POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: A FREQUENT WORK-RELATED ILLNESS

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that results from exposure to a traumatic event, and is characterized by hypermnesia of the traumatic event with frequent re-experiencing of the tragic occurrence, hyperarousal, and avoidance behaviour. Depression, anxiety, sleep dysfunction and substance abuse are also commonly reported. PTSD is highly prevalent both in the general population and in certain occupations that are particularly exposed to life-threatening situations, physically and psychological demanding activities, and physical assault, such as rescue workers, firefighters and paramedics. Recent advances in the comprehension of the epidemiology, physiopathology and clinical presentation of PTSD could push toward increased identification of this common psychiatric disorder with significant reflections on the chances of successful treatmen

Simple Methods for Enhancing Patient Outcome in Routine Care: Measuring, Monitoring, and Feedback

While highly effective, psychotherapy outcome studies suggest 5‒14% of cli- ents worsen while in treatment and that therapists are unable to identify a substantial portion of such cases. Methods to systematically track client mental health functioning over the course of treatment and adjust treatment through the use of problem-solving tools are described. We summarize meta-analyses of the effects of a feedback system in- dicating that the number of psychotherapy patients who deteriorate can be cut in half. We conclude with a series of practice implications, including that clinicians seriously consider making formal methods of collecting client feedback a routine part of their dai- ly practice

The influence of social media use on body image concerns

Internet-based media and especially social networking sites differ from traditional media in that they al- low individuals to interact with their friends in their networks. Moreover, Internet-based media are easi- ly available on devices such as smartphones or tablets. Previous research has demonstrated that mass media contribute powerfully to an individual’s body dissatisfaction. To date, research on the effects re- lated to exposure to ‘newer’ forms of media, in particular social media on the Internet, is scarce. The purpose of the current study is to review the extant body of research dealing with the influence of social media on body image concerns, especially among adolescents. Adolescents, via the Internet, get access to different kinds of Internet-based media, such as social media (including social networking sites). Our results document the importance of idealized social media models—especially thin-ideal models for girls and muscular-ideal models for boys—in shaping the body perceptions of adolescents. However, the effects of pressure from social media on body image concerns in men need to be further investigated both in clinical and community samples

Commento al documento finale della Consensus Conference sulle terapie psicologiche per ansia e depressione. Quali evidenze scientifiche?

Il presente commento ha l’obiettivo di evidenziare vantaggi e limiti dell’approccio scientifico basato sulle evidenze nel campo del trattamento psicoterapeutico. Pur riconoscendo l’importanza che le linee-guida ai trattamenti psicologici siano basate su solide evidenze scientifiche, permane la difficoltà relativa alla loro applicazione nei contesti di cura. Tali limiti sono ascrivibili soprattutto all’utilizzo dei disegni di ricerca sperimentali controllati (Randomized Controlled Trials, RCT), che si adattano parzialmente a trattamenti terapeutici non manualizzati rivolti a pazienti con condizioni psicopatologiche complesse. Gli studi metanalitici sul trattamento dell’ansia e della depressione inoltre sottolineano come la qualità metodologica degli studi di efficacia con RCT abbiano un livello di evidenza limitato. La ricerca in psicoterapia e le linee-guida ai trattamenti per ansia e depressione deve muoversi maggiormente verso la prospettiva della personalizzazione dell’intervento clinico

Factors affecting hesitancy to mrna and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines among college students in Italy

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) may be significant in jeopardizing efforts to mass containment of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a sample of 2667 Italian college students, before the COVID-19 vaccines became available for this age group (from 7 May to 31 May 2021). An online survey was created to obtain information about socio-demographic, health-related, and psychological factors linked to mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines. Statistically significant higher VH (30.4%) and vaccine resistance (12.2%) rates were found for viral vector than mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (7.2% and 1.0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Factors related to viral vector VH were partially different from those related to mRNA VH. Students with greater endorsement on conspiracy statements and negative attitudes toward the vaccine had higher odds of being vaccine-hesitant or-resistant. Students who had received a previous COVID-19 test and who scored higher on the agreeableness personality dimension had lower odds to be vaccine-hesitant or-resistant. The willingness to choose the vaccine was related to the viral vector but not to the mRNA VH. Taking into consideration the factors involved in vaccine hesitancy/resistance in college students could represent a key public health strategy to increase vaccine coverage and reduce viral spreading

Simple methods for enhancing patient outcome in routine care: Measuring, monitoring, and feedback

While highly effective, psychotherapy outcome studies suggest 5?14% of clients worsen while in treatment and that therapists are unable to identify a substantial portion of such cases. Methods to systematically track client mental health functioning over the course of treatment and adjust treatment through the use of problem-solving tools are described. We summarize meta-analyses of the effects of a feedback system indicating that the number of psychotherapy patients who deteriorate can be cut in half. We conclude with a series of practice implications, including that clinicians seriously consider making formal methods of collecting client feedback a routine part of their daily practice

Patient and mentor language style matching as a predictor of working alliance, engagement with treatment as usual, and eating disorders symptoms over the course of an online guided self-help intervention for anorexia nervosa

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the processes involved in a guided self-help (GSH) pre-treatment intervention (RecoveryMANTRA) for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), by measuring the levels of patient/mentor Language Style Matching (LSM). RecoveryMANTRA was supported by student mentors or peer mentors (recovered individuals) over six weekly chat-based sessions. We examined whether LSM during RecoveryMANTRA predicted patients'working alliance with the clinic therapist, motivation, eating disorder (ED) and general psychopathology. A further aim was to examine differences in LSM between student mentors and peer mentors. Method 87 AN adults received RecoveryMANTRA plus treatment as usual. The LSM algorithm was used to calculate verbal attunement between patient and mentor. Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results Both early (1(st) session) and late (6(th) session) LSM predicted higher working alliance with the clinic therapist. Moreover, late LSM predicted lower EDs symptoms at the end of the RecoveryMANTRA intervention. Patient/peer mentor dyads showed higher late verbal attunement than patient/student mentor dyads. Conclusions These findings suggests that in the early phase of treatment relational aspects can impact on engagement with treatment. Verbal attunement in a GSH for AN is associated with working alliance and better clinical outcome

How Can We Help You?: An Instagram-Based Online Self-Help for Eating Disorders

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in online self-help treatments and peer-support programs for eating disorders. The possibility of easily accessing them anytime makes these programs an important support tool and an influencing source for increasing motivation to change. The aim of this work is to describe the #How can we help you? project, its initial feedback received from users, and its future directions. Researchers and clinicians developed an Instagram profile (Dicci Come Aiutarti) based on psychoeducation, aimed at orienting those suffering from a self-reported eating disorder towards clinical care, providing information about eating concerns and related constructs, and increasing motivation for treatment and illness awareness. The contents shared are based on narratives about people who had recovered from an eating disorder, importance and ability to change, and nutrition management. We have provided an overview of the needs of the Instagram profile users, a description of the main interactions recorded since the profile was opened, and examples of the unmet needs shared by users in direct messages. Future directions of the project concern the definition and formalization of the type of support provided by developing a psychoeducational and integrated program and also, the formulation of a research protocol able to assess the usability, effectiveness, and satisfaction of the Instagram profile. © 2023 by the authors