Showing papers in "International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience in 2015"
TL;DR: This paper examined how resilience is related to compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among a convenience sample of disaster behavioral health and emergency preparedness responders (N =139) attending a training conference in Michigan.
Abstract: Research has shown that compassion fatigue is associated with burnout and compassion satisfaction. Practically no studies have examined how resilience may impact these variables. This study examined how resilience is related to compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among a convenience sample of disaster behavioral health and emergency preparedness responders (N =139) attending a training conference in Michigan. Measures included the 30-item Professional Quality of Life Scale, the 14-item Resilience Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Seventy-two percent of the participants were at risk for compassion fatigue, while 19% were at risk for burnout. Only 22% of participants had scores indicative of high resilience. Resilience was found to have a significant negatively correlation with compassion fatigue and with burnout. A significant positive correlation was also found between compassion satisfaction and resilience. Mediation analysis found that resilience moderately mediated the relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout. These findings suggest that resilience plays an important role in mediating the effects between compassion fatigue and burnout. Implications for practice are discussed.
60 citations
TL;DR: Examination of factors which influence officer willingness to use services, with a focus on perceived organizational support, indicates that officers who perceive support from the organization and view the organization as supportive of the use of services are more willing to use Services.
Abstract: In spite of the overwhelm evidence of the negative consequences of untreated police stress, studies suggest that stress intervention services remain under-utilized by police officers. Using data collected from 673 Pennsylvania police officers, the present inquiry examines factors which influence officer willingness to use services, with a focus on perceived organizational support (POS). Findings indicate that officers who perceive support from the organization and view the organization as supportive of the use of services are more willing to use services. Conversely, officers who perceive issues of confidentiality and stigma related to services are less willing to use stress intervention services.
44 citations
TL;DR: This article found that Compassion fatigue has multiple negative effects on caregiving professionals' wellbeing and occupational performance, including a negative effect on their ability to cope with critical incidents such as violent offenders, motor vehicle fatalities, and mistreated children.
Abstract: Police officers routinely face critical incidents such as violent offenders, motor vehicle fatalities, and mistreated children (Cross & Ashley, 2004; Karlsson & Christianson, 2003). Police are tasked with keeping the peace and helping traumatized victims. Over time, the effort to alleviate the victims’ suffering may come with a cost. Charles Figley (1995) coined the term “compassion fatigue” (pp. 9) to describe this “cost of caring for those who suffer.” Compassion fatigue (CF) has multiple negative effects on caregiving professionals’ wellbeing and occupational performance.
41 citations
TL;DR: There will continue to be an increase in the numbers of veterans seeking support for mental health difficulties over the coming years, with veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan seeking help more quickly than veterans from previous conflicts.
Abstract: Little is known about the patterns of help-seeking in UK veterans with mental health difficulties. The aim of this study was to explore referral patterns to Combat Stress over a 20 year period. Combat Stress is a national mental health charity that offers support to UK ex-service personnel. Data was extracted from an electronic patient database system that included information on referrals to Combat Stress between 1994 and 2014. Data included time since leaving the Forces, area of deployment and whether participants engaged in clinical services. A fourfold increase in the number of referrals received each year over the duration of the study period was observed. Ex-service personnel who had served in Northern Ireland made up the largest proportion of helpseekers. In recent years significant increases in referrals from veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan were noted. Over the study period the time it took for participants to seek help after they left the services reduced by a half. There has been a recent sharp increase in veterans seeking support for mental health difficulties. This may reflect a period effect with individuals more willing to seek help sooner now than in the past. For example, veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are seeking help more quickly than veterans from previous conflicts. The data presented within this paper suggests that there will continue to be an increase in the numbers of veterans seeking support for mental health difficulties over the coming years.
37 citations
TL;DR: The idea of fostering "resilience" among police and military personnel is a topic of growing interest (Andersen et al., 2015a; Cornum, Matthews, & Seligman, 2011; as mentioned in this paper ).
Abstract: The idea of fostering ‘resilience’ among police and military personnel is a topic of growing interest (Andersen et al., 2015a; Cornum, Matthews, & Seligman, 2011; Reivich, Seligman, & McBride, 2011). This topic is particularly timely in light of recent media depictions of questionable use-of-force actions by police and the subsequent public retaliations against the police
30 citations
TL;DR: A qualitative study employed grounded theory to explore the impacts of hostel life on the behavior, and personality of the students as discussed by the authors, which revealed that hostels have great importance in the educational journey of Pakistani students.
Abstract: This qualitative study employed grounded theory to explore the impacts of hostel life on the behavior, and personality of the students. Sample consisted ten hostel students, five male and five female hostel students, and age range was twenty to twenty-five. Open ended questionnaire was constructed for in-depth interviews. Grounded theory was used to conceptualize the findings. Results revealed that hostels have great importance in the educational journey of Pakistani students. Hostel life expands the social circle of the hostel students, because hostel is a combination of multicultural social group. The personality characteristics associated with the hostel students are such as they are considered to be confident, punctual, social, realistic, compromising, responsible, and sharp in many domains of life. During hostel stay, students learn to live with different types of individuals, and hostel life also increases the students’ level of patience. It prepares students to accept challenges in practical life. Individual differences are very common among the hostel roommates. Majority of the male hostel students are affected negatively due to drug use. Result of the study can help to improve quality of hostel services in Pakistan, which may increase student’s hostel life satisfaction.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that trauma bonding can be reconceptualized as trauma-coerced attachment to adequately reflect the abusive dynamics at play and highlight that relationships of sex trafficking victims often involve complex dichotomies (e.g., romantic and coerced with enforcers and competitive and violent with peers) and warrant individual consideration.
Abstract: Although well documented across multiple abusive contexts, trauma bonding (here referred to as trauma-coerced bonding or trauma-coerced attachment) has yet to be systematically studied within the context of sex trafficking. The theory surrounding trauma-coerced bonding posits that victims of abuse can form powerful emotional attachments to their abusers, as a result of a complex interaction of abusive control dynamics, exploitation of power imbalances, and intermittent positive and negative behavior. The attachment is marked by a shift in internal reality, whereby the victim begins to lose her sense of self, adopts the worldview of the abuser, and takes responsibility for the abuse. We argue that first, trauma bonding be reconceptualized as trauma-coerced attachment to adequately reflect the abusive dynamics at play. Second, we highlight that relationships of sex-trafficking victims often involve complex dichotomies (e.g., romantic and coerced with enforcers and competitive and violent with peers) and warrant individual consideration. Finally, we suggest that the unique role of sex within this victim population be explored using an integrated mind-body approach. Effective victim outreach begins with a comprehensive and integrative understanding of victims’ personal experiences, as well as their physical and psychological responses to abusive environments. Directions for future research are offered.
24 citations
TL;DR: The objectives of this review were to show what types of interventions were conducted in international randomized controlled trails with dementia caregivers, to provide an overview of what main caregiver outcome dimensions can be categorized, and to identify outcomes and assessments which have actually been used.
Abstract: A variety of psychosocial interventions have been developed to support dementia caregivers. Compar- ing positive effects on caregivers across these intervention studies are difficult because of the diverse endpoints. The objectives of this review were: (1) to show what types of interventions were conducted in international randomized controlled trails with dementia caregivers; (2) to provide an overview of what main caregiver outcome dimensions can be categorized; and (3) what validated instruments are most frequently used to assess these outcomes. A sys- tematic, computerized literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Medline, EBSCO, and PsycINFO. Records of interest were randomized controlled trials for informal caregivers of home dwelling care recipients with any type of dementia. In the 69 identified studies 82 different validated assessments were used, which were categorized in 15 dimensions. About two out of three studies examined psychoeducational interventions. The five most prevalent outcomes were: depressive symptoms (N = 34); burden (N = 33); self-efficacy/coping/mastery (N = 19); emotional distress (N = 19); and quality of life (N = 17). These outcomes were mostly assessed with: the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (N = 23); the Zarit Burden Interview (N = 24); the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (N = 4); the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (N = 7); and the WHO Quality of Life (N = 5). This literature review serves as the first step to identify outcomes and assessments which have actually been used. An important next step to improve comparability between studies could be the development of taxonomy to classify and describe the key influential components of interventions in this research field.
20 citations
TL;DR: Carmassi et al. as discussed by the authors showed that individuals with ASD may represent a low-resilience group that could be specifically prone to develop Trauma and Stress Related Disorders.
Abstract: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has aroused considerable interest since its first appearance in DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association, 1980) and increasing prevalence rates have been detected not only in selected samples of trauma exposed subjects but also in the general population (Kessler et al., 1995; Darves-Bornoz et al., 2008; Carmassi et al., 2014a). The number of studies conducted so far on PTSD has shed light on its clinical and neurobiological characteristics leading, for the first time in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), to encode it in a specifically devoted chapter, independent from other anxiety disorders, named Trauma and Stress Related Disorders, where it is included besides other specifically trauma related disorders. PTSD uniqueness amongst psychiatric disorders is not only due to its usual relationship to a clear time of onset but also, more specifically, to the fact that it is characterized by the failure of the normal ability to cope with traumatic events. Upon these characteristics, the identification of possible risk or protective factors is a core issue in this field (Zohar et al., 2011). There is agreement concerning the differential vulnerability to PTSD related to gender, with women being the most affected, to level of exposure, to the type of trauma and to age (Karam et al., 2014; Carmassi et al., 2014b), but it is still debated which could be the basic etiopathogenetic mechanism leading to the impairment of the adaptive response (Dell’Osso et al., 2011; 2013a,b). Some new perspectives may derive from most recent research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Increasing data, despite still scant, suggest that ASD subjects may be often exposed to traumatic experiences and, thus, they may be likely to develop PTSD (Hofvander et al., 2009; Storch et al., 2013). A growing body of data indicates that individuals with ASD, particularly those with moderate forms and with no cognitive or language impairment, often come to clinical attention when other mental disorders arise, leading to challenging diagnostic procedures (Kamio et al, 2013). Sometimes, their ASD remain unrecognized even after the onset of these mental disorders. Takara & Kondo (2014), for example, recently reported 16% ASD prevalence rate among first-visit depressed adult patients while Kato et al. (2013) reported rates as high as 7.3% of previously unrecognized ASD among suicide attempters hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Consistently, Storch et al., (2013) showed suicidal thoughts and behaviors to be common in youths with ASD, and associated with the presence of depression and PTSD, leading to suggest that individuals with ASD may represent a low-resilience group that could be specifically prone to develop Trauma and Stress Related Disorders. As a matter of fact, the ability to adjust has been shown to decline dramatically over time in ASD patients with respect to healthy control subjects in the aftermath of a natural disaster exposure (Valenti et al., 2012). However, it is important to notice that only a few studies explored PTSD prevalence rates among ASD patients, and those who did it reported low rates (Mayoral et al., 2010); similarly, to the best of our knowledge, no study explored ASD symptoms in PTSD subjects. This is even more surprising if we consider recent hypotheses suggesting ASD patients to be at high risk for trauma related disorders particularly because of their difficulties in expression, empathy, and understanding of shared codes of communication that would render them prone to chronic traumatization across the entire life (King et al., 2010). PTSD symptoms can arise from multiple traumas according to the Complex PTSD model (Terr, 1991; Herman, 1992; Van der Kolk, 2005; Hofvander et al., 2009), that is to say prolonged and/or repeated trauma, such as bullying episodes or repeated sexual abuse. Complex PTSD symptomatology is often chronic and more severe than typical PTSD symptoms, including deficits in emotional regulation, negative self-perception, interpersonal problems and dissociative symptoms (King, 2010; Cloitre et al., 2013; Maercker et al., 2013). It has been observed that the symptoms of Complex PTSD, prolonged across time, lead to long-term instability in interpersonal relationships, emotional lability, unstable self-perception, as well as to maladaptive behaviors, such as substance abuse and self-injuring, such that these subjects might ultimately be labeled as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients (King et al., 2010). The vulnerability of ASD subjects to multiple traumas may reasonably lie on the severe impairment in interpersonal relationships and the inability to cope with conflicts or deep affective involvements, so that we may speculate that the low incidence of PTSD detected in previous investigations may be related to the characteristic difficulties in understanding, mentalizing and expressing traumatic events. This would prevent ASD subjects from reporting the traumatic event and would lead to overlook the diagnosis of PTSD on one hand, and to increase the probability of a diagnosis of BPD, on the other. Despite Complex PTSD never entered the official psychiatry nosography, the DSM-5 somehow recognized its relevance by adding maladaptive behaviors among core symptoms of PTSD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Dell'Osso et al., 2009). The inclusion of maladaptive behaviors, such as reckless or self-destructive behaviors, alcohol and drug abuse into DSM-5 criterion E (alterations in arousal and reactivity) (American Psychatric Association, 2013; Carmassi et al., 2013) has allowed to capture the whole clinical presentation of this disorder, actually also making PTSD to overlap with some aspects of BPD (Sar, 2011). At the same time, encoding PTSD in a chapter specifically dedicated to post-traumatic stress reactions in the DSM-5 highlights the peculiarity of all these conditions that could be accounted as part of a post-traumatic stress spectrum that includes also adjustment disorder. In this regard, it is important to acknowledge that recent studies reported high rates of unrecognized adjustment disorder in outpatients seeking for treatment for a depressive symptomatology or suicidal behaviors (Cloitre et al., 2014; Takara & Kondo, 2014). A possible role of rumination has also been speculated, suggesting that ruminative thoughts arising from interpersonal difficulties, conflicts and traumas may represent a transnosographic dimension encompassing major depression and PTSD towards ASD, and triggering suicidal behaviors (Kato et al., 2013).Some authors explored the role of neurological soft signs (NSS), such as alterations in language, motor coordination and other
20 citations
TL;DR: Research related to social psychological assessment of community attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs associated with the recent Ebola outbreak and other public health threats is reviewed and the use of this information to assist in future disaster planning and crisis communications is discussed.
Abstract: Drawing on the lessons learned from previous disaster and disease outbreak studies over the past two decades, in the following article we review research related to social psychological assessment of community attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs associated with the recent Ebola outbreak and other public health threats, and discuss the use of this information to assist in future disaster planning and crisis communications. Psychologists, physicians, and others in the healthcare field need to be aware of these developments and involved with preparations related to mitigating the psychological impact of Ebola disease outbreaks among different populations, as well as other potential public health threats in the future.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the meaning of suffering and distress, coping strategies, and motivation to receive different types of help and support, especially in case of acute or chronic distress, are discussed.
Abstract: Religion and Spirituality often involve core emotional and social experiences, attitudes, affective states (both positive –such as faith, hope, courage, compassion, love, forgiveness- and negative –e.g. anxiety, anger), beliefs, world views, values, life goals and practices, that shape the personal identity and existence of many human beings. Occasionally these experiences may influence states of consciousness (e. g. calming, peaceful), life-styles, significant relationships, the meaning is given to suffering and distress, coping strategies, and the motivation to receive different types of help and support, especially in case of acute or chronic distress.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed the basic approaches and methods of individual temperament centered psychotherapy from the perspective of Nine Types Temperament Model that centers the temperament concept, which can enable the balancing of behaviors, emotions and ideas of an individual.
Abstract: Although there are many psychotherapy approaches today, it can be stated that a psychotherapy approach that is based on the temperament concept, which constitutes the structural basis of individual differences, does not exist. Even though the models focusing on explaining the temperament and the personality draw attention to the importance of these concepts in psychotherapy, these models did not formulate an important psychotherapy approach that places these concepts in its center. In fact, temperament is a key concept, which forms the smallest psychological building stone of individuals, determines the psychopathologic predispositions and the duration of experiencing of the psychopathology by an individual. Thus, temperament concept can be a focus point for the therapeutic approaches. In this study, we proposed the basic approaches and methods of individual temperament centered psychotherapy from the perspective of Nine Types Temperament Model that centers temperament concept. This can be an awarenessbased, non-eclectic, different, holistic and systematic psychotherapy approach which can enable the balancing of behaviors, emotions and ideas of an individual. At the same time, we tried to define a general course of actions for therapists to structure what kind of a therapeutic approach they will apply, which can be considered as a starting point to form a psychotherapy model that considers the human being in a holistic way from normal to psychopathology and focuses on causality.
TL;DR: The proportion of U.S. anesthesiologists who have experienced catastrophic perioperative events is assessed to bring into focus the association between event details, respondent characteristics and utilization of formal support with recovery time and comments revealed highly individualized recovery experiences and heterogeneity in processes for post-event debrief.
Abstract: Catastrophic events in the perioperative period can adversely impact the wellbeing of the healthcare workers involved. These second victims may experience symptoms including depression, isolation and loss of confidence related to the event. A limited amount of published research suggests those who receive formal support (e.g. departmental debriefing) may have an improved recovery experience. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the proportion of U.S. anesthesiologists who have experienced catastrophic perioperative events and bring into focus the association between event details, respondent characteristics and utilization of formal support with recovery time. Additionally, we aimed to ascertain the current state of post-event formal support and opinions for ideal event handling across the anesthesiology practice. A seventeen-question survey was distributed to 5,000 attending anesthesiologist members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). 289 responses were received. 85% report having experienced a catastrophic event; greater than 80% of those involved a death. 42% took a few days or less to recover yet 24% took a year or more. 31% had department debriefing and 25% had multidisciplinary debriefing. No association between gender, practice setting, years of experience and recovery time was detected. Comments revealed highly individualized recovery experiences and heterogeneity in processes for post-event debrief. Regarding current, institutional practice: 56% report there is no departmental debriefing team and 16% do not know if such a team exists. 49% feel debriefing should be mandatory. Comments reflect a variety of opinions regarding ideal support. Resources that address the complexities of the recovery experience should be thoughtfully developed and made available to those who may benefit from them.
TL;DR: In this paper, the issue of rape and carnal abuse is a major crime usually determined and studied by forensic science, which is the basis for the study presented in this paper.
Abstract: Introduction: The issue of rape and carnal abuse is a major crime usually determined and studied by forensic science. The aforementioned, though not yet established empirically in Jamaica, along with homicide, is the basis for this study.
Objective: This paper evaluates homicide, rape and carnal abuse, along with changes in those figures, over a four decade period.
Materials and methods: Forty-four years of panel data were used for this study. Data were recorded, stored and retrieved using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences for Windows, Version 21.0.
Results: Over the studied period (i.e., 44 years), on average, 778 ± 465 people (95% CI: 626-931) were murdered in Jamaica compared to 1,062 ± 333 (95%CI: 952-1,171) who were raped or carnally abused. For the same period, on average, 2.1 ± 1.3 (95%CI: 1.7-2.6) people were murdered on a daily basis and 2.9 ± 0.9 (95%CI: 2.6-3.2) were raped or carnally abused. In the 1970s, on average, 209 ± 83 people were murdered i n Jamaica, which rose by 653.4% in the decade of 2000 (to 2,004 ± 3.2; 95%CI: 2,002-2,007). Comparatively, on average, absolute rape and carnal abuse for the decade of the 1970s and 2000s rose by 118.4%. 2.1 ± 1.3 (95%CI: 1.7-2.6) people were murdered on a daily basis and 2.9 ± 0.9 (95%CI: 2.6-3.2) were raped or carnally abused.
Conclusion: The rape and carnal abuse phenomenon cannot be taken lightly anymore as the psychopathology to the matter is both current and long lasting. Undoubtedly, rape and carnal abuse are critical health matters that should not be studied only by criminologists as there are related mental health matters and other psychopathological aspects to these phenomena.
TL;DR: The Nine Types Temperament Model (NTTM) as discussed by the authors is a new model that considers human behaviour with a temperament based approach, claims to formulate a holistic model to the definitions, boundaries, scopes, interrelations of temperament, character and personality.
Abstract: Researchers which aimed to understand human behaviours have propounded many opinions about temperament and personality Some of them centralize temperament while others centralize personality in their studies They defined temperament and personality in many ways and tried to explain similar and different features of these concepts The disagreement of the researchers on the definitions of temperament and personality concepts caused confusion in explaining the relations between these concepts Besides, this confusion brings along the question “which one is the changeable and unchangeable part of the human behaviours, temperament or personality?� Nine Types Temperament Model (NTTM) is new model that considers human behaviour with a temperament based approach, claims to formulate a holistic model to the definitions, boundaries, scopes, interrelations of temperament, character and personality The aim of this study is to explain the relation of personality with temperament and to propose an approach which conceptualizes the personality’s unchangeable -originating from the temperament- and changeable facets from the NTTM perspective, which can be a conceptual base for future empirical studies In this study; first we explained the definitions and the relations of temperament, character and personality propounded by NTTM based on the current literature Second we proposed “natural personality� concept in order to explain unchangeable features that originate from the individual’s temperament type Also we proposed “synthetic personality� concept in order to explain the traits that do not exist in the temperament type of the individual and are acquired after birth through parents, school and social transference In conclusion, in this study we tried to offer a new perspective to the researchers for understanding the nature of temperament -character- personality concepts and the link between them Additionally, we propounded the concepts of natural and synthetic personality that will be able to answer the questions about changeable and unchangeable facets of personality
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated factors that explain the interplay between homicide and divorce and marriages in Jamaica and provided theories for the uxoricides and concluded that divorce produces issues, which are sometimes not fully captured in the data.
Abstract: Introduction: The homicide pandemic has continued unabated and no empirical enquiry has emerged in criminology, sociology, psychology or public health in Caribbean literature which evaluates whether or not divorce has any effect on homicide. Objectives: The aims of this study are to 1) evaluate factors that explain the interplay between homicide and divorce and marriages in Jamaica; and 2) provide theories for the uxoricides. Materials and methods: The data for this study was obtained from various Jamaica Government Publications. The period for this work was from 1950 through 2013. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression analyses and curve estimations were used to determine models and best fitted models. Results: The factors of divorce were homicide, population and GDP per capita, with those variables explaining 77.5% of the variance in divorce. A strong correlation between homicides and divorce still emerged after controlling for GDP per capita (or income; rxy = 0.843, P<0.0001). Poverty rate and the exchange rate accounted for 83.8% of the variance in homicides. Of the seven selected variables used at once in the OLS, three emerged as factors for divorce rate (exchange rate, mortality rate and poverty rate). Both factors determined 61.4% of the variance in the divorce rate. Poverty accounted for 47.0% of the variability in the marriage rate and was inversely related to the marriage rate. Hence, lower rates of poverty mean greater number of marriages and vice versa. Conclusion: Divorce produces issues, which are sometimes not fully captured in the data. Further studies on the psychology of divorce are needed from a qualitative perspective to unearth real meaning behind the behaviour of depressed adults and psychological deficient children following romantic relationship separation. We are therefore proposing that poverty and divorce as well as separation from sexual partner should be treated with the same degree of urgency and significance as non-communicable diseases. The destruction of families from divorce is such that we are forwarding it to be a psychosocial disease likened to an infectious disease that can cause a pandemic if not probably cauterized.
TL;DR: A dispassionate view of psychotherapy, leaving aside allegiances to particular schools, reveals it is extremely uncommon to find clear differences in efficacy between diverse treatment approaches (Luborsky et al., 2002) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A dispassionate view of psychotherapy, leaving aside allegiances to particular schools, reveals it is extremely uncommon to find clear differences in efficacy between diverse treatment approaches (Luborsky et al., 2002). Even worse, when active treatments are compared to structurally equivalent placebos, only negligible effects are obtained in comparison to former treatments (Baskin, Tierney, Minami & Wampold, 2003). A plausible explanation for the apparent similarity in efficacy of different treatments is the existence of underlying common factors shared by all treatments which is ultimately responsible for the purported equivalence attained by different therapeutic approaches (Frank & Frank, 1993). This shared equivalence has been recently reinforced by the literature on placebo, and particularly research using neuroimaging techniques showing how patients’ expectancies interact with the clinical setting stimulating the rewarding brain circuitry.
TL;DR: Although there is a good standing and rich traditions of healing practices of psychological nature in the Arab world that go back to the eighth century and continues throughout the thirteen century, ironically, there has been a steady decline both in the breadth of services provided and the quality of services offered despite the increased knowledge and understanding of psychological practices as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Although there is a good standing and rich traditions of healing practices of psychological nature in the Arab world that go back to the eighth century and continues throughout the thirteen century, ironically, there has been a steady decline both in the breadth of services provided and the quality of services offered despite the increased knowledge and understanding of psychological practices. “The waning of the “Goodness” and viability of psychological practices maybe attributable in part to socio-political and historical events following that period in which the influence of Arab cultures as a whole over others has made the contribution of “Scholars of Arab” descend and extraction less visible and gives way to a paradigm shift that was incredible in its longstanding effects and consequent ramifications. Even today, most patients and families who are inflicted with a psychological problem, tend to see the infliction as part of a “mindset” that attributes a condition to “evil eye” or demonic passion”.
TL;DR: In 2004, a character strength classification system was developed by as mentioned in this paper and the result was the book "Character Strengths and Virtues" which classified 24 specific character strengths sorted under six virtues (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).
Abstract: Around the year 2000, a new trend emerged within psychology. This new trend was the positive psychology paradigm, and since its birth, it has grown a lot as a new psychology paradigm (Weiten, 2007). Embedded within the positive psychology paradigm one will find a lot of research on different character strengths. In 2004, a character strength classification system was developed. The result was the book ‘Character Strengths and Virtues‘. This book classifies 24 specific character strengths sorted under six virtues (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). The six virtues are respectively wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Under each virtue, one will find the character strengths that relates to the specific virtue. For instance, the virtue courage entails emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal. Included in this virtue are the character strengths bravery [valor], persistence [perseverance, industriousness], integrity [authenticity, honesty] and vitality [zest, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]. Courage is a fundamental aspect for every military officer when it comes to leading others in dangerous contexts (Matthews, 2014). A lot of research into Peterson and Seligman´s character strength classification system has been conducted over the past ten years (see Niemiec, 2013, for an overview of the research).
TL;DR: Treatment options, particularly drug Varenicline, that shows most effective and promising results in patients of schizophrenia for smoking cessation as in general population are focused on.
Abstract: This article reviews literature regarding smoking cessation in Schizophrenia population, its harmful effects on health, finances, role of mental health care providers and better available options for treatment as are in general population. This population not only smokes at higher rates, but also has higher nicotine dependence with lower cessation rates than general population, people of schizophrenia have truncated life span due to smoking related diseases and premature mortality compared with the general population. Contrary to traditional reasoning that this population is not motivated or able to tolerate smoking cessation, but there is extensive literature that negates such rationale, even provides better treatment options to address this huge public health burden. Our review will mainly focusing treatment options particularly drug Varenicline, that shows most effective and promising results in patients of schizophrenia for smoking cessation as in general population, moreover different combination therapies, few new interventions, as well as some clinical areas will be discussed those need to be studied further in future.
TL;DR: In this article, Ashraf et al. explored the psychological correlates of distress in Rescue 1122 workers by employing purposive sampling and found that emotional empathy, coping strategies and compassion fatigue would predict psychological distress.
Abstract: The present research aimed to explore the psychological correlates of distress in Rescue 1122 workers. Relationship between emotional empathy, coping strategies, compassion fatigue and psychological distress was hypothesized. In addition, it was hypothesized that emotional empathy, coping strategies and compassion fatigue would predict psychological distress. By employing purposive sampling, 150 participants were selected from four Rescue 1122 stations in Lahore. Emotional Empathy Scale (Ashraf, 2004), Coping Strategies Questionnaire (Kausar & Munir, 2004), Compassion Fatigue Short Form (Adam, Figley & Boscarino, 2006) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS: P. F. Lovibond & S. H. Lovibond, 1993) were used for assessment of the variables. Low tendency to be moved by other people emotional experiences and use of avoidance focused coping were found to predict depression, anxiety and stress. Less utilization of active focused coping was also found to be a predictor of anxiety while high level of burnout emerged as a predictor of stress. From demographics, exposure to traumatic events before joining service, high level of perceived support from workmates predicted depression, anxiety and stress. The research signified that Rescue 1122 administration needs to address these factors contributing towards psychological distress by enhancing training methods and providing psychological support to workers.
TL;DR: Homicide must be included in human and social biology, mental health and demographic discourse as it accounts for premature deaths, psychiatric disorders and social disruptions.
Abstract: Introduction: Violence, particularly homicide, continue to plague Jamaica making it one of the countries with the highest murder rate worldwide with escalating violent espisodes which contribute to the leading cause of death among young males. Yet, homicide is not listed among the major causes of deaths in Jamaica and left out among the non-communicable diseases causing deaths.
Objective: The aims of this research is to narrow the gap in the literature by evaluating from an empirical viewpoint the effects of homicides on human and social biology of theliving from a mental health perspective.
Materials and Methods: The data for this study were taken from various Jamaica Government Publications including the Demographic Statistics, which provided data on mortality, population, and deaths. Jamaica Constabulary Force and Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica (ESSJ) provided the data for murders; gross domestic product per capita (i.e., GDP per capita) and suicide. Data were recorded, stored and retrieved using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, Version 21.0. The level of significance that is used to determine statistical significance is less than 5% (0.05) at the 2-tailed level of significance. Ordinary least square (OLS) regressions were used to determine models or factors of health-care seeking behaviour. Stepwise regression was also used to the contribution of each variable leading to the final model.
Results: Homicide is strongly correlated with health demands (rxy = 0.681). Of the five variables entered in the OLS regression, three emerged as factors of health-care seeking behaviour (i.e., self-reported physical illness, exchange rate and lninflation rate). This explained 83.6% of the variance in the dependent variable. Of the three factors, only one was positively correlated with dependent variable and the other two were inversely correlated with HSB. A very strong direct statistical correlation existed between the exchange rate and HSB (rxy = 0.832, P < 0.0001) with the other factors being held constant.
Conclusion: Homicide must be included in human and social biology, mental health and demographic discourse as it accounts for premature deaths, psychiatric disorders and social disruptions.
TL;DR: In this paper, a complex addiction disorder which we may easily call as Selfie addiction disorder has been identified which is coupled with posting the selfie photographs (selfie) on social networking sites.
Abstract: Over a period of time, technological advancement has given us new addiction disorders. Last two decades were known for computer addiction disorder and internet addiction disorders. Smartphone has intruded in our daily life so much that without which we cannot survive. Many of today generation smarphones are equipped with high resolution camera, we call it “selfie” camera. Though people were fond of taking photographs of their own and others since many decades, with selfie camera it has lead to an extreme effect. It is coupled with posting the selfie photographs (selfie) on social networking sites. Further they are waiting for comments of friends and others. This has lead to chain of reactions leading to a complex addiction disorder which we may easily call as Selfie addiction disorder. Oxford English Dictionary had described “Selfie” as word of the year in 2013 (Wade, 2014).
TL;DR: Eros, god of love and desire, was “the fairest of the deathless gods...
Abstract: IJEMHHR • Vol. 17, No. 1 • 2015 213 Eros, god of love and desire, was “the fairest of the deathless gods... He unstrings the limbs and subdues both mind and sensible thought in the breasts of all the gods and all men.”1 No one, neither mortal nor divine, can resist his enchantment. Eros is the spirit of life, the cosmic power of love, and the procreative force of the universe, drawing things towards unity and bringing order and harmony to Chaos2 (Harrison & Jane Ellen, 1955). According to the Greek Orphic religion3 (Hamilton & Edith, 1954), in the beginning there was Chaos, the creative void that gave birth to Eros, the creative impulse or spirit, and Eros was the catalyst in the formation of Gaia, the earth goddess or physical existence. Thus, Eros, also known as Shekinah among Kabbalist Hebrews, connects body and soul, as does “ruah elohim” in Genesis4 (Abraham & Ralph, 1994).
TL;DR: The results showed that the discrepancy between the level of the neuro-emotional and physical stress of medical practice and the institutional and professional valuation parameters leads to deviations in the professional role of the doctor, which is explicated as professional deformations of two types: general professional and special.
Abstract: Improvement of medical care is the topical issue of the health care system; its solution requires significant economic investment, based on the results of sociological research. In this regard, the author conducted a comprehensive study of the social and psychological parameters of the doctor’s professional role with a view to explicate its possible deviations. The study was conducted within the sociology of medicine, using its qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as a number of psycho-diagnostic tests. The results showed that the discrepancy between the level of the neuro-emotional and physical stress of medical practice and the institutional and professional valuation parameters leads to deviations in the professional role of the doctor, which is explicated as professional deformations of two types: general professional and special.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship between acculturation strategies and resilience among the Qiang nationality following the 2008 Chinese earthquake and found evidence that there are four accculturation strategies (integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalization) based on Qiang's cultural identity status.
Abstract: A number of studies have assessed the association between acculturation and resilience following atraumatic event. This study examines the relationship between acculturation strategies and resilience among the Qiang nationality following the 2008 Chinese earthquake. We found evidence that there are four acculturation strategies (integration, assimilation, separation and marginalization) based on the Qiang’s cultural identity status. We also assessed resilience among this sample, using the Connor-DavidsonResilience Scale (CD-RISC). Correlation analysis results indicated that most dimensions of the Qiang cultural identities have positive relationships with participants’ scores on CD-RISC dimensions of tenacity, strength and optimism. And regression analyses indicated that most of the cultural identity dimensions can predict resilience. The four acculturation strategies are also predictive of resilience: those with an Integration strategy have greater resilience than those pursuing marginalization; those pursuing assimilation and separation have intermediate levels of resilience.
TL;DR: The rates of lifetime and current alcohol use among university students are high, and were higher among males, adolescents/young adults and those from dysfunctional homes.
Abstract: Alcohol is a common and avoidable cause of morbidities and mortalities among students and the general population globally. The use of alcohol is on the increase, both in quantity and prevalence, in developing countries, including Nigeria. Thus it is very important to explore the use extensively among students, especially in tertiary institutions. Methods: We investigated the use of alcohol among 3rd and 4th year students from different faculties in the University of Abuja. This was a cross-sectional study in which 600 students were randomly selected to participate. The instruments were made up of a socio-demographic questionnaire and the World Health Organization (WHO) questionnaire for student drug use surveys. Data was analysed using SPSS-16. Results: Lifetime and current use of alcohol were 56.5% and 33.3% respectively; and were higher among males, adolescents/young adults and those from dysfunctional homes. While students are aware of the harmful effects of alcohol, they have difficulties stopping its’ use. Conclusion: The rates of lifetime and current alcohol use among university students are high. Appropriate measures and interventions have to be instituted to address these issues.
TL;DR: Overall, musical activities such as listening to music, singing, and playing instruments can contribute to improving some aspects of quality of life in older people by increasing psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction, social health and decreasing anxiety and depression.
Abstract: Background: As most of the baby boomer generation have now reached retirement age, there are increasing demands for long-term care services. Depression and psychological distress can be highly prevalent at advanced ages. Regardless of chronological age, it is important to have a decent quality of life as a human being by improving resilience. The present study aims to briefly look at the current evidence on the effects of musical activities on quality of life in older adults. Methods: A literature review was performed to explore current research evidence on different modalities of musical activities and outcomes among older adults. The search included English-language articles published in PubMed from January 1986 to May 2014. Studies were published in peer-reviewed journals and without country restriction. Supplementary searches were carried out and a – narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Overall, musical activities such as listening to music, singing, and playing instruments can contribute to improving some aspects of quality of life in older people by increasing psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction, social health and decreasing anxiety and depression. Conclusion: There is a great potential for using musical activities as part of a cost-effective strategy to promote the well-being of healthy community-dwelling older people, as well as institutionalised older adults with dementia. Therefore, wider groups of older people with varying degrees of physical and mental capacities can be reached through more personalised musical activities. More studies using mixed methods are needed to confirm the economic benefits as well as to capture the richness of other dimensions for quality of life.
TL;DR: The results indicated that the intervention treatment reduced significantly the extent of alexithymic symptoms, as measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, expressed by the patients.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe a treatment intervention to alleviate eating disturbance and alexithymia symptoms in thirty patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa. The method consists of teaching and coaching about the emotional/affective status of individuals and incorporates both written and oral sessions. The treatment is presented within groups on one occasion (90 min) each week over eight-week periods. The results indicated that the intervention treatment reduced significantly the extent of alexithymia, as measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, expressed by the patients. This implies that the teaching-coaching episodes affected their ability to cope with feelings thereby expressing improved insights concerning self-awareness and an understanding of themselves and others.