Web-Based Training Program Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Enhance Cognitive Flexibility and Alleviate Psychological Distress Among Schoolteachers: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Your Need for Cognition, Cognitive Flexibility, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Matter! The Path beyond a Satisfied Life

This study explored the associations among cognitive flexibility, cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, need for cognition, and life satisfaction, which represents a cognitive component of subjective well-being. Previous studies have shown the importance of adaptive CER strategies for well-being, while maladaptive strategies have been linked to negative outcomes such as psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, the need for cognition has been associated with cognitive flexibility and positive outcomes in various domains. However, the specific roles of cognitive flexibility and CER strategies in the relationship between need for cognition and life satisfaction remain relatively unexplored in the existing literature. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating how cognitive flexibility and different CER strategies contribute to the relationship between need for cognition and life satisfaction in a non-clinical sample of 239 adults via a survey consisting of a demographic information form, need for cognition scale, cognitive flexibility inventory, cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire, and satisfaction with life scale. The results demonstrated that when individuals with a high need for cognition had cognitive flexibility, they were more likely to use adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, resulting in elevated life satisfaction. The findings of this study may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms that influence individuals' cognitive processes, cognitive emotional regulation, and overall life satisfaction. Such understanding can have implications for interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive flexibility, promoting adaptive CER strategies, and ultimately fostering improved life satisfaction.

Effectiveness of interventions on the stress management of schoolteachers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

This systematic review aimed to analyse the effectiveness of interventions on the stress management of schoolteachers.

Methods

We searched the Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Education Research Complete until 30 November 2021, to identify relevant studies using relevant key words. Job or occupational stress was used as the outcome measure. Stress was defined as Perceived Stress Scale, Teacher Stress Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Teacher’s Distress, Brief Symptoms Inventory or Global Severity Index. Study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment was performed by two independent reviewers. The pooled estimate of the effect by the type of outcome measurement tool and by type of interventions used was calculated using random effects meta-analysis. We used Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation to assess the overall quality of the evidence.

Results

We reviewed 26 studies, of which 24 were randomised trials and 2 pre-test/post-test studies. Based on meta-analysis, a positive effect of intervention (pooled estimate −1.13, 95% CI −1.52 to −0.73) with high heterogeneity among studies (χ2=426.88, p<0.001, I2=94%) was found by type of interventions used. Cognitive–behavioural therapy had the strongest positive effect, followed by meditation among the types of interventions studied. We identified evidence of a moderate quality for interventions aiming to manage the stress level of schoolteachers.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis showed a positive effect of interventions, suggesting that interventions might reduce the stress level among teachers. The quality of the evidence was moderate.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021225098

Are Organizational EHealth Interventions Becoming More Effective at Addressing Employee Mental Health; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

Background

Mental health conditions are considered the leading cause of disability, sickness absence, and long-term work incapacity. eHealth interventions provide employees with access to psychological assistance. There has been widespread implementation and provision of eHealth interventions in the workplace as an inexpensive and anonymous way of addressing common mental disorders.

Objective

This updated review aimed to synthesize the literature on the efficacy of eHealth interventions for anxiety, depression, and stress outcomes in employee samples in organizational settings and evaluate whether their effectiveness has improved over time.

Methods

Systematic searches of relevant articles published from 2004 to July 2020 of eHealth intervention trials (app- or web-based) focusing on the mental health of employees were conducted. The quality and bias of all studies were assessed. We extracted means and SDs from publications by comparing the differences in effect sizes (Hedge g) in standardized mental health outcomes. We meta-analyzed these data using a random-effects model.

Results

We identified a tripling of the body of evidence, with 75 trials available for meta-analysis from a combined sample of 14,747 articles. eHealth interventions showed small positive effects for anxiety (Hedges g=0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.39; P<.001), depression (Hedges g=0.26, 95% CI 0.19-0.34; P<.001), and stress (Hedges g=0.25, 95% CI 0.17-0.34; P<.001) in employees’ after intervention, with similar effects seen at the medium-term follow-up. However, there was evidence of no increase in the effectiveness of these interventions over the past decade.

Conclusions

This review and meta-analysis confirmed that eHealth interventions have a small positive impact on reducing mental health symptoms in employees. Disappointingly, we found no evidence that, despite the advances in technology and the enormous resources in time, research, and finance devoted to this area for over a decade, better interventions are being produced. Hopefully, these small effect sizes do not represent optimum outcomes in organizational settings.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42020185859; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=185859

From Trait Affect and Conscientiousness to Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility

This study investigates the mediating role of cognitive flexibility on the relationship between trait positive/negative affect, and conscientiousness with individual entrepreneurial orientation. A total of 508 (175 male and 333 female) undergraduate students participated in the study. Three separate mediation analyses were carried out. The results revealed that cognitive flexibility partially mediated the relationship between trait positive affect and individual entrepreneurial orientation as well as the relationship between conscientiousness and individual entrepreneurial orientation. The results also showed that cognitive flexibility fully mediated the association between trait negative affect and individual entrepreneurial orientation. Findings of this study show that interventions and individual development programs may be conducted to increase cognitive flexibility of individuals with high levels of trait negative affect, low levels of conscientiousness and low levels of trait positive affect. This might potentially strengthen their levels of individual entrepreneurial orientation.

Comprehensive analysis of depression-related factors among middle-aged residents in Japan, an Eastern culture: A cross-sectional study

There is a need to comprehensively identify depression-related factors, including individual and socioeconomic factors, in each country or cultural area, to consider effective measures to address depression within communities. However, there are not enough studies on middle-aged residents in Japan or other Eastern countries to currently achieve this. Thus, the aim of this study was to comprehensively identify factors related to depression in middle-aged residents in Japan, an Eastern country.The study design was cross-sectional. A questionnaire survey was conducted among all community residents aged 40 to 59 in a rural municipality in Western Japan. The questionnaire contained items on demographic characteristics, psychological factors, health-related behaviors, and socioeconomic factors. A Chi-Squared test or Fisher exact test was used to analyze the relationships between depression and each assessed factor. Next, a logistic regression analysis was performed to identify comprehensive relationships between depression and its related factors.Data from 362 participants were analyzed. The average age was 51.5 years; 148 were male. A Chi-Squared test or Fisher exact test demonstrated that many psychological factors, health-related behaviors, and socioeconomic factors ware significantly related to depression. A logistic regression analysis showed that depression was significantly associated with male gender, low sense of coherence, high cognitive stress levels, low help-seeking behavior, poor quality sleep, and a lack of hobbies. Nagelkerke R2 was 51%.This study revealed through multivariate analysis that depression was primarily associated with personal behavioral and psychological factors in Japan, an Eastern country with a holistic cultural background. This result is consistent with findings from Western countries. This study can contribute the promotion and evaluation of preventive measures for depression in Eastern culture that focus on individual behavioral and psychological factors.

Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programme with and without videoconference guidance sessions: A randomized controlled trial to treat work-related symptoms of anxiety and depression

This study provides the results from the implementation of a highly structured therapist-guided iCBT programme for people with work-related anxiety and depression, in terms of programme efficacy, participants' adherence and satisfaction. Seventy-seven national police workers were randomly allocated to one of two groups: without additional videoconference sessions (web platform with guidance of therapist) and with additional videoconference sessions (same intervention as the previous group, plus two videoconference guidance sessions with a psychologist). The intervention was composed of 12 sessions and took place for 17-20 weeks. We found an adherence rate of 36.4%, with no differences between groups. All participants endorsed lower depression (BDI-II F(1) = 36.98, p < .001; ATQ F(1) = 24.22, p < .001), and anxiety (STAI-State F(1) = 76.62, p < .001) after the programme. As a variable related to anxiety and depression in workplace, participants also showed higher assertiveness levels (RAS F(1) = 8.96, p < .001). A significant reduction of the mean level of anxiety perceived by participants as the intervention programme progressed was observed in both groups (F(2) = 7.44; p = .003). Participants were satisfied with the therapists' intervention and with the programme. No significant group effects were found for any of the measures. Reduction in depression levels was maintained in the 12-month follow-up, but levels of anxiety increased. This study is innovative, as it is the first controlled trial to analyse the effect of two added videoconference sessions, and it includes short- and long-term measures, which is not usual. The results are discussed to clarify the role of the contact with the therapist to improve treatment adherence.

The importance of cognitive flexibility and flexibility in coping with stress for the quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease patients during biological therapy. A preliminary report

INTRODUCTION

There are studies demonstrating the relation between psychological factors and efficiency of treatment in the course of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

AIM

To investigate the relation between cognitive flexibility and flexibility in coping with stress and the quality of life, as well as the sense of satisfaction with life, in patients undergoing the biological treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 33 adults who were diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). The Flexibility in Coping with Stress Questionnaire (FCSQ-14), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), the Quality of Life SF36v2 Questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the socio-demographic questionnaire were used to gather the data.

RESULTS

A total of 14 females and 19 males were included in this analysis. The results did not prove that the disease diagnosis (UC or CD) differed the level of psychological resources. However, older respondents achieved lower results in cognitive flexibility. A positive correlation was observed between both cognitive flexibility and flexibility in coping with stress and different dimensions of quality of life and satisfaction with life.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a relationship between both cognitive flexibility and flexibility in coping with stress and health-related quality of life. These factors can be considered to be a kind of resource that helps to cope with challenges posed by a chronic illness, including IBD. Therefore, it is significant to increase their level by applying tailored therapeutic methods.