Hendrik Berth

Deutsche Adaptation der Restraint Scale zur Erfassung gezügelten Essverhaltens

Zusammenfassung. Mit dem Konstrukt des gezugelten Essverhaltens wird die Kontrolle der Nahrungsaufnahme mit der Absicht, eine Gewichtsreduktion zu erreichen, bezeichnet. Diesem Essstil wird eine zentrale Rolle bei der Entstehung von Adipositas und Essstorungen zugeschrieben. Eines der international am weitesten verbreiteten Verfahren zur Erfassung gezugelten Essverhaltens ist die Restraint Scale (RS) von Herman und Polivy (1980). In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Reliabilitat und Validitat der deutschen Form der RS bei einer Stichprobe von N = 349 Studenten untersucht. Die zweifaktorielle Struktur der RS konnte exakt repliziert werden. Die Gesamtskala weist ein Cronbachs Alpha von .83 auf. Bezuglich der Kriteriumsvaliditat der RS zeigten sich signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Mannern und Frauen. Weiterhin hatten gezugelte Esser einen signifikant hoheren BMI und sie berichteten ein hoheres Mas an dysfunktionalen Einstellungen im EDI. Hinweise auf die Konstruktvaliditat zeigten sich durch signifikante Korrelationen der RS mit Skalen des EDI und Masen der psychischen Befindlichkeit (ADS, BAI, SCL-K-9). Schlusselworter: Restraint Scale, Reliabilitat, Validitat, Gezugeltes Essverhalten, Studenten German version of the Restraint Scale for the assessment of restrained eating

The assessment of recalled parental rearing behavior and its relationship to life satisfaction and interpersonal problems: a general population study.

BackgroundParental rearing behavior is a significant etiological factor for the vulnerability of psychopathology and has been an issue of clinical research for a long time. For this scope instruments are important who asses economically recalled parental rearing behavior in a clinical practice. Therefore, a short German instrument for the assessment of the recalled parental rearing behavior Fragebogen zum erinnerten elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten (FEE) was psychometrically evaluated [Recalled Parental Rearing Behavior].MethodsThis questionnaire was evaluated in a representative population sample (N = 2.948) in Germany which included 44.2% male and 55.8% female persons with a mean age of M = 47.35 (SD = 17.10, range = 18–92). For the content evaluation of the FEE the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLZ) and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) was filled out by the participants.ResultsThe FEE scales yielded a good to satisfactory internal consistency and split-half reliability. Its three factors (rejection/punishment, emotional warmth, control/overprotection) correlated positively with most of the areas of life satisfaction. Furthermore, positive associations between interpersonal problems and parental rejection and control could be identified.ConclusionThe FEE is a short, reliable and valid instrument that can be applied in the clinical practice. In addition, the data proved an association between recalled parental rearing behavior, life satisfaction and interpersonal problems conform to the literature. Finally, specific problems with the retrospective assessment of parental rearing behavior were addressed as well.

On Raising the International Dissemination of German Research: Does Changing Publication Language to English Attract Foreign Authors to Publish in a German Basic Psychology Research Journal?

It has been proposed that German basic psychology journals should change publication language to English in order to facilitate access to research from German-speaking countries. However, to truly increase the dissemination of German research, it seems crucial to progress towards an internationalization of authors and readers. We applied bibliometric analysis to investigate the impact of the transition to English on the rate of foreign authors publishing in Zeitschrift für Experimentelle Psychologie/Experimental Psychology, as well as possible associated changes in citation patterns. There was an increase in the rate of articles published by foreign authors from 14.6 and 8.7 per cent, respectively, for the last biannual periods as German-language journal, to 52.7 per cent in the first biannual period as English-language journal. Regarding citations patterns, the clearest changes emerged for domestic authors. The results illustrate possible consequences of a transition to English as publication language, and reveal that Experimental Psychology has successfully established certain prerequisites for an increase of the international dissemination of German psychology research.

The Lack of Negative Affects as an Indicator for Identity Disturbance in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Preliminary Report

Background: Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) suffer from instability of their relationships, their affectivity and their identity. The purpose of the study was to investigate negative affects and identity disturbance in patients with BPD and in patients without personality disorder using questionnaire data and interview data. Sampling and Methods: Twelve patients with BPD and 12 patients with major depressive disorder without any personality disorder were assessed with the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO) and questionnaires (Inventory of Personality Organization, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). They were compared with respect to the frequency of negative affective verbal expressions using computerized content analysis methods. Results: BPD patients showed higher levels of anxiety, depression and identity diffusion in the questionnaires than major depressive disorder patients without personality disorder. However, they did not report more negative affective expressions in the interview. Patients with identity disturbance of both groups showed higher values of negative mood in the questionnaires, but less anger, less anxiety and less affective intensity in the interview. Conclusion: The preliminary findings indicate that patients with identity disturbance show high levels of negative affects in questionnaires but only few negative affects in the interview situation. More studies are needed to enhance the understanding of negative affects and identity disturbance in BPD.

Unemployment during working life and mental health of retirees: Results of a representative survey

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine differences in mental health and satisfaction with life in retired men and women depending on experienced unemployment during working life. Method: Based on a representative survey, 1396 retirees in the age range of 60–92 years were interviewed face-to-face, assessing two screening instruments for anxiety and depression as well as the Questions on Life Satisfaction questionnaire. Among others, analyses of variance were used to test the differences between groups with distinct experiences of unemployment periods. Results: Retirees with the experience of repeated unemployment – but not with one-time unemployment – during working life reported worse mental health and satisfaction with life. Calculated effect sizes were 0.53 for anxiety, 0.42 for depression and between 0.21 and 0.51 for satisfaction with different domains of daily life. Differences between men and women emerged, but similarities dominated. Participants with higher current household incomes were found to be less affected. Conclusion: The experience of repeated unemployment periods during working life is associated with more psychosocial distress in retired men and women. Thus, unemployment may have serious negative implications even for persons retired already.

Attitudes toward genetic testing in a german population.

AIMS Population-representative or population-based studies on attitudes toward molecular genetic testing have so far been conducted in the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland. In 2001 our group conducted a representative survey for a German population among a total of 2076 respondents aged 14-95 years. The questionnaire administered consisted of 13 items covering the advantages and disadvantages of molecular genetic testing for hereditary diseases. We conducted a factor analysis to explore potential sub-dimensions of attitudes, and describe here the influence of sociodemographic variables on these sub-dimensions and how the attitudes of the Germans compare to those of the Finns. RESULTS Our factor analysis of the results showed three dimensions: approval, disapproval, and concern regarding genetic testing. In the German sample we found an overall positive attitude toward genetic testing. There was no influence of sex, but there were marked differences regarding age, educational backgrounds, and religious affiliation. Finns are more in favor of genetic testing and disapprove less than Germans. We can summarize that Germans have a markedly more skeptical view than Finns. In our opinion this could well be understood in the context of German history. We assume that this created a less conducive environment for the population to form a clearer attitude toward genetic testing as compared to the Finns. CONCLUSIONS In the light of our results there is certainly a need for more information and education. Further, it would in our opinion be most useful if the German development regarding attitudes to genetic testing, especially after reunification, is studied longitudinally to provide a better understanding of possible developments.

Psychische Symptome bei Studentinnen in Ost- und Westdeutschland: Eine Replikation nach 10 Jahren

Psychological Symptoms in Female University Students in East and West Germany: A Replication after 10 Years Background: After the German unification, several studies have focused on differences in the psychological health of people in East and West Germany. The current study is a replication of the Basten et al. study [Psychological wellbeing and health in a unified Germany: An East-West-comparison of two student samples. Verhaltenstherapie 1994;4:90–95] 10 years after the original research of 1991/1992. It investigated differences in depression, anxiety and bodily symptoms as well as problematic eating behaviour in female university students in Dresden (East Germany) and Marburg (West Germany). Subjects and Methods: From October 2001 to April 2002, we investigated psychological symptoms and eating behaviour in students of the universities of Dresden and Marburg. The current report includes data of 221 female students. We used the same standardized measures as had been used in the original research. Results: In contrast to the original study, students from West Germany did no longer exhibit higher depression scores. Instead, students from East Germany showed significantly increased anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, there was a trend towards a higher drive for thinness in East German students. In all, students from Dresden showed higher mean values in all measures than 10 years before. Discussion: This study corroborates results that there are only minor differences in psychological health between people in East and West Germany. However, our findings point out that during the past decade subtle changes might have occurred which have not been detected through lack of longitudinal investigations. The higher level of anxiety in East German students could be a result of socialisation.

Fear of Dental Treatment—an Underrecognized Symptom in People With Impaired Mental Health

BACKGROUND In industrialized countries, about 5% to 15% of all adults have a pathologically severe fear of dental treatment, and some 3% avoid going to the dentist altogether. The affected persons may, in turn, suffer from severe dental diseases and their psychosocial effects. Many people with dental phobia have other mental disorders as well. These facts motivated us to study the prevalence of fear of dental treatment in a group of patients being treated by our psychosomatic service. METHOD 212 patients of our psychosomatic service and 95 healthy controls were studied with the Hierarchical Anxiety Questionnaire (HAQ) to determine the intensity of their fear of dental treatment. Mental disorders were diagnosed with structured clinical interviews according to DSM-IV. RESULTS Nearly one patient in three (30.5%, n = 64) suffered from pathologically severe fear of dental treatment; 24 of them (38.5%) had avoided visiting a dentist for longer than one year. Only 4 (4.2%) of the healthy controls were greatly afraid of dental treatment. Certain types of mental disorder were especially highly associated with fear of dental treatment: in particular, anxiety disorders (relative risk [RR] 7.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.68-20.70) and depressive disorders (RR 4.92, 95% CI 1.73-14.05). Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder were affected most commonly: 34 (42%) of these patients were greatly afraid of dental treatment (RR 9.97, 95% CI 3.69-26.90). 75 of the 134 study participants who were afraid of dental treatment (56%) had cancelled a dental appointment, or failed to appear for a scheduled appointment, because of their fears. CONCLUSION Fear of dental treatment commonly accompanies certain types of mental disorder. Patients at high risk should be asked about such fears so that the problem can be recognized early and appropriately treated.

Be smart against cancer! A school-based program covering cancer-related risk behavior

BackgroundSeveral studies suggest that most school-age children are poorly informed about cancer risk factors. This study examines the effectiveness of the ‘Be smart against cancer’ (BSAC) program in promoting cancer awareness and intentions to engage in health-promoting behavior.Methods235 seventh-grade students were randomized to either the intervention (N = 152) or the wait-control group (N = 83). The intervention included the modules: “What is cancer?,” “Sun protection,” “Non smoking,” and “Physical activity, Healthy nutrition, and Limited alcohol consumption.” Outcomes measured at baseline and at the end of the one week BSAC program included knowledge of cancer and its behavioral risk factors, health-promoting intentions, and reported risk behavior.ResultsBSAC was effective in increasing knowledge about cancer and risk factors for cancer (p < .001), as well as in increasing intentions to engage in health-promoting behavior (p < .001), independent of a student’s risk profile. Knowledge did not serve as a mediator for intention building.ConclusionsThe BSAC is an effective school-based program for raising awareness of cancer, associated risk factors and intentions to engage in cancer-preventive behavior. The results indicate that the effectiveness of BSAC is independent of a student’s risk profile. Therefore, it holds considerable promise as a broadly applicable program to raise cancer awareness and promote healthy behavior intentions.

Gesundheit durch Gentests

Zusammenfassung. Pra- und postnatale genetische Diagnostik zur Ermittlung eines individuellen Erkrankungsrisikos gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Dementsprechend sind genetische Untersuchungen des menschlichen Erbgutes sowie damit verbundene Anwendungsbereiche Gegenstand intensiver gesellschaftlicher Diskussion. Zu den moglichen Vor- und Nachteilen genetischer Untersuchungen wurde eine deutschlandreprasentative Stichprobe (N = 2.076 Personen) befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass genetische Untersuchungen insgesamt auf eine grose Akzeptanz in der Bevolkerung stosen, ca. zwei Drittel stehen ihnen befurwortend gegenuber. Jedoch werden auch mogliche Nachteile solcher diagnostischer Masnahmen, wie z.B. Schwangerschaftsabbruche oder Diskriminierung, benannt. Faktorenanalytisch liesen sich aus den 13 Items des eingesetzten Fragebogens drei Skalen (Positive Aspekte, Negative Aspekte, Befurchtungen) bilden. Eine Varianzanalyse erbrachte Unterschiede in den Skalen zwischen verschiedenen soziodemographischen Gruppen:...