RESUMO
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD), classified under Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders in the DSM-5 manual, is a childhood psychiatric illness due to familial or social neglect or due to maltreatment. It is characterized by an inhibited and withdrawn social and emotional behavior toward an adult caregiver, typically before the age of 5. Neurobiological changes in patients with RAD have been shown to be substantially significant with features such as loss of grey matter volume and neurotransmitter deficiencies that not only impact the ability to form healthy attachments but also increase the risk of comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. Different theories, including the current mediation hypothesis and learning theory of attachment, showed childhood maltreatment from caregivers and desensitization toward deficiencies in social development in children from special education teachers to be key components in the development of RAD. Patients with RAD had an increased risk of developing psychiatric comorbidities, including learning disabilities and mood disorders. Institutionalized care and childhood maltreatment have a significant impact on the development of RAD. RAD is an underdiagnosed and underreported condition with significant repercussions that can severely impact the development of a child. By being able to raise awareness and promote further research into refining the diagnostic methodology, treatment protocols, and long-term follow-up, children afflicted with this condition may be able to develop better socio-emotional bonds and reduce the incidence of comorbidities such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
RESUMO
Background COVID-19 is an ongoing event that has affected millions worldwide financially, socially, and psychologically; university students have also felt the devastating impact. Therefore, assessing how students have been affected psychologically is important, which is explored in this study. Methods This cross-sectional study took place in two institutions in Bahrain between October and December 2021. A survey assembled from pre-validated questionnaires was sent through Google Forms after receiving ethics approval. Data were analyzed using network plot analysis and linear regression analysis. Results Out of 292 responses, the most common demographic observed were vaccinated Bahraini females living with families at a mean age of 21.21 (SD±3.447). The mean scores for the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Centered for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), and Stigma Scale were 10.55 (SD ± 6.144), 18.75 (SD ± 9.147), and 25.40 (SD ± 3.428), respectively. The significant associations on ANOVA observed were stigma score and living status (p-value = 0.002), stigma, and alcohol consumption (p-value = <0.001). Statistically significant predictors of the outcomes in this study included gender for depressive symptoms (p-value = 0.013) and alcohol consumption for stigma (p-value = 0.017). Discussion The stigmatization of the pandemic may additionally influence sub-threshold depressive and anxiety-related symptoms in university students. Concluding from the results of this study, the psychological impact of the pandemic is significant among university students and needs to be addressed in institutions in Bahrain.