OBJECTIVES: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for persons with dementia (PwD) have yielded mixed results, possibly attributable to the fact that little is known about the validity and reliability of trait mindfulness self-report measures in PwD. This narrative review sought to identify studies involving self-reported trait mindfulness and other clinical measures that may hold information on the convergent validity and reliability of these measures in PwD. METHODS: Scientific databases were searched for studies involving PwD and mindfulness assessments. RESULTS: N = 426 studies from PubMed and N = 156 from PsychInfo databases were reviewed. Four cross-sectional studies were identified that allowed inferences about the validity of mindfulness measures. A qualitative review indicated that convergent validity with other measures varied with sample heterogeneity and cognitive impairment. Merely one MBI included self-reported trait mindfulness, however without reporting sample-specific validity or reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Despite efforts to implement MBIs in PwD, information on basic methodological psychometric issues is minimal. Future studies ought to address the validity and reliability of self-reported mindfulness in detail across different stages of dementia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results of MBIs need to be considered cautiously. Basic information about psychometric properties of mindfulness self-report measures is required and these measures need to be included systematically in MBIs.

• MeSH
• Dementia * psychology   therapy   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Psychometrics methods   MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Mindfulness * methods   MeSH
• Self Report * standards   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Nonspecific structural chromosomal aberrations (CAs) are found in around 1% of circulating lymphocytes from healthy individuals but the frequency may be higher after exposure to carcinogenic chemicals or radiation. CAs have been used in the monitoring of persons exposed to genotoxic agents and radiation. Previous studies on occupationally exposed individuals have shown associations between the frequency of CAs in peripheral blood lymphocytes and subsequent cancer risk. The cause for CA formation is believed to be unrepaired or insufficiently repaired DNA double-strand breaks or other DNA damage, and additionally telomere shortening. CAs include chromosome (CSAs) and chromatid type aberrations (CTAs). In the present review, we first describe the types of CAs, the conventional techniques used for their detection and some aspects of interpreting the results. We then focus on germline genetic variation in the frequency and type of CAs measured in a genome-wide association study in healthy individuals in relation to occupational and smoking-related exposure compared to nonexposed referents. The associations (at P < 10-5) on 1473 healthy individuals were broadly classified in candidate genes from functional pathways related to DNA damage response/repair, including PSMA1, UBR5, RRM2B, PMS2P4, STAG3L4, BOD1, COPRS, and FTO; another group included genes related to apoptosis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis, COPB1, NR2C1, COPRS, RHOT1, ITGB3, SYK, and SEMA6A; a third small group mapped to genes KLF7, SEMA5A and ITGB3 which were related to autistic traits, known to manifest frequent CAs. Dedicated studies on 153 DNA repair genes showed associations for some 30 genes, the expression of which could be modified by the implicated variants. We finally point out that monitoring of CAs is so far the only method of assessing cancer risk in healthy human populations, and the use of the technology should be made more attractive by developing automated performance steps and incorporating artificial intelligence methods into the scoring.

• MeSH
• Genome-Wide Association Study * MeSH
• Chromosome Aberrations * MeSH
• Gene-Environment Interaction MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lymphocytes metabolism   MeSH
• Neoplasms genetics   MeSH
• DNA Repair genetics   MeSH
• DNA Damage MeSH
• Occupational Exposure adverse effects   MeSH
• Environmental Exposure adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

The human mind, trying to perceive events coherently, creates the illusion of continuous time passage. Empirical evidence suggests distortions in subjectively perceived time flow associated with well-studied neural responses to sensory stimuli. This study aimed to investigate whether visually uncomfortable patterns, causing exceptionally strong brain activation, affect short time estimates and whether these estimates vary based on the overall reported sensory sensitivity and cortical excitability of individuals. Two experiments in virtual reality testing our assumptions at different levels of complexity of timed stimuli provided initial insight into the studied processes in highly controlled and realistic conditions. Data analysis results did not support our hypotheses, but showed that subjectively most visually uncomfortable simple patterns, i.e., achromatic gratings, cause more variable temporal judgments. Supposedly, this inaccuracy depends on the currently perceived visual comfort and thus the current visual system sensitivity, which cannot be satisfactorily derived from trait-based measures. The exploration of the effect of complex stimuli, i.e., virtual exteriors, suggested that their visual comfort does not affect time perception at all. Biological sex was an important variable across experiments, as males experienced temporal compression of stimuli compared to females. Neuroimaging research is needed for a deeper investigation of the origin of these results.Protocol registration: The Stage 1 manuscript associated with this Registered Report was in-principle accepted on 4 March 2024 prior to data collection for hypothesis testing. The accepted version of the manuscript can be found in the publicly available OSF repository at https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/K3YZE .

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Brain physiology   diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Photic Stimulation methods   MeSH
• Virtual Reality MeSH
• Time Perception * physiology   MeSH
• Visual Perception * physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), emotional and social loneliness and social isolation. Data were collected from September 2022 to May 2023 on a sample of 3247 participants aged 18 to 80 (mean age = 31.9 years ± 13.2; 66.2% female). We measured SPS using the Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire (SPSQ), loneliness using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), and social isolation, Neuroticism and Extraversion with the Big Five Inventory. Data analysis was performed using linear regression, binary logistic regression, the t-test, the Chi-square test and ANOVA. In our study, lower SPS was observed especially among men, pensioners and graduates of secondary vocational schools. SPS was associated with emotional loneliness (t = 4.276; b = 0.074; adjusted R2 = 0.181; p < 0.001), but no significant relationship was found between SPS and social loneliness. SPS is associated with higher emotional but not social loneliness or social isolation. Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) appear to have a higher need for intimacy and understanding in close relationships, which is essential to know for them, their friends, families and therapists.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Emotions * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Neuroticism MeSH
• Loneliness * psychology   MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Social Isolation * psychology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

BACKGROUND: There is a growing importance of loneliness measurement through valid and reliable instruments. However, to establish valid and reliable measures, there is a need to explore their psychometric properties in different research settings and language environments. For this reason, this study aimed to validate the Three Item Loneliness Scale (TILS) in the Czech Republic within a Slavonic language environment. METHODS: A sample of Czech adults (n = 3236) was used consisting primarily of university students. We utilized Classical Test Theory to assess TILS internal consistency, temporal stability, and factor structure. Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to estimate Differential Item Functioning (DIF), the discrimination and difficulty of the TILS items and to estimate the measurement precision of the whole scale. Construct validity was explored through the Spearman correlation coefficient using personality traits, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: The results showed satisfactory reliability and validity of the TILS in the Czech Republic. The scale's internal consistency and temporal stability were found to be satisfactory (Cronbach's α = 0.81, McDonald's ω = 0.82, ICC = 0.71). The parallel analysis supported the unidimensionality of the TILS. The IRT results indicated that the highest measurement precision was reached in individuals with lower and above-average levels of loneliness. Significant correlations between the TILS scores, anxiety, depression, and personality traits supported the construct validity of the scale. Although the DIF analysis identified statistically significant differences in responses to items TILS_2 and TILS_3 based on education level and employment status (with no significant differences observed for TILS_1), the effect sizes of these differences were small. This indicates that, despite statistical significance, the practical impact on the scale's validity across these groups is minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The validated TILS provides a reliable and valid tool for assessing loneliness in the Czech Republic. Its brevity makes it a practical option for researchers and clinicians seeking to measure loneliness time-efficiently. Future studies should explore how adding new items could increase the measurement precision of the TILS.

• MeSH
• Depression psychology   diagnosis   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Loneliness * psychology   MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires standards   MeSH
• Psychometrics * MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Anxiety psychology   diagnosis   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Altered subjective visual sensitivity manifests as feelings of discomfort or overload elicited by intense and irritative visual stimuli. This can result in a host of visual aberrations including visual distortions, elementary visual hallucinations and visceral responses like dizziness and nausea, collectively referred to as "pattern glare." Current knowledge of the underlying neural mechanisms has focused on overall excitability of the visual cortex, but the individual contribution of excitatory and inhibitory systems has not yet been quantified. METHODS: In this study, we focus on the role of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as potential mediators of individual differences in subjective visual sensitivity, measured by a computerized Pattern Glare Test-a series of monochromatic square-wave gratings with three different spatial frequencies, while controlling for psychological variables related to sensory sensitivity with multiple questionnaires. Resting neurotransmitter concentrations in primary visual cortex (V1) and right anterior insula were studied in 160 healthy participants using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: Data showed significant differences in the perception of visual distortions (VD) and comfort scores between men and women, with women generally reporting more VD, and therefore the modulatory effect of sex was considered in a further examination. A general linear model analysis showed a negative effect of occipital glutamate on a number of reported visual distortions, but also a significant role of several background psychological traits. When assessing comfort scores in women, an important intervening variable was the menstrual cycle. DISCUSSION: Our findings do not support that baseline neurotransmitter levels have a significant role in overreactivity to aversive stimuli in neurotypical population. However, we demonstrated that biological sex can have a significant impact on subjective responses. Based on this additional finding, we suggest that future studies investigate aversive visual stimuli while examining the role of biological sex.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between Hungarian nursing students' career choices and nursing professionalism in the context of sex and gender roles. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The study, conducted between March 2023 and June 2023, employed a combination of a self-developed questionnaire and validated measurement instruments (Bem Sex Role Inventory 12 - BSRI-12; Nurse Professional Competence Scale - NPC Scale; 10-item Gender Role Beliefs Scale - GRBS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. The sample consisted of 252 BSc nursing students in Hungary (53 males, 199 females). Results: It was found that most students surveyed exhibited feminine traits (n = 84) and adhered to traditional gender roles (n = 132). Statistical analysis demonstrated significant associations between nursing students' gender roles (p = 0.004), adherence to traditional gender roles (p < 0.000), and levels of nursing professionalism. Notably, an androgynous gender role correlated with heightened nursing professionalism (p < 0.001). Additionally, career choice motivations were influenced by sex, gender role, and individual perceptions of gender roles. Conclusion: A diversity of gender roles which influence individuals' future careers in nursing was identified. Different motivating factors play a role in male and female nursing students' career choices, knowledge of which would be useful in student recruitment in order to reduce nursing staff shortages.

• MeSH
• Gender Role * psychology   MeSH
• Motivation MeSH
• Professional Competence MeSH
• Professionalism MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Stereotyping MeSH
• Students, Nursing * psychology   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Career Choice MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Celosvětově se vyskytující zoonotická onemocnění jako brucelóza zvyšují mortalitu na onemocnění srdce i výskyt maligních arytmií. Variabilita srdeční frekvence (heart rate variability, HRV) se měří neinvazivně se spolehlivým výsledkem. Nižší hodnoty HRV ukazují na autonomní dysfunkci. K detekci komorových arytmií se používají poměry intervalu Tp-e/QT (QT) a korigovaného QT (QTc). Cíl: U pacientů s brucelózou jsme zkoumali vztah mezi autonomní dysfunkcí a repolarizací komor (ventricular repolarization, VR). Hodnocení se provádělo neinvazivně měřením parametrů HRV a VR. Metody: Do studie bylo zařazeno 100 pacientů s brucelózou; jejich průměrný věk byl 39,2 ± 1,1 roku. Kontrolní skupinu srovnatelného věku a poměru obou pohlaví tvořilo 100 zdravých dobrovolníků průměrného věku 44,3 roku. Vypočítávali a zaznamenávali jsme hodnoty Tp-e, QT a QTc i poměr Tp-e/QTc stejně jako hodnoty HRV. Výsledky: Pacienti s brucelózou měli značně vyšší hodnoty QTmax , QTcmax , QTmin a QTcmin než kontroly. Poměry rozptylu hodnot Tp-e, cTp-e, Tp-e/QTc a Tp-e byly statisticky významně vyšší u pacientů s brucelózou než u kontrolních jedinců (80,2 ± 4,4 a 73,8 ± 5,4; p < 0,001, resp. 87,5 ± 6,2 a 82,6 ± 7,8; p = 0,001, 0,20 ± 0,01 a 0,21 ± 0,01; p = 0,004 a 29,4 ± 11,9 a 21,7 ± 10,2). U pacientů s brucelózou byly nalezeny vyšší poměry LF/ HF během dne a během noci (p < 0,001). Poměry LF/HF během dne a během noci příznivě korelovaly s hodnotami Tpe_cQT (r = 0,700; p < 0,001, resp. r = 0,746; p < 0,001). Závěry: Při elektrokardiografickém vyšetření měli pacienti s brucelózou delší intervaly Tp-e a vyšší poměry QT i QTc. U pacientů s brucelózou byly zjištěny jisté známky zvýšené HRV včetně poměru LF/HF. Byla prokázána příznivá korelace hodnot LF/HF a Tp-e/QTc. Brucelóza může působit subklinické postižení srdce a autonomní dysfunkci. Tito pacienti vyžadují důslednější screening komorových arytmií.

Background: Global zoonotic diseases like brucellosis increase cardiac mortality and malignant arrhythmias. Heart rate variability (HRV) measures heart rate non-invasively and reliably. Lower HRV suggests autonomic dysfunction. The Tp-e/QT interval (QT) and corrected QT (QTc) ratios are used to detect ventricular arrhyth- mogenesis. Objective: In brucellosis, we examined the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and ventricular repolarization (VR). This was done noninvasively by assessing HRV and VR parameters. Methods: One hundred patients with brucellosis had a mean age of 39.2±1.1 years. One hundred healthy volunteers with a mean age of 44.3 years made up the control group, which was age and sex matched. We calculated and recorded Tp-e, QT, QTc, and Tp-e/QTc, as well as HRV values. Results: Brucellosis patients had considerably greater QTmax, QTcmax, QTmin, and QTcmin than controls. Tp-e, cTp-e, Tp-e/QTc, and Tp-e dispersion ratios were significantly greater in brucellosis patients compared to the control group (80.2±4.4 and 73.8±5.4, p <0.001; 87.5±6.2 and 82.6±7.8, p = 0.001; 0.20±0.01 and 0.21±0.01, p = 0.004; 29.4±11.9 and 21.7±10.2. Patients with brucellosis had greater LF/HF ratios during daylight and overnight (p <0.001). Daytime and nighttime LF/HF ratios were favourably linked with Tpe_cQT (r = 0.700, p <0.001, and r = 0.746, p <0.001, respectively). Conclusions: On electrocardiography, brucellosis patients had longer Tp-e intervals, QT ratios, and QTc ratios. Brucellosis patients had increased HRV traits, including the LF/HF ratio. LF/HF and Tp-e/QTc correlated favourably. Brucellosis may cause subclinical cardiac engagement and autonomic dysfunction. These pa- tients need more ventricular arrhythmia screening.

• MeSH
• Brucellosis * complications   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electrocardiography methods   MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases etiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Autonomic Nervous System Diseases * etiology   complications   MeSH
• Arrhythmias, Cardiac etiology   complications   MeSH
• Heart Rate * MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH

BACKGROUND: Stress and negative mood in pregnancy have been linked to less favorable birth outcomes, but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain largely unknown. We examined associations between emotions in pregnancy, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, MCP-1, MIP-1β, TNF-α) and birth outcomes (gestational age at birth and birth weight) in a low-risk sample. METHODS: At each trimester of pregnancy, participants (N = 74) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Perceived Stress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. They provided blood samples in the third trimester. Multivariate regression with a reduction of dimensionality (orthogonal projection to latent structures) was used to assess associations between maternal emotions, cytokine levels, and birth outcomes. RESULTS: We found significant positive associations between negative mood (depressive symptoms in the second and third trimesters and negative affect in the third trimester) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels, and negative associations between maternal distress in the second and third trimesters and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios (IFN-γ/IL-10, TNF-α/IL-10 and IL-6/IL-10). Higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17, and TNF-α were associated with younger gestational age at birth and lower birth weight. LIMITATIONS: We did not control for relevant factors such as social support, health-related behaviors, or cortisol levels. CONCLUSIONS: Negative mood in mid- and late pregnancy may shift cytokine balance toward the anti-inflammatory cytokine dominance. Our results provide further evidence for the negative association between pro-inflammatory cytokines in late pregnancy and gestational age at birth/birth weight, which we observed even in a low-risk population.

• MeSH
• Affect physiology   MeSH
• Cytokines * blood   MeSH
• Depression blood   psychology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Gestational Age MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Longitudinal Studies MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Birth Weight MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Stress, Psychological blood   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Pregnancy Trimester, Third blood   MeSH
• Pregnancy Outcome * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Objectives. The Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS) is a brief self-report transdiagnostic measure designed to assess the severity and functional impairment associated with depression. Its broader focus makes the measure useful for screening as well as routine outcome monitoring and assessment of the overall impact of treatment. The measure is widely used and well applicable in both clinical settings and research context. This study was designed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Czech version of ODSIS. Statistical analysis. Ordinal Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to explore dimensionality. We also examined the ODSIS items using Item Response Theory (IRT). Moreover, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity were tested. Finally, the cut-off scores for the Reliable Change Index (RCI) and the Clinically Significant Change Index (CSI) were calculated. Sample and setting. The present study assessed selected psychometric properties of the Czech version of the ODSIS in three separate samples: a large general representative sample (n=1738), a clinical sample (outpatients and inpatients; n=58) and a separate online retest sample (n=30). In addition to the ODSIS, participants were asked to respond to conventional measures of depression, anxiety, personality traits, self-esteem, life satisfaction and other scales to determine convergent and divergent validity. Results. Higher depression was observed in females, in widows and widowers, retirees and students. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an excellent fit of the modified unidimensional model with correlated errors between items 1 and 2: x2(4) = 8.33; p<0.080; CFI = 1.000; TLI = 1.000; RMSEA = 0.025, SRMR = 0.008. The ODSIS score was positively associated with guilt and shame, neuroticism, anxiety, perceived stress and an established measuring tool for depression. The ODSIS yielded an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.94, McDonald’s omega=0.96), and the temporal stability of the ODSIS score was satisfactory (r=0.65). The ODSIS items had a high discrimination ability and their measurement precision was highest in individuals with a high degree of depression. Differential item functioning revealed that the ODSIS items assess depression in the same way between males and females. Study limitation. The main limitation is the small clinical sample size, the use of self-report questionnaires for validity testing and lower test-retest reliability. Downloads PDF Published 2024-04-30 How to Cite Mikoška, P., Novák, L., Bok, T. ., Ladmanová, M. ., Fülep, M. ., Kořínek, R., & Pilárik, Ľubor. (2024). Validation of the Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS) in the Czech Republic. Československá Psychologie, 68(2), 135-155. https://doi.org/10.51561/cspsych.68.2.135 Issue Vol. 68 No. 2 (2024) Section Articles License Copyright (c) 2024 Lukáš Novák Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.