Relationship Between Spirituality and Distress in Ascetics

The relation between spirituality and health has been argued for decades. The study aimed to ascertain the extent and nature of the relationship between spirituality quantified in terms of Spiritual Intelligence (SI) and distress in ascetics. Sixty-three Hindu ascetics aged 31.3 ± 6.6 years were sampled from Patanjali Yogpeeth, India. Participants’ distress and spiritual levels were measured by using the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaires (CMHIQs) and Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory-24 (SISRI-24), respectively. Multiple regression analyses showed an insignificant negative relationship between SI and distress implying SI as a predictor of psychosomatic health.

Psychosocial functioning in adolescents growing up with chronic disease: The Dutch HBSC study

Many adolescents worldwide (indirectly) grow up with a chronic disease, which may impact their functioning and wellbeing. The objective of this study is to assess whether adolescents with a (family member with a) chronic disease differ from their healthy counterparts in terms of psychosocial functioning. Data from the Dutch 2013 HBSC-survey were used, including 7168 adolescents (Meanage = 13.7, SD = 1.57, 50.5% female). Participants indicated whether they or one of their family members had a long-term (> 3 months) disease or disability (mental/physical) and were categorized into four groups based on disease presence (none, other, self, both). Psychosocial functioning was assessed in terms of life satisfaction, self-rated health, psychosomatic health, mental health problems, support, substance use, physical exercise, screen time, and school liking. Chronically diseased adolescents (n = 162) reported lower life satisfaction, self-rated and psychosomatic health, more mental health problems, lower peer support, more substance use, and less physical exercise compared to healthy peers. Chronically diseased adolescents who also had a family member with a chronic disease (n = 74) showed comparable outcomes on these life domains, although they did not differ from their healthy peers regarding peer support, substance use, and physical activity. Healthy adolescents with a chronically diseased family member (n = 737) reported significantly lower life satisfaction, self-rated and psychosomatic health, more mental health problems, and less family support compared to healthy peers who grew up in healthy families; however, they reported more positive outcomes than adolescents who had a chronic disease themselves.Conclusion: Having a (family member with a) chronic disease is associated with impaired psychosocial functioning on various life domains. Our findings aid in understanding the psychosocial associates of chronic disease and imply that caregivers should be observant of psychosocial problems among vulnerable adolescents to provide appropriate guidance. What is Known:• Adolescents who grow up with a (family member with a) chronic disease encounter numerous challenges that may be related to poorer developmental outcomes on the long term. What is New:• This study adds a comprehensive overview of the psychosocial functioning of adolescents with a (family member with a) chronic disease, as compared to healthy counterparts that grow up in a healthy family.

Predictors of Psychosomatic Health during the first COVID-19 Outbreak in Greece. A Multiple Linear Regression Analysis in an Epidemiological Sample of 1,156 Individuals

Background: Between March 23 and May 4, 2020, the Greek government established an economic and social ‘lockdown’ to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It was hypothesized that the unsafe environment activated the stress response of the Greeks during that time, while existing literature supports the development of psychosomatic disorders. Aim: The research question is whether six biopsychosocial variables predict psychosomatic symptoms of the Greek general population during the ‘lockdown’. Methods & Materials: A convenient sample of 1,158 -of whom 2 were excluded from the final analysis- Greeks participated electronically during the ‘lockdown’. Pearson’s r and a linear-multiple regression analyses were chosen to test the hypothesis. The participants answered a series of demographic questions, while the rest variables were measured through the following self-reported psychometric tools: ‘psychosomatics’ [PSSQ-29], ‘acute stress’ [ASDS], ‘psychological resilience’ [NMRQ], and ‘satisfaction with life’ [SWLS]. Results: Between the significant predictors, the first to appear is ‘acute stress’ (β= .66, p< .001), while ‘psychological resilience’ (β= .21, p< .001), ‘satisfaction with life’ (β= .06, p= .001) and ‘age’ (β= .04, p= .025) follow hierarchically. Discussion: The findings are consistent to the background literature and previous relevant COVID-19 studies, with the exception of the findings regarding ‘gender’ -which was not found significant in the weightings-. Conclusion: The model predicts the criterion with a large effect. The study is overall confirmatory to previous COVID-19 research regarding domestic general population, while the need for European studies that would include positive components on psychosomatic health is highlighted. Key words: Psychosomatic Health; COVID-19; Greece; Acute Stress Disorder; Psychological Resilience

English Рsychological trends in psychosomatic health maintainng

Introduction. The problem of interrelations of psychological status of a personality and psychosomatic health is examined. Aim of the article is to substantiate psychological trends in the context of maintaining the psychosomatic health of the individual. It is shown that maintaining psychosomatic health is possible on condition of correspondence of physiological, personal and social norms of the psychological potential of a person, the basis of which is constant. The author analyzes potential risks in the development of somatic diseases according to the destruction of a person’s psychic. Conclusion. Features and methods of maintaining the psychosomatic health of the individual are shown. The restructuring of the motivational sphere is due to the dominance of such leading motives, which are focused mainly on maintaining and restoring health, are aimed at self-determination of resources of psychological stability of each participant, to change attitudes to the problem-conflict situation, to develop self-actualization and formation of appropriate semantic orientations.

Psychosomatic Health as a Factor of Human Social Adaptation in the Postmodern Society

The article is dedicated to the study of the correlation between psychological resilience and psychosomatic health of a personality. Theoretical analysis of approaches to the problem personality psychological resilience is realized. Psychological factors and the structure of personality psychological resilience are analysed. Based on the obtained research results, the complex method of formation of psychological stability is developed including emotional, motivation, and intellectual components. The complex of psychodiagnostic methods is provided and tested. It is proved that psychological resilience is provided with several physiological, social and personal factors. The results of the investigation reveal the higher adaptability of representatives of the control group and their rational approach to vital capacity than those of the experimental group who possess a pessimistic way of lifestyle. The existence of a correlation between the somatic health of a personality and the psycho-emotional factor is shown. It is established that the most expedient conditions of increasing psychological well-being and forming professional and personal stability through development of self-regulation system are forming an active life position, responsibility, skills of correction and abilities to organize own motivational sphere. The results of this study are directly relevant to the establishment of international cooperation in the study of programs and projects in the context of the transformation of the health care system following international partnership standards and the implementation of cultural exchange programs in education and culture between countries.

Psychosomatic Health Status of Pharmacy Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Few studies have been conducted on psychosomatic health status of pharmacy staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the incidence and influence factors of psychosomatic syndrome of pharmacy staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 10721 pharmacy staff received online investigation through a period of 22 days from February 24th to March 16th 2019. The investigation included the self-designed general situation questionnaire and Psychosomatic Symptoms Scale (PSSS), and 9118 participants provided valid questionnaire feedback. ANOVA was used to evaluate significant differences of psychosomatic syndromes in different subgroups. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine the main risk factors of psychosomatic syndrome.Results: During the outbreak of COVID-19, the total incidence of psychosomatic syndrome was 21.7% in the pharmacy staff. The most common psychosomatic symptoms were sleep problems (dyscoimesis) and mood problems (irritability). Age was the most important risk factor of the observed psychosomatic syndromes and somatic symptoms, and education was identified affecting mostly psychological symptoms.Conclusion: During the period of COVID-19, the psychosomatic problems of pharmacy staff were prominent. Age and educational background should be taken into account of potential intervention strategy. The relief of mood and sleep will aid the treatment effort.