Full-time Psychologist Research Articles

Dynamics of the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat participants after combat brain injury

Topicality. Participation in hostilities strongly affects all participants and is the cause of various not only neurological, but also mental and psychological disorders. According to official data, fewer servicemen die during hostilities than veterans of the war after its end due to the effects of mental trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorders occupy a significant place in the structure of mental pathology of combatants - delayed long-term reactions to extreme events not associated with organic brain damage are observed over a long period of time and can cause significant changes in personality and behavior. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors that traumatize the psyche of combatants during a long stay in a specific state of «combat stress», which has a positive effect during the battle, and after its end, as a rule, negatively. Materials and methods. Veterans and participants in hostilities in the ATO-OSO- zone were examined and treated on the department of neurological at the base of the Regional hospital for war veterans, Kharkiv from 2014 to 2021. To conduct the study, patients were divided into groups depending on the severity of the disease. received combat wound, representative by age and sex. Group I - 100 men (25-45 years old) with mild TBI (brain concussion), Group II - 100 men (25-45 years old) with TBI of medium severity (brain contusion combined with acubarotrauma), Group III - 80 men (25-45 years old) with severe TBI (contusion and compression of the brain, formation of intracranial hematomas). Psychological measures used by hospital psychologists in their work: 1. Individual work: consultations, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, psychocorrection, behavior correction, awareness and assimilation of new experience, body-oriented therapy (TRE, TTT, Brainspotting, Soma-system, synchronization of cerebral hemispheres, stabilization of emotional state), art. therapy, psychodiagnostics, post-induction, reframing (correction of attitudes); formation of state control skills, breathing exercises, formation of self-reflection skills. 2. Group work: group psychotherapy (only with veterans and only in small groups), group body-oriented therapy and group art therapy. Conclusions. It can be said that the medical, social and socio-economic consequences of stress factors caused by the unstable sociopolitical situation and the conduct of anti-terrorist operations are spread both to individuals and to the entire population of our country. Veterans and combatants and their entourage (family, friends, work colleagues, etc.) suffer the most from these processes. At the state level, there are a number of regulatory and legal acts that contribute to the social adaptation of these categories of the population and the provision of medical and psychological assistance to them. The organizational structure of institutions and specialists who provide medical and psychological assistance to combatants and members of their families is represented by rehabilitation centers for ATO-OSO participants, full-time psychologists of health care institutions, various volunteer and public organizations; state bodies are additionally involved in issues of social adaptation of social services

Clinical investigation and research on Axis Ⅱ evaluation of patients with temporomandibular disorders

Objective: To screen the physical, psychological and behavioral factors related to patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by using Axis Ⅱ assessment instruments of diagnostic criteria for TMD(DC/TMD). And to provide a reference to establish personalized diagnosis and treatment plans for TMD patients so as to prevent TMD and reduce predisposing factors. Methods: A total of 141 TMD patients, who were admitted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University from October 2018 to February 2021 were selected. There were 121 females and 20 males, with an average age of 30 years. A total of 90 healthy people were included as controls. A full-time psychologist conducted relevant questionnaire surveys. The questionnaires include general clinical survey forms and TMD symptom questionnaire. In addition, Axis Ⅱ assessment instruments include graded chronic pain scale, jaw functional limitation scale, oral behaviors checklist, patient health questionnaire-9 (depression), generalized anxiety disorder scale, patient health questionnaire-15 (physical symptoms), etc. The main observational indicators include: pain level, pain impact rates, overall classification of chronic pain, limited chewing function score, limited motor function score, limited communication function score, total jaw function restricted score, depression score, anxiety score, somatic symptom score and oral behavior score.The survey data were imported into SPSS 22.0 software for statistical analysis. Results: In the TMD group 60.3% (85/141) patients had various degrees of pain, 24.1% (34/141) of those with pain effect grades from 1 to 3 and 61.0% (86/141) showed chronic pain overall grades from Ⅰ to Ⅳ. The chewing function restricted score was 2.67(1.17, 4.25), motor function restricted score was 4.25(1.75, 6.12), communication function restricted score was 1.13(1.00, 2.25) and total jaw function restricted score was 2.56(1.47, 4.15) respectively. Patients with mild depression or above accounted for 59.6%(84/141), patients with mild anxiety or above accounted for 56.7%(80/141), 46.1%(65/141) patients had somatization symptoms. Statistical differences (P<0.05) were determined between TMD group and control group in various scores of jaw function, oral behavior grading, depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms. Physical symptoms had significantly statistical difference between different diagnostic classification(P<0.05). Meanwhile, among the different chronic pain levels in the TMD group, there were statistical differences in the various scales of mandibular dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and somatization. In the TMD group, other significant differences were noticed between males and females in terms of the average score of mouth opening, verbal and facial communication, the total score of mandibular dysfunction as well as physical symptoms (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the healthy people, patients with TMD had more abnormal oral behaviors, different restriction of the mandibular functional activities. At the same time, depression, anxiety, and somatization were more serious. Patients with osteoarthritis and subluxation of temporomandibular joint were more likely to suffer physical symptoms. TMD patients suffering from pain had more severe mandibular dysfunction and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ НАДАННЯ ЛІКУВАЛЬНО-ОЗДОРОВЧИХ ПОСЛУГ У КИЇВСЬКІЙ ОБЛАСТІ У ПІСЛЯВОЄННИЙ ПЕРІОД

The natural resources, including recreational and medical, the available infrastructure of the Dzvinkove village of Kyiv region (Boyarska territorial community) were explored. The possibility of creating a medical and recreational area on the basis of this village and its adjacent territory is substantiated. This area has favorable natural resources for a comfortable person’s staying and a source of drinking mineral water which can be used to improve and clean the human body. Forest areas and air ^mbined with terrenkur and hiking, have a powerful health-improving effect. These natural conditions are favorable for treatment and rehabilitation. The activity and infrastructural features of the eco-complex “Perlyna Dzvinkova ” (Dzvinkove village) were analyzed. It has been established that at this stage the complex provides the need for rest, health improvement and restoration of human strength after work. The main services of the health center “Perlyna Life” on the territory of the eco-complex are a 7-day course of treatment for post-covid syndrome, health programs, complex diagnostics of the body, probing of the body, therapy with detoxification and antioxidant solutions based on activated water from the source of the Dzvinkove village. The proposed range of medical and health services is suitable for different categories of visitors. In the post-war period, it is planned to introduce the following medical and rehabilitation services: a special program of psychological rehabilitation and adaptation of patients (for the psycho-emotional and strength recovery of soldiers), cooperation with a full-time psychologist, special types of therapeutic massages are being selected for the rehabilitation of the wounded. It was found that the eco-complex “Perlyna Dzvinkova” with the existing infrastructure and health-improving complex can serve as the core of the formation and further development of the health-improving area. The obtained results allow asserting that the eco-complex “Perlyna Dzvinkova” and its health center will make it possible to provide medical and health-improving services in the post-war period for various categories of the population, primarily for people who suffered from military aggression on the territory of Ukraine.

The Use of Psychological Correction Programs to Improve the Occupational Fitness of Correctional Personnel

Introduction: the article examines the results of the application of a short-term psychological correction program, which includes conflict prevention and the development of adaptive behavior skills in difficult communication situations. Aim: based on the results of the study, to identify conditions for the effective use of psychological programs to overcome stress among prison staff. Methods: the tasks set in the work were solved with the help of general scientific research methods within the framework of comparative, statistical and logical analysis and empirical methods such as description and interpretation of the information. The study involved 80 employees of the security department of correctional institutions of the Pskov Oblast, divided into experimental and control groups. The trainings were conducted by full-time psychologists of the departments. To assess the effectiveness, we used the following methods: “Willpower self-assessment scale” by N.N. Obozov, the technique for determining the level of neuropsychic stability “Forecast”, and the questionnaire of interpersonal relations in the adaptation of W. Shchutz. Results: the analysis of the data with the help of mathematical statistics methods has shown that the use of such programs is advisable among employees included in the group of increased attention. These may be persons conditionally recommended for this type of activity, as well as those who have been subjected to the deforming influence of an unfavorable professional environment. A statistically significant result for the experimental group of subjects consisted in a change in the indicators on the sincerity scale, which can mean an increase in self-esteem, trust in the psychologist and the desire to answer the questions honestly. The greatest effectiveness of the training was observed when we were implementing the tested program; this is explained by increased motivation and responsibility for its results. No practical effect of participation in the training was revealed among the personnel who initially had indicators that did not require correction. Conclusions: in order to increase the effectiveness of trainings, it is necessary that psychologists have personal conscious motivation when they work out unique programs that take into account actual needs of correctional staff.

RESEARCH STUDY ON COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE FEATURES OF SOCIAL SPHERE SPECIALISTS

Purpose of the study: To study the ways to increase the communicative competence of social sphere specialists, aimed at the formation of professional and personal qualities, communicative skills, and development of professional interest and success.&#x0D; Methodology: Some theoretical and empirical research methods are used: analysis of publications in social work, normative documentation on the research issue; diagnostic methods: questioning, testing, interviews; experimental methods: ascertaining, forming, and control stages of the experiment; stating, forming and control stages of the experiment; methods of statistical processing of research results.&#x0D; Main Findings: The main results of the study showed that the modern practice of successful organization of social service activities requires a thoughtful approach. The head, together with the full-time psychologist, should monitor the communicative competence of the specialists working at this service and timely organize the work to overcome the manifestations of professional burnout of specialists and prevent their professional deformation. The significance of the influence of active teaching methods on interpersonal communication has allowed us to develop and test several practically effective teaching methods that increase the effectiveness of interaction with others in professional communication.&#x0D; Applications of this study: This study reveals the possibilities of improving the communicative competence of the specialists working at social service departments in modern conditions of systematic emotional overload when performing their professional duties. This theme is quite relevant for the activities of any service within “person to person” interaction, especially a social one, having its specifics and directed at helping a person facing a social problem.&#x0D; Novelty/Originality of this study: The novelty of this study is in justifying the need for organizing activities to improve the communicative competence of social service specialists using modern socio-psychological developments. In the modern practice of holding social work, this component is often overlooked, which subsequently leads to frequent conflicts among social service employees and recipients of social services, a gradual loss of interest in the work performed, and, as a result, its indifferent fulfilment.

Clinical and scientific progress related to the interface between cardiology and psychology: lessons learned from 35years of experience at the Thoraxcenter of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

In November 1975, as the first in the Netherlands, a full-time psychologist was employed at the Department of Cardiology of the Thoraxcenter of the Erasmus Medical Center. This innovative decision was consistent with a view to treat the patient as a whole rather than the heart as a single body part in need of repair, combined with the understanding that the heart and mind interact to affect health. The present selective review addresses the broad range of contributions of 35 years of psychology to clinical cardiology and cardiovascular research with a focus on research, teaching, psychological screening and patient care. The review ends with lessons to be learned and challenges for the future with respect to improving the care and management of patients with heart disease in order to enhance secondary prevention and the role of behavioural and psychological factors in this endeavour.

A counseling center psychologist teaches a seminar for freshmen: “Life Lessons from the Writings of Alice Walker”

The focus of this brief report is on a literature seminar—especially designed for first-year students—taught by a counseling center psychologist. Carrying dual responsibilities in working both as a full-time psychologist and faculty member, the author writes of her experiences in helping to create a caring and intellectually stimulating class environment sensitive to individual development and group dynamics. The seminar has provided learning opportunities for students to read and discuss poetry and prose, analyze films and give formal class presentations. As a result of taking this course, students have spoken of acquiring an appreciation for poetry and other creative modalities as well as a keener understanding of the development of “voice” and psychological change.

Rationale, Design, and Baseline Findings from a Randomized Trial of Collaborative Care for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Primary Care

This article describes the rationale, design, and baseline findings from an ongoing study of collaborative care for chronic musculoskeletal pain and comorbid depression. Cluster randomized clinical trial. Forty-two clinicians and 401 patients from five Veterans Affairs primary care clinics. The intervention was based on the chronic care model, and included patient and provider activation and education, patient assessment, outcomes monitoring, and feedback to providers over 12 months. The intervention team consisted of a full-time psychologist care manager and a part-time physician internist. Approaches included goal setting emphasizing function, patient activation and educating about fear avoidance, and care management. Main outcomes are Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score, depression severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and pain severity (Chronic Pain Grade Severity subscale) at 6 and 12 months. Fifteen percent of primary care patients mailed a study advertisement letter requested screening for the study. The mean age of enrolled patients was 62. Back and neck or joint pain diagnoses were present in 67% and 65% of patients, respectively. Mean pain duration was 15 years, and mean RMDQ score (range 0-24) was 14.7 (standard deviation = 4.4). Sixty-five percent of patients were receiving disability. Eighteen percent of patients met criteria for major depression, 17% for posttraumatic stress disorder, and 9% for alcohol misuse. Thirty-nine percent of patients felt strongly that experiencing pain was a sign of damage, and 60% reported strong avoidance of painful activities. These baseline data support the rationale to develop a multifaceted approach to treat chronic pain in primary care that includes detection and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity.

2005 APA Gold Award: Improving Treatment Engagement and Integrated Care of Veterans

2005 APA Gold Award: Improving Treatment Engagement and Integrated Care of Veterans

Efficacy of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Generalized Anxiety Disorders

Background: Generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) are amongst the most prevalent mental disorders. Recent studies have suggested that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for GAD. A controlled clinical trial was done to evaluate the efficacy of CBT treatment in outpatients with pure GAD who were treated by a therapist working in routine care. Methods: Seventy-two outpatients, fulfilling GAD criteria according to DSM-IV, were included in the study. From this group, 36 patients (CBT-A) were randomly assigned to 25 sessions of CBT and the other 36 formed a contact control group (CCG). After the contact control period (CC period), these patients were also treated with CBT (CBT-B), allowing not only a parallel group comparison but also an A-B comparison. Therapists were licensed full-time psychologists who worked routinely in outpatient care and had a professional training in CBT. Treatment was done in accordance with a manual, and treatment conformity was controlled by several methods. Results: The reduction in the score on the Hamilton Anxiety Observer Rating Scale was 6.4% (1.5 points) in the CCG, 35.4% (9.5 points) in the CBT-A and 47.3% (10.3 points) in the CBT-B. In the self-rating Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a reduction of 2.7% was seen in CCG, 14.6% in CBT-A, and 11.6% in CBT-B. According to the Clinical Global Impression Rating, 65.6% of patients were still at least moderately ill at the end of the CC period, while this rate was 33.4% at the end of CBT-A, or 15.7% at the end of CBT-B. All these differences between treatment and control group are statistically highly significant. The clinical improvement remained stable over a follow-up period of 8 months. Conclusions: CBT is an effective method of treatment for GAD. Differences between control and treatment group are comparable to or larger than those reported in studies on antidepressant drugs.

Pupils as Consumers of School Psychological Services

This article describes the results of an empirical investigation studying pupils' views of the work of school psychologists in Estonia. In addition, the characteristics and problems of pupils who have sought help from a psychologist are analysed. The answers of 227 ninth and 206 twelfth graders (201 boys and 232 girls) from 21 schools from different parts of Estonia are analysed. There is a psychologist working in 13 of these schools, whilst eight are served from service centres. It was found that the pupils who had visited psychologists (as compared with those who had not) considered themselves to be less successful in school, to have more conflicts with parents and to be more frequently in a bad mood. The work of school psychologists was evaluated positively by the majority of pupils; the evaluations were higher in the ninth grade. The evaluations of the work were positively associated with the time the psychologist worked in school: the work of the psychologists working in school was evaluated at a higher level than the work of those who worked in centres; also, full-time psychologists were given a higher rating. The implications of these findings for the delivery of psychological services are discussed.

Coping, Behavior and Adaptation in Prison Inmates.

This book is the report of a collaborative effort. Frank Porporino and I arrived at the starting point for our work together by very different routes. Originally trained as an experimental psychologist, I had become in creasingly restive within the confines of the laboratory, and spent a sab batical year in the equivalent of a clinical internship. I then spent some time as a part-time consultant in a local penitentiary. Most of my time in the institution was spent with inmates with a variety of problems, probably about 50 individuals over the course of a year. Although this was far fewer than a full-time psychologist in the system might encounter, it served as a quick cram course on problem prisoners and prisoner problems. Very quickly my stereotypes about convicts were shown to be virtually useless. I learned that the criminal classes included all levels of society, and that the behavior of prisoners was the same as that of other human beings in a difficult environment.

The School Based Psychologist

Whilst the Victorian Education Department does not provide school based psychologists, many non government schools in Victoria have done so for a number of years. The girls'school at which I work has employed “counsellors” for nearly 40 years. The counsellor has been a psychologist for about 20 years and for the last 6 years the school has employed two full time psychologists. The school currently has 1004 students in the Senior School (years 7 to 12) and 370 students in the Junior School (preparatory to Grade 6). I believe all schools, both government and non government should employ school based psychologists because they can contribute in ways that are not possible for a person who is based elsewhere and visits a school once, or even several times a week.

Mental Health Specialists and Services in Correctional Facilities:

Data concerning the number of mental health specialists in each of four groups (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and correctional counselors) employed in state and Federal correctional facilities are reviewed. Social workers are seen to represent 76% and 57% of all mental health specialists employed in Federal and state facilities, respectively. In addition, a ratio of one mental health specialist to 52 inmates is observed in Federal facilities, and of one specialist to 81 inmates in state facilities. Data concerning the availability of mental health services (individual and group counseling, vocational assessment, treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse) indicate that these services are almost universally available in state facilities. But the distribution of full-time mental health specialists in these facilities is such that inmates in 93% have no access to a full-time psychiatrist, in 79% no access to a full-time psychologist, in 62% no access to a fill-time social worker, and in 87% no access to a correctional counselor. The question of "who does what?" in the provision of mental health services to prisoners remains unanswered, and enigmatically at that, in a large proportion of state correctional facilities.

The School Relations Bureau

A number of police-school liaison efforts have been reported, many of which focus on delinquency prevention and improved police-youth relations. This paper presents a general rationale for police prevention-diversion programs and describes a three-year project in which police teams were assigned to schools. Program features included job-specific training, supervision and consultation by a full-time psychologist, and numerous informal police-youth contacts. Student and teacher acceptance was high, most officers successfully moved into helping roles, and several specific benefits accrued to students.

A Junior High Team: Principal and Psychologist

More and more school districts are employing full-time psychologists. Often, though, their effectiveness is limited because their rela tions with building principals are inadequately defined. These authors from their own ex perience testify that a true principal-psychologist team can be created.

Psychological services for chronic mental patients in state and VA hospitals.

A questionnaire was submitted to all state and VA hospitals caring for chronically mentally ill patients. Responses were received from 67% and 77% respectively. The survey indicates that VA hospitals are making much greater use of psychological services with chronic patients. Approximately one-fourth of state hospitals do not provide any such service. While the VA hospitals utilize psychological services to a greater extent, both state and VA hospitals make limited use of full-time psychologists. Where part-time personnel is utilized, they spend, for the most part, less than 50% of their time with chronic patients. A considerable portion of the psychological services for chronic patients is performed by trainees rather than by fully trained staff at the Ph. D. level. The survey indicates that one of the great needs is for psychotherapy and that psychologists in the VA hospitals are being used more extensively in providing both individual and group psychotherapy for chronic patients. The survey uncovered in both state and VA hospitals a substantial discrepancy between the current ratio of psychologists to patients, and that recommended by both the Veterans Administration and The American Psychiatric Association. While the Veterans Administration recommends one psychologist for every 300 chronic patients and The American Psychiatric Association one for every 500, the survey indicates that veterans hospitals have one full-time psychologist for every 720 patients and state hospitals one for every 4,907. The paper describes the various psychological services being performed by psychologists working with chronic patients.