Cognitive-behavioral Strategies Research Articles

Introspective Meditation before Seeking Pleasurable Activities as a Stress Reduction Tool among College Students: A Multi-Theory Model-Based Pilot Study.

In the realm of behavioral interventions, a combined approach of yoga and a cognitive-behavioral strategy in the form of introspective meditation (manan-dhyana) may offer benefits as a stress management tool. This pilot study focuses on introspective meditation performed before seeking pleasurable activities, which is a self-reflection about whether to pursue a goal that will bring sensory pleasure in life. A non-probability sample of college students was recruited from a mid-sized Southern University of the United States using a 52-items web-based survey built in Qualtrics. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics were used to analyze data. Of total 65 students, only 21.5% students reported being engaged in the introspective meditation. The sample constituted predominantly females (75.4%), White (64.6%), and undergraduate students (87.7%). The proportions of anxiety, depression, and moderate/high stress were 50.8%, 40.0%, 86.1% respectively. In the hierarchical regression for initiation, the final model explained nearly 21.1% of variance in initiating introspective meditation among participants (n = 51) who had not been practicing it. With each unit increment in subscales of initiation (i.e., changes in physical environment), the conditional mean for initiating introspective meditation behavior increased by 0.373 units. In the hierarchical regression for sustenance, the final model explained nearly 50.5% of variance in sustaining introspective meditation behavior among participants (n = 51) who had not been practicing it. With each unit increment in subscales of sustenance (i.e., emotional transformation), the conditional mean for sustaining introspective meditation behavior increased by 0.330 units. This study can pave a way for designing interventions for college students to promote introspective meditation directed toward seeking pleasurable activities before engaging in them. This has implications for the reduction of stress as well as a preemptive measure for sexual risk-taking, indulgence in maladaptive behaviors such as smoking, vaping, alcohol, and substance use.

Management of sleep disorders among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders: A practical guide for clinicians.

There is a complex relationship between sleep disorders and childhood neurodevelopmental, emotional, behavioral and intellectual disorders (NDEBID). NDEBID include several conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning (intellectual) disorders. Up to 75% of children and young people (CYP) with NDEBID are known to experience different types of insomnia, compared to 3% to 36% in normally developing population. Sleep disorders affect 15% to 19% of adolescents with no disability, in comparison with 26% to 36% among CYP with moderate learning disability (LD) and 44% among those with severe LD. Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with significant risks of behavioural problems, impaired cognitive development and learning abilities, poor memory, mood disorders and school problems. It also increases the risk of other health outcomes, such as obesity and metabolic consequences, significantly impacting on the wellbeing of other family members. This narrative review of the extant literature provides a brief overview of sleep physiology, aetiology, classification and prevalence of sleep disorders among CYP with NDEBIDs. It outlines various strategies for the management, including parenting training/psychoeducation, use of cognitive-behavioral strategies and pharmacotherapy. Practical management including assessment, investigations, care plan formulation and follow-up are outlined in a flow chart.

The effects of protective behavioral strategies on heavy drinking following a pure motivational interviewing intervention

ABSTRACT Background: Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are cognitive-behavioral strategies that students use to prevent risky drinking. Prior work supports PBS as a mechanism of change following a brief motivational intervention (BMI) among college students. This study investigated the necessity of discussing PBS by examining changes in PBS use and drinking following an alcohol intervention that used the parent method of Motivational Interviewing (MI), or Pure MI. Methods: Data came from a pilot study that looked at the effects of Pure MI that targeted risky social drinking behavior. The study comprised 42 college students who endorsed hazardous drinking in the last 2 weeks and social anxiety symptoms. Participants completed measures of safe and heavy drinking behaviors at baseline and one-month follow-up. Results: The results showed that PBS use increased from baseline to one-month follow-up. Further, the reduction in heavy drinking in social situations was partially explained by an increase in PBS use from pre- to post-intervention. Conclusions: Despite not introducing PBS into discussions during the MI intervention, we found that students who used more PBS reported reduced heavy drinking in social situations. Implications from the study suggest that interventions focused on student motivation rather than knowledge can promote safe and reduce hazardous drinking behaviors.

An exercise cum cognitive-behavioral intervention for older adults with chronic pain: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

To examine the medium-term effects of a group intervention combining exercise and cognitive-behavioral strategies (EC) on older adults with chronic pain. One hundred and fifty-two Hong Kong Chinese older adults with chronic pain affecting bones, muscles, and joints were randomized by clinic/social center to receive 10 weekly sessions of EC or pain education (control). The primary (pain intensity) and secondary outcomes (pain disability, pain self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, pain coping, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, and hip and knee strength) were collected at baseline (T1), postintervention (T2), and 3- (T3) and 6-month follow-ups (T4). The trajectories of intervention effects were modeled by EC × time and EC × time2 interaction terms in mixed-effects regression. Significant EC × time and/or EC × time2 interactions were found for pain intensity, pain disability, self-efficacy, and catastrophizing, such that the treatment effect leveled off (pain disability) or diminished (pain intensity and catastrophizing) over time, or continued to increase in a linear fashion (self-efficacy). There was also a treatment main effect on hip/knee muscle strength. Group differences in favor of EC were observed up to 3-month follow-up for pain intensity (d = -0.51) and hip/knee muscle strength (d = 0.38), and up to 6-month follow-up for pain disability (d = -0.60) and self-efficacy (d = 0.52). No group difference was found for catastrophizing at any time point. No treatment effects were found for the other outcomes. Older people suffering from chronic pain can benefit from a program incorporating both cognitive-behavioral techniques and physical exercise. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Emotion focused therapy with injured athletes: Conceptualizing injury challenges and working with emotions

Athletes’ emotional responses to injuries may include feeling sad, angry, anxious, frustrated, helpless, irritated, and confused about their identity as athletes. Emotions are central in athletes’ sport injury experiences, yet most therapeutic approaches described in the sport psychology literature are grounded in cognitive-behavioural traditions and strategies may tend to emphasize controlling or suppressing emotions. Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is a robust, empirically-supported therapeutic approach grounded in experiential therapy and emotion theory that can be used to help athletes deal with injury-related difficulties. This position paper presents a rationale for using EFT in working with injured athletes. We review foundational principles of EFT and the conceptualization of emotions, emotion regulation, and dysregulation from an EFT perspective. Drawing on EFT theory, we present a conceptualization of five challenges and conflicts that arise within athletes’ injury experiences: (a) attending to the body and listening to the body; (b) tending to the pain versus pushing through pain; (c) interpersonal challenges and conflicts with others; (d) injuries as a challenge to athlete identity; and (e) concerns about time left in career and falling behind. Examples of ‘in vivo’ interactions between therapists and athletes are also presented to bring to life the use of EFT strategies and techniques, and we conclude with directions for future research and suggestions for practitioners to advance the use of EFT within the field of sport psychology. Lay summary: Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) is a process-experiential, person-centered therapeutic approach that holds promise for clinicians and therapists working with injured athletes. EFT could be used to evoke and experience emotions in therapeutic sessions in order to develop greater acceptance, awareness, and understanding about one’s emotions to facilitate healing and support athletes’ ongoing performance and sport careers.

Prevalence and Associated Factors with Poor Sleep Quality in Non-Professional Caregivers.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality in non-professional caregivers. With this purpose, cross-sectional data were collected from 201 dependent people’s family caregivers using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and an ad hoc questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic data. A total of 153 family caregivers were categorized as poor sleepers (PSQI > 5), resulting in a prevalence of poor sleep quality of 76.1% (95% CI = 70.5–82.5). Poor sleepers were more likely to care for persons with mental disorders (χ2 = 7.31; p < 0.01) and scored significantly higher on perceived burden (z = −4.44; p < 0.001), psychological distress (z = −6.24; p < 0.001), and in all the PSQI subscales (p < 0.001), compared with good sleepers (PSQI ≤ 5). By contrast, no differences were found between poor and good sleepers in age, gender, years providing care, and daily hours of care. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the factors of caregiver burden (β = 0.15; p < 0.05) and psychological distress (β = 0.53; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with sleep quality in dependent people’s family caregivers. Cognitive-behavioral strategies to improve sleep quality in the primary health care of family caregivers are suggested.

Effectiveness, User Engagement and Experience, and Safety of a Mobile App (Lumi Nova) Delivering Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies to Manage Anxiety in Children via Immersive Gaming Technology: Preliminary Evaluation Study.

BackgroundChildhood anxiety disorders are a prevalent mental health problem that can be treated effectively with cognitive behavioral therapy, in which exposure is a key component; however, access to treatment is poor. Mobile-based apps on smartphones or tablets may facilitate the delivery of evidence-based therapy for child anxiety, thereby overcoming the access and engagement barriers of traditional treatment. Apps that deliver therapeutic content via immersive gaming technology could offer an effective, highly engaging, and flexible treatment proposition.ObjectiveIn this paper, we aim to describe a preliminary multi-method evaluation of Lumi Nova, a mobile app intervention targeting mild to moderate anxiety problems in children aged 7-12 years using exposure therapy delivered via an immersive game. The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness, user engagement and experience, and safety of the beta version of Lumi Nova.MethodsLumi Nova was co-designed with children, parents, teachers, clinicians, game industry experts, and academic partnerships. In total, 120 community-based children with mild to moderate anxiety and their guardians were enrolled to participate in an 8-week pilot study. The outcome measures captured the app’s effectiveness (anxiety symptoms, child-identified goal-based outcomes, and functional impairment), user engagement (game play data and ease-of-use ratings), and safety (mood ratings and adverse events). The outcome measures before and after the intervention were available for 30 children (age: mean 9.8, SD 1.7 years; girls: 18/30, 60%; White: 24/30, 80%). Additional game play data were automatically generated for 67 children (age: mean 9.6, SD 1.53 years; girls: 35/67, 52%; White: 42/67, 63%). Postintervention open-response data from 53% (16/30) of guardians relating to the primary objectives were also examined.ResultsPlaying Lumi Nova was effective in reducing anxiety symptom severity over the 8-week period of game play (t29=2.79; P=.009; Cohen d=0.35) and making progress toward treatment goals (z=2.43; P=.02), but there were no improvements in relation to functional impairment. Children found it easy to play the game and engaged safely with therapeutic content. However, the positive effects were small, and there were limitations to the game play data.ConclusionsThis preliminary study provides initial evidence that an immersive mobile game app may safely benefit children experiencing mild to moderate anxiety. It also demonstrates the value of the rigorous evaluation of digital interventions during the development process to rapidly improve readiness for full market launch.

Coping and guilt in informal caregivers: a predictive model based on structural equations

ABSTRACT Caregivers experience great stress, and coping can be one of the factors, which determine the extent of stress. The aim of the present paper is to analyze the effects of coping strategies on distress of the older adult’s caregiver, including guilt as a mediating factor in those maladaptive strategies. The sample consisted of 201 informal caregivers of institutionalized older adults. The three constructs measured were: stress, guilt, and coping strategies. Results showed that strategies that have a better ability to reduce stress are active, positive reframing and acceptance; on the contrary, behavioral disengagement, self-distraction, self-blame and venting positively predicted the feeling of guilt that facilitated the perception of stress. Given the important association obtained between the experience of guilt and psychological distress in caregivers, it could be relevant to develop psychoeducational interventions with caregivers including techniques to reduce this feeling of guilt and develop cognitive behavioral strategies that facilitate adaptation.

Obesity: Treatments, Conceptualizations, and Future Directions for a Growing Problem.

Simple SummaryThe pyramid of interventions in the management of obesity include, diet restriction, diet therapy, physical exercise, anti-obesity drugs, prebiotics, probiotics, bariatric surgery, and cognitive behavioral strategies. Behavioral strategies that are being applied by predominantly private medical groups focusing on psychological assessments is appreciable; however, they are not replicated by all medical establishments, especially non-private health care institutions. This multifaceted disease has many treatment options; however, these options are not being fully implemented, especially in poor areas globally. Despite the upsurge in the market and expenditures in anti-obesity treatments currently available in economically stable areas of the world, obesity is still increasing at epidemic levels. The aim of this paper is to briefly highlight the anti-obesity treatments used presently and their inefficiency in isolation as individual treatments for obesity due to multifactorial causes. This report emphasizes that even focusing on psychological screening may not be enough to control this epidemic without further government and community cooperation. This report also presents novel strategies and radical thinking to include and amend successful interventions. Furthermore, we present details for incorporating web-based counseling and artificial intelligence to make treatments feasible, accessible, and cost-effective for all populations. We hope this paper will stimulate further debate and increase awareness in relation to the obesity problem and treatment strategies.Interventions in obesity management include nutritional selection, diet restriction, and physical exercise, followed by cognitive behavioral strategies, pharmacology, and surgery towards the tapered treatment end of the obesity pyramid of interventions. Calorie restriction, regular exercise, and several weight reducing drugs, including probiotic and prebiotic use, are increasing in the market as potential anti-obesity treatments all over the world. Despite these efforts, obesity is increasing and is at epidemic levels. We propose here that there should be a multicomponent individual specific treatment approach for treating this multifactorial pathogenesis, incorporating psychological assessment as a first step that may help to reduce the prevalence of this alarming epidemic. We also believe that focusing on psychological screening may not be enough to control this epidemic without government and community cooperation and intervention. Additionally, we suggest that it is imperative to take advantage of the developments in web-based counseling and artificial intelligence expansion in combination with available anti-obesity treatments to make treatments feasible, accessible, and cost-effective for populations of all ages. The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness and stimulate debate in relation to this growing problem.

Depression: A Modifiable Risk Factor for Poor Outcomes in Fibromyalgia.

Background:About 4 out of 10 fibromyalgia patients suffer from depression. The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) guidelines recommend using antidepressants to treat fibromyalgia.Objective:To determine predictors of improved outcomes following a multicomponent treatment program.Design:We designed this longitudinal treatment outcome study to evaluate the prevalence of depression symptoms in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia at a tertiary care facility, and the impact of depression on functional outcomes after completing a multicomponent fibromyalgia treatment program.Setting:Tertiary care center.Patients:This study included 411 adult patients with fibromyalgia who completed a multicomponent treatment program for fibromyalgia. Expert physicians performed comprehensive evaluations following American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria to confirm fibromyalgia before referral to the program.Intervention:An intensive outpatient multicomponent treatment program consisting of 16 hours of cognitive behavioral strategies served as the intervention.Measurements:Functional status was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR). Depression was evaluated with the Center for Epidemiologic Study of Depression (CES-D) measure. Measures were administered prior to participation in the program and approximately 5 months following completion of the program.Results:The cohort had a high prevalence of depressive symptoms (73.2% had depression at admission). Higher depression scores at baseline predicted poorer outcomes following multi-component treatment. Effectively treated depression resulted in improved functioning at follow-up.Limitations:Findings limited to tertiary care center cohort of fibromyalgia patients. Patients did not undergo a structured clinical diagnostic interview to diagnose depression.Conclusions:The current data links depression to poorer outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia. Depression is an important modifiable factor in the management of fibromyalgia. Guidelines should reflect the importance of assessing and effectively treating depression at the time of diagnosis of fibromyalgia, to improve functional outcomes.Registration:Specific registry and specific study registration number—Institutional Review Board—(IRB# 19-000495).Funding Source:No funding.

A case of an adult with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in which interventions to improve recognition of the disorder and cognitive-behavioral strategies led to employment and subsequent job retention

A case of an adult with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in which interventions to improve recognition of the disorder and cognitive-behavioral strategies led to employment and subsequent job retention

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Smoking Cessation Intervention for Cervical Cancer Survivors and Women With High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundThe prevalence of smoking among cervical cancer survivors is strikingly high, yet no smoking cessation interventions to date have specifically targeted this population. This paper describes the study design, methods, and data analysis plans for a randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a theoretically and empirically based Motivation And Problem Solving (MAPS) approach for promoting and facilitating smoking cessation among cervical cancer survivors. MAPS is a comprehensive, dynamic, and holistic intervention that incorporates empirically supported cognitive behavioral and social cognitive theory–based treatment strategies within an overarching motivational framework. MAPS is designed to be appropriate for all smokers regardless of their motivation to change and views motivation as dynamically fluctuating from moment to moment throughout the behavior change process.ObjectiveThis 2-group randomized controlled trial compares the efficacy of standard treatment to MAPS in facilitating smoking cessation among women with a history of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer.MethodsParticipants (N=202) are current smokers with a history of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer recruited nationally and randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: (1) standard treatment (ST) or (2) MAPS. ST consists of repeated letters referring participants to their state’s tobacco cessation quitline, standard self-help materials, and free nicotine replacement therapy when ready to quit. MAPS has all ST components along with 6 proactive telephone counseling sessions delivered over 12 months. The primary outcome is abstinence from tobacco at 18 months. Secondary outcomes include abstinence over time across all assessment points, abstinence at other individual assessment time points, quit attempts, cigarettes per day, and use of state quitlines. Hypothesized treatment mechanisms and cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated.ResultsThis study was approved by the institutional review boards at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Participant enrollment concluded at Moffitt Cancer Center in January 2020, and follow-up data collection was completed in July 2021. Data analysis is ongoing.ConclusionsThis study will yield crucial information regarding the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a MAPS approach for smoking cessation tailored to the specific needs of women with a history of high-grade cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer. Findings indicating that MAPS has substantially greater efficacy than existing evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments would have tremendous public health significance.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02157610; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02157610International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/34502

A Systematic Review of Interventions Targeting Criminogenic Risk Factors Among Persons With Serious Mental Illness.

Individuals with serious mental illness are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Research has found that interventions targeting risk factors for recidivism (i.e., criminogenic risks) reduce justice involvement in the general correctional population. However, more needs to be learned regarding use of these interventions among individuals with serious mental illness. To this end, this systematic review synthesized research on interventions that target criminogenic risk factors and are delivered to justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. A systematic search of six computerized bibliographic databases from inception to 2021 yielded 8,360 potentially relevant studies. Title and abstract screening, full-text reviews, and data extraction were performed independently, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. To identify additional articles meeting inclusion criteria, experts in the field were contacted, and reference-harvesting techniques were used. Study quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Twenty-one studies were identified that evaluated nine interventions delivered to justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. All identified programs targeted criminogenic risk factors, were group based, and used cognitive-behavioral strategies. Study quality was moderate to high. Interventions were associated with improvements in recidivism, violence, and criminogenic risk factors. This review is the first to evaluate interventions targeting criminogenic risks among justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness. Findings suggest that outcomes associated with these interventions are promising. Given the overrepresentation of persons with serious mental illness in the criminal justice system, these findings provide an important step toward identifying services that curb justice involvement in this population.

Further validation of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire for assessing motivations for responsible drinking: A test of self-determination theory.

Alcohol protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are cognitive-behavioral strategies used before, during, and/or after drinking to reduce alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Self-determination theory (SDT) provides a potentially useful framework to understand motivations for responsible drinking, which is operationalized in the present study as PBS use. In the present study, we examined the relation of motivations for responsible drinking, as assessed by the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ), with other SDT constructs (psychological need satisfaction and dispositional autonomy) and PBS use. A sample of 507 college students who reported consuming alcohol at least once in the past 3 months were recruited from a random sample of students enrolled at a Hispanic serving institution to complete an online survey. Consistent with SDT and previous studies of the TSRQ, we found support for a 4-factor structure of the TSRQ. The TSRQ demonstrated measurement invariance across several sociodemographic subgroups within the sample (e.g., biological sex, age, year in school), supporting the use of the TSRQ across these subgroups. Further, consistent with SDT-based hypotheses, greater psychological need satisfaction and dispositional autonomy were related to more self-determined motivations for responsible drinking. Also consistent with SDT, more self-determined motivations for responsible drinking were related to more frequent PBS use. The present findings further support the utility of the TSRQ for assessing motivations for responsible drinking and support SDT as a framework for understanding responsible drinking. Future directions for research applying SDT to understand and promote responsible drinking among college students are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

A Postoperative Nursing Experience Applying Swanson`s Caring Theory in a Teenager With Pectus Excavatum

A nursing experience applying Swanson`s caring theory in the care of a teenage patient who received Nuss procedure for his pectus excavatum is described in this article. After the operation, the patient suffered from postoperative pain, lack of knowledge, and body-image disturbance. These symptoms influenced the patient`s physical and mental health, and prompted the author to do an in-depth investigation and discussion of this case. The nursing period lasted from July 3rd to 10th, 2019. The author conducted a comprehensive nursing assessment using observation, interviews, listening, and telephone interviews. The major problems identified were acute pain, lack of knowledge, and body-image disturbance. During the nursing period, the author established a good therapeutic relationship with the patient. The author applied Swanson`s caring theory to understand the patient`s healthcare needs and provide appropriate care. The author discussed the treatment direction with the patient, applied cognitive-behavioral strategies to relieve pain, educated the patient on developing and implementing individualized rehabilitation plans to establish correct posture in daily activities, and helped the patient adapt to post-operative changes in appearance and maintain a positive attitude toward the future. The age gap between the author and the patient required that the author spend additional time communicating with the patient to encourage him to open up his mind. It is recommended that hospitals offer youth communication skills lessons for nurses to enhance their communication and care skills with people of different age groups. In sharing this nursing experience, we hope to provide medical staff with a reference for caring for adolescent patients with disease-related body-image disturbance.

Exploring former NCAA Division I college athletes’ experiences with post-sport physical activity: A qualitative approach

Researchers have found that former collegiate athletes (FCAs) exhibit unfavorable changes in physical and mental health later in life, which may be exacerbated by physical inactivity following retirement from college sport. Despite past sports training, FCAs are as active or less active than non-athlete alumni, with some not meeting the current Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Adults. Researchers suggest promoting PA in FCAs to prevent future health concerns (e.g., worsening body composition, physical function, depression). Prior to intervention development, a deeper understanding of FCAs’ experiences with PA post-sport and program characteristics they consider effective is warranted. Seventeen insufficiently active former National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences with post-sport PA and perceptions of effective program characteristics. Using Consensual Qualitative Research Procedures, five domains were constructed. This manuscript overviews the first three of these domains, which pertain to participants’ experiences with post-sport PA: (a) transitional lifestyle shifts that affected PA behavior; (b) barriers affecting PA choices and behavior post-sport; and (c) enablers affecting PA choices and behavior post-sport. All FCAs discussed needing a break to physically and mentally recover following sports retirement. Participants identified similar barriers to being active (e.g., time constraints, resource availability) following this break to those reported by non-athletic populations. Furthermore, FCAs prioritized activities they enjoyed, were influenced by past sports participation, and made them “feel” healthy and included in a group. Translating cognitive-behavioral strategies utilized to enhance sports performance may be viable in promoting PA maintenance in this population post-sport-retirement. Lay summary: Seventeen former college athletes (FCAs) participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences with physical activity (PA) post-sport and perceptions of PA promotional factors. Recognizing barriers, enablers, and transitional experiences regarding PA represents a critical step in developing effective PA interventions for FCAs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Former Division I college athletes indicated their population is susceptible to similar PA barriers faced by non-athletic adult populations. Cognitive behavioral strategies demonstrated to be efficacious in other adult populations may benefit FCAs. Many cognitive behavioral strategies used to enhance sports performance for athletes in college are applicable to PA promotion outside of sport. Mental performance consultants (MPCs) who work with this population may consider transferring the use of these strategies to focus on PA promotion in athletes transitioning out of sport. Former Division I athletes indicated completing exercise over general PA to attain long-term health benefits, but lacked solid goals that could guide their behavior. Focusing on cognitive-behavioral strategies that maintain exercise behavior may be the most viable way to improve long-term health and activity levels. As such, multi-disciplinary teams involving MPCs and exercise professionals may be warranted.

Cognitive-behavioral aspects in the effectiveness of foreign language training of students of a non-linguistic university

The article analyzes the impact of the cognitive-behavioral characteristics of students from a non-linguistic university on the level of success in learning a foreign language. The purpose of this article is to identify the patterns of the cognitive-behavioral parameters of decision-making in the conditions of choosing between various alternative reactions and their relationship with the effectiveness of foreign language training of students from a non-linguistic university. To study behavior patterns, the method of parameterizing was used such as an important component of any activity, as decision-making by modeling situations under conditions of free, probabilistic and conditional choice. The study involved freshmen and sophomores from a medical university, who were studying foreign languages. The simulation of the follow-up of the stimulus presented revealed a low level of voluntary attention in the students with low performance, especially in a situation of imposed rhythm. Naturally, there is the hypothesis that in this group, their own cognitive style is dependent on environmental conditions, so this must be taken into account in the learning process. The results obtained indicate that the presence of universal differentiated cognitive-behavioral strategies are important in the case of successful / unsuccessful command of a foreign language.

Are online mental health interventions for youth effective? A systematic review

Objectives This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of online mental health interventions for youth. Methods We searched seven electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and SCOPUS) for the past 10 years to identify randomized controlled trials which have evaluated the use of telehealth interventions for young people with mental health problems. The included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias. Results Forty-five randomized controlled trials (n = 13,291 participants) were eligible for this review. Most studies (35 trials) evaluated the use of web-based self-help platforms to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (14 trials), mindfulness (four trials), acceptance commitment therapy (five trials) and positive psychology (two trials). Mobile/computer applications were used to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (four trials) and coping strategies training (two trials). Web-based synchronous chat (one trial) was used to assist communication between counsellors and participants. Three studies used artificial intelligence-based conversational agents to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (two trials) and problem-solving-strategy training (one trial). Eighty-two percent (n = 37) identified the participants as student population (i.e. university students, high school students). Sixty-four percent (n = 29) of the telehealth interventions were found to be effective in managing depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia and improving quality of life when compared with control conditions. Conclusions Online mental health interventions were found to be effective in managing diverse mental health conditions among youth. Online self-help platforms were the most frequently used modality and artificial intelligence-based chatbots are merging as potential solutions. Future research is warranted to investigate the solutions to improve the retention rate and satisfaction of telehealth interventions among this population.

Pain coping strategies and their association with quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional study.

ObjectiveTo develop multidimensional approaches for pain management, this study aimed to understand how PD patients cope with pain.DesignCross-sectional, cohort study.SettingMonocentric, inpatient, university hospital.Participants52 patients with Parkinson’s disease (without dementia) analysed.Primary and secondary outcome measuresMotor function, nonmotor symptoms, health-related quality of life (QoL), and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire were assessed. Elastic net regularization and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to study the association among coping, clinical parameters, and QoL.ResultsMost patients cope with pain through active cognitive (coping self-statements) and active behavioral strategies (increasing pain behaviors and increasing activity level). Active coping was associated with lower pain rating. Regarding QoL domains, active coping was associated with better physical functioning and better energy, whereas passive coping was associated with poorer emotional well-being. However, as demonstrated by MANOVA, the impact of coping factors (active and passive) on the Short Form 36 domains was negligible after correction for age, motor function, and depression.ConclusionPassive coping strategies are the most likely coping response of those with depressive symptoms, whereas active coping strategies are the most likely coping response to influence physical function. Although coping is associated with pain rating, the extent that pain coping responses can impact on QoL seems to be low.

Management of Common Psychiatric Illnesses on Pediatric Medical Floors

Pediatric consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatry focuses on the treatment of mental health difficulties in physically ill children. This article focuses on three diagnoses that a pediatric CL psychiatrist commonly encounters: delirium, somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRD), and pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS). Delirium is an acute cerebral dysfunction secondary to an organic cause and can present with agitation, sleep disruption, disorientation, inattention, perceptual disturbances or apathy, and withdrawal. The management of delirium involves the treatment of underlying medical causes by environmental modifications and pharmacological strategies. SSRDs present with medically unexplained symptoms in which physical examination and laboratory testing do not justify a diagnosis of a known medical illness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has the most evidence for the treatment of SSRDs, whereas pharmacological interventions have insufficient evidence in improving core symptoms of SSRDs. PMTS is defined as a set of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in response to pain, injury, serious illness, medical procedures, and invasive or frightening treatment experiences. Brief, focused cognitive-behavioral strategies delivered in a family-centered approach can prevent or reduce symptoms. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2021;51(10):473–481.]