Parental lack of care and overprotection

Contains fulltext : 56499.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)This study served to replicate and extend the findings from the National Comorbidity Survey [Enns MW, Cox BJ, Clara I (2002) Psychol Med 32:997-1008], in examining associations between recalled parental bonding and the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in adulthood. Data were used from 4,796 adults aged 18-64, who had participated in three waves (i.e., 1996, 1997, and 1999) of a large-scale Dutch epidemiological study. Parental lack of care and overprotection were significantly associated with both prevalence and incidence of DSM-III-R disorders. However, the impact of parental bonding was modest, explaining only 1-5% of the variance in the occurrence and onset of psychopathology. Chi-square tests demonstrated there were no differences between the impact of paternal and maternal rearing behaviors on mental disorders, or between lack of care and overprotection in the prediction of mental disorders. Overall, individuals' recollections of parental lack of care and overprotection appear to be non-specifically, modestly related to the prevalence and incidence of DSM-III-R disorders in adults from the general population. Future research may examine indirect or mediated links between parental bonding and (clinical diagnoses of) mental health problems.7 p

Proof of concept: Partner-Assisted Interpersonal Psychotherapy for perinatal depression

Although poor partner support is a key risk factor for depression in pregnant and postpartum women, partners are not generally involved in treatment beyond psychoeducation. The aim of this "proof of concept" study was to test safety, acceptability, and feasibility of Partner-Assisted Interpersonal Psychotherapy (PA-IPT), an intervention that includes the partner as an active participant throughout treatment. Women more than 12 weeks estimated gestational age and less than 12 weeks postpartum were invited to participate if they fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder and reported moderate symptom severity (HAM-D(17) ≥16). The open trial included eight acute-phase sessions and a 6-week follow-up assessment. Ten couples completed the acute phase treatment and nine presented for a 6-week follow-up assessment. There were no study-related adverse events, and no women had symptomatic worsening from intake to Session Eight. All partners attended all sessions, no couples dropped out of treatment, and all reported positive treatment satisfaction at the conclusion of the study. Nine of ten women (90 %) met the criteria for clinical response (HAM-D(17)=9) at the conclusion of acute phase treatment, and eight of the nine (89 %) presenting at a 6-week follow-up assessment met criteria for symptomatic recovery. Incorporating partners in the treatment of major depressive disorders during the perinatal period is safe, acceptable, and feasible, but needs further testing in a larger population to evaluate efficacy

Caregivers' attachment patterns and their interactions with cancer patients' patterns

To provide a brief review of the empirical literature regarding the attachment style of the cancer patients' caregivers as well as the link between attachment, caregiving, and care-receiving behaviors are defined. An extensive systematic electronic review (Medline, PsycINFO, and Attachment Theory Website (ATW)) and subsequent examination of reference lists were carried out to retrieve published articles up to 2011, using attachment and cancer in combination with caregiver, spouse, dyad, and family as the key words. The titles, abstracts, or full articles, if necessary, were reviewed to determine whether the articles met the eligibility criteria. Eighty-seven studies have been identified, including research articles, books, and chapters in books. The attachment style of a caregiver can influence how they respond to a patient's needs. Studies have found that attachment anxiety or avoidance is more likely to interfere with effective and sensitive caregiving