Sense of psychological ownership in co-design processes: A case study.

INTRODUCTION: Service users are increasingly participating in health research. Although collaborative research is assumed to give users a sense of psychological ownership, little is known about the specific psychosocial processes through which ownership develops and is displayed. The present study yields insight into a process in which service users, researchers and a website designer collaborated to design a website. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore how participants developed and displayed feelings of ownership during a collaborative process to design a website. METHODS: A case study design was adopted by which audio recordings were subjected to thematic analysis and interpreted by drawing on the concept of psychological ownership. FINDINGS: A sense of psychological ownership of the website design process emerged in two distinct and overlapping phases. In the first phase, 'sense of ownership during the early design phase', only researchers and the website designer displayed a sense of ownership, which was facilitated by the research context preceding the collaborative workshops. In the second phase, 'sense of ownership during the collaborative design phase', service users gradually started to develop parallel feelings of ownership that were facilitated by workshop design activities. These activities enabled service users to increasingly control the process, to invest themselves in the process and to gain intimate knowledge of the process and its outcome. Service users' sense of ownership was displayed in their statements about the website and its elements. CONCLUSION: Participants engaged in codesign processes may develop a sense of psychological ownership at different speeds because of contextual factors. It is important to take this into account as it may complicate the formation of egalitarian work groups. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Parents of children with suicidal behaviour and a counsellor participated as service users in a website design process.

To Enter or Not to Enter: Multiple Markets, Heterogeneous Customer and Exogenous Quality.

We consider a stylized model of competition between two firms who provide a local service, for instance coffee-shops or hamburger chains. These firms are characterised by their quality of service, with one firm being high quality and the other being low quality. Quality impacts both the fixed and variable costs of the firms. The firms compete for customers in two areas, which are characterised by a different customer density. Firms decide in which area(s) to locate, and what price to charge. A firm entering both areas must charge the same price in both, i.e., price-discrimination is not allowed. We analyse the impact of cost levels and quality and density differences on the resulting market structure, prices, profits, customer surplus and social welfare. We show how the balance between fixed and variable cost determine the competitive conditions ranging from highly competitive markets to local monopolies under the same regulatory environment. Furthermore, in some areas with multiple equilibria the profitability of the firms is highly dependent on which of the possible equilibria is realised. The results can help explain some of the patterns observed in the location of chain outlets.

International multi-site survey on the use of online support groups in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Peer support is an established component of recovery from bipolar disorder, and online support groups may offer opportunities to expand the use of peer support at the patient's convenience. Prior research in bipolar disorder has reported value from online support groups. AIMS: To understand the use of online support groups by patients with bipolar disorder as part of a larger project about information seeking. METHODS: The results are based on a one-time, paper-based anonymous survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder, which was translated into 12 languages. The survey was completed between March 2014 and January 2016 and included questions on the use of online support groups. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Analysis included descriptive statistics and general estimating equations to account for correlated data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The survey was completed by 1222 patients in 17 countries. The patients used the Internet at a percentage similar to the general public. Of the Internet users who looked online for information about bipolar disorder, only 21.0% read or participated in support groups, chats, or forums for bipolar disorder (12.8% of the total sample). Given the benefits reported in prior research, clarification of the role of online support groups in bipolar disorder is needed. With only a minority of patients using online support groups, there are analytical challenges for future studies.

The course of social cognitive and metacognitive ability in depression: Deficit are only partially normalized after full remission of first episode major depression.

OBJECTIVES: Research has suggested that patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) experience deficits in the related domains of social cognition and metacognition. Most research has focused on detecting deficits among persons who are acutely symptomatic. Thus, little is known about whether these deficits persist after symptoms have remitted. As a first, this study investigated social cognitive and metacognitive deficits in patients with MDD in the acute and remitted state. DESIGN: Longitudinal case-control. METHODS: Forty-four drug-naïve depressed patients and an equal number of matched healthy controls were assessed in multiple domains of social cognition including theory of mind, social perception, and metacognition. Additionally, a comprehensive neurocognitive (non-social) test battery was utilized. Following baseline assessment, patients were enrolled in an outpatient treatment programme. Patients reaching remission within 6 months (n = 29) were reassessed 6 months post-remission. Included for analysis were only patients who followed a course of remission (n = 29) and their paired healthy controls (n = 29). RESULTS: Analyses of variance revealed that remitted patients performed significantly better at retest than at baseline on nearly all measures. These effects withstood adjusting for test-retest effects. Moreover, remitted patients performed up to level of healthy controls on some but not all social cognitive tasks and metacognition at retest. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results suggests that social cognitive and metacognitive ability may improve with symptom remission in major depression although it may not reach a level equal to persons who have never experienced depression. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Many with first-episode depression experience deficits in social cognition. When first-episode depression remits, social cognition may improve. After remission, first-episode depressed patients may still experience deficits in social cognition. We have yet to determine whether social cognitive deficits existed prior to the onset of depression. Longer-term longitudinal studies of social cognition in depression are needed. Treatment was pharmacological and non-manualized psychotherapy, the effects of which were not controlled for. Sample sizes were modest, which must caution against generalization of the results.

Experiences of adult patients living with depression-related insomnia: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on how adult patients experience living with depression-related insomnia. In particular, the review will examine the experiences related to pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep. INTRODUCTION: Approximately 80% to 90% of patients with depression have insomnia, which is associated with substantial personal and social costs. Despite these costs, insomnia is often underdiagnosed and viewed as a symptom that disappears when depression abates. However, research indicates that insomnia and depression are overlapping but distinct disorders. Thus, it is important to treat both disorders simultaneously, as improving sleep may, in turn, ease core symptoms of depression. Optimal care and treatment rely on patients' experiences of insomnia and their attitudes toward treatment options. Therefore, it is important to synthesize evidence of patients' experiences of living with insomnia, and the experiences of pharmacological and non-pharmacological sleep interventions, to understand the consequences of insomnia and to optimize sleep interventions. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This systematic review will synthesize qualitative studies exploring how adults with depression experience living with insomnia and how they experience pharmacological or non-pharmacological sleep interventions. Both inpatient and outpatient populations will be considered. METHODS: Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL, SveMed+, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses will be searched for unpublished studies. Studies in English, German, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian will be included. Databases will be searched from their inception to the present date. All studies will be screened against the inclusion criteria and critically appraised for methodological quality. Findings will be pooled using meta-aggregation, and a ConQual Summary of Findings will be presented. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42021276048.

Association between solar insolation and a history of suicide attempts in bipolar I disorder.

In many international studies, rates of completed suicide and suicide attempts have a seasonal pattern that peaks in spring or summer. This exploratory study investigated the association between solar insolation and a history of suicide attempt in patients with bipolar I disorder. Solar insolation is the amount of electromagnetic energy from the Sun striking a surface area on Earth. Data were collected previously from 5536 patients with bipolar I disorder at 50 collection sites in 32 countries at a wide range of latitudes in both hemispheres. Suicide related data were available for 3365 patients from 310 onset locations in 51 countries. 1047 (31.1%) had a history of suicide attempt. There was a significant inverse association between a history of suicide attempt and the ratio of mean winter solar insolation/mean summer solar insolation. This ratio is smallest near the poles where the winter insolation is very small compared to the summer insolation. This ratio is largest near the equator where there is relatively little variation in the insolation over the year. Other variables in the model that were positively associated with suicide attempt were being female, a history of alcohol or substance abuse, and being in a younger birth cohort. Living in a country with a state-sponsored religion decreased the association. (All estimated coefficients p < 0.01). In summary, living in locations with large changes in solar insolation between winter and summer may be associated with increased suicide attempts in patients with bipolar disorder. Further investigation of the impacts of solar insolation on the course of bipolar disorder is needed.

Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder: international survey results.

BACKGROUND: The world population is aging and the number of older adults with bipolar disorder is increasing. Digital technologies are viewed as a framework to improve care of older adults with bipolar disorder. This analysis quantifies Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder as part of a larger survey project about information seeking. METHODS: A paper-based survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder was developed and translated into 12 languages. The survey was anonymous and completed between March 2014 and January 2016 by 1222 patients in 17 countries. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. General estimating equations were used to account for correlated data. RESULTS: Overall, 47% of older adults (age 60 years or older) used the Internet versus 87% of younger adults (less than 60 years). More education and having symptoms that interfered with regular activities increased the odds of using the Internet, while being age 60 years or older decreased the odds. Data from 187 older adults and 1021 younger adults were included in the analysis excluding missing values. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with bipolar disorder use the Internet much less frequently than younger adults. Many older adults do not use the Internet, and technology tools are suitable for some but not all older adults. As more health services are only available online, and more digital tools are developed, there is concern about growing health disparities based on age. Mental health experts should participate in determining the appropriate role for digital tools for older adults with bipolar disorder.

Internet use by patients with bipolar disorder: Results from an international multisite survey.

There is considerable international interest in online education of patients with bipolar disorder, yet little understanding of how patients use the Internet and other sources to seek information. 1171 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 17 countries completed a paper-based, anonymous survey. 81% of the patients used the Internet, a percentage similar to the general public. Older age, less education, and challenges in country telecommunications infrastructure and demographics decreased the odds of using the Internet. About 78% of the Internet users looked online for information on bipolar disorder or 63% of the total sample. More years of education in relation to the country mean, and feeling very confident about managing life decreased the odds of seeking information on bipolar disorder online, while having attended support groups increased the odds. Patients who looked online for information on bipolar disorder consulted medical professionals plus a mean of 2.3 other information sources such as books, physician handouts, and others with bipolar disorder. Patients not using the Internet consulted medical professionals plus a mean of 1.6 other information sources. The percentage of patients with bipolar disorder who use the Internet is about the same as the general public. Other information sources remain important.

Influence of light exposure during early life on the age of onset of bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Environmental conditions early in life may imprint the circadian system and influence response to environmental signals later in life. We previously determined that a large springtime increase in solar insolation at the onset location was associated with a younger age of onset of bipolar disorder, especially with a family history of mood disorders. This study investigated whether the hours of daylight at the birth location affected this association. METHODS: Data collected previously at 36 collection sites from 23 countries were available for 3896 patients with bipolar I disorder, born between latitudes of 1.4 N and 70.7 N, and 1.2 S and 41.3 S. Hours of daylight variables for the birth location were added to a base model to assess the relation between the age of onset and solar insolation. RESULTS: More hours of daylight at the birth location during early life was associated with an older age of onset, suggesting reduced vulnerability to the future circadian challenge of the springtime increase in solar insolation at the onset location. Addition of the minimum of the average monthly hours of daylight during the first 3 months of life improved the base model, with a significant positive relationship to age of onset. Coefficients for all other variables remained stable, significant and consistent with the base model. CONCLUSIONS: Light exposure during early life may have important consequences for those who are susceptible to bipolar disorder, especially at latitudes with little natural light in winter. This study indirectly supports the concept that early life exposure to light may affect the long term adaptability to respond to a circadian challenge later in life.

A comparison of capacities for social cognition and metacognition in first episode and prolonged depression.

There is a growing awareness that social cognition is a valuable construct for understanding the psycho-social disabilities in depressive illness. Numerous studies have linked affective disorders to impairments in social cognition and specifically the processing of discrete emotional stimuli. Only few studies have investigated the relation between the burden of depressive illness and social cognitive ability. To study these issues, we compared a group of first-episode depressed patients with a group of chronically depressed patients (duration >2 years) on a broad array of higher-order social cognitive measures including the metacognition assessment scale abbreviated. Contrary to prediction, deficits in social cognition were roughly equivalent between the two groups and there was no significant link between symptom severity and social cognitive ability. Having moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD) could be sufficient to predict the presence of deficits in social cognitive ability.

Relationship between sunlight and the age of onset of bipolar disorder: an international multisite study.

BACKGROUND: The onset of bipolar disorder is influenced by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. We previously found that a large increase in sunlight in springtime was associated with a lower age of onset. This study extends this analysis with more collection sites at diverse locations, and includes family history and polarity of first episode. METHODS: Data from 4037 patients with bipolar I disorder were collected at 36 collection sites in 23 countries at latitudes spanning 3.2 north (N) to 63.4 N and 38.2 south (S) of the equator. The age of onset of the first episode, onset location, family history of mood disorders, and polarity of first episode were obtained retrospectively, from patient records and/or direct interview. Solar insolation data were obtained for the onset locations. RESULTS: There was a large, significant inverse relationship between maximum monthly increase in solar insolation and age of onset, controlling for the country median age and the birth cohort. The effect was reduced by half if there was no family history. The maximum monthly increase in solar insolation occurred in springtime. The effect was one-third smaller for initial episodes of mania than depression. The largest maximum monthly increase in solar insolation occurred in northern latitudes such as Oslo, Norway, and warm and dry areas such as Los Angeles, California. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias for onset and family history data. CONCLUSIONS: A large springtime increase in sunlight may have an important influence on the onset of bipolar disorder, especially in those with a family history of mood disorders.

Variation in GNB3 predicts response and adverse reactions to antidepressants.

There is substantial inter-individual variation in response and adverse reactions to antidepressants, and genetic variation may, in part, explain these differences. GNB3 encodes the ß3 subunit of the G protein complex, which is involved in the downstream signalling cascade following monoamine receptor activation. A functional polymorphism in this gene (C825T) has been associated with response to antidepressants. Several lines of evidence suggest that GNB3 moderates improvement in the neurovegetative symptoms of depression (such as sleep and appetite) and related adverse reactions independently of change in core mood symptoms. We here report analysis of data from GENDEP, a part-randomized pharmacogenomic trial, on the outcome of 811 subjects with major depression undergoing treatment with either escitalopram or nortriptyline in which the C825T SNP and three further SNPs in GNB3 were genotyped. The TT genotype was significantly associated with a superior response to nortriptyline and these effects were specific to improvements in neurovegetative symptoms. In addition, the same genotype predicted fewer incidents of treatment-emergent insomnia and greater weight gain on the same drug. Our results are consistent with previous associations with GNB3 and emphasize the importance of signalling genes in antidepressant response.