Structured Interview (structured + interview)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


PROD-screen , a screen for prodromal symptoms of psychosis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003
M. Heinimaa
Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the PROD-screen, an instrument for screening prodromal symptoms indicating risk for psychotic conversion in the near future. PROD-screen consists of 29 questions assessing performance and symptoms. Clinical construct validity was tested by comparing scores from the unselected general population (GP, n = 64) with those of general psychiatric patients from a community mental health centre (CMHC, n = 107). The concordant validity of PROD-screen for prodromal symptoms of psychosis was assessed in a large epidemiologically mixed sample of research subjects (n = 132) by comparing PROD-screen scores with the prodromal diagnosis made by Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms as a gold standard. Using the cut-off point of 2/12 specific symptoms, PROD-screen gave correct classification of prodromal status in 77% of cases, distinguishing prodromal from non-prodromal subjects with reasonable sensitivity (80%) and specificity (75%) in the epidemiologically mixed sample. According to subsample analysis PROD-screen functions well with first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients and probably also with general population samples, but not with psychiatric outpatients. In conclusion, PROD-screen is a useful tool for screening prodromal symptoms of psychosis and selecting subjects for more extensive research interviews. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]


A Structured Interview for the Assessment of the Five-Factor Model of Personality: Facet-Level Relations to the Axis II Personality Disorders

JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 2 2001
Timothy J. Trull
The Structured Interview for the Five-Factor Model (SIFFM; Trull & Widiger, 1997) is an 120-item semistructured interview that assesses both adaptive and maladaptive features of the personality traits included in the five-factor model of personality, or "Big Five." In this article, we evaluate the ability of SIFFM scores to predict personality disorder symptomatology in a sample of 232 adults (46 outpatients and 186 nonclinical college students). Personality disorder symptoms were assessed using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised (PDQ-R; Hyler & Rider, 1987). Results indicated that many of the predicted associations between lower-order personality traits and personality disorders were supported. Further, many of these associations held even after controlling for comorbid personality disorder symptoms. These findings may help inform conceptualizations of the personality disorders, as well as etiological theories and treatment. [source]


Psychobiological Correlates of Extramarital Affairs and Differences between Stable and Occasional Infidelity among Men with Sexual Dysfunctions

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2009
Alessandra D. Fisher MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., The relationship between extramarital affairs and male sexual dysfunctions (SDs) has not been completely clarified. Aim., The aim of the present study is to describe how the reported presence of extramarital affairs vs. no report differentiates men attending medical care for SDs. Methods., A nonselected series of 2,592 heterosexual (mean age 55 ± 12.5 years) male patients with SD was studied with Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY). Furthermore, a complete physical examination and a series of biochemical, hormonal, and penile vascular evaluations were performed. Main Outcome Measures., Several hormonal, biochemical, and instrumental parameters were investigated along with items derived from SIEDY. Results., Infidelity is associated with relational problems within the primary couple, particularly in those with a stable secondary relationship. Furthermore, a higher androgenization is present in men with infidelity. Patients with SD reporting extramarital affairs had higher stress at work, a longer primary relationship span, and higher risk of conflicts within the primal couple and within the family. In addition, infidel men showed a higher risk of partner's illness and partner's hypoactive sexual desire. Among organic factors, a lower prevalence of hypogonadism was observed in infidel men. These subjects showed a better sexual function than the rest of the sample. In addition, they reported a higher intercourse frequency in the previous 3 months (considering both the primary and secondary relationship), a lower prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire (HSD), and a lower feeling of discomfort or guilt about autoerotism. Finally, when SIEDY scales were considered, SIEDY Scale 2 (relational domain) and Scale 3 (intrapsychic domain) scores were significantly higher in infidel subjects when compared with the rest of the sample. Conclusions., Infidelity is associated with relational problems within the primary couple, particularly in those with a stable secondary relationship. Furthermore, a higher androgenization is present in men who commit infidelity. Fisher AD, Corona G, Bandini E, Mannucci E, Lotti F, Boddi V, Forti G, and Maggi M. Psychobiological correlates of extramarital affairs and differences between stable and occasional infidelity among men with sexual dysfunctions. J Sex Med 2009;6:866,875. [source]


Effect of Hyperprolactinemia in Male Patients Consulting for Sexual Dysfunction

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007
Giovanni Corona MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., The physiological role of prolactin (PRL) in male sexual function has not been completely clarified. Aim., The aim of this study is the assessment of clinical features and of conditions associated with hyperprolactinemia in male patients consulting for sexual dysfunction. Methods., A consecutive series of 2,146 (mean age 52.2 ± 12.8 years) male patients with sexual dysfunction was studied. Main Outcome Measures., Several hormonal and biochemical parameters were studied along with validated structured interviews (ANDROTEST and the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction [SIEDY]). Mild hyperprolactinemia (MHPRL; PRL levels of 420,735 mU/L or 20,35 ng/mL) and severe hyperprolactinemia (SHPRL, PRL levels >735 mU/L, 35 ng/mL) were considered. Results., MHPRL and SHPRL were found in 69 (3.3%) and in 32 (1.5%) patients, respectively. Mean age and the prevalence of gynecomastia were similar in the two groups and in subjects with normal prolactin values. MHPRL was not confirmed in almost one-half of the patients after repetitive venous sampling. Hyperprolactinemia was associated with the current use of antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and benzamides. SHPRL was also associated with hypoactive sexual desire (HSD), elevated thyrotropin (TSH), and hypogonadism. The association between HSD and SHPRL was confirmed after adjustment for testosterone and TSH levels, and use of psychotropic drugs (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.60[3.85,19.23]; P < 0.0001). In a 6-month follow-up of patients with SHPRL, testosterone levels and sexual desire were significantly improved by the treatment. Conclusions., Our data indicate that SHPRL, but not MHPRL, is a relevant determinant of HSD. Gynecomastia does not help in recognizing hyperprolactinemic subjects, while the use of psychotropic medications and HSD are possible markers of disease. In the case of MHPRL, repetitive venous sampling is strongly encouraged. Corona G, Mannucci E, Fisher AD, Lotti F, Ricca V, Balercia G, Petrone L, Forti G, and Maggi M. Effect of hyperprolactinemia in male patients consulting for sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2007;4:1485,1493. [source]


ORIGINAL RESEARCH,ENDOCRINOLOGY: ANDROTEST©: A Structured Interview for the Screening of Hypogonadism in Patients with Sexual Dysfunction

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2006
Giovanni Corona MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Detecting hypogonadism, which is important in the general population, becomes crucial in patients with sexual dysfunctions, because hypogonadism can have a causal role for them and testosterone (T) substitution represents a milestone for the therapy. Aim., No inventories are available for the screening of hypogonadism in patients with sexual dysfunction. We wished to set up a brief structured interview providing scores useful for detecting hypogonadism defined as low total T (<10.4 nmol/L, 300 ng/dL) in a symptomatic population (sexual dysfunction). Methods., A minimum set of items was identified within a larger structured interview through iterative receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, with assessment of sensitivity and specificity for hypogonadism in a sample of 215 patients. Main Outcome Measures., Sensitivity and specificity were verified in a further sample of 664 patients. Correlation of test scores with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testis volume, and others clinical and psychological parameters, was assessed for concurrent validity. Results., In the validation sample, the final 12-item version of the interview (ANDROTEST,©) had a sensitivity and specificity of 68% and 65%, in detecting low total T (<10.4 nmol/L) and of 71% and 65%, in the screening for low free T (<37 pmol/L). Furthermore, patients with a pathological test (i.e., score >8) showed higher prevalence of hypogonadism-related signs, such as lower testis volume and higher depressive symptoms. Finally, when only younger patients (<54 years, which represents the median age of the sample) were considered, Log10 [PSA] levels were significantly lower in those with ANDROTEST,© score >8. Conclusion., ANDROTEST,© is a quick and easy-to-administer interview that provides scores for the screening of male hypogonadism in patients with sexual dysfunction. Corona G, Mannucci E, Petrone L, Balercia G, Fisher AD, Chiarini V, Forti G, and Maggi M. ANDROTEST,©: A structured interview for the screening of hypogonadism in patients with sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2006;3:706,715. [source]


Personality Saturation in Structured Interviews

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2005
Philip L. Roth
Applied psychologists have long been interested in the relationship between applicant personality and employment interview ratings. Analysis of data from two studies, one using a situational interview and one using a behavioral interview, suggests that the correlations of structured interview ratings with self-report measures of personality factors are generally rather low. Further, a small meta-analysis integrates these two studies and the limited previous literature to arrive at a similar conclusion , there is relatively little relationship between structured interviews and self-reported personality factors. [source]


Drug misuse and acquisitive crime among clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS)

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2000
Duncan Stewart
Background Criminal activity among drug-misusing populations can result in considerable costs. This paper examines the relationship between acquisitive criminal behaviour and drug use among a cohort of 1075 clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS). Method Clients were recruited from 54 drug misuse treatment programmes in England. A structured interview was administered by clinical staff. The majority of clients were opiate-dependent poly-drug users. Results 27 000 acquisitive criminal offences were reported by the cohort in the three months prior to starting treatment, of which shoplifting was the most common offence. There was marked variation in the amount of acquisitive crime reported; just 10% of the sample were responsible for three-quarters of the crimes committed. Two other groups were identified: low-rate offenders, and those who did not commit an acquisitive crime. Multivariate analyses revealed that frequency of illicit drug use was associated with increased levels of criminal behaviour. Compared with the no-crime group, the high-rate offenders were 11 times more likely to be regular users of heroin, and three times more likely to have used cocaine regularly. Discussion These findings suggest that the most dependent and problematic drug misusers present treatment services with the greatest challenge in terms of reducing levels of criminality. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]


Do memory complaints represent impaired memory performance in patients with major depressive disorder?

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 10 2008
Arash Mowla M.D.
Abstract Memory complaints are found to be associated with depression. However, the question is, "How much these subjective complaints indicate objective memory impairments?" The aim of this study is to determine whether subjective memory complaints represent objective memory impairments and to establish the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and subjective memory complaints. Sixty-four patients with MDD were assessed for objective memory performance through subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III. Memory complaints also were assessed in these patients with a structured interview. Thirty healthy controls were also included in the study to compare memory performance among groups. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was used to measure the severity and characteristics of depression. Patients with MDD who had longer duration and earlier onset of depression reported more memory complaints. MDD patients with memory complaints had more hypochondriac concerns but not more depression severity compared with those without memory complaints. There was no relationship between subjective memory complaints and objective memory performance in MDD patients. Patients with MDD with and without memory complaints had lower scores on the Wechsler Memory Scale-III than the control group. Subjective memory complaints are not a valid indictor of objective memory impairments, and the diagnostic value of self-reported memory is being questioned in patients with MDD. The cognitive status of MDD patients should be assessed routinely, regardless of the patient awareness of his or her cognitive deficits. Depression and Anxiety, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Continuous, categorical and mixture models of DSM-IV alcohol and cannabis use disorders in the Australian community

ADDICTION, Issue 7 2010
Andrew J. Baillie
ABSTRACT Aims To apply item response mixture modelling (IRMM) to investigate the viability of the dimensional and categorical approaches to conceptualizing alcohol and cannabis use disorders. Design A cross-sectional survey assessing substance use and DSM-IV substance use disorders. Setting and participants A household survey of a nationally representative sample of 10 641 Australia adults (aged 18 years or older). Measurements Trained survey interviewers administered a structured interview based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Findings Of the 10 641 Australian adults interviewed, 7746 had drunk alcohol in the past 12 months and 722 had used cannabis. There was no improvement in fit for categorical latent class nor mixture models combining continuous and categorical parameters compared to continuous factor analysis models. The results indicated that both alcohol and cannabis problems can be considered as dimensional, with those with the disorder arrayed along a dimension of severity. Conclusions A single factor accounts for more variance in the DSM-IV alcohol and cannabis use criteria than latent class or mixture models, so the disorders can be explained most effectively by a dimensional score. [source]


Psychiatric comorbidity and suicidal behavior in epilepsy: A community-based case,control study

EPILEPSIA, Issue 7 2010
Sabrina Stefanello
Summary Purpose:, To provide information about psychiatric comorbidity and suicidal behavior in people with epilepsy compared to those without epilepsy from a community sample in Brazil. Methods:, An attempt was made to evaluate all 174 subjects with epilepsy (cases) identified in a previous survey. For every case identified, an individual without epilepsy (control) matched by sex and age was selected in the same neighborhood. A structured interview with validated psychiatric scales was performed. One hundred and fifty-three cases and 154 controls were enrolled in the study. Results:, People with epilepsy had anxiety more frequently [39.4% vs. 23.8%, odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2,3.5; p = 0.006], depression (24.4% vs. 14.7%, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.01,3.5; p = 0.04), and anger (55.6% vs. 39.7%, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2,3.1; p = 0.008). They also reported more suicidal thoughts [36.7% vs. 23.8%, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1,3.1; p = 0.02), plans (18.2% vs. 3.3%, OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0,4.0; p = 0.04), and attempts (12.1% vs. 5.3%, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1,3.2, p = 0.04) during life than controls. Conclusions:, These findings call attention to psychiatric comorbidity and suicidal behavior associated with epilepsy. Suicide risk assessment, mental evaluation, and treatment may improve quality of life in epilepsy and ultimately prevent suicide. [source]


Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Clinical Series of Adult Epilepsy Patients: Frequency and Features of the Comorbidity

EPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2003
Raffaele Manni
Summary: Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate and features of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adult epilepsy patients. Methods: Two hundred eighty-three adult epilepsy patients (137 men; mean age, 33 years; range, 18,70 years) were prospectively screened for OSA by means of a structured interview. Those in whom OSA was clinically suspected were monitored for a full night by using a portable device (Polymesam), and OSA was diagnosed when they had an Apnea/Hypopnea Index greater than five. Results: Coexistence of OSA with epilepsy was found in 10.2% (15.4% of the male and 5.4% of the female) epilepsy patients investigated. The OSA was mild in 66.6%, moderate in 22.2%, and severe in 11.1% of the cases. The "epilepsy + OSA" patients were older, heavier, more frequently male, and sleepier (p < 0.05) than those with "epilepsy only." Furthermore, they experienced their first seizure at an older age (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Systematic investigation reveals that OSA is frequent in epilepsy patients. The major risk factors for OSA in our epilepsy patients were the same as those typically found in the general population. Of the epilepsy-related factors, older age at onset of seizures appears to be significantly related to comorbidity with OSA (p < 0.05). The presence in epilepsy patients of these features should alert the clinician to the possibility of an underlying OSA. [source]


Childhood leukaemia: experiences of children and attitudes of parents on dental care

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 3 2008
Ç.E. ÇUBUKÇU phd
Parental perceptions in the importance of dental care and preferences with regard to its provision while profiling the level of dental health knowledge of parents of leukaemic children were elicited. The setting was the Paediatric Dental Care Unit located in Medical Faculty. Data were collected by means of a structured interview, employing a questionnaire. Level of knowledge on both dental facts and preventive dentistry of the participants was insufficient. Major source of dental care was the resident paediatric dentist both in prior to (78.2%) and following (100%) diagnosis. Tooth extraction (17.6%) was the only treatment provided prior to diagnosis. Following diagnosis, 60 (69%) of these children had received operative dental treatment. The source of preventive advice was inconsistent. Parents appeared to place a high level of importance on their children's dental care and the preference for this to be provided within the hospitals in which the child has been treated. There is clearly a need to establish dental care units in hospitals in which treatment of childhood malignancy is provided. The provision for the future should be the continuous education of dentists, physicians and nurses who work in hospitals and public health services. [source]


Major and minor depression in Parkinson's disease: a neuropsychological investigation

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2006
A. Costa
Previous studies have failed to distinguish the differential contribution of major and minor depression to cognitive impairment in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). This study was aimed at investigating the relationships among major depression (MD), minor depression (MiD) and neuropsychological deficits in PD. Eighty-three patients suffering from PD participated in the study. MD and MiD were diagnosed by means of a structured interview (SCID-I) based on the DSM-IV criteria, and severity of depression was evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory. For the neuropsychological assessment, we used standardized scales that measure verbal and visual episodic memory, working memory, executive functions, abstract reasoning and visual-spatial and language abilities. MD patients performed worse than PD patients without depression on two long-term verbal episodic memory tasks, on an abstract reasoning task and on three measures of executive functioning. The MiD patients' performances on the same tests fell between those of the other two groups of PD patients but did not show significant differences. Our results indicate that MD in PD is associated with a qualitatively specific neuropsychological profile that may be related to an alteration of prefrontal and limbic cortical areas. Moreover, the same data suggest that in these patients MiD and MD may represent a gradual continuum associated with increasing cognitive deficits. [source]


Pain and sensory complaints in multiple sclerosis

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2004
A. G. Beiske
Pain is a frequent and disabling symptom among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The importance of this problem was investigated in a hospital based MS population. A total of 142 MS patients underwent neurological examination and a structured interview for registration of pain and sensory symptoms. One-hundred and five patients reported sensory and/or pain symptoms. Pain was reported by 93 patients and was most frequently located in the limbs and lumbar region. The presence of pain was independent of gender, age at onset and examination, disability, disease course and duration. The most frequently reported characteristics of the symptoms were paresthesia, neuralgia and deep muscular aching. About 40% of the patients reported that the symptoms had important influence on daily activities. Only one-third of the patients were treated for their pain. Pain is a frequent and disabling symptom, independent of demographic and clinical variables in MS patients. The low frequency of treatment for these symptoms indicates a need for improved attention to this problem. [source]


BDNF variability in opioid addicts and response to methadone treatment: preliminary findings

GENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 5 2008
R. De Cid
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways have been shown to be essential for opioid-induced plasticity. We conducted an exploratory study to evaluate BDNF variability in opioid addict responders and nonresponders to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). We analyzed 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the BDNF genomic region. Responders and nonresponders were classified by means of illicit opioid consumption detected in random urinalysis. Patients were assessed by a structured interview (Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders (PRISM)-DSM-IV) and personality was evaluated by the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory. No clinical, environmental and treatment characteristics were different between the groups, except for the Cooperativeness dimension (P < 0.001). Haplotype block analysis showed a low-frequency (2.7%) haplotype (13 SNPs) in block 1, which was more frequent in the nonresponder group than in the responder group (4/42 vs. 1/135; Pcorrected = 0.023). Fine mapping in block 1 allows us to identify a haplotype subset formed by only six SNPs (rs7127507, rs1967554, rs11030118, rs988748, rs2030324 and rs11030119) associated with differential response to MMT (global P sim = 0.011). Carriers of the CCGCCG haplotype had an increased risk of poorer response, even after adjusting for Cooperativeness score (OR = 20.25 95% CI 1.46,280.50, P = 0.025). These preliminary results might suggest the involvement of BDNF as a factor to be taken into account in the response to MMT independently of personality traits, environmental cues, methadone dosage and psychiatric comorbidity. [source]


The human mirror neuron system in a population with deficient self-awareness: An fMRI study in alexithymia

HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 7 2009
Yoshiya Moriguchi
Abstract The mirror neuron system (MNS) is considered crucial for human imitation and language learning and provides the basis for the development of empathy and mentalizing. Alexithymia (ALEX), which refers to deficiencies in the self-awareness of emotional states, has been reported to be associated with poor ability in various aspects of social cognition such as mentalizing, cognitive empathy, and perspective-taking. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we measured the hemodynamic signal to examine whether there are functional differences in the MNS activity between participants with ALEX (n = 16) and without ALEX (n = 13), in response to a classic MNS task (i.e., the observation of video clips depicting goal-directed hand movements). Both groups showed increased neural activity in the premotor and the parietal cortices during observation of hand actions. However, activation was greater for the ALEX group than the non-ALEX group. Furthermore, activation in the left premotor area was negatively correlated with perspective-taking ability as assessed with the interpersonal reactivity index. The signal in parietal cortices was negatively correlated with cognitive facets assessed by the stress coping inventory and positively correlated with the neuroticism scale from the NEO five factor personality scale. In addition, in the ALEX group, activation in the right superior parietal region showed a positive correlation with the severity of ALEX as measured by a structured interview. These results suggest that the stronger MNS-related neural response in individuals scoring high on ALEX is associated with their insufficient self-other differentiation. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Measurement of antipsychotic-induced side effects: Support for the validity of a self-report (LUNSERS) versus structured interview (UKU) approach to measurement

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 5 2003
T. J. R. Lambert
Abstract A self-report measure of antipsychotic side effects (LUNSERS) was compared with that of an established semi-structured interview (UKU side effect rating scale). The validity and the ability of the LUNSERS to determine false positives by use of an internal ,red herring' subscale were assessed. ,Red herring' items are those which do not directly relate to known antipsychotic side effects. In an open study, 29 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder from inpatient and outpatient settings within an Australian metropolitan mental health service were assessed for antipsychotic-induced side effects using both the LUNSERS and UKU. The LUNSERS and UKU were similar in their overall assessment of antipsychotic side effects (total score correlation of 0.58) and were correlated on a wide array of individual side effect items. Correlations between total scores and individual items were higher for those patients scoring low on the LUNSERS ,red herring' items compared with both those with high ,red herring' scores and the sample as a whole. Several LUNSERS items were identified as potentially problematic, requiring further explanation or supplementation with direct questioning. The ,red herring' scale appears to enable detection of patients that may be over-reporting symptomatology. The LUNSERS is a valuable self-report measure of antipsychotic side effects, particularly in cases where red herring scores are low. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Language development of pre-school children born to teenage mothers

INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2001
Louise J. Keown
Abstract An Erratum has been published for this article in Infant and Child Development 10(4) 2001, 241. This paper compares the language development of pre-school children born to teenage (n=22) and comparison mothers (n=20) and examines the extent to which differences in language development can be explained by social background, child and parenting factors. Mothers and children were assessed at home using a range of measures, including a structured interview, the language scales of the Child Development Inventory, the HOME Inventory, and videotaped mother-child interaction. Results showed that children of teenage mothers perform significantly poorer than children of comparison mothers on measures of expressive language and language comprehension. Subsequent analyses showed that these differences are largely explained by differences in the parenting behaviour of teenage and comparison mothers. Specifically, maternal verbal stimulation and intrusiveness accounted for the relationship between teenage motherhood and children's poorer language comprehension, while maternal intrusiveness and involvement with the child account for the relationship between teenage motherhood and children's poorer expressive language development. These findings highlight the importance of early mother,child interaction for children's language development. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Oral squamous cell carcinoma and cultural oral risk habits in Vietnam

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 3 2010
SL Priebe
To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene,8, 2010; 159,168 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00461.x Priebe SL, Aleksej,nien, J, Zed C, Dharamsi S, Thinh DHQ, Hong NT, Cuc TTK, Thao NTP. Oral squamous cell carcinoma and cultural oral risk habits in Vietnam. Abstract: Objectives:, In South-Central Asia, 80% of head and neck cancers are found in the oral cavity and oropharynx. In Vietnam, oral cancer is often not being detected until people experience debilitating circumstances to normal oral function. The aims of the study were to explore the patterns of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its risk indicators, the structure of oral health care in Vietnam and trends in prevalence of cultural risk habits in southern Vietnamese patients. Materials and Methods:, A retrospective clinical study was performed from 1 July 2005 to 1 April 2006 at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology hospital in Vietnam. Of the 161 cases, 147 subjects were diagnosed with OSCC, including 100 male and 47 female adults aged 24,85 years. Data were collected by a structured interview and clinical examination. Results:, Over 40% of the women with OSCC reported chewing betel quid and the most prevalent risk habit in males was smoking (91.0%). Daily alcohol use was reported by 79.0% of males and 2.1% of females. Two-thirds of the cases of OSCC were diagnosed at the 2nd and 3rd stage of cancer. The more advanced stages of cancer were observed in males than in females. The prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use in males with OSCC was higher in this study than in the previous Vietnamese studies. Conclusion:, High frequency of risk habits in both genders was reported in OSCC Vietnamese patients. A trend of increased tobacco and alcohol use was observed in male OSCC patients. A lower prevalence of later staging in Vietnam was observed in this study than in earlier studies. [source]


Health service utilization for eating disorders: Findings from a community-based study,

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 5 2007
Jonathan M. Mond PhD
Abstract Background: Prior use of health services was examined in a community sample of women with bulimic-type eating disorders. Method: Participants (n = 159) completed a structured interview for the assessment of eating disorder psychopathology as well as questions concerning treatment-seeking and type of treatment received. Results: Whereas a minority (40.3%) of participants had received treatment for an eating problem, most had received treatment for a general mental health problem (74.2%) and/or weight loss (72.8%), and all had used one or more self-help treatments. Where treatment was received for an eating or general mental health problem, this was from a primary care practitioner in the vast majority of cases. Only half of those participants who reported marked impairment associated with an eating problem had ever received treatment for such a problem and less than one in five had received such treatment from a mental health professional. Conclusion: Women with bulimic-type eating disorders rarely receive treatment for an eating problem, but frequently receive treatment for a general mental health problem and/or for weight loss. The findings underscore the importance of programs designed to improve the detection and management of eating disorders in primary care. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007 [source]


Prevalence and correlates of alcoholism in community-dwelling elderly living in São Paulo, Brazil

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 10 2009
Edson Shiguemi Hirata
Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence of alcoholism in elderly living in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) and investigate associated risk factors. Methods A total of 1,563 individuals aged 60 years or older, of both genders of three districts of different socioeconomic classes (high, medium and low) in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) were interviewed. The CAGE screening test for alcoholism was applied and a structured interview was used to assess associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. The tests Mini Mental State Examination, Fuld Object Memory Evaluation, The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and Bayer-Activities of Daily Living Scale were used for cognitive and functional assessment. Results Prevalence of alcoholism was 9.1%. Multivariate regression analysis showed that alcoholism was associated with male gender, ,mulatto' ethnicity, smoking, and cognitive and functional impairment. In addition, the younger the individual and the lower the schooling level, the higher the risk for alcoholism. Conclusions The results obtained in this study show that alcoholism is highly frequent in the community-dwelling elderly living in São Paulo, and that it is associated with socio-demographic and clinical risk factors similar to those reported in the literature. This suggests that alcoholism in the elderly of a developing country shares the same basic characteristics seen in developed countries. These findings suggest that it is essential for health services and professional to be prepared to meet this demand that will significantly grow in the next years, especially in developing countries, where the rates of population aging are higher than those of developed countries. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Outcome of an oral health outreach programme for preschool children in a low socioeconomic multicultural area

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 2 2008
INGER WENNHALL
Background., Despite a significant reduction in the prevalence of dental caries, childhood tooth decay is still a public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Objective., The aim of this study was to evaluate the caries preventive effect of an oral health programme for preschool children living in a low socioeconomic multicultural area in the city of Malmö, Sweden. Methods., Eight hundred and four 2-year-old children were enrolled and recalled every third month between ages 2 and 3 and semi-annually between ages 3 and 5 years. From an outreach facility, parents were instructed on oral health with a focus on toothbrushing and diet, and provided fluoride tablets free of charge. Participants completed a clinical examination and a structured interview at age of 5 years, at which point 651 children (81%) remained in the programme. The results of the intervention group were compared with a non-intervention reference group consisting of 201 5-year-old children from the same district. Results., In the intervention group, 96% attended four or more of their scheduled appointments, and mean caries prevalence was significantly lower than in the reference group (5.4 deft vs. 6.9 deft; P < 0.001). The prevented defs fraction was 27%. Parents' daily assistance with toothbrushing and administering fluoride tablets was significantly better in the intervention group than in the reference group (P < 0.05). Conclusion., This study demonstrated that the early start of oral health programme had a significant beneficial effect on caries prevalence after 3 years. [source]


Signs and symptoms from ectodermal organs in young Swedish individuals with oligodontia

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 5 2006
B. BERGENDAL
Summary., Objectives., The aim was to assess signs and symptoms from other ectodermal organs in addition to teeth in young individuals with oligodontia and to establish the prevalence of oligodontia. Sample and methods., Children born 1981,94 reported by dental teams in the Public Dental Service to have oligodontia were asked to participate in a clinical study. The examinations comprised a structured interview on symptoms from ectodermal organs, and testing of salivary secretion. Results., One hundred and sixty-two individuals met the inclusion criteria, and 123 individuals (75·9%) participated in the clinical study. Half of the individuals had one to four signs or symptoms from ectodermal organs beside oligodontia. The most common sign was low salivary secretion. Twelve individuals (9·6%) with isolated oligodontia reported impaired function of the sweat glands, hair, or nails. The prevalence of oligodontia was 0·090%. Conclusions., An early identification of individuals with oligodontia can be made in a majority of cases by checking that all permanent incisors have erupted at the age of 8 years. The validity in asking individuals about normal and abnormal function of ectodermal organs was found to be low. This indicates that there is a strong need to establish routine clinical criteria for dysplasia of ectodermal organs. [source]


Candidates' Ability to Identify Criteria in Nontransparent Selection Procedures: Evidence from an assessment center and a structured interview

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 3 2007
Cornelius J. König
In selection procedures like assessment centers (ACs) and structured interviews, candidates are often not informed about the targeted criteria. Previous studies have shown that candidates' ability to identify these criteria (ATIC) is related to their performance in the respective selection procedure. However, past research has studied ATIC in only one selection procedure at a time, even though it has been assumed that ATIC is consistent across situations, which is a prerequisite for ATIC to contribute to selection procedures' criterion-related validity. In this study, 95 candidates participated in an AC and a structured interview. ATIC scores showed cross-situational consistency across the two procedures and accounted for part of the relationship between performance in the selection procedures. Furthermore, ATIC scores in one procedure predicted performance in the other procedure even after controlling for cognitive ability. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. [source]


Chinese inpatients' subjective experiences of the helping process as viewed through examination of a nurses' focused, structured therapy group

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2004
Fei-Hsiu Hsiao RN
Aims and objectives., This study examined Chinese inpatients' views on what aspects of a nurses' focused, structured therapy group worked to help their psychological and interpersonal problems and what traditional Chinese cultural values influenced their viewpoints. Methods., Nine Chinese inpatients with mental illness participated in the four-session nurses' focused, structured therapy group. After they completed the last session of therapy, they were invited to participate in a structured interview and a semi-structured interview regarding their perceptions of the change mechanisms in nurses' focused, structured group therapy. The semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed to be further analysed according to the principal of content analysis. Results., The results indicate that (i) all patients believed that a nurses' focused, structured group psychotherapy enhanced their interpersonal learning and improved the quality of their lives, (ii) traditional Chinese cultural values , those emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmonious interpersonal relationships , influenced the Chinese inpatients' expression of negative emotions in the group and their motivation on interpersonal learning. Conclusion., In conclusion, we found that transcultural modification for applying Western group psychotherapy in Chinese culture was needed. The modification included establishing a ,pseudo-kin' or ,own people' relationship among group members and the therapists, organizing warm-up exercises and structured activities, applying projective methods and focusing on the issues of interpersonal relationships and interpersonal problems. Relevance to clinical practice., The small sample size of the present study raises questions regarding how representative the views of the sample are with respect to the majority of Chinese inpatients. Nevertheless, this preliminary study revealed a cultural aspect in nursing training that requires significant consideration in order to work effectively with Chinese patients. [source]


Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Gerhard Andersson
Tinnitus is a common otological problem that is often resistant to surgical or medical interventions. In common with chronic pain, cognitive-behavioral treatment has been found to alleviate the distress and improve the functioning of tinnitus patients. Recently, a self-help treatment has been developed for use via the Internet. In this article, we describe the self-help program and apply it to a middle-aged woman with tinnitus. We report the case formulation, which was done in a structured interview, and the treatment interactions, which were conducted via e-mail. The self-help program was presented on Web pages, and weekly diaries were submitted to follow progress and give feedback. The treatment was successful with reductions of tinnitus-related annoyance and anxious and depressive mood. Implications for Internet administration of self-help treatment are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session. [source]


The role of visual imagery in the enhanced cognitive interview: guided questioning techniques and individual differences,,

JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND OFFENDER PROFILING, Issue 1 2004
Michael R. Davis
Abstract The cognitive interview utilises mnemonics and other techniques to facilitate obtaining information from victims and witnesses. Research has indicated superior recall to standard police interviews. However, there has been minimal research regarding the role of individual differences. One area that has generated spirited theoretical debate is imagery ability, as guided imagery questioning is an important part of the enhanced cognitive interview. Imagery is also arguably an integral part of several mnemonics employed in the technique. The present study investigated the role of individual differences in imagery ability, as well as the effect of explicit instructions to image, on recall performance. Participants completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ), witnessed a film of a simulated crime, and were interviewed using the cognitive interview or a structured interview. While recall in the cognitive interview was superior, VVIQ scores had little relationship with recall of information. Further, recall elicited by guided imagery differed only minimally from that obtained using standard questioning in the structured interview. These results suggested that the relaxation and rapport building common to questioning in both interview conditions may evoke spontaneous imagery that is comparable to explicit instructions to image, regardless of individuals' inherent imagery ability. Future directions are discussed, including research focused on individual differences and a practical emphasis on context reinstatement and social facilitative techniques. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The Overlap in Predicting Alcohol Outcome for Two Measures of the Level of Response to Alcohol

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2009
Marc A. Schuckit
Background:, Two different measures have been used to establish a person's level of response (LR) to alcohol as a risk factor for alcohol use disorders. LR values established by the alcohol challenge protocol and the Self-Report of the Effects of Ethanol (SRE) questionnaire usually correlate at 0.3 to 0.4, up to 0.6. However, it is not clear how this correlation relates to the ability of each measure to predict alcohol outcomes. This paper evaluates that overlap. Methods:, Sixty-six Caucasian males (mean age = 22 years) from 2 protocols participated in alcohol challenges with 0.75 ml/kg of ethanol, filled out the SRE, and were followed with a structured interview ,5 years later. The relationship between the subjective feelings of intoxication at the time of peak breath alcohol levels from the alcohol challenge and the SRE score for a time early in the drinking career were evaluated regarding predicting the drinks per occasion in the 6 months prior to follow-up. Results:, Cross-sectional correlations between alcohol challenge and SRE LR's ranged from ,0.25 (p < 0.05) to ,0.32 (p = 0.02) for the full sample, and the 2 LR measures correlated with drinking at follow-up (,0.26 and 0.41, respectively). The SRE measure was more robust than the challenge in a regression analysis predicting the outcome in the context of other baseline predictors (e.g., drinking at baseline). As much as 60% of the ability of the more well established (gold standard) alcohol challenge LR to predict outcome was shared with the SRE. The alcohol challenge accounted for as much as 44% of the ability of the SRE to predict outcome. Conclusions:, The SRE-generated LR overlapped considerably with the alcohol challenge LR in the ability to predict future heavier drinking. [source]


Dual Diagnosis: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Relationship With Suicide Risk in a Nationwide Sample of French Prisoners

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2009
Michael Lukasiewicz
Background:, Axis I psychiatric disorders (PD) and substance use disorders (SUD) are common in prison, but only few studies have focused on their association in this setting. Dual diagnosis (DD) (the co-occurrence of a SUD and any axis I disorder) is known to have a poorer prognosis and to require more intense supportive care. Objectives:, The objectives of this study were (1) to describe prisoners with DD (prevalence and characteristics); (2) to compare DD prisoners with 3 other groups of prisoners: no diagnosis (ND), SUD alone, or other isolated PD; and (3) to evaluate the impact of DD on suicide risk in prison. Method:, A random stratified strategy was used to select 23 various types of prisons and 998 prisoners. Diagnoses were assessed using a unique procedure, each prisoner being evaluated by 2 psychiatrists, 1 junior, using a structured interview (MINI 5 plus), and 1 senior, using an open clinical interview. Following interviews, clinicians met to establish a list of diagnoses. Cloninger's temperament and character inventory was also used. Results:, Of the prisoners, 26.3% had a DD. DD prevalence was almost 80% in prisoners with SUD, while only one-third of the prisoners with an axis I PD had co-morbid SUD. No significant differences were observed in drug use patterns between DD and SUD without co-morbid PDs. DD showed the strongest association with suicide risk [OR = 5.7 (1.7,4.6)]. Conclusion:, DD is very frequent in prison and is a major risk factor for suicide. Systematic psychiatric/SUD screening of prisoners with either a SUD or an axis I PD should be encouraged. [source]


Identification of Susceptibility Loci for Alcohol-Related Traits in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2006
Po-Hsiu Kuo
Background: Alcoholism is a phenotypically and probably genetically heterogeneous condition. Thus, one strategy for finding genes influencing liability to alcoholism is to study the components of alcoholism, which may be more directly related to the underlying pathophysiology than is clinical diagnosis. The goal of this study was to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci for alcohol-related traits. Methods: A 4-cM dense whole-genome linkage study was conducted in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence. Probands, affected siblings, and parents were evaluated by structured interview. Variance component linkage analysis was applied to data from 485 families for 5 measures: initial sensitivity and tolerance (based on scales from the self-report of the effects of ethanol; maximum drinks within 24 hours, an empirically derived factor score based on withdrawal symptoms, and age at onset of alcohol dependence. Results: Evidence for linkage (p<0.005) was found on 9 chromosomes. For age at onset, 2 regions were found on chromosome 9 (highest Lod=2.3, p=0.0005). For initial level of response to alcohol, suggestive regions were on chromosomes 1 and 11 (highest Lod=2.9, p=0.0001 on chromosome 11), while those for tolerance signals were on chromosomes 1, 6, and 22. Maximum drinking was associated with regions on chromosomes 12 and 18. For withdrawal symptoms, the highest peak was on chromosome 2 (Lod=2.2, p=0.0007). Conclusions: Using quantitative measures of components of alcohol dependence, we identified several regions of the genome that may contain susceptibility loci for specific alcohol-related traits and merit additional study. [source]