Need For Psychological Services Research Articles

ECD - Pregnancy outcomes of a birth cohort. Are adolescent mothers really at more risk?

ABSTRACT This sub-study within the JAKIDS longitudinal cohort study compares medical and psychosocial outcomes of pregnancy in younger adolescent mothers (<16 years), older adolescent mothers (16–19 years) and adult mothers (>19 years) in Jamaica. Participants were recruited from July to September 2011 and included 9521 mother–infant dyads; mean maternal age 26.0 years (SD 6.8). Adolescent mothers represented 19.1% (n = 1822) of the sample – 1704 older adolescent mothers (17.9%) and 118 younger adolescent mothers (1.2%). Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires regarding their sexual and reproductive health history, feelings about the current pregnancy, and presence of anxious and depressive symptoms. Data on delivery and perinatal and neonatal outcomes were extracted from hospital charts. Younger adolescent mothers were more likely to deliver preterm (p < 0.001) and low birth weight infants (p < 0.001) than older adolescent and adult mothers. Younger adolescent mothers had lower levels of antenatal anxiety regarding the pregnancy and its outcome (p < 0.001) while prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms antenatally (EPDS ≥11) was similar across age groups. Older adolescent mothers with significant depressive symptoms had increased odds of preterm delivery. These findings call for close antenatal monitoring of younger adolescent mothers and highlight the need for psychological services for all mothers.

Psychological experiences of mothers of children with severe haemophilia in Iranian culture: A phenomenological study

Abstract Introduction Caregiving for children with haemophilia is a critical role that requires vigilance and significant lifestyle change, impacting on social activities, physical and psychological health and emotional experiences. Aim To explore the lived experience of mothers in Iran as caregivers of boys with severe haemophilia, focusing specifically on their psychological challenges. Methods This phenomenological study forms part of a larger study exploring psychological difficulties and social interactions of mothers of boys with haemophilia (BWH) in Iran. Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with the biological mothers caring for one son with severe haemophilia A or B. Interview questions focused on challenges related to treatment, medication, prophylaxis and their interactions with HCPs, including the mothers’ feelings and coping mechanisms, and were adjusted to the Iranian cultural context. Participants were recruited from Mofid Comprehensive Care Centre for Children with Haemophilia (MCCCCH) in Tehran. Data analysis was based on van Manen’s six-step framework, using MAX.QDA software (2020), to identify themes. Findings were triangulated with findings from interviews with HCPs at MCCCCH about their perceptions of the challenges the mothers experience. Results Fifteen mothers of BWH were interviewed, most of whom had no or an unknown family history and no previous knowledge of haemophilia. Five themes and 27 subthemes of psychological experiences were identified. Themes included Daily emotional experiences; Challenge of acceptance; Defence mechanisms; Coping strategies (Emotion-focused and Problem-focused); and Positive expectations of the future. The most notable findings related to Daily emotional experiences and Defence mechanisms. Emotional reactions were diverse and included depression, fear and regret. Participants used a variety of defence mechanisms, including rumination and avoidance to try and overcome their situation. Conclusion If informed properly about medical issues and enabled to gain insight into their psychological responses, mothers of children with haemophilia in Iran may be able to better regulate emotional complexities and handle disappointment or unrealistic expectations, thereby enhancing their quality of life. There is a need for psychological services in haemophilia care in Iran that needs to be addressed in order to better support the wellbeing of patients and their families. This psychological supportive care should be informed by culturally appropriate guidelines and could be extended to similar communities in the Middle East.

Training in Aging as a Diversity Factor: Education, Knowledge, and Attitudes Amongst Psychology Doctoral Students.

The population of older adults is growing rapidly and there will be an increased need for psychological services for this population. Current estimates indicate a significant workforce gap such that all psychologists, regardless of specialty area, will likely be called upon to work with older adults. Education and experience in the care of older adults has been consistently connected with improved competence and interest in working with this population. Further, the APA requires that training programmes adequately cover aspects of individual diversity, though age-related education and training may be largely lacking and/or minimally addressed. The present study explores age-related training within a sample of psychology doctoral students. Participants (n = 85) consisted of doctoral trainees recruited via email (listserv) to complete an anonymous online survey as part of a larger study. Results indicate that (1) training in aging varies and is inadequate in some programmes; (2) knowledge in aging varies and is associated with training opportunities; (3) training in aging is less than training in race/ ethnic diversity; and (4) attitudes toward older clients are most strongly predicted by extent of training in aging. The authors offer suggestions for expanding age-related aspects into generalist training.

COVID-19 effects on frontline professionals: A psychological aspect

The article aims to investigate the need for psychological help and its availability for professionals working in frontal areas during an emergency situation. A representative study (N=1139;educators, medical staff, social workers, psychologist, and other;304 respondents from Vilnius district) concluded that the need for psychological services and the intensification of such provision in crisis situations is clear. As a result, the necessary decisions are formed at the state level, which improve the legal regulation of psychological services both at the level of individual agencies and at the interdepartmental level. The authors of the article recommend regulating at least the time norms and costs of psychological services provided in the public sector, as well as regulating the relevant parameters of health care, social or educational services and developing remote psychological services not only for sensitive groups (e.g. children or silver lines), professionals and the general population (especially in the context of social crises), to bring university studies of psychologists more in line with the requirements of the EuroPsy1 diploma.

Mental health care among marginalized populations in the United States

Mental health care among marginalized populations in the United States

Psychometric properties of the brief self-report questionnaire for screening putative pre-psychotic states and validation of clinical utility in young adult.

The Brief Self-Report Questionnaire for Screening Putative Pre-Psychotic States (BQSPS), a brief, self-reported screening tool for risk of psychosis, can detect auditory perceptual disturbances significantly associated with perceived need for psychological services among young adults. However, the relationship is largely explained by the existence of neurotic traits, anxiety and depression symptoms. This study explores possible explanations of previous results from factor structures of the BQSPS and the clinical implications underlying each factor. Construct validity, criterion-related validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the BQSPS are determined among young adults (N = 289). We find that Social Anxiety, Positive Symptoms, and Negative Symptoms are three components in the BQSPS for young adults. Moreover, we find that each component of the BQSPS can be explained by related forms of psychopathology, self-esteem, or personality traits. Finally, the BQSPS can satisfactorily distinguish cases from non-cases using the Symptoms Check List-90-Revised. We clarify the clinical implications of each component of the BQSPS and thus expand its clinical utility. The BQSPS has good psychometric properties in young adults from an ethnically Chinese population. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE PROVISION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

Today people turn to psychologists and psychotherapists. Every day, people are faced with many stressful, difcult to solve problems. People feel the need for psychological services because they are not always able to tell their loved ones about the problems that bother them. That is why today in our country special attention is paid to expanding psychological services and increasing their efciency. In particular, psychological service centers have been created in the Youth Union. By the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 472 dated 06/07/2019, an action plan was developed for the further improvement of psychological services in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Following it, based on a phased plan, the republic will carry out large-scale work to improve the quality of psychological services to the population. Such measures were developed as the creation of the concept of “Psychological service” to ensure the continuity of psychological services in the system of continuing education, to identify changes in the mentality of children and adults, to assist in eliminating the reasons for this in universities that train psychologists, as well as the creation of “psychological laboratories. service “and educational literature for them. The quality and effectiveness of psychological services depend on the work of psychologists. The effectiveness of a psychologist is measured by his personal qualities, professional qualifcations, and adherence to ethical principles. The issue of ethics is important in the feld of psychology related to therapy and research. Working with patients and conducting psychological research can lead to various ethical problems. The American Psychological Association’s Code of Ethics guides professionals working in the feld of psychology to better understand what to do when faced with ethical dilemmas in the process. Ethical principles are designed to ensure that psychologists make the right decisions in a variety of situations by covering the many situations and general rules they face. Striving for the highest standards of behavior is the personal responsibility of every psychologist. Therefore, this article provides a systematic analysis of the ethical principles of the psychologist, consisting of 5 main points developed by the American Psychological Association. The article also describes the personal qualities and professional skills that a psychologist should have in the process of psychological counseling based on research by various scientists.

Jakartans' Perceptions of Health Care Services.

Health Care Services (HCSs) should implement ongoing innovation and continuously improve their quality. However, in evaluating the quality of HCSs, too little attention has been given to the experience of the users concerning the acquired services. This study focused on how the community values the current services in order to improve HCSs in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta. Four focus group discussions were conducted among 45 community members in the Grogol Petamburan sub-district, in Jakarta. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling and the data were analyzed using a combination of human coding and NVivo-12. Overall, we found that participants had a negative view of the government-mandated Community Health Centers (CHCs) and they preferred to visit private clinics and hospitals over the CHCs. Participants associated CHCs with unfriendly staffs, longer waiting times, shorter opening hours, and crowded visitors. At the same time, participants had a positive view on the affordability of the CHCs. Additionally, we found the reasoning of Jakartans' (i.e., the citizens of Jakarta city) on using self- and traditional treatments before visiting HCSs and they also expressed the need for psychological services at CHCs. The discussion focuses on the results as feedback on how the government and health care providers may facilitate the community's needs in providing HCSs in Indonesia, especially Jakarta. In brief, we recommend the policy-makers to improve the hospitality of the staff members and the quality of the medical equipment; also, to provide psychological services at CHCs. These efforts need to be done while paying more attention to the cultural aspects of medicinal uses.

“Ethical considerations in providing psychological services to unaccompanied immigrant children”

Over 50,000 youth, mostly between the ages of 13 and 17 years, migrated to the United States (US) without familial accompaniment in the fiscal year 2018. The tripartite process of pre-flight, flight, and resettlement exposes these unaccompanied immigrant children (UIC) to multiple, and often ongoing, traumatic events that can significantly and adversely impact their mental health into adulthood. However, the ethical considerations for psychologists working with this growing population, with limited exceptions, remain largely unaddressed. As more and more UIC flee their home countries due to violence, abuse, and economic instability only to experience further stressors during the processes of detainment, custodial placement, and acculturative adjustment in the US, there is an increasing need for psychological services; thus, the importance of preparation of mental health providers is increasingly significant. Psychologists must have the requisite skills and knowledge of the complex experiences of UIC, and of how these intersect with salient cultural, developmental, and systemic factors, as a means of providing competent and ethical mental health treatment. The present article highlights several ethical issues that arise when providing psychological services to UIC, with particular consideration paid to the embeddedness of UIC in various organizational entities with which psychologists will likely need to interface when working with this population. Implications and recommendations for practicing psychologists and training programs are discussed.

Post-traumatic stress disorder among former Islamic State child soldiers in northern Iraq.

Former child soldiers are at high risk of developing mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, their comprehensive mental health has yet to be examined.AimsThis study looks at the prevalence of PTSD, depression and associated risk factors such as disturbed self-esteem among former child soldiers of the so-called 'Islamic State'. The psychological effect of traumatic events was assessed in 81 Yazidi children who had been child soldiers for the Islamic State in northern Iraq between 2014 and 2017 for at least 6 months. The children were between 8 and 14 years of age. Thirty-two Yazidi boys and 31 Muslim boys who were not child soldiers in Iraq served as control groups. A structured psychological interview and established psychometric questionnaires were used to assess traumatisation and mental disorders. The child soldiers showed a significantly higher prevalence of PTSD (48.3%), depressive disorders (45.6%), anxiety disorders (45.8%) and somatic disturbances (50.6%) than the boys who had not been child soldiers. Developmentally crucial self-esteem was significantly reduced in former child soldiers. No significant differences between the two control groups could be found. PTSD and other mental disorders are highly present among former child soldiers in northern Iraq. The study highlights the huge and as yet unmet need for psychological services among former child soldiers.Declaration of interestNone.

Concurrent validity of the personality assessment screener in a large sample of offenders.

Mental health problems are disproportionately prevalent in forensic and correctional settings, and there have been numerous attempts to develop screening tools to evaluate individuals in such contexts. This study investigates the clinical utility of the Personality Assessment Screener (PAS; Morey, 1997), a brief self-report measure of risk for emotional and behavioral dysfunction, in a large mixed-gender offender sample (N = 1,658). The PAS is a 22-item measure derived from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991, 2007), a more comprehensive self-report instrument widely used to assess for psychological disturbances among forensic and correctional populations. We examined the ability of the PAS to concurrently predict clinically significant elevations on the PAI and several other indicators of symptomatology and dysfunction. Collectively, results suggest that PAS total and element (subscale) scores show considerable promise in screening inmates for serious problems with emotional and behavioral functioning, though interpretive ranges used to categorize PAS scores in clinical and community settings may require revision for criminal justice populations. We discuss the applied value of the PAS for detecting specific areas of dysfunction relevant to risk management (e.g., aggression, suicidality) and for concentrating resources on offenders with the most immediate and severe need for psychological services. (PsycINFO Database Record

Going global: do consumer preferences, attitudes, and barriers to using e-mental health services differ across countries?

Background: e-Mental health services have the capacity to overcome barriers to care and reduce the unmet need for psychological services, particularly in developing countries. However, it is unknown how acceptable e-mental health interventions may be to these populations.Aims: The purpose of the current study was to examine consumer attitudes and perceived barriers to e-mental health usage across four countries: Australia, Iran, the Philippines and South Africa.Methods: An online survey was completed by 524 adults living in these countries, assessing previous contact with e-mental health services, willingness to use e-mental health services, and perceived barriers and needs for accessing e-mental health services.Results: Although previous contact with e-mental health services was low, the majority of respondents in each sample reported a willingness to try e-mental health services if offered. Barriers toward e-mental health usage were higher among the developing countries than Australia. The most commonly endorsed barriers concerned needing information and assurances regarding the programmes.Conclusions: Across countries, participants indicated a willingness to use e-mental health programmes if offered. With appropriate research and careful implementation, e-mental health has the potential to be a valuable part of mental healthcare in developing countries.

Screening for sub-threshold psychotic experiences and perceived need for psychological services.

Sub-threshold psychotic experiences (PEs) are common in the general population and may increase risk for psychological distress and psychosis onset, generating a need for effective community screening instruments. This study aimed to explore the utility of a brief, self-report, psychosis risk screening tool in predicting perceived need for psychological treatment among a non-clinical sample, above and beyond that accounted for by accompanying forms of psychopathology or trait neuroticism. Construct validity, predictive validity and test-retest reliability of the brief, self-report questionnaire for screening putative prepsychotic states were determined among college students (N = 679). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between PEs and perceived need for psychological services. With the exception of auditory perceptual disturbances, PEs were not significantly associated with one's need for services, or the belief from others that services are needed, after controlling for neuroticism, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Auditory perceptual disturbances were significantly associated with the perceived need for psychological services, even after accounting for these additional symptoms. These results confirm the usefulness of the psychosis risk screening tool in evaluating the presence of sub-threshold PEs, particularly auditory perceptual disturbances. The relationship between other PEs and a perceived need for psychological services, however, was largely explained by the existence of neurotic traits and anxiety and depressive symptoms. Screening for auditory perceptual disturbances may be useful in identifying unmet clinical need among young adults.

Short-Term Existential Psychotherapy in Primary Care

Existential Experimentation is a short-term integrative psychological therapy intervention. It is based on the recent government initiative focusing on recovery and thus integrates central ideas from existential theory, utilizes a phenomenological methodology, and applies considerations of human potential from humanistic psychology to support recovery and aim for well-being. This work explores the outcomes of a systematic application of this approach to working-age adults referred for a psychological intervention for depression and/or anxiety in terms of (a) reducing depression and/or anxiety symptomatology, (b) reducing the level of perceived psychological distress, and (c) reducing the need for psychological services. The sample consisted of working-age adults referred to primary care by their general practitioner. The patients’ relevant symptomatology was assessed at every contact using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7, and the level of psychological distress was monitored using CORE-OM. Pre–post effect sizes were evaluated using Cohen’s d. Patients’ access to psychological services was monitored at 6 and 12 months after discharge. The large effect sizes expressed show that this therapeutic approach operates effectively in reducing the symptomatology of depression and/or anxiety, while promoting significantly low relapse and dropout rates.

Ethical Issues and Potential Solutions Surrounding the Use of Spoken Language Interpreters in Psychology

The need for psychological services to limited English proficient clients is increasing. Psychologists who provide clinical services to limited English proficient clients are frequently required to use the services of spoken language interpreters. Research has shown that the quality and consistency of interpretation services are often in question. Interpreters are generally not required to hold any certifications or to meet training requirements prior to providing interpretation services. This lack of oversight leaves the psychologist responsible for the quality of the interpretation when adhering to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2010 Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. This article includes a discussion of the ethical and clinical issues inherent in providing psychological services through an interpreter, how those issues affect a psychologist’s adherence to the APA Ethics Code, and recommendations for meeting the ethical standards while providing sound clinical services through the use of spoken language interpreters.

Determinants of psychology service utilization in a palliative care outpatient population

Research has demonstrated that treating cancer patients' psychological and physical health leads to improved overall health. This may be especially true for palliative care patients facing serious illness. This study examines the proportion and determinants of psychology service utilization in an outpatient palliative care population. Data from an existing clinical database in an outpatient palliative clinic utilizing a collaborative care model to deliver psychology services were explored. This study was framed by Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, which incorporates three main components: predisposing, enabling, and need factors to model health service utilization. The sample (N = 149) was majority middle aged, female, and White with a primary diagnosis of cancer. Cross-tabulations were conducted to determine how many patients who met screening criteria for depression or anxiety sought psychology services. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess for predisposing, enabling, and need factor determinants of psychology service utilization. Among patients who met criteria for moderate depression or anxiety, 50% did not access readily available psychology services. Enabling factors were the strongest determinant of psychology utilization. Factors associated with need for psychology services (i.e., emotional distress and psychological symptom burden) did not reach significance in determining psychology service use. This study extends current knowledge about psychology utilization to palliative care outpatients receiving care within a collaborative care model. Directions for future research include further investigation of care models that optimize enabling strategies to enhance access to these services, and examination of patient-reported barriers to receiving this care.

School-Based Counselling and Psychological Services in Macao

This article presents an overview of the current status of school-based counselling and psychological services for school-going children and their families in Macao. Adopting an eco-systemic model, some recent articles on school-based counselling and psychological services in Southeast Asian countries are reviewed, and similar data from individuals currently providing such services in Macao are examined. Findings show that there is a great need for psychological services, particularly with regard to consultation and intervention for children, youths, and their families, in Macao's fast-changing society. The needs are discussed within a systems framework, and recommendations for the development of the field and the need for additional school-based child and family interventions in the region are discussed.

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures: A Pilot Study of a Brief Educational Intervention

Attending to psychological support and education from the time of diagnosis will assist patients in their acceptance of the need for psychological services. An intervention was provided at the time of diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. This randomized control pilot study examined outcomes 6-8 weeks after discharge from the hospital. All subjects in the treatment group made and/or kept an appointment with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist within 6-8 weeks of discharge from the hospital as compared with 50% of the control group. This supportive approach assists patients to accept the functional or nonorganic nature of their symptoms and the need for psychological services.

A qualitative study of unmet needs and interactions with primary care among cancer survivors

Introduction:Despite increasing numbers, there is little research investigating the long-term needs of cancer survivors. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of individuals who have survived at least 5 years following a cancer diagnosis, and to describe perceived unmet needs and interactions with primary care.Methods:Forty long-term survivors of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer were purposively selected for an in-depth qualitative study. We aimed for a maximum variation sample according to cancer site, gender, time since diagnosis, cancer needs, anxiety and depression. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded thematically using a grounded theory approach.Results:Analysis of the interview data is presented in four subthemes: the role they perceived for the general practitioner (GP), unmet needs, reasons for not using primary care for needs they perceived as cancer related, and ongoing care for cancer-related issues. The majority of cancer survivors did not see a role for their GP in their long-term care related to their cancer diagnosis as most considered that they did not need active follow-up, but some expressed a need for psychological services and information on possible long-term effects. Cancer survivors cited three main reasons for not using GP services in relation to their cancer diagnosis: GPs were seen as non-experts in cancer; they were perceived as too busy; and a lack of continuity within primary care made it difficult to talk about long-term issues. There was a wide variation in schedules and notification of PSA tests among the prostate cancer survivors.Discussion:The results from this project suggest that some cancer survivors have specific emotional and physical needs that could benefit from input from their primary care team, but not all cancer survivors look to their GP for their long-term cancer-related care. Better information care planning is required from specialists in order to identify those who would benefit most.

Rebooting Psychotherapy Research and Practice to Reduce the Burden of Mental Illness

Psychological interventions to treat mental health issues have developed remarkably in the past few decades. Yet this progress often neglects a central goal—namely, to reduce the burden of mental illness and related conditions. The need for psychological services is enormous, and only a small proportion of individuals in need actually receive treatment. Individual psychotherapy, the dominant model of treatment delivery, is not likely to be able to meet this need. Despite advances, mental health professionals are not likely to reduce the prevalence, incidence, and burden of mental illness without a major shift in intervention research and clinical practice. A portfolio of models of delivery will be needed. We illustrate various models of delivery to convey opportunities provided by technology, special settings and nontraditional service providers, self-help interventions, and the media. Decreasing the burden of mental illness also will depend on integrating prevention and treatment, developing assessment and a national database for monitoring mental illness and its burdens, considering contextual issues that influence delivery of treatment, and addressing potential tensions within the mental health professions. Finally, opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations are discussed as key considerations for reducing the burden of mental illness.