Clinical Psychology

Objective: Cognitive impairment is a major public health problem among elderly population. The aim of this study was to assess some psychosocial predictors of cognitive impairment (age, education, living alone, smoking, depression and social support) in the Iranian elderly population. Method : A total of 1612 elderly (over 60 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). In addition, data from psychological tests and demographic characteristics were analyzed. Results: Older age, low education level, living alone, smoking, depressive symptoms, and lower social support were associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Ages 70 to 74 (OR = 3.47; 95% CI, 2.13-5.65), 75 to79 (OR = 3.05; 95% CI, 2.11-4.41) and 80 to 85 (OR = 5.81; 95% CI, 2.99-11.22) and depression symptoms (OR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.27-2.13) were significant positive predictors, whereas social support with scores ranging from 26 to ...

The article deals with the personal main features and mechanisms for psychological health development. Personal psychological health is regarded as a cumulative phenomenon and a part of two categoric concepts, such as Personality Psychology and Health Psychology. They are two fundamental notions viewed for the development prospects of Psychology as a scientific and practical subject. A student age is a shift in focus on addressing towards psychological health issues. It is taken into consideration that various factors influence student health. They are a way/standard of living, hereditary background, the environment (natural and social), health care quality provided, etc. The reality that a psychologist has to face at university is an adaptive health level of student psychological health. The characteristics of this level are individual features of social maladjustment. The authors define the main indicators of young people‟s psychological health via an anthropological approach. The...

Perfectionism constitutes a multidimensional personality trait. According to the diathesisstress model, perfectionism may predispose individuals to experience increased psychological distress during stressful periods. Since self-compassion is considered as a protective factor within the context of mental health difficulties, the primary objective of this study was to explore the mediating function of self-compassion in the relationship between positive (i.e., high standards and order) and negative (i.e., discrepancy) aspects of perfectionism and psychological distress among Greek emerging adults. The sample consisted of 410 university students (47.6% males and 52.4% females), with a mean age of 20.61 ± 1.88 years. The Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) were used to assess perfectionism, selfcompassion, and psychological distress, respectively. The results indicated that self-compassion mediated the association between positive and negative aspects of perfectionism and different dimensions of psychological distress (i.e., somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression). Specifically, discrepancy and increased levels of high standards were related to lower levels of self-compassion, thus leading to greater endorsement of psychological distress. In contrast, order was associated with higher levels of self-compassion, thus leading to lower levels of psychological distress. The findings of the present study highlight that self-compassion is an overall important area to examine in nonclinical populations. These findings have implications for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in enhancing individuals' self-acceptance and awareness of their perfectionistic tendencies, as well as compassion-focused therapy (CFT) in elevating self-compassion, mindfulness, and overall psychological well-being while reducing psychological distress.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, seriously impairing, and often recurrent mental disorder. Based on the predictions of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems and the Common-Sense Self-Regulation Model, the aim of the present prospective study is to examine the predictive value of clinical outcomes of a process model in which associations between perceived family functioning and patient’s clinical outcomes (i.e., symptom severity and suicide risk) are mediated by illness representations and coping strategies. A total of 113 patients with a clinical diagnosis of MDD (16.8% males and 83.2% females) aged 47.25 ± 13.98 years and recruited from the outpatient department and the mobile mental health unit of the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion in Crete, Greece, and from a Greek online depression peer-support group participated in the study. Family functioning was assessed in terms of cohesion and flexibility (Family Adaptability and Cohesio...

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is the third leading cause of disease burden, accounting for 4.3% of the global burden of disease. Personality traits, as described in the Five-Factor Model, are consistently associated with individual’s well-being and mental health. Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) are self-perpetuating dysfunctional cognitive structures that have been linked with psychological health and play a significant role in developing and maintaining psychological distress. Both personality traits and EMS have been extensively studied as contributors to MDD symptoms.ObjectivesTo our knowledge, very few studies have attempted to link personality to EMS in clinical samples. The present study aimed to investigate the association between EMS with personality traits of Five-Factor Model in a clinical sample of patients with MDD in Crete, Greece.MethodsTwo hundred and two patients with a clinical diagnosis of MDD (81.7% females, aged 47.75±14.06 years) participated in th...

Early maladaptive schemas (EMS), illness representations, and coping are associated with clinical outcomes of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the pathways that link these factors are largely unknown. The present prospective study aimed at investigating the possible mediating role of illness representations and coping in the associations among schema domains, symptom severity, and suicide risk in MDD. Participants were 135 patients diagnosed with MDD, aged 48.13 ± 14.12 (84.4% females). The Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 was used to measure schema domains at baseline. Illness representations and coping were measured at approximately five months later (mean = 5.04 ± 1.16 months) with the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Mental Health and the Brief COPE Inventory, respectively. MDD outcomes were measured about 10 months after the baseline assessment (mean = 9.44 ± 2.36 months) with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale....

Young adults are less likely to seek professional help even though they are most likely to experience mental health problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate young adults’ attitudes towards mental illness and self-stigma of help-seeking, identify possible determinants of attitudes and self-stigma, and examine the association between attitudes towards mental illness and self-stigma of help-seeking. The sample consisted of 485 Greek young adults (24.5% men, 75.5% women) aged 18–25 years (M = 19.54, SD = 1.83) who completed the Attitudes towards Severe Mental Illness (ASMI) and the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH). The results indicated that Greek young adults hold mostly positive attitudes towards severe mental illness and help-seeking, while their unfavorable attitudes are mainly related to difficulties with viewing people with a severe mental disorder as similar to other people, and fear that by seeking professional help a person’s worth will be diminished. ...

Background: The way postpartum parents’ COVID-19-related concerns are associated with the family environment, support resources and depressive symptoms areunder-investigated. Methods: Two hundred and forty-three new parents (132 mothers, 111 fathers) completed self-report questionnaires within an 8-week period after birth. Parental concerns for COVID-19-related life changes were assessed with the COVID-19 Questionnaire, perceived social support with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, perceived family functioning with the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales IV Package, dyadic coping behaviors with the Dyadic Coping Inventory and maternal/paternal postnatal depression with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results: (a) Higher levels of COVID-19-related concerns about daily life were associated with lower levels of family communication, satisfaction and increased depressive symptomatology in both parents, and with lower levels of family funct...

The COVID-19 pandemic raised many challenges for university staff and students, including the need to work from home, which resulted in a greater reliance on technology. We collected questionnaire data from university students (N = 894) in three European countries: Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Data were collected between 7th April 2020 and 19th June 2020, representing a period covering the first lockdown and university closures in these countries and across Europe generally. We tested the hypotheses that technology-related stressors (techno-overload, work-home conflict, techno-ease, techno-reliability, techno-sociality, and pace of change) would be associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, and that coping styles (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance) would mediate these relationships. Results showed significant positive associations between techno-overload, work-home conflict and anxiety and depressive symptoms, and significant negative associations betwe...

Background Social media use has vastly increased during the past few years, especially among young adults. Studies examining the relationship of social media use with mental health have yielded mixed findings. Additionally, such studies are extremely limited in Greece. The present study aimed to investigate the association between social media use, depressive symptoms and self-esteem among Greek young adults. Method A total of 654 individuals (50.5% male) aged 18-30 years (Μ = 23.62, SD = 2.71) completed self-reported questionnaires regarding social media use, depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Results Increased daily use of YouTube (more than five hours) showed a significant association with higher depressive symptomatology, b = 2.99, 95% CI [.78, 5.20], p = .008, while daily use of Facebook between two and five hours was related to significantly higher self-esteem, b = 1.61, 95% CI [.78, 2.44], p < .001, after adjusting for participants’ gender, age, educational level and emp...

The present study aimed to evaluate a path analytic model accounting for caregivers' psychological distress that takes into account perceived family cohesion and flexibility, expressed emotion and caregiver's burden associated with the presence of mental illness in the family. 50 first-episode and 50 chronic patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (most recent episode manic severe with psychotic features) recruited from the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, and their family caregivers participated in the study. Family functioning was assessed in terms of cohesion and flexibility (FACES-IV), expressed emotion (FQ), family burden (FBS) and caregivers' psychological distress (GHQ-28). Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of family dynamics on caregivers' psychological distress. The results showed that neither family cohesion nor family flexibility exerted sig...

The present study aimed to investigate possible differences in family environment among patients experiencing their First Episode of Psychosis (FEP), chronic patients and controls. Family cohesion and flexibility (FACES-IV) and psychological distress (GHQ-28) were evaluated in families of 50 FEP and 50 chronic patients, as well as 50 controls, whereas expressed emotion (FQ) and family burden (FBS) were assessed in families of FEP and chronic patients. Multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusted for confounders, indicated impaired cohesion and flexibility for families of FEP patients compared to controls, and lower scores for families of chronic patients compared to those of FEP patients. Caregivers of chronic patients scored significantly higher in criticism, and reported higher burden and psychological distress than those of FEP patients. Our findings suggest that unbalanced levels of cohesion and flexibility, high criticism and burden appeared to be the outcome of psychosis...

Objective The present study, taking a resource-oriented approach to mental health, aimed at investigating mental resilience and its determinants among undergraduate physiotherapy students using quantitative and qualitative tools. Design A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey supplemented by 2 focus groups. Setting One university in Hungary. Participants 130 physiotherapy students at years 1, 2, and 3. Main outcome measures Sense of coherence, a measure of dynamic self-esteem, as well as social support from family and peers were used to assess mental well-being. A screening instrument for psychological morbidity and perceived stress were used as deficiency-oriented approaches. Student opinions were gathered on positive and negative determinants of mental health. Results Resilience was lower [mean difference 4.8 (95% CI -3.4; 13.1)], and the occurrence of psychological morbidity (32.5% vs. 0%) was higher among female compared to male students. However, the proportion of students fully supported by their peers was higher among females (63% vs. 37.5%). Female students, unlike their male counterparts, experienced higher stress compared to their peers in the general population. Social support declined as students progressed in their studies though this proved to be the most important protective factor for their mental well-being. Conclusions Results were fed back to the course organizers recommending the implementation of an evidence-based method to improve social support as delineated by the Guide to Community Preventive Services of the US the outcomes of which are to be seen in the future.

Introduction Mental disorders constitute an increasingly important public health problem in the general population. Therefore, investigation of the determinants and state of mental health of those who will be treating patients, that is, future medical doctors, is justified. The paper gives an account of a mental health survey of medical students at a university in Hungary. Methods A representative sample of year I-V students (N = 100) filled an anonymous standardized self-administered questionnaire that included demographic and socioeconomic items, mental well-being characterized by a sense of coherence (SOC) and psychological distress, as well as health behaviour. SOC was measured by the 13-item Antonovsky questionnaire and psychological distress was measured by the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ). Models for estimating mental well-being in relation to various determinants were built by backward stepwise regression. Results Almost one-fifth of the students scored above the strict threshold on the GHQ indicating notable psychological distress. SOC showed significant positive correlation with perceived health and significant negative correlation with psychological distress. SOC and psychological distress were determined by different sets of explanatory variables in the regression models. Psychological distress and the use of sedative without medical prescription are inversely related to SOC; whereas social support and female gender show positive correlation to SOC according to our estimation. SOC, as expected, was a strong explanatory variable for psychological distress, forecasting an improvement in the GHQ score. Conclusion Psychological distress was significantly greater in our sample of Hungarian medical students than in the same age group of the general population. Psychological distress is strongly related to SOC and can be estimated by our proposed models. Both SOC and psychological distress can be used to characterize the mental health of future medical doctors, the improvement of which needs attention even during their training.

A social cognitive intervention was developed and delivered as a credit course to improve mental distress of university students, based on findings in a previous health survey showing notable mental distress among future teachers in Hungary in 2007. The intervention included increasing information on psychoactive substances used for stress reduction; skills development in stress reduction methods; improving skills in communication and problem-solving. All students who participated in the previous health survey were targeted. Mental status of the participants was assessed by a questionnaire before (n: 128, 22% male, mean age 23.21 years) and after (n: 148, 30% male, mean age 23.54 years) the intervention. Specifically, self-efficacy as outcome was approximated by a trait measure (sense of coherence); psychological distress was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg et al., 1997. The validity of two versions of the GHQ in the WHO study of mental illness in general health care. Psychological Medicine, 27,[191][192][193][194][195][196][197] after the intervention compared with that before. After the intervention, psychological distress was reduced among the participants (p: 0.013). Non-significant improvement occurred in the mean score for sense of coherence (from a mean 60.8 points before to 61.4 points after, p: 0.688). The intervention produced a modest but significant decrease in psychological distress in students at a cost of 54 US$ per 1 point improvement in mental distress. The intervention, a first example of the translation of the social cognitive theory into practice among students in higher education can be integrated into the curriculum as a standardized optional course.

Background: Blast-explosion may cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), leading to post-concussion syndrome (PCS). In studies on military personnel, PCS symptoms are highly similar to those occurring in post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD), questioning the overlap between these syndromes. In the current study we assessed PCS and PTSD in civilians following exposure to rocket attacks. We hypothesized that PCS symptomatology and brain connectivity will be associated with the objective physical exposure, while PTSD symptomatology will be associated with the subjective mental experience. Methods: 289 residents of explosion-sites have participated in the current study. Participants completed self-report of PCS and PTSD. The association between objective and subjective factors of blast and clinical outcomes was assessed using multivariate analysis. White-matter (WM) alterations and cognitive abilities were assessed in a sub-group of participants (n=46) and non-exposed controls (n=16). Non-pa...

The current study examined associations between affective and smoking-related factors, and dispositional mindfulness among smokers seeking enrollment in a cessation program in Brazil. METHODS Participants were first-time treatment seeking adult smokers (N=90) on a waiting list for a government-sponsored cessation program. Pearson's bivariate correlations assessed relationships between the primary outcome variable (dispositional mindfulness) and each explanatory variable (nicotine dependence, depression, anxiety, and state positive/negative affect). Linear regression analyses evaluated the unique contribution of each explanatory variable when controlling for the others. RESULTS The sample (N=90) was predominantly female (n=71) and most (79%) had 11 or fewer years of education. In the final regression model, a total of 36.2% of the variance in dispositional mindfulness was accounted for by positive affect (B=0.81, p<0.001), negative affect (B= -0.44, p=0.02), and level of nicotine dependence (B=1.48, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS Positive and negative affect, as well as nicotine dependence, account for a significant and sizable amount of the variance in dispositional mindfulness. Future mindfulness interventions for smoking cessation should be designed to address individual differences in affect, as well as nicotine dependence, in order to better tailor treatment to address baseline differences in mindfulness.

Despite a range of long-standing historical, political, ideological, professional, structural, and practical barriers, there has been, and continues to be, a clear consensus that integration between mental health and addiction services is sorely needed and long overdue. This paper focuses on one dimension of the challenge of integration from among the several-the conceptual-and proposes the construct of recovery as an organizing principle for bridging the divide between the two domains. After reviewing briefly the parallel history of the two traditions and their shared need for transformation to a recovery orientation, the authors offer an integrated model of recovery for persons with co-occurring disorders. They then derive from this model the underlying values, guiding principles, key strategies, and essential ingredients of recovery-oriented systems of care which comprise a common approach across both addictions and mental illness, offering a strengths-based solution to achieving integration where pathology-focused approaches have failed. 1 "Treatment in parallel and separate mental health and substance abuse treatment systems . . . is remarkably ineffective" -Drake and colleagues 1, p. 361 This conclusion was drawn by Drake and colleagues from their recent review 1 of research on the care of individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and addictive disorders. While the conclusion itself is not surprising, it is striking that this conclusion continues to be just as salient today as it was when it was first reached over 25 years ago. Since that time, numerous reports, reviews, and research have documented well and extensively the uneasy relationship that exists between mental health services and services for persons with addictions. Consistent epidemiological and service utilization data collected during this same period have shown that mental illnesses and addictions co-occur within the same person as frequently as they exist independently of one another. These data further call into question the current bifurcation of the behavioral health field into two distinct and heavily bounded territories. While work such as the review by Drake and colleagues cited above has sought to overcome this split in the field by repeatedly highlighting the importance of providing integrated care for persons with co-occurring disorders, systemic efforts continue to lag behind and to encounter numerous obstacles. These obstacles range from historical, political, ideological, professional, and fiscal/structural issues at one end of the spectrum (e.g., separate funding streams, independent state agencies) to practical and logistical issues at the other end. And unfortunately, Ridgley, Goldman, and Willenbring's 14 discussion of these obstacles more than 15 years ago remains as relevant today as when first published. Despite these long-standing and formidable barriers, there has been, and continues to be, a clear consensus in the field that integration is both sorely needed and long overdue. This paper focuses on one dimension of this challenge from among those mentioned above: the conceptual dimension-and this for several reasons. First, previous efforts that have focused on the etiology or nature of mental illnesses and addictions, or on the types of treatments required by these conditions, have failed to establish a common ground adequate to provide a foundation for integration. Efforts aimed at resolving the political, fiscal, and structural issues that impede integration have had minimal impact thus far, perhaps in part due to their lack of a

This article reviews the history and potential effectiveness of peer support among persons with severe mental illness. Following a historical overview, we describe the three primary forms of peer support that have been developed t o date by and for this population, and examine the existing empirical evidence of the feasibility, effectiveness, and utilization of each of these approaches in contributing t o the recovery of individuals with psychiatric disabiliies. These three forms are (1) naturally occumng mutual support groups, (2) consumer-run senices, and (3) the employment of consumers as providers within clinical and rehabilitative settings. Existing studies of mutual support groups suggest that they may improve symptoms, promote larger social networkr, and enhance quality of life. This research is largely from uncontrolled studies, however, and will need t o be evaluated further using prospective, controlled designs. Consumer-run services and the use of consumers as providers promise t o broaden the access of individuals with psychiatric disabilities t o peer support, but research on these more recent developments is only preliminary and largely limited t o demonstrations of their feasibility. We discuss issues entailed in participating in peer support for this population, and then close with a discussion of the implications for future policy, research, and practice.

This study aimed to characterize the effects of mirtazapine on polysomnographic sleep, especially slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, as well as its effects on clinical symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Sixteen MDD patients were treated with mirtazapine 30 mg taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Polysomnographic and subjective sleep, as well as other clinical data, were collected at baseline and on Days or Nights 2, 9, 16, 30, and 58 during treatment. We used repeated measures analysis of variance, including pairwise comparison, to analyze data statistically. Mirtazapine administration increased total SWS and the SWS in the first sleep cycle, but not SWS in the second sleep cycle. The medication increased REM latency and the duration of the first REM episode; it also decreased the number of REM episodes. Simultaneously, mirtazapine significantly reduced wake-after-sleep onset and scores on the Athens Insomnia Scale. After patients took the ...

Objective: Learning disorder is a problem that is often encountered in children in school, which can hinder their learning ability. Early detection of learning disorders involves observing the signs and symptoms of learning disorders in children, such as difficulty in reading, writing, counting, or memorizing information. In the early detection stage, the use of valid and reliable assessment tools can help identify children at risk of learning disorders. After early detection, the next step is appropriate management to help children overcome learning disorders. The management of children's learning disorders in schools involves a multidisciplinary approach that involves cooperation between teachers, psychologists, parents, and medical personnel. Method: Screening of 126 elementary school students in Surabaya using the Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire (CLDQ) to assess the presence of learning disorders. The Indonesian Hyperactivity Child Behaviour Assessment Scale (SPPAHI) is used to assess the presence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Indonesian population. Results: Screening with CLDQ resulted 22 (17.5%) of 126 children required attention and referrals related to learning disorders in various aspects and 104 children (82.5%) within normal limits. Screening with SPPAHI showed 19 children (15.1%) had a high risk of ADHD and 107 children (84.9%) within normal limits. The study found 86.4% of children with learning disorders has a high risk of ADHD. Education of parents of children with learning disorders has been carried out as a follow-up to early detection. Conclusion: Early detection of learning disorders and parental education are useful in the management of learning disorders.

A lack of knowledge and training on the topic of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons (GLB) in mental health graduate programs can lead to a culture of ignorance and ineffective treatment for a subset of the population. Multicultural competency is defined as having self-awareness of one's own values and biases, knowledge, and skills to work with a given population; and it is important in order to ensure appropriate mental healthcare. The purpose of the current study was to identify if there is a difference in GLB competency among graduate students and faculty (dependent variables) from mental health programs that are accredited by organizations like the APA and CACREP versus those from nonaccredited programs (independent variables). The key theoretical foundation that grounded this study was Multicultural Counseling and Therapy Theory (MCT). The research questions explored herein center on whether GLB competency differs between graduate students and faculty from accredited programs versus those from nonaccredited programs. Results of this quantitative comparative research design study were derived via a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) procedure in order to compare mean scores among the four groups. Results identified a significant difference between the groups in skills and knowledge; however, mean averages for graduate students from accredited programs (Skills M = 2.54, Knowledge M = 3.83) were below four, indicating little to no skills/knowledge. In order to optimize mental health treatment for the GLB community, graduate students in mental health programs must be exposed to GLB counseling training curriculum. The implications for social change focus on policy and accreditation standards set forth by APA and CACREP accrediting bodies.

Background: Common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety frequently co-occur and may share etiological mechanisms. The metacognitive model is based on the principle that there are common pathological mechanisms across disorders that account for comorbidity and therefore can be conceptualized in one generic model. A central prediction of the model is that particular metacognitive beliefs concerning the value of worry, and the uncontrollability and danger of cognition are positively correlated with psychopathology symptoms. In the present study, we set out to test the overall fit of this model by assessing generic metacognitive beliefs and judgements of attention control capacity as predictors of common and frequently co-occurring emotional distress symptoms. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 645 participants gathered at convenience completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Results: Structural equation modelling indicated a good model fit for the generic metacognitive model, and the predictors accounted for 93% of the variance in distress consisting of depression-, generalized-and social anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: This finding supports the generic model and the implication that it can be used as a basis to formulate and treat multiple presenting problems.

Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is proving to be an effective and brief treatment for anxiety disorders and depression, but there are no investigations of its feasibility and effect on primary personality disorders. We conducted a baseline controlled phase II trial of MCT on a group of patients with Borderline personality disorder all reporting early trauma history with sexual or physical abuse. All had been referred to our study after hospitalization and subsequently treated at the university outpatient clinic at NTNU. Twelve patients referred for severe long-term trauma and emotional instability were offered participation in the program. All gave their consent and were included in the trial. We aimed to examine retention over treatment and followup, if the treatment can be delivered in a standardized way across complex and heterogeneous patients and any evidence associated with treatment effects on a range of measures to inform subsequent trials. We measured change in mood, borderlinerelated symptoms, interpersonal problems, trauma symptoms, suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors across pre-post-treatment and by 1-and 2-year follow-up. Treatment appeared feasible with all patients completing the course and 11 out of 12 completing all follow-up assessments. All outcome measures showed a high retention rate and no drop-outs from the treatment. Large improvements over time and treatment gains were maintained at 2 years. There was significant reduction of borderline symptom severity, interpersonal problems and trauma symptoms from pre to 2-year follow-up. The results indicate that MCT may be applied to Borderline personality disorder and that future more definitive trials are warranted.

Interpersonal difficulties are common across psychological disorders and are a legitimate target of treatment. Psychotherapeutic models differ in their understanding of interpersonal problems and how these problems are formulated and treated. It has been suggested that they are both the cause and effect of emotional distress symptoms, that they result from early attachment experiences, and that they are related to personality dimensions. However, the metacognitive model of psychopathology predicts that emotion disorder symptoms and interpersonal problems are linked to a common set of factors involving dysfunctional metacognition. In support of this view, metacognitive therapy has substantially reduced interpersonal problems in patients with anxiety and depression even though interpersonal problems are not directly targeted, indicating a role for metacognitive change. Nevertheless, the relationship between interpersonal problems and metacognitive beliefs remains underexplored, and the statistical control of emotion symptoms, personality, and attachment is important in substantiating any metacognition effects. The aim of the present study was therefore to test metacognitive beliefs as statistical predictors of interpersonal problems while controlling for anxiety/depression, adult attachment, and the Big-5 personality dimensions. In a cross-sectional study, 296 participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. We found that positive-and negative-metacognitive beliefs, cognitive confidence, and cognitive self-consciousness accounted for significant and unique variance in interpersonal problems together with avoidant attachment and conscientiousness when the overlap between all predictors was controlled. These findings support the notion that metacognitive beliefs are relevant to interpersonal problems with the potential implication that metacognitive therapy could have particularly broad effects on both emotion disorder symptoms and interpersonal problems.

Background: Psychological health has a profound effect on personal and occupational functioning with Social Anxiety Symptoms in particular having a major effect on ability to work. Recent initiatives have focused on treating psychological illness with cognitivebehavioural models with a view to increasing return to work. However, the psychological correlates of work status amongst individuals with elevated mental health symptoms such as social anxiety are under-explored. Aims: This study reports a test of unique predictors of work status drawing on variables that have been given centre stage in cognitive-behavioural models and in the metacognitive model of psychological disorder. Method: The sample consisted of high socially anxious individuals who reported working (n=102) or receiving disability benefits (n=102). Results: A comparison of these groups showed that those out of work and receiving benefits had greater symptom severity, higher avoidance and use of safety behaviours, greater self-consciousness, and elevated negative metacognitive beliefs and beliefs about the need to control thoughts. However, when the covariance's between these variables were controlled only negative metacognitive beliefs significantly predicted out-ofwork status. Conclusions: Our finding might be important because CBT does not focus on metacognitive beliefs, but targets components that in our analysis had no unique predictive value for work status.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges to the safety and well-being of young people who were forced to engage in online learning, spending more time than ever online, and cyberbullying emerged as a notable concern for parents, educators, and students. Two studies conducted online examined the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of cyberbullying episodes during the lockdowns due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Portugal. Study 1 (N = 485) examined the prevalence of cyberbullying among youth during the first lockdown period in 2020, focusing on predictors, symptoms of psychological distress and possible buffers of the effects of cyberbullying. Study 2 (N = 952) examined the prevalence of cyberbullying, predictors, and symptoms of psychological distress during the second lockdown period in 2021. Results revealed that most participants experienced cyberbullying, symptoms of psychological distress (e.g., sadness and loneliness) during the lockdowns were higher for those who exp...

Objective: This study aimed to perform the psychometric properties of Perceived Stress Scale 10 among AF patients. Methodology: A study was performed among AF patients using the Perceived Stress Scale 10. Sociodemographic and patients reported clinical data were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. A p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of total 310 study participants, there were more female patients 185 (59.7%) than the male patients 125 (40.3%). No major issues regarding internal consistency, factorial validity, and convergent validity were observed. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the reliability and validity of Perceived Stress Scale 10 among the studied cohort of the AF patients.

Background-Methamphetamine (METH) is an increasing popular and highly addictive psychostimulant with a significant impact on public health. Chronic METH exposure has been associated with neurotoxic effects, profound neuropsychological deficits, and impaired quality of life, but few studies have examined the effect of the drug on the ability to carry out everyday activities. We assessed the effect of METH dependence on everyday functioning using the UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA-2), a performance-based measure designed to evaluate real-life skills. Method-UPSA-2 performance was quantified in 15 currently abstinent individuals with a history of METH dependence and 15 drug-free comparison subjects. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) were administered to assess psychopathology and executive function. Results-METH-dependent participants exhibited significant impairment on the UPSA-2 total score and several UPSA-2 subscales, including comprehension, finance, transportation, communication, and medication management compared to drug-free comparison subjects. Lower UPSA-2 scores were associated with impaired performance on the WCST, higher PANSS scores, and drug use at an earlier age. dependence may be associated with decreased everyday functioning ability potentially mediated by frontal cortex dysfunction or the emergence of psychopathology related to chronic drug use.

Pengambilan resiko merupakan ketidakpastian hasil yang diperoleh oleh individu dan justru cenderung menimbulkan kerugian bagi diri sendiri maupun orang lain. Salah satu faktor yang memengaruhi pengambilan resiko adalah egosentrisme. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengukur pengaruh egosentrisme terhadap pengambilan resiko siswa SMAN 1 Sinjai. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu metode penelitian kuantitatif. Teknik sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu cluster random sampling. Data penelitian diperoleh menggunakan skala egosentrisme dan skala pengambilan resiko. Subjek penelitian ini sebanyak 283 siswa, terdiri dari 119 siswa laki-laki dan 164 siswa perempuan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada pengaruh egosentrisme terhadap pengambilan resiko (r Square = 0,028, dan p = 0,005). Penelitian ini menggambarkan bahwa semakin tinggi egosentrisme remaja maka semakin tinggi pula pengambilan resiko pada remaja. Penelitian ini bermanfaat bagi siswa untuk melakukan p...

Wrocław Psychology: People and Ideas

Fragments of the Publisher's Review
The monograph “Wrocław Psychology: People and Ideas” is a comprehensive study that thoroughly presents the development of psychology at the University of Wrocław. Thanks to the interdisciplinary approach of editors Jolanta Kowal and Kiriakos Chatzipentidis, along with the team of authors, the history, profiles of prominent psychologists, and their contributions to various scientific subdisciplines have been showcased.

Structure and Scope
The publication is divided into seven chapters, covering a wide thematic spectrum – from historical roots, through clinical, social, and work psychology, to interdisciplinarity.

The book is distinguished by:

Interdisciplinarity: Highlights the connections between psychology and other fields, such as philosophy or neuropsychology.

Historical Context: Shows the evolution of science, from philosophical foundations to contemporary achievements.

Breadth of Analysis: Addresses both methodological issues and practical applications.

Summary
The monograph “Wrocław Psychology: People and Ideas” is a valuable source of knowledge for researchers and psychology students, showcasing the rich heritage of the discipline. The publication constitutes an important contribution to the historiography of Polish psychology and serves as an excellent starting point for further research.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) has been linked to both pathological anxiety and substance use problems. We evaluated relations between AS and substance use situations among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and concurrent DSM-IV anxiety disorders. We predicted that AS would be most strongly associated with substance use in situations involving negative emotions and interpersonal conflict in substance abusers with anxiety disorders. This group was compared to substance abusers with concurrent mood disorders and substance abusers without other disorders (N = 88). AS was positively related to negative emotion situations substance use for substance abusers with anxiety disorders and for substance abusers without other disorders. Contrary to predictions, significant differences between these groups were not found. The relationship between AS and negative emotion situations substance use remained after controlling trait anxiety in a combined group (anxiety disorders and substance abuse only groups). AS did not predict substance use for participants with concurrent mood disorders. Identification of factors that place anxious patients at risk for substance use problems will have implications for treatment and for the prevention of this form of maladaptive coping.

The socio-economic status of family has an effect on the mental health. Individuals from "low-S.E.S" families are more prone to depression and anxiety disorders. This study observes the relation between perceived parenting style and depressive moods in Turkish adolescents from 3 different S.E.S levels. A total of 150 subjects representing 3 different S.E.S levels were given the "My Memories of Upbringing", Children Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory tests. Results indicate that school guidance and psychological counseling services should develop policies addressing parents for giving insight about their parenting style which in turn might result in preventive mental healthcare.

Background Social anxiety (SA) is highly comorbid with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol may be negatively reinforcing for SA individuals by dampening post-event rumination (i.e., negative rumination following social interactions). Prior research has supported this hypothesis with negative rumination. Depression, commonly comorbid with SA and AUD, also features rumination. Method Through secondary analyses, we examined the effects of alcohol consumption before an in-lab social interaction and depressive symptoms on both negative and positive post-event rumination about the interaction. Ninety-four high SA undergraduates were randomized to consume alcohol or no alcohol before the interaction; depressive symptoms were measured. Post-event rumination was measured three days later. Results Those higher (vs lower) in depressive symptoms reported more negative rumination. Those randomized to the alcohol (vs no alcohol) condition reported more positive rumination after the interaction. Conclusions Individuals with SA may find alcohol positively reinforcing by increasing positive post-event rumination, independent of negative reinforcement effects. Clinical implications are discussed.

Perfectionistic self-presentation is thought to confer risk for social anxiety. Although this relationship is thought to occur dynamically from moment-to-moment, no research has yet tested this relationship using experience sampling methods. The present study stringently tested whether perfectionistic selfpresentation predicted social anxiety beyond several important covariates using a 21-day experience sampling design. A sample of 165 undergraduates (75.6% women) completed a series of questionnaires each day for 21 days using palm pilots. Generalizability theory and multilevel factor analyses suggested daily measures of perfectionistic self-presentation, social anxiety, perfectionism cognitions, and depressed mood evidence within-subjects and between-subjects variability, can be measured reliably, and represent distinct factors, allowing hypothesis testing. Multilevel regressions showed perfectionistic self-presentation predicted social anxiety at the between-subjects and within-subjects levels, even when controlling for socially prescribed perfectionism, perfectionism cognitions, and depressed mood. Overall, perfectionistic self-presentation emerged as a robust predictor of daily social anxiety, clearly extending prior cross-sectional research on this topic. By understanding how perfectionism operates from dayto-day, we can better understand the processes that give rise to social anxiety, and ultimately how to devise more effective ways to help people suffering from social anxiety.

Prior research has shown that anxiety sensitivity (AS) is associated with smoking to reduce negative affect (e.g., [Comeau, N., Stewart, S.H., & Loba, P., (2001). The relations of trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and sensation seeking to adolescents' motivations for alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. Addictive Behaviors, 26,). However, given limitations in the measurement of smoking motives in previous AS studies, it has yet to be definitively established that AS is specifically related to negative reinforcement smoking motives. Moreover, the overall AS construct is comprised of three lower-order components: physical, psychological, and social concerns (e.g., [Stewart, S.H., Taylor, S., & Baker, J.M., (1997). Gender differences in dimensions of anxiety sensitivity. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 11,). Previous investigations generally have not examined the relative contributions of each of these three AS components to smoking for negative reinforcement motives. The present study attempted to address each of these gaps in the literature. A sample of 119 smokers attending a tobacco intervention program (see [Mullane, J.C.,

To evaluate the impact of an abstinence education program on sexual intercourse initiation and on possible cognitive mediators of sexual initiation for virgin seventh graders in suburban Virginia. Methods: Measures of sexual behavior and 6 mediating variables were compared at 3 time periods for program participants and a matched comparison group (n=550), controlling for pretest differences. Results: At posttest, program stu-dents scored significantly better on 4 of the 6 mediators. After one year, program students had a substantially lower risk of sexual initiation than did comparison students (RR=.457, P=.008). Conclusion: The program achieved a significant reduction in teen sexual initiation, and the role of the cognitive mediators was supported.

Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by their critical evaluation of aesthetic aspects. A focus on body functionality could create a more positive perspective. This study examines psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and differences in scores between women with and without EDs. Method Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to investigate the factor structure in data from a community sample of 669 women and an ED sample of 150 women. Reliability, test-retest scores and correlations with Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were investigated. T-tests were used to evaluate differences between samples. Results EFA identified a one-dimensional factor structure, which was confirmed by CFA. Reliability was adequate and convergent and discriminant validity were supported through correlations with BCS...

Introduction. This research focused on answering questions: how mental health literacy and psychological distress act as predictors of psychological well-being in Sriwijaya University students. Methodology.This research used quantitative method, by conducting instrument preparation, data collection, and analysis of data results to see the role of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Psychological well-being was measured using an instrument in a form of psychological scale referred to Psychological Scale by Ryff & Keyes (1995). Meanwhile, psychological distress was measured using WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20) Indonesian version, and Mental Health Literacy measurement was adapted from O’Connor and Casey (2015). The participants of this research were consisted of 418 college students. Results.The analysis results show that there is a role of mental health literacy and psychological distress together on psychological well-being, thus the hypothesis is acce...

This study aims to compare stress reactivity, coping and life styles in people with and without insomnia. Methods: Among a population of all patients with insomnia disorder who attended Psychology and Psychiatry clinics in the first semester of 2017 and were diagnosed with insomnia, 30 persons were selected through non-random sampling. On the other hand, other 30 persons were selected as a comparing group from the main population. The two groups were matched as much as possible on age, gender, education, and marital status. Data were collected using Insomnia Saverity Index (ISI), Perceived Stress Reactivity Scale (PSRS), Andler & Parker Coping Style Questionnaire, and Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ). Data were analyzed by means of multivariate analysis of variance. Results: These findings show that, there is a significant difference between stress reactivity and its entire component in both groups. In other words, patients' group shows sever reaction to problem focused coping style, Emotion focused coping style and avoidance oriented coping style. This means that patients had higher stress reactivity than normal people. Predominant coping style in normal group were problem-focused and avoidance. In addition, prevailing coping style in patient group was emotion-focused. There was also a significant difference between patient and normal groups in terms of physical health, sports and fitness, disease prevention, mental health, spiritual health, social health drug avoidance and drug abuse and prevention of accidents. It can be concluded that the normal group have higher score in components of life style and their life style is better. However, in terms of weight control, nutrition and environmental health, no significant difference was found between two groups. It can also be concluded that patient group have high reaction to stress and mostly use emotion focused coping style and have low score in life style components. Since the pathophysiology of insomnia can be considered as a psychophysiologic hyperarousal status, higher Stress Reactivity with activating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis can lead to increase insomnia. Emotion focused coping style by controlling emotional responses and physiological arousal to reduce stress, leads to arousal and insomnia. Lifestyle can also lead to insomnia through affecting the biological mechanisms.

Neither psychological nor neuroscientific investigations have been able to fully explain the paradox that placebo is designed to be inert in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), yet appears to be effective in evaluations of clinical interventions in all fields of medicine and alternative medicine. This article develops the Neuroplasticity Placebo Theory, which posits that neuroplasticity in fronto-limbic areas is the unifying factor in placebo response (seen in RCTs) and placebo effect (seen in clinical interventions) where it is not intended to be inert. Depression is the disorder that has the highest placebo response of any medical condition and has the greatest potential for understanding how placebos work: recent developments in understanding of the pathophysiology of depression suggest that fronto-limbic areas are sensitized in depression which is associated with a particularly strong placebo phenomenon. An innovative linkage is made between diverse areas of the psychology and the translational psychiatry literature to provide supportive evidence for the Neuroplasticity Placebo Theory. This is underpinned by neuro-radiological evidence of frontolimbic change in the placebo arm of antidepressant trials. If placebo stimulates neuroplasticity in fronto-limbic areas in conditions other than depression -and results in a partially active treatment in other areas of medicine -there are far reaching consequences for the day-to-day use of placebo in clinical practice, the future design of RCTs in all clinical conditions, and existing unwarranted assertions about the efficacy of antidepressant medications. If fronto-limbic neuroplasticity is the common denominator in designating placebo as a partially active treatment, the terms placebo effect and placebo response should be replaced by the single term "placebo treatment."

The study evaluated the mental health outcomes following a 12-week neurophysiological tremor intervention among adults in the Ekurhuleni region with traumarelated stressors. A quantitative methodology was used grounded in the Polyvagal theory, employing Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Spearman's correlations to analyse the relationships between ACE dimensions (abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) and trauma-related outcomes. The research objectives were: (1) to explore childhood experiences of traumatic events and adult life adversities, (2) to determine a correlation between adverse child events and the other dependent variables (e.g., somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, as well as posttraumatic growth and resilience), (3) to determine the effect of the neurophysiological tremor intervention on the somatic symptoms, (4) to determine the effect of the intervention on anxiety, and depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, (5) to determine the effect of the intervention on posttraumatic growth, and ( ) resilience. The results revealed that 73.5% of the participants experienced physical childhood abuse, followed by emotional neglect, household substance abuse and household mental illness during childhood. Findings revealed significant correlations between household dysfunction and avoidance symptoms and between abuse and anxiety. The study demonstrated significant improvements in posttraumatic stress symptoms and their subdomains (i.e. intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations, and hyperarousal symptoms). Participants reported enhanced growth across posttraumatic growth dimensions (i.e. relating to others, personal strength, and an appreciation of life) and resilience. The study contributes to the growing evidence reinforcing neurophysiological tremor interventions for trauma recovery, emphasising ANS self-regulation for psychophysiological recovery.

BackgroundStudies report a growing tendency for students to experience state anxiety in schools. However, the combination of individual susceptibilities likely to trigger students’ anxious states remains unclear.AimsThis study examined whether distinct profiles of students emerge regarding their susceptibility to anxiety sensitivity and/or test anxiety and evaluated whether students’ profile predicted anxious states. We also verified whether susceptibility profiles varied across gender, school level, and school type.Sample and methodsIn total, 1,404 Canadian students in Grades 5 and 10 (589 boys; Mage = 15.2, SD = 2.1) from 13 public and private schools completed self-reported measures of state/trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and test anxiety.ResultsLatent profile analyses identified four susceptibility profiles: (1) Double-susceptibility: highest anxiety sensitivity and test anxiety scores; (2) Unique-susceptibility to test anxiety: high test anxiety score and low anxiety sensi...