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One of the special human qualities is the compassion shown towards our fellow, in special situations, people who live certain states determined by the moments of life they go through. Self-compassion refers to the ability to show compassion, understanding and protection to oneself. It is operationalized by researcher Kristin Neff. Self-efficacy, proposed by Albert Bandura, refers to the perception of self and is related to the belief in one's own abilities, in one's own ability to solve situations. The interest of the study aims the relationship between self-compassion and self-efficacy in the case of a distinct category, that of therapists, professionally faced with situations that require personal resources. Methods: The level of self-compassion was assessed with the Self-Compassion Scale, 26 items, proposed by Kristin Neff. The level of self-efficacy was assessed using the New General Self-Efficacy Scale, the 8-item scale proposed by Gilad Chen and co (2001). Both questionnaires were distributed electronically. The data obtained were statistically analyzed and interpreted. Results: In the professional categories investigated, there are underline links and relations between the two constructs, with professional implications. The results show (1) Therapists have high values in assessing selfefficacy; (2) Therapists have high values of self-compassion; (3) Therapists have a high level of self-compassion and a low level of self-criticism as indicated by the self-compassion sub-scales; (4) There is a direct relationship between self-efficacy and self-compassion; (5) Therapists with high level of self-compassion also have a high level of self-efficacy (6) The level of self-efficacy is influenced by age and professional experience. (7) The level of self-compassion is influenced by age and professional experience Conclusion: The two concepts discussed are important in relation to certain professional categories and under the auspices of situations considered stressful and with emotional burden.

Background: Suicide is a complex phenomenon determined by the interaction of various risk factors. The Major Histocompatibility Complex is the most polymorphic gene cluster of the entire human genome, being linked to both the regulation of the immune system and various psychiatric diseases. The aim of this study was to identify HLA-DQB1 and DRB1 alleles and genotypes susceptible to influence suicidal behavior.

Suicide risk assessment is one of the critical components of mental health care, necessitating accurate, reliable, and sensitive tools to identify at-risk individuals and guide interventions. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of various clinical scales used to assess suicidal risk, exploring their psychometric properties, target populations, and practical applications. Key scales discussed include BSS, C-SSRS, SBQ-R, and SS. The analysis highlights the importance of integrating these tools into clinical practice to enhance early detection and management of suicidal behaviors, particularly among high-risk groups such as individuals with depression, mood disorders, adolescents, and so on. The effective application of these assessment scales is crucial in improving mental health outcomes, emphasizing a multifaceted approach that includes mental health support, community engagement, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups. The article underscores the need for ongoing research and refinement of these tools to adapt to the evolving understanding of suicidal behavior and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives. It can be argued that there is a genetic component that has a determining or promoting role in this direction. In the present pilot study, we aimed to identify an element of the HLA profile that is involved in the development of addiction. Methods. The 60 study participants were divided into two groups - the control group - 40 people without cannabis use and the case group - 20 people with cannabis addiction. Results. We identified both an allele and a haplotype with a potential protective role and a haplotype with a risk factor role in the development of cannabis addiction. Conclusions. The results of the present study indicate several potential alleles that may act as a protective or risk factor for the development of cannabis addiction. The determination of these genes may have an important role in identifying possible mechanisms of developing addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the efficacy of a short-term integrative psychotherapeutic intervention designed to reduce suicidal behavior and ideation in depressed patients admitted to a psychiatric ward. Suicidal risk, influenced by mental health disorders, personal crises, social isolation, substance abuse, and trauma, is typically treated with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. The study focuses on combining various psychotherapeutic techniques including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) into a cohesive intervention program. The intervention, delivered over four weeks, included six modules encompassing psychoeducation, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness practices, and personal development strategies. Participants were divided into an experimental group receiving both the psychotherapeutic intervention and medication and a control group receiving only medication. The study measured changes in hopelessness and depression using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the DASS-21R depression scale. The study concludes that integrative psychotherapeutic intervention significantly improves psychological outcomes for depressed patients at risk of suicide, offering a viable complement to pharmacological treatments. These findings support the potential of combining cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques for the holistic management of depression and suicidal ideation in clinical settings. Results indicated significant reductions in hopelessness and depression among the experimental group. Specifically, the BHS and MADRS scores showed substantial decreases post-intervention, highlighting the immediate efficacy of the integrated psychotherapeutic approach. However, the DASS-21R results did not demonstrate statistically significant differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is one of the most frequent conditions within the general population, ranking among the most burdensome in terms of public health expenses, productivity loss and social costs. The condition has been linked with cognitive deficits that may even continue in remission phases, social cognition being one potentially affected cognitive function. In our study, the Penn's Emotional Acuity Test included in the CogtestTM battery was used to assess emotion recognition accuracy and processing speed. The Structured Clinical Interview for the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale was used to assess the intensity of the symptomatology. A total of 48 depressed individual individuals (65% females), with a mean age of 49.8 ± 10.4 years, and 40 healthy controls (75% females), with a mean age of 35.2 ± 6.9 years were included. As compared to controls, depressive participants recorded significantly less correct answers (9.3 ± 3.8 vs. 11.2 ± 3.6, p = 0.019 -- Student's t test) and slower processing speeds (6795 ± 3366 vs. 4042 ± 1623, p < 0.001 -- Mann-Whitney U test) in emotion processing. Furthermore, symptom severity significantly influences only processing speed and not accuracy in emotion recognition tasks. Thus, we conclude that depressive individuals have a significant deficit in processing speed and accuracy when identifying the intensity of other peoples' emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present research is to adapt The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) to the Romanian population. SCSRFQ is a self-assessment questionnaire with two versions, 10-items version (SCSRFQ), and a short version (SCSRFQ-SF) with 5-items used to assess strength of religious faith. A total of 201 participants, aged 18-77 years, completed a socio-demographic data sheet and the SCSRFQ. A high internal consistency was obtained for the scale of the instrument, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.95. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were also evaluated. The results indicate that the Romanian version of The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) has good psychometric properties, being a suitable instrument for the assessment strength of religious faith. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study had two purposes: to explore the main socio-demographic and medical characteristics of the psychiatric patients with a history of suicidal behavior, and to identify the main risk factors underlying the suicidal ideation and acts among psychiatric patients, in the light of two recent theories of suicidal behavior. Methods: The study is based on a mixed methodological design. During 2019 to 2021, 65 hospitalized psychiatric patients, who committed at least one non-lethal suicide attempt, were investigated using a questionnaire a scales for data collection. Medical records were used to gather data about certain socio-demographic characteristics and the health status of the respondents. Patients also participated in a narrative interview aimed at disclosing their subjective experiences about their past suicidal behavior. Results: The typical psychiatric patient with a history of suicidal behavior, as highlighted by the quantitative analysis, portraits a young old male from an urban environment, childless, educated, having experienced employment problems, being involved in religious activities. The clinical picture of the patient with suicidal antecedents included a moderate or severe level of depression, the presence of socio-emotional loneliness, the manifestation of frequent and long episodes of suicidal ideation, and the intention of committing suicide in order to stop the pain, whose acts resulted in minor injuries. Findings from the qualitative data revealed four major risk factors for the non-lethal suicidal attempts: family disruptions and social problems; economic burdens; a mixture of psychiatric pathologies; and, to a lesser extent, somatic pathologies. Conclusion: This study is the first to explore the triggers of suicide acts conducted in a clinical environment in the Balkan region. Implications of the pandemic are also discussed. The findings are useful for designing prevention strategies based on individual psychotherapy and therapeutic or support groups, addressing the main risk factors behind the suicidal ideation and gestures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide rates reflect the mental health status in certain countries or regions. As the COVID-19 infection developed as a pandemic and governments imposed certain measures to stop the spread of the virus, mental health was affected worldwide. Romania was no exception as the government issued a complete lockdown with restriction regarding travels, social gatherings, transition to working from home and others. The increase in the rate of unemployment, the difficulties in accessing the health services and the social distancing generated by the restrictions had a major impact on lifestyle with a potential surge of psychiatric disorders, with or without history of illness. In this study, we analyzed the changes in regard to the number of suicides and suicide attempts as well as the methods employed and the underlying psychiatric pathology in Cluj County, Romania, throughout the first year of the pandemic. The results had not revealed changes in the overall suicide rate, but in the case of mild cognitive disorders and dementia the suicide figures increased, while a decrease was observed in the number of suicides related to substance use disorders. The long-term effects of the pandemic remain unknown, but there is a clear impact on mental health and measures should be taken in order to prevent suicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of disasters – natural and, respectively, generated by humans – have been involved in psychiatric morbidity. Generally, the disasters generated by humans lead more frequently to persistent symptoms and psychiatric disorders. The severity of disaster agents and the degree of individual or population exposure to the disaster are considered predictors of psychiatric morbidity. Gender is a strong predictor of post-traumatic anxiety and depressive disorders. A second robust predictor of disaster mental health outcomes in individuals is represented by preexisting psychiatric disorders. Other but less consistent predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after disasters include age, education and socioeconomic status. The disasters most frequently associated with detrimental consequences were those with an increased level of community destruction and those from developing countries with lower socioeconomic status. Supportive group interventions are recommended in the first days after the trauma. There is no consistent evidence regarding the effectiveness of early psychopharmacological approaches. Medication is recommended for symptoms’ improvement, especially in severe psychiatric symptoms that significantly impair functioning. Cognitive-behavioral short-term interventions in the first two weeks after trauma, focused on education, anxiety management training, imaginary and in vivo exposure therapy and in cognitive restructuring, proved the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Addiction is a global public health problem. Empirically and through heritability studies, a genetic risk factor in the development and maintenance of addictions and addictive behavior has been demonstrated. Although scientific advances in recent years have made great strides, the implications of genetics in addiction are still poorly understood. The heterogeneity of the substances themselves, the mechanisms by which they produce their specific effect, the pathways of metabolism and, last but not least, the metabolites and their effects significantly increase the difficulty of identifying a genetic factor directly linked to the substance. Furthermore, the mechanism of addiction is still incompletely known and, thus, the possible genes involved are difficult to isolate. However, recent studies have succeeded in identifying a number of candidate genes, some specific to substances, others common, thus paving the way for new approaches in research but also in treatment through pharmacogenetics, a field that deals with tailoring treatments to patients’ genotype and phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is a worldwide health problem with multiple causes, including genetic factors. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is represented by an assembly of gene encoding the human leukocyte antigen (HLA). The purpose of our study was to determine associations between the HLA profiles and predisposition for suicidal behavior. We harvested blood samples from persons with history of suicidal attempts (case group) and persons never exhibiting such behavior (control group). The DNA was extracted and amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the HLA‐DQB1 profiles. Statistical data processing was performed with the Epi Info program. We found that the presence of the HLA‐DQB1*02 allele increases the risk of suicidal behavior, while HLA‐DQB1*05 alleviates such risk. The genotype that presented the most increased risk for suicidal behavior was found to be HLA‐DQB1*02/HLA‐DQB1*03. Our study has demonstrated the presence of several associations between HLA profiles and suicidal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use and abuse of psychoactive substances and the complications that derive from them represent a major public health problem. An increasing numbers of new psychoactive substances (NPS) are available on the market as previous substances disappear, generating a constant flow of drugs and constant variations in psychopharmacological properties. This dynamic comes with important difficulties in identifying the substances and their psychopharmacological mechanisms and in the substance-specific treatment. The International Classification of Diseases, the 11th revision (ICD- 11), reclassifies the substances and pathologies to enable a better management of the disorders. Psychiatry occupies an important role in the management of substance use disorders along with several medical specialties, psychology, psychotherapy and other fields. The pharmacological treatment of these disorders can be applied in acute states such as acute intoxication and overdose, withdrawal states, substance-induced psychosis, delirium and also in the longterm management of withdrawal. Severe cases of agitation and aggressiveness were observed in patients using especially NPS and not rarely with legal implications. One particular situation that began to emerge on a worldwide scale is the multipledrug use where the psychoactive substances can create unpredictable and life-threatening situations. In these cases, the treatment implies advanced knowledge of pharmacology and the long-term management has poor outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although multiple clinical scales for dementia assessment have been designed, only some of these are commonly used in clinical practice or in clinical trials. The scales built for the multidimensional assessment of Alzheimer's dementia have proved to be useful over the years for the evaluation of other forms of dementia. In addition to the evaluation of cognitive deficits, core symptoms of dementia, clinical scales target also non-cognitive associated symptoms, the level of functioning and the quality of life of patients with dementia. There are clinical scales that aim to make a global assessment of the disease. The most known assessment scales that are used in clinical practice and in most clinical trials are: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive section (ADAS-cog) for cognitive impairment, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) for non-cognitive symptoms, Interview for Deterioration in Activities of Daily Living in Dementia (IDDD) for functional assessment and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) for the global assessment of dementia. Several of the dementia assessment scales have proven useful as screening tools in primary care. These are the Abbreviated Mental Score Test (AMST), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Clock Design Test. Almost all clinical scales are hetero-evaluation scales, some of which are applied by the clinician and others are scored by the caregiver. The purpose of this paper is to review the clinical scales designed and used in the extensive assessment of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This study aims to evaluate the number of life events, depressive symptoms and perceived stress levels, self-reported by adolescents living with both parents as compared to those who are living either with one or none of the parents. Participants and methods. This study was developed within the FP7 project Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE). 1143 Romanian adolescents, 14-16 years old, from randomly selected schools in the counties of Cluj and Maramureş were included. Questions regarding living conditions (living with mother and/or father), the depressive symptoms (including the Beck Depression Inventory), the perception of stress (how often they feel stressed and if they felt that they could not cope with problems during the last two weeks) and an inventory of life events were selected from the SEYLE baseline questionnaire. Results. Adolescents who were not living with both parents showed a significantly higher depressive symptomatology than those who were living with both parents. The frequency of the depressive syndrome was significantly higher in girls who were not living with both parents. Teenage girls had significantly more difficulties in interpersonal relationships than teenage boys. Conclusions. Life events, especially those regarding interpersonal relationships, are a risk factor for developing depressive symptoms. This relationship was stronger for adolescents who are not living with both parents. The absence of at least one parent from the adolescent's household represents a risk factor for developing depressive symptoms and even a depressive syndrome, especially in girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia involves multiple cognitive functions, especially memory, attention, motor skills, executive functions and intelligence. Our study set out to outline and assess impairments of executive functions in multiple episode schizophrenia patients, particularly reaction time, response selection and implicit learning. The study involved a number of 39 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IVTR criteria, with at least one prior psychotic episode, and 30 controls with no family or personal history of psychiatric disorders. Both groups were assessed through the Set Shifting Test and the Go-No-Go Test on a Cogtest Console (Cogtest, Inc.). The results of the Set Shifting Test revealed that implicit learning, expressed in the decrease of reaction times in response to stimuli sequences, occurs to a similar extent in multiple episode schizophrenia patients and in controls. However, implicit learning leads to a significantly higher number of erroneous responses in schizophrenia patients. The Go-No-Go Test revealed an augmentation of reaction times in the case of patients, when the task involved selection between the execution and non-execution of a response. Moreover, patients with schizophrenia recorded a significantly higher rate of errors whenever non-execution of response was the correct response for the task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of data support the involvement of immunological mechanisms in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. The nervous and immune systems are physiologically integrated and influence each other's functioning. Clinical studies have reported a larger number of psychiatric symptoms consecutive to immunomodulating interferon therapy. The most frequent are depression, suicidal behavior, manic syndrome, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders and delirium associated with an array of unspecific psychiatric symptoms: fatigue, irritability, psycho-motor retardation, decreased libido, insomnia, concentration difficulties and attention deficit. Another undesired consequence of interferon therapy is the worsening of a preexistent psychiatric disorder. Thus, a history of psychiatric disorder is currently one of the contraindications of interferon therapy. Psychiatric adverse events may occur either shortly after the initiation of therapy, or as a result of ongoing treatment, but most adverse events occur after 3 weeks of treatment. Although there are relatively few studies on statistically significant patient samples, current data underline the importance of managing these effects and also the most indicated treatment strategies. Therefore, an improved psychiatric management of these adverse effects may change the gastroenterologist's decision to exclude from treatment high - risk patient categories such as those with mood disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, or other addiction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]