Relationship between body image disturbance and incidence of depression: the SUN prospective cohort

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Body image disturbance is an increasing problem in Western societies and is associated with a number of mental health outcomes including anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia, and depression. The aim of this study was to assess the association between body image disturbance and the incidence of depression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study included 10,286 participants from a dynamic prospective cohort of Spanish university graduates, who were followed-up for a median period of 4.2 years (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra – the SUN study). The key characteristic of the study is the permanently open recruitment that started in 1999. The baseline questionnaire included information about body mass index (BMI) and the nine figure schemes that were used to assess body size perception. These variables were grouped according to recommended classifications and the difference between BMI and body size perception was considered as a proxy of body image disturbance. A subject was classified as an incident case of depression if he/she was initially free of depression and reported a physician-made diagnosis of depression and/or the use of antidepressant medication in at least one of the follow-up questionnaires. The association between body image disturbance and the incidence of depression was estimated by calculating the multivariable adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) and its 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI), using logistic regression models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cumulative incidence of depression during follow-up in the cohort was 4.8%. Men who underestimated their body size had a high percentage of overweight and obesity (50.1% and 12.6%, respectively), whereas women who overestimated their body size had a high percentage of underweight (87.6%). The underestimation exhibited a negative association with the incidence of depression among women (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54 – 0.95), but this effect disappeared after adjusting for possible confounding variables. The proportion of participants who correctly perceived their body size was high (53.3%) and gross misperception was seldom found, with most cases selecting only one silhouette below (42.7%) or above (2.6%) their actual BMI.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found no association between body image disturbance and subsequent depression in a cohort of university graduates in Spain.</p

Similarities and Differences in Chinese and Caucasian Adults' Use of Facial Cues for Trustworthiness Judgments

All cultural groups in the world place paramount value on interpersonal trust. Existing research suggests that although accurate judgments of another's trustworthiness require extensive interactions with the person, we often make trustworthiness judgments based on facial cues on the first encounter. However, little is known about what facial cues are used for such judgments and what the bases are on which individuals make their trustworthiness judgments.In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that individuals may use facial attractiveness cues as a “shortcut” for judging another's trustworthiness due to the lack of other more informative and in-depth information about trustworthiness. Using data-driven statistical models of 3D Caucasian faces, we compared facial cues used for judging the trustworthiness of Caucasian faces by Caucasian participants who were highly experienced with Caucasian faces, and the facial cues used by Chinese participants who were unfamiliar with Caucasian faces. We found that Chinese and Caucasian participants used similar facial cues to judge trustworthiness. Also, both Chinese and Caucasian participants used almost identical facial cues for judging trustworthiness and attractiveness.The results suggest that without opportunities to interact with another person extensively, we use the less racially specific and more universal attractiveness cues as a “shortcut” for trustworthiness judgments

Saudi SCD patients’ symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period. Results The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health. Conclusion Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits

Treating Selective Mutism Using Modular CBT for Child Anxiety: A Case Study

Selective mutism is a rare, debilitating condition usually seen in children. Unfortunately, there is little research examining effective treatments for this disorder, and designing an evidence-based treatment plan can be difficult. This case study presents the evidence-based treatment of an 8-year-old Caucasian boy with selective mutism using an established treatment for anxiety--Modular Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety Disorders (Chorpita, 2007). The treatment consisted of 21 sessions and included modules on psychoeducation, exposure, cognitive restructuring, social skills, and maintenance and relapse prevention. The client\u27s symptoms were greatly improved by the end of treatment based on fear hierarchy ratings, self-report and parent-report questionnaires, and child and parent clinical interviews. In addition, at discharge the client no longer met criteria for selective mutism. Improvements were maintained when the client was reassessed at 1-month and 6-month follow-up appointments

Aspectos psicossociais em cirurgia bariátrica: a associação entre variáveis emocionais, trabalho, relacionamentos e peso corporal Psychosocial aspects in bariatric surgery: the association among emotional variables, job, relationships and body weight

RACIONAL: Operações bariátricas têm sido consideradas alternativa para o tratamento de obesidade mórbida. Alguns eventos adversos que as pessoas experimentam após o tratamento frequentemente são consequência da falta de conhecimento consistente associada a fatores psicossociais que estão relacionadas ao status pré-operatório dos pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as variáveis ?psicossociais de 414 candidatos ? cirurgia bari?trica do Hospital de Cl?nicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de S?o Paulo, Ribeir?o Preto, SP, Brasil. psicossociais de 414 candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica do Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados entrevista semi-estruturada, Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI), Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e Binge Eating Scale (BES). RESULTADOS: IMC foi maior entre os pacientes que não tinham emprego (p = 0,019), do sexo feminino, os que tinham um parceiro e os pacientes com IMC <50 kg / m², todos eles desejando ter peso menor (p<0,001). Escores do BAI foram maiores entre os pacientes que não tinham emprego (p <0,05) e maior naqueles com IMC> 50 kg / m² (p <0,05). BDI foram mais altos entre as mulheres (p <0,05) e menores entre aqueles que tinham um emprego (p <0,01). Nenhuma diferença no BES foi encontrada. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados sugerem que as mulheres apresentaram indicadores mais elevados de ansiedade e depressão, sugerindo que elas tinham funcionamento psicológico mais frágil com dificuldades em lidar com a angústia. Auto-percepção, assim como competências e habilidades, podem refletir aspectos internos da personalidade do indivíduo. Pacientes que tiveram um emprego antes da operação parecia ter mais recursos emocionais. Assim, eles podiam sentir menos sofrimento, porque o emprego podia protegê-los. Mulheres e aqueles que não tinham emprego eram mais propensos a apresentar sintomas de depressão. Além disso, pacientes que não tinham emprego e aqueles com IMC> 50 kg / m² foram mais propensos a apresentar sintomas de ansiedade.<br>BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgeries have been considered an alternative for treatment of morbid obesity. Some adverse events that people experience after the treatment frequently are the consequence of the lack of consistent knowledge associated with psychosocial factors that are related to the pre-surgery status of the patients. AIM: To evaluate psychosocial variables of 414 candidates for bariatric surgery from Clinical Hospital of Medical School at University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. METHODS: Semi-structured interview, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Binge Eating Scale (BES) were used. RESULTS: BMI was higher among patients who had no employment (p = 0.019). Female, patients who had a partner and patients with a BMI < 50 kg/m², all of them desired have a lower weight (p < 0.001). BAI scores were higher among patients who had no employment (p < 0.05) and higher among those with a BMI > 50 kg/m² (p < 0.05). BDI scores were higher among women (p < 0.05) and lower among those who had an employment (p < 0.01). No difference in BES was found. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that women showed higher indicators of anxiety and depression, suggesting that they had a more fragile psychological functioning with difficulties in coping with distress. Self-perception as well as skills and abilities, may reflect internal aspects of individual's personality. Patients who had an employment before surgery seemed have more emotional resources. So, they may feel less distress because the employment may protect them. Women and those who did not have an employment were more likely to experience depression symptoms. Furthermore, patients who did not have an employment and those with BMI> 50 kg / m² were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms