Measuring anxiety related to COVID-19: A Turkish validation study of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale.

The aim of the current study is to validate the Turkish version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). Participants were assessed across the CAS, Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) and Fear of COVID-19 Scale. We surveyed 1023 Turkish native speakers who participated online. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the CAS was satisfactory. The scale was internally consistent with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.80. Positive correlations of the CAS with the OCS and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale demonstrated adequate convergent validity. These findings suggest that the CAS is a valid and reliable measure to assess the severity of dysfunctional coronavirus related anxiety.

Measuring dysfunctional grief due to a COVID-19 loss: A Turkish validation study of the Pandemic Grief Scale.

The global death toll to date of the COVID-19 pandemic has been enormous, and millions of people are grieving these losses. The aim of the current study is to validate a Turkish version of the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), which is a brief English-language mental health screener to identify probable cases of dysfunctional grief associated with a COVID-19 death. Participants were assessed using the PGS, Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). We surveyed 758 Turkish native speakers who participated online. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the PGS was satisfactory. The scale was internally consistent with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77 and a composite reliability of 0.90. The PGS demonstrated construct validity with strong correlations with suicidal ideation and substance use coping. Positive correlations of the PGS with the PHQ-4 and the WSAS demonstrated adequate convergent validity. The PGS discriminates well between persons with and without dysfunctional grief using an optimized cut score of ≥ 3 (89% sensitivity and 72% specificity). The PGS also demonstrates incremental validity by explaining most of the variance (43%) in functional impairment due to a COVID-19 loss beyond measures of depression and generalized anxiety. These findings closely replicate the original validation study on the PGS in English and suggest that the current Turkish version of the PGS is a valid and reliable measure to assess the severity of dysfunctional grief associated with a COVID-19 death.

Sexual Dysfunctions are Predicted by Childhood Sexual Abuse in Women with Opioid Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Studies on sexual functioning of populations with substance use disorders (SUDs) are mostly conducted with male substance users. We have very limited information about the sexuality and related factors in women with opioid use disorder (OUD). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences (CTEs) and sexual dysfunctions (SDs) of women with OUD and to compare it with a sample of women who do not have SUD. METHODS: Participants included 51 outpatient women with OUD who were on opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) with Buprenorphine/Naloxone and 48 women without SUD. Participants were evaluated by a semi-structured sociodemographic form, the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: In women with OUD; CTQ-28, BDI, STAI, and GRISS scores were significantly higher. In the partial correlation analysis, sexual abuse was found to be significantly correlated with nonsensuality, avoidance and total GRISS score. In stepwise regression model, sexual abuse was found to predict SDs together with depression. CONCLUSIONS: CTE, SD, depression, and anxiety rates were higher in the women with OUD. Especially childhood sexual abuse was associated with SDs in this group. Sexual abuse was predicting SDs together with depression. Further investigation of different characteristics of women with SUD may give an opportunity to clinicians to have a better understanding for adaptable treatment strategies.

Relationship of PTSD With impulsivity Dimensions While Controlling the Effect of Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Inpatients With Alcohol Use Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with impulsivity dimensions while controlling the effect of anxiety and depression in a sample of inpatients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS: Participants were 190 male patients admitted to a specialized center for substance use disorders within a six month period. Participants were evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Short Form Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11-SF), the Traumatic Experiences Checklist, and PTSD Checklist-Civilian version. RESULTS: Age was lower in the group with PTSD (n = 63, 33.2%) than the group without PTSD (n = 127, 66.8%). Duration of education, marital, and employment status did not differ between the groups. STAI, BDI, and BIS-11-SF scores were higher in the group with PTSD. Trait anxiety, depression, and impulsivity predicted high PTSD risk in a logistic regression model. Same variables predicted the severity of PTSD symptoms in a linear regression. Among dimensions of impulsivity attentional component was the only predictor of PTSD symptoms severity, not motor or nonplanning impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the PTSD may be related to impulsivity, particularly attentional impulsivity, even after controlling anxiety and depression among inpatients with AUD.

Sociodemographic characteristics and drug abuse patterns of adolescents admitted for substance use disorder treatment in Istanbul.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use is an increasing major health problem in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and drug abuse patterns of children and youth seeking treatment in Turkey. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the demographic and clinical data of substance users who visited the substance addiction treatment clinic for children and youth in Bakirköy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery in Istanbul, between January 2011 and December 2012. RESULTS: The sample comprised of 1969 children and youth aged between 11 and 20 (346 female and 1623 male). Cannabis (60.1%), followed by solvents/inhalants (38.3%) and ecstasy (33.4%), were the most prevalent substances used. The use of solvents/inhalants was more common among males, whereas ecstasy and cocaine use were more common among females. The mean age for the onset of substance use was 13 years. The proportion of polysubstance use was 60.2%. There was a mean duration of 2.28 ± 1.91 years between the first substance use and seeking treatment. The risk factors for most of the drug usage were onset of substance use at a young age, gender, treatment admission at older ages, higher parental criminal history, and having substance using parents or relatives. CONCLUSION: Findings of the very early onset of substance and polysubstance use indicated easy accessibility of legal and illicit substances by children and youth in Istanbul. These findings on Turkish children and youth who seek substance use treatment can be useful in developing preventive early interventions and treatment facilities.

Intravenous Abuse of Tropicamide in Opioid Use Disorder: Presentation of 2 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Tropicamide is an antimuscarinic ophthalmic solution used to produce short-acting mydriasis and cycloplegia. Topical abuse of ophthalmic solutions has been reported, but intravenous (IV) abuse of tropicamide seems to be a new phenomenon. CASES: The authors present 2 patients with concomitant IV tropicamide abuse and opioid use disorder. Patients were hospitalized and started on buprenorphine/naloxone treatment for opioid withdrawal. Patients' reports about tropicamide effects are remarkable, as they claimed that tropicamide increased the efficacy of heroin while decreasing and delaying the withdrawal symptoms. DISCUSSION: Although anticholinergics have been known to be abused for their euphoric effects, these cases' motivation to use tropicamide seemed to extend beyond its euphoric effect and was also based on its interaction with heroin. It is feared that tropicamide abuse may become more frequent. Health professionals should be aware of this trend so that symptoms of misuse and intoxication can be recognized, and ophthalmologists should consider the abuse potential of anticholinergic eye drops when prescribing them.

The impact of childhood traumas, depressive and anxiety symptoms on the relationship between borderline personality features and symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Turkish university students.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported that there is a significant association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood and borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adulthood. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of borderline personality features (BPF) and ADHD symptoms while controlling the effect of childhood traumas, symptoms of depression and anxiety in adulthood on this relationship in Turkish university students. METHODS: A total of 271 Turkish university students participated in this study. The students were assessed through the Turkish version of the Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI), the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). RESULTS: Correlation analyses have revealed that severity of BPF is related with adult ADHD symptoms, emotional, physical abuse and depression scores. Hierarchical regression analysis has indicated that depressive symptoms, emotional and physical abuse and the severity of ADHD symptoms are the predictors for severity of BPF. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the present study suggests that clinicians must carefully evaluate these variables and the relationship between them to understand BPF and ADHD symptoms in university students better. Together with depressive symptoms, emotional and physical abuse may play a mediator role on this relationship. Further studies are needed to evaluate causal relationship between these variables in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

The relationship of Internet addiction severity with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in Turkish University students; impact of personality traits, depression and anxiety.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of Internet addiction (IA) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms while controlling the effect of personality traits, depression and anxiety symptoms in Turkish university students. METHODS: A total of 271 university students participated in the present study. The students were assessed through the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), the Wender Utah Rating Short Scale (WURS-25), the Turkish version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised Abbreviated Form (EPQR-A), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). RESULTS: According to IAS, participants were separated into three groups, namely, moderate/high, mild and without IA groups. The rates of groups were 19.9% (n=54), 38.7% (n=105) and 41.3% (n=112), respectively. Correlation analyses revealed that the severity of IAS is positively correlated with WURS-25, ASRS (total, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales), neuroticism personality trait, depression and anxiety scores, whereas it is negatively correlated with extraversion personality trait. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that depression and anxiety symptoms, introversion and neuroticism personality traits and the severity of ADHD symptoms (particularly hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms) are the predictors for IAS score, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of ADHD symptoms has predicted the severity of IA even after controlling the effect of personality traits, depression and anxiety symptoms among Turkish university students. University students with severe ADHD symptoms, particularly hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms may be considered as a risk group for IA.

The severity of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and its relationship with lifetime substance use and psychological variables among 10th grade students in Istanbul.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the severity of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms (ADHS) and related psychological and behavioral variables among 10th grade students in Istanbul/Turkey. METHODS: Cross-sectional online self-report survey conducted in 45 schools in 15 districts Istanbul. The questionnaire included sections about demographic data and use of substances including tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Also ADHS, depression, anxiety, anger and sensation seeking subscales of Psychological Screening Test for Adolescents (PSTA) were used. The analyses were conducted based on the 4938 subjects. RESULTS: Mean ADHS score was higher in females and among those with a lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol and drug, and having self-harming behavior and suicidal thoughts. ADHS score was correlated with depression, anxiety, anger and sensation seeking scores. In univariate covariance analysis (ANCOVA); depression, anxiety, anger, sensation seeking, lifetime alcohol use and suicidal thoughts predicted the severity of ADHS. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that, since ADHS is associated with depression, anxiety, anger, sensation seeking, lifetime alcohol use and suicidal thoughts among 10th grade students, clinicians should screen suicidality and comorbid psychiatric symptoms routinely in adolescents with ADHS.

Non-suicidal self-harm behavior within the previous year among 10th-grade adolescents in Istanbul and related variables.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-harm behavior (SHB), which is a pervasive and dangerous problem, is frequent among adolescents and it is important to evaluate the associated psychological and social factors to better understand its nature and to plan treatment programs. AIMS: Aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of SHB and the associated variables such as substance use, psychological, behavioral and social factors among 10th-grade students in Istanbul/Turkey. METHODS: Cross-sectional online self-report survey conducted in 45 schools from the 15 districts in Istanbul/Turkey. A representative sample of 4957 10th-grade students was studied between October 2012 and December 2012. RESULTS: SHB within the previous year were reported by 14.4% of the students (n = 713). Lifetime suicidal thoughts or behavior, tobacco, alcohol and/or drug use, symptoms of depression, anxiety and impulsive, delinquent and aggressive behaviors were also associated with SHB in Turkish 10th-grade students. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study may be relevant in prevention and management of SHB as well as important problems among students, such as substance use, impulsive, delinquent, aggressive and suicidal behavior.

Relationships of personality dimensions with impulsivity in alcohol-dependent inpatient men.

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is closely related to substance use and abuse, both as a contributor to use and as a consequence of use. Particular dimensions of temperament and character were reported to be associated with trait impulsivity in different populations. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of personality dimensions with impulsivity among men with alcohol dependence. Also we wanted to control the effect of depression and anxiety symptoms on this relationship. METHODS: Participants were consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent inpatients (n = 94) and healthy controls (n = 63). Patients were investigated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 (BIS-11), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R). RESULTS: Severity of impulsivity and dimensions of impulsivity were higher in alcohol-dependent inpatients than in healthy controls. Impulsivity was negatively correlated with reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness and cooperativeness, but positively correlated with novelty seeking, harm avoidance, depression and anxiety. Although high depression and temperament dimensions (high novelty seeking, harm avoidance and low reward dependence) predicted impulsivity, combinations of personality dimensions that predict dimensions of impulsivity differed. CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS may suggest that together with depression when impulsivity is the problem, both dimensions of impulsivity and personality must be evaluated and the treatment should be shaped accordingly for alcohol-dependent inpatients.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish versions of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) in the prison setting.

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) in prisoners with (n = 124) or without (n = 78) drug use disorder. Participants were evaluated with the DUDIT, the DAST-10, and the Addiction Profile Index-Short (API-S). The DUDIT and the DAST-10 were found to be psychometrically sound drug abuse screening measures with high convergent validity when compared with each other (r = 0.86), and API-S (r = 0.88 and r = 0.84, respectively), and to have a Cronbach's α of 0.93 and 0.87, respectively. In addition, a single component accounted for 58.28% of total variance for DUDIT, whereas this was 47.10% for DAST-10. The DUDIT had sensitivity and specificity scores of 0.95 and 0.79, respectively, when using the optimal cut-off score of 10, whereas these scores were 0.88 and 0.74 for the DAST-10 when using the optimal cut-off score of 4. Additionally, both the DUDIT and the DAST-10 showed good discriminant validity as they differentiated prisoners with drug use disorder from those without. Findings support the Turkish versions of both the DUDIT and the DAST-10 as reliable and valid drug abuse screening instruments that measure unidimensional constructs.

High risk of Internet addiction and its relationship with lifetime substance use, psychological and behavioral problems among 10(th) grade adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of higher risk of Internet addiction (HRIA) with lifetime substance use, psychological and behavioral factors among Turkish 10(th) grade students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional online self-report survey conducted in 45 schools from the 15 districts in Istanbul, Turkey. A representative sample of 4957 10(th) grade students was studied between October 2012 and December 2012. Other than sociodemographic variables the survey included the Addiction Profile Index Internet Addiction Form-Screening Version (BAPINT-SV) and the Psychological Screening Test for Adolescents (PSTA). RESULTS: The participants were classified into two groups as those with HRIA (15.96%) and those with lower risk of Internet addiction. The rate of HRIA was higher in the males. The findings indicated that HRIA is related with negative consequences in school, lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol and/or drug, suicidal thoughts, self-harming and delinquent behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol and/or drug, depression, attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms and lack of assertiveness predicted the HRIA in Turkish 10(th) grade students. Being aware of those with HRIA is important in prevention and management of Internet addiction as well as other important problems among students, such as substance use.

Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with cognitive training improves decision making and executive functions in opioid use disorder: a triple-blind sham-controlled pilot study.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic disorder with a considerable amount of morbidity and mortality. Despite remarkable improvement achieved by maintenance programs, an array of treatment goals were still unmet. Mounting evidence suggests that transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) improves decision making and cognitive functions in addictive disorders. tDCS paired with a decision making task was depicted to diminish impulsivity as well.The present study aimed to assess the effect of tDCS combined with cognitive training (CT) in OUD for the first time.In this triple-blind randomized sham-controlled pilot study, 38 individuals with OUD from the Buprenorphine-Naloxone Maintenance Therapy program were administered 20-minutes of 2 mA active/sham tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with concomitant cognitive training. A selected test battery evaluating decision making under risk and ambiguity as well as executive functions, verbal fluency and working memory was utilized before and after the intervention.Greater improvements were observed in decision making under ambiguity (p = 0.016), set shifting ability and alternating fluency while no improvements were observed in decision making under risk in the active group, compared to sham.Deficits of decision making and executive functions have a pivotal role in the perpetuation and the relapse of the OUD. Alleviation of these impairments brought tDCS/CT forth as an expedient neuroscientifically-grounded treatment option that merits further exploration in OUD, Trial registration: NCT05568251.

Reliability and Validity of Turkish version of DSM-5 Substance Use Scale. / DSM-5 Madde Kullanimi Ölçegi'nin Türkçe Formunun Geçerligi ve Güvenilirligi.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the severity of substance use disorders according to the DSM-5 criteria and to show the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Substance Use Scale that improved to learn what kind of substances are used. METHODS: In this study,54 in or out-patients who met the criteria for any substance use disorder according to DSM-5 and who are receiving treatment in Psychiatry Department of Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine and AMATEM department of Bakirköy Prof. Dr. Mahzar Osman Mental Health and Neurology Training and Research Hospital, were included. One hundred volunteers without any mental or physical disease were also recruited as the control group. Beside the DSM-5 Level 2 substance use scale, Addiction Profile Index was used for concurrent validity. Internal consistency coefficient and item-total correlation analysis were performed for reliability analysis. ROC Analysis was used in the validity analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 26.97±10.20 years in the study group and 39% of the sample (n=60) were female. 5.6% (n=3) of the patient group were female and 94.4% (n=51) were male. In the control group, 57% (n=57) were female and 43% (n=43) were male. Of the patients diagnosed with substance use disorder (n=54), 88.7% had opiate use disorder, 5.6% had polysubstance use disorder, 5.6% had other (unknown) substance (synthetic cannabinoid) use disorder and 1.8% of patients have cannabis use disorder. The internal consistency of the substance use scale was 0.80 and itemtotal correlation coefficients were between 0,196- 0,643 (p<0.0001). Coefficient of correlation analysis with API was calculated as r=0.806 (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that DSM-5 Substance Use Scale is a valid and reliable questionnaire that can be used to measure the progress of different dimensions of alcohol and substance use.

The mediator roles of trait anxiety, hostility, and impulsivity in the association between childhood trauma and dissociation in male substance-dependent inpatients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediator roles of negative affect, aggression, and impulsivity in the association between childhood trauma and dissociation in male substance-dependent inpatients. In addition, the effect of some variables that may be related with childhood trauma and dissociation among treatment-seeking substance dependents, such as substance of choice (alcohol/drug), mean of current age, and age at regular substance use was controlled. Participants were consecutively admitted 200 male substance-dependent inpatients. Patients were investigated with the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Seventy-seven patients (38.5%) with pathologic dissociation were compared with 123 nondissociative patients (61.5%) classified by dissociative taxon membership. The dissociative group had lower age, age at regular substance use, duration of education, and higher rate of drug dependency rather than alcohol dependency. Beside higher scores on anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, aggression, and impulsivity, a larger proportion of dissociative group reported suicide attempts and self-mutilation than did the nondissociative group. Results of regression analyses suggest that severity of chronic anxiety, aggression (particularly hostility), and impulsivity were found to be mediators of association between childhood trauma and dissociation. Results suggest that, to reduce the risk of dissociation and related behavior such as suicide attempt and self-mutilation among substance dependents, chronic anxiety together with the feelings of hostility and impulsivity must be the targets of evaluation and treatment among those with history of childhood trauma.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of delirium tremens in hospitalized patients with alcohol withdrawal.

Delirium tremens (DT) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can be fatal if not recognized early and treated appropriately. In our study, we aimed to determine the role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammation, in predicting the development of DT. This retrospective study was conducted in an alcohol and drug treatment center between March 2017 and March 2020. A total of 212 patients with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder who were admitted to a special care unit after alcohol withdrawal were included. Blood tests were collected within 24 h of the patients' admission. Comparisons were made according to whether the patients developed DT during the hospitalization. DT was diagnosed in 24.1% of the patients. It was determined that higher NLR level (odds ratio [OR]: 4.38, 95% CI: 2.58-7.43) and history of DT (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.23-11.73) are independent risk factors for the development of DT in the logistic regression analysis. The optimal cut-off value of NLR in predicting DT was 2.67 (sensitivity: 82.4%; specificity: 88.8%). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of NLR showed a larger area under the curve (AUC) than the curves of other systemic inflammation markers. NLR is a simple, practical, and inexpensive marker that can predict the development of DT in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).

Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale for Metamphetamine Abusers: Reliability and Validity Study of the Turkish Version.

Background: This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish adaptation of the 16-item Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale (RRAS) for methamphetamine abusers. Methods: A total of 160 patients diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder were included in this study to evaluate the validity and reliability of the scale. The comparison of the relationship between the Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale, the Substance Craving Scale, and the Relapse Prediction Scale was also carried out. The validity of the Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale was examined in the first step by exploratory factor analysis. The suitability of the data for exploratory factor analysis was evaluated by Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and Barlett's test. Cronbach's α coefficient and corrected item-total correlation value were used to test the reliability of the scale. The validity results of Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale were tested by confirmatory factor analysis. The significance level was set at P < .05 for all analyses. Results: Considering the examination of the internal consistency values of the Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale, Cronbach's α value was detected to be 0.90, and Cronbach's α value of the subscales ranged from 0.72 to 0.90. The study determined that the goodness of fit values for RRAS were χ 2/df =2.13, P < .001, goodness of fit index = 0.88, comparative fit index = 0.92, normed fit index = 0.86, Trucker-Lewis index = 0.90, root mean square error of approximation = 0.08, and standardized root mean squared residual = 0.06. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that Risk of Relapse Assessment Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool for assessing the risk of methamphetamine relapse in Turkish.

Self-mutilative behaviors in male substance-dependent inpatients and relationship with anger and aggression: mediator effect of childhood trauma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of self-mutilation (SM) with anger and aggression in male substance-dependent inpatients. Also, we wanted to evaluate the mediator effect of childhood trauma on these relationships while controlling variables such as age, substance of dependence (alcohol/drug), and negative effect. Participants were consecutively admitted 200 male substance-dependent inpatients. Patients were investigated with the Self-mutilative Behaviour Questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Reports, the Buss-Perry's Aggression Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Rate of being married, current age, and age onset of regular substance use were lower, whereas being unemployed and history of childhood trauma (HCT) were higher in group with SM (n = 124, or 62.0%). Higher mean scale scores were found in SM group. Predictors of SM were being younger, impaired anger control, and physical aggression in logistic regression model. Being younger and the outward expression of anger (anger-out) predicted SM in the subgroup of patients without HCT, whereas being younger, severity of anger, and the inward expression of anger (anger-in) predicted SM in the subgroup of patients with HCT. Thus, to reduce self-mutilative behavior among substance-dependent patients, clinicians must improve anger control, particularly in younger patients. Type of strategy for coping with anger, which must be worked on, may differ in different subgroup patients, that is, focusing anger toward self among those with HCT, whereas anger toward others among those without.

Relationship of alexithymia and dissociation with severity of borderline personality features in male substance-dependent inpatients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible interactions between severity of borderline personality features (BPFs), dissociative experiences, and alexithymia among substance-dependent men while controlling for their current age, depression, and anxiety. Participants were 200 substance-dependent men consecutively admitted to a dependency treatment unit. The Borderline Personality Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered to all participants. Severity of negative affect, alexithymia, dissociative experiences, and BPF were correlated with each other. Being younger, severity of dissociative experiences, difficulty in identifying feelings, depression, and trait anxiety predicted the severity of BPF in linear regression analysis. These findings suggest that alexithymia and dissociative experiences may be a way of coping with depression and chronic anxiety, but they also seem to be related to the severity of BPF independent of the negative affect and from each other.