Scielo RSS http://scielo.isciii.es/rss.php?pid=0213-616320080002&lang=en vol. 22 num. 2 lang. en http://scielo.isciii.es/img/en/fbpelogp.gif http://scielo.isciii.es http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200001&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the factorial structure of the 14 Personality Disorder (PD's) scales of the MCMI-III for the overlapping and non-overlapping scales, independently. Previous exploratory studies using different factor extraction procedures inform that the structure of MCMI-III personality disorders has between 2 and 4 factors. Methods: The present study used a large sample of 674 non-clinical subjects divided at random in two groups: a) calibration, and b) validation. In the calibration group, principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation was carried out, obtaining 2, 3 and 4 factors for the overlapping and non-overlapping scales independently. In the validation group, the three models were compared using confirmatory factorial analysis techniques. Results and Conclusions: The exploratory and confirmatory results indicate that the 4-factor solution is the most plausible. Although the congruence coefficients between non-overlapping and overlapping scales in the 4-factor solution were higher, confirmatory factor analysis showed that models designed from overlapping scales did not fit well to data. http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200002&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background and Objectives: The readmission rate has been considered as a promising variable to evaluate the efficacy of the mental health system. Considering the lack of literature on the subject in Portugal, it is important to characterize it further in order to validate its meaning as a variable. The aim of this analysis was to characterize readmissions to Júlio de Matos Hospital (JMH), in comparison with the single admissions. Methods: This analysis was made through the review of the clinical files of patients admitted over a period of 21 months. Results: Of the 3,225 patients admitted in this period, 1,276 (39.6%) were readmissions. Furthermore, a readmitted patient was admitted, on average, 2.6 times during the study timeframe. The results show a reduced social involvement, an increased prior institutionalization and an increased incidence of "Schizophrenic Psychosis" and "Abnormal Personalities" in the sub-group of repeated admissions. Conclusions: These findings are similar to those obtained in other European countries and strengthen the need for psychosocial and specific interventions at outpatient level. This analysis also shows the value of monitoring the relevant variables to tailor the intervention of the institutions. http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200003&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background and Objectives: To study gender differences and the impact of trauma on hospital personnel during war. In addition, to test the relationship between gender and PTSD symptoms via mediation model. Methods: A random sample of physicians, nurses and administrative staff (n = 106) that were assessed for demographics, and PTSD symptoms a month after the war between Lebanon and Israel erupted. Results: Women had higher IES-R scores in comparison to men (25.27 vs. 16.18). Gender differences were reduced when accounted for profession. In each profession, no significant gender differences were found. The results of the mediation model showed significant mediation by profession and education. Conclusions: These results may suggest that gender differences in response to traumatic events may not be explained by exposure per se, but rather may result from various possible factors such as profession, education and control over the situation. The results warrant further longitudinal study. http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200004&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background and Objectives: The effectiveness of patient psychoeducation has only rarely been studied among forensic populations. This paper examines the outcomes of an eight-time psychoeducational group comprised of schizophrenic patients in a forensic hospital setting in Finland. Methods: The intervention group contained forensic or dangerous non-forensic long-term patients with schizophrenia. Treatment outcomes were compared between the intervention group (n = 7) and a matched treatment-as-usual control group (n = 8). The group provided information about schizophrenia and its treatment and cognitive-behavioural elements were used to enhance patients' learning and coping. The results were obtained from a knowledge of schizophrenia, awareness of mental disorder, attitudes toward psychiatric treatment and medication, and depression. Results: The results of this pilot study suggest that even severely ill patients were able to gain improved knowledge about their illness, and psychoeducation also had positive impact on their awareness of the illness. The results showed no significant changes in attitudes toward psychiatric treatment or medication, or depressive symptoms. No significant changes in any measures were found in the control group. Conclusions: Despite our positive results further research with larger samples is needed to discover the effectiveness of patient education as a component of the comprehensive treatment of forensic patients with schizophrenia. http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200005&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background and Objectives: Although depression is a commonly occurring mental illness, research concerning strategies for early detection and prophylaxis has not until now focused on the possible utility of measures of Emotional Intelligence (EI) as a potential predictive factor. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between EI and a clinical diagnosis of depression in a cohort of adults. Methods: Sixty-two patients (59.70% female) with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of a major affective disorder and 39 aged matched controls (56.40% female) completed self-report instruments assessing EI and depression in a cross-sectional study. Results: Significant associations were observed between severity of depression and the EI dimensions of Emotional Management (r = -0.56) and Emotional Control (r = -0.62). The results show a reduced social involvement, an increased prior institutionalization and an increased incidence of "Schizophrenic Psychosis" and "Abnormal Personalities" in the sub-group of repeated admissions. Conclusions: Measures of EI may have predictive value in terms of early identification of those at risk for developing depression. The current study points to the potential value of conducting further studies of a prospective nature. http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200006&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background: The current study explored the relationship between parenting experience in childhood as a specific aspect of the non-shared environment and the amount of psychopathology in adulthood. Sampling and Methods: 27 same-sex sibling pairs were studied. In each pair, one proband was a psychiatric outpatient, the other proband a non-patient. All probands filled in the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results: The patients rated higher on practically all SCL-90-R scales whereas no significant differences were found with regard to the PBI ratings. With only one exception, there were no significant correlations between PBI and SCL-90-R ratings in the group of patients. In contrast, all SCL-90-R subscales correlated negatively with paternal care and half of them positively with paternal control in patients' healthy siblings. Conclusions: The degree of paternal care seems to be most closely related with lack of mental symptoms in psychiatric non-patients. In contrast, parenting does not seem to play a substantial role in patients, presenting with a higher degree of psychopathology. Obviously, environmental factors become less important, the more pronounced the pathology. http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632008000200007&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Background and Objectives: The prevalence of eating disorders in Iceland is unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of eating disorders in a large sample of college students in Iceland. Methods: A sample of 3.052 students from around the country aged 15-20 years was used to determine prevalence of eating disorders. The Eating Disorders Diagnostic Scale (EDDS) and Eating disorder Screen for Primary care (ESP) were employed. Results: On the ESP, 51.3% of females and 22.9% of males report discontent with their eating patterns and 63% of the females and 30.9% of the males report that they are emotionally affected by their weight. The ESP returned 10.5% prevalence when cut off level of 3 responses in the direction of an eating disorder was used, and 20.3% when cut off level of 2 was applied. A total of 9.8% of participants received diagnosis with EDDS, 15.2 % of females and 1.9% of males. For anorexia nervosa 1.1% of females received a diagnosis but no male. For bulimia nervosa 5.6% of females and 0.8% of males received a diagnosis and for binge eating disorder 0.6% of females and 0.2% of males. Prevalence of all subthreshold diagnoses combined was 5%. Conclusions: The prevalence of eating disorders is high in college students in Iceland, bulimia nervosa being the most common diagnosis for both males and females.