Depressive symptomatology varies between ethnic groups. These differences are mainly due to ethnicity as such but migration may play an additional role. It is essential for physicians to be aware of atypical presentation forms of depression in minority groups.

Comparative efficacy of c-pharm early and late strategies in providing improved protection against post-ECT relapse of major depressive disorder needs to be further explored.

ÖZETAmaç: Şizofreni spektrum bozukluklarında eksikliği sıklıkla belirtilmiş olmasına rağmen, diğer kişilerin ruhsal ve zihinsel durumlarını kavrayabilme yeteneği olarak bilinen zihin kuramını (ZK) tüm yönleriyle değerlendirebilecek geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçek bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, literatürde kullanılmış örneklerinden hareketle Türkçe'de ilk kez geliştirilmiş "Dokuz Eylül Zihin Kuramı Ölçeği"nin (DEZİKÖ) sağlıklı gönüllüler ve şizofreni hastaları üzerinde geçerlilik ve güvenilirliğini saptamaktır. Bulgular: DEZİKÖ'nün sağlıklı gönüllü grubunda iç tutarlılık gü-venilirlik katsayısının 0,64; görüşmeciler arası güvenilirliğinin 0,99 (p<0,0001) ve test-tekrar test güvenilirliğinin 0,90 (p<0,01) olduğu görüldü. Şizofreni hasta grubunda DEZİKÖ ile EBÖ-B toplam puanları arasında anlamlı bir pozitif korelasyon bulundu (r=0,43, p<0,05). Ayrıca, DEZİKÖ'nün sağlıklı gönüllüler ile şizofreni hastaları arasında ayırt ediciliğinin olduğu da saptandı (t(285)=8,74, p<0,01). Sağlıklı gönüllü grubunda, temel bileşenler analizi ile yapılan faktör analizinde DEZİKÖ'nün 3 faktörlü bir yapıya sahip olduğu görüldü.Sonuç: Elde edilen bulgular, Türkçe'de ilk kez geliştirilmiş ZK ölçeği olan DEZİKÖ'nün sağlıklı gönüllüler ve şizofreni hastaları üzerinde yeterli düzeyde geçerlilik ve güvenilirlik değerlerine sahip olduğunu göstermektedir.Anahtar Sözcükler: Zihin kuramı, şizofreni, otistik bozukluk SUMMARY The Validity and Reliability Study of the Dokuz Eylül Theory of Mind Index (DEZİKÖ) in Patients with SchizophreniaObjective: Although a lack of a comprehensive theory of mind (ToM) index has been indicated frequently in studies of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, there is no valid and reliable index to assess ToM, which represents the ability to attribute mental states to other people. The purpose of this study is to examine the validity and reliability of the "Dokuz Eylul Theory of Mind Index" (DEZİKÖ) in healthy volunteers and in patients with schizophrenia, which is the first Turkish-language ToM index, developed using examples in the ToM literature. Method:The study sample consisted of a total of 286 participants, including 89 patients with schizophrenia who had been diagnosed by DSM-IV and 197 healthy volunteers. Sociodemographic data form and DEZİKÖ were administered to all participants. Empathic Skill Index-B Form (EBÖ-B) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were administered to the patients. Results:In healthy volunteers, internal consistency coefficient of DEZİKÖ was 0.64; inter-rater reliability was 0.99 (p<0.0001) and testretest reliability was 0.90 (p<0.01). The patient group had a positive significant correlation between DEZİKÖ and EBÖ-B (r=0.43, p<0.05). Furthermore, it was shown that healthy volunteers and patients with schizophrenia can be distinguished by using DEZİKÖ (t(285)=8.74, p<0.01). The results of factor analysis with principal components analysis in the healthy volunteer group verified that DEZİKÖ has 3 factor groups. Conclusion:These findings indicated that DEZİKÖ, the first ToM ...

No abstract

The cultural and ethnic background of a patient may have a significant impact on the presentation of a psychiatric disorder. In this study symptoms assessed within a major depressive episode in 3 groups of female patients were compared:1.women of Austrian origin,2.women of Turkish origin but living in Austria and3.Turkish women living in Turkey.Patients were recruited at University hospitals either in Innsbruck, Austria, or Izmir, Turkey. A total of 136 patients were included into the study. Rating instruments included the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI). Groups differed significantly with respect to severity as well as symptom clusters. Although Austrian patients were more often treated as in-patients they appeared to be less severely depressed. Both Turkish groups, however, presented somatic symptoms significantly more often than Austrian depressed women. Austrian-Turkish patients displayed some somatic symptoms even more frequently than Turkish patients in their home-country. It is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of depression to take ethnic and cultural issues of the patients into account.