Suchergebnisse

The effect of a relationship separation on wellbeing is substantial. However, without divorce parameters, individuals in dating or cohabiting relationships may struggle to access support mechanisms. A systematic review was conducted to identify controlled trials of interventions targeting individuals who have experienced a non-marital relationship separation, to supplement the divorce literature. The aim of the review was to assess the impact of these interventions on mental health. Five articles were identified through PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES and Medline databases. Overall, two of the trials reported a significant improvement in specific mental health outcomes at post-test and/or follow-up. Of the two trials demonstrating efficacy in mental health outcomes, one used a weekly, forgiveness-based group intervention and the other was a writing-based, self-initiated intervention. A lack of trials testing theory-driven interventions for relationship separation is of particular concern. Limitations of the existing literature and corresponding directions for future research are discussed.

Background: There are presently no validated scales to adequately measure the stigma of suicide in the community. The Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS) is a new scale containing 58 descriptors of a "typical" person who completes suicide. Aims: To validate the SOSS as a tool for assessing stigma toward suicide, to examine the scale's factor structure, and to assess correlates of stigmatizing attitudes. Method: In March 2010, 676 staff and students at the Australian National University completed the scale in an online survey. The construct validity of the SOSS was assessed by comparing its factors with factors extracted from the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ). Results: Three factors were identified: stigma, isolation/depression, and glorification/normalization. Each factor had high internal consistency and strong concurrent validity with the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire. More than 25% of respondents agreed that people who suicided were "weak," "reckless," or "selfish." Respondents who were female, who had a psychology degree, or who spoke only English at home were less stigmatizing. A 16-item version of the scale also demonstrated robust psychometric properties. Conclusions: The SOSS is the first attitudes scale designed to directly measure the stigma of suicide in the community. Results suggest that psychoeducation may successfully reduce stigma.

AbstractA qualitative investigation utilizing a phenomenology approach via one‐on‐one interviews with 35 veterans was conducted to explore the challenges Australian military veterans have experienced in civilian employment settings. Thematic analysis developed four major themes: starting over, mental health, interpersonal cultural difficulties, and organizational differences. Initiatives aimed at addressing unemployment and underemployment for veterans should focus on preparedness, education, and expectation management for both veterans and civilian employers/colleagues and focus on interpersonal and organizational cultural differences, including structure, teamwork, role clarity and feedback, an understanding of military skills, and reduction of mental health stigma and discriminatory practices.

BACKGROUND: The transition out of military service and subsequent reintegration to civilian life has been established as a period associated with an increased risk of psychological adjustment difficulties, psychiatric disorders and suicide risk, yet no tool exists to measure cultural and psychological adjustment following permanent separation from the military. This study describes the two-phase mixed-methods development and validation of the self-report Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure (M-CARM). METHODS: In Phase I, four focus groups (n = 20) and semi-structured one-on-one interviews (n = 80) enabled thematic analysis and generation of 53 initial items that were reviewed by an expert multidisciplinary panel (n = 12) and piloted for clarity and relevance in an Australian service-veteran sample (n = 11). In Phase II, psychometric properties of the 47 items resulting from Phase I were evaluated with online assessment of a convenience sample of transitioned Australian Defence Force veterans (n = 725). Analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as evaluation of test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent, divergent and discriminant validity. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis on a randomized split-half sample (n = 357), resulted in a 21-item, five-factor solution of Purpose and Connection, Help seeking, Beliefs about civilians, Resentment and regret, and Regimentation, explaining 53.22% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 368) verified this factor structure without modification (χ2 = 304.96, df = 160; CFI = .96, TLI = .94, NFI = .91, RMSEA = .05). Strong convergent, divergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated as M-CARM scores significantly correlated with related constructs assessed by standardised clinical measures as well as differentiated groups based on three binary reintegration items, with large effect sizes (d = > 1). Strong test-retest reliability for the total score (n = 186, r = .93) and excellent internal ...

Abstract. Background: Until recently, little was known about the public's knowledge of suicide or its association with help-seeking. Aims: In this article we describe the development, validation, and application of the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS). Method: A total of 658 people participated in the development of the LOSS, while 191 participated in a validation study. Item response theory was used to identify LOSS items. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to ascertain the breadth of use and application of the LOSS. Results: Overall, 26 items were selected for the final version of the LOSS, with 12 items identified for a short form of the scale. The LOSS has been included in 25 studies across nine countries with general community, student, and clinical populations. The LOSS has demonstrated change in response to psychoeducation interventions and is associated with suicide stigma and help-seeking in select studies. Limitations: Further validation of the LOSS in clinical populations is needed. Conclusion: The LOSS is a comprehensive measure of suicide literacy that may be used to identify knowledge gaps, inform awareness-raising activities, and assess the effectiveness of interventions to improve suicide literacy. The LOSS has been used in a broad range of settings, demonstrating application to diverse populations and cultural contexts.

Abstract. Background: Evidence suggests that the majority of people with suicidality do not seek help. Little systematic evaluation of factors influencing professional help-seeking has been done. Aims: To systematically evaluate the factors that influence professional help-seeking for suicidality. Method: Published quantitative and qualitative studies in Medline and PsycInfo databases were reviewed following PRISMA. Results: In all, 55 relevant studies were identified. Of these, 15 studies examined professional help-seeking intentions for perceived suicidal ideation, among people with or without suicidality; 21 studies examined professional help-seeking behavior among people with suicidality; and 19 studies examined suicidal decedents' health services use. Several potential important barriers were identified including high self-reliance, lack of perceived need for treatment, and stigmatizing attitudes toward suicide, toward mental health issues, and toward seeking professional treatment. The presence of suicidality and mental health issues was found to generally decrease help-seeking intentions for perceived suicidal ideation while facilitating actual service use. Social support and informal support from family and friends also played an important role in professional help-seeking. Limitations: Although the majority of the included studies were of sound quality, some of the factors identified in the review were assessed in relatively few studies, and most of the included studies were conducted in industrialized countries. Conclusion: Further quantitative and qualitative studies examining the potential important factors in broader community samples, especially in developing countries, are needed.

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide. Identifying those at risk and delivering timely interventions is challenging. Social media site Twitter is used to express suicidality. Automated linguistic analysis of suicide-related posts may help to differentiate those who require support or intervention from those who do not. Aims: This study aims to characterize the linguistic profiles of suicide-related Twitter posts. Method: Using a dataset of suicide-related Twitter posts previously coded for suicide risk by experts, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) and regression analyses were conducted to determine differences in linguistic profiles. Results: When compared with matched non-suicide-related Twitter posts, strongly concerning suicide-related posts were characterized by a higher word count, increased use of first-person pronouns, and more references to death. When compared with safe-to-ignore suicide-related posts, strongly concerning suicide-related posts were characterized by increased use of first-person pronouns, greater anger, and increased focus on the present. Other differences were found. Limitations: The predictive validity of the identified features needs further testing before these results can be used for interventional purposes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that strongly concerning suicide-related Twitter posts have unique linguistic profiles. The examination of Twitter data for the presence of such features may help to validate online risk assessments and determine those in need of further support or intervention.

Background: Technology has changed the landscape in which psychiatry operates. Effective, evidence-based treatments for mental health care are now available at the fingertips of anyone with Internet access. However, technological solutions for mental health are not necessarily sought by consumers nor recommended by clinicians. Objective: The objectives of this study are to identify and discuss the barriers to introducing eHealth technology-supported interventions within mental health. Methods: An interactive polling tool was used to ask "In this brave new world, what are the key issues that need to be addressed to improve mental health (using technology)?" Respondents were the multidisciplinary attendees of the "Humans and Machines: A Quest for Better Mental Health" conference, held in Sydney, Australia, in 2016. Responses were categorized into 10 key issues using team-based qualitative analysis. Results: A total of 155 responses to the question were received from 66 audience members. Responses were categorized into 10 issues and ordered by importance: access to care, integration and collaboration, education and awareness, mental health stigma, data privacy, trust, understanding and assessment of mental health, government and policy, optimal design, and engagement. In this paper, each of the 10 issues are outlined, and potential solutions are discussed. Many of the issues were interrelated, having implications for other key areas identified. Conclusions: As many of the issues identified directly related to barriers to care, priority should be given to addressing these issues that are common across mental health delivery. Despite new challenges raised by technology, technology-supported mental health interventions represent a tremendous opportunity to address in a timely way these major concerns and improve the receipt of effective, evidence-based therapy by those in need.