“A mismatch between what is happening on the inside and going on, on the outside”: a qualitative study of therapists’ perspectives on student mental health

Background Although a growing number of studies indicates a high prevalence of reported mental health problems in students and that the problems are growing in number and severity, less is known about the experiences of students facing mental health problems and personnel who interact with students that seek help for these problems. The aim of this study is to examine the perspectives of therapists working with students seeking therapy for mental health problems. Methods A qualitative study of 15 therapists’ perspectives. Data are collected with in-depth, semistructured and open-ended interviews, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results We developed four themes that summarize how the therapists viewed and understood the students’ experiences of mental health problems: (1) an agonizing mismatch between the inside and the outside, (2) conflicting needs for closeness and distance, (3) no room for pain, and (4) a major potential for ripple effects. Conclusions We relate our findings to the existing theory and research, and we discuss the implications for clinical practice and the limitations of the study. We argue that our findings demonstrate the need to provide students room to explore and make meaning of their difficulties and pain related to mental health problems, in addition to offer some symptom-reducing tools and techniques that can enhance performance and academic achievements. More research is needed to understand what student mental health problems might be related to and what students need.publishedVersio

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

“De vil bare få til livet sitt”: En kvalitativ studie om terapeuters forståelse av psykisk uhelse hos studenter

Selv om forskningslitteratur som har undersøkt psykisk helse hos studenter rapporterer om en høy forekomst av psykiske plager og lidelser hos studenter, er det imidlertid fortsatt uklart hvordan psykisk uhelse hos studenter kan beskrives og forstås. Det finnes noe forskning som har undersøkt psykisk helse fra studenters perspektiv, men det synes å mangle studier som har undersøkt dette fra terapeutenes ståsted. Formålet med denne studien har vært å undersøke hvordan terapeuter beskriver og forstår psykisk uhelse hos studenter. Ved bruk av en kvalitativ tilnærming innenfor et hermeneutisk-fenomenologisk rammeverk, har vi utført 15 semistrukturerte intervju med terapeuter som har erfaring med å jobbe med studenter. Datamaterialet ble analysert ved bruk av refleksiv tematisk analysemetode. Vi kom frem til overordnede tema og seks undertema basert på terapeutenes beskrivelser av studentens psykiske helse: 1) ”Å unngå og dekke over vansker”, med undertemaene a) ”En kamp mot det smertefulle” og b) ”En vond mismatch mellom innside og utside”; 2) ”Å føle seg utrygg sammen med andre”, med undertemaene a) ”Et savn etter en trygg havn” og b) ”En armlengdes avstand til andre”; og 3) ”Å finne fotfeste når grunnen brister”, med undertemaene a) ”En tilstand av fri flyt” og b) ”Et ombyggings- og oppbyggingsprosjekt”. Resultatene blir drøftet i lys av eksisterende teori og forskning. Til sist blir implikasjoner, betydningen av våre forforståelser og metodiske begrensninger ved studien diskutert

“A mismatch between what is happening on the inside and going on, on the outside”: a qualitative study of therapists’ perspectives on student mental health

Background Although a growing number of studies indicates a high prevalence of reported mental health problems in students and that the problems are growing in number and severity, less is known about the experiences of students facing mental health problems and personnel who interact with students that seek help for these problems. The aim of this study is to examine the perspectives of therapists working with students seeking therapy for mental health problems. Methods A qualitative study of 15 therapists’ perspectives. Data are collected with in-depth, semistructured and open-ended interviews, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results We developed four themes that summarize how the therapists viewed and understood the students’ experiences of mental health problems: (1) an agonizing mismatch between the inside and the outside, (2) conflicting needs for closeness and distance, (3) no room for pain, and (4) a major potential for ripple effects. Conclusions We relate our findings to the existing theory and research, and we discuss the implications for clinical practice and the limitations of the study. We argue that our findings demonstrate the need to provide students room to explore and make meaning of their difficulties and pain related to mental health problems, in addition to offer some symptom-reducing tools and techniques that can enhance performance and academic achievements. More research is needed to understand what student mental health problems might be related to and what students need

“A mismatch between what is happening on the inside and going on, on the outside”: a qualitative study of therapists’ perspectives on student mental health

Background Although a growing number of studies indicates a high prevalence of reported mental health problems in students and that the problems are growing in number and severity, less is known about the experiences of students facing mental health problems and personnel who interact with students that seek help for these problems. The aim of this study is to examine the perspectives of therapists working with students seeking therapy for mental health problems. Methods A qualitative study of 15 therapists’ perspectives. Data are collected with in-depth, semistructured and open-ended interviews, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results We developed four themes that summarize how the therapists viewed and understood the students’ experiences of mental health problems: (1) an agonizing mismatch between the inside and the outside, (2) conflicting needs for closeness and distance, (3) no room for pain, and (4) a major potential for ripple effects. Conclusions We relate our findings to the existing theory and research, and we discuss the implications for clinical practice and the limitations of the study. We argue that our findings demonstrate the need to provide students room to explore and make meaning of their difficulties and pain related to mental health problems, in addition to offer some symptom-reducing tools and techniques that can enhance performance and academic achievements. More research is needed to understand what student mental health problems might be related to and what students need

Patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder show poorer executive functions compared to good sleepers

Objective: Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) is associated with negative outcomes, including reduced daytime performance and difficulties with treatment adherence. These outcomes are mediated by executive functions (EF). In this study, we investigated whether patients with DSWPD report inferior EF compared to a control group. The study consisted of 40 patients diagnosed with DSWPD (12 males, mean age 20.7 (±3.1)) and 20 healthy controls (six males, 21.3 (±2.2), p = 1.00) between 16 and 25 years (p = 0.42). Methods: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version Self-Report (BRIEF-A) was used for adults ≥18 years (DSWPD n = 28; controls n = 17) whereas Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Self-Report Version (BRIEF-SR) was used for assessment of EF in adolescents <18 years (DSWPD n = 12; controls n = 3). Independent samples t-tests were used to compare patients to controls. Results: The total group of patients with DSWPD scored significantly poorer compared to the control group on the main indexes; Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) (p = <0.0005), Metacognition Index (MI) (p = <0.0005), and Global Executive Composite (GEC) (p = <0.0005). The adult group with DSWPD scored significantly poorer than the adult control group on eleven of the twelve BRIEF-A scales. Among patients <18 years, the DSWPD-group scored significantly poorer than the control group on 8 of the 13 BRIEF-SR-scales. Conclusion: Patients with DSWPD reported significantly poorer EF compared to controls. Assessment of EF in patients with DSWPD can be valuable for understanding the consequences of the disorder regarding treatment tailoring and adherence

Patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder show poorer executive functions compared to good sleepers

Objective Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) is associated with negative outcomes, including reduced daytime performance and difficulties with treatment adherence. These outcomes are mediated by executive functions (EF). In this study, we investigated whether patients with DSWPD report inferior EF compared to a control group. The study consisted of 40 patients diagnosed with DSWPD (12 males, mean age 20.7 (±3.1)) and 20 healthy controls (six males, 21.3 (±2.2), p = 1.00) between 16 and 25 years (p = 0.42). Methods Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version Self-Report (BRIEF-A) was used for adults ≥18 years (DSWPD n = 28; controls n = 17) whereas Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Self-Report Version (BRIEF-SR) was used for assessment of EF in adolescents <18 years (DSWPD n = 12; controls n = 3). Independent samples t-tests were used to compare patients to controls. Results The total group of patients with DSWPD scored significantly poorer compared to the control group on the main indexes; Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) (p = <0.0005), Metacognition Index (MI) (p = <0.0005), and Global Executive Composite (GEC) (p = <0.0005). The adult group with DSWPD scored significantly poorer than the adult control group on eleven of the twelve BRIEF-A scales. Among patients <18 years, the DSWPD-group scored significantly poorer than the control group on 8 of the 13 BRIEF-SR-scales. Conclusion Patients with DSWPD reported significantly poorer EF compared to controls. Assessment of EF in patients with DSWPD can be valuable for understanding the consequences of the disorder regarding treatment tailoring and adherence

Author Correction: A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Correction to: Nature Human Behaviour https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01173-x, published online 2 August 2021. In the version of this article initially published, the following authors were omitted from the author list and the Author contributionssection for “investigation” and “writing and editing”: Nandor Hajdu (Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest,Hungary), Jordane Boudesseul (Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad de Lima, Lima, Perú), RafałMuda (Faculty of Economics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland) and Sandersan Onie (Black Dog Institute, UNSWSydney, Sydney, Australia & Emotional Health for All Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia). In addition, Saeideh FatahModares’ name wasoriginally misspelled as Saiedeh FatahModarres in the author list. Further, affiliations have been corrected for Maria Terskova (NationalResearch University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia), Susana Ruiz Fernandez (FOM University of Applied Sciences,Essen; Leibniz-Institut fur Wissensmedien, Tubingen, and LEAD Research Network, Eberhard Karls University, Tubingen, Germany),Hendrik Godbersen (FOM University of Applied Sciences, Essen, Germany), Gulnaz Anjum (Department of Psychology, Simon FraserUniversity, Burnaby, Canada, and Department of Economics & Social Sciences, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, Pakistan)