A Brief Cognitive Analytic Therapy-Informed Approach for Young People That Have Self-Injured (CATCH-Y): A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) presents an increasingly prevalent problem for young people; however, there remains a scarce evidence base for effective, scalable treatments for adolescents. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a brief, cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)-informed intervention for young people who engage in NSSI (CATCH-Y). METHODS: A case series design recruited 13 young people who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria to participate in the five-session intervention. Eligible participants were aged 13-17 years (M = 15.15, SD = 1.28) and had engaged in NSSI at least once in the previous 6 months. Feasibility and acceptability were measured via recruitment, retention, qualitative feedback and missing data. The secondary outcome measures of personal recovery and motivation were administered pre- and post-assessment, with measures of depressive symptoms and urges to self-injure. RESULTS: The intervention was found to be largely feasible and acceptable with high rates of recruitment, retention and pre-/post-assessment data completeness. Measures showed preliminary support for positive change in rates of NSSI, urges to self-harm, low mood and personal recovery, although results were mixed. Completion rates for remote assessments were low. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support further evaluation of the CATCH-Y intervention on a larger scale. In-person assessments may be preferable to remote to ensure good completion rates.

[Imagination supported by brief therapies]. / L'imagination soutenue par les thérapies brèves.

While we dream during sleep, our psyche gives free rein to its imagination during waking phases. During nursing interviews, should the patient be allowed to mobilize this imaginative capacity? One answer may come from the Palo Alto school of thought, which uses the imagination in a relational space, so that it becomes an active element in psychic change. In the practice of mental health nursing, it is possible to mobilize this imaginative part, supported by brief therapies, and turn it into a therapeutic path.

Effects of a novel, brief psychological therapy (Managing Unusual Sensory Experiences) for hallucinations in first episode psychosis (MUSE FEP): Findings from an exploratory randomised controlled trial.

Hallucinations are a common feature of psychosis, yet access to effective psychological treatment is limited. The Managing Unusual Sensory Experiences for First-Episode-Psychosis (MUSE-FEP) trial aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a brief, hallucination-specific, digitally provided treatment, delivered by a non-specialist workforce for people with psychosis. MUSE uses psychoeducation about the causal mechanisms of hallucinations and tailored interventions to help a person understand and manage their experiences. We undertook a two-site, single-blind (rater) Randomised Controlled Trial and recruited 82 participants who were allocated 1:1 to MUSE and treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 40) or TAU alone (n = 42). Participants completed assessments before and after treatment (2 months), and at follow up (3-4 months). Information on recruitment rates, adherence, and completion of outcome assessments was collected. Analyses focussed on feasibility outcomes and initial estimates of intervention effects to inform a future trial. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry 16793301. Criteria for the feasibility of trial methodology and intervention delivery were met. The trial exceeded the recruitment target, had high retention rates (87.8%) at end of treatment, and at follow up (86.6%), with good acceptability of treatment. There were 3 serious adverse events in the therapy group, and 5 in the TAU group. Improvements were evident in both groups at the end of treatment and follow up, with a particular benefit in perceived recovery in the MUSE group. We showed it was feasible to increase access to psychological intervention but a definitive trial requires further changes to the trial design or treatment.

Testing the efficacy of narrator empathy, self-disclosure, gender, and use of brief motivational interviewing techniques in a brief internet-based intervention for alcohol use.

OBJECTIVE: Nonspecific relational factors, such as therapist empathy, play an important role in therapy effectiveness. Building on this literature, some researchers have attempted to incorporate relational factors into electronic brief interventions (e-BIs) by using interactive narrators to guide participants through the intervention. However, few studies have examined which characteristics of these interactive narrators increase intervention acceptability and efficacy. The present study sought to systematically manipulate animated narrator characteristics in an e-BI and to examine their effects on respondents' alcohol use and subjective reactions. METHOD: Participants (N = 348) were randomly assigned to 1-16 possible combinations of four narrator-level characteristics in a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial trial evaluating narrator empathy, self-disclosure, gender, and the use of brief motivational interviewing (BMI) techniques. We measured main and interaction effects of these characteristics on the primary outcome of typical drinks per week at 1-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included maximum drinks, alcohol consequences, and subjective reactions to the intervention, with additional secondary analyses evaluating moderation by participant gender. RESULTS: Participants showed reductions in all alcohol outcomes. These reductions were stronger for participants exposed to either narrator disclosure or BMI techniques (vs. neither). Participants in the high empathy condition rated the intervention as more supportive, while those exposed to BMI techniques reported feeling more criticized by the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Specific narrator-level characteristics, such as narrator self-disclosure and empathy, may improve the efficacy or acceptability of e-BIs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Young adults' change talk within brief motivational intervention in the emergency department and booster sessions is associated with a decrease in heavy drinking over 1 year.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effect of change talk (CT) within successive brief motivational interventions (BMIs) as a mechanism of change for alcohol use. METHOD: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial in which 344 young adults (18-35 years old) admitted to a Swiss emergency department with alcohol intoxication received either BMI (N = 171) or brief advice (N = 173). Participants with a baseline audio-recorded BMI were included (N = 140; median age 23 [Q1-Q3: 20-27], 72.9% men). Up to three booster sessions by phone were offered at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Percent CT and CT Average Strength were used as predictor variables. The outcome was the number of heavy drinking days (HDD) over the 30 days prior to research assessments at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. A latent growth curve modeling framework was first used to estimate predictor and outcome variable growth parameters (i.e., intercept and slope) over time, and then to regress HDD growth parameters on CT growth parameters. RESULTS: CT increased specifically from baseline to the 1-week booster session and thereafter remained stable. Higher baseline CT was associated with lower HDD at 1 month (Percent CT: b = -0.04, 95% confidence interval [-0.06, -0.01]; Average Strength: b = -0.99 [-1.67, -0.31]). An increase in CT from baseline to the 1-week booster session was related to a decrease in HDD from 1 month to 12 months (Percent CT: b = -0.08 [-0.14, -0.03]; Average Strength: b = -2.29 [-3.52, -1.07]). CONCLUSIONS: Both baseline CT and CT trajectory over the first week are meaningful predictors of HDD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Solutions Trial: Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in 10-17-year-olds presenting at police custody: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Within England, children and young people (CYP) who come into police custody are referred to Liaison and Diversion (L&D) teams. L&D teams have responsibility for liaising with healthcare and other support services while working to divert CYP away from the criminal justice system but have traditionally not provided targeted psychological interventions to CYP. Considering evidence that Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) leads to a reduction in internalising and externalising behaviour problems in CYP, the aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to determine whether there is a difference between services as usual (SAU) plus SFBT offered by trained therapists working within a L&D team, and SAU alone, in reducing offending behaviours in 10-17-year-olds presenting at police custody. METHODS: Design: two-arm individually RCT with internal pilot and process evaluation. PARTICIPANTS: N = approximately 448 CYP aged 10-17 years presenting at one of three police custody suites in the area served by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) who are referred to the L&D team. Participants will be recruited and allocated to intervention:control on a 1:1 basis. Interviews will be performed with 30-40 CYP in the intervention arm, 15 CYP in the control arm, up to 20 parents/guardians across both arms, up to 15 practitioners, and up to 10 site staff responsible for screening CYP for the trial. Intervention and control: Those allocated to the intervention will be offered SAU plus SFBT, and control participants will receive SAU only. PRIMARY OUTCOME: CYP frequency of offending behaviours assessed through the Self-Report Delinquency Measure (SRDM) at 12 months post-randomisation. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: criminal offence data (national police database); emotional and behavioural difficulties (self-report and parent/guardian reported); gang affiliation (self-report). Process evaluation: evaluation of acceptability and experiences of the CYP, parents/guardians, site staff and practitioners; fidelity of SFBT delivery. DISCUSSION: This two-arm individually RCT will evaluate the effectiveness of SFBT in reducing offending behaviours in CYP presenting at police custody suites within the area served by LSCFT. Our process evaluation will assess the fidelity of delivery of SFBT, the factors affecting implementation, the acceptability of SFBT in CYP aged 10-17 years and recruitment and reach. We will also examine systems and structures for future delivery, therefore assessing overall scalability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov  ISRCTN14195235 . Registered on June 16, 2023.

The effect of individual short- and long-term psychotherapy on perceived social support: analysis of secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Social support is important for maintaining and restoring psychological well-being but the effects of individual psychotherapies on perceived social support are not well known. In this analysis of secondary outcomes from a randomized clinical study, we compared the effects of long-term psychotherapy and two short-term psychotherapies on social support during a 5-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Altogether 326 adult outpatients suffering from depressive and/or anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LPP, n = 126), short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (SPP, n = 101) and solution-focused therapy (SFT, n = 97). Outcome was measured by the global index and six subscores of the self-reported Brief Inventory of Social Support and Integration scale (BISSI) at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after the beginning of the therapy. RESULTS: Social support improved in all therapy groups and the improvement was relatively stable, lasting several years after the end of therapy. Little difference in improvement was observed either between therapy orientations or durations. CONCLUSIONS: While no major differences were observed between treatment groups, the slight differences call for further research to verify these findings and to better understand how different therapies may improve perceived social support.

Effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy for Tension-Type Headache (TTH): A randomized controlled trial of effects on emotion regulation, anger, anxiety, and TTH symptom severity.

Research has demonstrated the potential efficacy of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) in addressing medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). However, the specific application of ISTDP for tension-type headache (TTH), a prevalent and common MUS, has not been extensively studied. In light of this gap in the literature, the current study investigated the effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) in treating TTH. The study assessed ISTDP's impact on emotion regulation (ER) capacities, levels of anxiety and anger, and TTH symptoms. 30 patients from the neurology clinic at Hazrat Rasool Hospital in Tehran were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. Pre- and post-treatment evaluations were conducted, followed by a ten-week follow-up assessment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance. The results indicated that ISTDP led to significant improvements in ER, reductions in anxiety and anger levels, and a significant decrease in TTH symptoms (ps < 0.001). Findings underscore the effectiveness of ISTDP as a valuable therapeutic approach for addressing TTH.

A pilot trial of a brief intervention for cannabis use supplemented with a substance-free activity session or relaxation training.

OBJECTIVE: Cannabis use is increasing among college students and commonly co-occurs with anxiety symptoms in this age group. Interventions that reduce anxiety may also reduce cannabis use. Behavioral economic theory suggests that substance use reductions are most likely when there is an increase in substance-free reinforcement. This randomized pilot trial evaluated the efficacy of a brief motivational intervention (BMI) for cannabis supplemented by either a substance-free activity session (SFAS) or a relaxation training (RT) session for reducing cannabis use, problems, craving, and anxiety symptoms. METHOD: One hundred thirty-two college students (Mage = 19.9; 54% female; 67% White, 31% Black) who reported five or more past-month cannabis use days were randomized to: (a) assessment-only (AO); (b) BMI plus SFAS; or (c) BMI plus RT. Participants in the BMI conditions received two individual counselor-administered sessions plus a brief phone booster session. Outcomes were evaluated 1- and 6-months postintervention. RESULTS: Relative to assessment, both BMI + SFAS and BMI + RT were associated with significant reductions in cannabis problems and craving at 1-month follow-up, and significant reductions in anxiety at 6-month follow-up. Relative to AO, BMI + RT was associated with significant reductions in cannabis use at 1-month follow-up. There were no differences between BMI conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot trial was not adequately powered to conclusively evaluate relative efficacy but provides preliminary support for the short-term efficacy of both two-session interventions for reducing anxiety and cannabis-related risk among nontreatment seeking emerging adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Managing cancer and living meaningfully (CALM): Implementation in Dutch cancer care.

OBJECTIVE: Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) is a brief, evidence-based psychotherapy tailored for patients with advanced cancer that has not yet been implemented routinely in Dutch cancer care. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, sustainability and effectiveness of CALM in different clinical settings in the Netherlands. METHODS: In 2019 and 2020 a multi-center, intervention-only study was performed in three Dutch cancer care settings. Professionals were trained to provide CALM under supervision. Patients diagnosed with advanced cancer were included and filled out questionnaires to measure depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), death anxiety (Death and Dying Distress Scale), and anxiety (hospital anxiety and depression scale-anxiety) at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The Clinical Evaluation Questionnaire was used to assess acceptability of CALM at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (55% of the eligible patients) were included in the study and 85% of the included patients received 3 or more CALM sessions. Of the 24 trained therapists, 15 (63%) started providing CALM. Two years post-study, CALM was provided in each center by a total of 19 therapists. On average, patients perceived CALM to be at least somewhat helpful. A significant decrease in severity of depression (p = 0.006), death anxiety (p = 0.008), and anxiety (p = 0.024) was observed over time. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that CALM therapy is feasible, acceptable, and sustainable in three Dutch cancer care settings, although not all predefined feasibility criteria for therapists were met. CALM can be effective in decreasing feelings of depression, anxiety, and death anxiety in patients with advanced cancer.

Performance-based attentional control, but not self-reported attentional control, predicts changes in depressive symptoms in short-term psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Although impairments in attentional control are pervasive across psychopathology, there is substantial individual differences. In the current study, we examined whether individual differences in self-reported and performance-based measures of attentional control predict changes in depressive symptoms and well-being in a diagnostically diverse sample of patients attending a CBT-based partial hospital program. METHOD: Participants were 89 patients (56.2% men, 75.3% non-Hispanic White). At baseline, patients completed the self-reported Attentional Control Scale and the Rapid Serial Visual Presentation task (RSVP), a behavioral measure of attentional control. Depressive symptoms were assessed daily using the Patient Health Questionnaire and well-being was assessed using the Mental Health Continuum Short Form. RESULTS: On average, greater self-reported attentional control was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms, ß = -0.49, t(52) = 4.84, p < .001, 95% CIs [-0.69, -0.29], and greater well-being, ß = 0.45, t(53) = 3.90, p < .001, 95% CIs [0.22, 0.67]. More accurate task-based performance was associated with a decline in depressive symptoms over time, ß = -0.02, t(32) = 2.50, p = .02, 95% CIs [-0.04, -0.01]. Neither self-reported nor performance-based measures of attentional control predicted changes in well-being. Finally, exploratory analyses suggest that depressive symptoms also improved over time for individuals who underestimated self-reported attentional control abilities relative to task-based performance, ß = -0.19, t(32) = 2.23, p = .03, 95% CIs [-0.36, -0.02]. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that performance-based attentional control may be an important target for assessment and intervention, as well as a potential mechanism underlying risk and recovery.

Repairing alliance ruptures in psychodynamic psychotherapy with young people: The development of a rational-empirical model to support youth therapists.

Alliance ruptures in youth psychotherapy can have a significant impact on treatment outcomes. However, there is currently limited guidance on how to effectively repair these ruptures with young people. This study aims to address this gap specifically in the context of psychodynamic psychotherapy with adolescents. The objectives of the study are (a) to understand the therapeutic interventions and attitudes that either facilitate or hinder the resolution of alliance ruptures and (b) to develop a model for repairing these ruptures within this particular treatment approach. To accomplish this, a task analysis of a previously developed rational model of resolving alliance ruptures was conducted using 16 sessions from short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy with depressed adolescents. The analysis supported some stages of the hypothesized rational model while revealing the need for revisions. As a result, the study developed a rational-empirical model that includes flexible strategies that therapists can use to repair alliance ruptures. This model emphasizes the significance of a collaborative, open, and empathetic approach to resolving ruptures. In contrast, rigid, defensive, or invalidating therapist attitudes can hinder the resolution process. The evidence-based model developed from the study can provide valuable guidance to psychodynamic psychotherapists working with young people, offering insights on how to approach ruptures and employ effective strategies to promote their resolution. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The effect of mechanical feedback on outcome in self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy.

Little is known about the impact of mechanical feedback in self-care support tools. Technically, natural language processing and machine learning can provide mechanical feedback in self-care support tools. This study compared the differences between mechanical feedback and no feedback conditions in a self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy. In the feedback condition, feedback was provided by mechanically determining the probability that the goal answered in goal setting was concrete or realistic.A total of 501 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the feedback (n = 268) or no feedback (n = 233) condition.The results showed that the mechanical feedback increased the probability of problem-solving. In contrast, solution-building, positive and negative affect, and the probability of living an ideal life increased when using the self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy, regardless of the feedback. In addition, the higher the probability of goal concreteness and reality, the greater the improvement in solution-building and positive affect.This study suggests that self-care support tools based on solution-focused brief therapy with feedback are more effective than those without feedback. Self-care support tools based on solution-focused brief therapy with feedback can be used as an easily accessible tool to maintain and promote mental health.

A Rapid Access Brief Psychotherapy Intervention to Respond to Healthcare Workers in Ontario Whose Mental Health was Negatively Impacted During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread negative impacts on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), there has been little research on psychological interventions during the pandemic for this population. The current study examines whether a brief coping-focused treatment intervention delivered in a virtual individual format would be associated with positive changes in Canadian HCWs' mental health during the pandemic. METHOD: Three hundred and thirty-three HCWs receiving the intervention at 3 large specialty tertiary care hospitals in Ontario, Canada, completed measures of anxiety, depression, perceived stress, work/social impairment, insomnia and fear of COVID-19. After completing treatment, HCWs rated their satisfaction with the treatment. RESULTS: The intervention was associated with large effect size improvements in anxiety, depression, perceived stress, insomnia and fear of COVID-19, and moderate effect size improvements in work/social impairment. At treatment session 1, prior mental health diagnosis and treatment were both significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, and work/social impairment scores. Secondary analyses of data from one of the sites revealed that treatment-related changes in anxiety, depression, perceived stress and work/social impairment were independent of age, gender, occupational setting, profession and the presence of a previous mental health diagnosis or treatment, with the exception that nurses improved at a slightly greater rate than other professions in terms of work/social impairment. HCWs were highly satisfied with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of HCWs experiencing significant distress at baseline self-referred for assistance. Timely and flexible access to a brief virtual coping-focused intervention was associated with improvements in symptoms and impairment, and treatment response was largely unrelated to demographic or professional characteristics. Short-term psychological interventions for HCWs during a pandemic may have a highly positive impact given their association with improvement in various aspects of HCWs' mental health improvement.

Building workforce capacity to address substance use in primary health care: preliminary results from a mixed-methods pilot program.

BACKGROUND: Primary health care is critical to the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related harms. Scaling-up screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) within primary health care can reduce the burden of substance-related diseases, and improve downstream healthcare services. Building knowledge, skills and confidence among general practitioners (GPs), particularly in rural, regional and remote areas, to deliver SBIRT is an essential step. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot test a skills-based training program for GPs designed to build capacity for SBIRT delivery. METHODS: This pilot study investigated the acceptability of a structured, educational skills-based training program among GPs, as well as its preliminary effectiveness in inducing changes in confidence to deliver SBIRT, and in increasing knowledge about low-risk alcohol guidance. The training package was designed by experts in addiction medicine and public health, and involved a series of online webinars and in-person workshops at four locations across the South Eastern NSW Primary Healthcare Network catchment. RESULTS: A total of 18 GPs registered for the training, with six completing the final webinar. The GPs who completed all sessions demonstrated increases in confidence to deliver SBIRT and alcohol guidance knowledge from baseline. Qualitative feedback found the program acceptable, and GPs were able to successfully implement learnings into practice, and promote to colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated the potential of this program at a national level, but highlighted the need for a range of additional incentives to encourage uptake and ongoing implementation.

Psychological interventions during breast cancer rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial comparing structured short-term psychotherapy versus non-specific group discussion.

PURPOSE: Psycho-oncological treatment is recommended in cancer rehabilitation as it improves fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. The aim of our study was to compare a structured short-term psychotherapy and a non-specific group discussion provided during breast cancer rehabilitation. METHODS: Breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to structured group short-term psychotherapy or a non-specific group discussion during breast cancer rehabilitation. The patients completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of rehabilitation and three months after rehabilitation. The primary outcome was anxiety. Secondary outcomes were depression, distress, fatigue and health-related quality of life domains. RESULTS: In total, 160 patients (80 in both groups) were recruited and included in the analysis. There was no significant difference between both groups in the primary outcome anxiety at the end of rehabilitation (difference = -0.2; 95% CI -1.2 to 0.7) and three months after rehabilitation (difference = 0.2; 95% CI -0.9 to 1.3) and in any secondary outcome. Patients in the short-term psychotherapy group with high anxiety levels at baseline reported fewer depressive symptoms at the end of rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed no difference between structured short-term psychotherapy and a non-specific group discussion. Patients with high baseline anxiety levels were more likely to benefit from short-term structured psychotherapy. Early identification of this subgroup and symptoms of mental illness should occur after initial treatment in breast cancer patients in order to offer a structured treatment for anxiety and depressive symptoms during rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00017571; 08/07/2019).

The effects of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy on depressive symptoms, negative affect, and emotional repression in single treatment-resistant depression: A randomized controlled trial.

Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) is theorized to reduce negative affect by challenging patients' defense mechanisms so that they can experience and work through attachment-trauma-related emotions. While ISTDP has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms in single treatment-resistant depression (TRD), it has not been established whether negative affect and emotional repression are reduced, as theorized. Next to depressive symptoms, this retrospectively registered (https://osf.io/v46gy) randomized controlled trial, therefore, examined the effects of ISTDP on emotional repression and negative affect in adults with TRD. Eighty-six adults with major depressive disorder, who had not responded to at least one trial of antidepressants were randomized to 20 sessions of ISTDP (N = 43) or a waitlist control condition (N = 43). Mixed-effect models on the intention-to-treat sample showed that compared to the control condition, ISTDP resulted in significantly lower posttreatment levels of depressive symptoms (d = -1.73), emotional repression (d = -1.91), and negative affect (d = -1.45). Similarly, ISTDP resulted in significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms (d = -2.67), emotional repression (d = -2.69), and negative affect (d = -1.85) at the 3-month follow-up. These results support the evidence base of ISTDP by showing that it can decrease depressive symptoms, emotional repression, and negative affect in TRD. Future studies should assess whether these effects are specific to ISTDP. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Comfort Levels of Outpatient Health Care Professionals When Asking About Substance Use-Related Sexual Activity: A Pilot Survey.

BACKGROUND: Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based intervention for substance use. Health care professionals may not receive SBIRT training or know of substance use's intersection with sexual activity. This pilot survey inquired about SBIRT training history, attitudes, and comfort among outpatient health care professionals, including assessing sexual activity-related use. METHODS: We conducted a snowball cross-sectional survey of outpatient health care professionals at a large southeastern academic medical center in June 2021 with 4-point Likert questions covering demographics, substance use attitudes, SBIRT training history, and comfort implementing SBIRT. Analysis used descriptive statistics and stratification by demographic and practice characteristics. RESULTS: Seventy-three professionals responded, of whom 82% were White and 66% were female. Forty-seven percent were 30 to 39 years old, 33% were internal medicine professionals, and 59% reported previous SBIRT training. All participants reported believing substance use is a significant health issue. Most reported that they were comfortable or somewhat comfortable assessing patients for substance use (85%), dropping to 60% discussing sexual activity. Advanced practice providers and physicians identified more comfort with rapport building around substance use than other health care respondents. Professionals in infectious diseases and psychiatry reported the greatest comfort assessing substance use with concurrent sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: There are gaps in SBIRT training and beliefs among health care professionals. Although health care workers report that assessing substance use is important, some professionals endorsed more comfort discussing substance use with patients than others, especially when inquiring about sexual activity. Future work could replicate the pilot to inform increasing comfort through training in the intersection of substance use and sexuality.