Academic stress in college students: descriptive analyses and scoring of the SISCO-II inventory.

In a competitive and demanding world, academic stress is of increasing concern to students. This systemic, adaptive, and psychological process is composed of stressful stimuli, imbalance symptoms, and coping strategies. The SISCO-II Academic Stress Inventory (SISCO-II-AS) is a psychometric instrument validated in Chile. It evaluates stressors, symptoms, and coping, both individually and globally. For its practical interpretation, a scale is required. Therefore, this study aims to descriptively analyze the SISCO-II-AS and to obtain its corresponding scales. Employing a non-experimental quantitative approach, we administered the SISCO-II-AS to 1,049 second and third-year students from three Chilean universities, with a disproportionate gender representation of 75.21% female to 24.79% male participants. Through descriptive and bivariate analysis, we established norms based on percentiles. For the complete instrument and its subscales, significant differences by sex were identified, with magnitudes varying from small to moderate. For the full instrument and its subscales, bar scale norms by percentile and sex are presented. Each subscale (stressors, physical and psychological reactions, social behavioural reactions, total reaction, and coping) has score ranges defined for low, medium, and high levels. These ranges vary according to the sex of the respondent, with notable differences in stressors and physical, psychological, and social behavioural reactions. This study stands out for its broad and heterogeneous sample, which enriches the representativeness of the data. It offers a comprehensive view of academic stress in college students, identifying distinctive factors and highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive approaches. Its findings contribute to understanding and guide future interventions. By offering a descriptive analysis of the SISCO-II-AS inventory and establishing bar norms, this research aids health professionals and educators in better assessing and addressing academic stress in the student population.

Health care needs, experiences, and satisfaction after terrorism: a longitudinal study of parents of survivors of the Utøya attack.

BACKGROUND: There is scarce knowledge on the health care follow-up of parents of terror attack survivors. This study focused on the mothers and fathers of survivors and examined (1) their perceived health care needs relative to their psychological reactions, physical health problems (unmet health care needs), and adaptation to work; (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics, health problems and social support were associated with unmet health care needs; and (3) how unmet health care needs, sociodemographic characteristics, and experiences with health services associated with overall dissatisfaction during the health care follow-up. METHODS: Interview and questionnaire data from three waves of the Utøya parent study were analyzed (n = 364). Chi-square tests and t- tests were used to compare unmet physical and psychological health care needs, sociodemographic factors and post-terror attack health reported by mothers and fathers. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine whether sociodemographic characteristics, unmet health care needs, and health care experiences were associated with overall dissatisfaction among mothers and fathers of the survivors during the health care follow-up. RESULTS: Among the mothers, 43% reported unmet health care needs for psychological reactions, while 25% reported unmet health care needs for physical problems. Among the fathers, 36% reported unmet health care needs for psychological reactions, and 15% reported unmet health care needs for physical problems. Approximately 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers reported "very high/high" needs for adaptation to work. Poorer self-perceived health, higher levels of posttraumatic stress and anxiety/depression symptoms, and lower levels of social support were significantly associated with reported unmet psychological and physical health care needs in both mothers and fathers. Parents with unmet health care needs reported significantly lower satisfaction with the help services received compared to parents whose health care needs were met. Low accessibility of help services and not having enough time to talk and interact with health care practitioners were associated with overall dissatisfaction with the help received. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that parents of terror-exposed adolescents are at risk of having unmet psychological and physical health care needs and thus need to be included in proactive outreach and health care follow-up programs in the aftermath of a terror attack.

Children's Psychological Reactions to Wildfires: a Review of Recent Literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to synthesize currently available literature regarding the impact of wildfire on mental health, specifically the psychological reactions of children to wildfires. The information gathered from this review will help health experts understand and address the mental health needs of children during wildfire disasters and may serve as a base for future studies to evaluate evidence-based public health responses to mitigate adverse outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: The results identified post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, stress, alcohol/substance misuse, hopelessness, low resilience, reduced quality of life, and self-esteem as the psychological conditions manifesting in children and adolescent post-wildfire disaster. PTSD was the most evaluated psychological reaction in the participants (7 out of eight studies). This review highlights that deleterious mental health effects, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidality, can persist in children for years post-wildfire disaster. Factors such as gender, direct exposure to the wildfire, re-traumatization, and resilience informed or ameliorated the severity of the impact of wildfire on children and adolescents. Our findings further emphasize the need for multi-year funding and programs to support children and adolescents' mental health, including children with disabilities in the communities that have experienced wildfire disasters.

Psychological Reactions of Hospital Workers to a Pandemic: A Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 and SARS in 2003.

Epidemic viral infections, including the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019, have brought tremendous loss to people across the nations. The aim of this study was to compare the psychological impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020 and the SARS pandemic in 2003 on hospital workers. Hospital workers at a medical center in Southern Taiwan (n = 1816) were invited to complete questionnaires (SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Experience, the Impact of Event Scale, the Chinese Health Questionnaire, and the Distress Thermometer). The current data were compared to the data collected from hospital workers (n = 1257) at the same medical center during the SARS pandemic in 2003. We found the psychological impact on hospital workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was significantly lower than that during the previous SARS period. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period, hospital workers with SARS experience were more accepting of the risk, felt a greater responsibility to take care of the SARS-CoV-2 patients, and were more likely to perceive the danger of becoming infected. The associated factors of psychiatric morbidity in hospital workers with SARS experience were being female, the degree of intrusion severity, and severity of psychological distress. Proper management strategies and lessons learned from the SARS experience might have led to low psychiatric morbidity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Future Nursing Career Turnover Intention Among Nursing Students.

INTRODUCTION: A shortage of nurses has been a major global concern, particularly during pandemics. Nursing students turning away from the nursing profession upon graduation may exacerbate nursing workforce shortfalls. The main objective of this study was to assess perceived occupational turnover intention among nursing students and associated factors (fear of COVID-19 and life satisfaction). Students were also asked to provide suggestions that could enhance their intention to join the nursing profession. METHODS: An online survey was sent to all registered undergraduate nursing students at Fujian Medical University, China. The partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was used to investigate key factors influencing turnover intention. RESULTS: A total of 1020 complete responses were received (response rate: 86.2%). Nearly half (49.1%) reported that they would choose not to be on a nursing course if given a choice, 45.4% often think of not going into the nursing profession in the future, and 23.7% would consider entering a healthcare industry that has zero contact with patients. The total turnover intention score range was 3 to 15, and the mean ± standard deviation (SD) was 9.2 (SD ± 2.5). PLS-SEM path analysis revealed that fear of COVID-19 (ß = 0.226, p < 0.001) had a positive effect on turnover intention. Satisfaction with life (ß = -0.212, p < 0.001) had a negative effect on turnover intention. Analysis of open-ended survey data on students' perspectives on how to encourage nursing students to enter the nursing workforce revealed five central themes: 1) professional role, respect, and recognition; 2) higher wages; 3) reduce workload; 4) enhance occupational health and safety; and 5) career advancement opportunities. CONCLUSION: Factors influencing turnover intention and suggestions to reduce students' apprehension towards joining the nursing profession found in this study should be seriously taken into consideration in initiatives to address the nurse shortages.

[Dynamics of psychopathological symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia]. / Dinamika psikhopatologicheskoi simptomatiki vo vremya pandemii COVID-19 v Rossii.

OBJECTIVE: The results of the analysis of psychopathological symptom dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia are presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study uses the data of the Internet survey, which included a block of sociodemographic questions and the SCL-90-R symptomatic questionnaire. Nine hundred and eight responses received from 22.03.20 to 22.06.20 were analysed. The change in the responses over time was assessed: 3 periods of time were allocated, associated with the change in countermeasures to the pandemic in Russia. In addition, the change in the values of the SCL-90 parameters was assessed depending on the existence of respondent's acquaintances infected with the coronavirus. RESULTS: It was shown that SCL-90 symptoms (Somatization, Depression, Obsession, all integral parameters, including the Global Severity Index) increased from 22.03.20 to 22.06.20. With infected people appearing in the respondent's environment psychopathological symptoms increase. The growth of hostility, sensitivity and anxiety is associated with a personal experience of a danger of the pandemic, which intensifies when infected persons appear in the immediate environment. CONCLUSION: The increase in psychopathological symptoms after the mitigation or cancellation of the quarantine restrictions suggests the persistence of long-term consequences.

Quality of Life in Patients With Severe Skin Reactions in Course of First-Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors Monoclonal Antibodies (Our Experience With Cetuximab).

BACKGROUND: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with wild type expression of RAS and RAF genes can be treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, in combination with chemotherapy. Skin toxicity represents the most serious and frequent side effect in these patients. Skin manifestations occur in approximately 80% of patients. In this study, we investigated the consequences on body image and quality of life (QoL) of patients with severe skin toxicity. METHODS: One hundred patients were enrolled with mCRC. All patients signed informed consent and completed questionnaires to assess QoL and body discomfort. Toxicity was assessed on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEs). RESULTS: The greatest impact on QoL was represented by difficulties in managing skin rash-related side effects. Data showed a significant impact in psychological sphere and social relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Skin side effects, particularly rash, influence QoL and social relationships, compromising therapeutic compliance.

Features of psychological reactions induced by perampanel: A case report.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Perampanel, an anticonvulsant, might induce psychological reactions. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 70-year-old woman, who had been taking 2500 mg/day levetiracetam, complained of right-hand minor-convulsion. Perampanel of 2 mg/day was additionally prescribed, and the dosage was increased to 4 mg/day. Two weeks after taking 4 mg/day perampanel, she changed her personality and kept insulting her husband; however, the patient herself was aware of her strange behaviour. She regained her normal personality after quitting the perampanel medication. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This self-awareness is crucial to distinguish the perampanel-induced reaction from psychosis.

Psychological reactions to predictive genetic testing for Huntington's disease: A qualitative study.

There is a lack of qualitative research investigating the experience of individuals at risk for Huntington's disease (HD) during the period prior to undergoing predictive testing, as well as their reaction to the test result. This secondary analysis study aimed to explore the experiences during the predictive testing process of individuals who had been or who were at risk for HD. For the primary study, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. We employed the explorative qualitative design for this study, which involved 33 individuals who had been or who were at risk for HD. Results indicate that many had been anticipating the onset of the disease even before they knew their mutation status. Their choice of whether to get tested or not was influenced by personal, social, and practical factors. Whether the test result was positive or negative, coping with the test result was reported to be difficult. Participants with a mutation-negative result felt a need for more follow-up consultations than what they had received. Findings indicate that the decision to undergo predictive testing for HD was not only a personal choice, but was also influenced by both proximal and distant factors. Similar to individuals who tested positive for the mutation, individuals who tested negative for the mutation may need comprehensive follow-up to adapt to the reality of the test result.

Health behaviors among unaffected participants following receipt of variants of uncertain significance in cardiomyopathy-associated genes.

PURPOSE: Studies on returning variants of uncertain significance (VUS) results have predominantly included patients with a personal or family history of cancer and cancer-associated gene VUS. This study examined health behaviors among participants with cardiomyopathy-associated gene VUS, but without a personal history of cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Sixty-eight eligible participants without apparent cardiomyopathy but with VUS in cardiomyopathy-associated genes completed a survey of health behaviors, disclosure, distress, uncertainty, positive experiences, decisional conflict, and perceived value. The medical records of participants who reported cardiac testing because of their VUS were reviewed for testing indication(s). RESULTS: Two participants had cardiac testing due to their VUS alone. Four had cardiac testing because of their VUS and other clinical indications. Twelve changed health behaviors, including one participant who was subsequently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Distress, uncertainty, and decisional conflict were low (means = 1.2, 4.2, and 24.5 (scale ranges = 0-30, 0-45, and 15-75), respectively), and positive experiences and perceived value were moderate (means = 12.4 and 14.4 (scale ranges = 0-20 and 4-20), respectively). Greater perceived value was associated with greater likelihood to engage in health behaviors (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Positive VUS results can be returned to apparently unaffected individuals with modest use of healthcare resources, minimal behavioral changes, and favorable psychological reactions.

Reacción psicológica ante la experiencia de abuso sexual extrafamiliar en padres de niños abusados / Psychological reactions in parents of children who have suffered extra-familiar sexual abuse

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar las reacciones psicológicas en padres de niños que han sufrido la experiencia de abuso sexual extrafamiliar-ASE, realizado en el Centro de Atención Integral a Víctimas de Abuso Sexual-CAIVAS, de la Fiscalía, seccional Medellín, Colombia. Método: El estudio se realizó desde un enfoque cualitativo, histórico hermenéutico, con metodología fenomenológica. Para la recolección de la información, se hicieron entrevistas a diez padres de familia, nueve madres y un padre, quienes acudían a proceso judicial por denuncia penal del evento ASE; estos se eligieron de manera selectiva, desde el archivo de noticia criminal que recibe el área de psicología, y participaron de manera libre, a partir de firma de consentimiento informado. El análisis de la información generada se realizó a través de una categorización y codificación relacional. Resultados: Los más relevantes indican traumas transgeneracionales y sentimientos difusos como padres cuidadores, que dificultan la forma de asumir sus funciones parentales e impiden que sean agentes protectores para sus hijos. Conclusión: Se evidenció que el abuso sexual extrafamiliar tiene implicaciones directas en los padres y que su intervención exige abordar todo el sistema familiar, ya que cuando una familia se expone a este evento, la dinámica se problematiza, dificultando la protección del hijo y la capacidad de afrontamiento de este, ante una amenaza de este tipo.

Abstract Objective: This paper is the result of a research whose objective was to analyze psychological reactions in parents of children who have suffered extra-familial sexual abuse, ASE; this research was conducted at Centro de Atención Integral a Víctimas de Abuso Sexual - CAIVAS - Prosecutor office, in Medellin, Colombia. Method: A qualitative, historical hermeneutic approach was used, through a Phenomenological methodology; for data collection, ten parents taken from criminal new files, and who were received through a free and informed consent signature by psychology area, were sampled, as follows : nine mothers and one father, who attended to judicial process for criminal proceeding related to ASE event In order to analyze the information, a categorization and relational codification, which allowed us to know psychological reactions from parents whose children were victims of sexual abuse, were made. Results: The most relevant results are trans-generational traumas and diffuse feelings, such as caregiver parents, for whom to assume their parental functions is difficult and prevent them to be their children protectors. Conclusion: As a conclusion, it was evident that extra-familial sexual abuse has direct implications on their parents, as well as its intervention, demands to approach the whole family system; because when a family is affected by this event, the dynamics are problematized, not only making the child protection difficult for parents, but also for helping the child develop coping skills with a threat of this type.

Psychological and behavioral effects of genetic risk testing for obesity: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Interest is growing in the use of genetic risk testing for lifestyle-related chronic diseases, including obesity, to promote health behavior change. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the effects that genetic risk feedback for obesity may have on psychological and behavioral factors influencing weight. METHODS: The MEDLINE/PubMed online database was searched using predefined search terms. RESULTS: The studies revealed that risk feedback may increase motivation to improve health behaviors, especially among individuals at higher genetic risk. Overweight and obese individuals seemed to experience additional psychological benefits when provided an external explanation for their weight status. CONCLUSION: While the psychological benefits are promising, the clinical utility of genetic risk testing for obesity remains uncertain.

Desastres naturais: perdas e reações psicológicas de vítimas de enchente em Teresina-PI / Natural disaster: losses and psychological reaction of flood victims in Teresina - PI

A discussão acerca dos desastres vem ganhando destaque no noticiário mundial. No Brasil, essa situação vem causando intensa preocupação em virtude das perdas e graves consequências de tal acontecimento. Atentos ao cenário nacional, comprometidos socialmente, psicólogos discutem essa temática, buscando sistematizar intervenções para oferecer suporte emocional às vítimas de desastres. Em Teresina, as enchentes de 2009 inundaram muitos pontos da cidade, trazendo prejuízos aos moradores dos bairros mais afetados. Diante disso, objetivou-se investigar quais as perdas vivenciadas e as consequentes reações psicológicas de vítimas da enchente ocorrida no ano de 2009. Propôs-se, também, a pontuar os dispositivos subjetivos criados pelos membros comunitários para enfrentamento da crise e de suas consequentes perdas. Os conteúdos emergentes na pesquisa sugerem maior atenção à saúde mental de pessoas atingidas por desastres, bem como a necessidade de mais pesquisas na área para respaldar as intervenções realizadas neste contexto.

The Natural disasters have been gaining prominence in the news worldwide. In Brazil, this situation has caused intense concern, given the serious consequences of this type of event. Attentive to the national scenery, committed socially, the psychologists argue this thematic, seeking to systematize interventions to offer emotional support to disaster victims. In Teresina, the flood of 2009 inundated several places of city, bringing damages for the neighborhoods most affected. According to this situation, this study aimed to investigate the losses experienced and the consequent psychological reactions of the flood victims, 2009. It was proposed also point the subjective mechanisms create by the community members for treatment of the crisis, of its consequences losses. The emerging contents suggest greater attention to the mental health of people affected by disasters, as well as the need for more research in the area to support the interventions in this context.

Síndrome post-aborto: reacciones psicológicas post-aborto / Post-abortion syndrome

El efecto que el aborto produce en la salud mental de la mujer que lo vivencia, sobre todo si es provocado, es un tema preocupante. Numerosas investigaciones y la experiencia clínica demuestran que las reacciones psicológicas varían de una mujer a otra, pero que en ningún caso es inocuo. Las distintas investigaciones y la experiencia clínica describen desde reacciones ansiosas, depresivas, sentimientos de vacío y dolor, hasta un síndrome específico, el síndrome post-aborto, el cual presentaría casi las mismas características del estrés pos-traumático.

The effect that abortion produces on the mental health of woman who have experienced one, especially if provoked, is a topic of concern. Numerous investigations and clinical experience demonstrate that psychological reactions differ from one woman to another, but in no case is it innocuous. Different research and clinical experience describe a range from anxiety, depressive reaction, feelings of emptiness and pain up to a specific syndrome, post-abortion syndrome, which presents almost the same characteristics as post-traumatic stress.