Psychological Intervention Program Research Articles

Evaluarea programului de intervenție psihologică aplicat persoanelor cu epilepsie farmacorezistentă

Drug-resistant epilepsy presents a myriad of psychological challenges, including cognitive decline, emotional and behavioral disturbances, loss of autonomy, stigma, psychosocial dysfunction, and a heightened risk of trauma and premature death, all of which significantly diminish the quality of life. This article aims to identify effective strategies for working with individuals affected by drug-resistant epilepsy and to develop a targeted psychological intervention program tailored to their unique needs. Six subjects diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy participated in this program. The results revealed significant improvements across multiple do mains following the intervention. There were notable enhancements in general cognitive functioning, reductions in levels of depression and anxiety, and decreases in aggressive and hostile behaviors. These positive outcomes collectively contributed to an overall increase in the quality of life for individuals grappling with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Linking perceived job insecurity and work passion: The mediating role of mindful self‐care in academic staff

AbstractSelf‐care is proactive action that involves a repertoire of practices aimed at developing, maintaining and improving physical health and mental well‐being. Although there is a growing number of studies on mindfulness in a variety of academic fields, there is a dearth of studies that look at academics' mindful self‐care in relation to job insecurity and work passion in the higher education institutions. This study aims to examine how job insecurity is related to academic staff's work passion in Ethiopia. It also looks at the role of mindful self‐care in lessening the impact of job insecurity. A cross‐sectional study was carried out, and snowball sampling was used to collect data from a total of 251 academics, ranging in age from 23 to 66 years, who voluntarily consented to participate in the self‐report survey. Job insecurity was inversely related to passion for work and mindful self‐care. Mindful self‐care was a mediator in the link between job insecurity and passion for work. The study encourages workplace mental health professionals to consider the role of mindful self‐care in their psychological intervention programs aimed at minimizing job insecurity and increasing passion for work.

Risk factors for dropout from psychological substance use disorder treatment programs in criminal justice settings

BackgroundSubstance use disorders are highly prevalent in people within the criminal justice system. Psychological programs are the most common type of treatment available and have been shown to decrease recidivism, but dropping out of treatment is common. Risk factors associated with treatment dropout remain unclear in this setting, and whether the risk factors differ by treatment form (group-based vs. individual). MethodsOutcome (treatment dropout) was defined as not finishing the program due to client’s own wish, misbehavior, no-shows, or because program leader found client to be unsuitable. Predictors of treatment dropout included a comprehensive set of individual-level clinical, socioeconomic, and crime-related pre-treatment characteristics. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the associations between predictors and dropout. FindingsThe study cohort included 5239 criminal justice clients who participated in a psychological treatment program (group-based or individual). Multivariable logistic regression models showed that female sex (OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.20–2.25), age (0.99, [0.97–1.00]), sentence length (0.98, [0.97–0.98]), higher education (0.54, [0.28–1.00]), number of violent offenses (1.03, [1.01–1.05]), and anxiety disorders (1.32, [1.01–1.72]) were associated with dropout from the individual treatment program. For the group-based program, age (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.00), sentence length (OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98), stimulant use disorder (OR=1.48, 95%, 1.00–2.19), and self-harm (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.00–2.34) were associated with dropout. ConclusionsWe identified certain sociodemographic, crime-related, and clinical characteristics that were particularly important in predicting dropout from psychological treatment. Further, we find that there are similarities and differences in predictors of dropout from group-based and individual treatment forms.

Training and evaluation of robot-based psychological intervention program for preventing child sexual abuse

Background and purposePreventing child sexual abuse is a health and medical priority in many countries. The risk of sexual abuse can be markedly reduced through education, awareness, and skill-building for children. The purpose of this study was to train and evaluate a robot-based psychological intervention program for preventing child sexual abuse. MethodsThis study had a semiexperimental design that included pre- and posttests as well as a control group. A stratified random sample of 80 individuals was drawn from the population of eight-to ten-year-old children in Ghaen, Iran, in 2018. Subsequently, the sample was randomly divided into two experimental groups and two control groups. The experimental group participated in a robot-based psychological intervention program, for a total of 10 sessions. The control group received no intervention. The tool used to measure children's knowledge and awareness of sexual abuse was a custom-designed questionnaire developed by Tahan (Tahan, 2023). Participants completed the questionnaire in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. The collected data were analyzed using repeated measures ANCOVA in SPSS (v.25). ResultsThe findings demonstrated that educating children about sexual abuse was effective in enhancing their knowledge of appropriate and inappropriate touching (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the robot-based cognitive-behavioral intervention program for the prevention of child sexual abuse was effective (p < 0.01). ConclusionThe psychological intervention program increased children's knowledge and awareness concerning the prevention of sexual abuse and associated coping skills. Furthermore, psychological intervention programs were effective in preventing child sexual abuse.

Psychological intervention programme for developing resilience in the military personnel. A randomized controlled trial.

Military gendarmes are frequently exposed to events with traumatic impact, with negative effects on emotional and physical health. The present research aims to analyse the effectiveness of Military Resilience Training (MRTR), a psychological intervention programme developed to reduce perceived stress, increase the perception of adaptive resources and strengthen resilience. Ninety-eight participants who met the inclusion criteria were enroled in a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The psychological training programme was implemented in the intervention group (n=48) for a duration of 5months. The participants in the control group (n=50) were scheduled to start the training later. The levels of perceived stress, adaptive resources and resilience were measured in all participants, from the intervention and the control group, before and after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. The effects of the intervention (Cohen's d) were very high for adaptive resources (d=0.99), self-schemes (d=1.33), family support (d=0.70), and partner support (d=0.66), average for resilience (d=0.53) and stress (d=0.49), with very high effects on military task demands (d=1.19) and averages for friction with authority (d=0.51). The effects were obtained only in the intervention group, and all gains were maintained at follow-up. This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of MRTR, a psychological intervention implemented in the military gendarmerie population. In the short and long term, MRTR has significant effects in reducing perceived stress, increasing the perception of adaptive resources and strengthening the resilience of military gendarmes.

Integrated psychological intervention programme for frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic put at risk the resilience of healthcare professionals by exposing them to high levels of stress. Our aim was to identify key elements for implementing the STEP programme, a psychological support service for healthcare professionals. qualitative design. The study participants were hospital healthcare staff. Anonymous questionnaires and transcriptions of group interventions and focus groups were used to identify professionals' preferences to receiving psychological support, needs, concerns, resilience (STEP1.0); constrained emotions and associated thoughts (STEP1.5); perception of self-efficacy on managing emotions (STEP2.0); and the professionals' profile requiring individual therapy. Three hundred professionals participated in the study, 100.0% in STEP 1.0 , 27.3% in STEP 1.5, 2.7% in STEP 2.0, and 10.0% in individual interventions. Two hundred and three (67.7%) participants reflected in the survey that they would prefer access to a face-to-face psychological service during working hours. Three consecutive phases with specific needs and concerns were identified: The "cognitive" phase, at the beginning of the pandemic, when infection and self-efficacy were major concerns, the "ventilation" phase, when constrained emotions associated with several factors were expressed; and the "recovery" phase, when the clinical overload decreased and professionals were able to focus on emotion management training. Several personal characteristics associated with referral to individual therapy were identified. Conclusions: The key characteristics of a psychological support service are proximity, face-to-face interaction during working shifts, and a chronological phase system adapted to different emerging needs.

Caring the caregivers. An online psychological intervention for family caregivers of oncological palliative patients

Aim: analyze the effectiveness of an online delivered psychological intervention program for oncological palliative caregivers in order to reduce the distress and caregiver burden. Methods: The program was developed for primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients, with a life expectancy of less than 6 months. The intervention consisted of 4 weekly sessions. The assessment instruments were the Caregiver Emotional Distress Detection Scale and the Zarit’s Reduced Scale and were applied at the beginning and end of the program. In addition, the main worries of the caregivers were categorized by the Caregiver Emotional Distress Detection Scale. Descriptive statistics and Student’s t were used. Results: 38 caregivers enrolled in intervention, 81.6% of whom were women. Regarding the degree of kinship, 44.7% were descendants of the patient. The distress was significantly reduced after the intervention. Uncertainty remained the main worry at both moments of measurement. Before the program, the second most frequent worry was the suffering of the patient, while after the intervention it was worries about the suffering of other family members. Conclusions: Carrying out this online group psychological intervention program proved to be effective in reducing emotional distress in the main caregivers of cancer patients at the end of life. Uncertainty was a constant concern throughout the program in the relatives.

Assessment of psychological alarms and coping strategies of medical students with irritable bowel syndrome at Zagazig University: A cross-sectional study.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders. Medical students tend to report a higher prevalence of IBS since they are under constant stress. Many psychological difficulties are associated with IBS. To cope with IBS, individuals use various strategies which can impact the intensification or alleviation of IBS symptoms. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of IBS in medical students as well as psychological alarms and coping strategie employed by IBS sufferers. We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2022 to February 2023. Study participants were first to fifth year medical school students at Zagazig University, Egypt. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising four sections: sociodemographic and clinical data; Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of IBS; the alarm questionnaire for functional gastrointestinal disorders; and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ24). Chi-square test or Fischer's exact test, as appropriate, were used to test for association. Binary logistic regression with a backward stepwise method was used to determine significant risk factors of negative coping with IBS. Of the studied 221 medical students, 38% had IBS. A statistically significant association was observed between IBS and the feeling of tension, anxiety, nervousness, depression, and frustration in the previous week, severe pain in the past 4 weeks, and the feeling that the bad situation would not get any better. Most of the students in the IBS group coped positively with stress, while 19.0% were negative in coping. Pain affecting the daily activities and the feelings of depression and frustration to the point of self-harm or suicide were the most significant correlates of IBS group's inability to cope. The prevalence of IBS in medical students at Zagazig University was 38%. We recommend psychological intervention and stress management programs to help medical students cope with IBS.

(120) E-Mergir: Preliminary Efficacy of a Digital Psychological Intervention Program for Improving Mental Health, Sexual Health, and Quality of Life of Prostate Cancer Survivors

Abstract Introduction Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide. The diagnosis of prostate cancer and associated treatments have a negative impact on people's physical, emotional, and sexual health, compromising their overall well-being and quality of life throughout the course of the disease. Despite the decreased levels of sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction associated with this type of cancer (Quinta-Gomes et al., 2019), patients' access to specialized healthcare and support is still limited. Given their flexibility and convenience, smartphone-based digital interventions can contribute to bridging this gap and constitute an important way to access specialized and personalized supportive care on emotional and sexual health for people with prostate cancer. Objective Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a digital psychological intervention program using smartphones aimed at improving the mental health, sexual health, and quality of life of prostate cancer survivors. Methods Methods: A randomized controlled pilot study is underway involving 30 prostate cancer survivors randomly assigned to an experimental group (with access to the program) and a waiting list control group (treatment as usual). The program was structured in five modules to be completed by the participants in a maximum period of 6 weeks while receiving support from a psychologist. The study was approved by an institutional Ethical Board. Acceptability, usability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy (overall improvement in sexual and relational satisfaction, sexual pleasure, sexual distress, psychopathology, and quality of life) were defined as the main outcomes of this study. Participants' assessments will take place in two moments, before and after the implementation of the program. Results Expected results: It is expected that the program and the experimental design adopted will prove to be adequate and have good acceptability by the participants. Improvements in sexual and relational satisfaction, sexual pleasure, sexual distress, psychopathology, and quality of life are also expected for participants using the program compared to those in the waiting-list group. Conclusions Conclusions: As a future empirical-based digital psychological intervention program focused on patients' unmet sexual needs, E-mergir will significantly contribute to addressing the emotional and sexual health and quality of life of people with prostate cancer. Funding: Horizon Europe, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000057, CCDRN Disclosure No.

Training of a robot-based psychological intervention program to prevent inappropriate touching of children

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of a robot-based psychological intervention on the prevention of inappropriate touching of children. The trial was registered in the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform with the registration id of ISRCTN17186302.ResultsIn this study, the intervention had a positive effect on inappropriate sexual care in elementary school children (P < 0.01). Moreover, education on sexual care heightened children’s knowledge about inappropriate touch (P < 0.01).ConclusionAccording to the results, the robot-based psychological intervention had an impact on children’s sexual care. It is suggested that this method be applied by counselors and psychologists as a therapeutic approach.

A Self-Reported Study on Explanatory Variables of Stress in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Exploring the Effect of Physical Conditions and Emotion Regulation Processes.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)-linked stress is frequent, multidetermined and facilitates the onset/exacerbation of MS. However, few explanatory models of stress analysed the joint explanatory effect of emotion regulation and clinical outcomes of MS in those patients. This study explored whether self-reported MS-related conditions (number of relapses, fatigue and global disability) and specific emotion regulation processes (experiential avoidance and self-compassion) explain stress symptoms in MS patients. The MS sample comprised 101 patients with MS diagnosis receiving treatment in hospitals and recruited through the Portuguese MS Society. The no-MS sample included 134 age-, sex- and years of education-matched adults without MS recruited from the general Portuguese population. Both samples did not report other neurological disorders. Data were collected using self-response measures. All potential explanatory variables differed significantly between samples, with higher scores found in MS patients. In MS clinical sample, those variables and years of education correlated with stress symptoms and predicted stress symptoms in simple linear regression models. These results allowed their selection as covariates in a multiple linear regression model. Years of education, the number of relapses, fatigue and experiential avoidance significantly predicted 51% of stress symptoms' total variance. This study provides preliminary evidence on the importance of clinicians and researchers considering the simultaneous contribution of years of education, the number of perceived relapses, fatigue and experiential avoidance as factors that can increase vulnerability to stress in MS patients. Psychological intervention programmes that tackle these factors and associated stress symptomatology should be implemented.

Mental health impact on patients with COVID-19 in the community under a long period of full lockdown in Vietnam.

We aimed to investigate the impact on the mental health of patients with COVID-19 in a centralized isolation facility in the community who experienced a long period of full lockdown during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study among 125 patients with COVID-19 in a centralized isolation facility in the community of Ho Chi Minh City from September to November 2021. We collected data on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, as indicated by scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among patients with COVID-19 was 14.4%, 20.8%, and 20.0%, respectively. Depression scores were significantly and positively correlated with body mass index whereas stress scores were significantly and positively correlated with age. Our findings indicated an increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among patients with COVID-19 who were in a centralized isolation facility during the fourth COVID-19 wave in Vietnam. Overweight and older age were identified as risk factors for adverse mental health in patients with COVID-19. Psychological intervention programs should be implemented in isolation facilities for individuals with COVID-19 infection.

Intergenerational psychological intervention programme - PIN - Exploratory study with children and seniors

Intergenerational programs involving children and seniors are a form of psychological and social intervention that promote the development of cognitive, linguistic, motor, emotional and social skills and well-being, with significant results and benefits described for both children and seniors, such as intergenerational socialization and increased self-esteem and self-efficacy, intellectual development, increased happiness, and improved quality of life. In Portugal, programmes intervening in the psychological domain are scarce, which justifies our proposal. We present a P-IN Program: Intergenerational Psychological Intervention Program: Cri(activ)age, Health and Well-Being focused on the promotion of creativity, cognitive preservation/development and well-being associated with intergenerational coexistence. &#x0D; The P-IN programme aims to: (i) Promote through an intergenerational psychological intervention, cognitive development/preservation, creativity and well-being, in children (5-6 years) and seniors (+60). (ii) To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on cognitive development/preservation, creativity and well-being. This paper presents the conceptual structure of the programme, its organization into three main components: Beliefs and attitudes; Emotions and well-being; Cognitive stimulation and creativity, and its operationalization in 10 90-minute sessions. Finally, we present the evaluation plan of the quality and effectiveness of the programme based on a qualitative methodological approach using semi-structured interviews to the participants (N= 23 children and 18 seniors; professionals= 4). Of the results we highlight: increase in autonomy, self-confidence and social participation in both groups. In specific terms, the increase in the emotional well-being and psychosocial and physical autonomy of the seniors is highlighted.

Utilizing Real-Time Heart Rate Variability during Psychological Intervention Program for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Study

This study explores the use of real-time heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring as an innovative tool in a psychological intervention program for complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). The research focuses on a 25-year-old male subject, presenting severe symptoms of CPTSD resulting from prolonged exposure to traumatic events. The intervention program, conducted over four sessions, integrated cognitive and physical therapies, including bottom-up and top-down approaches. Real-time HRV data, reflecting autonomic nervous system activity, were collected using a wearable heart rate sensor and analyzed alongside qualitative data from session transcripts and observational notes. The findings demonstrated a significant correlation between HRV changes and the subject’s psychological state during therapeutic interventions. Key HRV metrics, such as the change ratio of the RMSSD and SDNN, responded notably to traumatic event recounting and stabilization techniques, suggesting their potential as indicators of emotional and physiological states during therapy. The study, while limited by its single-subject design, lays the groundwork for further investigations into HRV-assisted psychotherapy for a broader CPTSD patient cohort.

Metabolic effects of colour- and odour-induced sweetness enhancement

Can the mere expectation of drinking a sweeter beverage induce changes in taste perception and blood metabolism? Recent evidence has shown that sweetness perception can be altered by other senses, such as vision, audition, and olfaction. However, it is still unclear whether such crossmodal influences have a physiological basis. The present study examined how subjective mental states, such as the expectation of drinking a sweeter beverage due to colour and odour associations, may influence taste perception and metabolism. Twenty-seven healthy participants consumed two beverages containing identical sucrose and citric acid concentrations but altered in colour and aroma, namely a green, lemon-flavoured beverage and a red, strawberry-flavoured beverage. On average, the strawberry manipulation resulted in significantly higher sweetness ratings and lower sourness ratings compared to the lemon manipulation, although there were clear individual differences in the direction of sweetness enhancement. Blood glucose and insulin levels measured at −15, 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after consumption showed no direct difference between the two beverage conditions. However, we found a significant indirect effect of perceived sweetness on insulin release, whereby consuming the beverage perceived to be sweeter resulted in higher overall levels of insulin release compared to the beverage that was less sweet. These results show a partial role of subjective sweetness perception influencing metabolism in accordance with an anticipatory budging model, suggesting that psychological intervention programs may be important for diabetes and metabolic syndrome management.

Social support and self-concept clarity as mediators between college students’ passive social network site use and loneliness

The current study tested the mediating roles of social support and self-concept clarity in the relationship between passive social network site use and loneliness. A total of 709 undergraduate students (females = 44.15%, mean age = 19.10, SD = 0.95) completed the Passive Social Network Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Self-Concept Clarity Scale as well as the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Latent variables structural equation modelling analysis indicated that passive social network site use was negatively associated with loneliness. Social support and self-concept clarity significantly mediated the relationship between passive social network site use and loneliness, reducing the risk for loneliness, and with sequential mediating effects of social support and self-esteem. This study’s findings suggest that the passive use of social networking sites can help students gain more social support, improve self-concept clarity, and in turn reduce loneliness. Increasing social support and enhancing self-concept clarity through psychological intervention programmes may be an effective way to reduce individual loneliness.

The Effect of Virtual Reality-based Psychological Stability Intervention Program on the Respiration Rate and Heart Rate Stability Students with Developmental Disabilities

The Effect of Virtual Reality-based Psychological Stability Intervention Program on the Respiration Rate and Heart Rate Stability Students with Developmental Disabilities

Relieving Test Anxiety in College Students Through Different Psychological Intervention Programs

Abstract The alleviation of test anxiety is beneficial for improving students' academic performance. This article provides a brief introduction to test anxiety and corresponding psychological interventions, followed by a study on the psychological intervention of test anxiety conducted on 200 college students from Yanching Institute of Technology. During the research process, college students were divided into four groups, each consisting of 50 students. After examination, there were no significant differences in gender and grade proportions among the groups. Psychological interventions were conducted through group counseling sessions. Group 1 received cognitive therapy, Group 2 participated in reading therapy, Group 3 combined cognitive therapy with reading therapy, and Group 4 did not include test anxiety in their counseling sessions. The test anxiety degrees of four groups were measured before and after psychological interventions. After conducting psychological interventions, subjective evaluations were obtained from students regarding their perception of counseling classes. The final results indicated that there was no significant difference in the level of test anxiety among the four groups of students before undergoing psychological intervention (P &amp;gt; 0.05). However, after the intervention, a significant reduction in test anxiety was observed for students in Groups 1, 2, and 3 (P &amp;lt; 0.05), while Group 4 showed no significant change (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Among those who experienced a significant change after the intervention, Group 3 using cognitive therapy combined with reading therapy exhibited the greatest decrease in test anxiety levels. Furthermore, following the psychological intervention, Group 3 provided the highest subjective evaluation of counseling classes.

Effect of Psychosocial Interventions on Cancer's Caregiver Quality of Life: Meta-analysis.

People living with cancer benefit greatly from informal caregivers. No previous meta-analysis was done to check the effect of psychological intervention on cancer caregiver's quality of life. The goal of this meta-analysis was to check the effect of psychosocial interventions on Cancer's Caregiver quality of life and check the impact of various psychological intervention programs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2006 to April 2021 using PubMed, PubMed Central, Clinical Key, CINAHL Database, EBSCO, Google Scholar and Cochrane database. The effect of psychological intervention programs on caregiver's quality of life was evaluated using a mean difference between experimental and control groups. A random-effects model was used to measure the mean difference (MD) for calculating the cancer caregiver's quality of life. The final report comprised eight trials with a total of 1142 participants. The caregiver intervention programme was found to improve cancer caregivers' quality of life, but not statistically significantly (mean difference=0.10; p<0.00001). According to this meta-analysis, The psychological intervention program positively affected cancer caregiver's quality of life. Further randomised controlled trials are required to prove that psychological interventional programs are successful strategies for improving cancer caregiver's quality of life.

Identifying the common elements of psychological and psychosocial interventions for preventing postpartum depression: Application of the distillation and matching model to 37 winning protocols from 36 intervention studies.

Postpartum depression is prevalent worldwide and seriously endangers maternal and child health. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychological and psychosocial intervention programmes in preventing postpartum depression. However, the literature offers limited practice guidance. Therefore, this study aimed to deeply analyse prior findings to gather rich evidence-based information on this topic. Using the distillation and matching model, we conducted a systematic review of psychological and psychosocial interventions used to effectively prevent postpartum depression. Four researchers trained in coding system independently read eligible studies and identified reliable (Cohen's kappa >0.40) and frequently occurring (frequency ≥3 winning study groups) practice elements. Our review included 36 studies containing 37 winning study groups. Fourteen practice elements were identified and subsequently divided into six categories: postpartum practical problems-related, social support-related, interpersonal psychotherapy-related, cognitive behavioural therapy-related, labour trauma-related and non-specific techniques. The most common practice elements were baby care skills and mother-infant bonding/interaction enhancement. Inter-rater reliability averaged 0.86, ranging from 0.48 to 1. The practice elements identified in this study provide rich evidence-based information that can guide clinical practitioners in selecting or developing effective, realistically available intervention programmes.