Aysegul Durak Batigun

Reasons for living and their protective value: A Turkish sample

Turkey has a comparably low rate of suicide internationally; however, a slow but constant increase is occurring. Deaths due to suicide peak in males among 15–24 and 25–34 year olds. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the various variables (e.g., depression, loneliness) associated with suicide; specifically, the reasons for living. The results indicate, as predicted, that people with more optimism towards life are less prone to depression and loneliness. In this Turkish sample, females were significantly more optimistic, a finding divergent from the international literature to date. Cultural factors and related contradictory findings in the West are discussed (e.g., moral/religious values).

Psychoeducation for children and adults after the Marmara earthquake: an evaluation study

Education about the psychological reactions in the aftermath of a traumatic event may help reduce the adverse effects by providing a cognitive framework for ones experience, and provides the survivors of trauma view their reactions as expectable; recognize the circumstances under which they should consider seeking further counseling; increase use of adaptive ways of coping; increase ability to help family members cope. This type of psychosocial intervention was used to reach the parents and children in the earthquake affected region after the Marmara earthquakes. The major aim of the present study is to make an assessment of the impact of these interventions. The assessment procedure consists of a satisfaction survey of the parents and children who attended the seminars. A comparison is also made between those who attended the seminars and those who did not, in terms of their opinions on issues regarding the psychological effects of the earthquakes. This report represents the data from a total of 463 parents and 774 students. In the parents group, 326 were in the comparison group and 137 were in the study group. Among the students, 181 were in the comparison group and 593 in the study group. Two questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants in the study. One questionnaire was for children over 12 years of age, and the other was for the parents. The results in general showed that, the seminars were helpful for parents and children to learn about the psychological reactions people have after earthquakes. However, they also showed that, to be more effective, there is a need for improvement in the way the seminars are conducted. Language: en

Stress, self-perception and Interpersonal Style in Patients with Psychosomatic Problems

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role of self-perception, interpersonal style, and anger in the context of stress in patients with physical illnesses, including coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological disorders, and diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study sample included patients with physical illnesses (n = 124) and healthy controls (n = 209). Symptoms of stress, self-perception, interpersonal style, and anger were evaluated using the Stress Symptoms Scale, Social Comparison Scale, Interpersonal Style Scale, and Multidimensional Anger Questionnaire, respectively. The role of self-perception, interpersonal style, and anger in stress experienced in the patients and controls was compared. RESULTS The patients had higher stress symptoms, perceived themselves more negatively, had more problematic interpersonal styles, and more intense anger than the controls. The higher stress symptoms in the patients and the lower symptoms in the controls was predicted by 4 common variables¾dissatisfaction with life, dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships, negative self-perception, and aggressive expression of anger. Another predictive variable in the psychosomatic group was age, whereas in the control group gender and internalized anger were predictive variables. CONCLUSION As the physical illnesses had by those in the patient group are stress-related, inclusion of psychosocial interventions in treatment protocols, such as communication skills, and stress and anger management training, and interventions aimed at increasing a positive self-perception might improve their QoL.