Yasin Kavla

Background and Aims: Exercise dependence is a potentially maladaptive pattern in which regular training becomes compulsive, poorly controlled, and associated with functional impairment. Given uncertainty about whether dependence‐related symptoms are more closely associated with affective distress, impulsivity, or exercise exposure, the present study examined multidimensional impulsivity, depressive symptom severity, sociodemographic characteristics, and weekly exercise duration in relation to the 21‐item Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS‐21) risk classification among regular exercisers. Methods: In the present cross‐sectional study, 850 adults aged ≥18 years who regularly exercised at municipal centers, sports facilities, and healthy‐living complexes in Türkiye completed the EDS‐21, Short UPPS‐P Impulsive Behavior Scale, Short Beck Depression Inventory, and questions on weekly exercise duration, sociodemographic information, and health‐related variables. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, Kruskal‐Wallis tests, Firth‐penalized binary logistic regression, and an exploratory multinomial logistic regression retaining all three EDS‐21 categories. Results: Thirty‐two participants met the EDS‐21 dependence‐risk classification (3.8%), while 443 were symptomatic (52.1%) and 375 were asymptomatic (44.1%). EDS‐21 total score correlated with sensation seeking ( r = 0.28, p < 0.001), total impulsivity ( r = 0.23, p < 0.001), and depression symptom severity ( r = 0.09, p = 0.01). In the Firth model, being single (OR = 5.77, 95% CI [1.23, 33.03], p = 0.02), higher total impulsivity (OR = 1.71 per 10‐point increase, 95% CI [1.07, 2.75], p = 0.02), and longer weekly exercise duration (OR = 1.23 per additional 60 min/week, 95% CI [1.14, 1.33], p < 0.001) were associated with the dependence‐risk classification. Depression symptom severity was not ( p = 0.25). Conclusion: EDS‐21 dependence‐risk classification was associated with impulsivity, single marital status, and weekly exercise duration in the present sample. The null depression finding should be interpreted cautiously because scores were low and showed limited between‐group variability. These cross‐sectional findings identify correlates rather than temporal or causal predictors.

Background and Aims: Gambling disorder (GD) is a growing public health concern, with emerging evidence suggesting potential sex differences in clinical presentation, gambling preferences, and treatment-seeking patterns. Furthermore, non-Western countries/cultures and women's clinical populations are understudied. Therefore, this study aimed to examine sex-related sociodemographic characteristics, gambling behaviors, and psychiatric symptoms among treatment-seeking individuals with GD in Türkiye. Methods: Data from 12,505 treatment-seeking individuals who registered for Green Crescent Counselling Center between 2021 and 2024 were analyzed. A total of 330 women participants who met the inclusion criteria were identified and compared with a sample of 990 men participants (matched on age, marital status, and education). Sociodemographic and clinical features, gambling preferences, and psychiatric symptoms were compared between groups. Results: A notable increase in the number and proportion of women seeking-treatment for GD was observed between 2021 and 2024. Women reported beginning gambling at a later age and engaging in it for a shorter duration compared to men. They showed a distinct gambling pattern, with a strong preference for online casino games, whereas men primarily engaged in sports betting. Women also exhibited higher rates of co-occurring psychiatric concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, along with greater impulsivity. Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings highlight meaningful sex-related differences in the clinical presentation and gambling behaviors of treatment-seeking individuals with GD. The sizable representation of women suggests the need for sex-sensitive prevention and intervention strategies. Tailored approaches that address co-occurring psychiatric concerns, gambling preferences, and speculative motivations, may enhance treatment outcomes and inform future service provision in the treatment of GD, particularly for women.

Background: Deaths in schizophrenia are multifactorial, yet postmortem data from Türkiye are limited. This study evaluated demographic, clinical, and postmortem characteristics of patients with schizophrenia, with particular focus on antipsychotic use, death circumstances, and organ pathology. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 107 autopsy cases from 2020 to 2024. Data on demographics, clinical history, toxicology, and macroscopic organ findings were collected and analyzed. Results: Most patients were male (70.1%) with a mean age of 50 ± 13.8 years. Natural deaths accounted for 56.1%, predominantly cardiovascular, whereas non-natural deaths comprised 43.9%, mainly trauma and asphyxia. Antipsychotics were detected in 61.3% of cases, often in combination, and antidepressants in 21.7%. Combined antipsychotic use was associated with a lower likelihood of being found dead. Conclusion: Deaths in schizophrenia are influenced by cardiovascular, traumatic, metabolic, and pharmacological factors. Postmortem evaluations indicate limited macroscopic effects of psychotropic medications. Mortality risk assessment should integrate clinical, pharmacological, and sociodemographic factors.

Problematic pornography use has gained increasing scholarly and clinical attention over the past decade. Despite this, definitions remain contested, classification models are inconsistent, and measurement approaches vary, creating barriers for cumulative knowledge and evidence-based practice. This review provides an overview of the conceptual, methodological, and clinical landscape of problematic pornography use. The goal is to guide researchers and practitioners by summarizing current knowledge, identifying research gaps, and highlighting future directions. A narrative review of the literature was conducted, synthesizing theoretical models, epidemiological findings, measurement tools, identified risk and protective factors, and available intervention approaches. Special attention was given to cultural variation, usage characteristics, and the role of moral incongruence. Findings indicate that problematic pornography use is situated at the intersection of behavioral addictions, impulse-control difficulties, and compulsive tendencies, with no consensus on a unifying framework. Prevalence estimates vary widely due to sampling bias and definitional inconsistencies. Risk factors include impulsivity, insecure attachment, and early exposure, while protective factors such as family support and ethical disapproval may buffer risk. Excessive pornography use has been linked to psychological distress, relationship difficulties, and aggressive sexual attitudes, though associations are moderated by contextual variables. Measurement remains inconsistent, with few tools aligned with diagnostic criteria. Interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and pharmacological options show promise, but evidence is limited by small samples and short follow-ups. Future research should prioritize standardized definitions, culturally adapted measurement, inclusion of content-type variables, and methodologically rigorous longitudinal designs. Clinical efforts must expand to diverse populations and relational contexts, moving the field toward an empirically grounded and ethically responsible science of problematic pornography use

Internet gaming disorder, recognized in the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases alongside gambling disorder, is characterized by excessive gaming salience, impaired control, and functional impairment. With increasing prevalence worldwide and in Türkiye, identifying the sociodemographic and psychological features of adults with internet gaming disorder is crucial for prevention and intervention. This retrospective study analyzed data from 250 adults (18–66 years) seeking treatment at Green Crescent Counseling Centers in Türkiye between 2020 and 2024. Validated measures included the Sociodemographic and Clinical Information Form, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form, Addiction Profile Index Clinical Form, and Internet Addiction Short Form. Analyses comprised descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, Mann–Whitney U-test, and logistic regression. Results showed that most participants were male (91.2%), mean age 24.2; 89.2% were single, and 68% were 18–24 years. Mean onset of gaming was 12.6 years, with problematic patterns at 17. Strategy (46%) and war games (43.2%) predominated. Overall, 23.2% scored high risk (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form ≥36), with higher depression, anxiety, sensation-seeking, and lower assertiveness (p < .05). Predictors of high risk included male gender, marital status, primary gaming use, higher anxiety, sensation-seeking, and lack of assertiveness. Findings indicate internet gaming disorder is prevalent among Turkish adults, paralleling youth trends, and underscore the need for targeted prevention and integrated treatment approaches.