Empowerment programs for parental mental health of preterm infants: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of empowerment programs on mental health in parents of preterm infants.MethodsTen databases were searched for randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies published from inception to March 2020, and two reviewers independently and critically assessed trial quality and extracted data.ResultsEight studies with a total of 1029 participants met the inclusion criteria. Empowerment programs significantly improved parental mental health, particularly maternal stress and depression. This meta-analysis also indicated that Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE) had a medium effect on maternal mental health. Both empowerment-based health education and empowerment programs conducted during the infants’ hospitalisation had large effects on maternal mental health, whereas those conducted from hospitalisation to one week after discharge showed no significant effect.ConclusionEmpowerment programs have positive effects on parental mental health, especially for mothers.Practice implicationsOur study provides objective evidence for the development of future empowerment programs.     

Attachment and physical health: introduction to the special issue

ABSTRACT

Over the last 40 years, researchers have made considerable progress identifying the ways in which attachment security shapes individuals’ social and emotional functioning. In recent years, new investigations have shed light on connections between attachment and physiological systems in the body. The goal of this special issue is to focus attention on how attachment may be related to biological markers that relate to physical health, including inflammation, cortisol, and cardiometabolic risk. The papers in this special issue, highlighted in this introduction, demonstrate that these links may exist across the lifespan. We conclude with several examples of extensions of this work might emerge in the years to come.     

Changes in attitudes toward seeking mental health services: A 40-year cross-temporal meta-analysis

Although rates of treatment seeking for mental health problems are increasing, this increase is driven primarily by antidepressant medication use, and a majority of individuals with mental health problems remain untreated. Helpseeking attitudes are thought to be a key barrier to mental health service use, although little is known about whether such attitudes have changed over time. Research on this topic is mixed with respect to whether helpseeking attitudes have become more or less positive. The aim of the current study was to help clarify this issue using a cross-temporal meta-analysis of scores on Fischer and Turner's (1970) helpseeking attitude measure among university students (N = 6796) from 1968 to 2008. Results indicated that attitudes have become increasingly negative over time, r(44) = − 0.53, p < 0.01, with even stronger negative results when the data are weighted (w) for sample size and study variance, r(44) = − 0.63, p < .001. This disconcerting finding may reflect the greater emphasis of Fischer and Turner's scale toward helpseeking for psychotherapy. Such attitudes may be increasingly negative as a result of the unintended negative effects of efforts in recent decades to reduce stigma and market biological therapies by medicalizing mental health problems.     

Resilience and mental health

The relationship between disease and good health has received relatively little attention in mental health. Resilience can be viewed as a defence mechanism, which enables people to thrive in the face of adversity and improving resilience may be an important target for treatment and prophylaxis. Though resilience is a widely-used concept, studies vary substantially in their definition, and measurement. Above all, there is no common underlying theoretical construct to this very heterogeneous research which makes the evaluation and comparison of findings extremely difficult. Furthermore, the varying multi-disciplinary approaches preclude meta-analysis, so that clarification of research in this area must proceed firstly by conceptual unification. We attempt to collate and classify the available research around a multi-level biopsychosocial model, theoretically and semiotically comparable to that used in describing the complex chain of events related to host resistance in infectious disease. Using this underlying construct we attempt to reorganize current knowledge around a unitary concept in order to clarify and indicate potential intervention points for increasing resilience and positive mental health.     

The development and preliminary validation of a new measure of adult attachment: the Adult Attachment Projective

In this paper, we describe the development of and our preliminary work to empirically validate the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP), a new adult attachment classification system that is based on the analysis of individuals' responses to a set of seven attachment-related drawings. The AAP classification system uses evaluations of three dimensions (Discourse, Content and Defensive Processing) to designate four major adult classification groups: Secure, Dismissing, Preoccupied, and Unresolved. Preliminary validation of the AAP is based on 75 participants drawn from three separate samples. The results indicate strong interjudge reliability and convergent agreement between the AAP and Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) classifications. The AAP,thus, appears to be a promising developmental measure for assessing the representation of attachment in adults. Contributions of the AAP to attachment theory and research are discussed. The similarities and differences between AAP stories and other child and adult representational measures are also discussed.     

COVID-19 and impairment of mental health: public health perspective

ObjectivesThe objective of the article is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the members of the general population.IntroductionThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced the public health authorities to implement unprecedented public health measures with an intention to control the spread of the infection.MethodsAn extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine and World Health Organization website and a total of 27 articles were selected based upon the suitability with the current review objectives.ResultsIn order to reduce the caseload and interrupt the chain of transmission of the novel viral infection, it was envisaged that people should stay indoors unless it is extremely essential. This intervention did play its part in reducing the caseload, but significantly affected the daily routine of the people, which in turn accounted for a significant impact on the mental health of the people. Considering the ongoing development and the impact of COVID-19 infection on the mental health of people, there is an immense need to implement strategies to improve the lifestyle of the general population and the health care professionals.ConclusionTo conclude, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created a state of public health emergency on the global scale. The infection has impacted people from all walks of life and is also responsible for precipitating a number of psychological and mental disorders. Thus, it is the need of the hour to identify those individuals who are prone to psychological disorders, and take urgent steps to ensure the preservation and improvement of the mental health of people.     

Sexting prevalence and correlates: A systematic literature review

Despite considerable controversy and speculation regarding sexting behaviour and its associated risks, to date there has been no integration and analysis of empirical literature on this topic. To collect and synthesise findings of the prevalence of sexting, its correlates, and the context in which it occurs, a systematic search of databases was conducted. Thirty-one studies, reporting on sexting prevalence and a diverse range of related variables, met inclusion criteria. The estimated mean prevalence weighted by sample size was calculated, with trends indicating sexting is more prevalent amongst adults than adolescents, older age is predictive of sexting for adolescents but not adults, and more individuals report receiving sexts than sending them. The correlates of sexting behaviour were grouped in terms of demographic variables, sexual and sexual risk behaviours, attitudes towards sexting, perceived outcomes of sexting, motivations for sexting, mental health and well-being variables, and attachment dimensions. Findings are discussed in terms of the trends indicated by the data, which provided substantiation that sexting behaviour is associated with numerous behavioural, psychological, and social factors. Limitations of the current research literature and future directions are also presented.     

The relationship between personal unsecured debt and mental and physical health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This paper systematically reviews the relationship between personal unsecured debt and health. Psychinfo, Embase and Medline were searched and 52 papers were accepted. A hand and cited-by search produced an additional 13 references leading to 65 papers in total. Panel surveys, nationally representative epidemiological surveys and psychological autopsy studies have examined the relationship, as have studies on specific populations such as university students, debt management clients and older adults. Most studies examined relationships with mental health and depression in particular. Studies of physical health have also shown a relationship with self-rated health and outcomes such as obesity. There is also a strong relationship with suicide completion, and relationships with drug and alcohol abuse. The majority of studies found that more severe debt is related to worse health; however causality is hard to establish. A meta-analysis of pooled odds ratios showed a significant relationship between debt and mental disorder (OR = 3.24), depression (OR = 2.77), suicide completion (OR = 7.9), suicide completion or attempt (OR = 5.76), problem drinking (OR = 2.68), drug dependence (OR = 8.57), neurotic disorder (OR = 3.21) and psychotic disorders (OR = 4.03). There was no significant relationship with smoking (OR = 1.35, p > .05). Future longitudinal research is needed to determine causality and establish potential mechanisms and mediators of the relationship.     

高中生父母依恋与职业成熟度的相关研究

目的 探讨高中生对父母依恋的关系与其职业成熟度的关系.方法 采用父母依峦量表和职业成熟度量表对高中生进行调查.结果 依恋关系与职业态度、职业知识、成熟度存在显著的正向典型相关(r=0.273,P<0.05;r=0.064.P<0.05;r=0.062.P<0.05);在父母依恋中,父亲依恋对高中生的影响最大.结论 良好...     

学习医学心理学对医学生心理健康的影响

为了解学习医学心理学课程对医学生心理健康的影响,采用症状自评量表（SCL－90）、Zung焦虑自评量表（SAS）、Zung氏抑郁自评量表（SDS）分别于医学心理学开课前和3个月学习结束对学生进行测评,结果发现：学习后医学生心理健康水平明显提高,表现为：学习结束时SDS评分、强迫、人际关系、抑郁、敌对和偏执因子分均较学习前显著下降。提示：学习医学心理学可以促进医学生心理健康。     

Attachment mental states and inferred pathways of development in borderline personality disorder: a study using the Adult Attachment Interview

We report the outcome of an investigation on how specific attachment states of mind and corresponding risk factors related to different DSM Axis I comorbidities in subjects with BPD. Mental representations of attachment in four BPD sub-groups (BPD and Anxiety/Mood Disorders, BPD and Substance Use and Abuse Disorders, BPD and Alcohol Use and Abuse Disorders, and BPD and Eating Disorders) were assessed in 140 BPD subjects using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). In addition to the global attachment picture in which Insecure organized (Dismissing 51% and Enmeshed 35%) and Insecure disorganized categories (40%) were overrepresented, significant differences in attachment category were found between the four BPD sub-groups. Axis I comorbidities corresponded with attachment features on the internalizing/externalizing functioning dimension of the disorder. Furthermore, specific constellations of inferred developmental antecedents and attachment states of mind corresponded differentially with the BPD sub-groups. Implications for developmental research and clinical nosology are discussed.     

Attachment in mental health institutions: A critical review of assumptions,clinical implications,and research strategies

Attachment is relevant to institutionalized treatment and the therapeutic process in three identifiable ways: (1) patients bring their mental representations of previous and existing attachment relationships to the treatment; (2) attachment is relevant to the extent to which a therapeutic alliance is established and maintained, both in terms of the mental representations of attachment in the patient and in the therapist and how these influence interactive behaviour and expectations in each partner to the therapeutic work; (3) the outcome of the treatment may be related to attachment; for example, when institutional experiences have an enduring impact on attachment representations and the future attachment behaviour of the patient. However, this brief review of attachment concepts reveals that several theoretical, conceptual and empirical questions remain to be answered before evidence-based clinical attachment guidelines can be formulated concerning patient-staff relationships.     

Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology

Compassion has emerged as an important construct in studies of mental health and psychological therapy. Although an increasing number of studies have explored relationships between compassion and different facets of psychopathology there has as yet been no systematic review or synthesis of the empirical literature. We conducted a systematic search of the literature on compassion and mental health. We identified 20 samples from 14 eligible studies. All studies used the Neff Self Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). We employed meta-analysis to explore associations between self-compassion and psychopathology using random effects analyses of Fisher's Z correcting for attenuation arising from scale reliability. We found a large effect size for the relationship between compassion and psychopathology of r=-0.54 (95% CI=-0.57 to -0.51; Z=-34.02; p<.0001). Heterogeneity was significant in the analysis. There was no evidence of significant publication bias. Compassion is an important explanatory variable in understanding mental health and resilience. Future work is needed to develop the evidence base for compassion in psychopathology, and explore correlates of compassion and psychopathology.     

公安干警依恋类型与心理健康的相关性研究

目的探讨公安干警依恋类型与心理健康的关系。方法采用随机整群抽样的方法,对抚顺公安局下属的217名公安干警采用症状自评量表（SCL-90）、亲密关系经历量表（ECR）、关系问卷（RQ）进行了调查。结果公安干警的依恋类型分布如下：安全型（34．1％）、轻视型（34．6％）、倾注型（16．1％）、害怕型（15．2％）;安全型依恋的干警无论在依恋回避雏度还是依恋焦虑得分上均明显低于其他3种依恋类型;4种依恋类型的干警在“人际敏感”[F（3,206）=0．04,P〈0．05]、“偏执”（F[3,206）=0．043,P〈0．05]和“精神病性”[F（3,206）=4．924,P〈0．05]这3个指标上存在显著差异,而在其它各项因子得分上均没有显著性差异;依恋回避得分与心理健康各因子及总分均均无显著性相关,而依恋焦虑与心理健康水平总分、强迫症、人际敏感、抑郁、焦虑、偏执、精神病因子呈显著的正相关,与其它因子没有显著性相关。结论公安干警的依恋类型对心理健康存在一定的影响。     

有无宗教信仰的慢性疼痛患者疼痛、依恋和应对方式差异

目的探讨有无宗教信仰的慢性疼痛患者疼痛、依恋和应对方式的差异。方法 2012年9月-2013年1月住院的110例患者中,有22例信仰宗教,根据性别、年龄、受教育程度均衡的原则,按1:4的比例匹配不信仰宗教组88例。采用简化McGill疼痛问卷、亲密关系体验问卷和应对方式量表进行测量。结果独立样本t检验显示两组疼痛总分,疼痛感觉项,依恋回避,应对方式的祈祷维度有统计学差异(t=2.280,P=0.025;t=2.719,P=0.008;t=2.522,P=0.013;t=6.088,P=0.000);Logistic回归模型显示祈祷是慢性疼痛患者是否信仰宗教的影响因素(OR=0.788,P=0.000)。结论宗教信仰在慢性疼痛患者应对疼痛、与他人建立安全依恋关系的过程中发挥重要作用,应进一步研究宗教信仰在慢性疼痛患者心理干预中的作用。     

The effect of acute aerobic exercise on stress related blood pressure responses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The beneficial impact of regular exercise on cardiovascular health is partly mediated by psychobiological mechanisms. However, the effect of acute exercise on psychobiological responses is unclear. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of acute aerobic exercise on blood pressure (BP) responses (the change from baseline to stress) to psychosocial laboratory tasks. Fifteen RCTs met inclusion criteria of which ten demonstrated significant reductions in post-exercise stress related BP responses compared with control (mean effect sizes for systolic and diastolic BP, 0.38 and 0.40). Studies involving greater exercise doses tended to show larger effects, with the minimum dose to show a significant effect being 30 min at 50% VO2max. No other moderators emerged from the examination of participant characteristics, research designs and stressor characteristics. In conclusion, an acute bout of aerobic exercise appears to have a significant impact on the BP response to a psychosocial stressor.     

染色体异常患者的心理障碍初探

目的本文对1448例可疑有染色体病的患者进行了细胞遗传学检查及遗传咨询,发现这类患者不同程度的都存在心理问题。本研究就此类问题进行初步探讨。方法对1448例可疑有染色体病的患者进行染色体核型分析、遗传咨询及回顾分析。结果发现138例异常染色体核型,男性36例,女性102例,（已婚75例,未婚63例）。其中绝大多数患者因染色体异常产生了不同程度的心理障碍。结论染色体异常患者的心理障碍应引起临床心理专业医师的关注,并给予必要的心理支持。     

Teaching residents mental health care

Objective

We tested the hypothesis that trained medical faculty can train residents effectively in a mental health care model.