Alex Hofer
Biographic Data
| ID | 7647784 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Alex Hofer |
| GIVEN NAMES | Alex |
| FAMILY NAME | Hofer |
| SIGNATURE | HOFER A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Innsbruck Medical University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5834-4258 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
Cross-Cultural Comparison of Perceived Stigma in Major Depressive Disorder
BACKGROUND: Perceived stigma in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a well-established barrier to help-seeking, social functioning, and quality of life. However, little is known about how stigma is shaped by cultural context and which psychosocial resources may buffer its effects. AIMS: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived stigma and key protective factors - spirituality, resilience, quality of life, and social functionin…
Changes in psychopathology and peripheral inflammation in schizophrenia patients initiating treatment with second-generation antipsychotics
Neuroinflammation has been proposed as a potential factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and has been suggested to be both a state and a trait measure of the disease. However, the results of previous studies are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate whether peripheral inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and …
Overcoming times of crisis
Our findings underscore the complex nature of coping behaviours and PD during and after the pandemic, suggesting that while mean-levels of PD and coping responses remained relatively stable, most coping strategies were subject to intra-individual change. Maladaptive strategies were associated with increased PD, pinpointing to the need for interventions that establish the foundation for adaptive coping mechanisms and promote their application. Fur…
Long-term impact of resilience and extraversion on psychological distress during the Covid-19 pandemic
Next to showing that people with MHD were particularly affected by the pandemic, these findings indicate that higher degrees of resilience and extraversion are related to less long-term psychological distress. Our findings stress the relevance of strengthening resilience and extraversion and to provide mental health support in times of crises, both to patients with MHD and the general population
Temporal atrophy together with verbal encoding impairment is highly predictive for cognitive decline in typical Alzheimer’s dementia – a retrospective follow-up study
Our results show that temporal atrophy together with deficits in the encoding of verbal material, rather than in immediate or delayed recall, is highly predictive for rapid cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate amnestic/typical ADD. These findings point to the relevance of combining detailed cognitive and automated structural imaging analyses to predict clinical progression in patients with ADD
Covid-19 restrictions promoted the newly occurring loneliness in older people – a prospective study in a memory clinic population
In conclusion, personal contacts and a close friendship network appear to be more decisive to prevent loneliness in older people than does the use of digital communication media. However, promoting an intensified use of digital communication media may be useful to counteract loneliness, especially in dementia patients
Negative symptoms and social cognition as mediators of the relationship between neurocognition and functional outcome in schizophrenia
Our results indicate that pathways to functional outcomes are specific for different domains of real-life functioning and that negative symptoms and social cognition mediate the impact of neurocognitive deficits on different domains of functioning. Our results suggest that both negative symptoms and social cognition should be targeted by psychosocial interventions to enhance the functional impact of neurocognitive remediation
European Validation of the Self-Evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS)
In a large European multicentric sample, this study demonstrated that the SNS has: (1) good psychometric properties with good convergent and divergent validities; (2) a five-factor latent structure; (3) an association with patients' functional outcome; and (4) the capacity to identify subjects with negative symptoms that is close to the BNSS and superior to the PANSS negative subscale
Addiction in the time of Covid-19
These findings emphasize the need of preventive and educational measures regarding substance use behavior for both individuals suffering from SUD and those without mental health disorders
Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Boredom Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: COVID-19-related mental health problems are considered a public health challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom among the general population of the federal state of Tyrol, Austria. Methods: Residents of Tyrol aged ≥ 18 years were recruited via dissemination of a link through social media and other advertisements and invited to complete an online survey from June 26th to August…
Physician's Burnout and the Covid-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Austria
Background: The current study assesses the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among general practitioners and physicians of various specialities, who are not working in a hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally in this context, contributing factors are registered. Materials and Methods: Burnout and psychological distress were assessed with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). …
The Impact of Resilience and Extraversion on Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Boredom During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: The Covid-19 pandemic and related measures represent an enormous burden on mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes in psychological distress, loneliness, boredom, and resilience over the course of the pandemic and to examine the associations between resilience and extraversion at baseline (summer 2020) and psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom at 5-month-follow-up. Methods: Residents of T…
The Mediating Role of Resilience and Extraversion on Psychological Distress and Loneliness Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria Between the First and the Second Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: During the first 3 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal state of Tyrol, Austria had one of the strictest curfews in Austria and worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the assumingly protective role of resilience and extraversion and its impact on mental health following such an uncertain and unpredictable situation. Methods: Between the first and the second wave of the pandemic, adult residents of Tyrol were…
Resilience Predicts Self-Stigma and Stigma Resistance in Stabilized Patients With Bipolar I Disorder
The identification of factors that prevent self-stigma and on the other hand promote stigma resistance are of importance in the long-term management of bipolar disorder. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to investigate the association of factors deemed relevant in this context, i.e., resilience, premorbid functioning, and residual mood symptoms, with self-stigma/stigma resistance. Sixty patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder were …
The relationship between emotional intelligence and quality of life in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder
Our findings point to a difference in the interrelation between EI and QoL in patients suffering from SZ and BD, and suggest that they may have different needs to achieve recovery. It will be critical to develop training programs targeting EI in SZ, and to examine their impact on objective QoL in these patients
Premorbid Social Functioning and Affective Symptoms Predict Subjective Outcome Among Outpatients With Schizophrenia
Improving the subjective outcome of patients is an important target in the treatment of schizophrenia. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to examine the association of factors deemed relevant in this context, i.e., premorbid functioning, residual symptoms, and side effects of antipsychotic medication, with subjective outcome. To this end, 70 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia were included into a cross-sectional study. Pr…
Cannabinoid as Beneficial Replacement Therapy for Psychotropics to Treat Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Severe Alzheimer’s Dementia
Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 17% of people aged 75-84. Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as delusions, agitation, anxiety, and hallucinations are present in up to 95% of patients in all stages of dementia. To date, any approved and effective pharmacological interventions for the treatment of NPS are still not available. We describe a clinical case of a female patient diagnosed …
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Premorbid Social Functioning and Affective Symptoms Predict Subjective Outcome Among Outpatients With Schizophrenia
Improving the subjective outcome of patients is an important target in the treatment of schizophrenia. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to examine the association of factors deemed relevant in this context, i.e., premorbid functioning, residual symptoms, and side effects of antipsychotic medication, with subjective outcome. To this end, 70 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia were included into a cross-sectional study. Pr…
Cannabinoid as Beneficial Replacement Therapy for Psychotropics to Treat Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Severe Alzheimer’s Dementia
Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 17% of people aged 75-84. Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as delusions, agitation, anxiety, and hallucinations are present in up to 95% of patients in all stages of dementia. To date, any approved and effective pharmacological interventions for the treatment of NPS are still not available. We describe a clinical case of a female patient diagnosed …
Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Boredom Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: COVID-19-related mental health problems are considered a public health challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom among the general population of the federal state of Tyrol, Austria. Methods: Residents of Tyrol aged ≥ 18 years were recruited via dissemination of a link through social media and other advertisements and invited to complete an online survey from June 26th to August…
Physician's Burnout and the Covid-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Austria
Background: The current study assesses the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among general practitioners and physicians of various specialities, who are not working in a hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally in this context, contributing factors are registered. Materials and Methods: Burnout and psychological distress were assessed with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). …
The Impact of Resilience and Extraversion on Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Boredom During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: The Covid-19 pandemic and related measures represent an enormous burden on mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes in psychological distress, loneliness, boredom, and resilience over the course of the pandemic and to examine the associations between resilience and extraversion at baseline (summer 2020) and psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom at 5-month-follow-up. Methods: Residents of T…
The Mediating Role of Resilience and Extraversion on Psychological Distress and Loneliness Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria Between the First and the Second Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Background: During the first 3 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal state of Tyrol, Austria had one of the strictest curfews in Austria and worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the assumingly protective role of resilience and extraversion and its impact on mental health following such an uncertain and unpredictable situation. Methods: Between the first and the second wave of the pandemic, adult residents of Tyrol were…
Resilience Predicts Self-Stigma and Stigma Resistance in Stabilized Patients With Bipolar I Disorder
The identification of factors that prevent self-stigma and on the other hand promote stigma resistance are of importance in the long-term management of bipolar disorder. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to investigate the association of factors deemed relevant in this context, i.e., resilience, premorbid functioning, and residual mood symptoms, with self-stigma/stigma resistance. Sixty patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder were …
The relationship between emotional intelligence and quality of life in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder
Our findings point to a difference in the interrelation between EI and QoL in patients suffering from SZ and BD, and suggest that they may have different needs to achieve recovery. It will be critical to develop training programs targeting EI in SZ, and to examine their impact on objective QoL in these patients
European Validation of the Self-Evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS)
In a large European multicentric sample, this study demonstrated that the SNS has: (1) good psychometric properties with good convergent and divergent validities; (2) a five-factor latent structure; (3) an association with patients' functional outcome; and (4) the capacity to identify subjects with negative symptoms that is close to the BNSS and superior to the PANSS negative subscale
Addiction in the time of Covid-19
These findings emphasize the need of preventive and educational measures regarding substance use behavior for both individuals suffering from SUD and those without mental health disorders
Overcoming times of crisis
Our findings underscore the complex nature of coping behaviours and PD during and after the pandemic, suggesting that while mean-levels of PD and coping responses remained relatively stable, most coping strategies were subject to intra-individual change. Maladaptive strategies were associated with increased PD, pinpointing to the need for interventions that establish the foundation for adaptive coping mechanisms and promote their application. Fur…
Long-term impact of resilience and extraversion on psychological distress during the Covid-19 pandemic
Next to showing that people with MHD were particularly affected by the pandemic, these findings indicate that higher degrees of resilience and extraversion are related to less long-term psychological distress. Our findings stress the relevance of strengthening resilience and extraversion and to provide mental health support in times of crises, both to patients with MHD and the general population
Temporal atrophy together with verbal encoding impairment is highly predictive for cognitive decline in typical Alzheimer’s dementia – a retrospective follow-up study
Our results show that temporal atrophy together with deficits in the encoding of verbal material, rather than in immediate or delayed recall, is highly predictive for rapid cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate amnestic/typical ADD. These findings point to the relevance of combining detailed cognitive and automated structural imaging analyses to predict clinical progression in patients with ADD
Covid-19 restrictions promoted the newly occurring loneliness in older people – a prospective study in a memory clinic population
In conclusion, personal contacts and a close friendship network appear to be more decisive to prevent loneliness in older people than does the use of digital communication media. However, promoting an intensified use of digital communication media may be useful to counteract loneliness, especially in dementia patients
Negative symptoms and social cognition as mediators of the relationship between neurocognition and functional outcome in schizophrenia
Our results indicate that pathways to functional outcomes are specific for different domains of real-life functioning and that negative symptoms and social cognition mediate the impact of neurocognitive deficits on different domains of functioning. Our results suggest that both negative symptoms and social cognition should be targeted by psychosocial interventions to enhance the functional impact of neurocognitive remediation
Changes in psychopathology and peripheral inflammation in schizophrenia patients initiating treatment with second-generation antipsychotics
Neuroinflammation has been proposed as a potential factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and has been suggested to be both a state and a trait measure of the disease. However, the results of previous studies are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate whether peripheral inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and …
Cross-Cultural Comparison of Perceived Stigma in Major Depressive Disorder
BACKGROUND: Perceived stigma in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a well-established barrier to help-seeking, social functioning, and quality of life. However, little is known about how stigma is shaped by cultural context and which psychosocial resources may buffer its effects. AIMS: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived stigma and key protective factors - spirituality, resilience, quality of life, and social functionin…
Psychiatry (15 works) · Clinical Psychology (14 works) · Clinical Psychology (14 works) · Medicine (14 works) · Psychology (14 works) · COVID-19 and Mental Health (8 works) · Distress (7 works) · Mental health (7 works) · Context (archaeology (5 works) · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 (5 works)