Krzysztof Gąsior

Suicidal thoughts in persons treated for alcohol dependence: The role of selected demographic and clinical factors

Greater knowledge is needed of potential predictive factors for suicide in cases of alcohol addiction. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify the socio-demographic variables and clinical factors associated with alcohol dependence which may have an influence on the occurrence of suicidal thoughts in alcohol-dependent patients. A group of 510 patients (396 male and 114 female) diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome were interviewed during the third week of therapy according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) and the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire (SADD). Socio-demographic data was also collected. The results of a binary logistic regression with suicidal thoughts as a dependent variable show that 63 out of the 510 participants (12% of the sample) reported the presence of suicidal thoughts. Alcohol dependence and alcohol craving appear to increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts, and participants presenting psychiatric disorders were twice as likely to demonstrate suicidal ideation as those who did not. Alcohol dependence, alcohol craving and psychiatric comorbidity may be regarded as risk factors for suicidal ideation in the studied sample, with the only protective factor being living in a relationship.

Polish Adaptation of the Psychache Scale by Ronald Holden and Co-workers

OBJECTIVES The conducted study was aimed at making a Polish adaptation of the Scale of Psychache by Ronald Holden and co-workers. The scale is a self-assessment method which comprises 13 statements and is designed to assess subjectively experienced psychological pain. METHODS 300 persons were examined - undergraduates and postgraduates of the University of Lodz and the Technical University of Lodz. The group of the study participants consisted of 185 women and 115 men. Moreover, there were examined 150 alcohol addicted men, 50 co-addicted women and 50 major depressive episode (MDE) patients. RESULTS The Polish version of the Scale is a reliable and valid tool. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis has proved the existence of one factor. The internal consistency, assessed on the basis of Cronbachs alpha, equalled 0.93. The method displays positive and statistically significant relationships to levels of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, anhedonia and negative relations to levels of optimism, life satisfaction, and positive orientation. Alcohol addicted men with presently diagnosed suicidal thoughts were characterised by a significantly higher level of psychological pain as compared to alcoholics without such thoughts. A higher level of psychache was also reported in people with depression who have a history of attempted suicide compared with those who have not attempted suicide. CONCLUSIONS The effect of the conducted adaptation works on the Psychache Scale speaks for recommending the method for scientific research and use in therapeutic practice.

The Links between Post-Traumatic Stress, Attachment Patterns and Quality of Life in Incarcerated and Addicted Women. The Role of Resilience

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between negative as well as traumatic childhood experiences and posttraumatic stress, quality of life and attachment in addicted and/or incarcerated women. METHODS Family of Origin Dysfunction Scale (Skala Dysfunkcjonalności Rodziny Pochodzenia, SDRP-2) by Gąsior, Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI-2) by Briere, Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) by Collins and Read, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire by Fahrenberg et al., and Resilience Measure Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Oceny Prężności, KOP-26) by Gąsior, Chodkiewicz and Cechowski. The study group comprised incarcerated and/or addicted women. RESULTS There is a link between intensification of childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress, quality of life and attachment. The link is diverse depending on interrelations between threatening and protective factors. CONCLUSIONS The highest intensity of childhood traumatic experiences occurs in women who are both incarcerated and addicted. Traumatic childhood experiences are linked with both the symptoms of the posttraumatic stress and insecure attachment patterns. Resilience is an important protective factor which guards against psychopathological problems.

Diversifying childhood experiences of Adult Children of Alcoholics

Abstract Introduction The aim of the research was to determine the differing childhood experiences of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA). We therefore sought to gain a typological picture of ACoA childhood experience in the context of risk factors and protective factors in the scope of the family structure – risk factors like violence, parental conflict, parental mental disorders, their image as well as parental practice. Method The research applied Gąsiors Family of Origin Dysfunctionality Scale (SDRP) and CAST (Children of Alcoholics Screening Test). The research group included 395 Adult Children of Alcoholics, both in therapy (48 alcohol dependent) and not in therapy. Average age 29 years. Statistical analysis included factor analysis and analysis of variance. Results There were three basic types of ACoA experiences. Severe risk factors (alcoholism and violence) in the family of origin together with negative images and dysfunctional practices by both parents typify the high-risk type. In the moderately affected type, childhood experiences are associated with milder family of origin dysfunction and with better functioning of the mother and using functional practices in contrast to the father. The incidence of risk factors was moderate. In the last family of origin type there was a low incidence of risk factors, the family structure was not disordered and parents fulfilled their functions well. Among the protective factors, the function of the non-drinking parent and positive parental practices related to care and control were primary. Other important protective factors were good sibling relations, socio-economic family status and support from outside the family. Conclusions The relation between risk and protective factors in ACoA families requires further research.