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Abstract Background The issue of substance use is increasingly being recognised as a significant global public health concern. In relation to its influence in the Arab world, scholarly investigation continues to be regarded as relatively constrained in scope. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of substance use among patients with psychiatric disorders, as well as the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of this patient population. This cross-sectional study included 671 patients with psychiatric disorders who attended an outpatient private psychiatric clinic in Amman, Jordan, between January and May 2023. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of substance-using and non-substance-using patients. Bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate factors associated with substance use. Results The patients were aged 20–80 years, with a mean age of 32.45 ± 10.18 years. Most patients were men, more than half were single and unemployed, and mood disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric disorder. Male sex, a younger age, lower educational attainment, current unemployment, and having a family history of substance use were associated with substance use. Substance users exhibited a higher propensity for engaging in self-harming behaviours, having medical conditions, and being subjected to emotional trauma. Conclusions This study found that patients with psychiatric disorders are vulnerable to experiencing substance use. Clinicians should contemplate directing their attention towards patients as a strategy to proactively address the issue of emerging substance use and enhance overall treatment outcomes.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND This study was set to explore the relationship between socio-cultural change and psychopathology.Method: A representative sample (n = 1,394) of Al-Ain adult population had their psychopathology assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and other self-reported questionnaires, while the socio-cultural change was assessed with the modified version of the Socio-cultural Change Questionnaire (ScCQ). The reliability and construct validity of the modified ScCQ were assessed. The overall Tradition Index, attitudinal and behavioural indices of the sample were estimated. Association between socio-cultural change and psychopathology was also evaluated.Result: The reliability of the modified ScCQ was found to be moderate (alpha Cronbach 0.66) and the hypothesis regarding its construct validity was confirmed. Mean traditional index was found to be 0.61 +/- 0.14.Young, highly educated, skilled, and female subjects were found to be significantly less conservative and their scores on traditional index deviated significantly from overall mean. Less traditional people were also found to have a significantly increased rate of ICD-10 psychiatric disorder and higher scores on psychopathology measures especially among females. Although females showed significantly more modern attitude, there were no significant sex differences in the expressed behaviour as measured by the behavioural Tradition Index.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the prevalence of psychiatric disorder varies significantly according to the extent to which subjects adhere to traditional values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the newly proposed axis V (disabilities) of ICD-10.Method: Eighty-six acutely ill men and women were prospectively recruited from the Al Ain psychiatric units, UAE. Both versions of ICD-10, the Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines and the Diagnostic Criteria for Research (DCR) were used for coding axis I psychiatric diagnosis and its grade of severity; the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule was used to assess disabilities.Results: Inter-rater reliability of the DAS items ranged from moderate to good, and axis V ratings correctly predicted 84% of the observed classification on axis I.Conclusion: Axis V is a valid measure of disabilities, but is limited by its modest reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]