bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mental Disorders Among Maori Attending Their General Practitioner
Authors:   The MaGPIe Research Group,   The MaGPIe Research Group, Bushnell John 
Published: December 2009

Objective: This paper identifies rates of common mental disorders among Maori and non-Maori consulting a general practitioner (GP), and explores the association between ethnicity and social and material deprivation. Method: Survey of GPs and their patients. Participants were randomly selected GPs (n = 70), and their patients (n = 3414, of whom a subset of 786 form the basis of this paper). The main comparison is between self-identified ethnicity, mental disorder assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and social and material deprivation measured by NZDep2001 (an area based measure), and an individualized index of deprivation. Results: Rates of mental disorder among Maori general practice attenders were higher than among non-Maori. Overall, Maori women attenders were twice as likely as non-Maori women attenders to have a diagnosable mental disorder. The rates of anxiety, depressive and substance use disorders were all higher for Maori than for others attending GPs. Treatment for psychological problems was offered by the GP at similar rates to both Maori and non-Maori. Although there were differences between Maori and non-Maori in terms of social and material deprivation, higher rates of mental disorder among Maori attending GPs compared to non-Maori cannot be accounted for by these differences alone. Conclusions: These findings support the view that whilst social and material deprivation may play a role in the high rates of mental disorders among Maori general practice attenders, there are additional ethnicity-specific factors involved. Interventions to address Maori mental health (whether by reducing risk factors for mental disorder, by promoting disclosure, early recognition and intervention, or by ensuring access to acceptable and effective treatments) may need to explicitly take those factors into account.
Mental Disorder in the New South Wales Prisoner Population
Authors: Butler Tony , Allnutt Stephen , Cain David , Owens Dale , Muller Christine 
Published: December 2009

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of mental illness among prisoners in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Method: Mental illness was examined in two NSW prisoner populations: (i) new receptions to the correctional system; and (ii) sentenced prisoners. Reception prisoners were screened at four male centres and one female centre in NSW. The sentenced population was randomly selected from 28 correctional centres across the state. Reception prisoners were screened consecutively whenever possible while the sentenced group was randomly selected as part of the 2001 Inmate Health Survey. We adopted the same instrument, Composite International Diagnostic Interview – Auto (CIDI-A), for diagnosing mental illness as used in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Results: Overall, 43% of those screened had at least one of the following diagnoses: psychosis, anxiety disorder, or affective disorder. Reception prisoners suffered from mental illness to a greater extent than sentenced prisoners (46% vs. 38%). Women had higher levels of psychiatric morbidity than men (61% vs. 39%). Nine percent (9%) of all prisoners had experienced psychotic symptoms (due to any cause) in the prior 12 months. Twenty percent (20%) of all prisoners had suffered from at least one type of mood disorder and 36% had experienced an anxiety disorder. Posttraumatic stress disorder was the most common disorder, diagnosed in 26% of receptions and 21% of sentenced prisoners. Conclusions: These findings confirm that prisoners are a highly mentally disordered group compared with the general community. Given the high prevalence of mental illness identified by this study, it is essential that prison mental health services be adequately resourced to address the demand and, at minimum, ensure that mental health does not deteriorate during incarceration.
Psychoanalysis, Science and the Seductive Theory of Karl Popper
Authors: Grant Don C. , Harari Edwin 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To present a critique of the ideas of Karl Popper, the philosopher of science, whose depiction of psychoanalysis as a pseudoscience is often used to justify attacks on psychoanalysis. Method: Published sources are used to provide a brief intellectual biography of Popper, a summar yof his concept of science and a summar yof criticisms of Popper's view of science. His depiction of psychoanalysis and Freud's reply are presented. Clinical, experimental and neurobiological research which refutes Popper's view is summarized. Results: There is a vast scholarly published work critical of Popper's falsifiability criterion of science. Less recognized is Popper's misunderstanding and misrepresentation of psychoanalysis; his argument against it is logically flawed and empirically false. Even if Popper's theory of science is accepted, there is considerable clinical, experimental and neurobiological research in psychoanalysis which meets Popper's criterion of science. Conclusion: Attacks on psychoanalysis based on Popper's theory of science are illfounded and reflect inadequate scholarship. Keywords: evidence, falsifiability, philosophy of science, psychoanalysis, science.
Self-Administered Instrument to Measure the Patient's Experience of Recovery After First-Episode Psychosis: Development and Validation of the Psychosis Recovery Inventory
Authors: Chen Eric Y.H. , Tam Dennise K.P. , Wong Josephine W.S. , Law C.W , Chiu Cindy P.Y. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: Patients who are recovering from a first-episode psychosis face specific and complex issues that are related to their illness and treatment experiences, such as the appraisal of the extent of their recoveryand the risk ofrelapse. Currently, no instrument provides a comprehensive assessment of these related attitudes. A novel self-administered rating scale for the measurement of key perceptions during the recovery stage after a firstepisode psychosis is presented. The Psychosis Recovery Inventory (PRI) is designed to specifically address a number of closely related issues that are faced by patients who are recovering from a first-episode psychosis. Method: The process of development of the PRI involved the generation of items from qualitative interviews, the construction and refinement of these items and a validation study. The longitudinal stability of the PRI items was assessed in a test–retest reliability study in which 20 patients completed the retest within 4 weeks. The internal consistency and convergent validity of the PRI were evaluated by a comparison of the PRI subscale scores and the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder and Drug Attitude Inventory scores in a sample of 48 first-episode psychosis patients. Results: The validation study shows that the PRI is an instrument with a good test–retest reliability, internal consistency and convergent validity. Conclusions: This pragmatic, low burden, self-administered scale can be applied in clinical and research settings to obtain reliable information on the attitudes of patients on a range of interrelated issues in the recovery stage that follows a first-episode psychosis.
Imputing Missing Repeated Measures Data: How Should We Proceed?
Authors: Elliott Peter , Hawthorne Graeme 
Published: December 2009

Objective: This paper compares six missing data methods that can be used for carrying out statistical tests on repeated measures data: listwise deletion, last value carried forward (LVCF), standardized score imputation, regression and two versions of a closest match method. Method: The efficacy of each was investigated under a variety of sample sizes and with differing levels of missingness. Randomly selected samples from a dataset (n=804) were used to compare the methods using t-tests. Efficacy was defined as the closeness of the estimated t-values to the true t-values from the complete dataset. Results: The results suggest a reliable and efficacious basis for imputation method for repeated measures data is to substitute a missing datum with a value from another individual who has the closest scores on the same variable measured at other timepoints, or the average value of four individuals who have the closest scores on the same variable at other timepoints. The LVCF and standardized score methods performed relatively poorly, which is of concern since these are often recommended. Listwise deletion was also an inefficient missing data method. Conclusions: Researchers should consider using closest matchmissing data imputation. Since listwise deletion performed poorly, is widely reported and is the default method in many statistical software packages, the findings have broad implications.
Factors Associated with Readmission to Adolescent Psychiatric Care
Authors: Bobier Candace , Bobier Candace , Warwick Matt 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with readmission to adolescent psychiatric inpatient care, in the context of a relapsing major mental illness. Method: Data were obtained from 71 patients admitted to an adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit over a 2-year period. Patients who were rehospitalized within 12 months of discharge were compared with patients who had only one admission during the study period with respect to diagnosis, age of first admission, history of child sexual abuse (CSA) and the events precipitating admission. Results: Medication non-adherence and a history of CSA were positively and independently associated with relapse readmission, while a trend emerged among readmitted patients toward younger age at first psychiatric hospitalization. A negative association was found between readmission and the experience of personal loss. Readmission was not related to DSM-IV axis I or axis II diagnosis, including substance abuse. Conclusions: The association, in an adolescent sample, of medication non-adherence and relapse readmission is consistent with findings from numerous adult studies, as is the trend toward younger age of first admission. The relationship of a history of CSA to readmission has attracted little previous research and the finding of a positive association suggests that further investigation of a history of CSA in this context is warranted. The implications of these findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Anxiety and Social Worries in Children with Asperger Syndrome
Authors: Russell Emily , Sofronoff Kate , Russell Emily , Sofronoff Kate 
Published: December 2009

Objective: The current study examined anxiety and social worries in a group of children with Asperger syndrome (AS). Method: Sixty-five children with AS were compared with a clinically anxious sample and a normative sample using parent and child reports. Results: Comparisons between clinically anxious children and children with AS showed similar scores on overall anxiety and on six anxiety subscales using child reports. Parent reports revealed higher ratings of overall anxiety and described children with AS experiencing more obsessive–compulsive symptoms and physical injury fears than clinically anxious children. Conclusions: Children with AS without a diagnosis of anxiety, present with more anxiety symptoms than a normal population and with a different profile than a clinically anxious population. Study limitations are identified and considerations for future research presented.
Pharmacotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Empirical Review and Clinical Recommendations
Authors: Cooper John , Carty Jessica , Creamer Mark 
Published: December 2009

Objective: Growing awareness of the psychological effects of trauma has emphasized the need for clinicians across a range of practice settings to be aware of evidence-based treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this article is to review the available empirical data on pharmacological approaches to PTSD and to provide recommendations for clinical practice. Method: Although a comprehensive search of PsychInfo and Medline databases revealed a multitude of case reports and open-label trials, this paper focuses primarily on evidence obtained from randomized controlled trials to determine the most effective pharmacological treatments for PTSD. Results: The research data overwhelmingly supports antidepressant medication as the first-line pharmacotherapy for PTSD, with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors having the strongest body of empirical support. Other medications, and with care, combination pharmacotherapy, may also have a role in the management of certain presentations. Cautions for clinicians in treating this complex disorder are provided. Conclusions: Despite a substantial increase in the amount and quality of research into pharmacological treatments for PTSD in recent years, there is still a pressing need for more data to guide routine clinical practice. In particular, future research regarding the psychobiological basis of PTSD may guide the development of a PTSD-specific drug, designed to treat the unique characteristics of this disorder.
Nature of Depression in Patients with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Judd Fiona , Komiti Angela , Chua Phyllis , Mijch Anne , Hoy Jennifer , Grech Paul , Street Alan , Lloyd John , Williams Ben 
Published: December 2009

Objective: Existing research suggests that the rate of depressive illness and depressive symptoms are high in people living with HIV/AIDS, but investigations on the causes of depression provide conflicting results. Social, psychological and biological factors have all been suggested as possible causes of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS. The suggestion that depression may be the result of the neurotropic effects of the virus on the central nervous system leading to an ‘organic’ or secondary depression has major implications in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the current study was to further investigate the nature and underlying aetiology of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS. Method: One hundred and twenty-nine people living with HIV/AIDS recruited for the study from outpatients clinics and primary care settings completed a range of self-report symptom measures including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), SF-36, SPHERE and a personality measure, the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI). They also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests (CANTAB) and a structured clinical interview (SCID-DSM-IV). Medical and sociodemographic data were also recorded. Results: Approximately one-third scored ≥14 on the BDI and 27% met criteria for a current ‘mood disorder’ on the SCID. Depressive symptoms were strongly related to personality style, having a past psychiatric history and current stressful psychosocial situation. There was no association between depression and HIV disease status. There was no evidence in this study cohort of a distinct subtype of ‘organic’ or secondary depression. Conclusions: These results suggest that at least for ‘well’ people living with HIV/AIDS, there is no distinct subtype of depression and early treatment approaches can be modelled on those used for other non-HIV groups. Further longitudinal studies will be required to dissect out the multiple factors underlying depression in HIV/AIDS.
Anxiety and Depression in Fathers in Teenage Pregnancy
Authors: Quinlivan Julie A. , Condon John 
Published: December 2009

Objective: It is recognized that pregnant teenagers have higher levels of psychological symptomatology compared to older pregnant women. However, there are limited data on fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare levels of psychological symptomatology in fathers in the setting of teenage as compared to non-teenage pregnancy. Method: A cross-sectional cohort study was undertaken. Data from interviews with consecutive fathers in the setting of teenage (Teenage) and non-teenage (Control) pregnancy were compared during the antenatal period. Subjects were interviewed to obtain information covering demographic and family information, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Results: Significantly more fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy met the case criteria for HADS-A and HADS-D subscales compared to older fathers. They had significantly higher GHQ-28 totals and all subscale scores and were more likely predictive of a young age of death compared to older fathers. However, formal contact with psychiatric services was similar between groups. Interestingly, 14% of fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy reported losing their own father as a child. In multivariate analysis, a high HADS score was significantly associated with younger age of onset of fatherhood and exposure to domestic violence as a child, whereas having their own father alive was significantly protective against a high HADS score. Conclusion: Fathers, in the setting of teenage pregnancy, have unrecognized psychological symptomatology and require services along with teenage mothers.
‘Big Build’: Hidden Depression in Men
Authors: Brownhill Suzanne , Wilhelm Kay , Barclay Lesley , Schmied Virginia 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To investigate men's experience of depression. Method: A sample ofmale and female teachers and students was recruited from four sites of a tertiary education institution to a series of focus groups. A grounded theory approach to qualitative data analysis was used to elucidate men's experience of depression. Content analysis was applied to the women's data to examine similarities and contrasts with the men. Standard measures of mood and dispositional optimism confirmed the non-clinical status of the group. Results: The findings suggest that some men who are depressed can experience a trajectory of emotional distress manifest in avoidant, numbing and escape behaviours which can lead to aggression, violence and suicide. Gender differences appear not in the experience of depression per se, but in the expression of depression. Conclusion: Emotional distress, constrained by traditional notions of masculinity, may explain why depression in men can often be hidden, overlooked, not discussed or ‘acted out’. There are implications for the types of questions asked of men to detect depressive symptoms.
Psychiatric Diagnostic Dilemmas in the Medical Setting
Authors: Strain James J. 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To review the problems posed for doctors by the failure of existing taxonomies to provide a satisfactory method for deriving diagnoses in cases of physical/psychiatric comorbidity, and of relating diagnoses on multiple axes.Method: Review of existing taxonomies and key criticisms. The author was guided in selection by his experience as a member of the working parties involved in the creation of the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV.Results: The attempts of the two major taxonomies, the ICD-10 and the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV, to address the problem by use of glossaries and multiple axes are described, and found wanting. Novel approaches, including McHugh and Slavey's perspectives of disease, dimensions, behaviour and life story, are described and evaluated. The problem of developing valid and reliable measures of physical/psychiatric comorbidity is addressed, including a discussion of genetic factors, neurobiological variables, target markers and other pathophysiological indicators. Finally, the concept of depression as a systemic illness involving brain, mind and body is raised and the implications of this discussed.Conclusions: Taxonomies require major revision in order to provide a useful basis for communication and research about one of the most frequent presentations in the community, physical/psychiatric comorbidity.
Blood-Borne Viral and Sexually Transmissible Infections Among Psychiatric Populations: What are we Doing About Them?
Authors: Hercus Matthew , Lubman Dan I. , Hellard Margaret 
Published: December 2009

Objective: To discuss the prevalence of blood-borne viral and sexually transmissible infections among psychiatric populations, as well as current treatment approaches, both locally and internationally. Method: In this paper, we outline available epidemiological data, as well as interventions designed to target infectious disease risk among those with serious mental illness. Results: Within Australia, the prevalence of blood-borne viral and sexually transmissible infections among at-risk populations remains unacceptably high despite a number of successful harm reduction and prevention strategies. Although the highest rates of new infections occur among young people aged 15–29 years, recent research suggests that psychiatric populations are also at significant risk. However, despite increased rates, there is currently no coordinated strategy to educate, test and reduce disease risk among people suffering with mental illness within Australia. Conclusions: Although further epidemiological research at a local level is needed, interventions specifically targeting psychiatric populations and younger cohorts in particular, are essential. This will require multidisciplinary, collaborative service development, incorporating mental health, substance use and infectious disease specialists.
Smoking Bans in Psychiatric Inpatient Settings? A Review of the Research
Authors: Lawn Sharon , Pols Rene 
Published: December 2009

Objective: This paper reviews the findings from 26 international studies that report on the effectiveness of smoking bans in inpatient psychiatric settings. The main aim is to identify which processes contribute to successful implementation of smoking bans and which processes create problems for implementation in these settings. Method: After performing an electronic search of the literature, the studies were compared for methods used, subjects involved, type of setting, type of ban, measures and processes used and overall results. Total bans were distinguished from partial bans. All known studies of smoking bans in psychiatric inpatient units from 1988 to the present were included. Results: Staff generally anticipated more smoking-related problems than actually occurred. There was no increase in aggression, use of seclusion, discharge against medical advice or increased use of as-needed medication following the ban. Consistency, coordination and full administrative support for the ban were seen as essential to success, with problems occurring where this was not the case. Nicotine replacement therapy was widely used by patients as part of coping with bans. However, many patients continued to smoke post-admission indicating that bans were not necessarily effective in assisting people to quit in the longer term. Conclusions: The introduction of smoking bans in psychiatric inpatient settings is possible but would need to be a clearly and carefully planned process involving all parties affected by the bans. Imposing bans in inpatient settings is seen as only part of a much larger strategy needed to overcome the high rates of smoking among mental health populations.