1,626 research outputs found

    Development and validation of the Negative Attitudes towards CBT Scale

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    Background: Clinicians commonly fail to use cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) adequately, but the reasons for such omissions are not well understood. Aims: The objective of this study was to create and validate a measure to assess clinicians’ attitudes towards CBT - the Negative Attitudes towards CBT Scale (NACS). Method: The participants were 204 clinicians from various mental healthcare fields. Each completed the NACS, measures of anxiety and self-esteem, and a measure of therapists’ use of CBT and non-CBT techniques and their confidence in using those techniques. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure of the NACS, and scale internal consistency was tested. Results: A single, 16-item scale emerged from the factor analysis of the NACS, and that scale had good internal consistency. Clinicians’ negative attitudes and their anxiety had different patterns of association with the use of CBT and other therapeutic techniques. Conclusions: The findings suggest that clinicians’ attitudes and emotions each need to be considered when understanding why many clinicians fail to deliver the optimum version of evidence-based CBT. They also suggest that training effective CBT clinicians might depend on understanding and targeting such internal states

    Gender Differences Among Veterans Deployed in Support of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

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    BACKGROUND: The changing scope of women’s roles in combat operations has led to growing interest in women’s deployment experiences and post-deployment adjustment. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the gender-specific frequency of deployment stressors, including sexual and non-sexual harassment, lack of social support and combat exposure. To quantify gender-specific post-deployment mental health conditions and associations between deployment stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to inform the care of Veterans returning from the current conflicts. DESIGN: National mail survey of OEF/OIF Veterans randomly sampled within gender, with women oversampled. SETTING: The community. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 1,207 female and 1,137 male Veterans from a roster of all Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans. Response rate was 48.6 %. MAIN MEASURES: Deployment stressors (including combat and harassment stress), PTSD, depression, anxiety and alcohol use, all measured via self-report. KEY RESULTS: Women were more likely to report sexual harassment (OR = 8.7, 95% CI: 6.9, 11) but less likely to report combat (OR = 0 .62, 95 % CI: 0.50, 0.76). Women and men were equally likely to report symptoms consistent with probable PTSD (OR = 0 .87, 95 % CI: 0.70, 1.1) and symptomatic anxiety (OR  =  1.1, 9 5% CI: 0.86, 1.3). Women were more likely to report probable depression (OR = 1.3, 95 % CI: 1.1, 1.6) and less likely to report problematic alcohol use (OR  = 0 .59, 9 5% CI: 0.47, 0.72). With a five-point change in harassment stress, adjusted odds ratios for PTSD were 1.36 (95 % CI: 1.23, 1.52) for women and 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.19, 1.61) for men. The analogous associations between combat stress and PTSD were 1.31 (95 % CI: 1.24, 1.39) and 1.31 (95 % CI: 1.26, 1.36), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are important gender differences in deployment stressors—including women’s increased risk of interpersonal stressors—and post-deployment adjustment, there are also significant similarities. The post-deployment adjustment of our nation’s growing population of female Veterans seems comparable to that of our nation’s male Veterans

    The Meaning of Health among Midlife Russian-Speaking Women in the United States

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    This study sought to explore the meaning of health among midlife Russian-speaking women from the Former Soviet Union. A hermeneutic, phenomenologic, descriptive and interpretive design following the Utrecht School was used. The setting was in an ethnic community in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The sample included 12 Russian-speaking women who also spoke English, ages 40-61, who migrated after 1991 to the United States. Methods included hermeneutic phenomenology, which combined descriptive and interpretive phenomenology, and content analysis of verbatim transcriptions of open-ended individual interviews. Six major themes were identified: health as a highly valued possession; being a stranger/seeking the familiar; grieving and loss/building a new life; experiencing changes and transitions; trusting self; and importance of hope. Conclusions were that the women value health, are knowledgeable about health, participate in self-care practices, trust their own abilities to make self-care decisions, and seek out health-related information. At the same time, this is a vulnerable population at risk for the onset of chronic medical conditions associated with the process of aging, past exposures, and current stressors related to migration and the tendency to avoid health screening. Implications for nursing practice include the need for interventions to build trust and to assess both self-care practices and values concerning end-of-life issues. Future research recommendations include replication of this study with other samples within this population, further investigation of curative practices, and exploration of the meaning of death and end-of-life issues

    Trauma-related emotions and radical acceptance in dialectical behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder after childhood sexual abuse

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    Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is often associated with a wide range of trauma-related aversive emotions such as fear, disgust, sadness, shame, guilt, and anger. Intense experience of aversive emotions in particular has been linked to higher psychopathology in trauma survivors. Most established psychosocial treatments aim to reduce avoidance of trauma-related memories and associated emotions. Interventions based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) also foster radical acceptance of the traumatic event. Methods: This study compares individual ratings of trauma-related emotions and radical acceptance between the start and the end of DBT for PTSD (DBT-PTSD) related to CSA. We expected a decrease in trauma-related emotions and an increase in acceptance. In addition, we tested whether therapy response according to the Clinician Administered PTSD-Scale (CAPS) for the DSM-IV was associated with changes in trauma-related emotions and acceptance. The data was collected within a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of DBT-PTSD, and a subsample of 23 women was included in this secondary data analysis. Results: In a multilevel model, shame, guilt, disgust, distress, and fear decreased significantly from the start to the end of the therapy whereas radical acceptance increased. Therapy response measured with the CAPS was associated with change in trauma-related emotions. Conclusions: Trauma-related emotions and radical acceptance showed significant changes from the start to the end of DBT-PTSD. Future studies with larger sample sizes and control group designs are needed to test whether these changes are due to the treatment. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT0048100

    Fine-mapping of 5q12.1-13.3 unveils new genetic contributors to caries

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    Caries is a multifactorial disease and little is still known about the host genetic factors influencing susceptibility. Our previous genome-wide linkage scan has identified the interval 5q12.1–5q13.3 as linked to low caries susceptibility in Filipino families. Here we fine-mapped this region in order to identify genetic contributors to caries susceptibility. Four hundred and seventy-seven subjects from 72 pedigrees with similar cultural and behavioral habits and limited access to dental care living in the Philippines were studied. DMFT scores and genotype data of 75 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were evaluated in the Filipino families with the Family-Based Association Test. For replication purposes, a total 1,467 independent subjects from five different populations were analyzed in a case-control format. In the Filipino cohort, statistically significant and borderline associations were found between low caries experience and four genes spanning 13 million base pairs (PART1, ZSWIM6, CCNB1, and BTF3). We were able to replicate these results in some of the populations studied. We detected PART1 and BTF3 expression in whole saliva, and the expression of BTF3 was associated with caries experience. Our results suggest BTF3 may have a functional role in protecting against caries.Fil: Shimizu, T.. Nihon University of Dentistry; JapónFil: Deeley, K.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Briseño Ruiz, J.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Faraco Junior, I. M.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Poletta, Fernando Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; ArgentinaFil: Brancher, J. A.. Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná; BrasilFil: Pecharki, G. D.. Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná; BrasilFil: Küchler, E. C.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Tannure, P. N.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Lips, A.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Vieira, T. C. S.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Patir, A.. Istanbul Medipol Universit; TurquíaFil: Yildirim, M.. Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Mereb, J. C.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”; ArgentinaFil: Resick, J. M.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Brandon, C. A.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Cooper, M. E.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Seymen, F.. Istanbul University; TurquíaFil: Costa, M. C.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Granjeiro, J. M.. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Trevilatto, P. C.. Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná; BrasilFil: Orioli, I. M.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”; ArgentinaFil: Castilla, Eduardo Enrique. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; ArgentinaFil: Marazita, M. L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Vieira, A. R.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unido

    Enamel Formation Genes Influence Enamel Microhardness Before and After Cariogenic Challenge

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    There is evidence for a genetic component in caries susceptibility, and studies in humans have suggested that variation in enamel formation genes may contribute to caries. For the present study, we used DNA samples collected from 1,831 individuals from various population data sets. Single nucleotide polymorphism markers were genotyped in selected genes (ameloblastin, amelogenin, enamelin, tuftelin, and tuftelin interacting protein 11) that influence enamel formation. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between groups with distinct caries experience. Associations with caries experience can be detected but they are not necessarily replicated in all population groups and the most expressive results was for a marker in AMELX (p = 0.0007). To help interpret these results, we evaluated if enamel microhardness changes under simulated cariogenic challenges are associated with genetic variations in these same genes. After creating an artificial caries lesion, associations could be seen between genetic variation in TUFT1 (p = 0.006) and TUIP11 (p = 0.0006) with enamel microhardness. Our results suggest that the influence of genetic variation of enamel formation genes may influence the dynamic interactions between the enamel surface and the oral cavity. © 2012 Shimizu et al

    The feasibility of prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in low-and middle-income countries: a review

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    There is a need in the global south to evaluate and implement empirically supported psychological interventions to ameliorate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) have increasingly been developed and implemented, yet the majority people in the global south do not have access to these treatments for mental disorders such as PTSD. Prolonged exposure therapy has accrued substantial empirical evidence to show it as an effective treatment for PTSD. Research on the effectiveness and acceptability of prolonged exposure in a low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are sparse. This brief report presents a review of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy and its feasibility as a trauma therapy for PTSD in LMICs. First, we present a brief overview of PE as a first-line treatment for PTSD. Second, using South Africa as a case example, we present a brief overview of traumatic stress in South Africa and how mental healthcare has developed since the abolishment of apartheid in 1994. Lastly, we discuss the challenges pertaining to the dissemination and implementation of PE in LMICs and propose future perspectives regarding the implementation of ESTs such as PE in LMICs
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