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Biomedical subjects

Marilyn Baetz

Publications and source records attributed to Marilyn Baetz.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Mood variability in anxiety disorders.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether patients with anxiety disorders have more variable mood than control subjects. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with anxiety disorders and 28 controls were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait form (STAIT), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and TEMPS-A questionnaire for temperament. Participants used Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) to rate low, high and anxious moods, morning and evening, for 7 consecutive days. Mood variability was calculated with the Mean Square Successive Difference (MSSD) and the Standard Error of the Mean (SEM), both derived from the VAS ratings. RESULTS: (1) The MSSD and SEM measures for low mood and anxiety variability were higher in patients than controls. The SEM for high mood was marginally higher in patients. (2) The high mood measures separated into two clusters: (a) the mean of the VAS high mood scale and the TEMPS hyperthymia scale apparently measure an adaptive high mood or hyperthymia that did not correlate or correlated negatively with depression (BDI). (b) The MSSD of the VAS high mood scale, the TEMPS cyclothymia scale, and the MDQ correlated with each other and with the BDI as variable high mood that is distressing. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with anxiety disorders show more mood variability than controls. We also found a difference in the measures of adaptive high mood from variable high mood, the latter associated with depression. Mood variability is an important but neglected aspect of distress in patients with anxiety disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Self-rated importance of religion predicts one-year outcome of patients with panic disorder.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are efficacious treatments for panic disorder, but individual attributes such as coping and motivation are important determinants of treatment response. A sample of 56 patients with panic disorder, treated with group cognitive-behavioral therapy, were reassessed 6 months and 12 months after initial assessment. We studied the effect of self-rated importance of religion, perceived stress, self-esteem, mastery, and interpersonal alienation on outcome as measured by the General Severity Index of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI.GSI). Importance of religion was a predictor of BSI.GSI symptom improvement at 1 year. Over time, improvement was seen for the religion is very important subgroup in the BSI.GSI and Perceived Stress Scales. This study suggests that one mechanism by which high importance of religion reduces psychiatric symptoms is through reducing perceived stress.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

How spiritual values and worship attendance relate to psychiatric disorders in the Canadian population.

OBJECTIVE: Research into risk and protective factors for psychiatric disorders may help reduce the burden of these conditions. Spirituality and religion are 2 such factors, but research remains limited. Using a representative national sample of respondents, this study examines the relation between worship frequency and the importance of spiritual values and DSM-IV psychiatric and substance use disorders. METHOD: In 2002, the Canadian Community Health Survey obtained data from about 37,000 individuals aged 15 years or older. While controlling for demographic characteristics, we determined odds ratios for lifetime, 1-year, and past psychiatric disorders, with worship frequency and spiritual values as predictors. RESULTS: Higher worship frequency was associated with lower odds of psychiatric disorders. In contrast, those who considered higher spiritual values important (in a search for meaning, in giving strength, and in understanding life's difficulties) had higher odds of most psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION: This study confirms an association between higher worship frequency and lower odds of depression and it expands that finding to other psychiatric disorders. The association between spiritual values and mood, anxiety, and addictive disorders is complex and may reflect the use of spirituality to reframe life difficulties, including mental disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Mood swings in patients with anxiety disorders compared with normal controls.

BACKGROUND: About 70-80% of patients with anxiety syndromes suffer from depression. Mood variability including hypomania, cyclothymia and hyperthymia have been described in 40-50% of patients with depression. There is an emerging literature that such variability could also characterize anxiety disorders. The aim of this study was to visually document and quantify mood variability in patients with anxiety disorders. METHODS: Twenty patients with anxiety disorders and 22 normal control subjects completed two visual analogue scales (VAS) on depressed mood and high mood, twice per day for 14 days. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Altman Self-Rating Mood Scale were used for concurrent validity. RESULTS: On the VAS, patients showed higher levels of depressed and high moods, and greater mood variability than the controls. Variability of depressed and high moods was highly correlated. LIMITATIONS: This was a relatively small sample from a single center. Patients were selected by convenience and were under treatment. The control subjects were not interviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Subsyndromal mood variability in patients with anxiety disorders can be visually depicted and quantified. The mood variability of patients with anxiety disorders who also complain of mood swings is greater than the mood fluctuations described by normal subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The association between spiritual and religious involvement and depressive symptoms in a Canadian population.

Data from a large epidemiologic survey were examined to determine the relationship of religious practice (worship service attendance), spiritual and religious self-perception, and importance (salience) to depressive symptoms. Data were obtained from 70,884 respondents older than 15 years from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (Wave II, 1996-1997). Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of the religious/spiritual variables to depressive symptoms while controlling for demographic, social, and health variables. More frequent worship service attendees had significantly fewer depressive symptoms. In contrast, those who stated spiritual values or faith were important or perceived themselves to be spiritual/religious had higher levels of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for potential mediating and confounding factors. It is evident that spirituality/religion has an important effect on depressive symptoms, but this study underscores the complexity of this relationship. Longitudinal studies are needed to help elucidate mechanisms and the order and direction of effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Spirituality and psychiatry in Canada: psychiatric practice compared with patient expectations.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares psychiatrists' and psychiatric patients' practice, attitudes, and expectations regarding spirituality and religion. METHOD: We mailed surveys to all Canadian psychiatrists registered with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (n = 2890). The response rate was 42% (n = 1204). We recruited patients from a Canadian on-line survey (n = 67) and from a local mental health clinic (n = 90). RESULTS: Psychiatrists had lower levels of beliefs and practices than did patients and the general population. In both groups, 47% felt there was "often or always" a place to include spirituality in psychiatric assessment, although the perceived importance differed. Among patients, 53% felt it important to have this issue addressed, and 24% considered the psychiatrist's spiritual interest important in their choice of psychiatrist. Barriers to addressing the issue of spirituality and mental health related to psychiatrists' concern regarding its appropriateness and patients' perception that interest is lacking. Psychiatrists' own beliefs and practices were strong predictors of spiritual inquiry. CONCLUSIONS: Although psychiatrists report lower levels of spiritual and religious belief than do patients, they acknowledge that it is important to include this topic in patient care. Increased discussion and education may lower reported barriers to including spirituality and religion in routine psychiatric assessment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Canadian psychiatric inpatient religious commitment: an association with mental health.

BACKGROUND: Research indicates that religion may have a positive effect on coping and possibly enhance clinical outcomes. This study aims to determine the level of religious interest of psychiatric inpatients and to assess whether religious commitment has an impact on selected outcome variables. METHODS: There were 88 consecutive adult patients (50% men) who were admitted to a Canadian tertiary care psychiatry inpatient unit and were interviewed about their religious beliefs and practices. Patients with a Beck Depression score of 12 or more were included for outcome analysis. RESULTS: A total of 59% believed in a God who rewards and punishes, 27% had a high frequency of worship attendance, and 35% prayed once or more daily. More frequent worship attenders had less severe depressive symptoms, shorter current length of stay, higher satisfaction with life, and lower rates of current and lifetime alcohol abuse (P < 0.05), when compared with those with less frequent or no worship attendance. In contrast, private spirituality was associated with lower depressive symptoms and current alcohol use only (P < 0.05), and prayer frequency had no significant associations. DISCUSSION: This study indicates that certain religious practices may protect against severity of symptoms, hospital use, and enhance life satisfaction among psychiatric inpatients. This is the first known Canadian study that examines religious commitment among psychiatric inpatients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗