cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19095530
title: Feasibility and acceptability of Problem Management Plus (PM+) among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland: a mixed-method pilot randomized controlled trial

description: Syrian refugees in Switzerland face several barriers in accessing mental health care. Cost-effective psychological interventions are urgently needed to meet the mental health needs of refugees. Problem Management Plus (PM+) is an evidence-based, psychological intervention delivered by trained non-specialist ‘helpers’. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of PM+ among Syrian refugees in Switzerland. We conducted a single-blind pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with Syrian refugees impaired by psychological distress (K10 &gt; 15 and WHODAS 2.0 &gt; 16). Participants were randomized to PM+ or Enhanced Treatment As Usual (ETAU). Participants were assessed at baseline, and 1 week and 3 months after the intervention, and completed measures indexing mental health problems and health care usage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders. <i>N</i> = 59 individuals were randomized into PM+ (<i>n</i> = 31) or ETAU (<i>n</i> = 28). <i>N</i> = 18 stakeholders were interviewed about facilitators and barriers for the implementation of PM+. Retention rates in the trial (67.8%) and mean intervention attendance (<i>M</i> = 3.94 sessions, <i>SD </i>= 1.97) were high. No severe events related to the study were reported. These findings indicate that the trial procedures and PM+ were feasible, acceptable and safe. The findings support the conduct of a definitive RCT and show that PM+ might have the potential to be scaled-up in Switzerland. The importance, as well as the challenges, of implementing and scaling-up PM+ in high-income countries, such as Switzerland, are discussed. The results of this pilot randomized controlled trial suggest that Problem Management Plus (PM+), a low-intensity psychosocial intervention delivered by non-specialized ‘helpers’ is a feasible, well-accepted and safe treatment option for Syrian refugees in Switzerland. The results of this pilot randomized controlled trial suggest that Problem Management Plus (PM+), a low-intensity psychosocial intervention delivered by non-specialized ‘helpers’ is a feasible, well-accepted and safe treatment option for Syrian refugees in Switzerland.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19095530.v1
title: Feasibility and acceptability of Problem Management Plus (PM+) among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland: a mixed-method pilot randomized controlled trial

description: Syrian refugees in Switzerland face several barriers in accessing mental health care. Cost-effective psychological interventions are urgently needed to meet the mental health needs of refugees. Problem Management Plus (PM+) is an evidence-based, psychological intervention delivered by trained non-specialist ‘helpers’. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of PM+ among Syrian refugees in Switzerland. We conducted a single-blind pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with Syrian refugees impaired by psychological distress (K10 &gt; 15 and WHODAS 2.0 &gt; 16). Participants were randomized to PM+ or Enhanced Treatment As Usual (ETAU). Participants were assessed at baseline, and 1 week and 3 months after the intervention, and completed measures indexing mental health problems and health care usage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders. <i>N</i> = 59 individuals were randomized into PM+ (<i>n</i> = 31) or ETAU (<i>n</i> = 28). <i>N</i> = 18 stakeholders were interviewed about facilitators and barriers for the implementation of PM+. Retention rates in the trial (67.8%) and mean intervention attendance (<i>M</i> = 3.94 sessions, <i>SD </i>= 1.97) were high. No severe events related to the study were reported. These findings indicate that the trial procedures and PM+ were feasible, acceptable and safe. The findings support the conduct of a definitive RCT and show that PM+ might have the potential to be scaled-up in Switzerland. The importance, as well as the challenges, of implementing and scaling-up PM+ in high-income countries, such as Switzerland, are discussed. The results of this pilot randomized controlled trial suggest that Problem Management Plus (PM+), a low-intensity psychosocial intervention delivered by non-specialized ‘helpers’ is a feasible, well-accepted and safe treatment option for Syrian refugees in Switzerland. The results of this pilot randomized controlled trial suggest that Problem Management Plus (PM+), a low-intensity psychosocial intervention delivered by non-specialized ‘helpers’ is a feasible, well-accepted and safe treatment option for Syrian refugees in Switzerland.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19886630
title: The effects of psychological interventions on neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review

description: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental disorder, which is associated with emotional and cognitive functioning problems. Psychological interventions, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (tf-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Despite evidence showing that PTSD is associated with neurocognitive deficits, there is no systematic overview available on neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for PTSD. The current systematic review examined whether psychological treatments for PTSD improve neurocognitive functioning outcomes related to memory, attention, information processing, and executive functioning. A literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, and Cochrane Library was performed up to March 7, 2022, in collaboration with a medical information specialist. Eligible PTSD treatment studies examining neurocognitive outcomes (memory, attention, information processing and executive function) in patients with a DSM-IV or ICD diagnosis of PTSD were included. Of the 3023 titles and abstracts identified, 9 articles met inclusion criteria, of which 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 4 non-randomized studies. Treatments included were cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), virtual reality graded exposure therapy (VR-GET), and resilience-oriented treatment (ROT). This systematic review showed that psychological treatments for PTSD do not affect most neurocognitive functions, with exception of the memory outcomes. Future research, high-quality studies are needed to provide evidence of the effect of psychological treatment in improving neurocognitive functioning in PTSD. This systematic review investigated the effects of psychological treatments on neurocognitive functioning in adults with PTSD.This review showed that most studies were very heterogeneous in design, method, and analysis.This review supports the evidence for psychological treatments for PTSD on improving memory outcomes. This systematic review investigated the effects of psychological treatments on neurocognitive functioning in adults with PTSD. This review showed that most studies were very heterogeneous in design, method, and analysis. This review supports the evidence for psychological treatments for PTSD on improving memory outcomes.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19886630.v1
title: The effects of psychological interventions on neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review

description: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental disorder, which is associated with emotional and cognitive functioning problems. Psychological interventions, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (tf-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Despite evidence showing that PTSD is associated with neurocognitive deficits, there is no systematic overview available on neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for PTSD. The current systematic review examined whether psychological treatments for PTSD improve neurocognitive functioning outcomes related to memory, attention, information processing, and executive functioning. A literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, and Cochrane Library was performed up to March 7, 2022, in collaboration with a medical information specialist. Eligible PTSD treatment studies examining neurocognitive outcomes (memory, attention, information processing and executive function) in patients with a DSM-IV or ICD diagnosis of PTSD were included. Of the 3023 titles and abstracts identified, 9 articles met inclusion criteria, of which 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 4 non-randomized studies. Treatments included were cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), virtual reality graded exposure therapy (VR-GET), and resilience-oriented treatment (ROT). This systematic review showed that psychological treatments for PTSD do not affect most neurocognitive functions, with exception of the memory outcomes. Future research, high-quality studies are needed to provide evidence of the effect of psychological treatment in improving neurocognitive functioning in PTSD. This systematic review investigated the effects of psychological treatments on neurocognitive functioning in adults with PTSD.This review showed that most studies were very heterogeneous in design, method, and analysis.This review supports the evidence for psychological treatments for PTSD on improving memory outcomes. This systematic review investigated the effects of psychological treatments on neurocognitive functioning in adults with PTSD. This review showed that most studies were very heterogeneous in design, method, and analysis. This review supports the evidence for psychological treatments for PTSD on improving memory outcomes.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20237063
title: Severity of childhood maltreatment predicts reaction times and heart rate variability during an emotional working memory task in borderline personality disorder

description: <b>Background:</b> Difficulties in emotion regulation are a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and often interfere with cognitive functions, such as working memory (WM). Traumatic childhood experiences, including severe maltreatment, can contribute to emotion dysregulation, possibly mediated by changes in high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). However, it is not yet entirely understood if HF-HRV alterations underlie impaired WM during emotional distraction in BPD and if this is related to traumatic childhood experiences and to comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). <b>Objective:</b> Our aim was to investigate performance (reaction times, RTs) and HF-HRV during an emotional working memory task (EWMT) in relation to childhood maltreatment severity and comorbid PTSD in BPD. <b>Method:</b> Eighty-one women (<i>n</i> = 28 healthy controls (HC) and <i>n</i> = 53 BPD patients of which <i>n</i> = 18 had comorbid PTSD) performed an adapted Sternberg item recognition WM task with neutral and negative social cues (interpersonal scenes from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), and neutral, fearful, and angry faces) as distractors. Dependent variables were RTs of correct trials and HF-HRV. Childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. <b>Results:</b> Compared to healthy participants, patients with BPD showed prolonged RTs across all distractor conditions with social cues, regardless of their emotional valence. Patients with BPD, especially those with PTSD, demonstrated reduced HF-HRV both at rest and during EWMT. Severity of childhood maltreatment predicted longer RTs and lower HF-HRV during the EWMT. <b>Conclusions:</b> Findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences accelerate difficulties in shifting attention away from social information and that these are more pronounced in individuals with BPD. Reduced HF-HRV (low parasympathetic-tonus) may be an important psychophysiological mechanism underlying impaired WM in the presence of distracting social cues in patients with BPD, especially in those with comorbid PTSD. This study provides evidence that childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with hypersensitivity to social information and reduced high-frequency heart rate variability during a working memory task in borderline personality disorder. This study provides evidence that childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with hypersensitivity to social information and reduced high-frequency heart rate variability during a working memory task in borderline personality disorder.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20237063.v1
title: Severity of childhood maltreatment predicts reaction times and heart rate variability during an emotional working memory task in borderline personality disorder

description: <b>Background:</b> Difficulties in emotion regulation are a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and often interfere with cognitive functions, such as working memory (WM). Traumatic childhood experiences, including severe maltreatment, can contribute to emotion dysregulation, possibly mediated by changes in high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). However, it is not yet entirely understood if HF-HRV alterations underlie impaired WM during emotional distraction in BPD and if this is related to traumatic childhood experiences and to comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). <b>Objective:</b> Our aim was to investigate performance (reaction times, RTs) and HF-HRV during an emotional working memory task (EWMT) in relation to childhood maltreatment severity and comorbid PTSD in BPD. <b>Method:</b> Eighty-one women (<i>n</i> = 28 healthy controls (HC) and <i>n</i> = 53 BPD patients of which <i>n</i> = 18 had comorbid PTSD) performed an adapted Sternberg item recognition WM task with neutral and negative social cues (interpersonal scenes from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), and neutral, fearful, and angry faces) as distractors. Dependent variables were RTs of correct trials and HF-HRV. Childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. <b>Results:</b> Compared to healthy participants, patients with BPD showed prolonged RTs across all distractor conditions with social cues, regardless of their emotional valence. Patients with BPD, especially those with PTSD, demonstrated reduced HF-HRV both at rest and during EWMT. Severity of childhood maltreatment predicted longer RTs and lower HF-HRV during the EWMT. <b>Conclusions:</b> Findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences accelerate difficulties in shifting attention away from social information and that these are more pronounced in individuals with BPD. Reduced HF-HRV (low parasympathetic-tonus) may be an important psychophysiological mechanism underlying impaired WM in the presence of distracting social cues in patients with BPD, especially in those with comorbid PTSD. This study provides evidence that childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with hypersensitivity to social information and reduced high-frequency heart rate variability during a working memory task in borderline personality disorder. This study provides evidence that childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with hypersensitivity to social information and reduced high-frequency heart rate variability during a working memory task in borderline personality disorder.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19230102
title: Moral injury related to immigration detention on Nauru: a qualitative study

description: Immigration detention is associated with detrimental mental health outcomes but little is known about the underlying psychological processes. Moral injury, the experience of transgression of moral beliefs, may play an important role. Our aim was to explore moral injury appraisals and associated mental health outcomes related to immigration detention on Nauru. In this retrospective study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 13 individuals who had sought refuge in Australia and, due to arriving by boat, had been transferred to immigration detention on Nauru. At the time of the study, they lived in Australia following medical transfer. We used reflexive thematic analysis to develop themes from the data. Major themes included 1) how participants’ home country experience and the expectation to get protection led them to seek safety in Australia; 2) how they experienced deprivation, lack of agency, violence, and dehumanization after arrival, with the Australian government seen as the driving force behind these experiences; and 3) how these experiences led to feeling irreparably damaged. The participant statement ‘In my country they torture your body but in Australia they kill your mind.’ conveyed these three key themes in our analysis. Our findings suggest that moral injury may be one of the processes by which mandatory immigration detention can cause harm. Although refugees returned to Australia from offshore detention may benefit from interventions that specifically target moral injury, collective steps are needed to diminish deterioration of refugee mental health. Our results highlight the potentially deleterious mental health impact of experiencing multiple subtle and substantial transgressions of one’s moral frameworks. Policy makers should incorporate moral injury considerations to prevent eroding refugee mental health. We retrospectively investigated moral injury and mental health related to immigration detention on Nauru.Participants conveyed the impact of deprivation, lack of agency, violence, and dehumanization.Evaluations of their experiences fit with conceptualizations of moral injury. We retrospectively investigated moral injury and mental health related to immigration detention on Nauru. Participants conveyed the impact of deprivation, lack of agency, violence, and dehumanization. Evaluations of their experiences fit with conceptualizations of moral injury.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19230102.v1
title: Moral injury related to immigration detention on Nauru: a qualitative study

description: Immigration detention is associated with detrimental mental health outcomes but little is known about the underlying psychological processes. Moral injury, the experience of transgression of moral beliefs, may play an important role. Our aim was to explore moral injury appraisals and associated mental health outcomes related to immigration detention on Nauru. In this retrospective study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 13 individuals who had sought refuge in Australia and, due to arriving by boat, had been transferred to immigration detention on Nauru. At the time of the study, they lived in Australia following medical transfer. We used reflexive thematic analysis to develop themes from the data. Major themes included 1) how participants’ home country experience and the expectation to get protection led them to seek safety in Australia; 2) how they experienced deprivation, lack of agency, violence, and dehumanization after arrival, with the Australian government seen as the driving force behind these experiences; and 3) how these experiences led to feeling irreparably damaged. The participant statement ‘In my country they torture your body but in Australia they kill your mind.’ conveyed these three key themes in our analysis. Our findings suggest that moral injury may be one of the processes by which mandatory immigration detention can cause harm. Although refugees returned to Australia from offshore detention may benefit from interventions that specifically target moral injury, collective steps are needed to diminish deterioration of refugee mental health. Our results highlight the potentially deleterious mental health impact of experiencing multiple subtle and substantial transgressions of one’s moral frameworks. Policy makers should incorporate moral injury considerations to prevent eroding refugee mental health. We retrospectively investigated moral injury and mental health related to immigration detention on Nauru.Participants conveyed the impact of deprivation, lack of agency, violence, and dehumanization.Evaluations of their experiences fit with conceptualizations of moral injury. We retrospectively investigated moral injury and mental health related to immigration detention on Nauru. Participants conveyed the impact of deprivation, lack of agency, violence, and dehumanization. Evaluations of their experiences fit with conceptualizations of moral injury.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20101330
title: Common elements of evidence-based trauma therapy for children and adolescents

description: <b>Background:</b> Numerous evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents have been developed over several decades to minimize the negative outcomes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, PTSD remains a complex construct and is associated with pervasive problems and high comorbidity. To gain more insight, much could be learnt from the similarities in trauma therapies. <b>Objective:</b> The purpose of this study is to derive common elements from evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents. <b>Method:</b> Therapies were selected from a literature search. Five evidence-based trauma therapies were included in this study. A common element list was created through an existing and modified Delphi method, with a diverse group of Dutch trauma therapists. An element was deemed common when it appeared in three or more of the therapies. The final list was presented to international experts on the included trauma therapies. <b>Results:</b> A substantial commonality of techniques and mechanisms was found across the five evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents, showing a strong overlap between therapies. <b>Conclusion:</b> The identified elements create a basis for research and clinical practice, with regard to targeted trauma therapies tailored to each individual child and his or her support system. This promotes therapy modules that are more flexible and accessible for both therapists and clients, in every environment, from specialized psychiatric units to sites with meagre resources. With current integrated knowledge, we can enhance the effectiveness of child psychiatry and refine trauma therapies. Using a modified Delphi method, a substantial commonality of techniques and mechanisms is found in evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents.Understanding the techniques and mechanisms of trauma therapy could be of help in refining upcoming therapies, and creates a basis for future research.Commonalities promote therapy modules that are more flexible and accessible for both therapists and clients, in environments ranging from specialized psychiatric units to sites with meagre resources. Using a modified Delphi method, a substantial commonality of techniques and mechanisms is found in evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents. Understanding the techniques and mechanisms of trauma therapy could be of help in refining upcoming therapies, and creates a basis for future research. Commonalities promote therapy modules that are more flexible and accessible for both therapists and clients, in environments ranging from specialized psychiatric units to sites with meagre resources.