bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suicidality measured by PHQ-9 in kosovo during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Fanaj N. , Mustafa S. , Ajradini A. , Kabashaj B. , Poniku I. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAs a consequence of the impact of COVID-19 there are suggestions and projections that suicide rates will rise, although this is not inevitable. It is intriguing what impact it will have on Kosovo as a country with the lowest suicide rate in Europe.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to understand the level of suicidal thinking as a result of the COVID-19 situation and possible associations with sociodemographic variables.MethodsIt’s a comparative study. We examined data of two cross-sectional online surveys conducted during the one-month periods 20.03.20 until 23.04.20 and 27.04.2020 until 05.06.2020. The participants were online respondents, N = 194 (first period) and N = 155 (second period); who completed the Albanian version of PHQ-9. We used the statement number 9 of questionnaire indicative of suicide.ResultsMean score of suicidal thinking resulted 0.58 (SD = .98) in the first period and 0.84 (SD = 1.16) in the second period. 10.1% of participants in March/April and 18.2% in May/June period scored that almost every day thoughts that would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way. Significantly higher suicidal thinking resulted for females and for respondents who had previously had depression in both periods. Compared to two previous studies (2018 and 2019) in different settings only the results of the second period show an increase in suicidal thinking.ConclusionsFurther studies are needed to better scientifically elaborate these findings. It is important enhanced surveillance of COVID-19-related risk factors contributing to suicidal behaviors and timely preventive efforts.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Rapid development of a decision-aid for people with dementia and their families during COVID-19
Authors: West E. , Kupeli N. , Moore K. , Sampson E. , Aker N. , Nair P. , Davies N. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionCOVID-19 as a pandemic has disproportionately affected older adults, including those with dementia. The effects on health and social care systems has necessitated a rapid-response approach to care planning and decision-making in this population, with reflexivity and responsiveness to changing individual and system needs at its core. In light of this, a decision-making tool to help families of persons with dementia was developed using a combination of qualitative data and evidence synthesis.ObjectivesTo develop a decision-aid using a combination of assessment and evidence-gathering methods for families of persons with dementia.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with helpline staff from national end-of-life and supportive care organisations formed the basis of the tool design. Co-design with people living with dementia, current and former carers and experts in general practice and social care shaped the next stage. Simultaneously, a rapid review of current evidence on making decisions with older people at the end of life was undertaken.ResultsOutput from interviews covered many topics, including trust, agency and confusion in making decisions in the context of COVID-19. The rapid review of existing evidence highlighted the need to consider both process and outcome elements of decision-making.ConclusionsCombining different sources and forms of evidence was efficient and valuable in creating a novel decision-making tool for persons with dementia and their families within the context of COVID-19. The decision-aid covered care planning, caregiver support systems, access to information and contingency considerations. Upon publication, the tool was adopted by NHS England and other leading healthcare organisations.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Rapid implementation of a support intervention for bereavement at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mallet J. , Dousset F. , Colle M. , Cardot H. , Kiesmann E. , Strat Y. Le , Dubertret C. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThere have been over 900,000 deaths from COVID-19, with more than 3 million people bereaved. These deaths are associated with factors leading to poor bereavement outcomes, and distress in frontline-staffObjectivesto (i)present the rapid implementation of an intervention for bereavement support; (ii)characterize first calls and follow-up.MethodsWe recruited a multidisciplinary team and prepared a structure called “SIB” (Support and Intervention for Bereavement) in a matter of days. There were three steps for the support (Screening, First-line intervention, Second-line intervention (short follow-up). We collected data screening risk factors for complicated grief (CG).ResultsBetween March 24th-May 14th (lockdown, March 16th-May 13th), the hotline received nineteen calls for an intervention. The hospital contacts were various, including mortuary. Fifteen relatives were followed, among them thirteen bereaved for ten deaths (on 52 deaths=19.23%). Dead persons were young (m=59.68 years-old, SD=15.25). All contacts reported several risk factors for a CG (no “goodbye” (100%), no funeral rituals (82.35%)). Six relatives were addressed for short follow-up.ConclusionsThe actual pandemic is at high risk for complicated grief and may until 2021. We hope that all hospitals would implement basic bereavement outreach programs to prepare families for the death and to support them afterwards, as well as provide basic support to frontline staff.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Emotional response to illness in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in russia
Authors: Dovbysh D. , Kiseleva M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe situation of Covid-19 disease, associated with a high threat to life and uncertainty, had not only somatic, but also psychological consequences for most patients. Emotional reactions of patients to hospitalization and ways to cope with what is happening have become the subject of study in different countries.ObjectivesTo assess the severity of signs of depression and anxiety and to study the methods used to regulate the emotional state in patients with COVID-19 at the time of hospitalization.MethodsThe study volunteered 127 hospitalized patients with Covid-19 (67 men (52.8%) and 60 women (47.2%), aged 19 to 77 years, who completed the following methods: Sociological questionnaire, Beck Depression Questionnaire, GAD-7, F-SOZU-22, CERQ, Dembo-Rubinstein self-assessment scales. The study was conducted from 04/25/2020 to 05/31/2020.ResultsA quarter of patients showed pronounced signs of depression and anxiety (25.4% and 24.13%, respectively), with women having higher rates of depression (M = 8.76 and M = 6.32, p<0.01). Anova showed no significant differences in the response to the disease situation in patients of different age groups. Factor analysis made it possible to identify 3 patterns of emotional coping with the disease: «positive decision oriented», «fixed on negative experiences», «accusers» (The resulting factor solution explains 69% of the dispersion). None of the identified patterns were associated with a significant reduction in signs of depression and anxiety.ConclusionsDespite the duration of the pandemic, there is still no specific pattern of effective coping with these experiences for patients.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The coronavirus pandemic in Israel: A comparison between holocaust survivors and other older adults
Authors: Cohn-Schwartz E. , Bachner Y. , Carmel S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic places older adults at increased risk for hospitalization and mortality. It also involves social isolation and negative effects of limited mental, social and physical activity. Holocaust survivors could be especially vulnerable to such effects due to their early life traumas. Previous research suggests that in times of life crises, Holocaust survivors may be both most vulnerable (i.e., wear-and-tear hypothesis); yet they may also demonstrate resilience.ObjectivesThus, the current study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Holocaust survivors in Israel, compared to adults who did not experience the Holocaust.MethodsWe collected data from 305 older adults aged 75 and above in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these, 114 were Holocaust survivors and 191 did not experience the Holocaust. Participants were asked about their worries of COVID-19 infections, will to live, loneliness and depression and how these changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsHolocaust survivors were worried to a greater extent from COVID-19 infection and from close others becoming infected, compared to older adults who did not experience the Holocaust. Moreover, survivors reported greater loneliness and depression overall and also reported that these measures became worse during the pandemic. On the other hand, despite these differences, the two groups were similar in their will to live.ConclusionsHolocaust survivors seem to be more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the vulnerability hypothesis. Policy makers and practitioners should pay special attention to this particularly vulnerable population during these difficult times.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Group psychological intervention for people affected by conflict in Central African republic
Authors: Dozio E. , Bizouerne C. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionA large part of the Central African population has been exposed to potentially traumatic events as a result of the recent conflict, which has led to the breakdown of social ties.ObjectivesFaced with this situation, the NGO Action contre la Faim proposed a psychosocial intervention aimed at helping the displaced people to reduce their psychological suffering and strengthen individual and community resilience.MethodsAfter psychoeducation sessions organized in communities affected by the conflict, people identified with traumatic symptoms are invited to participate in a psychological support intervention. The protocol used is based on the Problem Management Plus (PM+), developed by the WHO. The approach was adapted in groups to reach more suffering people and also to take advantage of the group dynamic in the possibility of recovering and developing better resilience.Results946 IDPs in the country’s capital, participated in the group intervention led by a team of paraprofessionals. Data collected from 111 participants show that after five weeks of intervention, there was a significant reduction in post-traumatic symptoms (PCL-5) and functional impairment (WHODAS). These results were confirmed during the post-intervention evaluation four weeks later. In addiction, participants declared that they had observed effects on their ability to live together in the community and to regain social cohesion.ConclusionsThis experience gives encouraging results with regard to the feasibility and replicability of the group protocol, taking into account specific cultural and contextual adaptations.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Cultural competence in modern global world: Applications for mental health
Authors: Shilko R. , Shaigerova L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionCultural competence and related terms began to appear in the 1960s in the context of the development of civil rights movements in many countries. The importance of research of cultural competence among mental health professionals is raised with the globalization trends of the modern world, when the growth of ethno-cultural diversity, internal and external migration, temporary movement of people lead to intensification of intercultural interaction.ObjectivesThe current study aims to reveal contemporary tendencies in cultural competence understanding and development.MethodsTheoretical analysis and systematization of research publications in order to clarify concepts, models and applications of cultural competence.ResultsThe following tendencies were revealed. Cultural competence continues to attract significant attention of researchers and practitioners, especially among the mental health specialists (psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists) who work with representatives of different cultures. A number of similar concepts and their components have been proposed: cultural competence, intercultural communicative competence, cross-cultural competence, cultural intelligence, cultural awareness, cultural acceptance, intercultural sensitivity, intercultural adaptation, multicultural competence, multicultural orientation. The difficulties and limitations of existing models noted: a shift of attention to a specialist, but not to a client; borrowing static and absolutistic ideas about cultures, without consideration of cultures development and interaction.ConclusionsThere is a trend in contemporary global world for broad research and development of cultural competence that improve professional qualities of healthcare professionals and provide psychological assistance to representatives of different ethnic and culture groups, confessions and minorities. The reported study was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project number 17-29-02506.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Exploring predictors of depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis: The effect of neuropathic pain, shame, and mindfulness
Authors: Carvalho T. , Benedito L. , Gomes C. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with a progressive course. It is potentially disabling and affects mainly young adults. Depression is the mental disorder with the greatest comorbidity with MS and tends to worsen its symptomatology and course. However, knowledge about the predictors of depression in patients with MS is scarce.ObjectivesThis preliminary study aimed to verify whether neuropathic pain (NP), internal (IS) and external (ES) shame and mindfulness predict depressive symptoms in patients with MS.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 95 patients diagnosed with MS and without other identified neurological diseases. Participants completed the Depression Subscale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, the Analogue Pain Scale of the Pain Detect Questionnaire, the External and Internal Shame Scale, and the Mindfulness Subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale.ResultsAll potential predictors exhibited significant correlations with depressive symptoms and significantly predicted this symptomatology in simple linear regression models. Thus, they were included as covariates in the multiple linear regression model. This model explained a high percentage of the variance of depressive symptoms (40.5%) and identified NP, IS and mindfulness as significant predictors.ConclusionsInterventions aimed at preventing/reducing depression in patients with MS should minimize IS and develop mindfulness and NP coping skills, in order to promote mental health in this target population and possibly prevent the exacerbation and progression of MS symptomatology.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Lessons learned from an e-mental health intervention: The promotion of stopblues in 41 french cities
Authors: Turmaine K. , Jeannic A. Le , Dumas A. , Chevreul K. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionFor more than a decade, digital health has held promise for enabling a much broader population to have access to health information, education and services. However, the increasing number of studies on the subject show mixed results and currently, there is a certain disillusionment regarding its benefits. And yet, the Covid-19 crisis has revealed the importance of developing digital-based complementary support to existing resources.ObjectivesFactors associated with higher utilization rates among the target audience need to be investigated.MethodsIn 2018, 41 French cities enrolled in an intervention program aimed at promoting StopBlues®, a digital health tool that helps prevent mental distress and suicide among the general population. After two years of experimentation, a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was performed using quantitative and qualitative data collection methods from institutional sources, questionnaires and web analytics tools.ResultsFinding trends show that higher utilization rates were associated with the involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in the promotion of StopBlues and the use of digital marketing channels. Context-specific characteristics also played an important role in the adoption of the tool.ConclusionsThe local context has a strong influence on how digital tools are locally promoted and accepted. Further research is needed to understand how local actors and specifically GPs can be involved in suicide prevention. More broadly, the challenge today is to ensure acceptance of digital health technology among targeted populations by adapting the digital offer to their needs and promoting the available tools.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Exploratory validation study of the potential of a biofeedback digitized approach for burnout therapy optimization
Authors: Maçorano R. , Canais F. , Pereira B. , Drakos K. , Gonçalo T. , Ferreira H. , Parreira M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has shown to be useful in the treatment of PTSD, general anxiety, stress and burnout. Nonetheless, assessing therapy progress has been limited to subjective appreciations of the patient and therapist, which compromise therapy efficacy, and the continuum of care (clinic and at home) and scalability that digitized approaches can offer.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to validate the potential of a smartphone-based biofeedback digitized approach for EMDR usage in burnout therapy, as a means to provide quantitative progress assessment and personalized therapy optimization.MethodsA digitized burnout status assessment app based on Maslach Burnout Inventory was first implemented and tested. Then, an EMDR app was developed by making use of adjustable audiovisual stimuli (e.g. different velocity and horizontal/vertical visual stimuli; and different pitch and left-right surround sound effects) and also of the smartphone’s camera photoplethysmography finger recordings from which heart rate, heart rate variability and breathing rate are derived and used for modulating stimuli (biofeedback). Finally, interviews with several EMDR experts were conducted to assess the potential of the app as a therapeutic adjuvant.ResultsThe preliminary interview results showed that the app can be useful for online therapy, to optimize the stimuli presentation, and to quantify the therapy experience and outcomes. The interviews also validated the technical specifications and usability of the tool.ConclusionsResults so far have shown a promising receptivity and interest from EMDR experts. As such, patient testing is currently on-going.DisclosureThe work of the present abstract is the basis of the research conducted at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, co-lead with NEVARO, a spin-off company of the same Faculty.
Negative affect, affect regulation, and food choice: A value-based decision-making analysis
Authors: O’Leary D. , Brytek-Matera A. , Gross J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionResearch has shown that negative affect leads to unhealthy eating, the top cause of death in the United States.ObjectivesThis project examined whether AR (Affect Regulation) can be applied to incidental negative affect to improve eating behavior.MethodsWe conducted four studies.ResultsIn Studies 1 and 2 (n=80), we developed a autobiographical negative affect induction, showed that it induces negative affect, and demonstrated that participants can learn to downregulate this negative affect. In Study 3 (n=40), participants completed a three-phase dietary food choice task. In phase 1, participants made food choices under neutral conditions. In phase 2, participants made food choices after receiving the negative affect induction from Studies 1 and 2. In phase 3, participants made food choices while downregulating the negative affect caused by the induction. In phase 2, participants placed less importance on health (b=-0.15, z=-5.99, p<.001) when making food choices than under neutral conditions (phase 1). In phase 3, participants successfully downregulated their negative affect (b=-1.2, t=-22.01, p<.001) and placed the same level of importance on health when making food choices as in phase 1, indicating that AR applied to incidental affect is an effective method for improving eating behavior. In Study 4 (n=120), we pre-registered and replicated our findings from Study 3. In addition, we fit drift-diffusion models to participants reaction time data and show that these results extent to the by-participant weights participants place on health when making food choices.ConclusionsThese results are a step towards scalable AR interventions to improve eating behavior.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Intensive home treatment in comparison with care as usual: Cost-utility analysis from a pre-randomized controlled trial in the netherlands
Authors: Barakat A. , Cornelis J. , Blankers M. , Beekman A. , Dekker J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe implementation of Intensive Home Treatment (IHT) aims to decrease the pressure on acute inpatient services that could lead to prevent hospitalization and reduce the number of hospitalization days and, ultimately, reduce cost in the mental health services. Although there are studies assessing the effectiveness of IHT, there is a shortage of research studying the cost-effectiveness.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to present an cost-utility analysis of IHT compared to care as usual (CAU)MethodsPatients between 18 and 65 years of age whose mental health professionals considered hospitalization were included. These patients were pre-randomized in either IHT or CAU and followed up for 12-months. For this study, the base case analysis was performed from the societal and healthcare perspective. For the cost-utility analyses the Euroqol 5D was used to calculate quality adjusted life years (QALYs) as a generic measure of health gains.ResultsData of 198 patients were used. From a sociatal perspective, the cost-utility analysis resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of €58 730, and a 37% likelihood that IHT leads to higher QALYs at lower costs. The probability of IHT being cost-effective was >50% if there was no willingness to pay more for extra QALY than in the current situation under CAU.ConclusionsProfessionals working in crisis care are able to offer IHT with the same effect as other crisis care interventions at lower costs. IHT seem to be cost-effective compared with CAU over 52 weeks follow-up for patients who experience psychiatric crises.DisclosureNo significant relationships.