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Quality of life is an integral element of a new perspective on health. Even though the definition and structure of the concept of quality of life are still being debated, researchers exploring the topic agree that it has both objective and subjective dimensions. When the quality of life of patients is examined somatically, the objectives formulated in the study procedure are usually easily achieved, particularly when the basic hypothesis is that good physical health generates a high quality of life. However, where mental diseases and dysfunctions are investigated, and the analysis involves a large number of variables constituting quality of life, the relationship is not so clear-cut. Consequently, in addition to methodological accuracy the researcher must put a major focus on the patients and their manifestations. The thesis stating that it is impossible to measure quality of life in this population, or worse still, that there is no need for such measurements, is indefensible, considering that people with mental disorders have the same right to a good life as healthy individuals, and achieving an improvement in their quality of life becomes an increasingly common target among anticipated therapeutic benefits. Looking at the issue from the perspective of findings obtained in multiple studies, it is evident that quality-of-life measurements are not easy, but a successful attempt may provide researchers with a source of valuable non-clinical data and even enhance their personal satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Polish penalty procedure, the witness is an important source of evidence. The court assesses his credibility in the light of the free assessment of evidence directives' principles (Article 7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure -- CCP). In a situation where there is doubt about the mental state of the witness, his mental development condition, his ability to perceive or recreate perceptions, the court or the prosecutor, according to the content of Article 192 § 2 of the CCP, may order an interrogation of a witness with the participation of, among oth- ers, expert psychologist. This may take place, for example, in case of a witness with mental disorders or a witness in old age. Opinions drawn up by an expert psychologists are also very helpful in the process of assessing the credibility of the witness's testimony, especially in interrogation of a witness under the age of 15 (Article 185a and b of the CCP). The psychologist may also take part in interrogation of a witness in cases related to offenses specified in Article 197--199 of the CC (Article 185c § 3 of the CCP). The presence of an expert psychologist in the courtroom or in a place specifically designated by the procedural authorities, is conditioned by the disclosure of circumstances justifying the suspicion of the existence of factors that disrupt or exclude the ability to perceive, remember and reproduce observations and reporting facts. These circumstances are not always the real doubts concerning the mental state of the witness, and the role of an expert psychologist in these tasks is often not fully used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Based on a comprehensive approach to the problem of stress, we have decided to evaluate all components of a stress response - immunological (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, CRP, TNF-alpha) and hormonal one (CRH, ACTH), as well as to evaluate the psychological indicators of stress, coping with stress, and controlling emotional reactions as psychological markers that predispose to the most beneficial adaption in relation to stressors affecting flight personnel taking part in peace missions abroad. Material and method. The research studies being the subject matter of the project were conducted among 113 antiterrorists and 123 representatives of aircrew (236 respondents in total) who participated in peace missions outside Poland. The study was conducted both before departure and during the missions. The study included a biochemical evaluation (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, CRP, TNF-alpha, CRH, ACTH) as well as a psychological assessment based on the Perceived Stress Scale by S. Cohen (PSS-10) and the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) by M. Watson and S. Greer, and the COPE Inventory by J. Corver. Results. Based on a statistical analysis of the variables, a relationship between the level of perceived stress and the methods of coping with it as well as between the selected methods of emotion control and inflammatory response indicators, was found. Conclusions. In difficult situations, accompanied by an increase in the variables responsible for the biochemical inflammatory response of an organism, the effective model of coping with difficult situations and emotion control increases, while the subjective level of perceived stress drops [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: Aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between subjective evaluation of disease (the intensity of symptoms, complaints and nuisance effects of treatment) in selected skin diseases and digestive system and investigated psychological factors: the level of stress and severity of state anxiety and trait anxiety., Method: Verification of the research hypothesis was made using the following test methods: medical survey prepared by the authors and standardized psychological tests, such as Medical Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by S. Cohen, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) by C.D. Spielberger. The study was conducted among 120 patients, including patients with psoriasis, rosacea, gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome., Results: Patients received average results in the level of stress and anxiety. The highest degree of severity of the disease and its nuisance reported patients with gastrointestinal disease. All invited to the study patients evaluated effects of treatment of their disease as relatively low. In patients with psoriasissignificant relationships conserned the largest number of tested variables, as compared to other groups., Conclusions: In all groups of patients partial correlation between the examined determinants of psychological and subjective assessment of symptoms and effects of its treatment was shown. The higher rating of the variables was most associated with a higher intensity of stress and anxiety.

Prosody plays an important role in the process of verbal communication, complementing and emphasising the linguistic and emotional aspects of language. Disturbances of speech prosody are rarely recognised, although aprosodia occurs frequently in patients with schizophrenia. Prosodic disturbance of speech can significantly impair verbal communication and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia. Right-hemisphere is connected with emotional prosody deficits and left-hemisphere with linguistic prosody. The aim of the study is to describe. The Right Hemisphere Language Battery by Karen L. Bryan in the examination of patients with schizophrenia.

Many differences between the hemispheres have been observed, from the gross anatomical level to differences in dendritic structure or neurotransmitter distribution. Analytic reasoning and language functions such as grammar and vocabulary are often lateralized to the left hemisphere of the brain. The right cerebral hemisphere plays a special role in tasks involving the direction of spatial attention, recognition of faces, perception, possibly generation of affect and affective prosody. Depression is associated with many different cognitive impairments e.g. in the domains of working memory and executive functions as well as interpersonal and social cognition problems. Little is known about the relationship between cognitive and affective deficits in depression. Researchers have hypothesised that the laterality of brain damage may facilitate the expression of emotional or affective disturbances. The aim of the study is to describe the role of the right hemisphere in the aetiology of depressive disorders.

Aim: Among main symptoms of the amnestic syndrome we can distinguish: short-term and long-term memory deterioration, deficiency of the effectiveness of learning, the anterograde amnesia and the retrograde amnesia, lack of the orientation in the place and in the time and confabulations. The aim of the study is to introduce the unknown tool of cognitive assessment named Montreal Assessment Cognitive (MoCA). The authors want to indicate the diagnostic accuracy of the scale in the examination of the amnestic patient., Method: In the neuropsychological examination of the amnestic patient, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale was used., Results: The patient correctly performed the tasks which estimated effectiveness of the visual-motor coordination, language abilities (naming, repeating of the sentences) and effectiveness of the short-term memory. Difficulties in the remaining tasks indicate at deficiency of the effectiveness of the learning ability, long-term memory (recognition), abstractive thinking and the orientation in the place and time. Deterioration of the working memory and executive functions is also noticeable., Conclusions: Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale is a useful tool for the evaluation of the cognitive functions among amnestic patients.

Aim: The authors define the term "satisfaction from life" as being able to achieve satisfying objectives, realize one's own needs and desires. Such a vision depends upon personal experience, knowledge, role models and value system. The objective of this study is to establish the styles of coping with stress, as well as kinds and intensity of aggressive behaviours that depend on the degree of life satisfaction. The degree of life satisfaction was assessed by the look at the socio-economic status., Methods: 80 people were enrolled in the study. The authors used a personal data form, Coping Inventory for Stress Situations (CISS) by N. Endler and J. Parker and Psychological Inventory of Aggression Syndrome by Z. B. Gaś (IPSA-II)., Results and Conclusions: The level of life satisfaction (measured using the family situation and socio-economic status) of the participants is associated with the style of coping with stress and with tendency to aggressive behaviours. The higher the level of life satisfaction was, the lower the intensity of aggressive behaviours and more effective styles of coping with stress were observed.