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Rask CU, Duholm CS, Poulsen CM, Rimvall MK, Wright KD. Annual Research Review: Health anxiety in children and adolescents-developmental aspects and cross-generational influences. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:413-430. [PMID: 37909255 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13912] [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] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Health anxiety involves excessive worries about one's health along with beliefs one has an illness or may contract a serious disease. Concerning evidence suggests that health anxiety is on the rise in society, possibly further fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent classification systems acknowledge that impairing health-related worries and beliefs can emerge in early childhood with significant levels of symptoms persisting throughout childhood, and possibly continuous with diagnostic considerations in adulthood. This narrative review summarizes recent research advances in health anxiety in children and adolescents, focusing on various developmental aspects of health anxiety and related concepts in youths. Findings suggest that health anxiety symptoms in young age groups are associated with impairment, distress, and increased healthcare use, as well as substantial comorbidity with mainly other emotional problems and disorders. Furthermore, longitudinal studies suggest that childhood health anxiety can persist across adolescence, perhaps with links to chronic courses in adulthood. The growing literature was further reviewed, thus extending our understanding of early risk factors, including the potential role of exposure to serious illness and transgenerational transmission of health anxiety. Learning more about developmental trajectories will be highly relevant to inform strategies for early detection and prevention. While modified cognitive behavioral therapies in adults are successful in treating health anxiety, specific interventions have not yet been tested in youths. Given substantial overlaps with other psychopathology, it could be important to develop and explore more transdiagnostic and scalable approaches that take advantage of common factors in psychotherapy, while also including a wider perspective on potential familiar maladaptive illness cognitions and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Ulrikka Rask
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Steen Duholm
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Martin Køster Rimvall
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristi D Wright
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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2
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Tourreix E, Besançon M, Gonthier C. Non-Cognitive Specificities of Intellectually Gifted Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of the Literature. J Intell 2023; 11:141. [PMID: 37504784 PMCID: PMC10382067 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence11070141] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
For several years, there was a growing interest in intellectual giftedness and in particular in the non-cognitive specificities of gifted individuals. This topic attracted much public attention and sometimes led to contradictions with the scientific literature. The current review synthesizes a broad set of results related to non-cognitive specificities of intellectual gifted in children and adolescents. This synthesis of scientific research on giftedness and its associated non-cognitive features does not support the conclusion that there is a stable profile across gifted individuals that would consistently separate them from non-gifted individuals. A few specificities in some areas are noted, but they are not necessarily being systematic. These specificities often turn out to be in favor of gifted youth, contrary to the view sometimes defended in the general public that gifted individuals suffer from major everyday difficulties. Finally, methodological issues are listed regarding the designs of existing studies, with recommendations for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Tourreix
- DysCo Lab, Paris Nanterre University, 92000 Nanterre, France
- LP3C, University of Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | | | - Corentin Gonthier
- Laboratoire de Psychologie des Pays de la Loire (LPPL UR 4638), Nantes Université, Chemin de la Censive du Tertre, 44312 Nantes, France
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3
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Lucier-Greer M, O'Neal CW, Mancini JA. Identifying Mental Health Profiles Among Adolescents Who Experienced a Recent Parental Deployment or Military-Related Family Separation. JOURNAL OF FAMILY NURSING 2023:10748407231163588. [PMID: 37066766 DOI: 10.1177/10748407231163588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Accessing two independent samples of adolescents in military families in the United States who recently experienced parental separation (N = 573; N = 186), this study sought to identify adolescent mental health profiles indexed on multiple indicators. In other words, we asked how military adolescents fare after parental separation in terms of mental health indicators. Proximal family processes (family cohesion, conflict, and marital adjustment) were also examined in relation to mental health profiles as well as core adolescent outcomes, self-rated health, and school enjoyment. In both samples, three profiles emerged identifying similar structures of mental health profiles. Two-thirds of adolescents were in the lowest risk mental health group. Poor family cohesion and greater conflict were associated with the moderate and highest risk groups. The lowest risk group reported better health and greater school enjoyment. Family nurses and other health care professionals are encouraged to inquire about military connectedness, structural changes occurring within the family system, and family processes in relation to adolescent well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jay A Mancini
- University of Georgia, Athens, USA
- Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
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Mordeno IG, Gallemit IMJS, Dinding DLL. To Leave is to Die a Little: Assessing the Symptom Structure of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Left-Behind Emerging Adults. Psychiatr Q 2023:10.1007/s11126-023-10024-z. [PMID: 37058269 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-023-10024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The literature on separation anxiety disorder (SAD) presented two contentious issues relating to its assessment. First, studies are scarce in assessing the symptom structure of DSM-5 SAD among the adult population. Second, the accuracy in assessing the severity of SAD through measuring the intensity of disturbance and the frequency of occurrence of symptoms is yet to be studied. To address these limitations, the present study aimed to: (1) examine the latent factor structure of the newly developed separation anxiety disorder symptom severity inventory (SADSSI); (2) evaluate the necessity of using frequency or intensity formats through comparison of differences in the latent level; and (3) investigate SAD latent class analysis. Utilizing 425 left-behind emerging adults (LBA), the findings showed that a general factor with two dimensions (i.e., response formats) measuring frequency and intensity symptom severity separately has excellent fit and good reliability. Finally, the latent class analysis yielded a three-class solution best fitting to the data. Overall, the data provided evidence for the psychometric soundness of SADSSI as an assessment tool for separation anxiety symptoms among LBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imelu G Mordeno
- Department of Professional Education, Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines.
- Department of Professional Education, College of Education, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres Bonifacio Ave, Tibanga, Iligan City, 9200, Philippines.
| | - I Marie Joy S Gallemit
- School of Graduate Studies, College of Education, Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines
| | - Dame Lent L Dinding
- Department of Psychology, Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines
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Corpas J, Moriana JA, Venceslá JF, Gálvez-Lara M. Cognitive processes associated with emotional disorders: implications for efficient psychological treatments. J Ment Health 2023; 32:54-62. [PMID: 33989506 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2021.1922651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotional disorders (EDs) are the most prevalent worldwide. Despite psychotherapies are their treatment of choice, there are difficulties to apply them properly in mental health services. Since literature shows that cognitive processes are associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, more information is needed in order to improve psychological treatments. AIMS To determine the relation between cognitive factors with specific and non-specific ED symptoms in order to promote the development of accurate psychological treatments. METHODS We analyzed the relation between rumination, worry, and metacognition with generalized anxiety, panic, and depression disorder symptoms from a clinical sample of 116 individuals through correlation and linear regression analyses. RESULTS Although each specific disorder had a closer link with a particular cognitive process, all general ED symptoms were associated with the three cognitive factors studied. CONCLUSIONS For "pure" disorders, targeting a concrete cognitive process might be an optimal therapeutic option. However, due to the high comorbidity among EDs, we support the dissemination of the transdiagnostic treatment approach in which all cognitive factors are taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Corpas
- Department of Psychology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan A Moriana
- Department of Psychology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Jose F Venceslá
- Department of Psychology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Gálvez-Lara
- Department of Psychology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain.,Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
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Dyer ML, Sallis HM, Khouja JN, Dryhurst S, Munafò MR. Associations between COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Risk Behaviours. JOURNAL OF RISK RESEARCH 2022; 25:1372-1394. [PMID: 37872962 PMCID: PMC7615237 DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2127849] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Mental health has worsened, and substance use has increased for some people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Some cross-sectional studies suggest that higher COVID-19 risk perceptions are related to poorer mental health and greater risk behaviours (e.g., substance use). However, longitudinal and genetic data are needed to help to reduce the likelihood of reverse causality. Methods We used cross-sectional, longitudinal, and polygenic risk score (PRS; for anxiety, depression, wellbeing) data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We examined cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal associations between COVID-19 risk perceptions (i.e., cognitive, affective, self, other, and a combined 'holistic' measure) and mental health (i.e., anxiety, depression), wellbeing, and risk behaviours. Pandemic (April-July 2020) and pre-pandemic (2003-2017) data (ns = 233-5,115) were included. Results Higher COVID-19 risk perceptions (holistic) were associated with anxiety (OR 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20 to 3.52), depression (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.18), low wellbeing (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.13), and increased alcohol use (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.72). Higher COVID-19 risk perceptions were also associated with self-isolating given a suspected COVID-19 infection (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.68), and less face-to-face contact (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98) and physical contact (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.00). Pre-pandemic anxiety (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.09) and low wellbeing (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.74) were associated with higher COVID-19 risk perceptions. The depression PRS (b 0.21, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.40) and wellbeing PRS (b -0.29, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.09) were associated with higher and lower COVID-19 risk perceptions, respectively. Conclusions Poorer mental health and wellbeing are associated with higher COVID-19 risk perceptions, and longitudinal and genetic data suggest that they may play a causal role in COVID-19 risk perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddy L. Dyer
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah M. Sallis
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jasmine N. Khouja
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Dryhurst
- Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marcus R. Munafò
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
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La Barrie DL, Zegarac M, Mekawi Y, Kuzyk E, Stenson A, Jovanovic T, Bradley B, Powers A. The role of specific emotion dysregulation facets in the association between child violence exposure and psychopathology. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA : THEORY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY 2022:2022-65162-001. [PMID: 35617258 PMCID: PMC10214413 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE African Americans living in low-income urban environments are disproportionately exposed to violence compared to other racial groups. Child exposure to community violence is linked to adverse psychological outcomes, including externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Emotion dysregulation may be one psychological process through which externalizing and internalizing behaviors develop in the context of childhood violence exposure. However, limited research exists on how different aspects of emotion dysregulation are affected by community violence exposure in children. METHOD The present study examined whether violence exposure was indirectly associated with externalizing and internalizing behaviors via facets of emotion dysregulation in a sample of 94 African American mother-child dyads. Mothers and children completed measures to assess child community violence exposure, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and emotion dysregulation (anger, sadness, and worry dysregulation). RESULTS Results indicated that maternal report of child community violence exposure was indirectly associated with externalizing behaviors via anger dysregulation and internalizing behaviors via worry dysregulation. Child report of community violence exposure was also indirectly associated with externalizing behavior via anger dysregulation; however, there were no significant associations with internalizing behavior. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that certain components of emotion dysregulation serve as an indirect pathway of influence for community violence exposure on child behavior, and the pathways differ between externalizing and internalizing behavior outcomes. Emotion dysregulation may serve as an important potential treatment target in reducing long-term risks associated with violence exposure in urban communities of color. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yara Mekawi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Eva Kuzyk
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Anais Stenson
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
- Atlanta Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
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Riboli G, Borlimi R, Caselli G. A qualitative approach – delineates changes on pubertal body image after menarche. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENCE AND YOUTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2022.2032219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Riboli
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Wien, Austria
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosita Borlimi
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Caselli
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
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BEHZADPOOR S, POURETEMAD H, AKBARI ZARDKHANEH S. Cognitive Prerequisites in Development of Childhood Anxiety: An Integrative Literature Review and Thematic Analysis. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY 2022; 16:9-27. [PMID: 36204438 PMCID: PMC9531198 DOI: 10.22037/ijcn.v16i4.31467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that cognitive development affects the emotional experience of children, including anxiety. However, an evidence review is needed to extract cognitive prerequisites that contribute to the development of anxiety in children. The purpose of the study is to explore evidence on cognitive prerequisites involved in experiencing anxiety in children. Four electronic databases of Scopus, OVID-PsycINFO, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were comprehensively searched for 1900 to 2018, yielding 4,618 articles. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 articles were found as eligible. The analysis of literature identified 3 themes, including threat perception, future thinking, and generalization. It is suggested that these cognitive abilities may underlie anxiety. These results have important implications for better understanding the effect of cognitive prerequisites in anxiety phenomena and also could shed light on the explanation of anxiety in some disorders characterized by deficits in cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh BEHZADPOOR
- Department of psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Science and Culture University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza POURETEMAD
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed AKBARI ZARDKHANEH
- Department of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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What Drives Climate Action in Canada’s Provincial North? Exploring the Role of Connectedness to Nature, Climate Worry, and Talking with Friends and Family. CLIMATE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cli9100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite widespread calls to action from the scientific community and beyond, a concerning climate action gap exists. This paper aims to enhance our understanding of the role of connectedness to nature in promoting individual-level climate action in a unique setting where climate research and action are lacking: Canada’s Provincial North. To begin to understand possible pathways, we also examined whether climate worry and talking about climate change with family and friends mediate the relationship between connectedness to nature and climate action. We used data collected via postal surveys in two Provincial North communities, Thunder Bay (Ontario), and Prince George (British Columbia) (n = 628). Results show that connectedness to nature has a direct positive association with individual-level climate action, controlling for gender and education. Results of parallel mediation analyses further show that connectedness to nature is indirectly associated with individual-level climate action, mediated by both climate worry and talking about climate change with family and friends. Finally, results suggest that climate worry and talking about climate change with family and friends serially mediate the relationship between connectedness to nature and with individual-level climate action. These findings are relevant for climate change engagement and action, especially across Canada’s Provincial North, but also in similar settings characterized by marginalization, heightened vulnerability to climate change, urban islands within vast rural and remote landscapes, and economies and social identities tied to resource extraction. Drawing on these findings, we argue that cultivating stronger connections with nature in the places where people live, learn, work, and play is an important and currently underutilized leverage point for promoting individual-level climate action. This study therefore adds to the current and increasingly relevant calls for (re-)connecting with nature that have been made by others across a range of disciplinary and sectoral divides.
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Jansen van Vuren E, Steyn SF, Brink CB, Möller M, Viljoen FP, Harvey BH. The neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19: Interactions with psychiatric illness and pharmacological treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 135:111200. [PMID: 33421734 PMCID: PMC7834135 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent outbreak of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) has had major global impact. The relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection and psychiatric diseases is of great concern, with an evident link between corona virus infections and various central and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Unmitigated neuro-inflammation has been noted to underlie not only the severe respiratory complications of the disease but is also present in a range of neuro-psychiatric illnesses. Several neurological and psychiatric disorders are characterized by immune-inflammatory states, while treatments for these disorders have distinct anti-inflammatory properties and effects. With inflammation being a common contributing factor in SARS-CoV-2, as well as psychiatric disorders, treatment of either condition may affect disease progression of the other or alter response to pharmacological treatment. In this review, we elucidate how viral infections could affect pre-existing psychiatric conditions and how pharmacological treatments of these conditions may affect overall progress and outcome in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. We address whether any treatment-induced benefits and potential adverse effects may ultimately affect the overall treatment approach, considering the underlying dysregulated neuro-inflammatory processes and potential drug interactions. Finally, we suggest adjunctive treatment options for SARS-CoV-2-associated neuro-psychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmé Jansen van Vuren
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Stephan F Steyn
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Christiaan B Brink
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Marisa Möller
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Francois P Viljoen
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; South African MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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12
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Normann N, Esbjørn BH. How do anxious children attempt to regulate worry? Results from a qualitative study with an experimental manipulation. Psychol Psychother 2020; 93:207-222. [PMID: 30506874 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore how anxiety-disordered children attempt to regulate their worry. DESIGN An experimental manipulation was applied, followed by a qualitative interview. METHODS Thirty children aged 7-13 were enrolled in this study. Each child was presented with a black mystery box, was told that shortly he/she would have to feel what was inside the box, and was then left alone for 4 min, prior to commencing the task. The purpose of the experimental manipulation was to induce slight levels of worry in the child, so that he/she could better report on worry regulation strategies. Afterwards, an interview about how the child had regulated worry during the experimental manipulation and in everyday life was undertaken. The interviews were coded using thematic analysis. RESULTS Five main themes were uncovered. These were (1) internal regulation of worry, for example, thinking about something else and self-reassurance talk, (2) external regulation of worry, for example, behavioural avoidance and distraction, (3) perceived effect of strategies, (4) shifting between strategies, and (5) absence of a strategy. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that anxious children use a variety of behavioural and cognitive strategies to regulate worry. They use these strategies in combination, they generally perceive them as ineffective, and they sometimes do not report any strategy for attempting to regulate their worry. These results indicate that clinicians should be curious about which strategies anxious children use to regulate their worry, how these strategies interact with each other, and how they are implemented by the child. PRACTITIONER POINTS Using an experimental manipulation followed by an interview, this study sought to investigate how anxious children seek to regulate their worries. Anxious children attempt to regulate their worry with use of behavioural regulation strategies, such as avoidance and distraction, and with use of cognitive regulation strategies, including thinking about something else, self-reassurance talk, and thought suppression. Sometimes, however, anxious children are not able to report a regulation strategy for a specific worry episode, suggesting that they may not always have a strategy or that they lack the introspective ability to report what they did. Clinicians should be aware that anxious children may use internal (cognitive) regulation strategies while at the same time using behavioural regulation strategies, such as avoidance.
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13
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Geronimi EMC, Richards A, Gramszlo C, Woodruff-Borden J. A Preliminary Investigation of Cognitive Features Associated With Worry Among African American Youth. JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0095798419870076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although knowledge of the cognitive factors that place children at risk for worry has grown, little is known about these processes within African American youth. The present study investigated cognitive factors associated with worry in a sample of 47 African American children, ages 8 to 13. Participants completed self-report measures of worry, intolerance of uncertainty, positive and negative beliefs about worry, and negative problem orientation. Results supported the hypothesis that cognitive factors demonstrated significant positive associations with worry. Based on a model predicting worry from all cognitive factors, negative beliefs about worry emerged as the only individual predictor. This is the first study to examine cognitive factors associated with worry in an African American sample of children and provides initial support for the applicability of these cognitive factors in future examinations of worry within this population. Future research should continue to explore cognitive as well as other factors that predispose African America children to worry.
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Leigh E, Clark DM. Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents and Improving Treatment Outcomes: Applying the Cognitive Model of Clark and Wells (1995). Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2018; 21:388-414. [PMID: 29654442 PMCID: PMC6447508 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-018-0258-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder is a condition characterised by a marked and persistent fear of being humiliated or scrutinised by others. Age-of-onset data point to adolescence as a developmentally sensitive period for the emergence of the condition, at a time when the peer group becomes increasingly important. Social anxiety in adolescence is associated with considerable impairment that persists through to adulthood. There are clear potential benefits to delivering effective interventions during adolescence. However, there is limited evidence on the specific efficacy of available therapies. This is in contrast to adults, for whom we have interventions with very specific treatment effects. One such treatment is individual cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy is based on the cognitive model of social anxiety proposed by Clark and Wells (in: Heimberg, Leibowitz, Hope, Scheiber (eds) Social phobia: diagnosis, assessment and treatment, The Guilford Press, New York, 1995). The present review examines the potential application of this adult cognitive model to the understanding of adolescent social anxiety and considers additional adolescent-specific factors that need to be accommodated. It is suggested that a developmentally sensitive adoption of the cognitive model of social anxiety disorder (Clark and Wells 1995) for adolescents may lead to better treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Leigh
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, The Old Rectory, Paradise Square, Oxford, OX1 1TW, UK.
| | - David M Clark
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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15
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Moser JS. The Nature of the Relationship Between Anxiety and the Error-Related Negativity Across Development. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2017; 4:309-321. [DOI: 10.1007/s40473-017-0132-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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