Network analysis of distress, suicidality, and resilience in a treatment seeking sample of first responders.

Croon and van Veldhoven discussed a model for analyzing micro–macro multilevel designs in which a variable measured at the upper level is predicted by an explanatory variable that is measured at the lower level. Additionally, the authors proposed an approach for estimating this model. In their approach, estimation is carried out by running a regression analysis on Bayesian Expected a Posterior (EAP) estimates. In this article, we present an extension of this approach to interaction and quadratic effects of explanatory variables. Specifically, we define the Bayesian EAPs, discuss a way for estimating them, and we show how their estimates can be used to obtain the interaction and the quadratic effects. We present the results of a “proof of concept” via Monte Carlo simulation, which we conducted to validate our approach and to compare two resampling procedures for obtaining standard errors. Finally, we discuss limitations of our proposed extended Bayesian EAP-based approach.

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/10/5/842/pdf?version=1646648927

A Bayesian EAP-Based Nonlinear Extension of Croon and Van Veldhoven’s Model for Analyzing Data from Micro–Macro Multilevel Designs

Abstract Psychological resilience has emerged as a key factor in mental health during the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, no work to date has synthesised findings across review work or assessed the reliability of findings based on review work quality, so as to inform public health policy. We thus conducted a meta-review on all types of review work from the start of the pandemic (January 2020) until the last search date (June 2021). Of an initial 281 papers, 30 were included for review characteristic reporting and 15 were of sufficient review quality for further inclusion in strategy analyses. High-level strategies were identified at the individual, community, organisational, and governmental levels. Several specific training and/or intervention programmes were also identified. However, the quality of findings was insufficient for drawing conclusions. A major gap between measuring the psychological resilience of populations and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies for those populations was revealed. More empirical work, especially randomised controlled trials with diverse populations and rigorous analyses, is strongly recommended for future research. 

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A meta-review of psychological resilience during COVID-19

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Development of an Evidence-Informed Solution to Emotional Distress in Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers: The Social Support, Tracking Distress, Education, and Discussion CommunitY (STEADY) Program

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affects children’s and adolescents’ mental health. The accumulation of stress factors and a lack of social support complicate a healthy development. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been almost a doubling of mental health problems in children and adolescents. Promoting resilience is a possible approach to reduce the incidence of mental health problems despite these adverse circumstances. Objectives This literature search aims at identifying and evaluating interventions to promote resilience mechanisms, with a special focus on feasibility in a crisis situation. Materials and methods This scoping review is based on a systematic literature search including the databases Cochrane Library, PubMed, Psyc-Info, Psyndex and Google Scholar (2006–2020). Of 1733 identified articles 75 were included. Results Out of 72 identified intervention studies 28% were feasible under pandemic conditions. The most effective resilience trainings seem to be individualized interventions using cognitive behavioral therapy elements. However, many approaches primarily show short-term success. Discussion Few evidence-based programs are feasible online or under pandemic restrictions. Most of them show short-term effects and focus on parents and individuals. Multiple programs are ready for use, but still lack proof of efficacy. The development and improvement of (digital) resilience interventions should be an essential part of preventive health care, especially for risk groups. Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die COVID-19-Pandemie beeinflusst die mentale Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen auf dramatische Weise. Durch eine Akkumulation von Belastungsfaktoren und das Wegfallen sozialer Unterstützung ist eine regelrechte Entwicklung erschwert. Seit Beginn der Pandemie kam es nahezu zu einer Verdopplung der psychischen Auffälligkeiten. Die Förderung der Resilienz kann ein Ansatz sein, das Auftreten von psychischen Auffälligkeiten trotz dieser widrigen Umstände zu vermindern. Ziel der Arbeit Ziel dieser Literaturrecherche ist die Identifikation und Bewertung von Interventionen zur Förderung von Resilienzmechanismen, mit Fokus auf die Durchführbarkeit unter Krisenbedingungen. Material und Methoden Dieses Scoping Review basiert auf einer systematischen Literaturrecherche der Datenbanken Cochrane Library, PubMed, Psyc-Info, Psyndex sowie Google Scholar (2006–2021). Von der insgesamt 1733 Artikel umfassenden Suche wurden 75 Artikel eingeschlossen. Ergebnisse Von 72 identifizierten Interventionsstudien sind 28% unter Pandemiebedingungen durchführbar. Die wirksamsten Resilienztrainings scheinen individualisierte Interventionen mit Elementen der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie zu sein. Viele Ansätze zeigen jedoch in erster Linie kurzfristige Erfolge. Diskussion Nur wenige evidenzbasierte Programme sind online oder unter Pandemiebedingungen verfügbar. Die meisten von ihnen zeigen kurzfristige Effekte und konzentrieren sich auf Eltern und Einzelpersonen. Zahlreiche Programme sind nutzbar, allerdings fehlt häufig ein Evidenznachweis. Die Entwicklung und Verbesserung von (digitalen) Resilienzmaßnahmen sollte ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der präventiven Gesundheitsversorgung sein, insbesondere für Risikogruppen.

Strengthening the Resilience of Children and Adolescents during a Pandemic: A Scoping Review on Eligible Interventions

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to a mental health crisis on a global scale. Epidemiological studies have reported a drastic increase in mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, increased loneliness and feelings of disconnectedness from others, while resilience levels have been negatively affected, indicating an urgent need for intervention. The current study is embedded within the larger CovSocial project which sought to evaluate longitudinal changes in vulnerability, resilience and social cohesion during the pandemic. The current second phase will investigate the efficacy of brief online mental training interventions in reducing mental health problems, and enhancing psychological resilience and social capacities. It further provides a unique opportunity for the prediction of intervention effects by individual biopsychosocial characteristics and preceding longitudinal change patterns during the pandemic in 2020/21. METHODS: We will examine the differential effects of a socio-emotional (including 'Affect Dyad') and a mindfulness-based (including 'Breathing Meditation') intervention, delivered through a web- and cellphone application. Participants will undergo 10 weeks of intervention, and will be compared to a retest control group. The effectiveness of the interventions will be evaluated in a community sample (N = 300), which is recruited from the original longitudinal CovSocial sample. The pre- to post-intervention changes, potential underlying mechanisms, and prediction thereof, will be assessed on a wide range of outcomes: levels of stress, loneliness, depression and anxiety, resilience, prosocial behavior, empathy, compassion, and the impact on neuroendocrine, immunological and epigenetic markers. The multi-method nature of the study will incorporate self-report questionnaires, behavioral tasks, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) approaches, and biological, hormonal and epigenetic markers assessed in saliva. DISCUSSION: Results will reveal the differential effectiveness of two brief online interventions in improving mental health outcomes, as well as enhancing social capacities and resilience. The present study will serve as a first step for future application of scalable, low-cost interventions at a broader level to reduce stress and loneliness, improve mental health and build resilience and social capacities in the face of global stressors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered on May 17, 2020 with the ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04889508 registration number (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04889508).

Investigating differential effects of socio-emotional and mindfulness-based online interventions on mental health, resilience and social capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic: The study protocol.

A central question in educational research is how classroom climate variables, such as teaching quality, goal structures, or interpersonal teacher behavior, are related to critical student outcomes, such as students’ achievement and motivation. Student ratings are frequently used to measure classroom climate. When using student ratings to assess classroom climate, researchers first ask students to rate classroom climate characteristics and then aggregate the ratings on the class level. Multilevel latent variable modeling is then used to determine whether class-mean ratings of classroom climate are predictive of student outcomes and to correct for unreliability so that the relations can be estimated without bias. In this article, we adopt an optimal design perspective on this specific strategy. Specifically, after briefly recapping a prominent model in climate research, we show and explain (a) how statistical power can be maximized by choosing optimal numbers of classes and students per class given a fixed budget for conducting a study and (b) how the budget required to achieve a prespecified level of power can be minimized. Moreover, we present an example from research on teaching quality to illustrate the procedures and to provide guidance to researchers who are interested in studying the role of classroom climate. Also, we present a Shiny App that can be used to help find optimal designs for classroom climate studies. The app can be accessed at https://psychtools.shinyapps.io/optimalDesignsClassroomClimate

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How Many Classes and Students Should Ideally be Sampled When Assessing the Role of Classroom Climate via Student Ratings on a Limited Budget? An Optimal Design Perspective

Martin Hecht

Papers

Investigating differential effects of socio-emotional and mindfulness-based online interventions on mental health, resilience and social capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic: The study protocol.

How Many Classes and Students Should Ideally be Sampled When Assessing the Role of Classroom Climate via Student Ratings on a Limited Budget? An Optimal Design Perspective