Internet-based intervention for mental health and substance use problems in disaster-affected populations: a pilot feasibility study

Early interventions that reduce the societal burden of mental health problems in the aftermath of disasters and mass violence have the potential to be enormously valuable. Internet-based interventions can be delivered widely, efficiently, and at low cost and as such are of particular interest. We describe the development and feasibility analysis of an Internet-delivered intervention designed to address mental health and substance-related reactions in disaster-affected populations. Participants (n = 285) were recruited from a cohort of New York City-area residents that had been followed longitudinally in epidemiological research initiated 6 months after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The intervention consisted of 7 modules: posttraumatic stress/panic, depression, generalized anxiety, alcohol use, marijuana use, drug use, and cigarette use. Feasibility data were promising and suggest the need for further evaluation.     

The effects of social belonging and kindness on stress and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal experiment

Because the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has introduced significant stressors to people's lives, more research on self-directed strategies to cope with pandemic-related stress is needed. In the current longitudinal experiment (N = 614), we investigated the emotional benefits of two self-directed strategies—belonging affirmation and recalling kindness—during the Delta (October 2021) and Omicron (February 2022) waves of the pandemic. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three activity conditions (belonging affirmation, recalling kindness, or control), which they performed weekly for 4 weeks. Contrary to our pre-registered hypothesis, belonging affirmation and recalling kindness did not promote greater well-being overall; however, belonging affirmation led to well-being improvements indirectly via increases in positive emotions. Furthermore, the benefits of belonging affirmation were moderated by pandemic wave. That is, during the Omicron wave, but not the Delta wave, belonging affirmation led to improved life satisfaction, positive emotions, and connectedness, decreased loneliness and negative emotions, and marginally reduced perceived stress and anxiety. These results provide preliminary evidence for the well-being benefits of belonging affirmation and suggest the importance of evaluating coping strategies throughout different stages of a long-term stressor.     

Religious Coping and Psychological and Behavioral Adjustment After Hurricane Katrina

Positive and negative religious coping are related to positive and negative psychological adjustment, respectively. The current study examined the relation between religious coping and PTSD, major depression, quality of life, and substance use among residents residing in Mississippi at the time of Hurricane Katrina. Results indicated that negative religious coping was positively associated with major depression and poorer quality of life and positive religious coping was negatively associated with PTSD, depression, poorer quality of life, and increased alcohol use. These results suggest that mental health providers should be mindful of the role of religious coping after traumatic events such as natural disasters.     

“You Want Fireworks? I’ll Show You Fireworks!”: Or Not—Woman-to-Woman Violence on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sex and the City</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">The L Word</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">The O.C.</Emphasis>

Instances of intimate partner violence (IPV) between women on Sex and the City, The L Word, and The O.C. reflect the social reality that IPV between lesbians is a serious social and public health issue. However, narrative analysis of IPV in female same-sex relationships reveals the violence is both literally and figuratively rendered unremarkable. The absence of frames common in contemporary portrayals of heterosexual IPV perpetuates the misperception that violence does not occur in same-sex relationships. Further, a specifically gendered, raced and classed image of “the violent lesbian,” and recuperation narratives where heterosexuality is presented as the “solution” to woman-to-woman IPV, raise questions about the increased presence of LGB characters in entertainment media. In sum, thematic elements that unite seemingly dynamic portrayals of lesbian sexuality and relationships in these series do not interrupt cultural narratives silencing victims of intimate violence. Instead, messages about woman-to-woman IPV perpetuate stereotypes and homophobic, sexist, racist and classist ideologies. This analysis presents insight into popular media portrayals of a serious community health issue. Results call for additional research assessing the form and content of media representations of same-sex sexuality in a changing cultural context.     

Comparing competencies of a psychotherapist with those of a psychologist specialising in psychotherapy

This paper contributes to a recent call for dialogue between the different professional groups representing psychotherapy in Europe. At present, two core psychotherapy groups exist in Europe, namely the EAP, representing psychotherapy, and EFPA, representing psychologists specialising in psychotherapy. This article compares and contrasts two competency frameworks representative of these bodies, which capture the skills, knowledge, reasoning and values of the respective professions. The shared and divergent competencies are identified and discussed, followed by suggestions for potential changes in future European competency frameworks. By doing this, we not only respond to the recent call for dialogue but also promote collaboration and discussion between the professional groups representing psychotherapeutic practice both in Europe and beyond.     

The Roman 'Clarification' of the Doctrine of the Filioque

This article offers an exposition of a recent Roman Catholic document on the disputed issue of the Filioque, and of some of the discussion that has followed it. Drawing on the Council of Florence in particular, it is here argued that there is a danger of a watering down of the developed Western trinitarian position encapsulated in the Filioque. A way of holding on to the fullness of that tradition, whilst taking seriously the need for a fuller recognition of the decisive Eastern insight concerning the monarchy of the Father, is offered.     

BRIEF REPORT

This study examined the different facets of emotional intelligence, alexithymia, and mood awareness. Undergraduate students (N = 129) completed the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Mood Awareness Scale (MAS). A factor analysis revealed two dimensions, attention to and clarity of emotions, that cut across all three instruments. These two dimensions were differentially associated with personality, as measured by the neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience portions of the NEO-FFI, and with performance on an emotional Stroop task. We discuss the implications for the conceptualisation of broad constructs such as emotional intelligence and alexithymia, as well as the potential utility of more narrowly defined individual differences.     

Self‐Harm in Young Offenders

The prevalence and correlates of self‐harm and suicidal behavior in 515 young offenders (mean age 17.3 years, SD = 1.7) serving community‐based orders (CBOs; n = 242) or custodial sentences (n = 273) in Victoria, Australia, are described. Results from structured interviews showed that 83 (16.1%) participants reported self‐harming in the previous 6 months, and this was more common among those serving custodial sentences than those serving CBOs (19.4% vs. 12.4%; OR 3.10, 95% CI: 1.74–5.55). Multiple incidents were more common in females and 24% (95% CI: 19–39) of participants who had self‐harmed reported having done so with suicidal intent. Self‐harm was associated with recent bullying victimization, expulsion from school, past year violent victimization, cannabis dependence, and risk‐taking behavior in the preceding year. The epidemiological profile of self‐harm in this population appears to be distinct from that seen in the general population. Young offenders who self‐harm are a vulnerable group with high rates of psychiatric morbidity, substance misuse problems, and social risk factors. They may benefit from targeted psychological interventions designed specifically to address impulsivity, delivered both within–and during the transition from–the youth justice system.