The social climate of a unit is an important feature in treatment outcomes (Moos 1974). The Essen Climate Evaluation Schema (EssenCES; Schalast et al 2008) has been developed specifically for forensic settings but research in secure settings for women has been limited.

To compare staff and patient perception of social climate and it's relationship to therapeutic alliance, motivation to change and level of disturbance across levels of security within a women's secure care pathway.

To assess the implications for therapeutic milieu and service development.

Questionnaire survey of staff and patients in 2 medium and 2 low secure units using; EssenCES (Shalast et al 2008); California Psychotherapy Alliance Scale (Mormar et al 1986); and Patient Motivation Inventory (PMI; Gudjonsson et al 2007).

Comparisons are made across levels of security, treatment programme, therapeutic alliance, patient motivation and disturbed behaviour.

Social climate varied between levels of security and was also found to co vary with perceived therapeutic alliance and patient motivation to change. Differences between staff and patient ratings along with treatment implications are discussed.

Measuring the social climate in a secure women's service is an important part of a wider assessment of the therapeutic milieu that has practical implications for the ongoing development of therapy services.

Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder during pregnancy and it is associated with psychosocial and clinical obstetric factors. Despite being an important Public Health issue, there are few studies about this subject in Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for depression during pregnancy.

A Cross-sectional study of 331 pregnant women attending a public primary health service over a one-year period in Rio de Janeiro. Participants were interviewed about their socio-demographic status, obstetric/medical conditions, life events and violence during pregnancy. Depression was assessed through the Composite International Development Interview.

The 12-month prevalence of depression was 14.2% (CI 95% 10.7 - 18.5) and associated factors were: previous history of depression and any psychiatric treatment, unplanned pregnancy, serious physical illness and casual jobs.

These data emphasize the need for screening for depression and its risk factors during pregnancy in settings where care is available. Psychosocial interventions and social policies need to be implemented in this population

Types of mental attitude towards disease (TMAtD) of women after mastectomy.

Cases of 104 women after mastectomy for reason of breast cancer were studied, whereof 72 - after the radical cure (primary group) and 32 - after the partial cure (control group).

PQBRI (personality questionnaire of Bekhterev Research Institute) was used for typing mental attitude towards disease.

Ergopathic TMAtD was revealed with 16,7±3,7% of women from primary group and with 25±4,3% from control group; euphoric TMAtD - with 9,7±3,0% of primary group and 28,1±4,5% of control group; obsessive-phobic TMAtD - with 13,9±3,5% of primary group; vexatious TMAtD - with 20,8±4,1% of primary group and 9,4±2,9% of control group; anosognostic TMAtD - with 11,11±3,1% of primary group and 21,9±4,1% - of control group; neurasthenic TMAtD - with 6,9±2,5% of primary group; “paranoiac” TMAtD - with 11,11±3,1% of primary group; hypochondriacal TMAtD - 9,7±3,0% of primary group and 9,4±2,9% of control group; egocentric TMAtD - 6,3±2,4% of control group.

Among the patients of the primary group vexatious and hypochondriacally TMAtD have prevailed along with obsessive-phobic, paranoiac and neurasthenic TMAtD which occurred, and in the control group - euphoric, ergopathic and anosognostic type (p ≤ 0,05) occurred.

Disadapative TMAtD were observed among all women after mastectomy. Less disadaptative TMAtD were observed among the patients after partial mastectomy. Women after the radical surgery were diagnosed maximum pathological TMAtD. This should be considered at the elaboration of psycho-corrective measures for the given category of patients.

The study was conducted on the basis of the Department of Palliative Medicine of the Kiev City Oncology Hospital from August 2008 to September 2009.The aim of the study was to identify the psychoemotional condition of women in the terminal stage of cancer and identify key factors that will influence the effectiveness of coping with the stressful situation.

Assessment tools: surveillance, clinical and diagnostic interview, objective psychometric scales and test methods to identify the studied trait. The data were subjected to quantitative analysis with subsequent qualitative interpretation and meaningful generalization.

It was examined 193 women with cancer diagnosed in the terminal stage of disease. For all patients were characterized by an aesthetic syndrome combined with depressed (34%), anxiety (47%), less hypochondriac (11%) manifestations of depending on personality traits and physical condition. We have identified the following factors that affect the effectiveness of coping with stress, the introduced disease: the ability to control the physical symptoms, especially pain, individual-typological personality characteristics of patients, on the presence of emotional supported by the family.

Coping behaviour was better in families of women, which practiced open communication about the illness, maintains the atmosphere of openness, the patient was actively involved in issues concerning the tactics of treatment, symptoms to monitor. Thus, family psychological counselling must be included in the program to help women with cancer in terminal stages of disease.

The of this study was to investigate the determinants of sexuality in a sample of 105 Serbian urban women aged 40-50.

The sample consisted of 3 groups: menopausal women without therapy; menopausal receiving hormone replacement therapy and non-menopausal women. Measures included Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women and Earlier Sexual Functioning Questionnaire. Desire, arousal, activity and satisfaction were compared among groups using χ2 and C coefficient. Variables of special interest in the whole sample were correlated among each other.

No significant difference between groups was found in basic parameters of sexuality. Communication with partner was the most important factor correlated with basic parameters of sexuality in the total sample. Satisfaction with body image was in significant correlation with sexual desire, while earlier sexual functioning, desire and satisfaction were in negative correlation.

Results of pilot study suggest that determinants of sexuality in this sample of Serbian middle-aged urban women are psychosocial rather than hormonal. This may be important for clinical practice as well as further studies on female sexual dysfunction.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common problem in women that can adversely affect their quality of life.

In this survey the quality of life of the patients has been treated by hysterectomy and whom have received hormone therapy have been studied.

This is a descriptive and comparative clinical study in which 54 women have been treated due to AUB by hysterectomy and 54 women received hormone therapy because of the same reason completed the WHO questionnaire for life quality. Data then analyzed by independent t test, ANCOVA and Mann-Wittnei using SPSS software.

With regard to the total score of the questionnaire, there was no difference between two groups (61.77±9.30 for hysterectomy group vs. 65.36±7.32 for hormone group, P=0.34).On the other hand, considering the mental dimension score of the questionnaire, a significant difference was observed between groups (50.72±16.81 for hysterectomy group vs. 80.09±10.37 for hormone group, P=0.001)

This study demonstrates that at least mental aspects of quality of life are significantly better in the AUB patients treated by hormone therapy, comparing to those treated by hysterectomy. Education and counseling of the patients and their families may improve life quality in more cases.

Literature underlines that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was the most common measure to assess pregnancy and postpartum depression worldwide and suggests that the rate of false positive cases is high. Furthermore, the EPDS measures, but not distinguish between depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to value the ability of the Mood Spectrum Self Report Last Month (MOOD SR LM) to detect the rate of false positive obtained with EPDS

We recruited 81 pregnant women at the third month of pregnancy. 32 women were affected by Major Depression (MD) assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Diagnosis and 49 women had EPDS score ≥ 13 but didn’t reach the diagnosis of MD by SCID I(False posivite group). Women were administered with the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R), MOOD SR-LM, Work and Social Adjustment Scale(WSAS) at the third month of pregnancy.

The two groups wasn't different concerning the average scores using PDPI and EPDS. The WSAS average scores were higher in the depressed women group than in the false positive group. Tree factors of MOOD SR LR (“Depressive Mood”, “Psychomotor Retardation and “Drug/Illness related Depression”) had higher average scores in the depressed women group than in the false positive group.

To our results, MOOD SR LM seem to be able to decrease the false positive cases. Further studies concerning this use of MOOD SR LM are necessary.

Preliminary studies providing evidence of the neuroprotective effect of SSRIs in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by improving the metabolic function of axons. The aim of this, open label, randomized, controlled, one year follow-up prospective study was to investigate the effect of escitalopram in the prevention of relapses in women with MS.

Forty eight ambulating women with relapsing-remitting MS were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg of escitalopram per day (e-group, N=24) or to continued the study without medication as a control group (c-group, N=24). Neurological examination was performed, by the same neurologist, at baseline and at every regular (4 weeks) and additional visit after a suspect exacerbation.

During the study period 55 exacerbations occurred in 33/48 (68.7%) of the patients, and these were confirmed by the study neurologist. E- group patients’ present a mean of 0.8 (SD=0.8) and c-group patients’ a mean of 1.4 (SD=1.0) exacerbations per year. Patients treated with escitalopram present a statistically significant reduction in the mean number of MS relapses respect to the previous year (paired t-test, df=23, t=4.9, p< .001). There was no significant difference between the mean number of MS relapses during the year of the study and the previous year in c-group (paired t-test, df=23, t=-0.68, NS). The cumulative risk for relapse was 2.9 times higher for the controls than for escitalopram-treated patients (95% CI= 1.7- 5.1, p< .001).

This study provides evidence that escitalopram tends to decrease MS disease activity in women with MS.

To reveal presence of psychological problems which influence quality of a life in women.

210 persons of the female which age has made I8-50 years Have been surveyed. From them working 169 people (80,4%), idle - 41 people (19,5%).

Clinical questionnaire for revealing of neurotic conditions, method of colour elections Lusher; statistical method of research.

Mmore often others such complaints, as dream infringement, the irritability, the raised uneasiness, sensitivity, feeling of injustice are marked. Disputed interpersonal situations became most often psychoinjuring factor for clients, situations of humiliated own advantage, experience of cruel treatment comes from the childhood.

By the received results at 172 women (82%) various variants desadaptation have been revealed: clinically significant depression - 75% (129 people), the raised level of alarm - 56,3% (97 people), hysterical frustration - 20,3% (35 people), astenic - 58,7% (101 people), vegetative infringements - 89% (151 people), obsessiv-fobic frustration - 26,7% (46 people). On method of colour elections high level of uneasiness and an emotional pressure is diagnosed for 116 women (67,4%), working capacity decrease in 100% of cases (172 women). The others 38 clients (18%) - is marked norm (p≤0,01).

We have come to conclusion about necessity of creation of the psychocorrectional program and the psychopreventive help which will consist in increase stress stability, frustration tolerances, responsibility for the health, development sanogenic thinking, -relaksation and the corporally-focused programs which will be given as a method trening exessize, and individual consultations for the female population.

Use of electro convulsive therapy (ECT) in pregnancy has been a controversial issue for a while, and the data describing cases where ECT was utilized, is limited.

The study describes two cases with reference to presenting psychopathology, course of treatment, and previous strategies used. This is followed by a discussion of risks and benefits of ECT use in pregnancy as well as monitoring measures which help prevent negative outcome.

Two cases of treatment resistant depression during pregnancy are described. The details about treatment approaches used prior to consideration of ECT are provided.

ECT was considered as a last resort and both patients decided to undergo treatment. By the end of the intensive treatment course improvement of symptoms was noticed in both patients to a greater to lesser degree.

In cases when medication trials alone or even in combination with psychotherapy do not result in significant improvement of depressive symptoms, ECT may be used to maximize positive treatment result in pregnant population. It is an effective treatment for severe mental illness, however, proper monitoring system needs to be in place to minimize negative outcome for fetus and mother.

There are 80.000 patients undergoing replacement opiate programs in Spain, mainly methadone. Gender differences and the ratio of dual diagnosis in this population are unknown.

To describe gender differences in the current therapeutic management of opiate-dependent patients undergoing a replacement therapy program in Spain.

624 patients from 74 centers in Spain were included between September 2008 and February 2009 in an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study. Patients were ≥ 18 years, had a diagnosis of opiate dependence according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, were currently scheduled in a replacement therapy program in Spain and were given written informed consent.

Only 16% of patients were female. Methadone average doses were significantly higher in man (57,59mg ± (SD 46,77) vs 52,81mg ± (SD 50,81) (p< 0.05)). Most women were caretaken by their partner (56.8% vs 34,2%) and man by their parents (61,6% vs 37,8) p< 0,05.Women were found to have significantly more sexual disorders than men (6% versus 2%; p=0.0316); but less delirium, dementia, amnesic and other cognitive disorders (none versus 6%; p=0.0486); schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (3% versus 13%; p=0.0226); and adaptive disorders (2% versus 9%; 0.0427). No significant differences were found between sexes for other psychiatric comorbidities.

The ratio between men and women was close to 5/1, being bigger than that in the general opiate dependent Spanish population. Dual diagnosis rates vary by gender, but not in the number of diagnosis in Axis I or II. Gender differences must be considered when planning dependence services as women.

Much of the research concerning psycho-social stress and mental health within the South Asian community in Britain has centred around new communities settling in England and the associated issues of accommodation, assimilation and integration into the dominant British society. There is a paucity of empirical research concerning the outcomes of psycho-social stress and mental health of British South Asian women in England.

To explore the manifestations of psycho-social stress and mental health in the lives of British South Asian women.

A qualitative research design was employed. A total of 34 British South Asian young women, aged 16-29 years, in formal education and living in the North-West of England, were interviewed. Purposive sampling ensured the demographic characteristics of the sample were broadly representative of young British South Asian women living in the North West. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were undertaken and analysed using a process of thematic analysis.

The emerging themes suggest that the outcomes of psycho-social stress in young British South Asian women manifest themselves in three folds: in psychological and physical ways and through negative behavioural practices. Depression and self-harm were the most occurring themes in the sample.

These findings have some fundamental implications for the practice and provision of counselling and support groups for British South Asian young women to help them to manage the psycho-social stress in their lives and improve their mental health. Positive action is required for the development of culturally appropriate services to encourage this group to seek help.

Contraceptive pregnancy methods can cause physical and mental disorders. This study was done to show the mental outcomes of tubal sterilized contraceptive methods (both of tubectomy and vasectomy's husbands) on Semnanian women.

In this study 69 married women with tubectomy or vasectomy husbands’ have been surveyed at three stages: before, six months and a year after that. Subjects have been interviewed by Scle-90-R.

The most common mental disorders that should be cured:

depression (5.8%), psychosis (2.7%), and paranoid thoughts, phobia, somatic complaints and aggression (each of them 1.4%);

depression (8.8%), paranoid thoughts, and phobia (each of them 1.7%); and

depression (5.3%), psychosis (1.8%), interpersonal sensitivity (1.7%), and aggression (1.4%). the most common disorders that need some consultation: first stage: paranoid thoughts and phobia (each of them 28.4%), somatic complaints (28.2%), interpersonal sensitivity (23%), obsession (20.8%), depression (20.3%), anxiety (19.7%), aggression (18.9%), psychosis (4.1%); second stage: somatic complaints (42.1%), obsession (25.5%), aggression (24.1%), anxiety (22.4%), interpersonal sensitivity (19%), paranoid thoughts and phobia (each of them 17.2%), depression (12.3%) and psychosis (11.9%); and final stage: paranoid thoughts and phobia (each of them 30%), somatic complains (28.1%), obsession (25.9%), depression and anxiety (each of them 21.1%), interpersonal sensitivity (15.3%) and psychosis (7%).

Although mental disorders tubal sterilized contraceptive methods users has not changed more, the high prevalence of them that need consultation confirms the need and necessity to form psychiatric and psychological sections for women at the health centers.

To study whether there are personality characteristics that discriminate between IPV women and non-abused control women, taking into account the effect of emotional state (depressive symptoms).

A total of 176 women victim of IPV and 193 non-abused control women were assessed with the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP-BQ; Livesley, 1990), the Beck Depression Inventory -II (BDI-II; Beck, 1996), and the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA; Hudson & McIntosh, 1981). Women victim of IPV were recruited from Domestic Violence Centers, and non-abused control women were recruited from Primary Care Centers and Mental Health Services. A two way analysis of variance (IPV * Depression) were used for detecting differences in personality traits taking into account the effect of depression (BDI ≥ 17).

After controlling for depression, IPV victims scored higher than control women in submissiveness (F=6.41; p=0.01), cognitive distortion (F=4.35; p=0.04), intimacy problems (F=27.02; p< 0.001), suspiciousness (F=5.02; p=0.03) and self-harm (F=4.93; p=0.03), and lower in rejection (F=14.66; p< 0.001).

IPV victims showed high submission, low hostility, intimacy problems, suspiciousness, tendency to depersonalization or derealization, and suicidal ideation and attempts, as a result of chronic abuse. Some of these aspects could be explained by the presence of PTSD, more than by pre-existing personality characteristics. Traumatic and chronic stress can alter functional aspects of the brain and lead to the development of dysfunctional cognitive and behavioral characteristics that may be considered in the psychotherapeutic approach.