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Zou M, Liu B, Ren L, Mu D, He Y, Yin M, Yu H, Liu X, Wu S, Wang H, Wang X. The association between aspects of expressive suppression emotion regulation strategy and rumination traits: a network analysis approach. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:501. [PMID: 39334290 PMCID: PMC11438175 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01993-2] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Expressive suppression is an abnormal emotion regulation strategy, and its relationship with rumination traits is unclear. In this study with 395 participants in China (33.9% female, Mean age = 21.22, SD = 2.11), we estimated the association between expressive suppression and rumination traits, using the Rumination Response Scale (RRS) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) respectively. Considering there may be complex correlations between different behavioral symptoms of expressive suppression ("Keeping emotions to myself", "Inhibiting positive emotion responses", "Controlling emotions by not expressing them", "Inhibiting negative emotion responses") and different subtypes of rumination traits, this study employed a symptom-based network analysis method to uncover the differential association between rumination traits and expressive suppression, and the key symptoms linking the two. The study found the S3 node (Controlling emotions by not expressing them) had significant positive correlations with symptom rumination, brooding, and reflective pondering. Among the network, the S3 node acts as a bridge between two variables. This suggests that interventions targeting the S3 symptom may improve rumination traits. The present study was a cross-sectional study with limitations in revealing the causal relationships between expression suppression and rumination traits. Future studies could employ longitudinal tracing methods to explore the relationship between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxuan Zou
- Public Health School, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, China
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Lei Ren
- Military Psychology Section, Logistics University of PAP, Tianjin, 300309, China
- Military Mental Health Services & Research Center, Tianjin, 300309, China
| | - Defang Mu
- Department of Psychology, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Yuqing He
- Public Health School, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, China
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Mengxin Yin
- Public Health School, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, China
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Huaihuai Yu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xufeng Liu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Shengjun Wu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Xiuchao Wang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Gallagher AL, Brown J, Caroll C, Perkins E, VanDoren C, McEntegart A. The potential of narrative-based medicine interventions targeting hospital practitioner burnout: findings from a scoping review. Arts Health 2024:1-24. [PMID: 39291603 DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2024.2403607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To map the empirical literature with regards to narrative-based medicine interventions targeting burnout in hospital-based practitioners. METHODS A systematic search of electronic databases (n = 6) and manual searches was conducted informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guidelines. Papers were independently screened for quality. Semi-structured interviews were held with practitioners to further explore the acceptability and feasibility of the interventions from the review. RESULTS The searches yielded 4,439 articles. Following screening by title and abstract, 73 papers remained for full-text review. Six papers were included in the final analysis. Gaps were noted in relation to reporting of intervention details, and of implementation considerations across the dataset. Narrative interventions were considered acceptable by stakeholders but significant issues of compatibility and feasibility were identified. CONCLUSIONS Narrative-based interventions are complex and warrant a systematic research approach. Addressing factors related to implementation in addition to mechanisms of action is essential to progress this promising interdisciplinary knowledge base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Lily Gallagher
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Education and Health Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jessica Brown
- Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clare Caroll
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Enia Perkins
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Carrie VanDoren
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Education and Health Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Aisling McEntegart
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Education and Health Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Parada FJ, Grasso-Cladera A, Rossi A, Soto-Icaza P, Arenas-Pérez M, Errázuriz MC. Applied human neuroscience: Fostering and designing inclusive environments with the 3E-Cognition perspective. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:4148-4168. [PMID: 39001625 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16463] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
The conventional medical paradigm often focuses on deficits and impairments, failing to capture the rich tapestry of experiences and abilities inherent in neurodiversity conditions. In this article, we introduce the 3E-Cognition perspective, offering a paradigm shift by emphasizing the dynamic interplay between the brain, body, and environment in shaping cognitive processes. The perspective fosters a more inclusive and supportive understanding of neurodiversity, with potential applications across various domains such as education, workplace, and healthcare. We begin by introducing the 3E-Cognition principles: embodied, environmentally scaffolded, and enactive. Then, we explore how the 3E-Cognition perspective can be applied to create inclusive environments and experiences for neurodiverse individuals. We provide examples in the realms of education, workplace, and healthcare. In all of these domains, spaces, methodologies, epistemologies, and roles that cater to diverse needs and strengths can be designed using the 3E principles. Finally, we discuss the challenges and benefits of implementing the 3E-Cognition perspective. We focus on the need for technological advancements and research in complex real-world scenarios; we suggest mobile brain/body imaging is a possible solution. We furthermore highlight the importance of recognizing and valuing the diverse manners of experiencing and interacting with the world, the promotion of diverse well-being, and the facilitation of innovation and creativity. Thus, we conclude that the 3E-Cognition perspective offers a groundbreaking approach to understanding and supporting neurodiversity: by embracing the inherent interconnectedness of the brain, body, and environment, we can create a more inclusive and supportive world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Parada
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología (CENHN), Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Diseño, Facultad de Arquitectura, Arte y Diseño, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile, Salvador Sanfuentes 2221, Santiago, Metropolitan, Chile
| | | | - Alejandra Rossi
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología (CENHN), Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricia Soto-Icaza
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación, Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maritza Arenas-Pérez
- Centro de Estudios en Neurociencia Humana y Neuropsicología (CENHN), Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
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Sikström S, Nicolai M, Ahrendt J, Nevanlinna S, Stille L. Language or rating scales based classifications of emotions: computational analysis of language and alexithymia. NPJ MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 3:37. [PMID: 39085388 PMCID: PMC11291691 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-024-00080-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Rating scales are the dominating tool for the quantitative assessment of mental health. They are often believed to have a higher validity than language-based responses, which are the natural way of communicating mental states. Furthermore, it is unclear how difficulties articulating emotions-alexithymia-affect the accuracy of language-based communication of emotions. We investigated whether narratives describing emotional states are more accurately classified by questions-based computational analysis of language (QCLA) compared to commonly used rating scales. Additionally, we examined how this is affected by alexithymia. In Phase 1, participants (N = 348) generated narratives describing events related to depression, anxiety, satisfaction, and harmony. In Phase 2, another set of participants summarized the emotions described in the narratives of Phase 1 in five descriptive words and rating scales (PHQ-9, GAD-7, SWLS, and HILS). The words were quantified with a natural language processing model (i.e., LSA) and classified with machine learning (i.e., multinomial regression). The results showed that the language-based responses can be more accurate in classifying the emotional states compared to the rating scales. The degree of alexithymia did not influence the correctness of classification based on words or rating scales, suggesting that QCLA is not sensitive to alexithymia. However, narratives generated by people with high alexithymia were more difficult to classify than those generated by people with low alexithymia. These results suggest that the assessment of mental health may be improved by language-based responses analyzed by computational methods compared to currently used rating scales.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lotta Stille
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Groller KD, Adamshick PZ, Hoffman LM. Pandemic Footprints of Nursing Professionals: Processing Early Experiences. J Holist Nurs 2024; 42:168-181. [PMID: 37670518 DOI: 10.1177/08980101231198714] [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: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: This study interpreted journaled experiences of registered nurses (RNs) who were working at the bedside early in the pandemic as they were simultaneously enrolled in a baccalaureate (RN-BSN) completion program. Design: This qualitative interpretive descriptive study used purposive sampling. Methods: Eighteen students participated in the journal assignment. Fifteen students consented to participate in journal analyses. Journals were de-identified and a code book was used to document the entirety of journal reflections to identify meaningful text, and, ultimately, assert thematic codes. Thorne's interpretive description guided analysis. Researchers coded four journals together to obtain trustworthiness and rigor. Each doctorally prepared researcher independently coded a subset of the remaining journals. Emerging significant statements and subthemes were discussed and verified as a team. Results: Researchers identified the essence of pandemic footprints as the following themes emerged: Physical Threats to Safety, Emotional Threats to Safety, Workplace Culture, Healing Energies, and Professional Identity. Conclusions: Compared to previously published research conducted at later points of the pandemic this study is unique. Study data captured nurses' expressed voices through journaling at the brink (March 2020) of what became a global reality. Results illuminated dichotomies that existed then, particularly in response to their own and others' safety and security, leaving profound imprints on their identities extending beyond care environments.
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Meier T, Mehl MR, Martin M, Horn AB. When I am sixty-four… evaluating language markers of well-being in healthy aging narratives. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302103. [PMID: 38656961 PMCID: PMC11042717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural language use is a promising candidate for the development of innovative measures of well-being to complement self-report measures. The type of words individuals use can reveal important psychological processes that underlie well-being across the lifespan. In this preregistered, cross-sectional study, we propose a conceptual model of language markers of well-being and use written narratives about healthy aging (N = 701) and computerized text analysis (LIWC) to empirically validate the model. As hypothesized, we identified a model with three groups of language markers (reflecting affective, evaluative, and social processes). Initial validation with established self-report scales (N = 30 subscales) showed that these language markers reliably predict core components of well-being and underlying processes. Our results support the concurrent validity of the conceptual language model and allude to the added benefits of language-based measures, which are thought to reflect less conscious processes of well-being. Future research is needed to continue validating language markers of well-being across the lifespan in a theoretically informed and contextualized way, which will lay the foundation for inferring people's well-being from their natural language use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabea Meier
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) “Dynamics of Healthy Aging”, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Healthy Longevity Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Matthias R. Mehl
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Mike Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) “Dynamics of Healthy Aging”, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Healthy Longevity Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Gerontology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Andrea B. Horn
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP) “Dynamics of Healthy Aging”, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Healthy Longevity Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Gerontology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Kanaya Y, Kawai N. Anger is eliminated with the disposal of a paper written because of provocation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7490. [PMID: 38594343 PMCID: PMC11003969 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57916-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Anger suppression is important in our daily life, as its failure can sometimes lead to the breaking down of relationships in families. Thus, effective strategies to suppress or neutralise anger have been examined. This study shows that physical disposal of a piece of paper containing one's written thoughts on the cause of a provocative event neutralises anger, while holding the paper did not. In this study, participants wrote brief opinions about social problems and received a handwritten, insulting comment consisting of low evaluations about their composition from a confederate. Then, the participants wrote the cause and their thoughts about the provocative event. Half of the participants (disposal group) disposed of the paper in the trash can (Experiment 1) or in the shredder (Experiment 2), while the other half (retention group) kept it in a file on the desk. All the participants showed an increased subjective rating of anger after receiving the insulting feedback. However, the subjective anger for the disposal group decreased as low as the baseline period, while that of the retention group was still higher than that in the baseline period in both experiments. We propose this method as a powerful and simple way to eliminate anger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Kanaya
- Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Kawai
- Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
- Academy of Emerging Science, Chubu University, Kasugai City, 487-8501, Japan.
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Daoultzis KC, Kordoutis P. The Bigger Picture: The Effect of Context on Gender Role Conflict in Greek Men. Psychol Rep 2024; 127:747-785. [PMID: 36067751 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221125775] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gender Role Conflict (GRC) is manifested through certain behavioral patterns when the person adopts unquestionably restrictive gender roles with negative consequences both at intrapersonal and interpersonal level. There is evidence that socially desired masculine behavior is in transition in modern Greek society boosting GRC among Greek men. In this study, GRC patterns have been assessed experimentally using the imagery technique in 1051 Greek men. Emotionally elicited vignettes were created, each demonstrating a different context (Men's gender role conflict: Psychological costs, consequences, and an agenda for change. American Psychological Association): (1) developmental, (2) family - friends' relations and (3) conformity to masculinity ideology, homonegativity and violent behaviour. A mixed ANOVA revealed a significant three-way interaction between GRC patterns scoring, GRC vignettes and time (before and after reading the GRC vignettes). Further investigation of the three-way interaction revealed that vignettes reflecting social pressure to conform to masculinity ideology in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood as well as vignettes reflecting outright bullying to conform to such stereotypic roles had a significant impact on GRC patterns scoring, mostly decreasing conflict. The construction and testing of the GRC vignettes can update the existing tools for assessing GRC. Moreover, the vignettes could be employed to shed light on the possible causes of GRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panos Kordoutis
- Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
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Jallo N, Kinser PA, Eglovitch M, Worcman N, Webster P, Alvanzo A, Svikis D, Meshberg-Cohen S. Giving Voice to Women with Substance Use Disorder: Findings from Expressive Writing About Trauma. WOMEN'S HEALTH REPORTS (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 5:223-230. [PMID: 38516652 PMCID: PMC10956529 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2023.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Trauma exposure is a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUD) among women. This study explores written content from an expressive writing (EW) intervention conducted within a residential SUD program to examine themes across trauma experiences and characterize their deep insight into such experiences. Materials and Methods This qualitative study is a secondary data analysis of written content of the first writing session from women (n = 44) randomized to an EW condition while in residential SUD treatment. Results Nearly all participants (72.7% African American; mean age 37.3 years) reported a significant trauma event (93.2%) with an average of 3.7 types of trauma events (54.4% had a current posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis). Four primary themes emerged: (1) trauma across the lifespan; (2) loss of safety; (3) altered self-concept; and (4) desire to move on. Most participants identified interpersonal trauma, especially at an early age, as well as parental neglect and physical and/or sexual violence. These themes indicate a pattern of interpersonal betrayal and paint a picture of trauma and the subsequent "rippling effect" such that the physical, mental, and emotional consequences were often as impactful as the event itself. However, there was also a desire to move on and gain a sense of normalcy. Conclusions Findings highlight the importance of the written word and addressing underlying trauma in addiction treatment to facilitate healing and the woman's desire to move on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Jallo
- Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Patricia A. Kinser
- Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Michelle Eglovitch
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Nicola Worcman
- Interdisciplinary Cooperation for Ayahuasca Research and Outreach, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Parker Webster
- Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facility, Indian Health Service, Chinle, Arizona, USA
| | - Anika Alvanzo
- Substance Use Disorders Consultation Services, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dace Svikis
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah Meshberg-Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Brann M, Bute JJ, Scott SF, Johnson NL. Narrative Sense-Making During COVID-19: Using Stories to Understand Birth in a Global Pandemic. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:629-639. [PMID: 36797818 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2179714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Women who gave birth in the spring and summer of 2020 contended with a host of challenging factors. In addition to facing pregnancy, labor, and delivery during an emerging global pandemic, women grappled with health care restrictions that altered their birth experience. To explore how women made sense of their birth during COVID-19, we analyzed written narratives from 71 women who gave birth in the United States from March to July 2020. Based on tenets of communicated narrative sense-making, the themes that emerged from our data suggest that women framed the role of the pandemic as either completely overshadowing their birth experience or as an inconvenience. Women also wrote about threats to their agency as patients, mothers, and caregivers, as well as the evolving emotional toll of the pandemic that often prompted feelings of fear and sadness, along with self-identified anxiety and depression. We discuss these findings in light of the literature on birth stories as essential sites of narrative sense-making for women and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Brann
- Department of Communication Studies, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
| | - Jennifer J Bute
- Department of Communication Studies, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
| | | | - Nicole L Johnson
- CADRE, The Center for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System
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McIntosh R, Hoogerwoerd H, Ahmad SS, Michel C, Dillon K, Kumar M, Ironson G. A 4-session written emotional disclosure intervention lowers 6-month sympathoadrenal urinary output in persons living with HIV. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 159:106403. [PMID: 37839156 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We previously reported that a brief guided written emotional disclosure (WED) intervention resulted in significant reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology in women, but not men, living with HIV. Levels of 24-hour urinary output of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) are shown to be elevated in persons diagnosed with PTSD. The current study tested whether there was an effect for the 4-week WED intervention on 6-month change in urinary E and NE output amongst persons living with HIV. METHOD Fourteen women and 11 men living with HIV randomized to four 30-min expressive writing sessions of either trauma writing or daily events writing in the parent trial were included based upon collection of urine specimens at baseline, 1-, and 6-months after the intervention. Total volume (µg) and concentration (µg/ml) of urinary E and NE were derived from the specimens as study outcomes. RESULTS Four repeated measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed to evaluate study outcomes using trauma- versus daily-writing as the between-subject factors and collection time point as the within-subject factor, controlling for age and sex. A group x time interaction was observed wherein the trauma writing treatment group showed a significantly greater decrease in total urinary output, F(2, 46) = 4.03, p = .03, and concentration, F(2, 46) = 4.74, p = .01 of epinepherine. Post-hoc analyses revealed the interaction effect for the total, F(2, 22) = 4.82, p = .03, and concentration, F(2, 22) = 7.57, p = .005, of urinary E output over 6-months was significant for women. Interactions were not observed in urinary NE output. CONCLUSIONS Significant reductions in the total output and concentration of urinary E were found up to 6-months following initiation of a 4-session guided written emotional disclosure intervention. Profiles of sympathoadrenal activity and response to expressive writing differ between men and women living with HIV. Futher research is need to characterize the putative pathways linking sympathoadrenal response to upstream neurobiological function and downstream inflammatory-immune status in women living with HIV and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger McIntosh
- Department of Psychology, Health Division, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Brain Resilience Embodiment Affect and Translational Health (B.R.E.A.T.H.) Laboratory, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Hannah Hoogerwoerd
- Department of Psychology, Health Division, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Brain Resilience Embodiment Affect and Translational Health (B.R.E.A.T.H.) Laboratory, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Salman S Ahmad
- Department of Psychology, Health Division, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cassandra Michel
- Brain Resilience Embodiment Affect and Translational Health (B.R.E.A.T.H.) Laboratory, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Dillon
- Department of Psychology, Health Division, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Brain Resilience Embodiment Affect and Translational Health (B.R.E.A.T.H.) Laboratory, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Mahendra Kumar
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gail Ironson
- Department of Psychology, Health Division, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Macharia JM, Raposa BL, Sipos D, Melczer C, Toth Z, Káposztás Z. The Impact of Palliative Care on Mitigating Pain and Its Associated Effects in Determining Quality of Life among Colon Cancer Outpatients. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2954. [PMID: 37998446 PMCID: PMC10671794 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222954] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain continues to be a significant problem for cancer patients, and the impact of a population-based strategy on their experiences is not completely understood. Our study aimed to determine the impact of palliative care on mitigating pain and its associated effects in determining the quality of life (QoL) among colon cancer outpatients. Six collection databases were used to perform a structured systematic review of the available literature, considering all papers published between the year 2000 and February 2023. PRISMA guidelines were adopted in our study, and a total of 9792 papers were evaluated. However, only 126 articles met the inclusion criteria. A precise diagnosis of disruptive colorectal cancer (CRC) pain disorders among patients under palliative care is necessary to mitigate it and its associated effects, enhance health, promote life expectancy, increase therapeutic responsiveness, and decrease comorbidity complications. Physical activities, the use of validated pain assessment tools, remote outpatient education and monitoring, chemotherapeutic pain reduction strategies, music and massage therapies, and bridging social isolation gaps are essential in enhancing QoL. We recommend and place a strong emphasis on the adoption of online training/or coaching programs and the integration of formal and informal palliative care systems for maximum QoL benefits among CRC outpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Macharia
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Pẻcs, Vörösmarty Str 4, 7621 Pẻcs, Hungary
| | - Bence L. Raposa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty Str 4, 7621 Pẻcs, Hungary
| | - Dávid Sipos
- Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Szent Imre Str 14/B, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Csaba Melczer
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty Str 4, 7621 Pẻcs, Hungary;
| | - Zoltan Toth
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Pẻcs, Vörösmarty Str 4, 7621 Pẻcs, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Káposztás
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty Str 4, 7621 Pẻcs, Hungary
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Luo Y, Feng X, Wang D, Zheng M, Reinhardt JD. Understanding early experiences of Chinese frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A text mining and thematic analysis of social media information. Nurs Health Sci 2023; 25:389-401. [PMID: 37503817 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13037] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the early experiences of frontline nurses at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in China as expressed through social media posts. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-method design. Text mining was used for sentiment analysis. The chi-square test was used to compare the differences in the composition ratio of sentiment classification of posts in different months. Word frequency was statistically analyzed. Further thematic analysis was also performed. The primary sentiments of the posts were discovered to be positive and neutral. The number of posts containing positive emotions was the lowest in January, peaked in March, and gradually declined in April 2020. The following nurse-oriented narrative themes were developed: "To see and be seen," "Moving forward amid adversity and support," and "Returning to everyday life and constructing meaning." The sentiments of Chinese nurses in response to the pandemic fluctuated, with positive emotions in the early stage, but it could not be sustained. This study recommends nurses could be encouraged to engage in expressive writing while adhering to ethical guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunting Luo
- Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianqiong Feng
- Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jan D Reinhardt
- Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital/Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
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14
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Jaswa EG, Pasch LA, McGough A, Wong R, Corley J, Cedars MI, Huddleston HG. Decision regret among women considering planned oocyte cryopreservation: a prospective cohort study. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1281-1290. [PMID: 37058259 PMCID: PMC10310667 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02789-w] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To (1) prospectively characterize the incidence of decision regret among women considering planned oocyte cryopreservation (planned OC), comparing those who pursued treatment vs those who did not freeze eggs, and (2) to identify baseline predictors for future decision regret. METHODS A total of 173 women seen in consultation for planned OC were followed prospectively. Surveys were administered at (1) baseline (< 1 week after initial consultation) and (2) follow-up, 6 months after planned OC among participants who froze eggs or 6 months following consultation in the absence of further communication to pursue treatment. The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate-to-severe decision regret, indicated by a Decision Regret Scale score > 25. We also examined predictors of regret. RESULTS The incidence of moderate-to-severe regret over the decision to freeze eggs was 9% compared to 51% over the decision not to pursue treatment. Among women who froze eggs, adequacy of information at baseline to decide about treatment (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03, 0.87) and emphasis on future parenthood (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66, 0.99) were associated with reduced odds of regret. Forty-six percent of women who froze eggs regretted not doing so earlier. Among women who did not freeze eggs, the primary reasons were financial and time constraints, correlating with increased odds of decision regret in an exploratory analysis. CONCLUSIONS Among women undergoing planned OC, the incidence of decision regret is low compared to the regret confronting women seen in consultation for planned OC but who do not pursue treatment. Provider counseling is key to offset the regret risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni G Jaswa
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Lauri A Pasch
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexandra McGough
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca Wong
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jamie Corley
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Marcelle I Cedars
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Heather G Huddleston
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 499 Illinois Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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Nikolajski C, O'Brien J, Nardo E, Szigethy E, Jonassaint C. Tailoring a Digital Mental Health Program for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: Qualitative Study. JMIR Ment Health 2023; 10:e44216. [PMID: 37023443 PMCID: PMC10131651 DOI: 10.2196/44216] [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] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression and other mental health disorders are prevalent among people living with chronic health conditions. Although digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered an effective treatment, African American individuals are less likely to engage in and adhere to digital therapies for mental health disorders compared with White individuals. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to understand digital CBT mental health treatment perceptions and preferences of African American individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). METHODS African American individuals with SCD from various US locations were invited to participate in a series of focus groups. Participants were introduced to a health coach-supported mental health app and then asked a series of questions about the usability and appeal of the program as well as, more generally, what would make a digital mental health program effective for them. The authors reviewed the focus group transcripts and conducted a qualitative analysis of the results. RESULTS A total of 25 people participated in 5 focus groups. Overall, 5 primary themes emerged regarding how app content and related coaching could be modified to enhance digital CBT engagement. These themes included connection with others living with SCD, the personalization of app content and coaching, characteristics of coaches, journaling and pain tracking, and considerations for optimal engagement. CONCLUSIONS Enhancing the user experience by making digital CBT tools relevant to patient populations is critical for optimizing program engagement and its uptake. Our findings highlight potential strategies to modify and design digital CBT tools for users with SCD and may also be applicable to patients with other chronic conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04587661; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04587661.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Nikolajski
- Center for High-Value Health Care, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Julia O'Brien
- Department of Health and Community Systems, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Emily Nardo
- Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for Behavioral Health and Smart Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Eva Szigethy
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Charles Jonassaint
- Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for Behavioral Health and Smart Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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16
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Ghezeljeh TN, Seyedfatemi N, Bolhari J, Kamyari N, Rezaei M. Effects of family-based dignity intervention and expressive writing on anticipatory grief in family caregivers of patients with cancer: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:220. [PMID: 37005577 PMCID: PMC10068160 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04715-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Family caregivers of dying cancer patients may suffer from grief experiences and bereavement complications. Previous studies have proposed some psycho-emotional interventions for the management of these complications. However, little attention has been given to family-based dignity intervention and expressive writing. This study was conducted to examine the effects of family-based dignity intervention and expressive writing, combined and alone, on anticipatory grief in family caregivers of dying cancer patients. This was a randomized controlled trial, in which 200 family caregivers of dying cancer patients were randomly assigned to four intervention groups: family-based dignity intervention (n = 50), expressive writing intervention (n = 50), combined family-based single dignity intervention and expressive writing (n = 50), and control group (n = 50). In three times (baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the interventions), anticipatory grief was assessed by a 13-item anticipatory grief scale (AGS). Finally, we found a significant reducing effect of family-based dignity intervention on AGS (-8.12 ± 1.53 vs. -1.57 ± 1.52, P = 0.01) and its subscales including behavioral (-5.92 ± 0.97 vs. -2.17 ± 0.96, P = 0.04) and emotional (-2.38 ± 0.78 vs. 0.68 ± 0.77, P = 0.03) subscales compared to the control group. However, no significant effect was seen for expressive writing intervention and combined interventions of expressive writing and family-based dignity intervention. In conclusion, family-based dignity intervention may be a safe intervention for relieving anticipatory grief among family caregivers of dying cancer patients. Additional clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings. Registration number: IRCT20210111050010N1. Trial registration date:2021-02-06.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Najafi Ghezeljeh
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naima Seyedfatemi
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Bolhari
- Spiritual Health Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Kamyari
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - Masoud Rezaei
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Assessing psychological inflexibility in text: An examination of the inflexitext program. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
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18
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Patwardhan N, Kulkarni M. Life’s Ups and Downs: Expressive Writing and Health Outcomes. PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12646-022-00701-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
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19
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Kaptein AA. Torn between two lovers - on being a psychologist in a university medical centre. Health Psychol Behav Med 2023; 11:2170379. [PMID: 36733298 PMCID: PMC9888463 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2023.2170379] [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] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Psychology as applied to health and illness has a relatively short history. Nevertheless, that history shows a rapid development of the theoretical models that guide the field over the past 60 years. Core theoretical approaches are concisely reviewed, in the context of Kaplan's paper 'Behavior as the central outcome in health care' (1990), which is used as a model to examine the extent to which these approaches embrace Kaplan's notions. Advances Empirical studies from the health psychology domain are used, which demonstrate the gains in terms of quality of life and behavioural outcomes in patients with (chronic) somatic diseases. Over a period of some 60 years, theoretical models and core concepts in psychology as applied to health and illness have evolved from psychosomatic views to neuropsychology, quality of life, patient education, self-management, illness perceptions, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), shared decision-making (SDM) and health humanities (HH). The more recent models (SDM, HH) appear to align to a considerable degree with adopting 'behavior as the central outcome an outcome in health care'; shared decision-making and health humanities focus on encouraging patients to make sense of and give meaning to their illness in order to attain optimal psychosocial adjustment. Conclusions In addition to 'behavior as the central outcome in health care', a new definition of the concept of health (i.e. 'the ability to adapt and to self-manage' - Huber et al., 2011) seems to favour patients, healthcare providers, society, and health psychology. Incorporating this concept into medical care may be viewed as a challenge for health psychologists - and as a source of continual struggle with strong biomedical forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ad A. Kaptein
- Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Ad A. Kaptein Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, Leiden2300, The Netherlands
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20
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Canzona MR, Love D, Barrett R, Henley J, Bridges S, Koontz A, Nelson S. Piloting an Interprofessional Narrative-Based Interactive Workshop for End-of-Life Conversations: Implications for Learning and Practice. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023; 86:862-888. [PMID: 33557720 DOI: 10.1177/0030222821993633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the principles of Narrative Medicine, this study explored a narrative-based workshop for multi-level interdisciplinary clinicians who have EOL conversations. METHODS Fifty-two clinicians participated in narrative-based interactive workshops. Participants engaged narrative in three forms: viewing narratives, writing/sharing narratives, and co-constructing narratives. Post workshop interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed. RESULTS Five themes characterized how the workshop shaped learning and subsequent care experiences: (1) learning to enter/respond to the patient stories, (2) communicating across professions and disciplines, (3) practicing self-care. Additional themes emphasized (4) barriers to narrative learning and (5) obstacles to applying narrative to practice. DISCUSSION Results highlight the function/utility of narrative forms such as the value of processing emotions via reflective writing, feeling vulnerable while sharing narratives, and appreciating colleagues' obstacles while observing patient-clinician simulations. Challenges associated with narrative such as writing anxiety and barriers to implementation such as time constraints are detailed to inform future initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie Rose Canzona
- Department of Communication, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.,Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Deborah Love
- Department of Social Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.,Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Rolland Barrett
- Forsyth Medical Center, Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Joanne Henley
- Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Sara Bridges
- Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Adam Koontz
- Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
| | - Sharon Nelson
- Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
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21
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Elwy AR, Maguire EM, McInnes DK, Fix GM. Creating Connections during COVID-19. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 38:424-431. [PMID: 34445899 PMCID: PMC11317885 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2021.1969836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Our research group created a public communication strategy of expressive writing, to use within our research center over the Massachusetts COVID-19 stay at home advisories. Our goals were to 1) build community, 2) recognize the unique experiences, needs, concerns and coping strategies of our colleagues, and 3) create a mechanism to creatively share those experiences. We conceptualized a weekly e-newsletter, "Creativity in the Time of COVID-19," a collective effort for expressing and documenting the extraordinary, lived experiences of our colleagues during this unique time of a coronavirus pandemic. Through 23 online issues, we have captured 72 colleagues' perspectives on social isolation, the challenges of working from home, and hope in finding connection through virtual platforms. We have organized the themes of these submissions, in the forms of photos, essays, poetry, original artwork, and more, according to three components of the Social Connection Framework: structural, functional and quality approaches to creating social connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Rani Elwy
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Elizabeth M. Maguire
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System
| | - D. Keith McInnes
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health
| | - Gemmae M. Fix
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
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22
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Halamová J, Mihaľo J, Bakoš L. The impact of Emotion-focused training for emotion couching delivered as mobile app on self-compassion and self-criticism. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1047022. [PMID: 36760912 PMCID: PMC9902349 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1047022] [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: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Being self-compassionate is considered a beneficial emotion regulation strategy. Therefore, the acquisition of emotional skills can raise self-compassion levels and consequently reduce self-criticism. Methods Hence, the goal of the current study was to develop a mobile app based on the empirically proven group version of Emotion-Focused Training for Emotional Coaching (EFT-EC) and test its effectiveness in reducing self-criticism and raising self-compassion and self-protection. The sample consisted of 85 participants, of whom 22.4% were men and 77.6% were women. The mean age was 32.53 (SD = 14.51), ranging from 18 to 74 years. The participants filled out the following scales immediately before and after using the fourteen-day mobile app: The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), The Sussex-Oxford Compassion for the Self Scale (SOCS-S), and The Short-form Version of The Scale for interpersonal behaviour (s-SIB). Results Use of the 14-day EFT-EC mobile app significantly improved self-compassion and self-reassurance and significantly reduced self-criticism compared to pre- and post-measurements. Discussion The results are promising as self-criticism is a transdiagnostic phenomenon observed in various kinds of psychopathology and reducing it may prevent the emergence of psychopathologies. Moreover, the mobile app intervention can easily be accessed by a wide range of users, without requiring the services of a mental health professional, and thereby reduces the potential risk of shame or stigmatization.
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23
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Merluzzi TV, Salamanca-Balen N, Philip EJ, Salsman JM. "Letting go" - Relinquishing control of illness outcomes to God and quality of life: Meaning/peace as a mediating mechanism in religious coping with cancer. Soc Sci Med 2023; 317:115597. [PMID: 36535230 PMCID: PMC9962851 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relinquishing control (RC) of outcomes to God is a long-standing form of religious coping with serious illness. Placing cancer outcomes "in God's hands" has been positively related to coping and quality of life (QOL). However, the mechanisms involved in this relationship have not been established. A serial mediation model [i.e., RC (X)-Meaning/Peace (M1)-Coping Efficacy (M2)-Symptoms, Physical QOL, Functional QOL (Ys)] tested the hypothesis that Meaning/Peace alone and in conjunction with coping would mediate the RC-QOL relationship. METHOD 548 persons with a cancer diagnosis completed the Religious Problem-Solving Scale (RPSS), FACIT-Sp Meaning and Peace Scales, Cancer Behavior Inventory (coping efficacy), and measures of Physical Quality of Life (PQOL), Functional Quality of Life (FQOL) and Symptoms. RESULTS As hypothesized, the single mediation effects of Meaning/Peace were significant [Indirect Effects: PQOL: .23 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.34); FQOL: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.61); Symptoms: -0.18 (95% CI: -0.27, -0.10)]. In addition, mediation was confirmed for the serial mediation model (i.e., Meaning/Peace - Coping Efficacy as serial mediators) with significant indirect effects [Indirect Effects: PQOL: 0.37 (95% CI: 0.27, 0.48); FQOL: 0.57 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.72); Symptoms: -0.25 (95% CI: -0.35, -0.17)]. CONCLUSIONS In the mediation models tested, the RC-QOL and RC-Symptoms relationships were mediated by the confluence of a sense of peace perhaps due to patients' feelings that outcomes were "in God's hands" and a sense of coherence between their current situation and a spiritually-based meaning system. Meaning/Peace was also related to coping efficacy, suggesting that these mediating constructs could be used to inform evidence-based interventions, such as Meaning-Centered therapies, that are sensitive to the belief systems of cancer patients and enhance QOL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Errol J Philip
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Psychology, United States
| | - John M Salsman
- Wake Forest University College of Medicine, Social Sciences and Health Policy, United States
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24
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Yu Y, Zhang X. Effects of Expressive Writing on "Choking under Pressure" in High Test-Anxious Individuals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:302. [PMID: 36612624 PMCID: PMC9819959 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010302] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: High test-anxious students often fail to perform at their actual level and are prone to choking under pressure (CUP). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether expressive writing (EW) can help high test-anxious individuals reduce the degree of the CUP effect, and whether the intervention effects were different in people with different working memory capacities. (2) Methods: High test-anxious participants wrote expressively (EW group) or neutrally (control group) according to guidance, and then completed a modular arithmetic (MA) task under a high-stress condition. (3) Results: The state anxiety score of the control group was significantly higher than that of the EW group in the high-pressure situation, indicating that the EW intervention was helpful to alleviate the state anxiety. Subjects with high working memory capacity in the control group performed the complex MA task significantly less accurately in the high-stress situation than in the low-stress situation, showing the CUP effect. There was no significant difference in complex MA task scores between high- and low-stress situations for subjects with high working memory capacity in the EW group, indicating that the EW intervention can reduce the degree of the CUP effect. (4) Conclusions: EW intervention was effective in reducing state anxiety levels and attenuating the detrimental effects of test stress on cognitive processing in test-anxious individuals with high working memory capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejin Yu
- Department of Student Affairs Management, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China
| | - Xiaocong Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrated Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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25
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Ekman E, Koenig CJ, Daubenmier J, Dickson KG, Simmons V, Braun A, Goldin P. Transforming adversity into an ally: A qualitative study of “feeding your demons” meditation. Front Psychol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemplative science has made great strides in the empirical investigation of meditation practices, such as how mindfulness, compassion, and mantra practices impact health and well-being. However, meditation practices from the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition that use mental imagery to transform distressing beliefs and emotions have been little explored. We examined the “Feeding Your Demons” meditation, a secular adaptation of the traditional Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist meditation practice of Chöd (“Severance”) in a pilot, randomized controlled trial in which 61 community adults from the U.S. with prior meditation experience and moderate levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms (70% female)were randomly assigned to one month (15 meditation sessions) of “Feeding Your Demons” practice or a waitlist control group. Written diary entries were collected immediately after each meditation session. We used an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach to examine qualitative responses to two questions which probed (1) how participants made meaning of each meditation session and (2) how they thought it may impact their future thoughts and intentions for action. Five major themes were identified based on 20 codes developed through an inductive review of written responses across all participants. The themes included an enhanced sense of self-worth and confidence, empathy for the “demon” or rejected parts of oneself, increased self-awareness, an active-oriented “fierce” self-compassion, and an acceptance form of self-compassion. Overall, participants expressed an ability to reframe, or transform, their relationship to distressing thoughts, emotions, and experiences as they gained personal insights, self-compassion, and acceptance through the meditation process which in turn shaped their future intentions for action in the world. This research suggests that a secular form of a Vajrayana Buddhist practice may be beneficial for Western meditation practitioners with no prior training in Vajrayana Buddhism. Future research is warranted to understand its longer-term impacts on health and well-being.
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Mizuno M, Chiba I, Mukohara T, Kondo M, Maruo K, Ohigashi T, Naruo M, Asano Y, Onishi T, Tanabe H, Muta R, Mishima S, Okano S, Yuda M, Hosono A, Ueda Y, Bando H, Itagaki H, Ferrans CE, Akimoto T. Effectiveness of an online support program to help female cancer patients manage their health and illness: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 30:101035. [PMID: 36387994 PMCID: PMC9661427 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.101035] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of the trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions provided by online support program apps, adopting health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) scores as indicators. Methods The design is as an open, randomized, parallel-group trial with longitudinal data collection. The subjects will be female cancer patients receiving treatment in a Japanese National Cancer Hospital. Patients assigned to the experimental group will use three apps: an app for them to monitor their own health (monitoring app), an app to assess their understanding of their diagnosis and treatment and their readiness to receive treatment (confirmation app), and an app to address mental health issues (writing app); patients assigned to the control group will use only the monitoring app. At baseline (before patients undergo cancer treatment) and three other times during the study, evaluation indicators will be obtained from three different standardized HR-QOL scales that are incorporated in the monitoring app. The study hypothesis is that at 6 months after patients’ baseline health monitoring, patients in the experimental group will have improved HR-QOL as compared with patients in the control group. Conclusion This study is based on self-regulation theory, so it is important that the online support program works in an efficient way with respect to patients finding and setting their own health-related goals and adapting their behaviors to achieve those goals. Verifying the effectiveness of the combination of the three apps will show that it is a scientifically valid approach to maintaining or improving the HR-QOL of cancer patients.
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Halamová J, Mihaľo J, Bakoš L. Emotion-Focused Mobile App for Promoting Self-Compassion, Self-Protection, and Self-Criticism. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13759. [PMID: 36360637 PMCID: PMC9658678 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives and restricted access to traditional psychological interventions. Hence there is an immediate and growing demand for accessible and scalable mental health solutions. Emotion-focused training for self-compassion and self-protection was developed and distributed using mobile phone technologies, and its effectiveness was tested. The available research sample consisted of 97 participants with a mean age of 26.06 years and a standard deviation of 10.53. Participants using the mobile app underwent a 14-day program aimed at reducing self-criticism while increasing self-compassion and self-protection. Pre- and post-measurements were collected. The results showed a statistically significant medium effect on self-compassion, self-criticism, and self-protection performance and a significant small effect on self-protection distress. The finding that a 14-day mobile app was able to foster well-being in the form of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-criticism is promising. It indicates the potential for individuals to obtain help through the use of remote tools such as MHapps for a fraction of the usual cost, at their own pace, and without other restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynské luhy 4, 821 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Maroti D, Hallberg H, Lindqvist K, Mechler J. Using psychodynamic principles in guided internet-delivered therapy (IPDT). PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02668734.2022.2124441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maroti
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Hallberg
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Lindqvist
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jakob Mechler
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pandya SP. Using tenets from the Bhagavad Gita in counselling diaspora Hindu older adults: Impact on stress mitigation and improving quality of life. COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/capr.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Trenz RC. The effect of expressive writing on sexual risk behavior among college women. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022; 70:1673-1679. [PMID: 34028342 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1818754] [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: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The current study tested an expressive writing intervention aimed at reducing alcohol use and sexual risk behavior among college women that consume alcohol. Methods: A 2 X 2 mixed between- within-subjects experimental design was utilized to test the effect of expressive writing on alcohol use and sexual risk behavior over time among college women that drink. Study participants completed baseline assessments of alcohol use and sexual risk behavior and were randomly assigned to either a control writing condition (first day of college) or an expressive writing condition (negative alcohol-related event). Participants completed baseline assessments 30 days later. Data for this study were collected in the Fall 2017 semester. Results: A significant interaction effect was found for writing condition over time on sexual risk behavior. Conclusion: Findings provide preliminary support for the use of expressive writing as mechanism to reduce sexual risk behavior among college women that consume alcohol.
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Lemmo D, Vitale R, Girardi C, Salsano R, Auriemma E. Moral Distress Events and Emotional Trajectories in Nursing Narratives during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8349. [PMID: 35886199 PMCID: PMC9316292 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic produced several ethical challenges for nurses, impacting their mental health and moral distress. In the moral distress model the categories of events related to moral distress are: constraint, dilemma, uncertainty, conflict, and tension, each one related to different emotions. This study explored moral events' memories and emotions in narratives of a sample of 43 Italian nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. We constructed an ad-hoc narrative interview asking nurses to narrate the memory, and the associated emotion, of an event in which they felt they could not do the right thing for the patient. We conducted a theory-driven analysis, using the categories proposed by the literature, identifying the main emotion for each category. Results show that 36 memories of events are representative of moral distress; among these, 7 are representative of none of the categories considered, and we categorized them as moral compromise. The main emotional trajectories are powerlessness, worthlessness, anger, sadness, guilt, and helplessness. From a clinical psychological point of view, our findings highlight the narration of the memories of moral events as a tool to use in the ethical sense-making of critical experiences, in order to promote well-being and moral resilience among nurses in emergency situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lemmo
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy; (R.V.); (C.G.); (R.S.); (E.A.)
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Gigot J. Nature Writing As Solace: The Embodied Ecopoetics of Barry Lopez and Mary Oliver. ECOPSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1089/eco.2021.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gigot
- Harmony Fields, LLC & Ecointegral Coaching, Bow, Washington, USA
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Boyd N, Alexander DG. An online mindfulness intervention for medical students in South Africa: A randomised controlled trial. S Afr J Psychiatr 2022; 28:1840. [PMID: 35747337 PMCID: PMC9210716 DOI: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an association was observed between medical students’ stress, possibly because of an intensive academic workload and clinical responsibilities, and mental ill health. The literature has shown the benefit of online mindfulness interventions for different mental health challenges. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of information on their benefit to medical students in South Africa. Aim The aim of this study was to explore whether medical students attending an online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) would show improved resilience and stress management compared with attendance at an online supportive counselling (SC) programme. Secondary to this was the viability of the intervention, for which an in-depth understanding of participants’ experiences was sought. Setting The study setting was online through https://zoom.us/. Methods Forty-five participants were randomly allocated between two 6-week, teacher-facilitated groups. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) of outcome, well-being, perceived stress and self-compassion scores conducted at three time points, as well as thematic analysis of participant feedback, contributed to quantitative and qualitative data. Results Participants in both the groups showed significant improvement over time in measures of well-being, perceived stress and subjective stress management. Participants in the mindfulness group showed a statistically significant treatment effect in mindfulness at programme completion. A decrease in self-compassion over time was observed in both the groups. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that in this South African medical student cohort, an online MBI and a SC programme are both feasible and show potential for reducing stress, increasing stress management and increasing resilience. Further study in this area is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Boyd
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Debra G. Alexander
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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The role of born digital data in confronting a difficult and contested past through digital storytelling: the Waterford Memories Project. AI & SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00146-021-01372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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35
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Wells BE, Samrock S, Pawson M, Starks TJ. Pilot Randomized Trial of an Expressive Writing Intervention to Reduce Sexual HIV-Transmission Risk and Substance Use Among Emerging Adult Gay and Bisexual Men. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:584-595. [PMID: 34357477 PMCID: PMC8816814 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03413-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of expressive writing to reduce HIV-related sexual risk taking and symptoms of drug dependence among emerging adult gay and bisexual men (EAGBM) through linguistic mechanisms involving use of words associated with cognitive processing (e.g., think, cause), positive emotion (e.g., love, nice), and negative emotion (e.g., hurt, shame). Between 2014 and 2015, EAGBM (n = 78; aged 18-29) completed a baseline survey and were randomized to complete three 15-min expressive writing or equivalent control-group writing sessions and follow-up assessments 2 months post-baseline. EAGBM in the expressive writing condition utilized significantly more positive emotion, negative emotion, and cognitive processing words. Path model results indicated the intervention condition resulted in significant reductions in symptoms of drug dependence and frequency of condomless anal sex (CAS) through paths mediated by positive emotion words, and significant increases in CAS through a path mediated by negative emotion words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E. Wells
- Center for Human Sexuality Studies, Widener University, Chester, PA. USA,Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative, Widener University, Chester, PA. USA
| | - Steven Samrock
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY. USA
| | - Mark Pawson
- Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. USA
| | - Tyrel J. Starks
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY. USA,Health Psychology and Clinical Science Doctoral Program, Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY. USA
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Lehmann OV, Neimeyer RA, Thimm J, Hjeltnes A, Lengelle R, Kalstad TG. Experiences of Norwegian Mothers Attending an Online Course of Therapeutic Writing Following the Unexpected Death of a Child. Front Psychol 2022; 12:809848. [PMID: 35153931 PMCID: PMC8829884 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.809848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The unexpected death of a child is one of the most challenging losses as it fractures survivors' sense of parenthood and other layers of identity. Given that not all the bereaved parents who have need for support respond well to available treatments and that many have little access to further intervention or follow-up over time, online interventions featuring therapeutic writing and peer support have strong potential. In this article we explore how a group of bereaved mothers experienced the process of participating in an online course in therapeutic writing for the integration of grief. Our research questions were: How do parents who have lost a child experience being part of an online course in therapeutic writing? What are the perceived benefits and challenges of writing in processing their grief? We followed an existential phenomenological approach and analyzed fieldwork notes (n = 13), qualitative data from the application and assessment surveys (n = 35; n = 21), excerpts from the journals of some participants (n = 3), and email correspondence with some participants (n = 5). We categorized the results in three meaning units: (1) where does my story begin? The "both and" of their silent chaos; (2) standing on the middle line: a pregnancy that does not end; (3) closures and openings: "careful optimism" and the need for community support. Participants experienced writing as an opportunity for self-exploration regarding their identities and their emotional world, as well as a means to develop and strengthen a bond with their children. They also experienced a sense of belonging, validation, and acceptance in the online group in a way that helped them make sense of their suffering. Online writing courses could be of benefit for bereaved parents who are grieving the unexpected death of a child, but do not replace other interventions such as psychotherapy. In addition to trauma and attachment informed models of grief, identity informed models with a developmental focus might enhance the impact of both low-threshold community interventions and more intensive clinical ones. Further studies and theoretical development in the area are needed, addressing dialogical notions such as the multivoicedness of the self.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Lehmann
- NIEFT - The Norwegian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Jens Thimm
- Centre of Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Psychology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Aslak Hjeltnes
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Reinekke Lengelle
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada
| | - Trine Giving Kalstad
- The Norwegian SIDS and Stillbirth Society (Landsforeningen Uventet Barnedød - LUB), Oslo, Norway
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Nelson-Coffey SK, Bohlmeijer ET, Schotanus-Dijkstra M. Practicing Other-Focused Kindness and Self-Focused Kindness Among Those at Risk for Mental Illness: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychol 2021; 12:741546. [PMID: 34721218 PMCID: PMC8551549 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.741546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
People with reduced levels of mental well-being might be at risk for developing future mental illness. Although several positive psychology interventions successfully improve mental well-being and psychological distress, less is known about their efficacy in a sample at risk for mental disorders. A Dutch sample of 289 participants with low or moderate levels of well-being were randomly assigned to other-focused kindness with reflection, other-focused kindness without reflection, self-focused kindness, or waitlist control (Trial register: NTR6786). Results of multilevel growth curve analyses revealed that other-focused kindness, but not self-focused kindness, led to improvements in the primary outcome mental well-being relative to waitlist control up to 6-week follow-up. By contrast, only other-focused kindness without reflection led to improvements in psychological distress. The three kindness conditions mainly did not differ from one another, and mainly no differences were found up to 6-months follow-up. An exception was that perceived stress was significantly more reduced up to 6-week and 6-months follow-up when people practiced other-focused kindness without reflection then when participants had practiced self-focused kindness. These findings point to the benefits of practicing kindness for others when people might be at risk for future mental illness. The study also indicates that reflecting about practicing kindness does not seem to have added value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernst T Bohlmeijer
- Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for eHealth and Well-Being Research, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra
- Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for eHealth and Well-Being Research, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
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Seyedfatemi N, Ghezeljeh TN, Bolhari J, Rezaei M. Effects of family-based dignity intervention and expressive writing on anticipatory grief of family caregivers of patients with cancer: a study protocol for a four-arm randomized controlled trial and a qualitative process evaluation. Trials 2021; 22:751. [PMID: 34711262 PMCID: PMC8552199 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05718-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers of dying cancer patients are affected by grief experiences and bereavement complications. Several approaches such as psycho-emotional care and an increase in spirituality have been suggested to diminish these complications. However, the knowledge about the effects of family-based dignity intervention and expressive writing on anticipatory grief in family caregivers of dying cancer patients is limited. This is a study protocol describing a hospital-based mixed-methods study on the effects of family-based dignity intervention and expressive writing on anticipatory grief in family caregivers of dying cancer patients. METHODS This mixed-methods study will be done in an embedded explanatory design with two quantitative and qualitative phases. In the first phase (quantitative), a randomized clinical trial will be done, in which 200 family caregivers of dying cancer patients will be randomly assigned to one of the four groups: family-based single dignity intervention (group 1), expressive writing intervention (group 2), combined family-based single dignity intervention and expressive writing (group 3), and control (group 4). At baseline, 1 week and 2 weeks after the interventions, anticipatory grief will be assessed by a 13-item anticipatory grief scale. After the quantitative phase, the qualitative phase will be conducted through the conventional content analysis approach of Granheim and Lundman, in which an individual semi-structured interview will be taken from participants in the first phase to collect data on their experiences on interventions. Finally, data from the quantitative and qualitative phases will be analyzed and discussed. DISCUSSION Family caregivers of dying cancer patients usually experience depression, anxiety, and psychological distress due to isolation and inadequate social support. Psychological interventions such as dignity and expressive writing interventions may help caregivers to obtain a better understanding of themselves and to increase their abilities to cope with caregiving difficulties. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive study confirming the effects of mentioned interventions on family caregivers of dying cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( www.irct.ir ) identifier: IRCT20210111050010N1. Date of trial registration: Feb 6, 2021. This is the first version of this protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naima Seyedfatemi
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Najafi Ghezeljeh
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Bolhari
- Spiritual Health Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Rezaei
- Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Arabin B, Hellmeyer L, Maul J, Metz GAS. Awareness of maternal stress, consequences for the offspring and the need for early interventions to increase stress resilience. J Perinat Med 2021; 49:979-989. [PMID: 34478615 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Experimental and clinical studies suggest that prenatal experiences may influence health trajectories up to adulthood and high age. According to the hypothesis of developmental origins of health and disease exposure of pregnant women to stress, nutritional challenges, infection, violence, or war may "program" risks for diseases in later life. Stress and anxieties can exist or be provoked in parents after fertility treatment, after information or diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and demand simultaneous caring concepts to support the parents. In vulnerable groups, it is therefore important to increase the stress resilience to avoid harmful consequences for the growing child. "Enriched environment" defines a key paradigm to decipher how interactions between genes and environment change the structure and function of the brain. The regulation of the fetal hippocampal neurogenesis and morphology during pregnancy is one example of this complex interaction. Animal experiments have demonstrated that an enriched environment can revert consequences of stress in the offspring during critical periods of brain plasticity. Epigenetic markers of stress or wellbeing during pregnancy might even be diagnosed by fragments of placental DNA in the maternal circulation that show characteristic methylation patterns. The development of fetal senses further illustrates how external stimulation may impact individual preferences. Here, we therefore not only discuss how maternal stress influences cognitive development and resilience, but also design possibilities of non-invasive interventions for both mothers and children summarized and evaluated in the light of their potential to improve the health of future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Arabin
- Clara Angela Foundation, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Obstetrics, Charité, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Hellmeyer
- Clara Angela Foundation, Berlin, Germany.,Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Gerlinde A S Metz
- Clara Angela Foundation, Berlin, Germany.,Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Writing Technique Across Psychotherapies-From Traditional Expressive Writing to New Positive Psychology Interventions: A Narrative Review. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOTHERAPY 2021; 52:23-34. [PMID: 34538888 PMCID: PMC8438907 DOI: 10.1007/s10879-021-09520-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Writing Therapy (WT) is defined as a process of investigation about personal thoughts and feelings using the act of writing as an instrument, with the aim of promoting self-healing and personal growth. WT has been integrated in specific psychotherapies with the aim of treating specific mental disorders (PTSD, depression, etc.). More recently, WT has been included in several Positive Interventions (PI) as a useful tool to promote psychological well-being. This narrative review was conducted by searching on scientific databases and analyzing essential studies, academic books and journal articles where writing therapy was applied. The aim of this review is to describe and summarize the use of WT across various psychotherapies, from the traditional applications as expressive writing, or guided autobiography, to the phenomenological-existential approach (Logotherapy) and, more recently, to the use of WT within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Finally, the novel applications of writing techniques from a positive psychology perspective will be analyzed. Accordingly, the applications of WT for promoting forgiveness, gratitude, wisdom and other positive dimensions will be illustrated. The results of this review show that WT yield therapeutic effects on symptoms and distress, but it also promotes psychological well-being. The use of writing can be a standalone treatment or it can be easily integrated as supplement in other therapeutic approaches. This review might help clinician and counsellors to apply the simple instrument of writing to promote insight, healing and well-being in clients, according to their specific clinical needs and therapeutic goals.
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Marschin V, Herbert C. A Short, Multimodal Activity Break Incorporated Into the Learning Context During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Effects of Physical Activity and Positive Expressive Writing on University Students' Mental Health-Results and Recommendations From a Pilot Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:645492. [PMID: 34456782 PMCID: PMC8397384 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior and mental ill health, due to high levels of perceived stress or self-reported depressive symptoms, are highly prevalent among university students. There are concerns that these behaviors and mental symptoms have significantly increased during the current Covid-19 pandemic, partly because academic life has changed considerably from face-to-face communication to e-learning and studying at home. Self-regulation and physical activity are hard to maintain during pandemic lockdowns. Short activity breaks could be helpful to avoid physical inactivity and sustain mental health. The breaks should comprise short and easy-implementable physical activity exercises that can be integrated into the learning context. Moreover, cognitive interventions, such as writing about positive events and feelings might help as coping strategy for self-regulation during study breaks. This study investigated and compared the effects of a physical activity intervention and a cognitive intervention (positive expressive writing) on mental health among university students. Both interventions are particularly suitable for use at home. N = 20 university students, studying in Germany, were assigned to a physical activity group or a cognitive intervention group. The physical activity intervention consisted of a mix of physical exercises including endurance exercises, muscular strength, relaxation, and ballroom dance movements. The interventions were carried out guided, once a week, for 5-10 mins at the beginning of classes. The effects of group × time showed no significant interaction on self-reported perceived stress, mood, quality of life (QoL) assessed online and compared at the beginning of the term before the intervention (T0) and at the end of the term after the intervention (T3). However, the physical activity group reported a similar physical activity level per day over time, while the cognitive intervention group showed a decrease in physical activity from T0 to T3. Low-dose, short physical activity interventions as well as cognitive interventions consisting of positive expressive writing could buffer university students' perceived stress, mood, and QoL across the term. Moreover, both interventions seem to be promising in buffering the negative side effects of stress during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cornelia Herbert
- Department of Applied Emotion and Motivation Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Qian J, Sun S, Zhou X, Wu M, Yu X. Effects of an expressive writing intervention in Chinese women undergoing pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality: A randomized controlled trial. Midwifery 2021; 103:103104. [PMID: 34348194 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of an expressive writing intervention on promoting psychological well-being of women who have had a diagnosis of fetal abnormality. DESIGN AND SETTING An open, randomized controlled trial with parallel group design was conducted at a tertiary hospital in China. 100 women were randomly assigned into either the expressive writing (EW) intervention group or the control group, and 80 women eventually took part in all the phases of the study. Psychological variables including post-traumatic growth (PTG), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and resilience were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention and 1-month follow-up. PARTICIPANTS Women who have had a diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and decided to terminate pregnancies. INTERVENTION Women in the intervention group were asked to write three 15 min essays in regard to their experiences with the fetal abnormalities. FINDINGS The intervention group had significantly higher level of PTG (p = 0.003) and lower level of PTSD symptoms (p = 0.023) immediately after the intervention, as compared with the control group. In 1-month follow-up, intervention participants demonstrated significant improvement in PTG (p = 0.014) but insignificant reduction for PTSD symptoms. No significant effects were observed in both groups in terms of changes over time in resilience. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE EW is efficacious for improving women's PTG and easing their symptoms of PTSD to some extent. Medical staff should pay more attention to this population's psychological status. In the future, EW interventions need to be conducted in larger samples with more severe symptoms of PTSD to validate its effectiveness. The efficacy of longer and more frequent writing interventions should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Qian
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shiwen Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhou
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengwei Wu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Toubia O, Berger J, Eliashberg J. How quantifying the shape of stories predicts their success. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2011695118. [PMID: 34172568 PMCID: PMC8256009 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011695118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Narratives, and other forms of discourse, are powerful vehicles for informing, entertaining, and making sense of the world. But while everyday language often describes discourse as moving quickly or slowly, covering a lot of ground, or going in circles, little work has actually quantified such movements or examined whether they are beneficial. To fill this gap, we use several state-of-the-art natural language-processing and machine-learning techniques to represent texts as sequences of points in a latent, high-dimensional semantic space. We construct a simple set of measures to quantify features of this semantic path, apply them to thousands of texts from a variety of domains (i.e., movies, TV shows, and academic papers), and examine whether and how they are linked to success (e.g., the number of citations a paper receives). Our results highlight some important cross-domain differences and provide a general framework that can be applied to study many types of discourse. The findings shed light on why things become popular and how natural language processing can provide insight into cultural success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Toubia
- Marketing Division, Columbia Business School, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027;
| | - Jonah Berger
- Marketing Department, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jehoshua Eliashberg
- Marketing Department, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Emotional acknowledgment: How verbalizing others’ emotions fosters interpersonal trust. ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN DECISION PROCESSES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Coifman KG, Disabato DD, Seah THS, Ostrowski-Delahanty S, Palmieri PA, Delahanty DL, Gunstad J. Boosting positive mood in medical and emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary evidence of efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a novel online ambulatory intervention. Occup Environ Med 2021; 78:oemed-2021-107427. [PMID: 33903280 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this project was to test the efficacy of a brief and novel online ambulatory intervention aimed at supporting psychological health and well-being for medical personnel and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Interested participants, n=28, actively employed as medical personnel, support staff and emergency responders, in the Midwestern USA in May-June of 2020, provided informed consent and were randomised to complete either low-dose or high-dose intervention, one time daily for 1 week via smartphone application. Each daily intervention included expressive writing, adaptive emotion regulation activity and (one vs two) positive emotion-generation activities, lasting 3-6 min a day. Ratings of negative and positive emotion were provided before and after each activity daily. Analyses tested compliance, acceptability, as well as efficacy at increasing positive emotion and decreasing negative emotion with each use and across time. RESULTS The results indicated a 13% increase in positive emotion, t(25)=2.01, p=0.056; and decrease in negative emotion by 44%, t(25)=-4.00, p=0.001 across both doses. However, there was a clear advantage for individuals in the high-dose condition as daily boosts in positive emotion were significantly greater (an additional 9.4%) B=0.47, p=0.018. Overall, compliance was good. Acceptability ratings were good for those who completed the follow-up assessment. CONCLUSION Front-line personnel, including medical staff and emergency responders, are experiencing unprecedented psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investigation suggests both feasibility and efficacy for a brief, daily, ambulatory intervention which could provide essential psychological support to individuals at risk in the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin G Coifman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - David D Disabato
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - T H Stanley Seah
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Douglas L Delahanty
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - John Gunstad
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
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„Errare humanum est“? Selbstbildung und Subjektivierung durch Fehlleistung. FORUM DER PSYCHOANALYSE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00451-021-00429-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kaptein AA. Novels as data: Health humanities and health psychology. J Health Psychol 2021; 27:1615-1625. [PMID: 33706566 PMCID: PMC9092909 DOI: 10.1177/1359105321999107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Novels represent a corpus of data that offers innovative opportunities
for research and theory in health psychology. This article discusses
how adding ‘health humanities’ to health psychology opens up a
potentially rich domain for research and clinical application. The
concept of ‘health humanities’ is discussed and put into a context of
related fields. The concepts of ‘illness perceptions’ and ‘models of
patient–health care provider interaction’ are used as illustrations.
Applications are given, focusing on patients and their caregivers,
health care providers and society at large (bibliotherapy and
expressive writing). Suggestions for further development of the area
are included.
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Bergsma A, Buijt I, Veenhoven R. Will Happiness-Trainings Make Us Happier? A Research Synthesis Using an Online Findings-Archive. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1953. [PMID: 33312145 PMCID: PMC7707103 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most people want to be happy and many look out for opportunities to achieve a more satisfying life. Following a happiness training is an option, but the effectiveness of such training is being questioned. In this research synthesis we assessed: (1) whether happiness training techniques add to the happiness of their users, (2) how much happiness training techniques add to happiness, (3) how long the effect of happiness training lasts, (4) what kinds of training techniques work best, and (5) what types of groups of people profit from taking happiness training. We took stock of the available research and found 61 reports of effect studies on training techniques, which together yielded 179 findings. These findings are available in an online "findings archive," the World Database of Happiness. Using links to this source allows us to condense information in tabular overviews, while providing the reader with access to much detail. Happiness training techniques seem to do what they are designed to do: 96% of the studies showed a gain in happiness post intervention and at follow-up, about half of the positive results were statistically significant. Studies with cross-sectional designs and studies that used control groups showed more mixed results. The average effect of happiness training was approximately 5% of the scale range. We conclude that taking a form of happiness training is advisable for individuals looking for a more satisfying life. Since happier workers tend to be more productive, organizations would be wise to provide such training techniques for their workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ad Bergsma
- Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ivonne Buijt
- Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ruut Veenhoven
- Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Optentia Research Program, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
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Berkout OV, Cathey AJ, Berkout DV. Inflexitext: A program assessing psychological inflexibility in unstructured verbal data. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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