Thoughts Questionnaire Research Articles

Examining the relationship between Self-Harmful Behavior and Negative Automatic negative automatic Thinking in Adolescents

Objective: In the present study, it is aimed to examine the relationship between self-harmful behavior and negative automatic thinkings in adolescents. Method: The study sample consisted of a total of 380 high school students (236 female, 144 male) in Yesilyurt and Battalgazi, Malatya. A total of 1775 data were collected at the data collection pro-cess. 1395 adolescents (78.6%) who did not exhibit self-harm behavior were not included in the study group. The data was collected using three instruments: Sociodemographic Information Form, Inventory of Statements About Self-injury, and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire. In the analysis of data SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used. Results: In the study; a positive correlation was found between self-injury behavior and negative automatic thinkings (r = 0.306) in high school students (p = 0.0001). Self-injury behaviors mean scores were changed significantly in terms of type of school, class level, and family togetherness but not changed in terms of gender and domestic violence variable. Conclusion: The results of the study, its limitations and the recommendations for future researchers are discussed in the light of the literature.

Effect of cognitive behavior therapy combined with exercise intervention on the cognitive bias and coping styles of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients.

BACKGROUNDIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive system disease with a high incidence rate and is common in women. The cause of IBS remains unclear. Some studies have shown that mental and psychological diseases are independent risk factors for IBS. At present, the treatment of IBS is mainly symptomatic treatment. Clinically, doctors also use cognitive behavioral therapy to improve patients' cognitive ability to diseases and clinical symptoms. In recent years, exercise therapy has attracted more and more attention from scholars. Improving the symptoms of IBS patients through psychosomatic treatment strategy may be a good treatment method.AIMTo explore the effects of an intervention of cognitive behavioral therapy combined with exercise (CBT+E) on the cognitive bias and coping styles of patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D); and to provide a theoretical reference for the management of IBS.METHODSSixty IBS-D patients and thirty healthy subjects were selected. The 60 IBS-D patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated with the CBT+E intervention, while the control group was treated with conventional drugs without any additional intervention. The cognitive bias and coping styles of the participants were evaluated at baseline and after 6 wk, 12 wk and 24 wk using the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS) and Pain Coping Style Questionnaire (CSQ) instruments, and the intervention effect was analyzed using SPSS 17.0 statistical software.RESULTSAt baseline, the scores on the various scales showed that all subjects had cognitive bias and adverse coping styles. The IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) scores, ATQ total scores, DAS scores and CSQ scores of the two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Compared with baseline, after 6 wk of the CBT+E intervention, there were significant differences in the ATQ scores, the dependence and total scores on the DAS, and the catastrophization, distraction and prayer scores on the CSQ (P < 0.05). After 12 wk, there were significant differences in the scores for perfectionism on the DAS and in the scores for reinterpretation, neglect and pain behavior on the CSQ in the experimental group (P < 0.05). After 24 wk, there were significant differences in the vulnerability, dependence, perfectionism, and total scores on the DAS and in the catastrophization, distraction and prayer scores on the CSQ in the experimental group (P < 0.01). The IBS-SSS scores were negatively correlated with the ATQ and DAS total scores (P < 0.05) but were positively correlated with the CSQ total score (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONIntervention consisting of CBT+E can correct the cognitive bias of IBS-D patients and eliminate their adverse coping conditions. CBT+E should be promoted for IBS and psychosomatic diseases.

“What am I thinking? Is this normal?” A cross-sectional study investigating the nature of negative thoughts, parental self-efficacy and psychological distress in new fathers

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to investigate an important aspect of mental health, negative thoughts, in new fathers during the postnatal year. The relationships between negative thoughts, parental self-efficacy and symptoms of depression were explored. BackgroundPositive and engaged father-infant relations provide a host of benefits for fathers, mothers, infants and the family system as a whole. However, there is little knowledge about the psychological factors influencing paternal engagement such as mental health and wellbeing. MethodsThe study surveyed Australian fathers (n = 300) recruited through social media. Well-established measures of depressive symptoms and parental self-efficacy were used, along with a researcher modified version of Hall and Wittkowski (2006) Postnatal Negative Thoughts Questionnaire (PNTQ) adapted for use in a paternal population. ResultsFindings suggest negative thoughts are typical during the transition to fatherhood. To our knowledge, this is the first study that quantitatively explores and characterises paternal postnatal negative thoughts. LimitationsThe sample was relatively homogenous with only a small sample of depressed participants. Data were from self-report instruments. ConclusionsWhile paternal postnatal negative thoughts are a normal and important functional part of a successful transition to fatherhood, a higher frequency of negative thoughts are linked to increased symptoms of depression and lower levels of perceived parental competence.

The Voice of Depression: Prevalence and Stability Across Time of Perception-Laden Intrusive Thoughts in Depression

Intrusive depressive thoughts are typically defined in terms of their content, frequency, and pervasiveness. The extent to which they carry sensory properties is largely unexplored. In a pilot study, 56.5% of individuals with mild to moderate depressive symptoms experienced depressive thoughts with sensory features. The present study explored the prevalence of sensory thoughts in patients with severe depression and examined the stability of the sensory phenomena across time. A total of 163 participants with severe depression completed an online assessment at baseline and 3 months later. Diagnostic status was established at baseline over the telephone. The primary outcome was the Sensory Properties of Depressive Thoughts Questionnaire (SPD). The frequency of sensory properties of negative thoughts was similar (60.7% reported at least one sensory irritation; thus, 39.3% of the sample reported not a single, even mild sensory irritation) to the pilot study. The highest prevalence was observed for bodily sensations (41.1%; pilot: 39.6%) followed by auditory (37.4%; pilot: 30.6%) and visual (31.3%; pilot: 27.2%) perceptions. Prevalence remained essentially unchanged over time, but test–retest reliability was weak to moderate (r = .56). Unlike in the pilot study, no association emerged with quality of life and suicidality. Yet, those reporting sensory phenomena were prescribed more medication, had a similar number of prior hospitalizations despite their younger age, were more frequently in psychotherapy (statistical trend), and had more pain symptoms, which tentatively suggests a more complicated course of illness. Replication in independent samples is needed. Our findings support the notion that depressive thoughts are not “silent” but are commonly accompanied by sensory experiences.

Racing thoughts revisited: A key dimension of activation in bipolar disorder

BackgroundRacing and crowded thoughts are frequently reported respectively in manic and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder (BD). However, questionnaires assessing this symptom are lacking. Here we aimed to investigate racing thoughts across different mood episodes of BD through a self-report questionnaire that we developed, the 34-item Racing and Crowded Thoughts Questionnaire (RCTQ). In addition to assessing its factor structure and validity, we were interested in the RCTQ's ability to discriminate mixed and non-mixed depression. Methods221 BD patients and 120 controls were clinically assessed via the YMRS (mania) and the QIDS-C16 (depression), then fulfilled the RCTQ, rumination, worry, and anxiety measures. Three depression groups were operationalized according to YMRS scores: YMRS scores 2 > 6 and YMRS scores = 1 or 2, for respectively mixed and non-pure depression, and YMRS = 0 for pure-depression. ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor model of the RCTQ yielded the best fit indices, which improved after the removal of redundant items, resulting in a 13-item questionnaire. Hypomanic and anxiety symptoms were the main predictors of scores; rumination was not a significant predictor. RCTQ results were similar between mixed groups and non-pure depression, and both were higher than in pure-depression. LimitationsPatients’ pharmacological treatment might have influenced the results. ConclusionsThe 13-item RCTQ captures different facets of racing thoughts heightened in hypomanic and mixed states, but also in depression with subclinical hypomanic/activation symptoms (e.g. non-pure depression characterized by enhanced subjective irritability), suggesting that it is particularly sensitive to activation symptoms in BD, and could become a valuable tool in the follow-up of patients.

EFEKTIFITAS TERAPI NERS SPESIALIS TERHADAP ANSIETAS DAN KEMAMPUAN PASIEN STROKE DALAM MERUBAH PIKIRAN NEGATIF DI RS HERMINA JATINEGARA

Pasien stroke yang di rawat di rumah sakit beresiko mengalami ansietas, hal ini dikarenakan pasien mengalami gangguan fisik yang mengakibatkan terganggunya aktifitas dalam jangka waktu yang lama. Masalah emosi setelah stroke membuat pasien mudah tersinggung, menangis dan marah tanpa alasan yang jelas. Riskesdas (2013) menyebutkan bahwa prevalensi penyakit stroke di Indonesia meningkat seiring bertambahnya umur dan sekitar delapan per seribu penduduk atau 0,8% mengalami stroke Tujuan penelitian ini mengidentifikasi pengaruh terapi kognitif dan psikoedukasi keluarga terhadap ansietas dan kemampuan pasien stroke dalam merubah pikiran negatif. Metodologi yang digunakan quasi-experiment one group with pretest – posttest design dengan metode consecutive sampling. Responden berjumlah 27 pasien stroke di RS Hermina Jatinegara. Penelitian dilakukan Agustus sampai Desember 2018. Kuesioner yang di gunakan Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) dan kuesioner Automatic Thought Questionare (ATQ). Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa tindakan keperawatan Ners, terapi kognitif dan psikoedukasi keluarga signifikan menurunkan ansietas dan meningkatkan kemampuan pasien stroke dalam merubah pikiran negatif. Kombinasi terapi kognitif dan psikoedukasi keluarga di rekomendasikan untuk mengatasi ansietas dan meningkatkan kemampuan pasien stroke dalam merubah pikiran negatif.

A psychometric evaluation of the automatic thoughts questionnaire in Danish adolescents and emerging adults

Negative automatic thoughts (NATs) influence perception and memory resulting in a negative self-evaluation. The 30-item Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) was developed to measure NATs and had been validated in several languages. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a Danish version of ATQ in adolescents and young adults and to explore the association between NATs and symptoms of depression. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using a Danish translated version of the ATQ and the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) that assess depressive symptoms. A total of 355 high-school students (aged 15–24 years) completed the survey. The ATQ showed high reliability with coefficient alpha 0.97. Factor analysis confirmed a single factor structure explaining 58% of the variance. Construct validity was tested with Pearson's regressions comparing ATQ and MFQ. The correlations were significant and positive (r = 0.88, p > 0.001) indicating that ATQ measures a construct related to depression. The Danish version of the ATQ had good psychometric properties in a Danish youth sample and is recommended in future clinical and research settings addressing negative thoughts and depressive conditions.

Evaluating a Web-Based Social Anxiety Intervention Among Community Users: Analysis of Real-World Data.

BackgroundSocial anxiety is both harmful and prevalent. It also currently remains among the most undertreated major mental disorders, due, in part, to socially anxious individuals’ concerns about the stigma and expense of seeking help. The privacy and affordability of computer-aided psychotherapy interventions may render them particularly helpful in addressing these concerns, and they are also highly scalable, but most tend to be only somewhat effective without therapist support. However, a recent evaluation of a new self-guided, 7-module internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy intervention called Overcome Social Anxiety found that it was highly effective.ObjectiveThe initial evaluation of Overcome Social Anxiety revealed that it led to significant reductions in symptom severity among university undergraduates. The aim of this study was to extend the results of the initial study and investigate their generalizability by directly evaluating the intervention’s effectiveness among a general community sample.MethodsWhile signing up for Overcome Social Anxiety, users consented to the usage of their anonymized outcome data for research purposes. Before and after completing the intervention, users completed the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE), which we employed as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and 2 bespoke questionnaires measuring socially anxious thoughts (Thoughts Questionnaire) and avoidance behaviors (Avoidance Questionnaire).ResultsParticipants who completed the intervention (102/369, 27.7%) experienced significant reductions in the severity of their symptoms on all measures employed, including FNE (P<.001; Cohen d=1.76), the depression subscale of DASS (P<.001; Cohen d=0.70), the anxiety subscale of DASS (P<.001; Cohen d=0.74), the stress subscale of DASS (P<.001; Cohen d=0.80), the Thoughts Questionnaire (P<.001; Cohen d=1.46), and the Avoidance Questionnaire (P<.001; Cohen d=1.42).ConclusionsOur results provide further evidence that Overcome Social Anxiety reduces the severity of social anxiety symptoms among those who complete it and suggest that its effectiveness extends to the general community. The completion rate is the highest documented for a fully automated intervention for anxiety, depression, or low mood in a real community sample. In addition, our results indicate that Overcome Social Anxiety reduces the severity of symptoms of depression, physiological symptoms of anxiety, and stress in addition to symptoms of social anxiety.

The relationship between Social Problem Solving, Cognitive Factors and Social Media Addiction in Young Adults: A Pilot Study

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the analysis of automatic thinking, intermediate beliefs and fundamental beliefs of individuals using social media within the framework of cognitive theories and comparison of cognitive structures according to their addiction levels. In addition, it was aimed to determine the addiction levels and behaviors of individuals using social media in terms of their social problem solving skills. Method: The study included a total of 35 male and 49 female young adults aged 18-25, who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for mood disorder, psychotic disorder or anxiety disorder and who were literate and volunteered for the study, were included. After giving consent to participate in the study, participants were given a Sociodemographic Data Form, Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised Form (SPSI-R), Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale Short Form (DAS-SF), Social Comparison Scale (SCS) and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) as self-test. Results: According to our findings, we found a significant relationship between social media addiction and social problem solving. Particularly, there was a significant relationship between social problem solving, negative problem orientation, avoidance style subscales and social media addiction. Negative cognition was found to be inversely related to positive social problem solving behavior. Conclusion: We think that evaluating negative cognitions and social problem-solving skills may be beneficial in managing social media addiction.

Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Depression Severity and Automatic Thoughts Reduction in Depressed Women

Background: Depression is a common disorder that is often associated with other mental and physical disorders. One of the innovative approaches applied in depressed patients is Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Objectives: The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of transcranial direct electrical stimulations on reducing the severity of depression and negative automatic thoughts. Methods: A quasi-experimental study wasconducted on 24 depressed women between 2015 and 2016 who were randomized via clinical interview in Tehran, district 2.The patients’ age range was from 20 to 55 years old.The process was done through the convenience sampling which was randomly assigned into test (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The applied assessment tool in the clinical interview was Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- Form 21) and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) respectively. All the patients underwent15-20 minutes anodal stimulation of T3 region, and Kathodal stimulation of FD1 with a current of 2-mAintensity along with a Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The Data were analyzed using the independent t-test analysis. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between tdcs and control groups in the rates of depression (P

The relationship between cognitive factors, body image and eating behaviors in obese patients

Obesity is a public health problem that increases mortality and morbidity. Dysfunctional cognitions and negative body images may be associated with unhealthy eating behaviors in obese individuals. We aimed to compare the cognitive structures, body images and unhealthy eating behaviors of obese individuals and normal weighted individuals as well as to examine the effects of negative cognitions on dysfunctional attitudes and negative body images on emotional eating, external eating and restrained eating behaviors in obese individuals. 70 obese, 117 normal weight participants were evaluated with Body-Cathexis Scale, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale Short Form and Social comparison scale. It was found that obese participants had significantly more negative automatic thoughts, dysfunctional cognitions and schemas, perceived their body more dissatisfied and higher emotional and restrained eating behaviors compared to normal weight. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that negative automatic thoughts in obese participants had a predictive effect on emotional and restrictive eating. The findings highlight the importance of body weight thoughts, negative cognitions, dysfunctional attitudes, cognitive restructuring and behavioral interventions in cognitive behavioral therapy, which is an important option in the treatment of obesity. Further research is needed with larger participants in order to better understand eating behaviors and cognitive structures and develop better intervention strategies in the development of obesity.

A follow-up study about self-acceptance and automatic thoughts in permanent colostomy patients

Objective To explore the dynamic changes and correlation of self-acceptance and automatic thoughts in permanent colostomy patients. Methods There were 89 low position rectal cancer patients after Miles and permanent colostomy were recruited from the Department of Oncological Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityfromFebruary 2016 to October 2016. Self-acceptance Questionnaire and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire were used to collect data in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after colostomy. Results The self-acceptance scores were 33.64±5.52, 33.24±5.71, 34.56±6.04 and 38.91±6.33 respectively, which had significant differences (F=11.012, P<0.01). The automatic thoughts scores were 63.20±16.78, 60.88±16.53, 58.64±15.87 and 55.32±14.76 respectively, which had significant differences (F=3.462, P<0.05). The correlation between self-acceptance and automatic thoughts were -0.576- -0.372, which were all significant (P<0.01). Conclusion There were negative correlations between self-acceptance and automatic thoughts in permanent colostomy patients within 1 year after operation. Health professionals should learn to identify patients′ automatic thoughts accurately, lead off negative emotions, promote early self-acceptance and improve their quality of life. Key words: Colostomy; Self-acceptance; Automatic thoughts; Follow-up study

Short Versions of the Questionnaires Related to Dysfunctional Cognitions in a Clinical Sample: Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire.

In the literature, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) are two commonly used questionnaires investigating dysfunctional cognitions within the frame of Cognitive Theory. In this study, it was aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the short versions (DAS-17, ATQ-15, ATQ- 8) of these two questionnaires in a clinical sample diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The study included 136 adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder on the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The participants were administered the Beck Depression Inventory along with the DAS and ATQ. Four different models were tested in the confirmatory factor analysis for the DAS-17 which was found to provide the best fit for the bifactor model. The analyses indicated that DAS-17 supports a onedimensional structure, pointing to the use of the total score instead of the sub-dimension scores. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis for the ATQ-15 and the ATQ-8 indicate that both scales have a singlefactor structure. Short versions of DAS and ATQ have, respectively, good and excellent internal consistency reliability coefficients. Also, significant relationships were observed between depressive symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes, and automatic thoughts. The DAS-17, ATQ-15 and ATQ-8 are valid and reliable scales for use on individuals diagnosed with depression. Nevertheless, it is considered useful to confirm these findings in larger samples.

The Effectiveness of Group Emotional Schema Therapy on Emotional Regulation and Social Anxiety Symptoms

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group emotional schema therapy on emotional regulation, emotional schemas, and social anxiety. The research was quasi-experimental with a pretest and posttest design with a waiting list control group. The study population included 24 women aged 18 to 35 years old with social anxiety disorder, half of whom were randomly assigned to a treatment group or waiting list control. Ten sessions of group emotional schema therapy were conducted. Measures included an Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Wells Anxious Thoughts Questionnaire, and the Leahy Emotional Schema Scale. Compared to participants in the control group Emotional Schema Therapy (EST) reduced anxiety symptoms, including health anxiety and social anxiety, increased reappraisal, and decreased suppression. Finally, emotional schema therapy increased the use of positive emotional schemas and decreased the use of negative emotional schemas. These findings support the effectiveness of EST in the treatment of these anxiety disorders.

Suicide Risk and Emotional Responses to Thoughts of Death: The Response to Morbid Ideations Questionnaire.

There is need for deeper understanding of the processes by which suicidal thoughts lead to action. Examination of morbid ideation and the emotional sequelae of such ideation that may feed suicide ideation (SI) and attempts (SA) have been limited. Adult psychiatric outpatients (N=385) were administered the Response to Morbid Ideation Questionnaire (RMI-Q) and measures of SI, suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB), and other psychiatric symptom severity. We examined (1) incidence and prevalence in mentation of morbid ideations and emotional responses to these ideations, (2) differences in emotional responses between individuals of varying levels of suicide history, and (3) the relationships of different types of morbid ideations and emotional responses with concurrent SI and symptom severity. Morbid ideation was reported by 87.5% of participants and associated with lifetime and concurrent levels of SI/STB. Calm/relieved emotional responses were associated with lifetime and concurrent levels of SI/STB, while negative-valence responses to morbid ideations were associated with concurrent severity of psychopathology. Our results suggest that the role of morbid ideation and its emotional sequelae in the development of suicidal motivation and action deserves further attention and may be a treatment target for suicide risk reduction.

A Cognitive Model of the Familial Transmission of Depression

ABSTRACTThis study tested Beck’s cognitive model of familial transmission of depression in a group of 187 pairs consisting of one parent and one offspring. The parents and offspring completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire. Beck’s cognitive theory postulated that the offspring’s negative cognitions were important mediators between the parents’ negative cognitions and the offspring’s depressive symptoms. The results of structural equation modeling analyses indicated that the offspring’s dysfunctional attitudes and automatic thoughts were important mediators between the parents’ dysfunctional attitudes and automatic thoughts and the offspring’s depressive symptoms, thus supporting Beck’s cognitive transmission mechanism of depression from parents to offspring. Implications concerning the prevention and treatment of depression were discussed.

Neurocognitive performance predicts treatment outcome with cognitive behavioral therapy for major depressive disorder

The current study examined the contribution of baseline neuropsychological functioning to the prediction of antidepressant outcome with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). We hypothesized that depressed participants who were more neurocognitively intact and had less rigid, negative thinking would respond better to CBT. Thirty-one MDD patients completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery before initiation of CBT. A subgroup also completed a probabilistic reversal learning task. Depression severity was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); rigid, negative thinking was assessed with the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS) and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) throughout treatment. Remitters were compared to non-remitters. Paradoxically, eventual remitters performed generally worse across the neuropsychological battery considered as a whole. Univariate testing showed a significant difference on only a single measure, the Continuous Performance Test d’, when corrected for multiple comparisons. Baseline rigid, negative thinking did not predict treatment outcome. Results suggest that the structure of CBT may particularly benefit individuals with mild depression-related neurocognitive difficulties during a depressive episode. Further research is needed to examine these patient characteristics and their potential contribution to the mechanisms of CBT efficacy.

When our train of thought goes off track: The different facets of out-of-context thoughts in obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessions are often described as aversive thoughts that come out-of-nowhere. Indeed, several models of obsessive compulsive symptoms postulate that obsessions are characterized by being unrelated to several levels of context (e.g. self-concept, external stimuli). In the current study we aim to broaden this notion by presenting a multidimensional concept of out-of-context thoughts and developing a self-report instrument measuring its different facets, the Out-of-Context Thoughts Questionnaire (OCTQ). Across 3 studies (total N = 599) we demonstrate the reliability and validity of the OCTQ in predicting obsessive compulsive (OC) symptoms and more specifically, obsessions. Critically, we show that the degree to which thoughts are out-of-context is independent of these thoughts’ absolute content, such that people who experience more negative out-of-context thoughts, also experience more neutral out-of-context thoughts. Furthermore, we show that OC symptoms predict elevated negative and neutral out-of-context thoughts, highlighting the often-overlooked role of the context and predictability of thought in OCD, in addition to their content and appraisals. Clinically, these results suggest that obsessions might be threatening not only because they are negative, but also because they feel unpredictable. These characteristics of thought processes in OCD might be a central, yet overlooked experience of at least some OCD patients.

Are fishbowl activities effective for teaching pharmacotherapy and developing postformal thought in pharmacy students? A pilot study

Background and purposeCase based learning is a commonly used pedagogy to facilitate active learning and development of problem-solving skills, however its utility may be limited in a large lecture environment. Fishbowl activities have been utilized in higher education to encourage discussion and postformal thinking and may be useful in engaging large class sizes in collective problem-solving activities. Educational activity and settingThe fishbowl activity took place in a second-year six-credit hour infectious disease course delivered in the spring of 2017, consisting 95 students. A pre-post survey was administered via Google® forms and consisted of demographic items (age, race, gender), students’ self-reported level of preparation, perceived benefits of the activity, strengths and weakness of the fishbowl activity, and postformal thought using the Complex Postformal Thought (PFT) questionnaire. FindingsAggregate mean postformal thinking score was 51.98 in the pre-survey and 56.26 in the post-survey (p < 0.05). A majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the activity helped them learn, was better than traditional lecture, and helped them prepare for material that would be on the exam. DiscussionOverall, this activity was generally well received by the students and may have positively impacted their postformal thinking. It appears that the fishbowl activity concept may transfer easily to pharmacy education and be an additional active learning tool for pharmacy educators based on these limited pilot results. SummaryFishbowl activities may be a valuable educational tool for the development of postformal thinking skills in pharmacy students. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of using this active learning approach in pharmacy education.

Aggressive thinking on the road. The mediation effect of aggressive thinking in the relationship between driving anger and aggression in Romanian drivers

Anger and aggression on the road have been pointed out as two of the main predictors of road accidents. However, while the emotional (anger) and behavioral (aggression) components of hostility have been deeply studied, the cognitive part has not received the same attention in this specific context. Thus, it is important to provide psychometric tools for assessing aggressive thoughts during driving, as the literature showed that cognitions play an important role in aggressive behavior. To this end, we asked Romanian drivers to answer three questionnaires: Driving Anger Thought Questionnaire (DATQ), the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) and the Driving Anger Expression Inventory (DAX), obtaining a total sample of 2133 answers. First, the psychometric properties of the DATQ were tested through a Confirmatory Factor Analysis, showing that the original 5-factor structure was maintained (Judgmental/Disbelieving Thinking, α = .93 both in men and women; Pejorative Labeling/Verbally Aggressive Thinking, α = .90 both in men and women; Physically Aggressive Thinking, α = .89 in men and α = .86 in women; Revenge/Retaliatory Thinking, α = .84 in men and α = .81 in women, and Adaptive/Constructive Expression, α = .84 in men and α = .82 in women). Then, we analyzed the mediation effect of angry thoughts between anger and aggression on the road, concluding that angry thoughts mediate this relationship. The main implications of the results are discussed.