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Tsui HKH, Wong TY, Ma CF, Wong TE, Hsiao J, Chan SKW. Reliability of Theory of Mind Tasks in Schizophrenia, ASD, and Nonclinical Populations: A Systematic Review and Reliability Generalization Meta-analysis. Neuropsychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s11065-024-09652-4. [PMID: 39377964 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-024-09652-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Though theory of mind (ToM) is an important area of study for different disciplines, however, the psychometric evaluations of ToM tasks have yielded inconsistent results across studies and populations, raising the concerns about the accuracy, consistency, and generalizability of these tasks. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the psychometric reliability of 27 distinct ToM tasks across 90 studies involving 2771 schizophrenia (SZ), 690 autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and 15,599 nonclinical populations (NC). Findings revealed that while all ToM tasks exhibited satisfactory internal consistency in ASD and SZ, about half of them were not satisfactory in NC, including the commonly used Reading the Mind in the Eye Test and Hinting Task. Other than that, Reading the Mind in the Eye Test showed acceptable reliability across populations, whereas Hinting Task had poor test-retest reliability. Notably, only Faux Pas Test and Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition had satisfactory reliability across populations albeit limited numbers of studies. However, only ten studies examined the psychometric properties of ToM tasks in ASD adults, warranting additional evaluations. The study offered practical implications for selecting ToM tasks in research and clinical settings, and underscored the importance of having a robust psychometric reliability in ToM tasks across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Kam Hung Tsui
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ting Yat Wong
- Department of Psychology, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chak Fai Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ting Eva Wong
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Janet Hsiao
- Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sherry Kit Wa Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Stroud J, Rice C, Orsini A, Schlosser M, Lee J, Mandy W, Kamboj SK. Perceived changes in mental health and social engagement attributed to a single psychedelic experience in autistic adults: results from an online survey. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06685-8. [PMID: 39367164 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06685-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Anecdotal reports suggest that psychedelic drugs can improve psychological wellbeing and social engagement in autistic people. However, there are few contemporary studies on this topic. OBJECTIVES To examine autistic participants' experiences with psychedelic drugs and the extent to which they attributed changes in mental health and social engagement to their most 'impactful' psychedelic experience. We also explored associations between these changes and mechanistically important variables (e.g., aspects of the acute psychedelic experience and changes in 'psychological flexibility'). METHODS Self-selecting autistic participants (n = 233) with high autism quotient scores completed an online survey relating to their most impactful psychedelic experience. Questionnaires assessed the acute psychedelic experience and perceived psychedelic-induced changes in distress, social engagement and psychological flexibility, among other relevant variables. RESULTS The majority of participants attributed reductions in psychological distress (82%) and social anxiety (78%) and increases in social engagement (70%) to their most 'impactful' psychedelic experience. A substantial minority (20%) also reported undesirable effects such as increases in anxiety with some describing their psychedelic experience as among the most negatively impactful experiences of their lives. The only substantial predictor of reductions in psychological distress was increased psychological flexibility. CONCLUSION Autistic people attributed changes in mental health and social engagement to a single highly impactful psychedelic experience. The results and their implications are discussed with caution considering the use of a non-experimental design and biased sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Stroud
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Charlotte Rice
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aaron Orsini
- Autistic Psychedelic Community (Co-production Organisation), Los Angeles, USA
| | - Marco Schlosser
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Justine Lee
- Autistic Psychedelic Community (Co-production Organisation), Los Angeles, USA
| | - Will Mandy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sunjeev K Kamboj
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK
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Bry C, Propice K, Bourgin J, Métral M. Social cognition, psychosocial development and well-being in galactosemia. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:325. [PMID: 39243040 PMCID: PMC11378408 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03335-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Classic galactosemia is a rare inherited metabolic disease with long-term complications, particularly in the psychosocial domain. Patients report a lower quality of social life, difficulties in interactions and social relationships, and a lower mental health. We hypothesised that social cognition deficits could partially explain this psychological symptomatology. Eleven adults with galactosemia and 31 control adults participated in the study. We measured social cognition skills in cognitive and affective theory of Mind, and in basic and complex emotion recognition. We explored psychosocial development and mental well-being. RESULTS We found significant deficits on all 4 social cognition measures. Compared to controls, participants with galactosemia were impaired in the 2nd-order cognitive theory of mind, in affective theory of mind, and in basic and complex emotion recognition. Participants with galactosemia had a significant delay in their psychosexual development, but we found no delay in social development and no significant decrease in mental health. CONCLUSION Social cognition processes seem impaired among our participants with galactosemia. We discuss the future path research may follow. More research is needed to replicate and strengthen these results and establish the links between psychosocial complications and deficits in social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Bry
- Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, 38000, France.
| | - Klervi Propice
- Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Jessica Bourgin
- Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Morgane Métral
- Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, 38000, France
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Wardell V, Stewardson CI, Hunsche MC, Chen FS, Rights JD, Palombo DJ, Kerns CM. Are autistic traits associated with a social-emotional memory bias? Behav Res Ther 2024; 180:104578. [PMID: 38875935 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Autistic traits are associated with differential processing of emotional and social cues. By contrast little is known about the relationship of autistic traits to socio-emotional memory, though research suggests an integral relationship between episodic memory processes and psychosocial well-being. Using an experimental paradigm, we tested if autistic traits moderate the effects of negative emotion and social cues on episodic memory (i.e. memory for past events). Young adults (N = 706) with varied levels of self-reported autistic traits (24% in clinical range) encoded images stratified by emotion (negative, neutral) and social cues (social, non-social) alongside a neutral object. After 24 h, item memory for images and associative memory for objects was tested. For item memory, after controlling for anxiety, a small effect emerged whereby a memory-enhancing effect of social cues was reduced as autistic traits increased. For associative memory, memory for pairings between neutral, but not negative, images reduced as autistic traits increased. Results suggest autistic traits are associated with reduced ability to bind neutral items together in memory, potentially impeding nuanced appraisals of past experience. This bias toward more negative, less nuanced memories of past experience may represent a cognitive vulnerability to social and mental health challenges commonly associated with autistic traits and a potential intervention target.
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Briscoe H, Vickers-Graver B, Cherukat M, Jones C, Surtees A. The link between anxiety and theory of mind in children: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 367:530-544. [PMID: 39214373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to reason about someone else's mental states, an ability known as theory of mind, is essential to help children navigate social life. However, not all children are socially skilled. Given socialisation is key for healthy development in children, finding what might exacerbate these difficulties is important. Emerging research suggests a potential link between anxiety and theory of mind abilities in children. This meta-analysis aims to characterise that link. METHOD Four electronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. Search terms included variations of terms for theory of mind, anxiety, and children. Studies were screened with inclusion and exclusion criteria for eligibility and identified papers were appraised on quality. RESULTS The search returned 3674 papers of which 20 were included in the analysis. These included a total of 3110 participants, aged 4-19. Overall, it was found that anxiety had a negative relationship with theory of mind and this appeared to be more pronounced in theory of mind processes related to affective states. There were no differences in the negative relationship between subtypes of anxiety or between studies with autistic and neurotypical children. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that anxious children may have difficulties using theory of mind abilities. Heterogeneity was substantial in the data, which limits the confidence in conclusions. Quality appraisal identified that the quality of theory of mind and anxiety measures varied between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Briscoe
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Changing Minds UK, 19 Wilson Patten St, Warrington WA1 1PG, United Kingdom.
| | - Belle Vickers-Graver
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Medha Cherukat
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Jones
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Surtees
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundations Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands B4 6NH, United Kingdom
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Isernia S, Cacciatore DM, Rossetto F, Ricci C, Baglio F. Reliability and minimal detectable change of the Yoni task for the theory of mind assessment. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1412560. [PMID: 39139598 PMCID: PMC11319278 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1412560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Theory of Mind (ToM) assessment is becoming essential to evaluate the response to a social cognition intervention and to monitor the progression of social abilities impairment in atypical conditions. In the Italian setting, the Yoni task has been recently validated in its short version (the Yoni-48 task) to evaluate ToM in the clinical setting. The present study aimed to verify the test-retest reliability and the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) of the Yoni-48 task. Methods The Yoni-48 task was administered to 229 healthy adults at two evaluation sessions 3 weeks apart (mean days between sessions = 20.35 ± 1.75) by a psychologist. The test-retest reliability of the Yoni-48 task accuracy and response time was tested by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2,1, two-way random model, absolute agreement type). Then, the MDC95 and MDC90 were computed based on the standard error of measurement. Finally, the 95% limits of agreement were plotted (LOA plot) to visualize the difference and mean score of each pair of measurements. Results The total Yoni-48 task accuracy, but not the response time score, showed a high ICC (>0.80), with an MDC of 0.10. By plotting the LOA plot for the accuracy score no systematic trends were observed. Discussion This evidence will support the adoption of the Yoni task in longitudinal designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Isernia
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristian Ricci
- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Zoupou E, Moore TM, Calkins ME, Gur RE, Gur RC, Scott JC. Domain-specific associations between psychopathology and neurocognitive functioning. Psychol Med 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38828712 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724001302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocognitive dysfunction is a transdiagnostic finding in psychopathology, but relationships among cognitive domains and general and specific psychopathology dimensions remain unclear. This study aimed to examine associations between cognition and psychopathology dimensions in a large youth cohort. METHOD The sample (N = 9350; age 8-21 years) was drawn from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort. Data from structured clinical interviews were modeled using bifactor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), resulting in an overall psychopathology ('p') factor score and six orthogonal psychopathology dimensions: dysphoria/distress, obsessive-compulsive, behavioral/externalizing, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, phobias, and psychosis. Neurocognitive data were aggregated using correlated-traits CFA into five factors: executive functioning, memory, complex cognition, social cognition, and sensorimotor speed. We examined relationships among specific and general psychopathology dimensions and neurocognitive factors. RESULTS The final model showed both overall and specific associations between cognitive functioning and psychopathology, with acceptable fit (CFI = 0.91; TLI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.024; SRMR = 0.054). Overall psychopathology and most psychopathology dimensions were negatively associated with neurocognitive functioning (phobias [p < 0.0005], behavioral/externalizing [p < 0.0005], attention-deficit/hyperactivity [p < 0.0005], psychosis [p < 0.0005 to p < 0.05]), except for dysphoria/distress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, which were positively associated with complex cognition (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION By modeling a broad range of cognitive and psychopathology domains in a large, diverse sample of youth, we found aspects of neurocognitive functioning shared across clinical phenotypes, as well as domain-specific patterns. Findings support transdiagnostic examination of cognitive performance to parse variability in the link between neurocognitive functioning and clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Zoupou
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tyler M Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Monica E Calkins
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Raquel E Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute (LiBI), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ruben C Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute (LiBI), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - J Cobb Scott
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- VISN4 MIRECC, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Zacher A, Zimmermann J, Cole DM, Friedli N, Opitz A, Baumgartner MR, Steuer AE, Verdejo-Garcia A, Stock AK, Beste C, Quednow BB. Chemical cousins with contrasting behavioural profiles: MDMA users and methamphetamine users differ in social-cognitive functions and aggression. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 83:43-54. [PMID: 38642447 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH, "Crystal Meth") and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") share structural-chemical similarities but have distinct psychotropic profiles due to specific neurochemical actions. Previous research has suggested that their impact on social cognitive functions and social behaviour may differ significantly, however, direct comparisons of METH and MDMA users regarding social cognition and interaction are lacking. Performances in cognitive and emotional empathy (Multifaceted Empathy Test) and emotion sensitivity (Face Morphing Task), as well as aggressive social behaviour (Competitive Reaction Time Task) were assessed in samples of n = 40 chronic METH users, n = 39 chronic MDMA users and n = 86 stimulant-naïve controls (total N = 165). Self-reports and hair samples were used to obtain subjective and objective estimates of substance use patterns. METH users displayed diminished cognitive and emotional empathy towards positive stimuli, elevated punitive social behaviour regardless of provocation, and self-reported heightened trait anger relative to controls. MDMA users diverged from the control group only by exhibiting a distinct rise in punitive behaviour when faced with provocation. Correlation analyses indicated that both higher hair concentrations of MDMA and METH may be associated with reduced cognitive empathy. Moreover, greater lifetime MDMA use correlated with increased punitive behaviour among MDMA users. Our findings confirm elevated aggression and empathy deficits in chronic METH users, while chronic MDMA users only displayed more impulsive aggression. Dose-response correlations indicate that some of these deficits might be a consequence of use. Specifically, the dopaminergic mechanism of METH might be responsible for social-cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Zacher
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Josua Zimmermann
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, Joint Center of University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David M Cole
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Translational Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Friedli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antje Opitz
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea E Steuer
- Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Verdejo-Garcia
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ann-Kathrin Stock
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, Joint Center of University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Schmid Y, Bershad AK. Altered States and Social Bonds: Effects of MDMA and Serotonergic Psychedelics on Social Behavior as a Mechanism Underlying Substance-Assisted Therapy. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:490-499. [PMID: 38341085 PMCID: PMC11378972 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
There has been renewed interest in the use of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) and serotonergic psychedelics in the treatment of multiple psychiatric disorders. Many of these compounds are known to produce prosocial effects, but how these effects relate to therapeutic efficacy and the extent to which prosocial effects are unique to a particular drug class is unknown. In this article, we present a narrative overview and compare evidence for the prosocial effects of MDMA and serotonergic psychedelics to elucidate shared mechanisms that may underlie the therapeutic process. We discuss 4 categories of prosocial effects: altered self-image, responses to social reward, responses to negative social input, and social neuroplasticity. While both categories of drugs alter self-perception, MDMA may do so in a way that is less related to the experience of mystical-type states than serotonergic psychedelics. In the case of social reward, evidence supports the ability of MDMA to enhance responses and suggests that serotonergic psychedelics may also do so, but more research is needed in this area. Both drug classes consistently dampen reactivity to negative social stimuli. Finally, preclinical evidence supports the ability of both drug classes to induce social neuroplasticity, promoting adaptive rewiring of neural circuits, which may be helpful in trauma processing. While both MDMA and serotonergic psychedelics produce prosocial effects, they differ in the mechanisms through which they do this. These differences affect the types of psychosocial interventions that may work best with each compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Schmid
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anya K Bershad
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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Tsomokos DI, Flouri E. The role of social cognition in mental health trajectories from childhood to adolescence. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:771-786. [PMID: 37000247 PMCID: PMC10894108 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02187-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the association between an aspect of Theory of Mind in childhood, false-belief understanding, and trajectories of internalising (emotional and peer) and externalising (conduct and hyperactivity) problems in childhood and adolescence. The sample was 8408 children from the UK's Millennium Cohort Study, followed at ages 5, 7, 11, 14, and 17 years. Social cognitive abilities were measured at 5 and 7 years through a vignette version of the Sally-Anne task administered by an unfamiliar assessor in a socially demanding dyadic interaction. Internalising and externalising problems were measured via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at 7-17 years. Using latent growth modelling, and after controlling for sex, ethnicity, maternal education, verbal ability, and time-varying family income, we found that superior social cognitive abilities predicted a decrease in emotional problems over time. In sex-stratified analyses, they predicted decreasing conduct problem trajectories in females and lower levels of conduct problems at baseline in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris I Tsomokos
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
| | - Eirini Flouri
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK
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Soto FA, Beevers CG. Perceptual Observer Modeling Reveals Likely Mechanisms of Face Expression Recognition Deficits in Depression. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024:S2451-9022(24)00044-2. [PMID: 38336169 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in face emotion recognition are well documented in depression, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Psychophysical observer models provide a way to precisely characterize such mechanisms. Using model-based analyses, we tested 2 hypotheses about how depression may reduce sensitivity to detect face emotion: 1) via a change in selectivity for visual information diagnostic of emotion or 2) via a change in signal-to-noise ratio in the system performing emotion detection. METHODS Sixty adults, one half meeting criteria for major depressive disorder and the other half healthy control participants, identified sadness and happiness in noisy face stimuli, and their responses were used to estimate templates encoding the visual information used for emotion identification. We analyzed these templates using traditional and model-based analyses; in the latter, the match between templates and stimuli, representing sensory evidence for the information encoded in the template, was compared against behavioral data. RESULTS Estimated happiness templates produced sensory evidence that was less strongly correlated with response times in participants with depression than in control participants, suggesting that depression was associated with a reduced signal-to-noise ratio in the detection of happiness. The opposite results were found for the detection of sadness. We found little evidence that depression was accompanied by changes in selectivity (i.e., information used to detect emotion), but depression was associated with a stronger influence of face identity on selectivity. CONCLUSIONS Depression is more strongly associated with changes in signal-to-noise ratio during emotion recognition, suggesting that deficits in emotion detection are driven primarily by deprecated signal quality rather than suboptimal sampling of information used to detect emotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Soto
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
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12
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Knopp M, Burghardt J, Oppenauer C, Meyer B, Moritz S, Sprung M. Affective and cognitive Theory of Mind in patients with alcohol use disorder: Associations with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 157:209227. [PMID: 37992810 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to ascribe thoughts (cognitive ToM) and feelings (affective ToM) to others. Ample evidence exists for impairments of affective and cognitive ToM in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, evidence regarding changes of these impairments during AUD treatment and their possible relationship to comorbid symptoms is ambiguous. The current study analyzed changes in ToM during treatment and tested associations with comorbid symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, and social functioning. METHODS We analyzed data from 175 individuals with AUD. The study assessed ToM and comorbid symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, and social functioning at the time of admission and at the time of discharge from an approximately 60 days long abstinence-oriented inpatient treatment. We assessed affective and cognitive ToM using the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition, a measure with high ecological validity. RESULTS All symptoms, total and cognitive ToM improved following treatment; however, affective ToM did not improve. Moreover, cognitive ToM at the beginning of treatment was associated with improved symptoms of depression and somatization, while affective ToM was not. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows improvements in total and cognitive ToM as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, and social functioning following long-term treatment. Furthermore, cognitive ToM was related to improvements in comorbid symptoms. This finding suggests that ToM may be an important treatment target in patients with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Knopp
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Division of Clinical Psychology, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, Leopoldstraße 13, 80802 München, Germany.
| | - Juliane Burghardt
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Division of Clinical Psychology, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Claudia Oppenauer
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Division of Clinical Psychology, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Bernhard Meyer
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Division of Clinical Psychology, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Steffen Moritz
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Sprung
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Division of Clinical Psychology, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, Leopoldstraße 13, 80802 München, Germany; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; Psychiatric Rehabilitation Clinic Gars am Kamp, Psychosomatisches Zentrum Waldviertel, Kremserstraße 656, 3571 Gars am Kamp, Austria
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13
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Williamson ES, Arentsen TJ, Roper BL, Pedersen HA, Shultz LA, Crouse EM. The Importance of the Morel Emotional Numbing Test Instructions: A Diagnosis Threat Induction Study. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 39:35-50. [PMID: 37449530 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Marketed as a validity test that detects feigning of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the Morel Emotional Numbing Test for PTSD (MENT) instructs examinees that PTSD may negatively affect performance on the measure. This study explored the potential that MENT performance depends on inclusion of "PTSD" in its instructions and the nature of the MENT as a performance validity versus a symptom validity test (PVT/SVT). METHOD 358 participants completed the MENT as a part of a clinical neuropsychological evaluation. Participants were either administered the MENT with the standard instructions (SIs) that referenced "PTSD" or revised instructions (RIs) that did not. Others were administered instructions that referenced "ADHD" rather than PTSD (AI). Comparisons were conducted on those who presented with concerns for potential traumatic-stress related symptoms (SI vs. RI-1) or attention deficit (AI vs. RI-2). RESULTS Participants in either the SI or AI condition produced more MENT errors than those in their respective RI conditions. The relationship between MENT errors and other S/PVTs was significantly stronger in the SI: RI-1 comparison, such that errors correlated with self-reported trauma-related symptoms in the SI but not RI-1 condition. MENT failure also predicted PVT failure at nearly four times the rate of SVT failure. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that the MENT relies on overt reference to PTSD in its instructions, which is linked to the growing body of literature on "diagnosis threat" effects. The MENT may be considered a measure of suggestibility. Ethical considerations are discussed, as are the construct(s) measured by PVTs versus SVTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Williamson
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Timothy J Arentsen
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Brad L Roper
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Heather A Pedersen
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Laura A Shultz
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ellen M Crouse
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Papastylianou AD, Travasaros T. Patients' Perspective on the Important Therapeutic Factors in Integrated Systemic Group Therapy: A Phenomenological Approach. Int J Group Psychother 2024; 74:33-77. [PMID: 38451504 DOI: 10.1080/00207284.2024.2303087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
This qualitative research refers to the patients' perspective on the therapeutic factors operating in long-term group therapy of an integrated systemic orientation (ISO). Semi-structured interviews of members of two long-term ISO psychotherapy groups were conducted in three phases: the first, second, and third year of their group psychotherapy. The research sample consisted of 13 participants. The data was analyzed through an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results confirmed the classification of Yalom's therapeutic factors. However, an additional therapeutic factor emerged, the "development of pluralistic perspectives" that appears more clearly from the second year of therapy onward. Moreover, from the second year onward, the categories "existential factors" and "interpersonal learning" get strengthened. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
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15
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Bagheri S, Taridashti S, Farahani H, Watson P, Rezvani E. Multilayer perceptron modeling for social dysfunction prediction based on general health factors in an Iranian women sample. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1283095. [PMID: 38161726 PMCID: PMC10756140 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In the year 2022, this research conducted an in-person study involving 780 single or widowed women, aged between 20 and 70, falling within the bottom three economic deciles and possessing varying levels of education. All participants held educational qualifications below a high school diploma and were beneficiaries of charitable financial support in Khorasan province, Iran. The study aimed to investigate the predictive factors of social dysfunction in this specific demographic. Data collection spanned a 12-month period throughout 2022, with participants completing the GHQ-28 questionnaire during their visits to the charity office. Clinical in-person interviews were also conducted to gather comprehensive data. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 27. The research employed a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) neural network model, considering an extensive set of input factors and covariates. These factors included cognitive functioning, anxiety, depression, age, and education levels. The MLP model exhibited robust performance, achieving high overall accuracy and sensitivity in identifying cases of high social dysfunction. The findings emphasized the significance of cognitive functioning, anxiety, and depression as pivotal predictors of social dysfunction within this specific demographic, while education and age displayed relatively lower importance. The normalized importance scores provided a relative measure of each covariate's impact on the model's predictions. These results furnish valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions and evidence-based policies aimed at addressing social dysfunction and promoting societal well-being among economically disadvantaged, single or widowed women. Notably, the research underscores the potential of MLP modeling in social science research and suggests avenues for further research and refinement to enhance the model's predictive accuracy, particularly for cases of low social dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Bagheri
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Hakim-Toos Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sarvenaz Taridashti
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, United States
| | | | - Peter Watson
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Elham Rezvani
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Hakim-Toos Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
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16
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Jonáš J, Doubková N, Heissler R, Sanders EM, Preiss M. Personality correlates of social attitudes and social distance. CURRENT ISSUES IN PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 12:20-29. [PMID: 38756196 PMCID: PMC11094460 DOI: 10.5114/cipp/166031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that personality traits (i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness) relate to prejudicial attitudes. However, one of the aspects of prejudice is social distance; its association with personality traits was overlooked by previous studies. Therefore, this study examines the connection between the Big Five personality traits and social distance toward certain social groups. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE Participants from the general population were recruited through leaflets, the institutional webpage, Facebook, and through the project recruitment website and assessed via paper-and-pencil or online form. A total of 214 participants were included (of whom 68.2% were women and the mean age was 32.65, SD = 11.27, range 18-72) who completed the Bogardus Social Distance Scale and the 44-item Big Five Inventory questionnaire. RESULTS The results showed a relationship between social distance, agreeableness, and openness to experience. Agreeableness seems to lower the social distance toward all studied groups. In comparison, openness to experience seems to lower the social distance towards groups that evoke more polarized attitudes in the majority (e.g., migrants). Furthermore, the influence of demographic characteristics (i.e., age, education level, and gender) is also significant. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that personality is significantly related to social distancing and expression of prejudicial attitudes. In particular, agreeableness and openness to experience have different effects on social distance and attitudes towards different groups. Further implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Jonáš
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Doubková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Education, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Heissler
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | | | - Marek Preiss
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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17
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Gates JA, McNair ML, Richards JK, Lerner MD. Social Knowledge & Performance in Autism: A Critical Review & Recommendations. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:665-689. [PMID: 37544969 PMCID: PMC10613329 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Autistic social challenges have long been assumed to arise from a lack of social knowledge ("not knowing what to do"), which has undergirded theory and practice in assessment, treatment, and education. However, emerging evidence suggests these differences may be better accounted for by difficulties with social performance ("doing what they may know"). This distinction has important implications for research, practice, policy, and community support of autistic people. This review examines the theoretical and clinical implications and empirical status of the knowledge-performance distinction in autism. Current evidence suggests that social knowledge deficits are neither definitional nor reliably related to outcomes in autism. Prioritizing social knowledge, then, may produce unanticipated, problematic consequences in terms of accuracy of assessment, intervention effectiveness, and promotion of stigma. It may also yield unrealistic expectations around the value of knowledge for autistic people and their families, yielding important ethical considerations. Conversely, recent evidence highlights performance-related factors as being especially promising for better modeling and addressing social challenges in autism. Prioritizing performance, then, may offer new directions for assessment, substantially different intervention opportunities, and novel methods of inclusion and affirmation. This review touches upon each of these domains and implications, integrates these developments with broader models of social competence in youth, and provides direction for future research and practice regarding social competence in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Matthew D Lerner
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500, USA.
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Gkintoni E, Ortiz PS. Neuropsychology of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Clinical Setting: A Systematic Evaluation. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2446. [PMID: 37685479 PMCID: PMC10486954 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11172446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This research paper provides a systematic review of the neuropsychology of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), examining relevant articles' methodologies and subject matter and highlighting key findings. It suggests potential cognitive deficits in GAD patients, such as subtle attention, executive function, and working memory deficiencies. It also discusses neural correlates of GAD, particularly the hyperactivity in the amygdala and insula, and the additional impact of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. The paper uses the PRISMA methodology and draws data from the PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed, and Elsevier databases. Although the reviewed research has contributed to understanding GAD's cognitive and neural mechanisms, further research is required. Additionally, the paper mentions the clinical neuropsychology of GAD, including strategies and treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and medication. Lastly, the review identifies the limitations of the existing research and recommends future directions to enhance the understanding of GAD's underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms. The neural underpinnings of GAD encompass heightened activity within the amygdala and insula, which are brain regions implicated in processing adverse emotional reactions. Co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), can also impact neuropsychological functioning. Additional investigation is warranted to better understand the intricate interplay between GAD, cognitive performance, and underlying neural processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Gkintoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Suddell S, Mahedy L, Skirrow C, Penton-Voak IS, Munafò MR, Wootton RE. Cognitive functioning in anxiety and depression: results from the ALSPAC cohort. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:221161. [PMID: 37564071 PMCID: PMC10410209 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety and depression are associated with a range of impairments in cognitive functioning. Understanding the nature of these deficits may identify targets for intervention and prevent functional decline. We used observational and genetic methods to investigate the relationship of anxiety and depression with three cognitive domains: emotion recognition, response inhibition, and working memory, in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We examined: (i) cross-sectional associations between anxiety, depression, and cognition at age 24 (n = 2187), (ii) prospective associations between anxiety and depression at age 18 and cognition at age 24 (n = 1855), and (iii) the casual effect of anxiety and depression on cognition using Mendelian randomization (MR). Both disorders were associated with altered emotion recognition; anxiety with decreased happiness recognition (b = -0.27 [-0.54,0.01], p = 0.045), and depression with increased sadness recognition (b = 0.35 [0.07,0.64], p = 0.016). Anxiety was also associated with poorer working memory (b = -0.14 [-0.24,0.04], p = 0.005). There was no evidence for an association with response inhibition. MR provided no clear evidence of causal relationships between mental health and cognition, but these analyses were underpowered. Overall, there was little evidence for impairments in executive functioning, but moderate alterations in emotion recognition. This may inform the development of psychosocial interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steph Suddell
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiological Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Liam Mahedy
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiological Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Caroline Skirrow
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Cambridge Cognition, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ian S. Penton-Voak
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Marcus R. Munafò
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiological Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Robyn E. Wootton
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiological Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Rossi GN, Rocha JM, Osório FL, Bouso JC, Ona G, Silveira GDO, Yonamine M, Bertozi G, Crevelin EJ, Queiroz ME, Crippa JAS, Hallak JEC, Dos Santos RG. Interactive Effects of Ayahuasca and Cannabidiol in Social Cognition in Healthy Volunteers: A Pilot, Proof-of-Concept, Feasibility, Randomized-Controlled Trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; Publish Ahead of Print:00004714-990000000-00152. [PMID: 37335211 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonergic hallucinogens and cannabinoids may alter the recognition of emotions in facial expressions (REFE). Cannabidiol (CBD) attenuates the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoid-1 agonist tetrahydrocannabinol. Ayahuasca is a dimethyltryptamine-containing hallucinogenic decoction. It is unknown if CBD may moderate and attenuate the effects of ayahuasca on REFE. PROCEDURES Seventeen healthy volunteers participated in a 1-week preliminary parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial for 18 months. Volunteers received a placebo or 600 mg of oral CBD followed by oral ayahuasca (1 mL/kg) 90 minutes later. Primary outcomes included REFE and empathy tasks (coprimary outcome). Tasks were performed at baseline and 6.5 hours, 1 and 7 days after the interventions. Secondary outcome measures included subjective effects, tolerability, and biochemical assessments. RESULTS Significant reductions (all P values <0.05) only in reaction times were observed in the 2 tasks in both groups, without between-group differences. Furthermore, significant reductions in anxiety, sedation, cognitive deterioration, and discomfort were observed in both groups, without between-group differences. Ayahuasca, with or without CBD, was well tolerated, producing mainly nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. No clinically significant effects were observed on cardiovascular measurements and liver enzymes. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence of interactive effects between ayahuasca and CBD. The safety of separate and concomitant drug intake suggests that both drugs could be applied to clinical populations with anxiety disorders and in further trials with larger samples to confirm findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giordano Novak Rossi
- From the Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Juliana Mendes Rocha
- From the Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | | | | | | | | | - Mauricio Yonamine
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo
| | | | | | | | - José Alexandre S Crippa
- From the Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
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De Palma M, Rooney R, Izett E, Mancini V, Kane R. The relationship between parental mental health, reflective functioning coparenting and social emotional development in 0-3 year old children. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1054723. [PMID: 37325734 PMCID: PMC10267873 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1054723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The transition to parenthood is a high-risk period for many parents and is an important period for child development. Research has identified that parental mental health, reflective functioning (capacity to consider mental states of oneself and others) and coparenting (capacity to work together well as a parenting team) may be particularly significant predictors of later child outcomes, however these factors have seldom been considered together. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the relationship between these factors and the extent to which they predict child social emotional development. Methods Three hundred and fifty parents of infants aged 0 to 3 years 11 months were recruited to complete an online Qualtrics questionnaire. Results Results indicate that both positive coparenting and parental reflective functioning (Pre-mentalizing and Certainty subscales) were found to significantly predict child development. General reflective functioning (Uncertainty subscale) predicted parental depression and anxiety, however unexpectedly, parental mental health was not a significant predictor of child development, but did predict coparenting. General reflective functioning (Certainty subscale) was also found to predict coparenting, which in turn was found to predict parental reflective functioning. We found an indirect effect of general reflective functioning (Certainty) on child SE development via parental reflective functioning (Pre-mentalizing). We also found an indirect effect of negative coparenting on child development via parental reflective functioning (Pre-mentalizing). Discussion The current results support a growing body of research highlighting the important role reflective functioning plays in child development and wellbeing as well as parental mental health and the interparental relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia De Palma
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rosanna Rooney
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Izett
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Vincent Mancini
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, UWA Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Robert Kane
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Baez S, Tangarife MA, Davila-Mejia G, Trujillo-Güiza M, Forero DA. Performance in emotion recognition and theory of mind tasks in social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1192683. [PMID: 37275989 PMCID: PMC10235477 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1192683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Social cognition impairments may be associated with poor functional outcomes, symptoms, and disability in social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This meta-analysis aims to determine if emotion recognition and theory of mind (ToM) are impaired in SAD or GAD compared to healthy controls. A systematic review was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, PsycNet, and Web of Science) to retrieve studies assessing emotion recognition and/or ToM in patients with SAD or GAD, compared to healthy controls, up to March 2022. Meta-analyses using random-effects models were conducted. We identified 21 eligible studies: 13 reported emotion recognition and 10 ToM outcomes, with 585 SAD patients, 178 GAD patients, and 753 controls. Compared to controls, patients with SAD exhibited impairments in emotion recognition (SMD = -0.32, CI = -0.47 - -0.16, z = -3.97, p < 0.0001) and ToM (SMD = -0.44, CI = -0.83 -0.04, z = -2.18, p < 0.01). Results for GAD were inconclusive due to the limited number of studies meeting the inclusion criteria (two for each domain). Relevant demographic and clinical variables (age, sex, education level, and anxiety scores) were not significantly correlated with emotion recognition or ToM impairments in SAD and GAD. Further studies employing ecological measures with larger and homogenous samples are needed to better delineate the factors influencing social cognition outcomes in both SAD and GAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Diego A. Forero
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Bogotá, Colombia
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Yilmaz G, Yildirim EA, Tabakcı AS. Comparison of Social-Evaluative Anxiety and Theory of Mind Functions in Social Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Healthy Controls. Psychopathology 2023; 56:440-452. [PMID: 37062284 DOI: 10.1159/000529880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the similarities in poor social competence and clinical manifestations of poor social behavior, no study has compared the theory of mind performance between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and schizophrenia, considering the effect of social-evaluative anxiety and neurocognitive functions. In our study, we aimed to compare the theory of mind functions and social-evaluative anxiety between patients with SAD and schizophrenia and healthy controls and to examine the relationship between the theory of mind, neurocognitive skills, and social-evaluative anxiety. METHODS Thirty-four consecutive patients with schizophrenia, 29 patients with SAD, and 30 controls matched by age, education level, and sex were enrolled in the study. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM, Beck Depression Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Theory of Mind measures (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Hinting Task, Faux Pas Test), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale, Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale-Short Form, and neuropsychological tests were administered to all participants. RESULTS A greater significant deterioration in theory of mind and neurocognitive functions was found in patients with schizophrenia compared to those with SAD and healthy controls. Social evaluation anxiety was highest in patients with SAD. Although social-evaluative anxiety was associated with the theory of mind function in schizophrenia, only fear of positive evaluation was associated with SAD. In all groups, neither theory of mind nor neurocognitive ability measures were correlated with social anxiety levels and related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The impaired theory of mind functioning detected in our study is more prominent in the schizophrenia group and largely independent of anxiety in schizophrenia and SAD. Although social evaluation anxiety, as a transdiagnostic concept, seems to be independent of theory of mind function in general, fear of positive evaluation seems to be associated with hinting in both disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorkem Yilmaz
- Private Practice, Psychiatry Department, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ejder Akgun Yildirim
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulkadir Sencer Tabakcı
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
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Marquardt CA, Hitz AC, Hill JE, Erbes CR, Polusny MA. Trait absorption predicts enhanced face emotion intensity discrimination among military recruits. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-023-10014-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Disorders of social cognition, such as difficulties with emotion perception, alexithymia, Theory of Mind (ToM), empathy and disorders of emotion regulation, are prevalent and pervasive problems across many neurological, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions. Clinicians are familiar with how these difficulties present but assessment and treatment has lagged behind other traditional cognitive domains, such as memory, language and executive functioning. METHOD In this paper, we review the prevalence and degree of impairment associated with disorders of social cognition and emotion regulation across a range of clinical conditions, with particular emphasis on their relationship to cognitive deficits and also real-world functioning. We reported effects sizes from published meta-analyses for a range of clinical disorders and also review test usage and available tests. RESULTS In general, many clinical conditions are associated with impairments in social cognition and emotion regulation. Effect sizes range from small to very large and are comparable to effect sizes for impairments in nonsocial cognition. Socio-emotional impairments are also associated with social and adaptive functioning. In reviewing prior research, it is apparent that the standardized assessment of social cognition, in particular, is not routine in clinical practice. This is despite the fact that there are a range of tools available and accruing evidence for the efficacy of interventions for social cognitive impairments. CONCLUSION We are using this information to urge and call for clinicians to factor social cognition into their clinical assessments and treatment planning, as to provide rigorous, holistic and comprehensive person-centred care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye McDonald
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Travis Wearne
- School of Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South, Australia
| | - Michelle Kelly
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Kılıç A, Gürcan MB, Kökrek Z, Tatar Y. Evaluation of the relationship between theory of mind relating to cognitive performance and post-traumatic stress disorder in Syrian refugee amputees living in Turkey. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:785-793. [PMID: 36952128 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the available literature, studies examining the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a small sample size and are few in number. AIMS This study aims to investigate the relationship between the potential presence of PTSD in Syrian refugee amputees living in Turkey, ToM skills measured by Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and variables related to amputation. METHOD Our 69 follow-up amputee patients answered a socio-demographic and amputation data form, and the RMET, PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) completed a ToM task. RESULTS Those with potential PTSD were significantly less educated than those without (p = .017). Prosthesis usage time (p = .002) and duration of post-amputation (p = .033) were significantly shorter in those with potential PTSD compared to those without. The RMET neutral valence (p = .035) and RMET total (p = .017) accuracy scores were significantly lower in patients with potential PTSD. Those with potential PTSD were higher significantly more depressed (p < .001). In our regression analyses, lower education level (p < .05), shorter prosthesis usage time (p = .008), and lower RMET neutral valence (p = .006) / RMET total (p = .032) accuracy scores predicted the presence of potential PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Lower education level, prosthesis use for a shorter period, and poor mind-reading skills from neutral and total eye expressions were predictive of the potential presence of PTSD in amputees, even though they were largely exposed to similar traumas. Our findings suggest that treatment and follow-up of PTSD should also target deficits in cognitive and emotional abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alperen Kılıç
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpaşa, Koca Mustafapaşa Cd. No:51 Fatih, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Buğrahan Gürcan
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zekeriya Kökrek
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Istanbul Commerce University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yaşar Tatar
- Department of Sports Health, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Thibaudeau E, Rae J, Raucher-Chéné D, Bougeard A, Lepage M. Disentangling the Relationships Between the Clinical Symptoms of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Theory of Mind: A Meta-analysis. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:255-274. [PMID: 36244001 PMCID: PMC10016420 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Previous studies have suggested links between clinical symptoms and theory of mind (ToM) impairments in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), but it remains unclear whether some symptoms are more strongly linked to ToM than others. STUDY DESIGN A meta-analysis (Prospero; CRD42021259723) was conducted to quantify and compare the strength of the associations between ToM and the clinical symptoms of SSD (Positive, Negative, Cognitive/Disorganization, Depression/Anxiety, Excitability/Hostility). Studies (N = 130, 137 samples) including people with SSD and reporting a correlation between clinical symptoms and ToM were retrieved from Pubmed, PsycNet, Embase, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Proquest, WorldCat, and Open Gray. Correlations for each dimension and each symptom were entered into a random-effect model using a Fisher's r-to-z transformation and were compared using focused-tests. Publication bias was assessed with the Rosenthal failsafe and by inspecting the funnel plot and the standardized residual histogram. STUDY RESULTS The Cognitive/Disorganization (Zr = 0.28) and Negative (Zr = 0.24) dimensions revealed a small to moderate association with ToM, which was significantly stronger than the other dimensions. Within the Cognitive/Disorganization dimension, Difficulty in abstract thinking (Zr = 0.36) and Conceptual disorganization (Zr = 0.39) showed the strongest associations with ToM. The association with the Positive dimension (Zr = 0.16) was small and significantly stronger than the relationship with Depression/Anxiety (Zr = 0.09). Stronger associations were observed between ToM and clinical symptoms in younger patients, those with an earlier age at onset of illness and for tasks assessing a combination of different mental states. CONCLUSIONS The relationships between Cognitive/Disorganization, Negative symptoms, and ToM should be considered in treating individuals with SSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Thibaudeau
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jesse Rae
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- McGill University, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Canada
| | - Delphine Raucher-Chéné
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Cognition, Health, and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Reims, EPSM Marne, Reims, France
| | | | - Martin Lepage
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
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Melkam M, Segon T, Nakie G. Social phobia of Ethiopian students: meta-analysis and systematic review. Syst Rev 2023; 12:41. [PMID: 36918994 PMCID: PMC10012574 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02208-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder is defined as the fear of social situations, incorporating situations that involve contact with strangers. People highly fear embarrassing themselves which includes situations like social gatherings, oral presentations, and meeting new people. People with social phobia have nonspecific fears of practicing vague or, performing specific tasks like eating or speaking in front of others. In people with social anxiety disorder, worry can arise from both the circumstance itself and embarrassment from others, for students, social phobia is an overwhelming fear of speaking in front of others or giving presentations in class. The prevalence of social phobia among different studies in Ethiopia was inconsistent and inconclusive therefore, this study showed the cumulative burden of social phobia among students in Ethiopia. METHOD Observational studies published on social phobia and associated factors among students in Ethiopia were included in this study based on the criteria after independent selection by two authors. Data were extracted by Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to be exported to Stata version 11 for further analysis. The random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled effect size of social phobia and its effect on the previous studies with 95% confidence intervals. Funnel plots analysis and Egger regression tests were conducted to detect the presence of publication bias. Sub-group analysis and sensitivity analysis were done. RESULT A total of 2878 study participants from seven studies were included in this meta-analysis and systematic review. The pooled prevalence of social phobia among students in Ethiopia was 26.81% with a 95% CI (22.31-31.30). The pooled effect size of social phobia in Oromia, Amhara, and SNNPs regions was 24.76%, 24.76%, and 29.47%, respectively. According to the subgroup analysis, university, and college/high school students were 28.05% and 25.34% respectively. Being female [AOR = 2.11 (95% CI 1.72-2.60)], having poor social support [AOR = 2.38 (95% CI 1.54-3.70)], substance use [AOR = 2.25 (95% CI 1.54-3.30)], single parent [AOR = 5.18 (95% CI 3.30-8.12)], and rural residence [AOR = 2.29 (95% CI 1.91-2.75)] were significantly associated in this meta-analysis in Ethiopia. CONCLUSION The pooled prevalence of social phobia in this meta-analysis and systematic review was high (26.81%) among students therefore, the educational bureau needs to work on decreasing the burden of social phobia to raise the academic achievement and creativity of the students. In therapeutic advice like exposure to presentations, family members take the responsibility for the students' therapy and expose them to various social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamaru Melkam
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Tesfaye Segon
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Girum Nakie
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Hvidhjelm J, Berring LL, Whittington R, Woods P, Bak J, Almvik R. Short-term risk assessment in the long term: A scoping review and meta-analysis of the Brøset Violence Checklist. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2023. [PMID: 36718598 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Existing literature on the Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC) is examined in the context of usability, implementation and validity to provide evidence-based recommendations on its application and identify opportunities for future development. AIM/QUESTION To identify current knowledge on the BVC and guide clinicians and researchers toward the next steps in using this tool in clinical practice to prevent violence in healthcare settings. METHOD A scoping review approach with a meta-analysis supplement was adopted to broadly identify and map available evidence on the BVC and provide specific estimates of predictive validity in different contexts. RESULTS Sixty-two studies conducted in 23 countries addressed the implementation of the BVC across various settings. Many studies adapted the original BVC, and the clinical utility was noted as an important feature. A meta-analysis of the original BVC format estimated a pooled area under the curve at 0.83 (95% CI 0.78-0.87) in a subset of 15 studies. DISCUSSION The BVC combines high predictive validity and good clinical utility across a wide range of settings and cultures. It should continue to be incorporated into routine practice in mental health services focused on preventing violence and coercion. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Development of collaborative approaches with service users involved in assessing their own risk of future violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Hvidhjelm
- Clinical Mental Health and Nursing Research Unit, Mental Health Center, Sct Hans, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Lauge Berring
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Centre for Relation & De-escalation, Mental Health Services, Region Zealand, Denmark.,Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Richard Whittington
- Centre for Research & Education in Security, Prisons and Forensic Psychiatry, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Phil Woods
- College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jesper Bak
- Clinical Mental Health and Nursing Research Unit, Mental Health Center, Sct Hans, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Almvik
- Centre for Research & Education in Security, Prisons and Forensic Psychiatry, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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OLGUN KAVAL N, ARKAR H. Sosyal Biliş Becerilerinin Sosyal Kaygı Üzerindeki Yordayıcı Etkisi. PSIKIYATRIDE GUNCEL YAKLASIMLAR - CURRENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRY 2022. [DOI: 10.18863/pgy.1167103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Bu çalışmanın temel amacı sosyal kaygı ile sosyal biliş becerileri (duygu tanıma/ayırt etme, zihin kuramı, atıf yanlılığı, sosyal işlevsellik) arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek ve sosyal biliş becerilerinin sosyal kaygıyı yordama gücünü araştırmaktır. Çalışmada ayrıca sosyal kaygı, sosyal biliş becerileri ve depresyon puanlarının cinsiyet, yaş, bildirilen tanı durumu ve sosyal kaygı düzeyine göre farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığı araştırılmıştır. Çalışmanın örneklemini, 18-60 yaşları arasında bulunan toplam 385 kişi oluşturmuştur. Araştırma verileri çevrimiçi olarak Liebowitz Sosyal Anksiyete Ölçeği, Yüzde Dışavuran Duyguların Tanınması ve Ayırt Edilmesi Testi, Gözlerden Zihin Okuma Testi, İçsel, Kişisel ve Durumsal Atıflar Ölçeği, Sosyal İşlevsellik Ölçeği, Beck Depresyon Envanteri ve Sosyodemografik Bilgi Formu kullanılarak katılımcılardan toplanmıştır. Sosyal kaygı ile duygu tanıma, duygu ayırt etme ve gözlerden zihin okuma arasında negatif, dışsallaştırma yanlılığı ve depresyon ile ise pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir. Depresyon, duygu tanıma ve ayırt etme, gözlerden zihin okuma ve öncül sosyal etkinlikler ölçek puanlarının sosyal kaygıyı anlamlı düzeyde yordadığı bulunmuştur. Bu değişkenler sosyal kaygıya ilişkin toplam varyansın %52’sini açıklamaktadır. Ayrıca, depresyon etkisi kontrol edildiğinde sosyal biliş becerilerinin sosyal kaygıya ilişkin varyansın %32’sini açıkladığı görülmüştür. Sosyal biliş becerilerindeki bozulmanın ve depresyon puanlarının sosyal kaygının artışıyla ilişkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre, sosyal kaygıyı önlemeye yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Müdahale programları içerisinde bireylerin kişilerarası iletişimi için önemli olan sosyal biliş becerilerini geliştirmeye yönelik etkinliklere yer verilmesinin yararlı olacağı önerilmektedir.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haluk ARKAR
- Ege Üniversitesi, Edebiyat Fakültesi, Psikoloji Bölümü
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Janssen PGJ, Stoltz S, Cillessen AHN, van Ee E. Deployment-related PTSD symptomatology and social functioning: Probing the mediating roles of emotion regulation and mentalization in an outpatient veteran sample. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 156:444-450. [PMID: 36327767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Deployment-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts social functioning in families. Therefore, it is important to examine the factors that contribute to social functioning in families that are confronted with deployment-related PTSD. The goal of this study was to assess the association between PTSD symptom severity and social functioning using self-report questionnaires in an outpatient veteran sample and to test the mediating roles of emotion regulation (Study 1, N = 100) and mentalization (Study 2, N = 38). Study 1 demonstrated that emotion regulation problems fully mediated PTSD associated family dysfunctioning. Study 2 did not demonstrate a mediation role of mentalization, but also did not demonstrate an association between PTSD and social dysfunctioning. Maladaptive mentalization was associated with poor child adjustment. Critically, a between-study comparison revealed that PTSD symptom severity was significantly higher in Study 1 than in Study 2. Overall, our findings suggest that social dysfunctioning may only appear when a given severity threshold of PTSD is reached, in which emotion regulation might be a key clinical factor. Maladaptive mentalization may be critical for post-deployment child adjustment. Future research should further examine social functioning in samples with different PTSD severity profiles and include the role of mentalization. Longitudinal data are needed to gain further insight into the causal relationships among the factors considered and the etiological pathways that lead to developing social dysfunction over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petrus G J Janssen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
| | - Sabine Stoltz
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Elisa van Ee
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
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Calhoun CD, Stone KJ, Cobb AR, Patterson MW, Danielson CK, Bendezú JJ. The Role of Social Support in Coping with Psychological Trauma: An Integrated Biopsychosocial Model for Posttraumatic Stress Recovery. Psychiatr Q 2022; 93:949-970. [PMID: 36199000 PMCID: PMC9534006 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-022-10003-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This theoretical review proposes an integrated biopsychosocial model for stress recovery, highlighting the interconnectedness of intra- and interpersonal coping processes. The proposed model is conceptually derived from prior research examining interpersonal dynamics in the context of stressor-related disorders, and it highlights interconnections between relational partner dynamics, perceived self-efficacy, self-discovery, and biological stress responsivity during posttraumatic recovery. Intra- and interpersonal processes are discussed in the context of pre-, peri-, and post-trauma stress vulnerability as ongoing transactions occurring within the individual and between the individual and their environment. The importance of adopting an integrated model for future traumatic stress research is discussed. Potential applications of the model to behavioral interventions are also reviewed, noting the need for more detailed assessments of relational dynamics and therapeutic change mechanisms to determine how relational partners can most effectively contribute to stress recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey D Calhoun
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, 235 E. Cameron Avenue, CB 3270, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Katie J Stone
- Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam R Cobb
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Megan W Patterson
- Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carla Kmett Danielson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jason José Bendezú
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Flechsenhar A, Kanske P, Krach S, Korn C, Bertsch K. The (un)learning of social functions and its significance for mental health. Clin Psychol Rev 2022; 98:102204. [PMID: 36216722 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions are dynamic, context-dependent, and reciprocal events that influence prospective strategies and require constant practice and adaptation. This complexity of social interactions creates several research challenges. We propose a new framework encouraging future research to investigate not only individual differences in capacities relevant for social functioning and their underlying mechanisms, but also the flexibility to adapt or update one's social abilities. We suggest three key capacities relevant for social functioning: (1) social perception, (2) sharing emotions or empathizing, and (3) mentalizing. We elaborate on how adaptations in these capacities may be investigated on behavioral and neural levels. Research on these flexible adaptations of one's social behavior is needed to specify how humans actually "learn to be social". Learning to adapt implies plasticity of the relevant brain networks involved in the underlying social processes, indicating that social abilities are malleable for different contexts. To quantify such measures, researchers need to find ways to investigate learning through dynamic changes in adaptable social paradigms and examine several factors influencing social functioning within the three aformentioned social key capacities. This framework furthers insight concerning individual differences, provides a holistic approach to social functioning, and may improve interventions for ameliorating social abilities in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleya Flechsenhar
- Department Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany.
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Sören Krach
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christoph Korn
- Section Social Neuroscience, Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany; NeuroImaging Core Unit Munich (NICUM), University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany; Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Sloover M, van Est LAC, Janssen PGJ, Hilbink M, van Ee E. A meta-analysis of mentalizing in anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and trauma and stressor related disorders. J Anxiety Disord 2022; 92:102641. [PMID: 36257080 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of studies that have researched the ability to mentalize in individuals with anxiety and related disorders is limited. Often, no distinction is made between different anxiety and related disorders in the examination of mentalization. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to obtain insight into mentalization in anxiety and related disorders, and to compare this ability between these disorders. METHOD A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies in which performance on a mentalization task was compared between a patient group diagnosed with an anxiety or a related disorder, and a control group. Meta-analyses were performed on the included articles. RESULTS The initial search yielded 2844 articles, of which 26 studies on 1056 patients were included. Patients diagnosed with anxiety and related disorders showed a deficit in mentalization when compared to healthy controls (SMD = -0.60, p 0.001). A deficit was found in all patient groups: Patients with anxiety disorders (SMD = -0.39, p = 0.007), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (SMD = -0.78, p = 0.01), and trauma and stressor related disorders showed significant deficits (SMD = -0.77, p = 0.02) as compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION The results indicated impaired mentalization in anxiety and related disorders, with specific deficiencies in posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Mentalization could provide a clinical target in treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mèlanie Sloover
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, Bethaniëstraat 10, 5211 LJ 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
| | - Leanne A C van Est
- Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, Bethaniëstraat 10, 5211 LJ 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands; Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Petrus G J Janssen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, Bethaniëstraat 10, 5211 LJ 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
| | - Mirrian Hilbink
- Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, Bethaniëstraat 10, 5211 LJ 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands; Jeroen Bosch Academy Research, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Henri Dunantstraat 1, 5223 GZ 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
| | - Elisa van Ee
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, Bethaniëstraat 10, 5211 LJ 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
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Woodward SH, Jamison AL, Khan C, Gala S, Bhowmick C, Villasenor D, Tamayo G, Puckett M, Parker KJ. Reading the mind in the eyes in PTSD: Limited Moderation by the presence of a service dog. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:320-330. [PMID: 36174367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently experience relationship failures in family and occupational domains resulting in loss of social supports. Prior research has implicated impairments in social cognition. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) measures a key component of social cognition, the ability to infer the internal states of other persons based on features of the eyes region of the face; however, studies administering this popular test to persons with PTSD have yielded mixed results. This study assessed RMET performance in 47 male U.S. military Veterans with chronic, severe PTSD. Employing a within-subjects design that avoided selection biases, it aimed specifically to determine whether components of RMET performance, including accuracy, response latency, and stimulus dwell time, were improved by the company of a service dog, an intervention that has improved social function in other populations. RMET accuracies and response latencies in this PTSD sample were in the normal range. The presence of a familiar service dog did not improve RMET accuracy, reduce response latencies, or increase dwell times. Dog presence increased the speed of visual scanning perhaps consistent with reduced social fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven H Woodward
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
| | - Andrea L Jamison
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Christina Khan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA, 94305-5485, USA
| | - Sasha Gala
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Chloe Bhowmick
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Diana Villasenor
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Gisselle Tamayo
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Melissa Puckett
- Trauma Recovery Programs and Recreation Service, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Karen J Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA, 94305-5485, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5342, USA
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Sappok T, Hassiotis A, Bertelli M, Dziobek I, Sterkenburg P. Developmental Delays in Socio-Emotional Brain Functions in Persons with an Intellectual Disability: Impact on Treatment and Support. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13109. [PMID: 36293690 PMCID: PMC9603789 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a related co-occurrence of mental health issues and challenging behaviors. In addition to purely cognitive functions, socio-emotional competencies may also be affected. In this paper, the lens of developmental social neuroscience is used to better understand the origins of mental disorders and challenging behaviors in people with an intellectual disability. The current concept of intelligence is broadened by socio-emotional brain functions. The emergence of these socio-emotional brain functions is linked to the formation of the respective neuronal networks located within the different parts of the limbic system. Thus, high order networks build on circuits that process more basic information. The socio-emotional skills can be assessed and complement the results of a standardized IQ-test. Disturbances of the brain cytoarchitecture and function that occur at a certain developmental period may increase the susceptibility to certain mental disorders. Insights into the current mental and socio-emotional functioning of a person may support clinicians in the calibration of treatment and support. Acknowledging the trajectories of the socio-emotional brain development may result in a more comprehensive understanding of behaviors and mental health in people with developmental delays and thus underpin supports for promotion of good mental health in this highly vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Sappok
- Berlin Center for Mental Health in Developmental Disabilities, Ev. Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth Herzberge, 10365 Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela Hassiotis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London W1T 7BN, UK
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London NW1 0PE, UK
| | - Marco Bertelli
- CREA (Research and Clinical Centre), San Sebastiano Foundation, Misericordia di Firenze, 50142 Florence, Italy
| | - Isabel Dziobek
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paula Sterkenburg
- Bartiméus, 3941 XM Doorn, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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EmBody/EmFace as a new open tool to assess emotion recognition from body and face expressions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14165. [PMID: 35986068 PMCID: PMC9391359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17866-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonverbal expressions contribute substantially to social interaction by providing information on another person’s intentions and feelings. While emotion recognition from dynamic facial expressions has been widely studied, dynamic body expressions and the interplay of emotion recognition from facial and body expressions have attracted less attention, as suitable diagnostic tools are scarce. Here, we provide validation data on a new open source paradigm enabling the assessment of emotion recognition from both 3D-animated emotional body expressions (Task 1: EmBody) and emotionally corresponding dynamic faces (Task 2: EmFace). Both tasks use visually standardized items depicting three emotional states (angry, happy, neutral), and can be used alone or together. We here demonstrate successful psychometric matching of the EmBody/EmFace items in a sample of 217 healthy subjects with excellent retest reliability and validity (correlations with the Reading-the-Mind-in-the-Eyes-Test and Autism-Spectrum Quotient, no correlations with intelligence, and given factorial validity). Taken together, the EmBody/EmFace is a novel, effective (< 5 min per task), highly standardized and reliably precise tool to sensitively assess and compare emotion recognition from body and face stimuli. The EmBody/EmFace has a wide range of potential applications in affective, cognitive and social neuroscience, and in clinical research studying face- and body-specific emotion recognition in patient populations suffering from social interaction deficits such as autism, schizophrenia, or social anxiety.
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Alvi T, Kumar D, Tabak BA. Social anxiety and behavioral assessments of social cognition: A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2022; 311:17-30. [PMID: 35490878 PMCID: PMC9754122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety is highly prevalent and has increased in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since social anxiety negatively impacts interpersonal functioning, identifying aspects of social cognition that may be impaired can increase our understanding of the development and maintenance of social anxiety disorder. However, to date, studies examining associations between social anxiety and social cognition have resulted in mixed findings. METHODS The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the literature on the association between social anxiety and social cognition, while also considering several potential moderators and covariates that may influence findings. RESULTS A systematic search identified 52 studies. Results showed mixed evidence for the association between social anxiety and lower-level social cognitive processes (emotion recognition and affect sharing) and a trend for a negative association with higher-level social cognitive processes (theory of mind and empathic accuracy). Most studies examining valence-specific effects found a significant negative association for positive and neutral stimuli. LIMITATIONS Not all aspects of social cognition were included (e.g., attributional bias) and we focused on adults and not children, limiting the scope of the review. CONCLUSIONS Future studies would benefit from the inclusion of relevant moderators and covariates, multiple well-validated measures within the same domain of social cognition, and assessments of interpersonal functioning outside of the laboratory. Additional research examining the moderating role of attention or interpretation biases on social cognitive performance, and the potential benefit of social cognitive skills training for social anxiety, could inform and improve existing cognitive behavioral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talha Alvi
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, 6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1300, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Divya Kumar
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, 6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1300, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin A Tabak
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, 6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1300, Dallas, TX, USA.
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"Staying alive" in the context of intimate partner abuse. Behav Brain Sci 2022; 45:e139. [PMID: 35875955 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x22000504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Females are disproportionately affected by intimate partner abuse that can result in severe physical and mental harm. Benenson et al. provide little exploration of how female-evolved traits enhance females' survival in abusive relationships. Discussion centres on "why" females do not "just leave" an abusive relationship and the effectiveness of female-evolved traits in navigating intimate partner abuse over time.
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Dunsmoor JE, Cisler JM, Fonzo GA, Creech SK, Nemeroff CB. Laboratory models of post-traumatic stress disorder: The elusive bridge to translation. Neuron 2022; 110:1754-1776. [PMID: 35325617 PMCID: PMC9167267 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental illness composed of a heterogeneous collection of symptom clusters. The unique nature of PTSD as arising from a precipitating traumatic event helps simplify cross-species translational research modeling the neurobehavioral effects of stress and fear. However, the neurobiological progress on these complex neural circuits informed by animal models has yet to produce novel, evidence-based clinical treatment for PTSD. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of popular laboratory models of PTSD and provide concrete ideas for improving the validity and clinical translational value of basic research efforts in humans. We detail modifications to simplified animal paradigms to account for myriad cognitive factors affected in PTSD, which may contribute to abnormalities in regulating fear. We further describe new avenues for integrating different areas of psychological research underserved by animal models of PTSD. This includes incorporating emerging trends in the cognitive neuroscience of episodic memory, emotion regulation, social-emotional processes, and PTSD subtyping to provide a more comprehensive recapitulation of the human experience to trauma in laboratory research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E Dunsmoor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Josh M Cisler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Gregory A Fonzo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Suzannah K Creech
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA.
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Balaban G, Bilici M. Anxiety and theory of mind: A moderated mediation model of mindfulness and gender. Psych J 2022; 11:510-519. [DOI: 10.1002/pchj.536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gülşah Balaban
- Department of Psychology Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Istanbul Turkey
| | - Mustafa Bilici
- Department of Psychology Marmara University Istanbul Turkey
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Tetik D, Gica S, Bestepe EE, Buyukavsar A, Gulec H. Emotional Information Processing and Assessment of Cognitive Functions in Social Anxiety Disorder: An Event-Related Potential Study. Clin EEG Neurosci 2022; 53:104-113. [PMID: 33347363 DOI: 10.1177/1550059420981506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to determine deficits in cognitive areas, including social cognition such as emotion recognition capacity, theory of mind, and electrophysiological alterations in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and to identify their effects on clinical severity of SAD. Enrolled in our study were 26 patients diagnosed with SAD and 26 healthy volunteers. They were administered the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Reading Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. EEG monitoring was performed for electrophsiologic investigation. In the patient group, total reading the mind scores were lower (P = .027) while P300 latencies and emotion recognition latency during the Emotion Recognition Task (ERT) were longer (P = .038 and P = .012, respectively). The false alarm scores in the Rapid Visual Information Processing Task (RVP) were higher in the patient group (P = .038). In a model created using multivariate linear regression analysis, an effect of ERT and RVP scores on LSAS scores was found. Results of our study confirm that particularly impairment of cognitive functions such as sustained attention and emotion recognition may seriously affect the clinical presentation negatively. P300 latency in the parietal region may has the potential to be a biological marker that can be used in monitoring treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilek Tetik
- Department of Psychiatry, Usak University Training and Research Hospital, Usak, Turkey
| | - Sakir Gica
- Department of Psychiatry, Meram Medical Faculty, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Engin Emrem Bestepe
- Department of Psychiatry, Erenkoy Mental Health and Neurological Disease Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahsen Buyukavsar
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Aksehir Public Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Gulec
- Department of Psychiatry, Erenkoy Mental Health and Neurological Disease Education and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey
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MOLDOVAN M, PRODAN N, COMAN AD, VISU-PETRA L. "Deep Dive into the Constructive Mind: Relating Interpretive Diversity Understanding to Anxiety Symptoms and Parental Practices in Middle Childhood". JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPIES 2022. [DOI: 10.24193/jebp.2022.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The relation between the understanding of the mind as being constructive, anxiety, and parental factors is not fully elucidated. Interpretive diversity understanding represents an understanding that people can have a different interpretation of the same situation due to differences in beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. We aim to bring together two approaches to this concept: the interpretive theory of mind (ToMi), and the constructivist theory of mind (ToMc) and relate them to anxiety symptoms and parental practices during middle childhood (8-12 years). In two studies, we used a restricted view paradigm to assess ToMi, a questionnaire to assess ToMc (the Constructivist Theory of Mind Interview, short written version in Study 1, and extended interview in Study 2) and parental and child reports of parental practices, as well as children’s anxiety symptoms. Results revealed that the two interpretive diversity understanding tasks were positively associated (Study 2). Overall, warm parental practices were positively associated with ToM tasks and a significant predictor for the ToMc interview answers. On the other hand, parental rejection and overprotection were negatively associated with performance on the ToMi task, with the ToMc score and positively with anxiety symptoms. Understanding the relationship between ToM, anxiety, and parental practices is essential for preventing early social and emotional difficulties during middle childhood.
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Lynham AJ, Jones IR, Walters JTR. Web-Based Cognitive Testing in Psychiatric Research: Validation and Usability Study. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e28233. [PMID: 35142640 PMCID: PMC8874806 DOI: 10.2196/28233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive impairments are features of many psychiatric disorders and affect functioning. A barrier to cognitive research on psychiatric disorders is the lack of large cross-disorder data sets. However, the collection of cognitive data can be logistically challenging and expensive. Web-based collection may be an alternative; however, little is known about who does and does not complete web-based cognitive assessments for psychiatric research. Objective The aims of this study are to develop a web-based cognitive battery for use in psychiatric research, validate the battery against the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery, and compare the characteristics of the participants who chose to take part with those of the individuals who did not participate. Methods Tasks were developed by The Many Brains Project and selected to measure the domains specified by the MATRICS initiative. We undertook a cross-validation study of 65 participants with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or no history of psychiatric disorders to compare the web-based tasks with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. Following validation, we invited participants from 2 large ongoing genetic studies, which recruited participants with psychiatric disorders to complete the battery and evaluated the demographic and clinical characteristics of those who took part. Results Correlations between web-based and MATRICS tasks ranged between 0.26 and 0.73. Of the 961 participants, 887 (92.3%) completed at least one web-based task, and 644 (67%) completed all tasks, indicating adequate completion rates. Predictors of web-based participation included being female (odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95% CI 1.07-1.58), ethnicity other than White European (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46-0.96), higher levels of education (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.29), diagnosis of an eating disorder (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.17-4) or depression and anxiety (OR 5.12, 95% CI 3.38-7.83), and absence of a diagnosis of schizophrenia (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.94). Lower performance on the battery was associated with poorer functioning (B=−1.76, SE 0.26; P<.001). Conclusions Our findings offer valuable insights into the advantages and disadvantages of testing cognitive function remotely for mental health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Joanne Lynham
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Jones
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - James T R Walters
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Watson D, Levin-Aspenson HF, Waszczuk MA, Conway CC, Dalgleish T, Dretsch MN, Eaton NR, Forbes MK, Forbush KT, Hobbs KA, Michelini G, Nelson BD, Sellbom M, Slade T, South SC, Sunderland M, Waldman I, Witthöft M, Wright AGC, Kotov R, Krueger RF. Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): III. Emotional dysfunction superspectrum. World Psychiatry 2022; 21:26-54. [PMID: 35015357 PMCID: PMC8751579 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a quantitative nosological system that addresses shortcomings of traditional mental disorder diagnoses, including arbitrary boundaries between psychopathology and normality, frequent disorder co-occurrence, substantial heterogeneity within disorders, and diagnostic unreliability over time and across clinicians. This paper reviews evidence on the validity and utility of the internalizing and somatoform spectra of HiTOP, which together provide support for an emotional dysfunction superspectrum. These spectra are composed of homogeneous symptom and maladaptive trait dimensions currently subsumed within multiple diagnostic classes, including depressive, anxiety, trauma-related, eating, bipolar, and somatic symptom disorders, as well as sexual dysfunction and aspects of personality disorders. Dimensions falling within the emotional dysfunction superspectrum are broadly linked to individual differences in negative affect/neuroticism. Extensive evidence establishes that dimensions falling within the superspectrum share genetic diatheses, environmental risk factors, cognitive and affective difficulties, neural substrates and biomarkers, childhood temperamental antecedents, and treatment response. The structure of these validators mirrors the quantitative structure of the superspectrum, with some correlates more specific to internalizing or somatoform conditions, and others common to both, thereby underlining the hierarchical structure of the domain. Compared to traditional diagnoses, the internalizing and somatoform spectra demonstrated substantially improved utility: greater reliability, larger explanatory and predictive power, and greater clinical applicability. Validated measures are currently available to implement the HiTOP system in practice, which can make diagnostic classification more useful, both in research and in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Watson
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA
| | | | - Monika A Waszczuk
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Tim Dalgleish
- Medical Research Council, Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael N Dretsch
- US Army Medical Research Directorate - West, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, USA
| | - Nicholas R Eaton
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Miriam K Forbes
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kelsie T Forbush
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Kelsey A Hobbs
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Giorgia Michelini
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brady D Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Martin Sellbom
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tim Slade
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Susan C South
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Matthew Sunderland
- Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Irwin Waldman
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department for Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Aidan G C Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Robert F Krueger
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Seitz KI, Ehler N, Schmitz M, Schmitz SE, Dziobek I, Herpertz SC, Bertsch K. Affective and cognitive theory of mind in posttraumatic stress, major depressive, and somatic symptom disorders: Association with childhood trauma. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 61:680-700. [PMID: 35102575 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Childhood trauma constitutes a major risk factor for adult psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). One potential mechanism linking childhood trauma to adult psychopathology may be alterations in theory of mind (ToM). Given the lack of transdiagnostic studies on the association between childhood trauma and ToM, further research is needed to elucidate whether and how childhood trauma relates to ToM impairments across and within diagnostic boundaries. DESIGN A cross-sectional study design was applied. METHODS A total of 137 individuals with varying levels of childhood trauma took part in this study, encompassing individuals with PTSD (n = 33), MDD (n = 33), SSD (n = 36), and healthy volunteers (HVs; n = 35). To assess ToM performance and childhood trauma, the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition was administered along with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. RESULTS Only individuals with PTSD, but not individuals with MDD or SSD, showed a worse ToM performance compared to HVs. In the whole sample, childhood trauma correlated negatively with ToM performance. Exploratory group-specific analyses revealed higher levels of childhood trauma to be associated with more excessive ToM errors in individuals with SSD, and notably with an enhanced ToM performance in individuals with MDD. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate associations between childhood trauma and ToM impairments in a large, transdiagnostic sample. Provided replication in future studies, our findings suggest ToM capacities as a promising treatment target for individuals exposed to severe childhood trauma, at least or particularly with a diagnosis of PTSD. PRACTITIONER POINTS Our results suggest that individuals with a history of severe childhood trauma, at least or particularly with a clinical diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, may benefit from therapeutic approaches targeting theory of mind capacities. Our findings indicate that higher levels of childhood trauma may be linked to a specific 'hypermentalizing' bias in somatic symptom disorder. Our findings further point towards an association between higher levels of childhood trauma and a heightened - rather than a diminished - sensitivity towards interpersonal cues in major depressive disorder. Provided further confirmatory evidence, our findings may support diagnosis-specific approaches in ameliorating theory of mind abilities in individuals with different mental disorders and a history of severe childhood trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja I Seitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Nicola Ehler
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Marius Schmitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
| | - Sara E Schmitz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Isabel Dziobek
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
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Janssen PGJ, van Est LAC, Hilbink M, Gubbels L, Egger J, Cillessen AHN, van Ee E. Social cognitive performance in posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2022; 297:35-44. [PMID: 34606811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social support represents a key factor in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social cognition - the ability to perceive, interpret, and respond to other people - is considered fundamental in making use of social support. Gaining knowledge on the link between PTSD and social cognition is therefore essential. Whilst social cognitive difficulties in patients with PTSD are documented, an understanding of which particular social cognitive processes might be affected more than others, is lacking. The current meta-analysis was therefore aimed to examine social cognitive functioning in four underlying social cognitive domains (mentalization, emotion recognition, social perception, and attributional style) in PTSD diagnosed patients versus controls. METHODS Meta-analyzes were conducted on studies examining performance on at least one social cognitive domain in PTSD diagnosed patients compared to controls. RESULTS 19 studies were included, involving 565 patients and 641 controls. Relative to controls, the PTSD group scored lower on overall social cognitive functioning (SMD = -0.42), specifically on mentalization (SMD = -0.81) and social perception (SMD = -0.30), whilst the latter should be interpreted with caution as only one study was found pertaining to this domain. No emotion recognition and attributional style differences were found. LIMITATIONS There was evidence of moderate heterogeneity in the results of the included studies for overall social cognition and attributional style. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that social cognition represents a potential important clinical factor in PTSD and underscore the importance of differentiating between underlying social cognitive processes in research and treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petrus G J Janssen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
| | - Leanne A C van Est
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mirrian Hilbink
- Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Loes Gubbels
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Egger
- Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Stevig Specialized and Forensic Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Dichterbij, Oostrum, The Netherlands
| | | | - Elisa van Ee
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
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Coll SY, Eustache F, Doidy F, Fraisse F, Peschanski D, Dayan J, Gagnepain P, Laisney M. Avoidance behaviour generalizes to eye processing in posttraumatic stress disorder. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2044661. [PMID: 35479300 PMCID: PMC9037205 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2022.2044661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avoidance describes any action designed to prevent an uncomfortable situation or emotion from occurring. Although it is a common reaction to trauma, avoidance becomes problematic when it is the primary coping strategy, and plays a major role in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Avoidance in PTSD may generalize to non-harmful environmental cues that are perceived to be unsafe. OBJECTIVE We tested whether avoidance extends to social cues (i.e. emotional gazes) that are unrelated to trauma. METHOD A total of 159 participants (103 who had been exposed to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks and 56 who had not) performed a gaze-cueing task featuring sad, happy and neutral faces. Attention to the eye area was recorded using an eyetracker. Of the exposed participants, 52 had been diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD+) and 51 had not developed PTSD (PTSD-). As a result of the preprocessing stages, 52 PTSD+ (29 women), 50 PTSD- (20 women) and 53 nonexposed (31 women) participants were included in the final analyses. RESULTS PTSD+ participants looked at sad eyes for significantly less time than PTSD- and nonexposed individuals. This effect was negatively correlated with the intensity of avoidance symptoms. No difference was found for neutral and happy faces. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that maladaptive avoidance in PTSD extends to social processing, in terms of eye contact and others' emotions that are unrelated to trauma. New therapeutic directions could include targeting sociocognitive deficits. Our findings open up new and indirect avenues for overcoming maladaptive avoidance behaviours by remediating eye processing.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02810197. HIGHLIGHTS Avoidance is a key symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Avoidance is often viewed as limited to reminders linked to the trauma.Results show that attention to the eyes of sad faces is also affected by PTSD. This effect is correlated with avoidance symptoms in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sélim Yahia Coll
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France.,Neurorehabilitation divison, Université de Genève, Beau-Séjour hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.,Neuroscience of Emotions and Affective Dynamics laboratory, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francis Eustache
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France
| | - Franck Doidy
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France
| | - Florence Fraisse
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France
| | - Denis Peschanski
- Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne, HESAM Université, EHESS, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Dayan
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France.,Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre Gagnepain
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France
| | - Mickaël Laisney
- Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, PSL Université Recherche, EPHE, INSERM, Caen, France
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Mehren A, Thiel CM, Bruns S, Philipsen A, Özyurt J. Unimpaired social cognition in adult patients with ADHD: brain volumetric and behavioral results. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 16:1160-1169. [PMID: 33959774 PMCID: PMC8599175 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate whether adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show deficits in social cognition and to identify the structural neural correlates of social cognitive skills in ADHD. Twenty-six adult patients with ADHD and 26 matched healthy control participants performed the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition and underwent a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan. We compared theory of mind (ToM) performance between ADHD patients and healthy controls. Using voxel-based morphometry, we further compared gray matter volumes in regions that are critical for social cognition between the two groups and examined whether ToM performance was correlated with brain morphometry measures. We did not observe any between-group differences in ToM abilities or regional gray matter volumes. Across both groups, performance on affective aspects of ToM correlated positively with gray matter volumes in the medial part of the superior frontal gyri, which is typically involved in social cognition. This study is the first to relate brain structure to social cognitive abilities in adult patients with ADHD. Although our sample was small and heterogeneous, with half of the patients showing mild-to-moderate psychiatric comorbidities, our results may encourage longitudinal studies that relate social cognitive development in childhood and adolescence to brain maturation of ADHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Mehren
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
- Biological Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Christiane Margarete Thiel
- Biological Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence ‘Hearing4all’, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Swantje Bruns
- Biological Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Jale Özyurt
- Biological Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
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50
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Ballespí S, Vives J, Nonweiler J, Perez-Domingo A, Barrantes-Vidal N. Self- but Not Other-Dimensions of Mentalizing Moderate the Impairment Associated With Social Anxiety in Adolescents From the General Population. Front Psychol 2021; 12:721584. [PMID: 34790146 PMCID: PMC8591043 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.721584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mentalizing, or social cognition, refers to the brain's higher order capacity that allows humans to be aware of one's own and others' mental states (e.g., emotions, feelings, intentions). While cognition in social anxiety has been broadly analyzed, there is a paucity of research regarding the role of social cognition. Moreover, mentalizing or social cognition research is traditionally focused on the understanding of others' mental states, rather than self-mentalizing. Finally, most studies analyze the role of social cognition in the development or maintenance of social anxiety, yet no study to date has analyzed whether social cognition moderates functional impairment associated with it. This study analyzes whether self- and other-mentalizing moderate the relationship between social anxiety and impairment in social and self-functioning. A sample of 262 adolescents from the non-clinical population was assessed on measures of social anxiety, self- and other- mentalization, indicators of social functioning (social competence and sociometric status), and indicators of self-functioning (depression and self-esteem). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to test possible moderation effects of self-mentalizing and other-mentalizing on the relationships between social anxiety and social and self-functioning. Results revealed that other-mentalizing does not moderate social- nor self-functioning, while self-mentalizing moderates the impairment of all of them. While impairment in social functioning is buffered by one dimension of self-mentalizing (emotional clarity; b = 0.003, p = 0.043 and b = 0.016, p = 0.008 for social competence and sociometric status, respectively), impairment in self-functioning is strengthened by the other dimension (attention to emotions; b = -0.007, p = 0.008 and b = 0.009, p = 0.047 for self-esteem and depression, respectively). Probing the moderation at the 16th, 50th, and 84th percentiles revealed that the negative imbalance between dimensions (i.e., high attention and low clarity) tended to exacerbate impairment most on all indicators, while the positive imbalance (i.e., low attention and high clarity) was usually the most buffering condition. This supports that "low-flying" or implicit mentalizing provides more resilience than explicit mentalizing (i.e., high attention and high clarity). Findings suggest that the work on emotional self-awareness should be stressed in the intervention of the social anxiety spectrum conditions in order to improve prevention, functioning, and ultimately, treatments, of people impaired by symptoms of social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Ballespí
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Vives
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacqueline Nonweiler
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Perez-Domingo
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Mental Health, Fundació Sanitària Sant Pere Claver, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Mental Health, Fundació Sanitària Sant Pere Claver, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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