Hopelessness has not been adequately studied in first-episode psychotic patients, although it is already present at the early stages, especially in schizophrenic patients. We have studied 96 neuroleptic-naive psychotic patients (49 schizophrenic patients and 47 other non-affective psychotic patients) over a period of 12 months after their first admission. The total score on the Hopelessness Scale (HS) at first admission was higher in the schizophrenic patients, and correlated with younger age and with negative symptoms. High HS scores at baseline predicted poor short-term outcome in schizophrenic patients, as evidenced by worse global functioning at the 12-month follow-up. These correlations were not observed in the other psychoses group. Our results suggest that young, severely affected schizophrenic patients who experience hopelessness might be at higher risk of poor outcome.

No abstract

remarkable for low Self-directedness, indicating immature individuals with increased risk of personality disorder. Their mothers were distinguished by low Self-directedness indicating an high risk.of personality disorder. The fathers were low in Persistence and Selfdire,ctedness indicating an inert and immature personality.The bulimic family had low Self-directedness as a common denominator observed in all family members. This finding indicates that the pSychopathology of bulimia nervosa combines the tendency to anxious and depressive reactions with low character development. yone of the above temperament and character profiles is pathognomonic of BN. Rather, individual psychopathologies of each family member interact within a unique familial setting generating in susceptible members (daughters) the syndrome of BN.The observation of that both temperament and character have important role in the etiopathogenesis of BN has important treatment ramifications.The TCI was very useful in discriminating between normal controls and bulimic subjects, their parents, and the whole bulimic family.

No abstract