitability to evaluate the quality of placement learning environments has been validated in an English-language context; however, there is a lack of evidence for its applicability in other languages. Our aim was to thoroughly explore the factor structure and the key psychometric properties of the Hungarian language version. Methods: MCPI is an 8-item, mixed-method instrument which evaluates the quality of clinical placements as represented by the leadership, reception, supportiveness, facilities and organization of the placement (learning environment) as well as instruction, observation and feedback (training) on 7-point Likert scales with options for free-text comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the given placement on any of the items. We collected data online from medical students in their preclinical (1st, 2nd) as well as clinical years (4th, 5th) in a cross-sectional design in the academic years 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, by the end of their clinical placements. Our sample comprises data from 748 medical students. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed, and higher-order factors were tested. Results: Although a bifactor model gave the best model fit (RMSEA = 0.024, CFI = 0.999, and TLI = 0.998), a high explained common variance (ECV = 0.82) and reliability coefficients (ωH = 0.87) for the general factor suggested that the Hungarian version of the MCPI could be considered unidimensional. Individual application of either of the subscales was not supported statistically due to their low reliabilities. Discussion: The Hungarian language version of MCPI proved to be a valid unidimensional instrument to measure the quality of undergraduate medical placements. The previously reported subscales were not robust enough, in the Hungarian context, to distinguish, statistically, the quality of learning environments from the training provided within those environments. This does not, however, preclude formative use of the subscales for quality improvement purposes.

Factors influencing schizotypal personality trait-dependent immersion and digital media usage: Adaptation and maladaptation.

Immersion in the digital environment has been widely researched; however, the effects of adaptive and maladaptive schizotypal personality traits on immersion have received relatively little attention up till now. This study investigates the factors of personal immersion while using entertainment and digital communication applications and other variables such as problematic internet usage, and Facebook addiction. The Immersive Tendency Questionnaire was applied to measure participants' tendency to experience artistic and life-like scenarios in traditional settings (reading a book and watching a movie) and digital environments (playing computer games and using the internet). The study was conducted with 717 college students and graduate persons including, 186 males (mean age: 28.49) and 531 females (mean age: 28.4). The results show that lowered focusing abilities are directly linked with deficiencies in self-coherence, and maladaptive behavior that manifests in problematic internet and Facebook usage. Furthermore, the attention/focusing ability during immersion is accompanied by coherent self-structure and psychological well-being. Therefore, for people who have adequate focusing skills and coherent self-structure, the usage of social media and computer gaming can be considered adequate digital tools for developing their cognitive and social skills.

Measuring Immersion, Involvement, and Attention Focusing Tendencies in the Mediated Environment: The Applicability of the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire.

This study explores the personal predispositions and dependencies while individuals use digital media and communication devices and analyses the statistical features of the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire (ITQ) that is popular in assessing the personality trait-dependent reaction to mediated environments. The study evaluated 781 healthy graduates and postgraduates, of which 192 were men (average age: 28.6 years) and 589 were women (average age: 28.4 years). We applied several questionnaires to measure immersive tendencies in a mediated environment, adaptive and maladaptive personality predispositions, and problematic Internet use and Facebook addiction scales. We analyze the statistical features of the long and short forms of the Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire. The data obtained support the reliable usage of the short form of the instrument. The factor structure of the questionnaire presents dual facets. First, it indicates an absorptive and immersive tendency in any case of maladaptive tendencies. Second, it reflects an intensive capability to focus on the mediated environment with adequate cognitive control to avoid any contingency of being addicted. The short form of the ITQ is reliable and adequate to assess the relationship between the self-referred and environment-dependent psychological functions.

Stigma towards mental illness and help-seeking behaviors among adult and child psychiatrists in Hungary: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Stigma towards people with mental health problems is a growing issue across the world, to which healthcare providers might contribute. The aim of the present study was to explore psychiatrists' attitudes towards their patients and link them to psychosocial and professional factors. METHODS: An online questionnaire was used to approach the in- and outpatient psychiatric services across Hungary. A total of 211 trainees and specialists in adult and child psychiatry participated in our study. Their overall stigmatizing attitudes were measured, with focus on attitude, disclosure and help-seeking, and social distance dimensions by using the self-report Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to elucidate the dimensions of stigma and its association with sociodemographic, professional and personal traits. RESULTS: Stigmatizing attitudes of close colleagues towards patients were statistically significant predictors of higher scores on the attitude [B = 0.235 (0.168-0.858), p = 0.004], the disclosure and help-seeking subscales [B = 0.169 (0.038-0.908), p = 0.033], and the total score of the OMS-HC [B = 0.191 (0.188-1.843), p = 0.016]. Psychiatrists who had already sought help for their own problems had lower scores on the disclosure and help-seeking subscale [B = 0.202 (0.248-1.925), p = 0.011]. The overall stigmatizing attitude was predicted by the openness to participate in case discussion, supervision or Balint groups [B = 0.166 (0.178-5.886), p = 0.037] besides the more favorable attitudes of their psychiatrist colleagues [B = 0.191 (0.188-1.843), p = 0.016]. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable attitudes of psychiatrists are associated with their own experiences with any kind of psychiatric condition, previous help-seeking behavior and the opportunity to work together with fellow psychiatrists, whose attitudes are less stigmatizing. The perception of fellow colleagues' attitudes towards patients and the openness to case discussion, supervision and Balint groups were the main two factors that affected the overall attitudes towards patients; therefore, these should be considered when tailoring anti-stigma interventions for psychiatrists.

Externalizing personality characteristics define clinically relevant subgroups of alcohol use disorder.

AIMS: Higher levels of externalizing characteristics, i.e. impulsivity, novelty seeking and aggression, could contribute to the development, progression and severity of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The present study aims to explore whether these externalizing characteristics together have a potential group-forming role in AUD using latent profile analysis (LPA). METHODS: Externalizing characteristics of 102 AUD patients were analyzed using LPA to explore the group-forming role of externalizing symptoms; groups were compared in terms of demographic and alcohol-related variables, indices of psychopathological, depressive and anxiety symptom severity. RESULTS: LPA revealed and supported a two-group model based on externalizing symptoms. The group with higher levels of externalizing symptoms showed significantly elevated levels of alcohol-related and anxio-depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Externalizing characteristics converge and have a group-forming role in chronic AUD, and are associated with a more severe form of AUD. By making the diagnostic category less heterogeneous, these different subtypes within AUD may provide aid in tailoring treatments to patients' specific needs.

Perceived usefulness of yoga to maintain well-being and in relation to COVID-19 cases among Hungarian yoga practitioners.

BACKGROUND: The present COVID-19 epidemic has had a considerable impact on the mental health of individuals worldwide. Research projects suggests potential benefits of yoga practice for prevention, or as medical supplementation in relation to the present pandemic. This study investigated the association between yoga and health status, and how the frequency of yoga practice affected the mental well-being (MWB) of the respondents. METHODS: Hungarian yoga practitioners (N.=379) aged 20 to 75 years (93.4% female) were asked about their personal health, perceived usefulness of yoga practice for COVID-19 cases and their MWB. Data were collected between April 17 and May 17, 2021. The measurement tool used was an online questionnaire including sociodemographic data, characteristics of yoga practice, COVID-19 and health related questions, and WHO Well-being Index (WBI-5). Associations were examined through ANOVA and χ2 tests. RESULTS: There was a significant difference among the yoga practice groups by weekly frequency (once a week, 2-3 times a week, 4-5 times a week, daily) on the total mean score of well-being (WBI-5), F (3, 373) =12.97, P<0.001, ηp2=0.094. The daily practice of yoga showed the highest MWB. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, it can be stated that regular yoga practice is associated with higher level of MWB which can be successful in dealing with COVID-19 issues such as stress and depression.

A transdiagnostic model of low self-esteem: pathway analysis in a heterogeneous clinical sample.

BACKGROUND: Low self-esteem (LSE) has been associated with several psychiatric disorders, and is presumably influenced by transdiagnostic factors. Our study was based both on investigations of the relationship between depression and LSE (vulnerability, scar, reciprocal models) and on theories of cognitive factors contributing to the development and maintenance of LSE, such as Melanie Fennell's model, the catalyst model and the Self-Regulatory Executive Function model. AIMS: Based on the theories above, in our cross-sectional study we aimed at understanding more specifically the transdiagnostic factors that can maintain LSE in a heterogeneous clinical sample. METHOD: Six hundred and eleven out-patients were assessed by SCID-I and self-report questionnaires. The model was tested by structural equation modelling. RESULTS: Based on the fit indices, the hypothesis model did not fit the data; therefore, a modified transdiagnostic model was emerged. This model made a good fit to the data [χ2 (12, n=611)=76.471, p<.001; RMSEA=.080, CFI=.950, TLI=.913] with a strong explanatory power (adj R2=.636). Severe stressful life events and depressive symptoms lead to LSE indirectly. Self-blame, perfectionism, seeking love and hopelessness have been identified as mediating factors in the relationship between depressive symptoms and LSE. Although there was a significant correlation between state-anxiety and LSE, as well as LSE and rumination, these two factors did not fit into the model. CONCLUSIONS: The new transdiagnostic model of LSE has great potential in the treatment of various mental conditions and may serve as a guide to developing more focused and more effective therapeutic interventions.

To prevent being stressed-out: Allostatic overload and resilience of general practitioners in the era of COVID-19. A cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: Responsibility of general practitioners (GPs) in delivering safe and effective care is always high but during the COVID-19 pandemic they face even growing pressure that might result in unbearable stress load (allostatic overload, AO) leading to disease. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to measure AO of Hungarian GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore their recreational resources to identify potential protective factors against stress load. METHODS: In a mixed-method design, Fava's clinimetric approach to AO was applied alongside the Psychosocial Index (PSI); Kellner's symptom questionnaire (SQ) to measure depression, anxiety, hostility and somatisation and the Public Health Surveillance Well-being Scale (PHS-WB) to determine mental, social, and physical well-being. Recreational resources were mapped. Besides Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests, regression analysis was applied to identify explanatory variables of AO. RESULTS: Data of 228 GPs (68% females) were analysed. Work-related changes caused the biggest challenges leading to AO in 60% of the sample. While female sex (OR: 1.99; CI: 1.06; 3.74, p = 0.032) and other life stresses (OR: 1.4; CI: 1.2; 1.6, p < 0.001) associated with increased odds of AO, each additional day with 30 min for recreation purposes associated with 20% decreased odds (OR: 0.838; CI: 0.72; 0.97, p = 0.020). 3-4 days a week when time was ensured for recreation associated with elevated mental and physical well-being, while 5-7 days associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms, somatisation, and hostility. CONCLUSION: Under changing circumstances, resilience improvement through increasing time spent on recreation should be emphasised to prevent GPs from the adverse health consequences of stress load.

A Real-World, Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm Observational Study of Duloxetine in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Background: Suboptimal treatment response during anti-depressive treatment is fairly common with the first antidepressant (AD) choice, followed by switching to another agent in the majority of cases. However, the efficacy of this strategy over continuation of the original agent is less solidly documented in real-life studies. The aim of our present study was to ascertain the effects of switching to duloxetine following inadequate response to prior ADs on general illness severity, pain, and health-related quality of life in a large sample of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients in a prospective, real-world, multicenter, observational study. Methods: A total of 578 participants with MDD or GAD were enrolled in 58 outpatient sites in an 8-week, single-arm, open-label, flexible-dose trial with duloxetine. Severity of symptoms [with Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I)], severity of pain (with a Visual Analog Scale), satisfaction with current treatment, and health-related quality of life [with the three-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L)] measures were recorded at baseline and at follow-up visits 4 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and mixed linear models. Results: 565 patients completed the study and comprised the analyzed dataset. Results indicated that severity of illness significantly decreased over the 8 weeks of the study and already at 4 weeks in both patient groups. Overall quality of life and all of its subindicators also significantly improved in both patient groups and so did subjective experience of pain. Satisfaction with current treatment also significantly increased during the study period. Frequency of side effects was low. In both GAD and MDD groups, two patients dropped out of the study due to adverse effects, leading to treatment termination in four cases (0.7%). Conclusions: This 8-week, multicenter, flexible-dosing, single-arm, open-label, observational real-life study in MDD and GAD patients switched to duloxetine after inadequate response or low tolerability to other ADs showed a significant positive effect on all outcome measures, including a significant decrease in illness severity as well as significant overall symptomatic improvement, with good tolerability.

Opinions about coronavirus vaccination ­ the role of healthcare workers in communication in December 2020 / A koronavírus elleni védooltással kapcsolatos vélekedések - az egészségügyi dolgozók szerepe az ismeretek átadásában 2020 decemberében.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A koronavírus elleni védooltással kapcsolatos vélekedések igen aktuális, társadalmi szempontból fontos területét adják az egészségmagatartással foglalkozó kutatásoknak. Célkituzés: Vizsgálatunk a védooltásról különbözoképpen vélekedo (oltást elutasító, oltást választó, oltáson nem gondolkodó, valamint bizonytalan) csoportok elemzését tuzte ki célul az oltás elonyeinek és hátrányainak, valamint az információforrások használatának tekintetében. Módszer: A mintát "A koronavírus-járvány okozta lelki tényezok utánkövetéses vizsgálatának" 2020 decemberében felvett adatai adják; a vizsgálat során 1009 fo válaszait egyszempontos varianciaanalízissel elemeztük. Eredmények: Eredményeink azt mutatják, hogy a budapestiek és a Közép-Magyarországon élok, az idosebbek, a férfiak, a magasabb iskolai végzettséguek, valamint a házasok választják nagyobb eséllyel a védooltást. Az oltásról különbözoképpen vélekedo csoportokat az oltás elonyei jobban elkülönítik egymástól, mint az oltás hátrányai. Az elonyök közül a csoportokat foképp a társas, társadalmi érdekekre fókuszáló tételek differenciálják, melyek a járvány megfékezésérol, a fertozés átadásáról szólnak. A használt információforrásokat elemezve pedig elmondható, hogy mind a négy csoport jobban támaszkodik a személyes (család, barátok) és az orvosi, egészségügybol érkezo információkra, mint a médiából érkezo hírekre. Következtetés: Az oltási csoportok véleménye az oltás pozitív hozadékait, különösképp társadalmi hasznosságát illetoen tér el, mely vélemények a leginkább a személyes kapcsolatokon, így az egészségügyi dolgozók álláspontján keresztül formálódnak. Tehát az egészségügyben dolgozóknak kiemelkedo szerepük van a hozzájuk tanácsért fordulók differenciált megértésében, szakértoi tájékoztatásában és megfelelo tanácsokkal való ellátásában. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(24): 931-937. INTRODUCTION: Beliefs regarding coronavirus vaccination provide very actual and socially important area in mental health research. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to differentiate the opinions related to coronavirus vaccination (acceptance, refusal, ignorance, hesitation). We analyzed advantages and disadvantages of vaccination, and the different channels in getting information about the vaccine. METHOD: Our study is part of the "Longitudinal examination of mental factors caused by the coronavirus epidemic" research project, wave of December 2020. We analyzed the responses of 1009 people by one-way analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: Our results show that elder people, males, and those who have higher education are more likely to accept the vaccine. In addition, those who live in Budapest and Cental Hungary are more likely to choose vaccination against the coronavirus than those living in other areas. The groups with different opinions on vaccination are better discriminated by benefit-related than risk-related opinions. Those benefit-related items showed the largest variance between groups, which focused on social usefulness on curbing the epidemics, preventing the spread of the infection. Analyzing the sources of information, we found that all groups rely more on personal (family, friends) and medical health information than on news from the media. CONCLUSION: The opinions of the vaccination groups differ mostly regarding the positive benefits of vaccination, especially the social usefulness. Opinions are mostly formed through personal relationships including relations with healthcare workers. Healthcare professionals therefore have a key role in providing a differentiated understanding of those seeking advice, providing expert information and appropriate advice. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(24): 931-937.

Modeling Asymmetry in the Time-Distance Relation of Ordinal Personality Items.

In analyzing responses and response times to personality questionnaire items, models have been proposed which include the so-called "inverted-U effect." These models predict that response times to personality test items decrease as the latent trait value of a given person gets closer to the attractiveness of an item. Initial studies into these models have focused on dichotomous personality items, and more recently, models for Likert-type scale items have been proposed. In all these models, it is assumed that the inverted-U effect is symmetrical around 0, while, as will be explained in this article, there are substantive and statistical reasons to study this assumption. Therefore, in this article, a general inverted-U model is proposed which accommodates two sources of asymmetry between the response times and the attractiveness of the items. The viability of this model is demonstrated in a simulation study, and the model is applied to the responses and response times of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, covering a broad range of personality dimensions.

Affective Temperaments, Panic Disorder and Their Bipolar Connections.

Background and Objectives: The role of affective temperament in the genesis and outcome of major mood disorders is well studied, but there are only a few reports on the relationship between panic disorder (PD) and affective temperaments. Accordingly, we aimed to study the distribution of affective temperaments (depressive (DE); cyclothymic (CT); irritable (IRR); hyperthymic (HT) and anxious (ANX)) among outpatients with PD. Materials and Methods: Affective temperaments of 118 PD outpatients (80 females and 38 males) with or without agoraphobia but without any other psychiatric disorder at the time of inclusion were evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and compared with the affective temperament scores of control subjects. All patients were followed up for at least 1.5 years in order to detect the onset of any major affective disorders, substance use disorders and suicide attempts. Results: Among females, the dominant ANX and DE temperaments were four and three times as common as in a large normative Hungarian sample (for both cases p < 0.01). Among male PD patients, only the dominant DE temperament was slightly overrepresented in a non-significant manner. Females with PD obtained significantly higher scores on ANX, DE and CT subscales of the TEMPS-A, whereas males with PD showed significantly higher scores on ANX, DE and HT temperament subscales compared with the members of a large normative Hungarian sample and also with a gender- and age-matched control group. During the follow-up, newly developed unipolar major depression and bipolar spectrum (bipolar I or II and cyclothymic) disorders appeared in 64% and 22% of subjects, respectively. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that a specific, ANX-DE-CT affective temperament profile is characteristic primarily for female patients, and an ANX-DE-HT affective temperament profile is characteristic for male patients with PD, respectively. These findings are in line with expectations because PD is an anxiety disorder par excellence on the one hand, whereas, on the other hand, it is quite frequently comorbid with mood (including bipolar) disorders.

Cognitive Gain or Handicap: Magical Ideation and Self-Absorption in Clinical and Non-clinical Participants.

Background: This study aimed to examine magical ideation and absorption traits across non-clinical and clinical groups to determine their potential adaptive and maladaptive functions. Method: We enrolled 760 healthy participants from neighboring communities (female = 53.2%). Moreover, we recruited 318 patients (female = 66.5%), which included 25, 183, and 110 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders, respectively. Potentially adaptive and maladaptive sociocognitive functions were measured to determine the role of magical ideation and self-absorption in patients with psychiatric disorders. Results: The degree of magical ideation and absorption gradually increased in the following order: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Furthermore, enhanced self-absorption-related enhanced consciousness traits were essential indicators of the presence of self-integration weakness in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Conclusion: Magical ideation and psychological absorption may be considered as mental model construction functions, which result in both gains and handicaps in social adaptation.

Physical Exercise as a Resilience Factor to Mitigate COVID-Related Allostatic Overload.

INTRODUCTION: The long-lasting threat of COVID-19 makes it necessary to explore strategies to improve coping skills which enable us to master a balanced life in the face of adversity. OBJECTIVE: To unravel the most challenging aspects of COVID-19 in a nonclinical adult population and identify predictors of lost balance and consequent allostatic overload (AO). We examined the role of regular, moderate-intensity formula aerobic exercise (312 meridian exercise) in preventing allostatic overload through increasing well-being. METHODS: An online survey was conducted to measure CO-VID-related allostatic overload according to clinimetric criteria. The Psychosocial Index (PSI), Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ), short Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), Public Health Surveillance Well-Being Scale -(PHS-WB), and Whiteley-7 were used to explore mental health characteristics. Univariate statistics logistic regression analysis and a general linear model were used. RESULTS: According to 442 valid answers, 217 adults practiced physical exercise (PE) frequently (fPE, 3-5 times/every day) while 120 did it less regularly (1-2 times/week), and 105 did not exercise/practiced irregularly (controls). Restriction-related stressors were most challenging, resulting in AO in 29% (n = 128) of the sample. The main predictors were additional stressors (p = 0.005) and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001). The prevalence of AO was lower (p = 0.018) in the fPE group when compared to controls. KSQ distress symptoms were also lower in fPE (p < 0.0001), while total well-being was increased (p < 0.001) after adjusting for sex, age, and number of chronic diseases. According to the PHS-WB, both physical and mental well-being were higher (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively) in fPE. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent moderate exercise is associated with better mental and physical well-being and a lower prevalence of AO.

Hungarian validation of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire-Is the short form more adequate?

OBJECTIVE: We aim to provide a publicly available Hungarian version of the BPAQ; compare the BPAQ factors to other personality traits; and compare both the original BPAQ factor structure provided by Buss and Perry (J. Pers. Soc. Psychol., 63, 1992, 452), the revised BPAQ-SF factor structure by Bryant and Smith (J. Res. Pers., 35, 2001, 138), and the BAQ by Webster et al. (Aggress. Behav., 40, 2014, 120). METHODS: The validation of the Hungarian version of the BPAQ was carried out on a Hungarian university sample (N = 841). There were three main focuses of data analysis: descriptive statistics, correlations, and confirmatory factor analyses. RESULTS: CFA-related statistics showed an adequate fit for the BPAQ 4 factors; however, contrary to prior validations of BPAQ, we were not able to clearly define the verbal aggression factor. We found that the shorter form of the BPAQ has a better model fit on our sample than the original form, while the model fit of the BAQ was in-between these. BPAQ scales showed low to moderate relationship with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. CONCLUSION: Both the BPAQ and the BPAQ-SF, also the BAQ provide acceptable model fitting on a Hungarian sample of university students. While most of BPAQ items provided adequate loadings on their hypothesized factors, two items (21 and 27) did not. We argue this is the result of conceptual inaccuracy of the original items.

Three genetic-environmental networks for human personality.

Phylogenetic, developmental, and brain-imaging studies suggest that human personality is the integrated expression of three major systems of learning and memory that regulate (1) associative conditioning, (2) intentionality, and (3) self-awareness. We have uncovered largely disjoint sets of genes regulating these dissociable learning processes in different clusters of people with (1) unregulated temperament profiles (i.e., associatively conditioned habits and emotional reactivity), (2) organized character profiles (i.e., intentional self-control of emotional conflicts and goals), and (3) creative character profiles (i.e., self-aware appraisal of values and theories), respectively. However, little is known about how these temperament and character components of personality are jointly organized and develop in an integrated manner. In three large independent genome-wide association studies from Finland, Germany, and Korea, we used a data-driven machine learning method to uncover joint phenotypic networks of temperament and character and also the genetic networks with which they are associated. We found three clusters of similar numbers of people with distinct combinations of temperament and character profiles. Their associated genetic and environmental networks were largely disjoint, and differentially related to distinct forms of learning and memory. Of the 972 genes that mapped to the three phenotypic networks, 72% were unique to a single network. The findings in the Finnish discovery sample were blindly and independently replicated in samples of Germans and Koreans. We conclude that temperament and character are integrated within three disjoint networks that regulate healthy longevity and dissociable systems of learning and memory by nearly disjoint sets of genetic and environmental influences.