Introduction: Perception of dementia and direct contact with individuals with dementia seem to be important factors modifying attitudes towards the patient group. The study aims were formulated to assess: (1) the difference between carers for a family member with dementia and those with no experience in caring for a chronically ill person in terms of their perceptions of dementia, competence and warmth ratings of persons with dementia and feelings about them, (2) the influence of dementia representation and experience of caring on warmth, competence ratings and feelings about persons with dementia. Material and methods: A total of 57 individuals participated in the study, including: 27 family carers (Cg) and 30 controls without caregiving experience (C). The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and experimental tasks of our own design were used to assess attitudes to dementia itself and persons with dementia. Results: The study showed significant differences between groups and specific profiles of each group in the range of dementia representation and perception of individuals with dementia. The significant associations between various aspects of dementia perceptions and attitudes towards people with dementia were obtained. Experiences in caring for individuals with dementia partially explained the perception of their efficiency. Conclusions: Family carers highlight self-confidence as a dominant characteristic of individuals with dementia, which may reflect some dementia deficits. Pity as a substantial characteristic in emotional attitude towards persons with dementia prevails in individuals with no experience in caring, whereas anxiety predominates in family carers.
Introduction: Occupational stress among healthcare workers is a major determinant of burnout, reduced quality of care, and adverse mental health outcomes. In Poland, evidence remains fragmented across professions, limiting system-wide understanding. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and occupational predictors of stress among healthcare workers and to evaluate the feasibility of a machine learning (ML)-based proof-of-concept screening model for detecting high-risk individuals. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals in Poland (N = 178) was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026 using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-30). Participants were categorized into a high stress (PSQ ≥ 0.60) and a low–moderate stress group. Statistical analyses included reliability testing, non-parametric comparisons, MANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression. A Random Forest classifier with repeated cross-validation was developed to predict high levels of stress using demographic, occupational, and psychosocial variables. Results: The PSQ-30 demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α ≈ 0.96). High stress prevalence was 14.6%. Night-shift work emerged as the strongest predictor of high stress (OR ≈ 3.45–12.4), while greater work experience was associated with lower levels of stress. The profession was not an independent predictor after adjustment, although nurses showed a higher proportion of stress. Significant differences across professions were observed only for the Joy subscale (p = 0.026), with paramedics reporting lower scores. Department differences were not significant after accounting for sample size variability. The ML model achieved an ROC AUC value of 0.728, with 70% sensitivity and a high negative predictive value (97%), supporting its utility as a screening tool. The key predictors included age, pediatric department, and workplace conflict. Conclusions: Occupational stress in Polish healthcare workers is driven primarily by work patterns, particularly night shifts, rather than the profession alone. ML-based screening models seem promising for early identification of high-risk individuals, enabling timely preventive interventions.
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.
