Can a Smartphone App Make you Feel Super Better? A Pilot Study Utilizing a Multiple Single-Case Design

This dataset contains the de-identified data of four individuals who participated in this pilot study using the mental health app, SuperBetter. A multiple single-case design was used. The dataset contains: 1. Daily distress ratings, known as Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS); 2. Anxiety and depression symptom outcome ratings, captured at four different time points by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale - 21 Item Version (DASS-21); 3. Life functioning ratings captured at four different time points by the Outcome Questionnaire - 45 Item Version 2nd Edition (OQ-45.2); 4. Demographic information captured by our demographics questionnaire; and 5. Final app rating and appraisal captured by the Mobile Application Rating Scale - User Version (uMARS). The dataset contains both raw data files and graph / figure files for visual analysis. For more information on the background, method, results and discussion of this dataset, see the published research protocol article that covers both this pilot study and main intervention study (Marshall, Dunstan, & Bartik; 2020), and published pilot study article

Apps With Maps - Anxiety and Depression Mobile Apps With Evidence-Based Frameworks: Systematic Search of Major App Stores

Background: Mobile mental health apps have become ubiquitous tools to assist people in managing symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, due to the lack of research and expert input that has accompanied the development of most apps, concerns have been raised by clinicians, researchers, and government authorities about their efficacy.Objective: This review aimed to estimate the proportion of mental health apps offering comprehensive therapeutic treatments for anxiety and/or depression available in the app stores that have been developed using evidence-based frameworks. It also aimed to estimate the proportions of specific frameworks being used in an effort to understand which frameworks are having the most influence on app developers in this area.Methods: A systematic review of the Apple App Store and Google Play store was performed to identify apps offering comprehensive therapeutic interventions that targeted anxiety and/or depression. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist was adapted to guide this approach.Results: Of the 293 apps shortlisted as offering a therapeutic treatment for anxiety and/or depression, 162 (55.3%) mentioned an evidence-based framework in their app store descriptions. Of the 293 apps, 88 (30.0%) claimed to use cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, 46 (15.7%) claimed to use mindfulness, 27 (9.2%) claimed to use positive psychology, 10 (3.4%) claimed to use dialectical behavior therapy, 5 (1.7%) claimed to use acceptance and commitment therapy, and 20 (6.8%) claimed to use other techniques. Of the 162 apps that claimed to use a theoretical framework, only 10 (6.2%) had published evidence for their efficacy.Conclusions: The current proportion of apps developed using evidence-based frameworks is unacceptably low, and those without tested frameworks may be ineffective, or worse, pose a risk of harm to users. Future research should establish what other factors work in conjunction with evidence-based frameworks to produce efficacious mental health apps

Effectiveness of Using Mental Health Mobile Apps as Digital Antidepressants for Reducing Anxiety and Depression: Protocol for a Multiple Baseline Across-Individuals Design

Background: The use of mental health mobile apps to treat anxiety and depression is widespread and growing. Several reviews have found that most of these apps do not have published evidence for their effectiveness, and existing research has primarily been undertaken by individuals and institutions that have an association with the app being tested. Another reason for the lack of research is that the execution of the traditional randomized controlled trial is time prohibitive in this profit-driven industry. Consequently, there have been calls for different methodologies to be considered. One such methodology is the single-case design, of which, to the best of our knowledge, no peer-reviewed published example with mental health apps for anxiety and/or depression could be located.Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of 5 apps (Destressify, MoodMission, Smiling Mind, MindShift, and SuperBetter) in reducing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. These apps were selected because they are publicly available, free to download, and have published evidence of efficacy.Methods: A multiple baseline across-individuals design will be employed. A total of 50 participants will be recruited (10 for each app) who will provide baseline data for 20 days. The sequential introduction of an intervention phase will commence once baseline readings have indicated stability in the measures of participants’ mental health and will proceed for 10 weeks. Postintervention measurements will continue for a further 20 days. Participants will be required to provide daily subjective units of distress (SUDS) ratings via SMS text messages and will complete other measures at 5 different time points, including at 6-month follow-up. SUDS data will be examined via a time series analysis across the experimental phases. Individual analyses of outcome measures will be conducted to detect clinically significant changes in symptoms using the statistical approach proposed by Jacobson and Truax. Participants will rate their app on several domains at the end of the intervention.Results: Participant recruitment commenced in January 2020. The postintervention phase will be completed by June 2020. Data analysis will commence after this. A write-up for publication is expected to be completed after the follow-up phase is finalized in January 2021.Conclusions: If the apps prove to be effective as hypothesized, this will provide collateral evidence of their efficacy. It could also provide the benefits of (1) improved access to mental health services for people in rural areas, lower socioeconomic groups, and children and adolescents and (2) improved capacity to enhance face-to-face therapy through digital homework tasks that can be shared instantly with a therapist. It is also anticipated that this methodology could be used for other mental health apps to bolster the independent evidence base for this mode of treatment.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/1715

Treating Psychological Trauma in the Midst of COVID-19: The Role of Smartphone Apps

With the COVID-19 pandemic confronting health systems worldwide, medical practitioners are treating a myriad of physical symptoms that have, sadly, killed many thousands of people. There are signs that the public is also experiencing psychological trauma as they attempt to navigate their way through the COVID-19 restrictions impinging on many aspects of society. With unprecedented demand for health professionals' time, people who are unable to access face-to-face assistance are turning to smartphone apps to help them deal with symptoms of trauma. However, the evidence for smartphone apps to treat trauma is limited, and clinicians need to be aware of the limitations and unresolved issues involved in using mental health apps

Birth related PTSD and its association with the mother-infant relationship: A meta-analysis

Objective: There is a growing body of research showing that birth related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may impact the mother-infant relationship. The present study assessed the strength of the association between birth related PTSD symptoms and the mother-infant relationship. Method: A total of twelve studies (5,572 participants) were included based on database searches using PubMed, EBSCO and ProQuest. Results: The findings showed that greater levels of birth related PTSD symptoms were associated with poorer mother-infant relationship, r = − 0.36, 95% CI: [− 0.43 - − 0.28], random effects model. The outcomes appeared to be heterogeneous (Q(11) = 81.63, p Conclusions: The results indicated that birth related PTSD symptoms are negatively associated with the motherinfant relationship. Further investigation into the prevention of birth related trauma is suggested. Improving birthing experiences for mothers is likely to contribute to improved infant mental health, thereby reducing overall social and economic costs

Commentary: An Extension of the Australian Postgraduate Psychology Education Simulation Working Group Guidelines: Simulated Learning Activities Within Professional Psychology Placements

A Commentary on The use of simulated patients in medical education: AMEE Guide No 42 by Cleland, J. A., Abe, K., and Rethans, J. J. (2009). Med. Teach. 31, 477–486. doi: 10.1080/01421590903002821 Simulation based education by Cleland, J. A. (2017). Psychologist 30, 36–40. Building Academic Staff Capacity for Using eSimulations in Professional Education for Experience Transfer by Cybulski, J., Holt, D., Segrave, S., O'Brien, D., Munro, J., Corbitt, B., et al. (2010). Sydney, NSW: Australian Learning and Teaching Council. Student and staff views of psychology OSCEs by Sheen, J., McGillivray, J., Gurtman, C. and Boyd, L. (2015). Aust. Psychol. 50, 51–59. doi: 10.1111/ap.12086 The Australian Postgraduate Psychology Education Simulation Working Group (APPESWG) recently published guidelines titled "A new reality: The role of simulated learning activities in postgraduate psychology training programs" (Paparo et al., 2021). The document was developed in the context of COVID 19-related disruption to practica within professional psychology training. As a consequence, many training providers adopted simulated training activities as a way to support course progression during the pandemic. Paparo and colleagues' stated aims were to provide comprehensive guidance for the use of simulation as a competency-based training tool and in the interests of public and student safety, both during and after COVID 19. The guidelines included nine criteria for best practice in simulated learning activities in training, for example, that activities should be competency-based, should mirror real-life practice situations and should provide opportunities for active participation and trainee reflection (see Paparo et al. for detail). The document provided helpful guidance on the use of simulated learning activities (SLA) as part of course content within an Australian professional psychology training context, however the guidelines did not cover simulated placement experiences. Considerations especially around supervision and the development of professional and ethical practice within a simulated learning environment need to be made to effectively apply the APPESWG Guidelines within a placement context. Here, we extend these guidelines for provision of simulated professional psychology placements based on our successful development and implementation of large-scale simulated placements at an Australian University (2020-current). Previously, all professional psychology placements in Australia were limited to in-vivo options, however the latest version of the Accreditation Standards for Psychology Programs (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, 2019) now make provision for simulated learning within required placement experiences at Level 3, Professional Competencies. This extension of the Paparo et al. (2021) article provides guidelines specifically for the use of simulation with professional psychology placements, with a focus on the Australian context

Missing voices - suicide bereavement of rural Australian young people

In Australia suicide accounts for over 25% of all deaths in young people with a disproportionate number dying in rural areas. Suicide bereavement can bring with it complex grief and greater risk of mental health issues. There is however limited published research about the suicide bereavement experience of young people who lose a friend to suicide but their missing voices are integral to guide interventions. This study aimed to determine the extent of grief and risk of mental health issues for young people including how rural communities can mediate or exacerbate risk and what helps or hinders bereavement. A mixed method design targeted 18 rural young people aged 12-24 years who had experienced the suicide death of a friend. Participants completed standardised questionnaires to assess coping, depression, anxiety, prolonged grief, suicide stigma and post-traumatic growth

How does popular media influence mental health literacy?

This is data from qualtrics survey that included a number of Mental Health Literacy scales that participants rated before and at four week follow-up after viewing some popular media clips showing aspects of mental health and well-being. The data was entered into SPSS for analysis using repeated measures within-group design

Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders - A Pilot Feasability Trial

Residents of alcohol and drug (AOD) rehabilitation programs commonly present with complex comorbid presentations, including substance use disorders and a range of anxiety and affective disorders. The Unified Protocol (UP) is a transdiagnostic treatment for emotional disorders, with growing empirical evidence for effective outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of UP treatment of an adult group in an Australian rural AOD rehabilitation setting. A mixed methods, single-case experimental design was used, and treatment began in October 2018. Baseline, treatment and follow-up data was collected, and eight participants completed the treatment. Quantitative results supported a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms during the treatment, but this was not sustained at follow-up. Improvements in quality of life and emotional regulation were not supported. Low UP acceptability was informed by qualitative feedback from participants and case managers post treatment. Feasibility of UP group treatment in an AOD setting was considered, with recommendations made for future studies

Suicide: An Introduction

Suicide is an incredibly complex phenomenon with far reaching effects on families, friends and communities who all grapple with the tragic loss of a loved one but also the question of why! Could we have done something? Is there something we missed? Why couldn't they tell someone? Why didn't they speak to me? These simple questions of course belie the complexities of human behaviour and particularly a decision to take one's own life. There are no simple answers and whilst suicide is considered a preventable death, it cannot be assumed that "a suicide is a suicide" as was cautioned by Shneidman (1985). There are multiple causes, effects of culture, social situations, differing meanings plus developmental and health status issues to name a few, that need to be considered when attempting to understand suicide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates there are approximately one million suicides each year worldwide and that the rate of suicide varies greatly from country to country. For some countries, the suicide rate has remained fairly constant over time except when a major event (such as a world war) occurs. For other countries there has been a rapid rise in suicide deaths. In general however the WHO states that worldwide rates have increased by 60% over the last fifty years. Over the last ten years in Australia, the reported data suggests an overall downward trend in suicide rates. Yet, in Australia for each person who dies by suicide, there are at least another twenty-five people who will attempt suicide with a non-fatal outcome. Estimates are actually much higher than this but more difficult to determine since many attempts remain unreported or are recorded as an accident. In Australia approximately 2200 people take their own lives each year. Research has shown that certain groups have much higher risk or are over represented among these deaths, and include young people, older people, males, rural people and Indigenous Australians. We also know from national survey data that about 2.3% of the population (approximately 370,000 people) aged between 16 and 85 years indicated that they had 'serious thoughts' about suicide and around 91,000 people had made some form of plan. Clearly suicide is a major public health challenge with substantial human and economic costs. What then as a nation are we doing to address this and should we be doing more