Internalized and Anticipated Stigmatization in Patients With Gout

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between stigma perception and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables. METHODS: A sample of 50 patients with gout and prescribed urate‐lowering medication (84% were males, mean serum urate 0.34 mmol/l) completed questionnaires on internalized and anticipated stigma, demographics, clinical gout‐related variables, and psychosocial variables (illness perceptions, illness‐related disability, illness‐related body satisfaction, intentional nonadherence). Serum urate level was obtained from the most recent blood test. RESULTS: In this sample, 26% experienced internalized stigma, 26% expected to be stigmatized by friends or family members, and 14% by health care workers. Univariate regression analyses showed that younger age, ethnicity other than New Zealand European, increased severity of gout pain, cognitive and emotional illness perceptions, greater illness‐related disability, and increased intentional nonadherence to urate‐lowering medication were associated with increased internalized and anticipated stigma. Younger age, emotional illness response, and intentional nonadherence were the only variables explaining incremental variance of the experience of anticipated stigma in a multivariate regression model. CONCLUSION: Internalized and anticipated illness‐related stigma was reported by a subgroup of patients with gout. The experience of stigma is associated with younger age, a negative emotional illness response, and intentions to not adhere with a medical treatment

Why are some cases not on track? An item analysis of the assessment for signal cases (ASC) during inpatient psychotherapy

Within the Routine Outcome Monitoring System “OQ‐Analyst”, the questionnaire “Assessment for Signal Cases” (ASC) supports therapists in detecting potential reasons for not‐on‐track trajectories. Factor analysis and a machine learning algorithm (Lasso with 10‐fold cross‐validation) were applied and potential predictors of not‐on‐track classifications were tested using logistic multilevel modelling methods. The factor analysis revealed a shortened (30‐item) version of the ASC with good internal consistency (α = 0.72 – 0.89) and excellent predictive value (AUC = 0.98; +PV = 0.95; ‐PV = 0.94). Item‐level analyses showed that interpersonal problems captured by specific ASC items (not feeling able to speak about problems with family members; feeling rejected or betrayed) are the most important predictors of not‐on‐track trajectories

Definition and Characteristics of Behavioral Medicine, and Main Tasks and Goals of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine—an International Delphi Study

© 2020, The Author(s). Background: In the past decades, behavioral medicine has attained global recognition. Due to its global reach, a critical need has emerged to consider whether the original definition of behavioral medicine is still valid, comprehensive, and inclusive, and to reconsider the main tasks and goals of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM), as the umbrella organization in the field. The purpose of the present study was to (i) update the definition and scope of behavioral medicine and its defining characteristics; and (ii) develop a proposal on ISBM’s main tasks and goals. Method: Our study used the Delphi method. A core group prepared a discussion paper. An international Delphi panel rated questions and provided comments. The panel intended to reach an a priori defined level of consensus (i.e., 70%). Results: The international panel reached consensus on an updated definition and scope of behavioral medicine as a field of research and practice that builds on collaboration among multiple disciplines. These disciplines are concerned with development and application of behavioral and biomedical evidence across the disease continuum in clinical and public health domains. Consensus was reached on a proposal for ISBM’s main tasks and goals focused on supporting communication and collaboration across disciplines and participating organizations; stimulating research, education, and practice; and supporting individuals and organizations in the field. Conclusion: The consensus on definition and scope of behavioral medicine and ISBM’s tasks and goals provides a foundational step toward achieving these goals

Resisting the mantle of the monstrous feminine : women's construction and experience of premenstrual embodiment

The female reproductive body is positioned as abject, as other, as site of defciency and disease, the epitome of the ‘monstrous feminine.’ Premenstrual change in emotion, behavior or embodied sensation is positioned as a sign of madness within, necessitating restraint and control on the part of the women experiencing it (Ussher 2006). Breakdown in this control through manifestation of ‘symptoms’ is diagnosed as PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) or PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a pathology deserving of ‘treatment.’ In this chapter, we adopt a feminist material-discursive theoretical framework to examine the role of premenstrual embodiment in relation to women’s adoption of the subject position of monstrous feminine, drawing on interviews we have conducted with women who self-diagnose as ‘PMS sufferers.’ We theorize women’s self-positioning as subjectifcation, wherein women take up cultural discourse associated with idealized femininity and the reproductive body, resulting in self-objectifcation, distress, and self-condemnation. However, women can resist negative cultural constructions of premenstrual embodiment and the subsequent self-policing. We describe the impact of women-centered psychological therapy which increases awareness of embodied change, and leads to greater acceptance of the premenstrual body and greater self-care, which serves to reduce premenstrual distress

Successful aging, change in sexual interest and sexual satisfaction in couples from four European countries

Although the importance of sexuality and physical intimacy for well-being of older adults has been recognized, the role of sexuality in successful aging (SA) has been largely neglected. Building on our previous work, here we further validated a three-dimensional model of SA and examined its associations with sexual satisfaction and change in sexual interest among older heterosexual couples (aged 60–75 years). Participants were recruited in a probability-based survey, which was carried out in 2016–2017 in four European countries. Using structural equation modeling of the Actor–Partner Interdependence, we observed significant relationships between SA and sexual satisfaction for both male and female partners across countries. Among women, their retrospectively assessed change in sexual interest over the past 10 years was consistently associated with sexual satisfaction. Partner effects were gender-specific: male partners’ SA was significantly related to their female partners’ change in sexual interest, which in turn was linked to male partners’ sexual satisfaction. The findings point to substantial ties between successful aging and sexuality in older European couples. Taking into account the prevalent stereotypes about old age and sexuality, this study’s findings can assist professionals working with aging couples

The CIPRUS study, a nurse-led psychological treatment for patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder in primary care: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Up to a third of patients presenting medically unexplained physical symptoms in primary care may have a somatoform disorder, of which undifferentiated somatoform disorder (USD) is the most common type. Psychological interventions can reduce symptoms associated with USD and improve functioning. Previous research has either been conducted in secondary care or interventions have been provided by general practitioners (GPs) or psychologists in primary care. As efficiency and cost-effectiveness are imperative in primary care, it is important to investigate whether nurse-led interventions are effective as well. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a short cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based treatment for patients with USD provided by mental health nurse practitioners (MHNPs), compared to usual care. Methods: In a cluster randomised controlled trial, 212 adult patients with USD will be assigned to the intervention or care as usual. The intervention group will be offered a short, individual CBT-based treatment by the MHNP in addition to usual GP care. The main goal of the intervention is that patients become less impaired by their physical symptoms and cope with symptoms in a more effective way. In six sessions patients will receive problem-solving treatment. The primary outcome is improvement in physical functioning, measured by the physical component summary score of the RAND-36. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life measured by the separate subscales of the RAND-36, somatization (PHQ-15) and symptoms of depression and anxiety (HADS). Problem-solving skills, health anxiety, illness perceptions, coping, mastery and working alliance will be assessed as potential mediators. Assessments will be done at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 months. An economic evaluation will be conducted from a societal perspective with quality of life as the primary outcome measure assessed by the EQ-5D-5L. Health care, patient and lost productivity costs will be assessed with the Tic-P. Discussion: We expect that the intervention will improve physical functioning and is cost-effective compared to usual care. If so, more patients might successfully be treated in general practice, decreasing the number of referrals to specialist care. Trial registration: Dutch Trial Registry, identifier: NTR4686, Registered on 14 July 2014. © 2017 The Author(s)

Rock climbing and acute emotion regulation in patients with major depressive disorder in the context of a psychological inpatient treatment: a controlled pilot trial

Maria Kleinstäuber,1,2 Merle Reuter,3 Norbert Doll,4 Andreas J Fallgatter4 1Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; 2Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; 3Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany, 4Department of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany Background: Major depressive disorder is characterized by deficits in emotion regulation. This study examined associations between rock climbing and acute emotion regulating effects in patients with major depression. Patients and methods: In a nonrandomized, controlled study, 40 major depressive disorder inpatients were assigned to either a climbing session (n=20) or a relaxation session (n=20). Positive and negative affect, depressiveness, and coping emotions were assessed immediately before and after the session. Results: Mixed analyses of variance and covariance revealed significant time × group interaction effects for all assessed outcomes (p≤0.012): positive affect and coping emotions significantly increased and negative affect and depressiveness significantly decreased after the climbing session (1.04≤ Cohen’s d ≤1.30), in contrast to a relaxation session (0.16≤ Cohen’s d ≤0.36). Conclusion: The results show that rock climbing is associated with acute emotion regulatory effects. These findings have to be replicated with a randomized design, and future research should pay attention to possible mechanisms of rock climbing in regard to emotion regulation. Keywords: physical activity, controlled trial, relaxation, inpatient treatmen

Supplementary Material for: Wenn sich Menschen ändern - Veränderungsprozesse in der Psychotherapie und ihre Beziehung zu spezifischen Therapietechniken und allgemeinen Wirkfaktoren

Erkenntnisse diverser Studien legen nahe, dass Placebo-Kontrollgruppen mehr von Psychotherapie profitieren als Kontrollgruppen ohne jegliche Behandlung, jedoch weniger als Patienten, die eine theoriegeleitete Behandlung erhalten. Die vorliegende Auswertung der Befunde vergleichender Ergebnisstudien - zum einen solche, die Ergebnisse von Patienten, die von auszubildenden/paraprofessionellen versus professionellen Therapeuten behandelt wurden, gegenüberstellen und zum anderen solche, die eine Symptomverbesserung in der Anfangsphase der Behandlung (‚early response‘ bzw. frühe Therapie-Response) in einem beträchtlichen Anteil der Stichprobe zeigen - legt nahe, dass den allgemeinen Wirkfaktoren von Psychotherapie bedeutende Effekte zukommen. Das Phänomen der frühen Therapie-Response stellt dabei eine Herausforderung dar, sowohl für das Verständnis der Effekte spezifischer psychotherapeutischer Ansätze als auch der ursächlichen Effekte spezifischer therapeutischer Techniken in der Behandlung bestimmter Erkrankungen. Die Behandlungsergebnisse sind dabei am ehesten als komplexes Zusammenspiel allgemeiner Wirkfaktoren, wie z.B. der Erwartung des Patienten hinsichtlich einer erfolgreichen Behandlung oder der therapeutischen Beziehung, sowie spezifischer Interventionen zu verstehen

Extension of CBT by Emotion Regulation Training in Patients with Multiple Somatoform Symptoms: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study[Erweiterung der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie um Emotionsregulationstraining bei Patienten mit multiplen somatoformen Symptomen: Ergebnisse einer kontrollierten Pilotstudie]

Hintergrund: Kognitive Verhaltenstherapie (KVT) ist bei Patienten mit multiplen somatoformen Symptomen (MSS) erwiesenermaßen wirksam, bisher jedoch nur mit moderaten Effekten. Da sich bei diesen Patienten Hinweise für ein Emotionswahrnehmungsdefizit und Regulationsdefizit finden, wurde an der Universität Marburg ein Behandlungsmanual für Patienten mit MSS entwickelt, das KVT-Elemente und ein spezielles Emotionsregulationstraining verbindet. In diesem soll der Umgang mit Emotionen durch Strategien der bewertungsfreien Wahrnehmung, Akzeptanz und Achtsamkeit gefördert werden. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war, die Durchführbarkeit des Behandlungsprogramms ENCERT (Enriching CBT with Emotion Regulation Training) zu testen sowie die Veränderungen über die Zeit unter ENCERT mit denen einer klassischen KVT zu vergleichen. Patienten und Methoden: 20 ENCERT-Patienten und 22 KVT-Patienten (mit ≥3 somatoformen Symptomen, seit ≥6 Monaten) nahmen im Rahmen einer nicht randomisierten Gruppenvergleichsstudie an 20 wöchentlichen Einzeltherapiesitzungen im ambulanten Setting teil. Zu Therapiebeginn und -ende wurden relevante Daten erhoben. Die primären Outcomemaße waren das Screening für somatoforme Störungen (SOMS-7T), der Fragebogen zur Selbsteinschätzung emotionaler Kompetenzen (SEK-27) und visuelle Analogskalen (VAS) zur Einschätzung der Symptomintensität und zur empfundenen Beeinträchtigung. Ergebnisse: Beide Gruppen verbesserten sich im Therapieverlauf signifikant bezüglich der Beeinträchtigungsintensität (ENCERT d = 0,70; KVT d = 0,46) und Beschwerdeanzahl (ENCERT d = 0,72; KVT d = 0,50). Gruppenunterschiede zu Therapieende zeigten sich nicht: Unter Berücksichtigung klinisch relevanter Baselinevariablen zeigte sich zu Therapieende ein Hinweis auf einen signifikanten Unterschied in der Beeinträchtigungsintensität (ANCOVA: F (1,37) = 4,058, p = 0,051; ENCERT überlegen). ENCERT-Patienten verbesserten sich zudem signifikant auf stündlich erhobenen visuellen Analogskalen (Beschwerdeintensität d = 0,59; Beeinträchtigung durch Beschwerden d = 1,25) und in ihren Emotionsregulationskompetenzen (d = 1,14). Schlussfolgerung: Patienten mit MSS verbesserten sich während ENCERT und KVT, mit tendenziell höheren Effektstärken für ENCERT, jedoch auch höheren Ausgangswerten in Depressivität und Angst. Gruppenunterschiede zeigten sich nicht, möglicherweise aufgrund geringer Power. Diese Ergebnisse ermutigen zur Durchführung einer größeren randomisierten und kontrollierten Multicenterstudie