Introduction: Researchers generally agree that a sense of loneliness has a detrimental effect on both mental and physical health. Family-related factors, such as familism and the quality of interpersonal relationships between adult siblings, may constitute important psychosocial resources for individuals in late adulthood, protecting them against a decline in well-being. The aim of the study was to determine whether dimensions of familism and the quality of sibling relationships can predict loneliness. Material and methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, self-report psychological study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method. The study involved 190 individuals in late adulthood. Three psychological instruments were used: the Familism Scale, the Adult Sibling Relationship Scale, the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Predictors of loneliness in both gender groups included individualism and the overall quality of sibling relationships. In men, additional significant predictors were cognitive engagement and family values, such as family support, material success and achievements. The regression model explained a greater proportion of variance in loneliness among men than among women. Conclusions: The obtained results may serve as a basis for developing recommendations in the area of psychological and psychoeducational support for families in which members of the oldest generation are at risk of mental health disorders. It is particularly important to strengthen older adults sense of self-worth, efficacy and autonomy, as well as to create opportunities for maintaining relationships with adult siblings.
Introduction: In recent years, gender euphoria - defined broadly as a positive sense of alignment or affirmation in relation to one’s gender identity - has emerged as a proposed positive counterpart to gender dysphoria. This development forms part of a broader effort to move beyond distress-centered models of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) experiences. Despite the term’s rapid adoption in research and clinical discourse, its conceptual and empirical status remains debated. Material and methods: In this opinion paper, we critically analyze controversies linked to gender euphoria. Specifically, we (1) examine the definitional boundaries of gender euphoria, (2) discuss the implications of using the term “euphoria”, (3) review whether gender euphoria reflects a state, trait, or process, and (4) investigate its relationship to related constructs such as transgender congruence and gender affirmation. Results: Definitions of gender euphoria vary widely, often conflating affective elevation, identity congruence, social affirmation, and relief from dysphoria. Prevalence and population distribution of gender euphoria are unknown, its temporal stability has not been established, and its specificity to TGD populations relative to broader identity-congruence processes remains unclear. Although recent work has begun to operationalize the construct psychometrically, its distinctiveness relative to related psychological domains has yet to be fully clarified. Conclusions: Elucidating the boundaries, measurement properties, and the theoretical status of gender euphoria may be necessary for it to be considered a coherent construct within psychological science, rather than solely as a rhetorical counterpoint to dysphoria.
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multilevel alterations in brain organization and function, leading to deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Current diagnosis relies primarily on behavioral phenotype assessment, which usually enables diagnosis no earlier than the second year of life. Objective ophthalmological methods, such as optical coherence tomography and pupillary light reflex assessment, do not require verbal or motor responses and may therefore be applicable in infants. This review summarizes recent clinical studies evaluating ophthalmic biomarkers of autism spectrum disorder and their clinical utility. Materials and methods: A structured review of English-language publications from 2020–2025 was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Following the removal of duplicates and screening based on titles and abstracts, study design and publication type, 68 records were included in the qualitative analysis. Results: Children with autism spectrum disorder showed significant differences in pupillary reflex parameters (including a larger baseline pupil diameter and altered latency of the response) and changes in retinal layer thickness on optical coherence tomography, particularly in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer and inner plexiform layer, indicating their potential as biomarkers of the disorder. Discussion and conclusions: Pupillary light reflex and optical coherence tomography findings may reflect autonomic dysregulation and atypical neural network development in autism spectrum disorder. However, limited specificity, heterogenity of results and small sample sizes indicate that these techniques should currently be considered supportive rather than independent diagnostic tools.
Introduction: Mental illnesses are frequently associated with metabolic dysregulation and chronic inflammation, which may exacerbates cognitive decline beyond typical aging processes. While the link between lipid profiles and brain health is welldocumented in the general population, this relationship remains complex and potentially non-linear in psychiatric patients due to the confounding effects of antipsychotic treatment and lifestyle factors. Material and methods: The study was conducted among individuals with mental disorders in day support centers in Lublin and Łęczna. 91 participants with diagnoses F20, F25, F22, F31, F32, F40F48, F60F69 were included in final analyses. Biochemical data (TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C) were collected and cognitive functions were assessed using STMS, VFT and RAVLT. Results: Dyslipidemia was identified in 79.1% of participants, with higher TG and TC concentrations observed in women than in men. Overall, elevated LDL-C levels were found in 55% of the participants, with no significant sex differences. While linear regression did not reveal significant associations, decision tree models (C&RT) showed that lower TG levels and aripiprazole treatment were the main predictors of better cognitive performance. However, these procognitive benefits were significantly moderated by body weight. In the SMI group, TG concentrations were higher than in the non-SMI group. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the association between lipid profiles and cognition in psychiatric patients is nonlinear and highly dependent on metabolic and pharmacological moderators. While aripiprazole showed a potential precognitive effect, this benefit was significantly attenuated by obesity and dyslipidemia, highlighting the necessity of integrated metabolic monitoring and weight management to preserve cognitive health in this population. Materiał i metody: Badanie przeprowadzono wśród osób z zaburzeniami psychicznymi korzystających z dziennych ośrodków wsparcia w Lublinie i Łęcznej. Do analiz zakwalifikowano 91 osób z rozpoznaniami F20, F25, F22, F31, F32, F40F48 oraz F60F69. Zebrano dane biochemiczne (TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C), a funkcje poznawcze oceniono za pomocą testów STMS, VFT oraz RAVLT. Dyskusja: Dyslipidemię stwierdzono u 79,1 % uczestników, przy czym wyższe stężenia TG i TC obserwowano u kobiet niż u mężczyzn. Łącznie u 55% badanych stwierdzono podwyższone LDL-C, bez istotnych różnic między płciami. Podczas gdy regresja liniowa nie wykazała istotnych zależności, modele drzew decyzyjnych (C&RT) ujawniły, że niższe stężenia TG oraz leczenie arypiprazolem były głównymi predyktorami lepszej sprawności poznawczej. Jednak te prokognitywne korzyści były istotnie modyfikowane przez masę ciała. W grupie osób z SMI stężenia TG były wyższe niż w grupie bez SMI. Wnioski: Nasze wyniki wskazują, że związek pomiędzy profilem lipidowym a funkcjami poznawczymi u pacjentów psychiatrycznych ma charakter nieliniowy i w dużym stopniu zależy od moderatorów metabolicznych i farmakologicznych. Chociaż arypiprazol wykazywał potencjalne działanie prokognitywne, efekt ten był istotnie osłabiany przez otyłość i dyslipidemię, co podkreśla konieczność zintegrowanego monitorowania metabolicznego oraz kontroli masy ciała w celu zachowania zdrowia poznawczego w tej populacji.
Introduction: Alexithymia is a multidimensional psychological construct, acting as a personality trait marked by difficulties in identifying and expressing one’s own emotions. Recent research demonstrates that approximately 8–30% of the global population experience alexithymia, with higher rates among males than females. Studies on alexithymia in transgender and gender-diverse individuals remain limited, creating a significant gap in understanding of the prevalence and impact of alexithymia in these groups. The present scoping review aimed (1) to map existing research on the prevalence of alexithymia in transgender and gender-diverse individuals, and (2) to provide an overview of the role of alexithymia in the biopsychosocial functioning of both transgender and gender-diverse adolescents and adults. Materials and methods: The following databases EBSCO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science have been searched to locate pertinent studies on alexithymia in transgender and gender-diverse populations. This review was preregistered (INPLASY202530004). No funding is associated with this research. Results: The findings reveal a very limited body of research on alexithymia in transgender and gender-diverse individuals, though evidence suggests that alexithymia may increase vulnerability to emotion-based psychopathologies (e.g., anxiety). Conclusions: Addressing alexithymia in transgender and gender-diverse populations may improve mental health assessment and support, potentially enhancing gender-affirming care. More targeted research is needed to develop inclusive and effective interventions.
