bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FC16-06 - Understanding pathways to therapeutic change through changes in self-representation in the treatment of adolescents and young adults
Authors: Harpaz-Rotem I. , Blatt S.J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionProcesses that lead to normal development of the representations of self and others are also central to understanding processes of therapeutic change. These processes primarily manifest themselves through the dialectical interpersonal exchanges of gratification and frustration, of disruptions and repair that are central to the development of the self.ObjectivesTo evaluate the contribution of different attributes of interpersonal relationships to the development of the self and patients’ well-being during the course of psychotherapy of adolescents and young adults.AimsTo map the different paths to positive therapeutic gains in psychotherapy.Methods36 adolescents and young adults were evaluated during the course of 12-month intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy. Main outcome measures were changes in the Differentiation-Relatedness scores of mother, father, significant other, self and therapist and GAF scores.ResultsWe found that changes in the level of differentiation-relatedness in patients’ self-representation were primarily associated with changes in the level of differentiation-relatedness of their description of their therapist. A best-fit model indicated that beyond change in the patient's description of the therapist and of a self-designated significant other outside the family added significantly to the explained variance predicting change in self-representation. Exploratory structural equation modeling also suggested that patients’ growing recognition of the therapeutic relationship (measured by a more matured representation of the therapist) is associated with the patients’ overall level of clinical functioning.ConclusionsThese results add further support to the importance of the therapeutic relationship in building more differentiated and integrated representations of self and of significant others.
FC18-01 - Twelve-month follow-up study of drug treatment in pathological gamblers
Authors: Dannon P. , Kotler M. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundPathological Gambling (PG) is a relatively common and highly disabling impulse control disorder. A range of psychotherapeutic agents including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antiepileptic drugs, and opioid antagonists are shown to be effective in the short-term treatment of PG. The use of a wide range pf pharmacologic treatments for PG is consistent with the observation that PG shares features of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, impulse control disorders, and addictive disorders. The aim of the study is to assess the rate of relapse in treatment-responder pathological gamblers after discontinuation of the active treatment.MethodsThe 43 full -responders were then followed prospectively for an additional 9 months, which included a 3-month open-label continuation phase and a 6-month medication-free, follow-up phase. Raters were blind to the previous drug treatment.ResultsThe majority of patients did not relapse during the 6-month medication- free follow-up phase. Three out of six patients with fluvoxamine, three out of nine with topiramate, seven out of eighteen with bupropion SR, and four out of ten with naltrexone relapsed. Relapse was strictly defined as gambling behavior at any time during the 6-month medication- free follow- up period. Most of the patients did not gamble during the follow- up period, and the patients that did gamble reported a decrease in gambling losses.ConclusionThis naturalistic, long-term follow-up outcome study demonstrates that among pathological gamblers who respond to a six- month trial of medication, the majority of patients appear to maintain full-response during a six-month medication- free follow-up phase.
FC18-03 - Internet addiction as comorbid disorder in patients with a substance-related disorder: results from a survey in german inpatient clinics
Authors: Müller K.W. , Dickenhorst U. , Medenwaldt J. , Wölfling K. , Koch A. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionInternet Addiction (IA) is discussed as a serious health problem. Epidemiologic investigations show prevalence rates of 3% of internet users that fulfil criteria for IA. Reported symptoms like tolerance, withdrawal, and craving resemble those of substance-related disorders. Although there is no final agreement on the classification of IA, it has often been referred to as a non-substance-related addiction fostering current issues on the next revision of DSM (Holden, 2010).ObjectivesAlthough IA has been investigated in epidemiologic studies there is no research of its prevalence in patients in treatment because of a substance-related disorder. Regarding similarities between IA and substance-related disorders, theories suggest increased prevalence of comorbid IA in these patients.AimsThis study focused on the identification of prevalence of comorbid IA among patients with a primary substance-related disorder in different in-patient clinics across Germany.MethodsSponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Health 1826 patients were screened with a diagnostic inventory for IA. For further description additional questionnaires were given assessing aspects of personality (NEO-FFI) and psychopathology (SCL-90R, BDI-II).Results4.1% of the patients fulfilled criteria of IA. In these most common primary diagnoses were pathological gambling and dependency of cannabis. Concerning personality IA-subsample showed increased neuroticism and introversion. Highest symptom burden was found in depression and social insecurity.ConclusionsAmong patients with substance-related disorder prevalence of IA is more common than in healthy samples. Results recommend separate screening for IA in inpatient clinics for substance-related disorders to guarantee full psychological care for patients with IA.
FC18-05 - The investigation of relationship between personality types (introvert - extravert) and people's tendency to narcotics addiction
Authors: Ghorbani Amiri H. , Ahmadi Gatab T. 
Published: May 2011

Introduction. Today, the addiction is considered as biological-psychological-social disease and numerous factors are effective in tendency to narcotics abuse.about individual factors, we can suggest the relationship between personality types and narcotics abuse.ObjectiveThe aim of present study is the investigation of relationship between personality types (introvert-extravert) and people's tendency to narcotics addiction.MethodIn this study, statistical population is all of male- addicts in Babolsar city. Of these, 100 persons are selected as sample of study by sample random sampling from withdrawl addiction centers and camps in Babolsar city.ResultsThe results show that: it is significant relationship between people's high scores in both groups of personality types (introvert - extravert) and people's tendency to narcotics addiction so that, however people's scores are high in both groups of personality types (Introvert - extravert), to the same extent, there is probability of tendency to narcotics addiction.DiscussionAlmost, in all of the studies about addiction, personality characteristics are as factors that cause person's addiction. Also, lack of development of personality is considered as an important factor. Among personality eminent characteristics, Introversion-extraversion can be as variable and important factor in tendency to narcotics addiction.
FC19-01 Antipsychotic and antidepressive pharmacotherapy in relation to suicide risk in schizophrenia
Authors: Reutfors J. , Bahmanyar S. , Bodén R. , Brandt L. , Ekbom A. , Jönsson E.G. , Isung J. , Ösby U. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPatients with schizophrenia are at increased risk of suicide, but data from controlled studies of how pharmacotherapy is related to suicide risk is limited.AimTo explore suicide risk in relation to prescription of antipsychotics and antidepressants.MethodsOf all patients with a first clinical discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Stockholm County between 1984 and 2000 (n = 4,000), patients who died by suicide within five years from diagnosis were defined as cases (n = 84; 54% male). Individual matching was performed with schizophrenia controls from the same population. Information on prescribed medication was retrieved from psychiatric records in a blinded way. Odds ratios (OR) of the association between medication and suicide risk were calculated by conditional logistic regression.ResultsNo significant association was observed between suicide and having ever been prescribed any antidepressant (33 cases and 30 controls) or any antipsychotic (83 cases and 82 controls). A lower suicide risk was found in patients who had ever been prescribed a second generation antipsychotic (risperidone, ziprazidone, olanzapine or clozapine; 12 cases and 23 controls): OR 0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1–0.7). When the 6 cases and 8 controls who had been prescribed clozapine were excluded, the OR was 0.1 (95% CI, 0.03–0.6).ConclusionsThe lower suicide risk for patients who had been prescribed second generation antipsychotics may be related to a pharmacological effect of these medications, to differences in compliance, or to differences in other characteristics associated with a lower suicide risk.
FC19-02 - Electrocardiographic signs of autonomic imbalance in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders— relations to first treatment discontinuation and five-year remission status
Authors: Bodén R. , Lindström L. , Rautaharju P. , Sundström J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSchizophrenia has since over a hundred years been associated with autonomic dysregulation, but the prognostic importance of this phenomenon is unclear.Objectives/aimsTo explore measures in electrocardiograms (ECG) reflecting autonomic balance in early schizophrenia spectrum disorders and to examine their relation to subsequent outcome. Three aspects of routine ECG measures were investigated:1)differences between patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls,2)relations to early discontinuation of first antipsychotic medication and finally3)associations to symptomatic remission status five years later.MethodsTwelve-lead ECGs were recorded at baseline in 58 patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders and in 47 healthy controls of similar age. Selected ECG variables included heart rate and measures of repolarization and left ventricular hypertrophy. Pharmacotherapy data were extracted from medical records. At a five-year follow-up the patients were interviewed and assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.ResultsPatients had higher heart rate and a different ST-T pattern than the controls. High T-wave amplitudes in the leads aVF and V5 and ST-elevations in V5 were associated both with higher risk of an earlier discontinuation of first antipsychotic pharmacotherapy (hazard ratios 1.3–2.4) and with non-remission five years later (odds ratios 2.9–6.4).ConclusionIn this longitudinal cohort study, simple ECG measures reflecting autonomic balance in the early phase of schizophrenia spectrum disorders contained prognostic information. However, as this is the first report of this association and is based on a relatively small sample, the results should be interpreted with caution.
FC19-03 - Advances in cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis
Authors: Kingdon D. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionCBT for psychosis has been developed over the past two decades and is now recommended by most clinical guidelines for schizophrenia internationally.Aims & objectivesTo provide an up-date on advances and controversies in CBT for psychosis.MethodEvidence from recent meta-analyses (including Lynch et al, 2010) and randomised controlled trials will be reviewed. These have generally demonstrated effectiveness in early and treatment-resistant schizophrenia of CBT, and other specific indications, e.g. co-morbid substance misuse, aggressive behaviour, command hallucinations. Treatment is based on engaging the patient in a therapeutic relationship, developing an agreed formulation and then the use of a range of techniques for hallucinations, delusions and negative symptoms.ResultsEvidence of effectiveness in treatment-resistant psychosis remains strong but some areas for intervention remain under-researched. A series of studies are on-going which will provide more information about effective ways of working.ConclusionsCBT is a very important but under-used intervention which can make clinically significant differences to patient's lives.
FC19-04 - Integrated psychological therapy (ipt) with young and middle-aged schizophrenia patients: Are the effects affected by patients’ age?
Authors: Mueller D.R. , Roder V. , Schmidt S.J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThere is a lack of evidence-based therapy approaches designed for the increasing number of middle-aged and elderly schizophrenia patients. Only very few approaches for this population addressing social skills were published yet.ObjectivesCognitive deficits are present in most schizophrenia patients independent of age. Only few empirical data exist whether therapeutic interventions can reduce cognitive deficits in middle-aged or elderly schizophrenia patients. An exception represents the Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT), a group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy approach combining interventions on cognition and social skills.Aimsa)Do middle-aged schizophrenia patients benefit from IPT as much as do younger patients?b)Do these two populations benefit equal under control conditions (unspecific group intervention and/or treatment as usual)?c)Are age-specific therapy settings demanded?For that purpose we selected all studies including interventions on cognition out of the data pool of 36 independent evaluation studies on IPT.MethodsA standard meta-analytic procedure was used.ResultsMiddle-aged and younger patients participating in IPT showed equal treatment effects. IPT was superior to both control conditions independent of patients’ age. Younger patients reached the level of small effects in both control conditions whereas middle-aged patients showed absolutely no effects. The therapy setting in groups with younger patients differed from that with older patients in duration of therapy and weekly therapy sessions.ConclusionsResults support efficacy of IPT independently of patients’ age. Evidence-based therapy should be implemented in psychiatric rehabilitation with elderly schizophrenia patients considering their specific needs into therapy setting.
FC19-05 - The importance of neurocognition, social cognition, negative symptoms and subjective process parameters for functional recovery in Schizophrenia
Authors: Schmidt S.J. , Müller D.R. , Roder V. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundA wealth of research supports the relevance of neuro-, social cognition and negative symptoms as treatment targets in schizophrenia. However, little is known about their interdependent relationships, their relative contribution to adequate functioning and quality of life as well as their associations with subjective, process oriented variables.MethodsData were collected in the context of an international RCT evaluating the Integrated Neurocognitive Therapy (INT) in comparison to treatment as usual (TAU). 169 outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to ICD-10 or DSM-IV-TR participated in the study. We chose a longitudinal design.First, by the means of structural equation modeling (SEM) we tested social cognition and negative symptoms as mediators between neurocognition and functional outcome. Additionally, the relationships of these variables with subjective parameters (hope, psychological strain, helplessness, initiative, knowledge about the disorder, insight, self-efficacy) were assessed. Second, we analyzed the same mediators and subjective variables but used quality of life instead of the traditional functional outcome measures.Results1.Social cognition and negative symptoms both served as mediators between neurocognition and functional outcome. Some subjective variables (e.g. hope) were associated with negative symptoms and functional outcome.2.Cognitive functions had no significant predictive or mediating influence on quality of life. Instead subjective variables (hope, psychological strain, self-efficacy) and negative symptoms functioned as significant predictors and were strongly related to each other.ConclusionsThe results of the study provide further evidence for integrated treatments. Including relevant subjective variables seems promising to generalize therapy effects to quality of life.
FC19-06 - Visual backward masking - an excellent endophenotype for Schizophrenia ?
Authors: Bakanidze G. , Roinishvili M. , Chkonia E. , Herzog M.H. , Brand A. , Puls I. 
Published: May 2011

Due to the complexity of psychiatric diseases, endophenotypes are of primary interest in psychiatric research. They are stable markers which are assumed to be related to a small number of genes involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Visual backward masking (BM), like other parameters measuring early information processing, was proposed to be a reliable marker for schizophrenia. Performance deficits in BM are considerably more pronounced in schizophrenic patients and their unaffected relatives compared to controls. As shown before, in the present study BM performance was significantly worse in schizophrenic patients compared to controls; healthy relatives of schizophrenic patients performed intermediately.Several candidate genes for schizophrenia including nicotinic receptor α7 subunit (CHRNA7), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (dysbindin, DTNBP1) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 gene (GRM3) were investigated for their association with schizophrenia and BM in two independent samples. A strong and reproducible association was observed for CHRNA7 with both diagnosis of schizophrenia and BM performance. In conclusion, BM is an excellent endophenotype which will likely support the search for further candidate genes and related pathophysiological pathways in schizophrenia. Moreover, CHRNA7 has further supported its important role as one of the main candidate genes for schizophrenia.
FC20-01 - Cultural competent assertive community treatment team for severe and persistently mentally ill: Innovations and adaptations
Authors: Chow W. , Sadavoy J. 
Published: May 2011

The Cultural Competent Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) is a joint venture sponsored by Mount Sinai Hospital in partnership with Hong Fook Mental Health Association established in 1999. This is the first ever cultural diverse mental health program using the cultural competency model. It was developed in response to the cultural diverse needs from the culturally diverse communities and supported with the best evidence-based research.Since the implementation of the program, we focused on identifying key issues that have facilitated or hindered the therapeutic alliances, patients’ service utilization and treatment compliance because of cultural differences in health concepts and health care systems.We will present what we have learned in literature review and the best evidence-based practice guidelines. Key cultural issues we have encountered with our clients will be described. Methods and strategies that are effective in overcoming cultural differences will be highlighted. We will use a case illustration to demonstrate our innovations and adaptations and will highlight lessons and challenges we have learned during the process of developing the cultural competency model. Feedbacks from the audience would be also incorporated to formulate the “best practice” guidelines. The guidelines will contribute significantly to the understanding of the complexity of cultural factors in treating mental illness but also ensure the effective service delivery to cultural diverse population.Cultural Competent Assertive Community Treatment Team has won American Psychiatric Foundation Advancing Minority Mental Health Award as well as the Leading Practice Award from Ontario Hospital Association in 2007.
FC20-04 -’Who is on my side?’ - qualitative analysis of ethnic minorities experiences of mental health related stigma and discrimination
Authors: Shefer G. , Henderson C. , Rose D. , Evans-Lacko S. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe Time to Change (TTC) anti-stigma campaign, launched in January 2009 in England, intends to make fundamental improvements across England in: public knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour in relation to people with mental illness. To be effective and valid the campaign must reach a wide range of diverse audiences. This study explores attitudes of people from ethnic minority communities in relation to mental health.ObjectivesThe study investigates:1)General attitudes and perceptions about mental illness in ethnic minority communities2)How we might increase awareness about mental wellbeing and decrease stigma in ethnic minority communities.MethodsTen focus groups with members of ethnic minority groups were conducted. Five groups consisted of service users and five were composed of non-service users. Two groups comprised participants from an Indian origin, two Somali origin, two Afro-Caribbean origin and the other groups were mixed.ResultsWe will present findings regarding the ways in which traditional perceptions of mental health and personal experiences of ethnic minority service users affect their perceptions of sources of support such as family, friends, medical staff and religion and how this feedback could inform ant-stigma interventions.ConclusionThe study suggests that in order to maximise the impact of anti-stigma campaigns, attention should be given to sources of discrimination and traditional perceptions of mental illness which are emphasised by ethnic minority groups. When planning anti-stigma campaigns it is important to incorporate experiences and perceptions from a wide range of audiences.
FC20-05 - Developing culturally sensitive cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis for ethnic minority patients
Authors: Rathod S. , Phiri P. , Kingdon D. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionStudies of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for psychosis demonstrate that African-Caribbean and Black African patients have higher dropout rates and poor outcomes from treatment (Rathod et al., 2005).Aims & objectivesThe main aim of the study was to produce a culturally sensitive adaption of an existing CBT manual for therapists working with patients with psychosis from specified ethinic minority communities (African-Caribbean, Black-African/Black British, and South Asian Muslims). This will be based on gaining understanding of the way members (lay and service users) of these minority communities view psychosis, its origin, and management including their cultural influences, values and attitudes.MethodThis qualitative study consisted of individual semi-structured interviews with patients with psychosis (n = 15); focus groups with lay members from selected ethnic communities (n = 52); focus groups or semi-structured interviews with CBT therapists (n = 22) and mental health practitioners who work with patients from the ethnic communities (n = 25). Data was analysed thematically using evolving themes and content analysis. NVivo 8 was used to manage and explore data.ResultsRespondent groups agreed that CBT would be an acceptable treatment if culturally adapted. This would incorporate culturally-based patient health beliefs, attributions concerning psychosis, attention to help seeking pathways and technical adjustments.ConclusionsWhile individualization of therapy is generally accepted as a principle, in practice, therapists require an understanding of patient-related factors that are culturally bound and influence the way the patient perceives or responds to therapy.