What Every Psychologist Should Know About the P-Value: What it Means and What it Doesn`T Mean - A Heuristic Approach

Synopsis: The topic in this paper has been the subject of an intense controversy over the past years. The following remarks are aimed at providing a simplified introduction to the psychological concepts of significance. A mathematical presentation is intentionally avoided because, on the one hand, the readership decreases exponentially with each mathematical formula and, on the other hand, these are given in detail in the special lectures or in scientific presentations. Starting from the historical background, the focus here is on the concepts of the ideas on the one hand, and on the other hand, the modern discussion of these concepts will be presented briefly

Metaphor Technique: Psychotherapeutic Casuistics

The technique of therapeutic metaphor is largely used in psychotherapeutic practice as a "system of empirical techniques", and has no scientific basis. The status of "tool", "method" is insufficient for the interpretation of psychotherapeutic metaphor. Metaphor is a complex entity that operates at different levels of personal organization. It works not only as an oriental metaphor, as a fairy tale, which due to the fascinating effect deepens the penetration of "correct" content in the conscious and subconscious of the client. An important feature of the metaphor is not that it "advises" the client, provides a correct understanding of the situation, problems and solutions. This understanding of metaphor makes it gently directive, a kind of veiled advice. Metaphor allows a person to enter all layers of their own existence, including somatic organization, to transform their own experience. Therefore, the therapeutic metaphor is an experiential approach to solving their own problems. The article presents work with a client who had very unarticulated complaints. The work was devoted to the realization of the metaphor of life, which had manifestations at all levels of the early emotional scheme - cognitive, emotional, somatic, early memories and motivation. The original metaphor of life "humble" vs "free" was transformed into a metaphor of "web" vs "sea". In the second healthy metaphor, the connotation of the poles changes and a new somatic structure is formed. The following conclusions were made: 1) the client's life really corresponds to some metaphor, it is built for it; 2) such a metaphor is either not realized at all by the client, or partially; 3) the therapist helps the client to understand the metaphor of life, which has a somatic (vegetative-sensory) status - emotions-in-the-body and thoughts-in-the-body (in this case, the somatic structure of the lifestyle "humble" - belching, sore throat, bloated stomach , compressed stomach, poured like foot pads, etc.); 4) it is necessary to determine the negative life consequences of such a metaphor; 5) as a rule, the metaphor carries polarity ("humble" vs "free"). Each pole has certain connotative meanings that should be articulated; 6) it is necessary to determine the direction of flow of internal dynamic forces in this case, the main flow is realized in the direction of "free" vs "humbly." Healthy flow should be carried out in the opposite direction; 7) you need to offer the client a new metaphor, with other poles that have the opposite connotative load ("humble" vs "web"; "free" vs "sea"). Such a transformation of life metaphor is aimed at forming new, healthy somatic and emotional roots ("sea" - joy, pleasure, relaxation, freedom, easy breathing, free, light legs, etc.); 8) the new metaphor should be perceived by the client as one that corresponds to their perceptual field. The transformation of life metaphors predisposes to lifestyle transformation

Experiencing and Coping with Trauma in Warfare and Military Conflicts

The article investigates the methods of treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders in war and military conflicts. In modern psychiatry and clinical psychology, an externally conditioned mental disorder has been introduced - a kind of scientific acceptance that has not previously been used in the classification systems of mental disorders. Particular attention is paid to the new diagnostic manual ICD-11-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 11 Revision, Clinical Modification), which comes into force on 01.01.2022, which brings great innovations, especially in the diagnosis of injuries. It will also affect possible medical procedures and therapeutic interventions. Therefore, in the next few years there will be a major change in the paradigm of treatment. It is noted that an expert survey of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Research on Best Practices in the Treatment of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress, which interviewed 50 international experts, showed that consistent treatment is preferred, with a focus on coping skills (including emotional interventions) and memory trauma (using various therapeutic techniques). Despite the existence of a very small number of randomized therapeutic trials, a basic consensus on the most important therapeutic goals has been documented

Post-War Ukrainа: Psychological and Psychotherapeutic Perspectives

Increased funding: one of the biggest problems facing psychologists in Ukraine is the lack of resources and funding. Increased funding for mental health services and training could help improve the quality of care that psychologists can provide to their patients. The necessary recognition of mental health and the role of psychologists in providing care can help reduce stigma and increase collaboration between psychologists and other health professionals. More resources and educational materials in Ukrainian are needed to improve access to information and resources for Ukrainian psychologists, and to support the development of a strong, locally focused research base. Creating more jobs for psychologists, especially in underserved areas, can help increase access to mental health services for those who need them. Continuous education: psychologists. Education and public awareness can help encourage more people to seek help from psychologists and other mental health professionals. Of course, these steps are only a starting point and a solution to the complex problems faced by psychologists in Ukrain

Psychosocial workload and stress in the workers’ representative

Abstract Background Using a data set of works councils of trade union IG Metal, this paper investigates psychosocial stress and strain on this specific group in comparison to employees working in administration in general (leadership and non-leadership-role) and a national reference value. Methods For assessing psychosocial work factors on works councils within the sector represented by the trade union IG Metal in Germany, a research by using the German standard version of COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) was performed. The instrument includes 87 single items forming 25 aspects of strain and stress. Results from the study group of works councils were compared to those from employees working in administration and to the general population mean (COPSOQ database). Statistical analysis included t-tests, analysis of variance and multiple comparisons of means. To be significant in terms of statistics, p Results All in all, 309 works councils from a national survey of the German chemical and metalworking industries took part in the study. 113 were full-time works council members (exempted from the duty to perform their regular work), 196 were voluntary members (acting as employee representatives on an honorary basis alongside their normal duties). Comparison between works councils and employees working in administration (leadership roles (N=1810) and non-leadership roles (N=2970)) and for employees in general (N=35.000) showed unfavourable values for works councils for most scales. Significantly higher values indicating higher strain and stress were found for the scales: emotional demands, work-privacy conflict, role conflicts, mobbing, cognitive stress symptoms and burnout. Unfavourable results were obtained for the aspects: quality of leadership, social support, sense of community and general health. Favourable findings were found on the scales: influence at work, quantity of social relations and the partly positive values for quantitative demands and commitment to the workplace. Conclusion Compared to the reference groups, works council members perceive the psychosocial demands of working life as more exhausting for the majority of aspects. This allows several conclusions. One reason may be the extended tasks employee representatives face, an other may be that the education of most works council members does not seem appropriate to the high demands of their managerial and executive tasks.</p

Psychosocial workload and stress in the workers’ representative

BACKGROUND: Using a data set of works councils of trade union IG Metal, this paper investigates psychosocial stress and strain on this specific group in comparison to employees working in administration in general (leadership and non-leadership-role) and a national reference value. METHODS: For assessing psychosocial work factors on works councils within the sector represented by the trade union IG Metal in Germany, a research by using the German standard version of COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) was performed. The instrument includes 87 single items forming 25 aspects of strain and stress. Results from the study group of works councils were compared to those from employees working in administration and to the general population mean (COPSOQ database). Statistical analysis included t-tests, analysis of variance and multiple comparisons of means. To be significant in terms of statistics, p<0.05 (two-tailed) and a minimum deviation of 5 or more points between groups′ mean values identify the relevant values. RESULTS: All in all, 309 works councils from a national survey of the German chemical and metalworking industries took part in the study. 113 were full-time works council members (exempted from the duty to perform their regular work), 196 were voluntary members (acting as employee representatives on an honorary basis alongside their normal duties). Comparison between works councils and employees working in administration (leadership roles (N=1810) and non-leadership roles (N=2970)) and for employees in general (N=35.000) showed unfavourable values for works councils for most scales. Significantly higher values indicating higher strain and stress were found for the scales: emotional demands, work-privacy conflict, role conflicts, mobbing, cognitive stress symptoms and burnout. Unfavourable results were obtained for the aspects: quality of leadership, social support, sense of community and general health. Favourable findings were found on the scales: influence at work, quantity of social relations and the partly positive values for quantitative demands and commitment to the workplace. CONCLUSION: Compared to the reference groups, works council members perceive the psychosocial demands of working life as more exhausting for the majority of aspects. This allows several conclusions. One reason may be the extended tasks employee representatives face, an other may be that the education of most works council members does not seem appropriate to the high demands of their managerial and executive tasks

Slow release oral morphine versus methadone for the treatment of opioid use disorder

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Slow release oral morphine (SROM) as a treatment for opioid use disorder. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Data sources: Three electronic databases were searched through May 1st, 2018: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. We also searched the following electronic registers for ongoing trials: ClinicalTrials.gov, World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), Current Controlled Trials, and the EU Clinical Trials Register. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: We included RCTs of any duration, assessing the effect of SROM on measures of treatment retention, heroin use and craving in adults who met the diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder. Data extraction and synthesis: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Data were pooled using the random-effects model and expressed as Risk Ratios (RR) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed (chi-squared statistic) and quantified (I2 statistic) and a sensitivity analysis was undertaken to assess the impact of particular high-risk trials. Results: Among 1315 records screened and four studies reviewed, four unique randomized trials met inclusion criteria (n = 471), and compared SROM with methadone. In the meta-analysis, we observed no significant differences between SROM and methadone in improving treatment retention (risk ratio [RR] = 0.98; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.94 - 1.02, p = 0.34), and heroin use (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.61- 1.52, p = 0.86). Craving data was not amenable to meta-analysis. Available data implied no differences in adverse events, heroin, cocaine, or benzodiazepine use. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of existing randomized trials suggests SROM may be generally equal to methadone in retaining patients in treatment and reducing heroin use as methadone while potentially resulting in less craving. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was low-to-moderate.European CommissionUS National Institutes of HealthCanada Research Chairs programCanadian Institutes of Health - Canadian Research Initiative on Substance MisuseMichael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR)Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) fellowship awardsSt. Paul’s Foundation Scholar Awar

Sublingual Buprenorphine and Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Three-Year Follow-Up of Quality of Life Assessment

This study was conducted to compare long-term outcome effects on the quality of life (QOL) of oral methadone with sublingual buprenorphine maintenance treatment. The QOL status of opioid-dependent patients was assessed using the German version (“Berlin Quality of Life Profile”) of the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile. Physical symptoms were measured using the Opiate Withdrawal Scale (OWS). Urine tests were carried out randomly to detect additional consumption. In the first study period, 53 opioid-dependent subjects were enrolled and 25 could be reached after 3 years. The retention rate was 50% for methadone and 45% for buprenorphine (p = 0.786). Baseline values of the total sample (completers and noncompleters) QOL and somatic complaints did not show significant differences between the two treatment groups. QOL characteristics at 6 months of treatment of the buprenorphine completer and noncompleter groups differed significantly regarding job (p = 0.013), family, and total score of physical symptoms (p = 0.002), in which the completer group showed the more favorable values. Concerning physical symptoms at 36 months, logistic regression revealed significantly less stomach cramps (p = 0.037) and fatigue and tiredness (p = 0.034) in buprenorphine compared to the methadone. Moreover, the buprenorphine-maintained group showed significantly less additional consumption of benzodiazepines (p = 0.015) compared with methadone participants. It is concluded that opioid addicts improved their QOL and health status when treated with methadone or buprenorphine. In summary, regarding QOL and health status, the present data indicate that buprenorphine is also a useful long-term alternative for maintenance treatment of opioid-dependent patients