Development Of Psychological Interventions Research Articles

Analysis and Countermeasures of College Students' Value Orientation Education and Mental Health Education from the Perspective of traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution

The value orientation and mental health education of contemporary college students is an important link for colleges and universities to implement the fundamental task of Building Morality and cultivating people. In order to understand the value orientation and mental health status of college students and put forward corresponding countermeasures, this paper uses the traditional Chinese medicine system scale and map personality test to carry out a questionnaire survey on Shandong universities such as Shandong University, Shandong Normal University and Shandong University of traditional Chinese medicine to explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine constitution and mental quality. The results show that in addition to the peaceful quality, the top three in the biased constitution types are damp heat quality, Qi deficiency quality and yang deficiency quality. Most of them are not sociable, less Qi and lazy words, and irritable, which is related to the inherent factors of College Students' physique and the loss of support after the day. From the perspective of TCM Constitution, this paper analyzes the value orientation and mental health status of contemporary college students, and applies TCM constitution theory to college students' value orientation and mental health education, so as to promote the innovative development of psychological intervention in Colleges and universities.

Problem Behaviours and Parental Stress among Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

There is phenomenal rate of increasing level of stress. Parents who raise their children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience higher stress levels than the parents of children without these disorders. Problem behaviors of intellectually disabled patients acts as a serious barrier to the personal development and to the others in the environment. At the same time these interferes with their parents lives. The present study investigates the relationship between parental stress and behavioral problems of children with mild intellectual disability. 32 parents of children with mild intellectual disability were assessed by Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Parental stress was high among fathers than mothers; also, there was significant difference between the stress levels of parents on the basis of gender of their children. Stress among parents of boy child was high than among girl child. Further there was no correlation between behavioral problems and parental stress. This study holds implication in development of psychological interventions by providing a platform for parents to deal with the behavioral problem of their children.

Coping strategies and self-esteem in women with breast cancer

Coping with a breast cancer diagnosis and the use of different strategies is key to overcoming this stressful situation. Various psychological variables are related to how patients cope with the disease, one of which is self-esteem. The current study analyses the how age influences patients with breast cancer in terms of the coping strategies used to deal with the disease, exploring whether self-esteem influences the use of such strategies, along with the possible interrelation between these variables. Self-esteem is studied using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale and coping strategies were assessed using the COPE-28 scale, both in their Spanish versions. The sample consisted of 121 women (with breast cancer), aged between 30 and 77 years (M = 49.33, SD = 8.90). The results indicate that active coping is the strategy with the highest score. We found significant, age-mediated relationships between self-esteem scores and active coping strategies such as positive reframing, acceptance, or use of emotional support. Knowing how to cope with the disease will help in the development of psychological interventions that improve the quality of life in these patients throughout the oncological disease process.

Psychological controversies in gastroparesis: A systematic review.

AIMTo systematically review literature addressing three key psychologically-oriented controversies associated with gastroparesis.METHODSA comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases was performed to identify literature addressing the relationship between gastroparesis and psychological factors. Two researchers independently screened all references. Inclusion criteria were: an adult sample of gastroparesis patients, a quantitative methodology, and at least one of the following: (1) evaluation of the prevalence of psychopathology; (2) an outcome measure of anxiety, depression, or quality of life; and (3) evidence of a psychological intervention. Case studies, review articles, and publications in languages other than English were excluded from the current review.RESULTSPrevalence of psychopathology was evaluated by three studies (n = 378), which found that combined anxiety/depression was present in 24% of the gastroparesis cohort, severe anxiety in 12.4%, depression in 21.8%-23%, and somatization in 50%. Level of anxiety and depression was included as an outcome measure in six studies (n = 1408), and while limited research made it difficult to determine the level of anxiety and depression in the cohort, a clear positive relationship with gastroparesis symptom severity was evident. Quality of life was included as an outcome measure in 11 studies (n = 2076), with gastroparesis patients reporting lower quality of life than population norms, and a negative relationship between quality of life and symptom severity. One study assessed the use of a psychological intervention for gastroparesis patients (n = 120) and found that depression and gastric function were improved in patients who received psychological intervention, however the study had considerable methodological limitations.CONCLUSIONGastroparesis is associated with significant psychological distress and poor quality of life. Recommendations for future studies and the development of psychological interventions are provided.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients--a systematic review.

Breast cancer (BC) is potentially a traumatic stressor which may be associated with negative outcomes, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study aims to identify the core issues of BC related PTSD, PTG and psychological distress by interrogating the literature in BC survivors. We have also highlighted issues related to the assessment, diagnosis and clinical management of PTSD and PTG. The authors systematically reviewed studies published from 1985 to 2014 pertaining to PTSD, psychological distress and PTG in BC survivors with particular attention paid to incidence rates and causative factors. Multiple studies intimated that women with BC have evidence of PTSD at the initial stages of diagnosis, whereas PTG develops once patients undergo treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of PTSD/PTG is paramount from literature review but the previously mentioned relationship between PTSD and PTG in BC patients could not be verified. It is evident from the literature that a small percentage of BC patients experience PTSD, while the majority experience PTG after BC diagnosis and treatment. Future research should include prospective studies focusing on high-risk patients, causative factors and the development of psychological interventions.

A thematic analysis of how prisoners overcome suicidality.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions, beliefs and abilities that support adult male prisoners in overcoming suicidality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight male life sentenced prisoners in a Category B prison. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and interpret how prisoners have overcome suicidality. Findings - Five overarching themes were identified; sense of self, presence of meaning, connectedness, shift of perspective and re-establishing control. The themes were closely interconnected and revealed novel insights into the variables that supported prisoners to overcome suicidality. The themes were drawn from a specific prisoner population, which may not be representative of the wider prison population. Additionally, the sole focus on suicidality may be an oversimplification of self-destructive behaviours and could have affected the factors identified. The results highlight the need to refine suicide prevention strategies in prisons; in the assessment of suicide risk, the improvement of supportive regimes and the development of psychological interventions. This research is the first to qualitatively examine the factors involved in overcoming suicide in adult male prisoners. The research is of value to researchers and practitioners alike, as it extends previous research in prison populations and suggests avenues for the development of suicide prevention strategies.

Psychometric properties of translated outcome measures of cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis in the Chinese context

ObjectivesGrowing evidence supporting the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to improve outcomes in patients with psychosis has largely originated from American and European countries, its applicability and effectiveness in Chinese patients with psychosis is still under-explored. However, the lack of stable and reliable outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for patients with psychosis hinders further development of psychological intervention in patients with psychosis in the Chinese context. The present study therefore aims to translate selected outcomes measures developed in American and European countries to measure the effectiveness of CBT for psychosis into Chinese and evaluate their psychometric properties. MethodsThirty-three patients with residual psychotic symptoms were recruited in the Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong. Participants were asked to complete a set of self-reported questionnaires twice with an interval of a week, including Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-Revised (BAVQ-R), Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) and Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ). ResultsThe results found that the Chinese versions of BAVQ-R, BCIS and SMQ had excellent test-retest reliability with good to acceptable internal reliability. ConclusionsGenerally, all three translated outcome measures were found to be stable and reliable, and were ready for evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive therapy for psychosis in the Chinese population. Further discussions on scoring and interpretations of the Chinese version of SMQ were made.

An evaluation of clinical psychology input into Older People’s Mental Health Intermediate Care Teams

The aims of the following article are two-fold. Following a brief introduction to the context of the project, Part One will outline a work analysis that was conducted to consider the development of psychological interventions within the remit of alternative to admission services. Part Two will detail the project evaluation itself, including an overview of key initiatives, findings and implications for future service planning.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage as a psychological trauma

Despite the progress made in the management of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), many patients complain of persistent psychosocial and cognitive problems. The present study was performed to explore the significance of psychological traumatization by the bleeding with respect to psychosocial results after SAH. A series of 45 patients were examined in a cross-sectional study an average of 49.4 months after SAH by means of a quality-of-life questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the German version of the Impact of Event Scale (IES), and a clinical interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders) to make the diagnosis of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Twenty-nine patients underwent surgery for treatment of a ruptured aneurysm; the remaining 16 patients had SAH of unknown origin. Twelve patients (27%) exhibited PTSD, and almost two-thirds of the 45 patients in the study reported substantial fear of recurrent hemorrhage. Not only the presence of PTSD but the severity of psychological traumatization as assessed by the IES explained up to 40% of the variance of the self- and proxy-rated impairments. Multivariate analyses revealed psychological traumatization (IES) and neurological state on admission (Hunt and Hess grade) as substantial predictors of the self- and proxy-rated quality of life, explaining 31% and 42% of the variance, respectively. Even several years after SAH, the severity of psychological traumatization by the bleeding substantially determines the degree of psychosocial impairment. In the future, this issue should be addressed in the care of these patients. Furthermore, the development of psychological interventions is called for to prevent the emergence of PTSD after SAH.

Relationship of early-life stress and resilience to military adjustment in a young adulthood population

Early-life stress (ELS) may mediate adjustment problems while resilience may protect individuals against adjustment problems during military service. We investigated the relationship of ELS and resilience with adjustment problem factor scores in the Korea Military Personality Test (KMPT) in candidates for the military service. Four hundred and sixty-one candidates participated in this study. Vulnerability traits for military adjustment, ELS, and resilience were assessed using the KMPT, the Korean Early-Life Abuse Experience Questionnaire, and the Resilience Quotient Test, respectively. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analyses. The final model of the multiple linear regression analyses explained 30.2 % of the total variances of the sum of the adjustment problem factor scores of the KMPT. Neglect and exposure to domestic violence had a positive association with the total adjustment problem factor scores of the KMPT, but emotion control, impulse control, and optimism factor scores as well as education and occupational status were inversely associated with the total military adjustment problem score. ELS and resilience are important modulating factors in adjusting to military service. We suggest that neglect and exposure to domestic violence during early life may increase problem with adjustment, but capacity to control emotion and impulse as well as optimistic attitude may play protective roles in adjustment to military life. The screening procedures for ELS and the development of psychological interventions may be helpful for young adults to adjust to military service.

Childhood trauma and psychosis: Review of the evidence and directions for psychological interventions

There is controversy over whether childhood trauma (CT) is a causal risk factor for psychosis. The aim of this study was to provide psychologists with a brief overview of the research into relationship between childhood trauma and psychosis and directions for psychological interventions. It details six of the highest quality studies in the area and tentatively concludes from these that there is evidence for a relationship between CT and psychosis. Hallucinations and delusions have been implicated as important factors in the relationship between CT and psychotic disorder and these are discussed, along with post-traumatic intrusions and schemas, which have been conceptualised as part of the psychological mechanisms whereby CT confers a risk for psychosis. The development of psychological interventions for people with psychosis who have experienced CT is in its infancy but has been based on evidence-based cognitive behavioural interventions in psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder. A formulation-based approach is described in this paper, along with a case study.

The development of psychological intervention after disaster in China

The first part of this paper considers the development of psychologists' ideas about the most appropriate forms of psychological interventions needed after natural disasters. The second section considers how far China has gone to date in developing its psychological intervention response plan for disasters. This is followed by some comments based on personal experience of attending the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. Finally, there are some reflections about what might be useful for Chinese psychologists' and counsellors' future planning for post-disaster interventions in China.

S11-04 Psychological treatments and prevention in bipolar disorder - recent developments

This contribution provides a systematic review on recent developments in psychological interventions for bipolar disorder. The main focus of research to date has investigated the role of different psychotherapeutic approaches (cognitive behavioural therapy, family focused therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, psychoeducation) as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for remission and relapse prevention. The review will assess efficacy and effectiveness of these interventions, their common ingredients, limitations and predictors of outcome. It will further explore the potential role of psychological interventions for primary prevention of bipolar disorders in high risk children and adolescents. Suggestions will be made for future work in these areas.

Time Perspective as a Potential Tool for Psychotherapeutic Intervention

This pilot study shows (1) similarities among adults in the patterns of organization of the past, present, and future based upon individual imagery and spatial representation of their personal perspective of their lives and (2) a relationship between perceived health and future-orientation, i.e., how far into their future a person imagines self still to be alive. The data support the concept of a personal spatial representation of past, present, and future (a timeline) and sets the foundation for the development of psychological interventions based on this representation for 50 participants (23 men and 27 women). When asked to visualize their personal timelines, subjects indicated a general pattern of their future spatially located to the right and in front of themselves; their past was generally located to the left or behind. The distance into the future seen by participants initially (M +/- SE) were 8 +/- 2.3 yr., 16 +/- 2.8 yr., and 27 +/- 5.5 yr. for the self-reported health status of "poor", "good", and "excellent", respectively (p < .05). Research must firmly establish general patterns of spatial representations of time (timeliness) across cultures, age, race, and beliefs, and explore implications for treatment.

Applied psychological services

Applied psychology interventions have an important role to play in mental and physical health services with offenders and in reducing re‐offending. There has been a significant growth of the evidence on the effectiveness of specific interventions. Barriers still exist to delivering effective psychological interventions.Psychological interventions also have a key role in comprehensive, accessible services with offenders in relation to long‐term disorders as well as co‐morbid problems. Until 2000 offenders were largely excluded from mainstream health and social care provision. Very significant progress has been made in this respect. The provision of mainstream psychological therapies had until recently lagged behind other areas of health care. As a result, Applied Psychology Group (APG) has developed a new strategy, with a shift of emphasis towards strategic development of psychological interventions ‐ away from a primary focus on psychologists, to psychology and its applications.This paper outlines recent developments designed to ensure delivery of high‐quality psychological interventions in Health and Offender Partnerships.

Psychological therapies for bipolar disorder: the role of model‐driven approaches to therapy integration

The psychological and social aspects of bipolar disorder are receiving increasing recognition. Recently, there have been promising developments in psychological interventions, but there is scope for further improvement of therapeutic outcomes. This paper argues for the use of more detailed psychological models of bipolar disorder to inform the further development of therapeutic approaches. Evidence for psychological, family and social factors in bipolar disorder is reviewed. The efficacy of current individual and family interventions are discussed. A model, which has potential to synthesize group and individual approaches, is outlined. Psychological, social and family factors have important influences on the onset, course and outcome of bipolar disorder. Interventions based on vulnerability stress models have proved effective. However, to enhance efficacy future developments need to be based on models that integrate current understandings of the multiple levels at which mood fluctuations occur. A particular recent model is discussed which leads to specific proposals for future intervention research. Psychological and family approaches to BD have much potential. They clearly have a role in conjunction with appropriate pharmacological treatment. If this potential is to be fully realized future developments need to be based on psychological models that can accommodate the complexity of this illness.

Mental health intervention with children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease.

The increasing number of pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo dialysis and transplantation have necessitated the development of psychological interventions to lessen the emotional impact of these procedures. This report describes the dilemmas involved in mental health interventions and consultation in a treatment program for end-stage renal disease. Case illustrations of a young child's severe anxiety reaction to dialysis, an adolescent's depression, and a family's withdarwal document the varied patterns of adaptation to treatment for renal failure. Psychotherapeutic approaches are presented to illustrate the flexible use of a number of treatment modalities including brief crisis-oriented intervention which emphasized the patient's cognitive mastery of procedures. The development of viable mechanisms of professional collaboration improves the quality of patient adaptation by lessening the fragmentation of care and problems of interdisciplinary communication often associated with the medical care of children and adolescents with end-stage renal failure.