The authors' purpose was to determine which form of therapeutic aid may influence academic approach and avoidance motivation in children with dyslexia. There were 165 children with dyslexia assessed with the use of ”I and my school” questionnaire. The authors considered the children's previous therapeutic experience and on its basis they were divided into three groups. Children receiving systematic therapeutic treatment display a significantly higher level of academic approach motivation as compared to those from the two other groups. Those children also manifest a lower level of academic avoidance motivation compared to those receiving no form of specialist treatment. Girls, regardless of their therapeutic experience, demonstrate a higher level of approach motivation; boys, on the other hand, display a higher level of avoidance motivation. The study shows that the quality of provided therapeutic aid affects emotional-motivational sphere of children with dyslexia. Systematic therapeutic aid increases academic approach motivation and reduces avoidance motivation.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the MAOA-uVNTR gene polymorphism in a homogeneous subgroups of patients with alcohol dependence categorized according to Lesch’s typology. Methods: DNA was provided from alcohol dependent (AD) patients (n = 370) and healthy control subjects (n = 168) all of Polish descent. The history of alcoholism was obtained using the Polish version of the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA). Samples were genotyped using PCR methods. Results: We found no association between alcohol dependence and MAOA gene polymorphism. Conclusions: Lesch typology is a clinical consequence of the disease and its phenotypic description is too complex for a simple genetic analysis.

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have a reduced life expectancy, which is largely the consequence of a high co-occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. To date, several intrinsic and environmental factors underlying this phenomenon have been found. However, the association with psychosocial stress has not been extensively addressed. In this study, we tested the relationship between a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), lifetime stressors, perceived stress and metabolic parameters in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and in healthy controls. The participants included 85 inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 56 healthy controls. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), triglycerides, total cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were determined. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, patients had significantly higher levels of glucose (F = 4.856, p = 0.030), triglycerides (F = 4.720, p = 0.032) and hsCRP (F = 7.499, p = 0.007) as well as significantly lower levels of HDL (F = 5.300, p = 0.023) compared to healthy controls. There were also significant effects of interactions between diagnosis and a history of ACEs on the levels of insulin (F = 4.497, p = 0.036) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (F = 3.987, p = 0.048). More specifically, the levels of insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the subgroup of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and a positive history of ACEs compared to other subgroups of participants. No significant associations between lifetime stressors and perceived stress with metabolic parameters were found. Our findings indicate that a history of ACEs might be associated with insulin resistance in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Therapeutic strategies targeting early-life stress should be considered with early interventions that aim to manage cardiometabolic comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Background: Personality traits are one of the major factors influencing the behavior and functioning of an individual, and they play a crucial role in the development of psychosomatic disorders and diseases. This paper aimed to evaluate the importance of personality traits in temporomandibular disorder (TMDs) development using the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (the Five-Factor Model of Personality, known as the Big Five). Moreover, the relationship between personality type and the intensity of dysfunctional changes in the stomatognathic system was assessed using the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (the Five-Factor Model of Personality, known as the Big Five). Material and Methods: The study included a group of 75 adult participants (aged 19–52) with TMD diagnosed according to DC/TMD criteria and a control group of 75 participants without symptoms of dysfunction. The study consisted of a questionnaire and clinical study; the questionnaire included the NEO-FFI psychological questionnaire and a self-authored one. The clinical part consisted of extra- and intraoral dental examinations. Results: Participants who clenched their teeth showed a greater degree of conscientiousness than those who did not exhibit this symptom (p = 0.048). Presence of headaches was correlated with greater severity of neuroticism (p = 0.001). Moreover, participants with enamel cracks showed a lower intensity of extraversion (p = 0.039), and those with worn hard dental tissues showed a higher intensity of neuroticism (p = 0.03), a lower intensity of conscientiousness (p = 0.01), and a lower intensity of extroversion (p = 0.046). Acoustic symptoms during mandibular movements were found to be linked with a higher level of neuroticism (p = 0.020), a lower level of extraversion (p = 0.035), and a lower level of conscientiousness, whereas pain upon mandibular movements were linked to a lower level of conscientiousness (p = 0.025). Participants with pain upon palpation of the masticatory muscles showed a lower level of conscientiousness (p = 0.01) compared to those without pain symptoms. Episodes of mandibular blockage or problems with its adduction depend on the intensity of conscientiousness (p = 0.007). Moreover, people from the study group with high levels of neuroticism showed lower protrusion values (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The intensity of individual personality traits was found to be associated with some TMDs in comparison to healthy controls.

Background: Perfectionism in adolescents can have both adaptive and maladaptive forms, with implications for mental health and school performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation in adolescents and to evaluate the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions. Methods: Two studies were conducted: (1) A cross-sectional study (n = 261) examined the correlations among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation. (2) An experimental study (n = 115) evaluated the effects of psychoeducation on perfectionism and healthy habits compared with a control group. The measures included questionnaires on perfectionism, depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation. Results: Study 1 found that maladaptive perfectionism was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), stress (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), and difficulties in emotional regulation (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Adaptive perfectionism was negatively correlated with deficits in emotional understanding (r = −0.31, p < 0.05). Study 2 showed that psychoeducational interventions reduced maladaptive perfectionism (mean difference = −5.7, p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.62) and depression levels (mean difference = −3.2, p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.38) but increased stress in the experimental groups. No significant changes were observed in adaptive perfectionism or the anxiety level. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex relationships among perfectionism, mental health, and emotional regulation in adolescents. Targeted interventions can reduce maladaptive perfectionism and its associated negative effects. Further research is needed on the long-term outcomes and refinement of interventional strategies.