Analysis of psychophysiological state of two groups of 15-16 years old young men: a group of healthy young men and a group of young men with neurotic disorders

Abstract

Objective. To find and identify differences in psychophysiological states of two groups of 15-16-years-old young men: a group of healthy young men and a group of young men with neurotic disorders.

Materials and methods. Comparative analysis of age-related dynamics of psychophysiological functions was con- ducted between groups of healthy young men (A-15 and A-16) and young men of the same age with neurotic disorders (H-15 and H-16). Materials of the experiment included various corrective psychological exercises, numerical memory tests, algebraic calculations, thermometric tests, and self-reported Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Spielberger, 1983).

Results. Between the two groups of young men, those with neurotic disorders demonstrated decline in higher brain functions, such as deficit in attention and short-term nonverbal memory, lower rate of algebraic calculations, and  lower scores of psychomotor static and dynamic coordination during minimal neurological disturbances.

Conclusions. The group of young men with borderline neurotic disorders did not experience any progress in memory functions, accuracy in performing simple logical operations, and psychomotor coordination. In contrast, these young men experienced decline in all of the above-mentioned states. To summarize, the experiment demonstrated that 1) the group of young men with neurotic disorders scored lower when performing operations and psychological exercises compared to the healthy young men of the same age group; 2) presence of neurotic disorders correlates with malfunc- tions of higher brain functioning.