Psychological Alienation and Feeling of Self-Efficiency in Young Male and Female Adults

In psychology, alienation is a condition of being separated or marginalized from other individuals or some larger segment of society. Self-efficacy is an individual's belief in their capacity to act in ways necessary to reach specific goals. This study was conducted to investigate the possible connectivity between psychological alienation and feelings of self-efficiency among young male and female adults. The study was conducted in April 2023, among 167 young people, aged 18-25 (M=22.28 ± 1.7SD). For this purpose, we used the Scale for psychological alienation and General self-efficacy. Results showed that there is a significant negative correlation between alienation and self-efficacy, meaning that the higher psychological alienation is, the lower self-efficacy is (t=-0.627; <0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between young male and female adults regarding alienation (t=-5.592; <0.001) e. g. males are reporting to be more alienated than females. Also, there is a statistically significant difference between young male and female adults regarding feeling of self-efficacy (t=4.692; <0.001) e.g. males feel less effective than females and in the scale for measuring meaninglessness (t=-2.966; 0.003) e. g. males feel more meaninglessness than females. In conclusion, psychological alienation and self-efficacy are correlated and there are gender differences regarding the two measured variables, in favor of the females.

Perceived Birth Trauma in Macedonian Women

Although the childbearing is perceived as a normal and happy event, new research shows that psychological birth trauma is, however, a universal and not so rare phenomenon. Traumatic birth experiences can cause postnatal mental health disturbances, fear of childbirth in subsequent pregnancies and disruption to mother-infant bonding, leading to possible impaired child development. The purpose of this research was to evaluate collected data from several obstetric clinics, as well as from primary paediatric settings related to 'Birth Trauma' in order to review women with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. The study is prospective, starting from January 2021 and ending in December 2022. The psychological instrument used in this research is the Intersect Questionnaire, composed of 59 questions grouped in 8 parts. The obtained results from our study confirmed that birth trauma is not a rare phenomenon in our country. Symptoms correlated with PTSD were present as follows: unpleasant memories (2.7%), anxiety (38.54%), panic (6.47%), trying not to remember the delivery (4.04%), self-accusation (2.16%), negative emotions (1.89%), alienation (4.31%), irritation/aggression (1.89%), self-destruction (1.89%), impulsiveness (4.31%), problems with concentration (3.23%), and sleeping problems (21.88%). These results are alarming. It is imperative to better understand this vulnerable period in a woman's life. As a general conclusion, we must highlight the importance of perceived birth trauma in women, phenomena which has been confirmed worldwide and which must be overcome as quickly and as successfully as possible.

Extending Robot Therapy for Children with Autism Using Mobile and Web Application

Robot treatments for children with autism have proven to be successful and effective. However, the resources needed for the treatments do not always meet the needs of the children. We overcame the lack of equipment and staff by extending the concept of robot therapy using a web and mobile application. This application enables greater availability and personification of the therapy itself. Its use in the majority of respondents contributes to improving their condition. This approach increases the flexibility of the therapy itself and makes it more accessible, enabling the patients to progress more rapidly. Although the robotic treatment presented in this paper is specific to children with autism, this approach can be generalized and applied to other areas where there are similar types of therapies.

Young People and Covid-19 Pandemic in Our Country

The current COVID-19 pandemic has raised significant mental health consequences across the world. Even though healthcare workers provide psychological services, the mental health of the overall population often is cause for concern. Psychosocial stressors of the population play a critical role in impacting both the spread of the disease and the occurrence of emotional distress and psychological disorder, during and after an infectious disease outbreak. The inability to plan, to anticipate future events, and to exert control, at least partially, over external variables inevitably generate stress and tension. Subsequently, this condition can generate more or less discomfort depending on the subjective evaluation of the individual, an evaluation which is influenced by the individual's stable personality traits. In fact, subjective experiences are never unique: stimuli endowed with the same stressful power do not necessarily cause these reactions in different individuals, while stressful conditions of varying degrees can induce the same response in different people. The aim of this research was to evaluate some aspects of mental health using answers related to this pandemic of a group young people, selected by chance. Results showed important changes in quality of life, insecurity, changes in mood and behaviour as well as not optimistic view for the future life. Discussion confirmed similar finding about young people opinions from other counties. Additionally, some mediating measures are proposed.

Measurement invariance of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) across six countries

The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) is a simple and inexpensive tool for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments, with evidenced psychometric data from different countries. However, it is still unclear whether ASD symptoms are measured the same way across different societies and world regions with this tool, since data on its cross-cultural validity are lacking. This study evaluated the cross-cultural measurement invariance of the CARS among children with ASD from six countries, for whom data were aggregated from previous studies in India (n = 101), Jamaica (n = 139), Mexico (n = 72), Spain (n = 99), Turkey (n = 150), and the United States of America (n = 186). We analyzed the approximate measurement invariance based on Bayesian structural equation modeling. The model did not fit the data and its measurement invariance did not hold, with all items found non-invariant across the countries. Items related to social communication and interaction (i.e., relating to people, imitation, emotional response, and verbal and nonverbal communication) displayed lower levels of cross-country non-invariance compared to items about stereotyped behaviors/sensory sensitivity (i.e., body and object use, adaptation to change, or taste, smell, and touch response). This study found that the CARS may not provide cross-culturally valid ASD assessments. Thus, cross-cultural comparisons with the CARS should consider first which items operate differently across samples of interest, since its cross-cultural measurement non-invariance could be a source of cross-cultural variability in ASD presentations. Additional studies are needed before drawing valid recommendations in relation to the cultural sensitivity of particular items.

ESSENCE-Q: Slavic language versions for developmental screening in young children

PURPOSE

The Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations - Questionnaire (ESSENCE-Q) was developed as a brief screener to identify children with developmental concerns who might have neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This study aimed to translate the ESSENCE-Q into south Slavic languages, namely, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Serbian, and Slovenian, and to evaluate its psychometric properties for screening purposes in clinical settings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the study, the ESSENCE-Q was completed for 251 "typically developing" children and 200 children with 1 or more diagnosed NDDs, all aged 1-6 years. Internal consistency and construct validity were tested first, followed by generating receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve. Optimal cutoff values were then explored.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.91, 0.88, and 0.86 for ESSENCE-Q parent-completed form, and the telephone and direct interview forms administered by trained nurse or specialist, respectively. The 3 versions produced area under the curve values (95% confidence interval): 0.96 (0.93-0.99), 0.91 (0.86-0.95), and 0.91 (0.86-0.97), respectively. An optimal cutoff for ESSENCE-Q parent-completed form was found to be ≥3 points, while for the telephone and direct interviews, it was ≥5 points.

CONCLUSION

We found adequate measurement properties of the south Slavic languages versions of the ESSENCE-Q as a screener for NDDs in clinical settings. This study provided additional data supporting sound psychometric properties of the ESSENCE-Q.

Anorexia: Anormal Phobia of Normal Weight

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder of feeding behavior associated with distortion of body image, mood disturbance and a wide variety of hormonal and metabolic abnormalities. It is supposed that the disease could be the consequence of a combination of cultural-social, psychological and biological factors. Our study confirmed that anorexia mentalis is a serious, life threatening disorder which in our country appears earlier than it was expected and that is strongly related to environmental factors (family, school, fashion, society). We showed that specific personality traits are characteristic for both, young patients and mothers. Sublimation of emotional stress by exceptional performances, accompanied by food restrictive consumption together with hypersensitivity, oppositional behavior and aggression are specific for this disorder. High levels of self-imposed standards increase the risk for psychological distress, especially for eating disorder symptomatology. Both genders could be involved as patients. Boys must be especially followed for possible psychiatric manifestation. We confirmed that the biofeedback as additional therapeutic modality is very useful.

Somatoform Disorders - A Pediatric Experience

Somatization in children consists of the persistent experience and complaints of somatic distress that cannot be fully explained by a medical diagnosis. Working at the Psychophysiological Department at the University Clinic we are dealing with more than 100 children per year manifesting this kind of disorders. The aim of this article is to summarize some specific characteristics of the somatoform disorder in a group of 243 children, mean age 10.31 (± 2.75) years for both genders, selected randomly. The used psychometric instruments are: CBCL, EPQ for children, and MMPI-201 for mothers. The obtained results showed high scores for somatization, extroversion and accentuated anxiety for children; as well as a typical Hs-Hy personality profile for mothers. The treatment with cognitive-behavior therapy and biofeedback showed very positive outcome.

Prevalence of low bone mass and vitamin D deficiency in pediatric and adult patients with cystic fibrosis in Republic of Macedonia

Bone disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) has become a topic of widespread interest and impact in the CF community. Recently, some biochemical markers have been proposed to provide information about the dynamics of bone turnover. Only limited information is available for young patients. Imbalance between bone formation and degradation in CF especially in puberty has become an important issue for developing osteopenia. Influence of vitamin D receptor alleles on BMD suggests that these polymorphisms have a greater influence on BMD in childhood. The aim of our study was to assess prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia in pediatric and adult CF patients.

METHODS

The study included 77 clinically stable CF patients (range 5-36 y), who regularly attended CF center at the Pediatric Clinic in Skopje, Macedonia. Serum osteocalcin (OC), βcrosslaps, 25OHD and PTH were determined by electrohemiluminiscent method. BMD was measured via dual energy-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans with spinal scores recorded.

RESULTS

50% of the CF patients with PI had serum vitamin D>20 ng (range 10-44 ng/ml) with no difference of age. Osteopenia was determined in 35% of patients. High plasma βcrosslaps values reflect raised osteoclast activity in 50% of patients with osteopenia. We found one CF patient homozygote for Taq1 and Bsm1, one for Taq1 and one for Fok1. These patients have vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone remodeling in CF patients is impaired. Further investigations are needed to find underlying pathogenesis of low bone mass and vitamin D deficiency.

QEEG characteristics and spectrum weighted frequency for children diagnosed as autistic spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND

Autistic spectrum disorders are a group of neurological and developmental disorders associated with social, communication, sensory, behavioral and cognitive impairments, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, activities, or interests.The aim of this study was a) to analyze QEEG findings of autistic patients and to compare the results with data base; and b) to introduce the calculation of spectrum weighted frequency (brain rate) as an indicator of general mental arousal in these patients.

RESULTS

Results for Q-EEG shows generally increased delta-theta activity in frontal region of the brain. Changes in QEEG pattern appeared to be in a non-linear correlation with maturational processes.Brain rate measured in CZ shows slow brain activity (5. 86) which is significantly lower than normal and corresponds to low general mental arousal.Recent research has shown that autistic disorders have as their basis disturbances of neural connectivity. Neurofeedback seems capable of remediating such disturbances when these data are considered as part of treatment planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Prognosis of this pervasive disorder depends on the intellectual abilities: the better intellectual functioning, the possibilities for life adaptation are higherQEEG shows generally increased delta-theta activity in frontal region of the brain which is related to poor cognitive abilities.Brain rate measured in CZ shows slow brain activity related to under arousal.Pharmacotherapy combined with behavior therapy, social support and especially neurofeedback technique promise slight improvements.

ADHD as an executive dysfunction

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that affects from 3-5% of school-aged children. In some cases it may persist into adulthood. Prominent theories about ADHD suggest that inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity may be due to underlying deficits of the components of attention, including alerting, orienting and executive control. The aim of this study was to investigate neuropsychological characteristics of ADHD children, especially their executive functions [EFs]. The sample is comprised of 30 ADHD children from 6 to 14 years old [10, 45±22, 2], only boys, diagnosed at the department of psychophysiology, University Children's Hospital. The diagnosis was established according to ICD-10 criteria. All children had an IQ over 90 and were medication free. Psychological assessment of the children was performed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children [WISC-IV] and ADD-H Comprehensive Parent Rating Scale [ASTeRS]. Neuropsychological assessment was performed with the Stroop test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST]. Results showed an average IQ, manifested symptoms of hyperactivity and executive dysfunction, confirmed by the Stroop test and WCST.

Psychological assessment and biofeedback mitigation of tension-type headaches in children

(Full text is available at http://www.manu.edu.mk/prilozi). The research concerned a group of 59 children, 22 girls and 37 boys, mean age 12.5 +/- 1.24 years, with tension type headaches. Their clinical results (neurological, neuropsychological, radiological and laboratory) were normal, suggesting psychosomatic etiology. The characteristics of the headache correspond to a nosologic entity known as tension-type headache. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological characteristics of these children and their families, especially the profile of the mothers. The psychological assessment, consecutively applied, comprised: Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Emotions Profile Index (EPI), General Anxiety State (GAS) and Human Values Rank (HVR). The mothers were examined by Family Inventory Life Events (FILE) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and also checked with the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL). The results obtained showed a non-negligible level of actual anxiety in all the children, who were mostly the first-born and lived in families with accentuated stress. The emotional profile of the children was characterized by impulsiveness, a feeling of fear, moderate aggression, but still with a great level of acceptability. The EPQ confirmed their extroversion, moderate neurotic manifestations and a need for social acceptance. These results suggest that in preadolescents emotional stress, combined with a "model" for somatization, could provoke specific involuntary contraction of the head and neck muscles causing local ischaemia, which may be the pathophysiologic cause of a tension-type headache. The therapy comprised EDR and EMG biofeedback, applied once per week, of 50-minute duration. The results obtained after 20 sessions are very satisfactory. In addition, some response-measures involving a change and adjustment of family relations and school environment are recommended. Key words: headache, children, biofeedback, psychophysiology.

Electrodermal biofeedback in treating psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are operationally defined as episodes of altered movement very like epileptic seizures, but associated with psychological problems and not with ictal discharges. Children with psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNS) could be categorized either under somatoform in the ICD-10 or conversion disorders in DMS-IV. The history, psychometric evaluation and therapeutic approach concerning nonepileptic psychogenic seizures in a 13-year-old girl are presented and discussed. The novelty of the treatment is the electrodermal (EDR) biofeedback procedure combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. We infered that biofeedback for PNE in pediatric patients is highly cost-effective, discriminative for the actual level of stress and gives good therapeutic results through enhancing self awareness and relaxation, when used in combination with standard psychometric and psychotherapeutic methods. The stabilization of the hypersensitivity, lower neurotic tendencies and emotional maturation were obtained after 10 sessions of EDR biofeedback, each with the duration of 45 minutes/day. Mean value of EDR before treatment was 4919 (+/- 145.5) and the last value obtained with training showed a mean value of 5400.8 (+/- 147.9) microOmega. The following controls showed no more attacks, stabilization of the neurotic tendencies, progression of the maturational process and good academic results.

Neurofeedback treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND

Biofeedback is a modern computer-related technique used for assessment and therapy of many psychophysiological disorders, especially stress-related ones. After a short overview of the basic concepts of biofeedback, in this study the application of EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback) in the assessment of and therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) is presented and discussed.

METHODS

The study comprised 12 children diagnosed as ADHD, selected according to ICD-10, and assessed by WISC-R, Q-EEG, neurofeedback and Conner's questionnaire for parents and teachers. The mean age was 9.5 years (7 to 13), both sexes. Each of them participated in a five-month programme of neurofeedback training, performed two times weekly with Biograph/ProComp 2.0 protocols.

RESULTS

Post-treatment results showed an improved EEG pattern expressed in increased 16-20 Hz (beta) activity and decreased 4-8 Hz (theta) activity. In parallel, higher scores on WISC-R, better school notes and improved social adaptability and self-esteem were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

EEG biofeedback operant conditioning is a good choice for treatment of ADHD children. The method is non-invasive and has high cost-benefit. Optimal results are obtained in children of higher age. Cooperation with family members and teachers is crucial.

Child trauma, attachment and biofeedback mitigation

The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the quality of attachment in early infancy and the effects of child trauma, as well as to introduce some innovative therapeutic approaches. For this reason, a group of 10 children manifesting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diagnosed by ICD-10, was selected. The mean age of the patients was 9 +/- 3.05 years, from both sexes (girls 3, boys 7). Mothers and children were examined by a battery of psychometric instruments Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In addition to the classical psychotherapeutic methods (supportive, behaviour and play therapy), the multimodal computerised biofeedback technique was introduced for both assessment and therapy. The results for the children showed a high level of anxiety and stress, somatisation and behavioural problems (aggressivity, impulsivity, non-obedience, and nightmares), complemented by hypersensitive and depressive mothers and miss-attachment in the early period of infancy. Consequently, the explanation of the early predisposition to PTSD was related to be the non-developed Right Orbitofrontal Cortex-ROFC. The latter resulted from insecure attachment confirmed in all the children examined. The therapeutic results obtained with biofeedback techniques are very encouraging.