6 research outputs found
Disseminating sleep education to graduate psychology programs online: a knowledge translation study to improve the management of insomnia
Study Objectives
Despite the negative impact of poor sleep on mental health, evidence-based insomnia management guidelines have not been translated into routine mental healthcare. Here, we evaluate a state-wide knowledge translation effort to disseminate sleep and insomnia education to graduate psychology programs online using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) evaluation framework.
Methods
Using a non-randomized waitlist control design, graduate psychology students attended a validated 6-hour online sleep education workshop delivered live as part of their graduate psychology program in Victoria, Australia. Sleep knowledge, attitudes, and practice assessments were conducted pre- and post-program, with long-term feedback collected at 12 months.
Results
Seven out of ten graduate psychology programs adopted the workshop (adoption rate = 70%). The workshop reached 313 graduate students, with a research participation rate of 81%. The workshop was effective at improving studentsâ sleep knowledge and self-efficacy to manage sleep disturbances using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), compared to the waitlist control with medium-to-large effect sizes (all p < .001). Implementation feedback was positive, with 96% of students rating the workshop as very good-to-excellent. Twelve-month maintenance data demonstrated that 83% of students had used the sleep knowledge/skills learned in the workshop in their clinical practice. However, more practical training is required to achieve CBT-I competency.
Conclusions
Online sleep education workshops can be scaled to deliver cost-effective foundational sleep training to graduate psychology students. This workshop will accelerate the translation of insomnia management guidelines into psychology practice to improve sleep and mental health outcomes nationwide
Strange themes in pandemic dreams: Insomnia was associated with more negative, anxious and death-related dreams during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dreaming and insomnia are important markers of distress in times of crisis. Here, we present a longitudinal, mixedâmethods study examining changes in dreaming between individuals with and without insomnia symptoms and their relationship to mental health during the COVIDâ19 pandemic. A global survey examining insomnia symptoms, dreams and mental health was launched in April 2020 and followed participants over 12âmonths. Of 2240 participants, 1009 (45%) reported dream changes at baseline. A higher proportion of participants with newâonset insomnia reported dream changes (55%) than those with preâexisting insomnia (45%) or good sleepers (36%). Overall, thematic analysis identified key dream change themes of increased dream activity, with participants dreaming vividly, in highâdefinition, and with a strong negative charge. Themes around survival, adjusting to pandemic life, meaningâmaking and poor sleep quality were also noted. Linguistic Inquiry Word Count showed that individuals with insomnia used more negative words to describe their dream changes than good sleepers. Specifically, the newâonset insomnia group used more anxious and deathârelated words than those who slept well. Notably, all groups experienced a significant reduction in dream activity by 3âmonth followâup. Lastly, dream changes were associated with worse mental health symptoms over time, and this effect was more pronounced in individuals with insomnia. Our results highlight that insomnia symptoms, especially newâonset insomnia, are associated with more negative dream changes during collective stressful events, potentially compounding daytime distress and mental health symptoms over time. During times of crisis, dreaming and insomnia may reveal an important target for mental health interventions
Development of a Novel Behavioral Sleep Medicine Education Workshop Designed to Increase Trainee Psychologistsâ Knowledge and Skills in Insomnia Management
Objectives: Despite the clear influence of poor sleep on mental health, sleep education has been neglected in psychology training programs. Here, we develop a novel behavioral sleep medicine (BSM) education workshop, the Sleep Psychology Workshop, designed for integration within graduate psychology programs. We also examined the potential efficacy and acceptability of the workshop to upskill trainee psychologists in sleep and insomnia management. Methods: The Sleep Psychology Workshop was developed using a modified Delphi Method. Eleven trainee psychologists completing their Master of Psychology degrees (90% female, 24.4 ± 1.6 years old) attended the workshop, delivered as three, two-hour lectures (total of six hours). Sleep knowledge, attitudes, and practice assessments were completed pre-and post-intervention using the GradPsyKAPS Questionnaire. A focus group and 6-month follow-up survey captured feedback and qualitative data. Results: Traineesâ sleep knowledge quiz scores (% correct) increased from 60% to 79% pre- to post-workshop (p =.002). Traineesâ self-efficacy to use common sleep-related assessment instruments and empirically supported interventions to manage sleep disturbances increased, along with their confidence to manage insomnia (all p < .02). Participant feedback was positive, with 91% of trainees rating the workshop as âexcellentâ and qualitative data highlighting trainees developing practical skills in BSM. Six months post-intervention, 100% of trainees endorsed routinely asking their clients about sleep, with 82% reporting improvements in their own sleep. Conclusions: The Sleep Psychology Workshop is a potentially effective and acceptable introductory BSM education program for trainee psychologists, ready for integration within the graduate psychology curriculum. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC