Dissimulation in forensic psychiatric evaluations, a case-control study of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III.

The possible tendency of subjects to decrease, hide, or omit symptomatic aspects of their mental functioning is one of the main problems in forensic psychological and psychiatric evaluations. We aimed at verifying the possible existence of significant differences in the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) scales scores between a sample of dissimulators (n = 40) and their non-dissimulator counterpart matched by age, sex, and diagnosis. Cases and comparisons were retrieved from the archive of a single university forensic psychiatric centre between 2013 and 2022. Results showed statistically significant higher scores in the sample of dissimulators in the Desirability, Histrionic, Narcissistic, and Compulsive MCMI-III scales than in the comparison sample. Point biserial correlation test disclosed a strong positive correlation between the Desirability, Histrionic, Narcissistic, and Compulsive scales of the MCMI-III and being in the dissimulator group of subjects while a negative correlation emerged for all the other scales except drug dependence. Key points: The forensic setting can affect a subject's behaviour.Dissimulation is a mechanism of minimization or concealment of a psycho-pathological condition.The MCMI-III can be a useful tool for a forensic psychiatrist or forensic psychologist in assessing dissimulation.

Lung Cancer in Women-Sociodemographic, Clinical and Psychological Characteristics with Comparison to Men.

(1) Background: There is a difference in the course of lung cancer between women and men. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate various factors in the patient population treated in daily practice. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical, sociodemographic and psychological aspects of female lung cancer. To better express the results, we compared women and men. (2) Methods: Consecutive patients with a history of lung cancer treatment admitted to the outpatient oncology clinic (Department of Lung Cancer and Chest Tumours, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Warsaw) and the Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy, were enrolled. We conducted analyses of the clinical, psychological and socioeconomic factors of women with lung cancer treated in everyday practice, including a comparison with a group of men. Demographic data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) questionnaires for psychological evaluation. (3) Results: A total of 100 patients with confirmed primary lung cancer with a history of treatment were enrolled in the study (50 women and 50 men). We found a significantly shorter history of smoking in the group of women; at the same time, there were no differences in the reported incidence of COPD. Despite comparable results to men on the psychological questionnaire (PSS-10, AIS), women more often reported a willingness to be supported by a psychologist or psychiatrist due to lung cancer. However, they did not decide to consult them more often than men. Immunotherapy was a significantly less frequently used method in women. (4) Conclusions: We should be more active in finding out the willingness to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist among women with lung cancer. The diagnosis of COPD should be considered more often among women due to the lack of differences in the reported incidence of COPD between men and women, despite a clear contrast in the number of pack-years.

Spanish version of the Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS) for adults / Versión al español de la Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS) para adultos

Antecedentes: Aunque existen otras herramientas en español para evaluar la metacognición, no hay una versión disponible desde una pers-pectiva multidimensional como la Escala de Autoevaluación de la Metacognición(Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale, MSAS), que tiene además la ventaja de ser sencilla y rápidaen su aplicación. Objetivos:Adaptar y validar la escala MSAS al español. Método: Participaron975 voluntarios/as, 68.2% mujeres, edad media de 27.9 años (DT= 12.68). Resultados: Los valores psicométricos de la adaptación al español son adecuados, α = .830 (total), y entre α = .658 y .826 (factores). La estructura factorial original de cuatro factores (Autorreflexividad, Distancia Crítica, Maestría y Comprensión de Mentes Ajenas) muestra adecuados índices de ajuste. Sin embargo, los indicios de validez de criterio no han sido los esperados. Los indicadores de validez discriminante fueron bajos en los participantes con antecedentes psicopato-lógicos (d = .222) y tratamiento psicológico (d = .326) en el factor Auto-rreflexividad; en el factor Dominio entre los que estaban bajo tratamiento psicológico (d = .345) y tenían prescrita medicación (d = .482), y en el factor Distancia crítica para los participantes con medicación (d = .419). Conclusión: La adaptación y validación de la MSAS en español para población general parece adecuada para evaluar la metacognición y sus subcomponen-tes, abriendo un amplio campo de aplicaciones tanto clínicas como de investigación.(AU)

Background: Although there are other tools in the Spanish language for assessing metacognition, there is no other that is as quick, simple and multidimensional as the Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS). Objectives:Adapt and validate the MSAS to Spanish. Method:The sample consisted of 973 volunteers, 68.3% women and mean age of 27.9 years (SD= 12.68). Results:The internal consistency of the Spanish adaptation was generally adequate with a total α = .830, and from α = .658 to .826 for the factors. The original four-factor structure (Self-Reflexivity, Critical Distance, Mastery and Understanding Other Minds) showed adequate fit indices. The evidence of concurrent criterion validity indices was not as expected. Indications of discriminant validity were the low Self-Reflexivity scores of participants with a psychopathological history (d = .222) or psychological treatment (d = .326); in Mastery by those under psychological treatment (d = .345) or medication (d = .482), and in Critical distance for medication (d = .419). Conclusion:The Spanish adaptation and validation of the MSAS seems adequate for assessing metacognition and its subcomponents in the general population, opening a wide field of clinical and research applications.(UA)

Validade e fidedignidade de um protocolo para avaliar o estresse de minoria em pessoas trans e diversidade de gênero / Validity and fidedignity of a protocol to evaluate minority stress in trans and gender people

O modelo do Estresse de Minoria (EM) propõe uma explicação de como estressores relacionados ao preconceito levam pessoas lésbicas, gays e bissexuais (LGB) a terem piores desfechos negativos de saúde mental do que pessoas heterossexuais. Os componentes básicos do EM são o preconceito internalizado, preconceito antecipado e preconceito experienciado. O modelo do EM foi desenvolvido primeiramente no campo da sexualidade e hoje tem sido também aplicado no contexto da diversidade de gênero. Ainda não há instrumentos adaptados para sua avaliação no contexto da diversidade de gênero no Brasil. Para esse fim, este estudo objetiva a adaptação transcultural e a investigação de evidências de validade para o contexto brasileiro do "Protocolo para Avaliação do EM em pessoas trans e diversidade de gênero" (PEM-TD-BR). Participaram 455 indivíduos cuja identidade de gênero discordava daquela designada ao nascimento. As análises fatoriais exploratórias e confirmatórias sugerem a estrutura de três fatores do PEM-TD-BR como a mais adequada, fornecendo evidências de validade e fidedignidade para o protocolo no contexto brasileiro.

The Minority Stress (MS) model explains how prejudice-related stressors lead lesbian, gay, and bisexual people (LGB) to have worse negative mental health outcomes compared to heterosexuals. The basic components of MS are internalized prejudice, anticipated prejudice, and experienced prejudice. MS model was first developed in the field of sexuality and is now also applied in the context of gender diversity. There are still no adapted tools for its assessment in the context of gender diversity in Brazil. To this end, this study aims at the cross-cultural adaptation and production of validity evidence for the Brazilian context of a protocol for the "assessment of MS in transgender and gender diverse people" (PEM-TD-BR). It included 455 participants whose current gender identity disagreed with that assigned at birth. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes suggest the three-factor structure of the PEM-TD-BR as the most appropriate and provide evidence for the validity and reliability for the protocol in the Brazilian context.

Relatively undervalued: comparing the work relative value units of neuropsychological evaluation to other services.

Objective: We examined work relative value units (wRVUs) and associated revenue of current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for evaluation and management (E&M) services, neuropsychological evaluation (NPE), psychological evaluation (PE), and psychotherapy. Method: CPT code wRVUs were aggregated for E&M (99202-99215), NPE (96116, 96132, 96133, 96136, and 96137), PE (90791, 96130, 96131, 96136, and 96137), and psychotherapy (90791 and 90832-90837 with and without the complexity modifier, 90785). Per minute wRVUs were calculated for each CPT code. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2023 conversion factor ($33.8872) was multiplied by wRVUs to examine reimbursement per hour and per prototypical four-hour clinic slot. Results: The wRVUs per minute showed the following ranges: 0.032-0.07 for E&M services, 0.015-0.063 for NPE, 0.015-0.124 for PE, and 0.043-0.135 for psychotherapy. Average hourly revenue ranged from $72 for NPE to $132 for psychotherapy with the complexity modifier. Revenue for prototypical four-hour clinics ranged from $283 for NPE to $493 for psychotherapy with the complexity modifier. PE and psychotherapy services were valued at 124-184% of NPE. Conclusions: E&M code wRVUs increase with case complexity reflecting greater work intensity, and a modifier to PE and psychotherapy captures additional effort needed in complex cases. In contrast, NPE codes lack a complexity modifier, and NPE wRVUs are lower than those of PE and psychotherapy, the latter of which can be billed by master's level providers. NPE is undervalued compared to PE and psychotherapy based on wRVUs currently assigned to the CPT codes used for the respective services.

Evaluating the Use of a Robot in a Hematological Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study.

The aim of the SYRIACA project was to test the capability of a social robot to perform specific tasks in healthcare settings, reducing infection risks for patients and caregivers. The robot was piloted in an Intensive Hematological Unit, where the patients' and healthcare operators' acceptability of the robot was evaluated. The robot's functions, including logistics, surveillance, entertainment, and remote visits, were well accepted. Patients expressed interest in having multiple interactions with the robot, which testifies to its engaging potential and that it provides useful services. During remote visits, the robot reduced perceived stress among patients, alleviating feelings of isolation. The successful implementation of the robot suggests its potential to enhance safety and well-being in healthcare settings.

Psychopathological factors and personality dimensions on dysfunctional eating behaviors in a sample of individuals with obesity.

Introduction: Obesity and eating disorders are considered to be part of a broad spectrum of disorders associated with weight issues and maladaptive eating styles. Several studies show that psychopathological and personality characteristics contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity and dysfunctional eating behaviors, showing a bidirectional relationship. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of psychopathological factors and personality dimensions on dysfunctional eating behaviors in a sample of individuals with obesity. Methods: The study was conducted with 96 individuals with obesity (31 males and 65 females) who underwent psychological assessment. The instruments administered included the Cognitive Behavioral Assessment 2.0 - Primary Scales, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, and the Eating Disorder Inventory. Relationships between dysfunctional eating behaviors and personality and psychopathological factors were explored through mediation analysis. Results and discussion: Our results showed that difficulties related to impulse control and behavior, along with negative and dysphoric emotions, may be associated with difficulties in eating behavior. Mediation analysis showed that the combination of depressive and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology may exacerbate or contribute to the occurrence of eating disorders. These psychopathological aspects should be taken into account during the assessment of patients who decide to undergo bariatric surgery and should be targets of specific psychological interventions.

Effect of roadside trees on pedestrians' psychological evaluation of traffic noise.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the interplay between roadside trees and pedestrians' assessment of traffic noise and comfort. The study examines the potential effects of visual and design elements of roadside trees on the overall soundscape comfort. Methods: The study design involves a systematic exploration of different conditions, encompassing traffic volume, distance from sound source, and tree density. For each combination, two experimental scenarios are created: (1) participants experience a binaural sound recording exclusively, and (2) participants experience the same binaural recording while concurrently immersed in a virtual reality (VR) video. Results: Analysis of participants' noise perception, measured using a quiet-noisy scale, reveals no significant disparity between conditions. This suggests that the mere presence of roadside trees does not necessarily lead to a perceived reduction in noise loudness. However, evaluation of sound intensity exposes a notable discrepancy between low and medium tree density levels. Furthermore, the study confirms the impact of roadside tree visibility, with scenes containing trees yielding more positive evaluations compared to sound-only scenarios. Remarkably, the absence of trees in the roadside scene garners consistent evaluations across both experimental conditions. Significantly, higher roadside tree density in conjunction with the combined sound and VR video condition prompts a more favorable assessment than the sound-only scenario. Discussion: While the study indicates that roadside trees might not substantially mitigate perceived physical noise levels, their influence on the psychological well-being of urban inhabitants is considerable. The findings highlight that even though these trees may not overtly diminish noise, they hold substantial potential to enhance the overall comfort and well-being of city residents. This underscores the multifaceted benefits of integrating green spaces into urban design for improving the quality of urban soundscapes and residents' experiences.

How Do Repeated Viewings in Forest Landscapes Influence Young People's Visual Behaviors and Cognitive Evaluations?

BACKGROUND: With the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, it has gradually become normal to periodically visit and enjoy forest landscape resources in the suburbs of cities. For designers and managers of forest landscapes, exploring change in the visual behaviors and cognitive evaluations of people who repeatedly view forest landscapes and the characteristics of this change will aid the design and sustainable utilization of forest landscape resources in the suburbs of cities. PURPOSE: From the perspective of users' preferences for forest landscape space, this study explored the changes in visual behavior characteristics and psychological preference characteristics for individuals who repeatedly view forest landscapes and their drivers under different preferences. METHODS: This study collected data from 52 graduate and undergraduate students. We used a difference test to compare the differences in the visual behavior coincidence degree and the changes in psychological evaluations; a descriptive statistical analysis to explore young peoples' likes and dislikes of landscape elements; and Spearman correlation analysis to explore the correlation between the psychological evaluations and visual behaviors. MAIN RESULTS: 1. At the second viewing, the participants' regression behavior tended to decrease for various spaces, and they were more inclined to view areas that they had not viewed before. In addition, at the second viewing, the degree of fixation behavior coincidence was generally low, and there were obvious differences across spaces; 2. The participants' feature evaluations and comprehensive evaluations for landscapes did not change significantly with their increased familiarity with the spaces; 3. There was a significant positive correlation between the participants' psychological evaluations of landscape stimuli and the degree of fixation coincidence when viewing the spaces, among which the rate of distant clarity and the degree of fixation behavior coincidence were significantly and positively correlated. Meanwhile, at the second viewing, the number of favorite elements in the lookout space, which belongs to high-preference spaces, noticeably increased.

Cognitive behavioral treatment to improve psychological adjustment in people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: Psychological treatment in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that affects a person's general well-being. Current evidence sets an association between psychological well-being and controlled metabolic parameters. People newly diagnosed with T2DM show higher prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has effectively improved psychological adjustment, but most studies do not specifically address recently diagnosed people nor usually include long-term follow-up measures. Objective: We sought to assess changes in psychological variables in people with newly diagnosed diabetes who received a cognitive-behavioral intervention, within a comprehensive care program. Method: 1208 adults with T2DM (≤5 years) who attended a national health institute in Mexico received a cognitive-behavioral intervention aimed at improving quality of life and reducing emotional distress that often interferes with diabetes control, as well as evaluating cognitive and emotional resources and social support. Measures of quality of life, diabetes-related distress, anxiety and depression questionnaires were compared at pre-test, post-test and follow up using Friedman's ANOVAs. Multiple logistic regression models evaluated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglycerides control at post-test and follow up. Results: Questionnaire measures and metabolic variables significantly decreased symptomatology at post-test and these changes maintained at follow-up. Significant associations were found between quality-of-life scores and HbA1c and triglycerides levels in post-test and follow-up. Diabetes-related distress scores increased the odds of having adequate HbA1c control at post-test. Conclusion: This study contributes to the evidence on the importance of considering psychological factors as part of comprehensive diabetes care to improve quality of life and emotional burden and facilitate the achievement of metabolic goals.

Associations between psychological evaluation outcomes, psychiatric diagnoses, and outcomes through 12 months after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence about how patients' initial preoperative psychological evaluation outcomes (require follow-up [RFU], no required follow-up [NFU], and place on hold [POH]) and current psychiatric diagnoses associate with postoperative outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypotheses that patients who receive a clinical decision of RFU versus NFU from their initial psychological evaluation will be (1) more likely to experience postoperative complications, readmissions, and emergency room visits and (2) experience less weight loss over 12-months. Specific diagnoses (any psychiatric diagnosis, depression, and anxiety) are also examined for their association with weight loss over 12 months. SETTING: Midwestern medical center, United States. METHODS: The sample included 322 patients (81.1% female and 64.0% White) with completed psychological evaluations between August 2019 and December 2020. Patient demographics, psychological evaluation outcomes, current diagnoses, and postoperative outcomes were extracted from the health record. Bivariate analyses determined associations between NFU/RFU and postoperative complications (yes, no), readmissions (yes, no), and emergency room visits (yes, no). Mixed multilevel models were conducted with dichotomous variables NFU/RFU, any psychiatric diagnoses (yes, no), depression diagnoses (yes, no), or anxiety diagnoses (yes, no) as the main fixed within-group factors with weight loss (weight or percent total weight loss) used as the repeated measures. Insurance and surgical procedure were included as covariates. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in postoperative complications, readmissions, and emergency room visits between NFU and RFU groups. Patients who received a RFU versus an NFU had higher weights over 12 months (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Hypothesis 2 was only partially supported. Patients who received an RFU versus an NFU had higher weights over 12 months, but this association was not found for percent total weight loss or any of the psychiatric within-subjects variables (i.e., psychiatric diagnoses, depression, and anxiety).

The psychological examination and evaluation of unrelated kidney donors in Israel: a suggested model.

Altruistic organ donors represent a special population when compared to related living donors, requiring appropriate protection and attention regarding informed consent and psychological aspects related to the donation. Following the introduction of the Israeli Transplant Law of 2008, a retrospective study of altruistic donor files revealed that important psycho-diagnostic aspects were not emphasized in the existing guidelines. Thus, a new tool was formulated which incorporated those elements, including assessment of emotional maturity, ego strength, degree of interest in others, reality testing, degree of pressure to donate, anxiety, dysphoric and depressive factors and the ability to function under stress. The study examined 598 cases reviewed by the Central Evaluation Board over the period May 2008 - June 2016. Overall, 23.4% candidates were disqualified of whom 41% were declined on grounds related to mental health. Most of the donors were rejected based on 3-5 elements. Of these, a deficient assessment of reality in ambiguous situations, lack of emotional maturity, and lacking or partial ability to function effectively under stress, were most commonly cited as reasons for rejection. This model allowed the detection of important conditions previously not incorporated into existing guidelines and may serve as a model for other transplantation programs worldwide.

Preoperative Psychological Evaluation Outcomes, Reasoning, and Demographic and Diagnostic Correlates.

PURPOSE: Little is known about associations between preoperative psychiatric, disordered eating, and substance use diagnoses with the clinical decision to require follow-up after the preoperative psychological evaluation. To determine the proportion of patients who require follow-up (no required follow-up (NFU), required follow-up (RFU), placed on hold (POH)) from the preoperative psychological evaluation, associations with diagnoses, and noted reasons for follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 508 patients (77.6% female; 64.4% White) pursuing bariatric metabolic surgery with completed psychological evaluations between August 2019 and December 2020 at a Midwest medical center. Patient demographics, psychological evaluation outcome and corresponding reasoning, and psychiatric, disordered eating, and substance use diagnoses were extracted from the health record. Descriptive and bivariate analyses determined associations between demographics and diagnoses with psychological evaluation outcomes and corresponding reasoning. RESULTS: The breakdown of psychological evaluation outcomes was 60.6% (n = 308) NFU, 38.4% (n = 195) RFU, and 1.0% (n = 5) POH. Demographic correlates of RFU included higher BMI, being single, lower educational attainment, unemployment, public/no insurance, and receiving multiple or any psychiatric diagnosis (all p-values < 0.05). Diagnostic correlates of RFU included anxiety, depression, not having a current trauma or stressor-related disorder, disordered eating, and substance use diagnoses (all p-values < 0.001). RFU/POH was primarily due to psychiatric (61%) reasons. CONCLUSION: Higher rates of RFU were observed for patients with higher economic need and with psychiatric, disordered eating, or substance use diagnoses. Future work should establish preoperative programming to assist patients with addressing ongoing psychiatric concerns prior to bariatric metabolic surgery.

Orthodontic emergencies and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment during COVID-19 pandemic: A questionnaire study.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and to compare their mental health with the age-matched control group. Materials and methods: 484 orthodontic patients (245 males and 239 females) and 200 age-matched control subjects were divided into two age groups. Group 1 had 14-18 years of adolescents (N = 274) and 100 control participants (Group 2) and Group 3 comprised of 19 years above adults (N = 210) and 100 control participants (Group 4). Group 1 and 3 patients filled the 4 sections of the questionnaire related to orthodontic emergencies (Sections 1-3) and mental distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-Section 4), while groups 2 and 4 were asked to fill only Section-4. The comparison of mental distress on high/low Kessler scores was made using the Chi-Square test/Fisher's exact test. The factors which came out to be significant were put to bivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The percentage of patients with high Kessler scores among Group 1 and Group 3 were 9.9% and 17.2% respectively, and their differences with age-matched control groups were non-significant. The mean differences of Kessler score were significantly higher for Group 3 compared to group 1. The higher Kessler score was associated with age, higher education, a feeling of concern for non-availability of appointments, increased treatment duration, its effect on the quality of treatment, and sabotaging of definitive future plans. Conclusions: The orthodontic treatment and emergencies may not be a significant factor contributing to increased stress among patients during the lockdown.

Analysis of smile exposure and related factors in young people aged 20 to 30 with convex facial profiles / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To study smile exposure in 20- to 30-year-olds with convex facial profiles and to explore the correlation between smile exposure and other aesthetic indicators, as well as psychological factors. @*Methods @# This study obtained ethical approval from the hospital. After they gave informed consent and portrait authorization, 80 young subjects aged 20-30 with convex facial profiles had their dynamic postural smile and spontaneous laughter recorded. The videos were imported into Photoshop CC software, key frames were selected, and the smile exposure was measured. The three-dimensional information of the subject's face in a resting state was obtained, the relevant aesthetic indicators were measured, and the satisfaction degree of their smile and laughter were evaluated. Correlation analysis was conducted for smile exposure and the relevant aesthetic indicators and subjective psychological evaluation.@*Results @# There were statistically significant differences in smile exposure, smile patterns, relevant aesthetic indicators and subjective psychological evaluation between males and females aged 20 to 30 (P<0.05). There was a large gap between males and females in the average opening degree when laughing, males having 5 times that of females, while the average gingival exposure height of the maxillary central incisor in males was approximately 1/2 of that in females. The average nasolabial angle of males (99.80° ± 7.96°) was larger than that of females (96.26° ± 7.31°) (P<0.05), while the average ratio of upper lip length to the length of the lower 1/3 of the face of males (33.73% ± 2.35%) was less than that of females (38.57% ± 2.76%) (P<0.05). The average psychological score of males (57.75±13.46) was higher than that of females (53.69±17.95) (P<0.05). The ratios of maxillary teeth and gingival exposure to oral fissure in the postural smile were positively correlated with the nasolabial angle. The oral fissure width in spontaneous laughter was negatively correlated with psychological score.@*Conclusion @# Convex-faced males and females aged 20 to 30 have different smile exposures and smile patterns. Males tend to smile more openly with a larger opening and less gingival exposure, while females tend to grin with a small opening and more gingival exposure. Smile exposure is positively correlated with nasolabial angle and negatively correlated with smile satisfaction.

Application of multidisciplinary team conference for neuromodulation candidates facilitates patient selection and optimization.

Introduction: Psychological evaluation is required by insurance companies in the United States prior to proceeding with a spinal cord stimulation or a dorsal root ganglion stimulation trial. Since January 2017, we implemented a Multidisciplinary Team Conference for Neuromodulation in our center to facilitate the collaboration between pain physicians and psychologists and to optimize screening of neuromodulation candidates. This study aims to report the impact of this team conference on improvement of neuromodulation outcome in our center. Methods: Appropriateness of neuromodulation were discussed in the team conference after initial visit with the pain specialist and psychological evaluation. For this study, we prospectively and retrospectively collected data on neuromodulation candidates who went through the team conference and those who did not as controls. Results: We discussed 461 patients in the team conference sessions from January 2017 to July 2023. Out of these, a spinal cord stimulator or a dorsal root ganglion stimulator trial was performed in 164 patients with 80.5% (132 cases) trial success rate leading to 140 implants. Out of these implants, 26 (18.6%) explanted and 21 (15%) required revision in 41 (29.3%) patients. We performed neuraxial neuromodulation trial for 70 patients without going through the team conference from January 2016 to July 2023 with a trial success rate of 45.7% (32 cases). In this group, 7 (21.9%) and 6 (18.8%) patients underwent explant and revision. The differences between the groups were statistically significant for trial success rate (odds ratio of 4.9 with p-value of <0.01) but not for explant (odds ratio of 0.8 with p-value of 0.627) or revision (odds ratio of 0.8 with p-value of 0.595). Conclusion: Implementing Multidisciplinary Team Conference increased trial success rate in our center. Team conference provides therapeutic benefit for patients, and also provides the opportunity for an educational discussion for trainees.

Estimating the Psychological Harm Consequence of Bullying Victimization: A Meta-Analytic Review for Forensic Evaluation.

The prevalence of traditional bullying victimization has been estimated at around 36%, while that of cyberbullying has been estimated at 15%. The victimization of bullying brings with it harm to mental health that must be compensated for, after a forensic evaluation, by the aggressor or legal guardian. Thus, a meta-analytic review was undertaken with the aim of knowing the effect of bullying victimization on psychological harm, as well as quantifying the magnitude of the harm and estimating the probability that no harm associated with bullying victimization is generated. METHOD: A random-effects correlational meta-analysis correcting effect size by sampling error and criterion and predictor unreliability was performed. RESULTS: The results exhibited a positive (i.e., more victimization and more psychological harm) and significant mean true effect size, implying an average psychological harm associated to bullying victimization of 29.7%. Nevertheless, 26.7% of students victimized by bullying did not develop psychological harm. CONCLUSIONS: Bullying victimization causes psychological harm, with an average increase in psychological harm associated with bullying victimization of 29.7%.

Development and validation of police mental health ability scale.

OBJECTIVES: Police officers are generally under long-term occupational stress. Good mental health ability enables them to better deal with emergencies and enhance their combat effectiveness. We aimed to develop the Police Mental Health Ability Scale (PMHAS) to provide a reference for police selection and ability training. METHODS: Through literature analysis, individual interviews, half-open and half-closed questionnaire surveys, and expert consultations, the components of police mental health ability (PMHA) were theoretically constructed. Then, we enrolled 824 in-service police officers who participated in the training in Chongqing City and Sichuan Province from November 2018 to January 2019 and recovered 767 valid questionnaires (recovery rate, 93.08%). RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis generated five factors for PMHAS, including cognitive intelligence, emotional catharsis, swift decisiveness, behavioral drive, and reward pursuit, accounting for 58.904% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the model fit well (χ2/df = 1.117, RMSEA = 0.020, GFI = 0.948, CFI = 0.990, IFI = 0.990, TLI = 0.987). The correlation coefficients of factors (r = -0.023 ~ 0.580) were lower than that of each factor and total score (r = 0.477 ~ 0.819). The Cronbach's α coefficients of PMHAS and its factors were 0.606-0.863, and the test-retest reliabilities were 0.602-0.732. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PMHAS is reliable and valid enough for measuring PMHA, which shows that it is a potentially valuable tool for assessing the mental health ability of police officers.

Adaptação e validação da Planned Happenstance Career Inventory (PHCI) para universitários brasileiros / Adaptation and validation of the Planned Happenstance Career Inventory (PHCI) for Brazilian university Students / Adaptación y validación del Planned Happenstance Career Inventory (PHCI) para estudiantes universitarios Brasileños

A Happenstance Learning Theory é um modelo teórico que pretende explicar as diferentes trajetórias de vida das pessoas a partir dos eventos não planejados, focando-se na imprevisibilidade do desenvolvimento de carreira. Pressupõe-se que é possível se planejar para o acaso, avaliando-se as competências para tal por meio de cinco dimensões: Otimismo, Flexibilidade, Curiosidade, Persistência e Assumir riscos. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um estudo de tradução e adaptação da escala PHCI para o Brasil, bem como uma análise fatorial exploratória, análise confirmatória e consistência interna da escala. A escala foi aplicada online em 511 estudantes universitários. O conjunto de resultados da análise da estrutura interna aponta para uma estrutura de quatro fatores, diferente da proposta original da escala, unindo Persistência e Assumir riscos em uma única dimensão, com precisão variando entre 0,59 e 0,80. Discute-se a configuração dos fatores na amostra brasileira e possíveis diferenças culturais nos resultados.(AU)

The happenstance learning theory is a theoretical model which explains the different life trajectories due to life's non-planned events, focusing on career unpredictability. The theory assumes that it is possible to plan for chance, and five dimensions are used to assess the competences for this purpose: Optimism, Flexibility, Curiosity, Persistence and Risk taking. This article presents a translation and adaptation study of the PHCI scale for Brazil, as well as Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analyses and reliability. A total of 511 university students answered the scale online. The set of results of the analysis of the internal structure indicated a four-factor structure, different from the original proposal of the scale, combining Persistence and Risk taking in a single dimension, with reliability ranging between .59 and .80. We discuss the composition of the factors in the Brazilian sample and possible cultural differences in the results.(AU)

La Happenstance Learning Theory es un modelo teórico que pretende explicar las diferentes trayectorias vitales de las personas a partir de acontecimientos no planificados, centrándose en la imprevisibilidad del desarrollo profesional. Se asume que es posible planificar el azar, evaluando las habilidades para ello, a través de cinco dimensiones: Optimismo, Flexibilidad, Curiosidad, Persistencia y Asunción de riesgos. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar un estudio de traducción y adaptación de la escala PHCI para Brasil, así como un análisis factorial exploratorio, análisis confirmatorio y consistencia interna de la escala. La escala se aplicó en línea a 511 estudiantes universitarios. El conjunto de resultados del análisis de la estructura interna apunta a una estructura de cuatro factores, diferente de la propuesta original de la escala, uniendo Persistencia y Asumir riesgos en una sola dimensión, con una precisión oscilando entre .59 y .80. Se discute la configuración de factores en la muestra brasileña y posibles diferencias culturales en los resultados.(AU)

Use of the Stanford Integrative Psychosocial Assessment for Transplant as a Pre-surgical Psychological Evaluation Tool for Bariatric Surgery.

How clinicians perform pre-surgical psychological evaluations (PSPE) for bariatric surgery remains variable across institutions. Bariatric PSPE guidelines state that self-report measures should be incorporated in the PSPE procedure, yet only 50-60% of PSPEs utilize patient self-report measures. Previous studies describing the presurgical psychological evaluation report a range of measures, however a gold standard in PSPE has yet to be agreed upon. Given this gap in how a presurgical psychological evaluation for bariatric patients is defined, incorporating more objective measures into this process may help clinicians identify specific areas in which a patient is struggling and benefit from additional psychosocial support. The present study proposes the use of the SIPAT, a semi-structured interview initially developed to assess organ transplant candidates, as part of this evaluation. A total of 292 adult patients underwent a pre-surgical psychological evaluation for bariatric surgery between November 2017 and February 2020 at a Midwest medical center. Patient average age was 45.2 (11.3) years and 83.3% were female. At time of analysis, 160 patients received bariatric surgery. Logistic regression and analyses of bivariate associations were conducted in R. The SIPAT exhibited good convergent validity via correlations with analogous scales on the PROMIS 43, and it yielded a small effect size predicting patients who ultimately received surgery. Accordingly, this semi-structured interview may be a useful tool to help differentiate patients for surgical candidacy.