It has been suggested that mixing alcohol with energy drinks (AMED) and other caffeinated beverages may alter the awareness of intoxication. The proposed reduction in subjective intoxication, also called “the masking effect”, may have serious consequences by increasing the likelihood of engaging in potentially dangerous activities such as driving while intoxicated.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine if mixing alcohol with caffeinated beverages alters subjective intoxication.

A literature search was conducted (August 21st, 2012) to collect all studies measuring subjective intoxication after administration of AMED, or other caffeinated alcoholic drinks compared to alcohol only. To this extent, PubMed and Embase were searched using the key words “alcohol”, “caffeine”, “energy drinks” and “intoxication”. The studies were critically reviewed and, where possible, included in a meta-analysis in order to determine whether masking exists after mixing alcohol with caffeinated beverages.

Twelve studies were identified of which 8 could be used for the meta-analysis. When including higher caffeine doses (4 mg/kg) the meta-analysis revealed no significant masking effect (p= 0.477). Similarly, when including lower caffeine doses (2 mg/kg) no significant masking effect was found (p=0 .434). Despite the large range of caffeine content (46 - 383 mg) and alcohol levels (0.03% - 0.12% BAC) investigated, caffeine had no effect on the correct judgment of subjective intoxication.

Mixing alcohol with energy drink or other caffeinated beverages does not alter subjective intoxication.

We previously demonstrated that the difference between 23.00h and 08.00h TSH response to TRH tests on the same day (ΔΔTSH test) is reduced in about 75% of drug-free depressed inpatients. This study sought to determine whether this chronobiological index, at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment, could predict antidepressant response.

The ΔΔTSH test was performed in 50 drug-free DSM-IV euthyroid major depressed inpatients and 50 hospitalized controls. After 2 weeks of antidepressant treatment the ΔΔTSH test was repeated in all inpatients. Antidepressant response was evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment.

At baseline, ΔΔTSH values were significantly lower in patients compared to controls (p< 0.000001): 38 patients showed reduced values (i.e. ΔΔTSH ≤ 2.5 mIU/L; sensitivity, 76%; specificity, 98%). After two weeks of treatment, 20 patients showed ΔΔTSH normalization (among them 18 were subsequent remitters), while 18 patients did not normalize their ΔΔTSH (among them 15 were non remitters) (p < 0.00001). Among the 12 patients who had normal ΔΔTSH values at baseline, 8 out 9 who had still normal values after 2 weeks of treatment were remitters, while the 3 with worsening thyroid axis function (i.e. reduced ΔΔTSH value after 2 weeks of treatment) were non-remitters (p< 0.02).

Our results suggest that after 2 weeks of antidepressant treatment: 1) an abnormal ΔΔTSH test could predict non-remission, and 2) ΔΔTSH normalization is associated with subsequent remission. Thus, chronobiological restoration of the thyroid axis activity precedes clinical improvement and may predict the therapeutic outcome in major depression.

The serotonergic system modulates brain functions that are considered to underlie affective states, emotion and cognition. Several lines of evidence point towards a strong lateralization of these mental processes, indicating similar asymmetries in associated neurotransmitter systems.

To investigate a potential brain asymmetry of the serotonin transporter (SERT) distribution using Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

As brain asymmetries differ between sexes, we aimed to compare serotonin transporter asymmetry between females, males and male-to-female transsexuals whose brains are considered to be partly feminized.

36 subjects aged 19-54 years (9 female controls, 13 male controls and 14 male-to-female transsexuals) were measured with PET and [11C]DASB. Whole-brain voxel-wise SERT binding potential (BPND) maps were computed using a tracer-specific symmetric template. Statistics comprised repeated measures ANOVA with group as the between subjects factor, voxel-wise SERT asymmetry as repeated factor and group*asymmetry as interaction term.

SERT binding in all groups showed both strong left and rightward asymmetries in several cortical and subcortical structures including temporal and frontal cortices, anterior cingulate, hippocampus, caudate and thalamus (p< 0.05 FDRcorrected). Further, male controls showed a rightward asymmetry in the midcingulate cortex (p>0.05 FDR-corrected) which was absent in females and male-to-female transsexuals.

Our data support the notion of a lateralized serotonergic system, which is in line with previous findings of asymmetric serotonin-1A receptor distributions, extracellular serotonin concentrations, serotonin turnover and uptake. The absence of serotonin transporter asymmetry in the midcingulate in male-to-female transsexuals may be attributed to an absence of brain masculinization in this region.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of premature death among people with psychotic disorders. However, little is known about treating suicide in delusional disorder.

To investigate effectiveness of PPLAI in delusional disorder (DD) patients.

To compare effectiveness of PPLAI vs,other atypical antipsychotics (OAA) in psychopathology and suicidality.

Prospective observational study including 45 DD outpatients (DSM-IV-RT) attended at the Department of Psychiatry (Hospital Clinic- BCN) from 2008 to 2012 and followed up for 6 months. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17 (HRSD-17), PANSS for psychopathology, Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. The sample was divided into four groups according to which treatment they received: oral risperidone, Risperidone Long Acting Injection (RLAI), OAA and PPLAI. For comparisons, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests were used.

Eighty-two per cent were women. Mean age (SD) at onset: 46.9(11.8) years. 6 patients received oral risperidone, 23 OAA, 7 RLAI and 9 were treated with PPLAI. No statistically significant differences were found regarding demographic features, motives leading for consultation, depressive comorbidity and antidepressant prescription. After 6 months, patients treated with PPLAI presented lower frequency of ideation (0% vs.11.1%;p=0.027) and suicidal behaviour (0% vs.2.2%;p=NS). The group receiving PPILD presented a significant increase in functionality (PSP) (p=0.046) and an improvement in PANSS negative subscale scores (p=0.017).

Patients receiving PPLAI showed a decrease in suicidality, an improvement in psychotic symptoms and functionality.

Drug abuse during pregnancy is a growing problem in all developed countries of the world. Maternal drug abuse affects the developing system and its long-term effects can persist till adulthood so it can decreases the rate of their maturation. Since endogenous opioid induced analgesia, and morphine can interact with it, Thus the present study was designed to determine whether the exposure to the morphine during gestation permanently alter pain response.

To determine the effects of prenatal morphine exposure on pain response.

12 Pregnant rats were divided to morphine and control groups. Morphine was administrated (S.C) to female rats twice a day (08 h and 20 h) on gestational days 11-18, (5 mg/kg morphine for 3 days and 10 mg/kg for 5 days). Analgesic response of pups (P90, n=6) were tested by formaline test.

The results of our experiment demonstrated that prenatal morphine exposure rats exhibited significantly lower pain thersholds.

Prenatal morphine exposure impair pain sensitivity.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment option mainly in severe depression. ECTs longterm effects on cognitive function are currently unknown, limiting its use. Transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS), is considered less effective than ECT in treatment of severe depression, but is without cognitive side effects. TMS is studied to a less degree than ECT.

There is a need of large scale studies of effect, side effects and patients’ subjective experience of ECT and TMS.

Generate data to better predict which patients will benefit from ECT and TMS by establishing a regional register including all patients referred to ECT and TMS as part of an ordinary clinical treatment practice in the western part of Norway.

All patients referred to ECT and TMS in Bergen and Stavanger will be asked to participate in the study. There are no exclusion criteria. Demographics and course of illness factors will be recorded before start of ECT. Severity of the depressive disorder and treatment effects will be evaluated with a mix of self evaluation and clinician administrated standardized rating instruments. There will be a follow up at 6 months. Date from the described register will be merged with other relevant central Norwegian health registers.

We expect the described regional register to offer an opportunity to determine predictors for effect, side effects and subjective satisfaction of the treatments.

This register is investigator initiated, with the aim to investigate which patient will benefit from ECT and TMS without serious side effects.

Women with a history of bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis are at extremely high risk of relapse postpartum. Although lithium prophylaxis has demonstrated efficacy in reducing postpartum relapse, the timing of prophylaxis remains controversial given the balance of risks and benefits for the mother and fetus. The authors compared lithium use during pregnancy compared to its initiation postpartum in women at high risk for postpartum psychosis.

Between 2003 and 2010, 70 pregnant women at high risk for postpartum psychosis were referred to the authors'psychiatric outpatient clinic. Women who were initially medication-free were advised to start lithium prophylaxis immediately postpartum. Women already taking maintenance lithium during pregnancy were advised to continue treatment.

All women with a history of psychosis limited to the postpartum period (n=29) remained stable throughout pregnancy despite being medication-free. Of the women with bipolar disorder (n=41) 24.4% relapsed during pregnancy, despite prophylaxis use by the majority throughout pregnancy. The postpartum relapse rate was highest in women with bipolar disorder who experienced mood episodes during pregnancy (60.0%). In contrast, none of the 20 women with postpartum psychosis using postpartum prophylaxis relapsed, compared to 44.4% of postpartum psychosis patients who declined prophylaxis.

The authors recommend initiating prophylactic treatment immediately postpartum in women with a history of psychosis limited to the postpartum period, to avoid in utero fetal exposure to prophylactic medication. Patients with bipolar disorder require continuous prophylaxis throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period to reduce peripartum relapse risk.

Relatively little is known on longitudinal effects of antipsychotic medication on brain morphometry in schizophrenia after the illness onset. There are inconsistent findings on medication effects on brain structures.

We will study the effect of antipsychotic medication on brain volumes in schizophrenia.

The aim of the current study was to systematically review previous literature on longitudinal MRI studies of antipsychotic effects on brain morphometric changes in schizophrenia and related psychoses.

Studies were systematically collected using four different databases. A study was included if subjects were scanned twice, the average scanning interval was at least two years and antipsychotic medication data was used to predict morphometric changes. The studies focused on several different brain areas; we categorized these into eleven larger areas.

In total 22 studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The main finding of our study was that most of the reported correlations were statistically non-significant. The significant associations between antipsychotic use and brain changes were reported from various areas. In the studies with significant findings, use of antipsychotics more often associated with decrease than increase of brain volumes, even in the very few studies taking into account illness severity.

Antipsychotic medication should be adjusted to lowest possible dose for reducing psychotic symptoms and prescribed with caution especially to people not suffering from psychosis. More studies in different kind of patient populations are needed to clarify the possible adverse effect antipsychotic medication may have on brain structure.

Attention bias (AB) is a biased information processing towards threat among competing stimuli occurred in early stage of sensory input. Substantial evidence indicates that AB is involved in the development and maintenance of anxiety and depressive disorders. However, little is known about the relationships between AB and individual differences of endocrine and neuropsychological functions.

Thirty healthy participants without major physical illness or axis I/II mental disorders as evaluated with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, were enrolled. Participants completed a dot-probe task, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Salivary cortisol levels were measured at three time points per day for consecutive 2 days: immediately and 30 min after awaking in the morning and before sleep at night. Correlation analyses were performed between AB and psychological measures, cortisol levels, and attention measures.

As predicted, AB significantly correlated with BDI-II and Harm avoidance sub-dimension of the TCI. Above all, when those variables that were significantly correlated with AB were included in a step-wise multivariate regression analysis, higher cortisol level at night remained the most influential predictor for AB.

Our results suggest that AB is significantly influenced not only by anxious personality traits and depressive symptoms but also by individual differences of attention function and stress hormonal levels. Particularly, AB modification approach might have a beneficial effect on anxiety in individuals who have high cortisol levels.

This audit is of particular interest to the Royal College of Psychiatrists ECT accreditations service and our local ECT department at the Warneford hospital.

ECT has the drawback of affecting memory to different extents. This audit looks at the effect of ECT on the cognitive function of the recipients.

A random sample of patients (who had received ECT in the last 2 years) was selected.

We looked at the following domains:

1. 1. Were the 3 forms returned to the ECT department.

2. 2. Was there any short or long term memory impairment.

3. 3. Problems with reading, speaking and concentration.

4. 4. Impairment of learned skills.

The majority of the respondents didn’t have major memory problems in remembering planned events, visits and appointments or in finding the right words when spoken.They didn’t believe that ECT worsened their long term memory.The majority advised that their overall memory is good.

The overall memory was retained in most respondents and it seems that ECT didn’t have a major impact on the long term memory, reading, speaking and learned skills.

Further research into more detailed cognitive functions and their changes after ECT will be conducted at a later stage next year.

Research indicates a higher risk of somatic problems and cardiovascular and respiratory mortality among patients with non-affective psychotic disorders (NAPD). Data on health care (HC) utilization of this group have revealed ambivalent results pointing at a higher appeal to somatic HC and possible under-consumption.

This study focuses on somatic HC utilization in the Netherlands among patients with NAPD, unipolar depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, compared to matched controls without psychiatric diagnosis.

To study possible under-consumption associated with NAPD and its correlates.

The HC utilization of 2,392 cases with NAPD registered in the Psychiatric Case Register Middle Netherlands (PCRMN) and above mentioned comparison groups was analyzed by using linked data on prescribed medication, general practitioner (GP) consults and treatment by specialists from insurance company Agis.

The costs for somatic HC among NAPD patients was on average €1621 per year, marginally higher compared to matched controls (€1441, p=0.079). Among patients with depression and anxiety, much greater differences with their matched controls were found (p< 0.05). The percentage of NAPD patients who received somatic treatment by a specialist was lower than that of controls (OR=0.89, P< 0.05), especially at higher age (>60) and longer duration since diagnosis (>5 years) (OR=0.60, P< 0.05). In particular, treatment by a specialist was lower for cardiovascular disorders (OR=0.61) and diabetes (OR=0.37, P< 0.05).

In view of the higher somatic death risk, our data suggest HC under-consumption, which is increasing with a longer illness duration and older age.

The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is used to measure novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), reward dependence RD), and persistence (P).

We will study temperament in individuals with psychosis and healthy controls.

We aim to study the stability of temperament in individuals with psychotic disorders (with onset of illness before and after first follow-up) and in healthy controls.

As part of the 31-year follow-up survey of the prospective population based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, the TCI was filled by a large sample of individuals. A subsample of psychotic individuals, with the onset of illness before (n=16) or after (n=15) the 31-year follow-up, and healthy controls (n=117) filled in these scales again at the age of 43. We studied also the association between psychotic symptoms and premorbid temperament.

The 31-year and 43-year temperament scores correlated strongly among controls (Pearson's r: NS 0.68, HA 0.60, RD 0.56, P 0.54), whereas correlations among psychotic individuals with the onset of psychosis before first follow-up were weaker (NS 0.38, HA 0.50, RD 0.17, P 0.53). High HA before the onset of illness (at age of 31 years) associated significantly with a lower likelihood of remission and with more negative, disorganization and total symptoms in the PANSS. High NS before illness associated with a higher likelihood of remission according to the PANSS.

Temperament was stable among controls, and more unstable in individuals with psychoses. Premorbid harm avoidance and novelty seeking predicts the clinical outcome in schizophrenia.

Type D (distressed) personality is defined as the co-occurrence of negative affect (NA) and social inhibition (SI).

Although many studies have analyzed the association of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and personality traits, the effect of Type D personality on sleep quality of patients with IBS has not been evaluated.

We aimed to assess the prevalence of Type D personality in patients with and to investigate whether the presence of a Type D personality would affect subjective sleep quality in patients with IBS.

Ninety-seven patients who met the Rome III criteria for IBS with no psychiatric comorbidity were consecutively enrolled, along with 39 healthy controls. Type D Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used in the collection of data.

Of 97 patients evaluated, 45.4% met criteria for Type D personality. Thirty-five patients (36.1%) and 7 healthy volunteers (17.9%) were “poor” sleepers (p< 0.05). IBS patients with a Type D personality were found to score higher on sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and global sleep quality domains of PSQI than patients without a Type D personality. Poor sleeping was more prevalent among patients with a Type D personality than those without (50.0% vs 33.9%; p < 0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant independent association of Type D personality with poor sleeping (r = 0.315; p < 0.01).

Type D personality was associated with decreased perceived sleep quality in patients with IBS.

In Lithuania psychiatrist's service are easily accessible due to a wide network of Mental Health Centers; however, specialists recognize the existence of information gap, myths and attitudes that discourage well-timed appeal.

The project has guaranteed access for anybody to anonymous, free consultation on any problem from a psychologist, the possibility being introduced on the website of Republican Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital. The ways of communication are via e-mail or online/Skype (specialists are available at given hours). During two years approximately 1000 people has appealed concerning a variety of problems (from problems in interpersonal relations to complicated situations that urgently required interventions from mental health specialist). During our work we have discovered that about 25% required direct help from a psychiatrist, we were trying to keep emphatic contact and rapport with them, to give well-timed emotional support, to encourage and motivate to see a specialist eye-to-eye, to help to overcome fear of the first appeal, to dispel myths and attitudes towards psychiatrists, which are still present in our society. About 10% were appealing due to dangerous, troublesome behavior of their closest relatives, friends. They were also extensively informed about possibilities and ways of getting help.

The Internet, simple to use, easy accessible for anonymous services that require low material resources, opens up new possibilities to inform/educate people, to help them overcoming fear of the first help appeal from a specialist, to encourage and motivate search for direct help, to provide with adequate, extensive and well-timed information.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are a frequently and effectively used treatment in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. Other than First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs), which mainly exert their pharmacologic effect in subcortical dopaminergic systems, SGAs additionally affect partly serotonergically innervated structures within prefrontal areas, such as the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC). However, only few controlled, randomized studies have so far investigated direct and indirect effects of SGAs on the ACC.

The present study investigated differential effects of one SGA (quetiapine) and one FGA (flupentixol) on the human action monitoring system.

ACC function in 18 quetiapine-medicated patients and 13 flupentixol-treated patients suffering from schizophrenia was assessed by means of the error-related negativity (ERN), a neurophysiological marker of ACC function, in a pre-post design. Results Between-group comparisons revealed different effects of quetiapine and flupentixol on ACC function despite similar improvement in psychopathology, cognitive performance and quality of life. Whereas SGA treatment was associated with an increase in amplitudes over time, there were prolonged ERN peak latencies in patients treated with the FGA. Moreover, treatment effects depended on baseline PFC function in both groups.

We conclude that both flupentixol and quetiapine improve prefrontal function especially in patients with weak initial ACC function which might be due to their shared affinity for 5HT-receptors in frontal brain regions. However, since this affinity is more pronounced for SGAs, patients treated with quetiapine seemed to profit more evidently concerning PFC function compared to patients of the flupentixol group, who exhibited a compensatory prolongation of processes.

After 50 years of international experience and 15 years of use in France, the positive impact of drug replacement treatments on the care of patients with opiates dependence is now well established. Even though there is a vast literature on the two existing treatments (methadone and high-dosage buprenorphine), few works have focused on patients who have changed replacement therapy during follow-up.

The aim of our study was to analyze the follow-up of substituted patients throughout an 11-year period. Patients were characterized by the type of treatment: methadone only, high-dosage buprenorphine only, or both treatments.

These groups of patients were studied depending on their characteristics at the beginning of the treatment (sociodemographic data, addictive behaviours, psychiatric assessment) and in terms of healthcare and follow-up regularity. We also tried to bring to light predictive factors of unstable follow-ups at the point of entry in healthcare.

891 patients were included in our results. Patients having had two substitution treatments initially present with higher severity in terms of socio-professional integration, addictive behaviours and psychiatric comorbidity. Their treatment is more discontinued and they have longer healthcare.

Psychiatric comorbidities and poly-drug use seem to characterize unstable patients who jeopardize our treatments. They have to be identified very early in order to better adjust healthcare. This preliminary work underlines the necessity of carrying out a prospective study integrating better adapted assessment tools.

Several epidemiological studies revealed prevalence-rates of Internet Addiction (IA) - which was currently proposed as an independent disorder for DSM-5 - ranging from 0.5 to 1 per cent. Above all, patients with IA show psychopathological patterns (craving, tolerance, withdrawal, mood modification, relapses) comparable to substance-related disorders. Besides, IA is frequently accompanied by various comorbidities, such as anxiety, depression or personality disorders.

The aim of the present study was to assess typical clinical characteristics and disorder-specific cognitive styles in a subgroup of patients with IA and an underlying Borderline Personality Organization (BPO) in a consecutive sample of over 450 treatment-seekers in an Outpatient Clinic for Internet and Computer game Addiction.

20 patients, who fulfilled both: the diagnostic criteria of IA and a Borderline Personality Disorder were compared with a matched control-group of BPO-patients without psychopathological but extensive Internet use. Both groups were assessed with the FGG (Questionnaire on borderline-specific cognitions and feelings, Renneberg et al., 2004) and further psychological features (e.g. global assessment of functioning (GAF), self-efficacy (SWE) and sensation seeking).

BPO-patients with IA show an increased mean of the total score of the FGG as well as of further clinical measures. The results lead to the assumption, that BPO-patients with IA use more disorder-specific cognitions, show higher mental strains and lower levels of health-related well-being compared to BPO-patients with only an extensive internet use.

Internet addictive behavior in BPO-patients may serve as avoidance behavior in order to subdue the burden of the primary disease.

In the phase 3 programme on nalmefene for reduction of alcohol consumption in alcohol dependent patients, an as-needed dosing regimen was used. Patients were instructed to take one tablet on each day they perceived a risk of drinking alcohol, preferably 1 to 2 hours prior to the anticipated time of drinking. Tablets could be taken up to once daily. As-needed use is a patient-centered approach engaging patients in active and responsible management of their illness. It should be seen as an integral part of disease management, increasing awareness of drinking amount and patterns, facilitating identification of at-risk situations.

Explore the feasibility of as-needed use of nalmefene in alcohol dependence.

The Timeline Follow-back was used to obtain estimates of daily drinking and to record daily medication intake. Pooled data (treated patients: nalmefene=643; placebo=633) from the two randomised controlled 6 month studies (ESENSE 1 [NCT00811720] and ESENSE 2 [NCT00812461]) was used. Adherence was defined as medication intake and alcohol consumption, or no alcohol consumption (with or without medication intake).

Nalmefene was taken on approximately half of the study days; placebo was taken more often than nalmefene. In each treatment group, medication intake varied according to patients’ needs as intake correlated with baseline drinking pattern. 68% of the nalmefene treated patients (78% of the study completers) adhered to the as-needed treatment regimen on at least 80% of the study days.

These results demonstrate that patients understand, accept, and adhered to the as-needed treatment regimen.

Influence of prenatal alcoholization on development of embryo's human brain and process of synaptogenesis and neurotransmission has been studied inadequately. It has been noticed that acute impact of the alcohol reinforces GABAergic transmission and chronic alcoholization increases selectivity of reverse agonists of benzodiazepine receptor (BDR), that indicates presence of relationship between action of ethanol and functioning of GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex.

Objective of present investigation appeared to be a study of dynamic of formation and development of synaptic contacts and benzodiazepine receptors of synapses of the embryonic brain at weeks 7-15 of development obtained from healthy women and alcoholic ones.

Investigations with electronic microscope in cells of embryonic brain obtained from women with alcohol addiction have shown slower formation of synaptic structures as compared with the norm. In addition, we revealed increasing of synaptic contacts number during brain development and alteration of properties of benzodiazepine receptors of synaptosomal membranes during embryo development stage that is expressed in decrease of affinity of receptors (decrease of affinity [3H]flunitrazepam binding) and increase of their density with radioreceptors assay. In cells of the embryo brain obtained from women suffering from alcoholism slowing of formation of synaptic structures as compared with norm and transformation of properties of synaptosomal BDR has been found out, what may be a cause of alteration of neuromediator transmission.

Provided data indicate presence of relationship between action of ethanol on formation of synaptic structures and functioning of benzodiazepine receptor in human embryo and fetus brain.

International and Greek literature on Roma psychological features remains exceptionally limited.

This study examined the internal shame on Greek Roma.

Present study evaluated internal shame in a Roma population living in Greece and assess the differentiation of these feelings between Roma men and women.

361 individuals (125 male and 236 female with mean age 33.96 SD=12.77), residents of the general area of Greece, participated in the present study. The measuring tools used were: a) the Experience of Shame Scale (ESS), b) a questionnaire concerning socio-demographic information.

The mean of the internal shame (ESS total) was 39.68 ± 10.67 (men), 49.06 ± 14.20 (women) (p= .000). The mean of the behavioral shame was 18.00 ± 5.61 (men), 20.69 ± 6.12 (women) (p= .000). The analysis of variance between age groups showed that age and Educational level did not affect the internal shame in Greek Roma. Marital status had a significant effect on internal shame of Greek Roma where the application of the Bonferonni criterion found that divorced participants demonstrated a statistical significant difference from those with different marital status (p =.009), the latter had lower levels of internal shame.

Levels of internal shame in the group of Roma women is very high and higher than Roma men and the influence of marital status on the internal shame is important for Greek Roma.