A Brief Facial Morphing Intervention to Reduce Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

The current study was designed to test the efficacy of an appearance-based facial morphing program to reduce intentional UV exposure among individuals at risk for skin cancer. A three-arm randomized controlled trial was employed (N = 219) comparing facial morphing + health information to: (1) mindfulness + health information; and (2) health information only. Participants were young adults with a history of recent intentional tanning and future intentions to tan. Primary outcomes were indoor and outdoor tanning frequency and tanning intentions, with secondary outcomes of tanning attitudes, body image, and affect. Facial morphing participants reported less frequent tanning, compared to mindfulness and control participants at 1-month follow-up. Facial morphing participants also generally reported lower intentions to tan at immediate follow-up, although the magnitude of these effects weakened at 1-month follow-up. Facial morphing programs may offer a brief, efficacious, and scalable augmentation to standard of care in reducing intentional UV exposure

Spousal involvement and CPAP adherence: A dyadic perspective

Poor adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment is associated with substantial health care costs, morbidity and mortality, and has been a leading obstacle in the effective management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Successful interventions to improve CPAP adherence may ultimately include a variety of components. For patients living with spouses (refers to all domestic partners), the spouse will likely be an integral component to any successful intervention. Developing understanding of the role of spouses in adherence to CPAP has been identified to be a critical research need. This review expands the investigation of CPAP adherence to a broader context, from an exclusive focus on individual patients to a dyadic perspective encompassing both patients and their spouses. A conceptual framework based on social support and social control theories is proposed to understand spousal involvement in CPAP adherence. Methodologies for future investigations are discussed, along with implications for developing interventions that engage both patients and their spouses to improve CPAP use

Advances and Controversies in the Application of a Modified Version of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

In their comprehensive case study, Jensen, Hougaard, and Fishman (2013) examined the micro-level mechanisms of change for a socially anxious client who underwent one-week of intensive group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and experienced rapid symptom improvement. Our commentary focuses on two key components in the cognitive model of social anxiety, which this study highlights - the role of safety behaviors and interrogating the social environment, as well two topics that are applicable to anxiety treatments in general - integrating acceptance-based strategies into CBT and novel approaches in treatment delivery. We highlight what can be learned from Jensen and colleagues’ case study by incorporating both empirical research and our own clinical anecdotes.  

A bad night's sleep on campus: An interview study of first year university students with poor sleep quality

Background Poor sleep quality is common in university students and increases the risk of mental illness and poor academic attainment. It is therefore critical to understand what may cause or aggravate poor sleep in students. First-year students living on campus are particularly worthy of attention due to their distinctive sleeping circumstances: they are adapting to a new lifestyle, sleep in close proximity to new peers, and experience environmental noise and academic stress. Method Fifteen first-year undergraduates with poor sleep quality completed in-depth interviews in which they were asked about aspects of university life that might contribute to their poor sleep quality. Results Four main themes were constructed from the data using thematic analysis: the social context of noise problems; the lure of socializing with peers; the cost of having an unstructured academic lifestyle; and the wide-reaching impact of poor sleep quality on university life. Flatmates and friends were central to poor sleep quality on campus because they caused excessive noise and provided an easy opportunity to socialize late into the night. Academic factors, including students working late at night and spending all day in their bedrooms, were also key. Conclusion Fundamental aspects of moving to university, including living with peers and adapting to a new academic schedule, may increase the risk of students' poor sleep quality. When designing interventions to minimize the risk of poor sleep quality in first-year students, unique aspects of the campus environment, including the close proximity to new peers, must be addressed