Effects of a psychiatric diagnosis vs a clinical formulation on lay attitudes to people with psychosis

The power threat meaning framework 5 years on - A scoping review of the emergent empirical literature

Since its release the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) has received considerable interest and uptake. However, there have not yet been any attempts to review the scope of this emergent literature. This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize: (1) all empirical research which utilized the PTMF in their methodologies, (2) the characteristics of these studies, (3) the different ways in which these studies utilized the PTMF, and (4) the key findings of these studies. This review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) scoping review extension (PRISMA-ScR). Following systematic searches of academic databases and grey literature, 17 studies meeting eligibility criteria were included. These papers were subject to critical appraisal, data charting, and narrative synthesis. This review identified four uses of the PTMF: (1) PTMF-informed data collection, (2) PTMF-informed data analysis, (3) Experiences of/views on the PTMF, and (4) PTMF-informed psychological practices. This evidence-base demonstrated the merits of utilizing the PTMF across a range of disciplines, settings, and populations. This heterogeneity also presents challenges for evidence synthesis. Implications for research (e.g. importance of the coherent and consistent approach to research) and practice/policy (e.g. professional training, collaboration, service-level barriers) are considered.

A Student Walks into Class … Vignettes to Identify Substance Use Disorder Models of Illness among College Students

INTRODUCTION

Illness models, including illness recognition, perceived severity, and perceived nature can affect treatment-seeking behaviors. Vignettes are a leading approach to examine models of illness but are understudied for substance use disorders (SUDs). We created vignettes for multiple common DSM-5 SUDs and assessed SUD illness models among college students.

METHODS

Seven vignettes in which the protagonist meets DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for SUDs involving tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, Adderall, cocaine, Vicodin, and heroin were pilot tested and randomly assigned to 216 college students who completed measures related to illness recognition, perceived severity, and perceived nature. MANOVAs with Scheffe post-hoc tests were conducted to examine vignette group differences on models of illness.

RESULTS

Vignettes met acceptable levels of clarity and plausibility. Participants characterized the protagonist's substance use as a problem, a SUD, or an addiction most frequently with Vicodin, heroin, and cocaine and least frequently with tobacco and cannabis. Participants assigned to the Vicodin, heroin, and cocaine vignettes were the most likely to view the protagonist's situation as serious and life-threatening, whereas those assigned to the cannabis vignette were the least likely. Numerically more participants characterized the pattern of substance use as a problem (91%) or an addiction (90%) than a SUD (76%), while only 15% characterized it as a chronic medical condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Illness recognition and perceived severity varied across substances and were lowest for cannabis. Few participants conceptualized SUDs as chronic medical conditions. College students may benefit from psychoeducation regarding cannabis use disorder and the chronic medical condition model of SUDs.