Feeling connected again: interventions that increase social identification reduce depression symptoms in community and clinical settings

Background: Clinical depression is often preceded by social withdrawal, however, limited research has examined whether depressive symptoms are alleviated by interventions that increase social contact. In particular, no research has investigated whether social identification (the sense of being part of a group) moderates the impact of social interventions

Comparative genomic analysis of toxin-negative strains of Clostridium difficile from humans and animals with symptoms of gastrointestinal disease

Background: Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are a significant health problem to humans and food animals. Clostridial toxins ToxA and ToxB encoded by genes tcdA and tcdB are located on a pathogenicity locus known as the PaLoc and are the major virulence factors of C. difficile. While toxin-negative strains of C. difficile are often isolated from faeces of animals and patients suffering from CDI, they are not considered to play a role in disease. Toxin-negative strains of C. difficile have been used successfully to treat recurring CDI but their propensity to acquire the PaLoc via lateral gene transfer and express clinically relevant levels of toxins has reinforced the need to characterise them genetically. In addition, further studies that examine the pathogenic potential of toxin-negative strains of C. difficile and the frequency by which toxin-negative strains may acquire the PaLoc are needed. Results: We undertook a comparative genomic analysis of five Australian toxin-negative isolates of C. difficile that lack tcdA, tcdB and both binary toxin genes cdtA and cdtB that were recovered from humans and farm animals with symptoms of gastrointestinal disease. Our analyses show that the five C. difficile isolates cluster closely with virulent toxigenic strains of C. difficile belonging to the same sequence type (ST) and have virulence gene profiles akin to those in toxigenic strains. Furthermore, phage acquisition appears to have played a key role in the evolution of C. difficile. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with the C. difficile global population structure comprising six clades each containing both toxin-positive and toxin-negative strains. Our data also suggests that toxin-negative strains of C. difficile encode a repertoire of putative virulence factors that are similar to those found in toxigenic strains of C. difficile, raising the possibility that acquisition of PaLoc by toxin-negative strains poses a threat to human health. Studies in appropriate animal models are needed to examine the pathogenic potential of toxin-negative strains of C. difficile and to determine the frequency by which toxin-negative strains may acquire the PaLoc

Young adults’ sexual health in the digital age: perspectives of care providers

This study examined care providers' views on young people's sexual health in the digital age. Young people have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), indicating sexual risk-taking behaviours. Adolescents transitioning to adulthood may be particularly at risk due to increased sexual behaviour and exposure to risk factors for unsafe sex, such as less parental monitoring. These risks may be accentuated in the digital age, where the availability of dating apps and pornography have potentially influenced young people's sexual behaviours. Care providers give a unique insight into sexual health in the digital age as they are able to identify changes over time.Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners, nurses, counsellors and university residential college staff (N\ua0=\ua015, six female) who work with young people aged 17 and 18. Interviews took 20-40\ua0min, and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded by the primary researcher and an independent coder using thematic analysis.We identified four themes depicting predictors for sexual risk-taking among young people: media influence on norms (influence on sexual behaviours, relationships and appearance), transition to adulthood (independence, social opportunity), communication difficulties (gender and sexuality differences, greater fear of pregnancy than STIs), and impulsive behaviour (disinhibition, substance use).Findings highlight targets for prevention of sexual risk-taking among adolescents, such as addressing changing norms depicted in media. Further, the complex interplay of contextual and individual factors highlights the need for more comprehensive theory and holistic approaches to STI prevention

Participant autonomy in cognitive behavioral therapy: An integration of self-determination and cognitive behavioral theories

Two studies (N = 109 anxious and depressed patients; N = 94 depressed patients) investigated the role of autonomy as described in self-determination theory as a mechanism of therapeutic change in cognitive behavioral group therapy. Across both studies, results showed that higher need satisfaction for autonomy is related to improved outcomes, and that this relationship is mediated by improvement in cognitions. These findings support the tenets of self-determination theory in that patients who perceived their autonomy needs are satisfied while participating in cognitive behavioral group therapy experienced a greater reduction in negative thinking which was in turn related to more positive therapy outcomes

Group Processes and Outcomes in Group Psychotherapy: Is It Time to Let Go of "Cohesiveness"?

Although it is widely assumed that cohesiveness promotes positive outcomes in group psychotherapy, the empirical evidence for this notion is very limited. In light of persistent confusion over how it should be conceptualized and measured, we argue that the term “cohesiveness” is too amorphous to serve as an adequate organizing principle for theory and research, and that it should be replaced with more cogent and specific alternatives. Drawing on social psychological literature, we also question the intuitive notion that cohesiveness necessarily leads to positive outcomes. To the extent that the need for harmony is prioritized over the need for personal expression, dissent, and challenge, then it could be that cohesiveness might have negative as well as positive implications for members of group therapy