Cross-cultural validation of the revised Green et al., paranoid thoughts scale.

BACKGROUND: With efforts increasing worldwide to understand and treat paranoia, there is a pressing need for cross-culturally valid assessments of paranoid beliefs. The recently developed Revised Green et al., Paranoid Thoughts Scale (R-GPTS) constitutes an easy to administer self-report assessment of mild ideas of reference and more severe persecutory thoughts. Moreover, it comes with clinical cut-offs for increased usability in research and clinical practice. With multiple translations of the R-GPTS already available and in use, a formal test of its measurement invariance is now needed. METHODS: Using data from a multinational cross-sectional online survey in the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and Hong Kong (N = 2510), we performed confirmatory factory analyses on the R-GPTS and tested for measurement invariance across sites. RESULTS: We found sufficient fit for the two-factor structure (ideas of reference, persecutory thoughts) of the R-GPTS across cultures. Measurement invariance was found for the persecutory thoughts subscale, indicating that it does measure the same construct across the tested samples in the same way. For ideas of reference, we found no scalar invariance, which was traced back to (mostly higher) item intercepts in the Hong Kong sample. CONCLUSION: We found sufficient invariance for the persecutory thoughts scale, which is of substantial practical importance, as it is used for the screening of clinical paranoia. A direct comparison of the ideas of reference sum-scores between cultures, however, may lead to an over-estimation of these milder forms of paranoia in some (non-western) cultures.

Social, Structural, Behavioral, and Clinical Barriers Influencing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the South: A Qualitative Update to a 2016 Study.

Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV. Despite its promise, PrEP use is low, especially among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). The prevalence of HIV in Mississippi (MS) is among the highest in the United States, with the bulk of new infections occurring amongst YBMSM living in Jackson, MS. We recruited 20 PrEP-eligible YBMSM and 10 clinic staff from MS health clinics between October 2021 and April 2022. Data were collected remotely using in-depth interviews and a brief survey, which lasted approximately 45-60 min. Interview content included PrEP knowledge/experiences, HIV risk perception, and PrEP use barriers and facilitators. Qualitative data were coded then organized using NVivo. Using thematic analysis methodology, data were assessed for current barriers to PrEP use. An array of barriers were identified by participants. Barriers included structural factors (cost of PrEP, lack of discreet clinics, time commitment, competing interests); social factors (unaware of HIV risk, stigma and homophobia, fear that partners would find out about PrEP use, not knowing anyone on PrEP); behavioral factors (sexual risk factors, denial, less priority for prevention vs treatment); and clinical factors (misunderstood side effects, fear PrEP won't work). Significant barriers to PrEP use among YBMSM stem from structural, social, behavioral, and clinical factors. These results will inform intervention efforts tailored to mitigate barriers and improve PrEP uptake among YBMSM in the southern United States.

Adding online storytelling-based acceptance and commitment therapy to antidepressant treatment for primary care patients: a randomized clinical trial.

Depression is most often treated in primary care, where the prevailing treatment is antidepressant medication. Primary care patients with depression are less likely to be exposed to psychosocial interventions, despite evidence suggesting many of these treatments are effective. An example is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a behavioral treatment for depression with a growing evidence base. A self-guided ACT intervention with a peer narrative (i.e. storytelling) format was developed with the intention of creating a treatment option for primary care patients that was more accessible than traditional psychotherapy. Titled LifeStories, the online program features videos of real individuals sharing coping skills for depression based on lived experiences and key ACT principles. A total of 93 primary care patients taking antidepressants were randomized to either continued antidepressant treatment alone or antidepressant treatment plus LifeStories for 4 weeks. There were no differences over time on depression severity and psychological inflexibility. However, LifeStories led to greater improvements in quality of life and increased patients' interest in additional treatment compared to antidepressant medication alone.Clinical trial pre-registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04757961).

Pandemic paranoia in the general population: international prevalence and sociodemographic profile.

BACKGROUND: The term 'pandemic paranoia' has been coined to refer to heightened levels of mistrust and suspicion towards other people specifically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we examine the international prevalence of pandemic paranoia in the general population and its associated sociodemographic profile. METHODS: A representative international sample of general population adults (N = 2510) from five sites (USA N = 535, Germany N = 516, UK N = 512, Australia N = 502 and Hong Kong N = 445) were recruited using stratified quota sampling (for age, sex, educational attainment) and completed the Pandemic Paranoia Scale (PPS). RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of pandemic paranoia was 19%, and was highest in Australia and lowest in Germany. On the subscales of the PPS, prevalence was 11% for persecutory threat, 29% for paranoid conspiracy and 37% for interpersonal mistrust. Site and general paranoia significantly predicted pandemic paranoia. Sociodemographic variables (lower age, higher population size and income, being male, employed and no migrant status) explained additional variance and significantly improved prediction of pandemic paranoia. CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic paranoia was relatively common in a representative sample of the general population across five international sites. Sociodemographic variables explained a small but significant amount of the variance in pandemic paranoia.

Polypharmacy Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorder and Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders in a Psychiatric Hospital Setting: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is common among patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital who frequently present with comorbid conditions such as substance use disorders (up to 50%). Polypharmacy (ie, being prescribed 3 or more medications) may be relatively common in dual-diagnosis patients. This study sought to examine prevalence and risk factors associated with psychotropic polypharmacy in hospitalized patients with MDD and co-occurring SUDs. METHODS: An electronic chart review was conducted with 1315 individuals admitted to a psychiatric hospital; 505 (38.4%) were identified as having co-occurring MDD + SUD. We examined psychotropic polypharmacy and clinical severity to explore risk for concerning drug interactions. RESULTS: Potentially problematic polypharmacy patterns were identified among those with MDD + SUD and were related to negative clinical outcomes, particularly in terms of increased sedation potential for individuals with an opioid use disorder (OUD). Groups at the highest risk for polypharmacy included patients who were female, older in age, lower in functioning, and presenting with a co-occurring OUD. Having an OUD was associated with particularly risky polypharmacy combinations, while having a cannabis use disorder was associated with the least polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight a high prevalence of polypharmacy among a group that has an elevated risk for negative outcomes. There is a continued need to improve identification of complex patient presentations and adjust medications in a hospital setting to improve treatment outcomes and reduce future mortality.

Stakeholder perspectives on adjunctive mHealth services during transitions of care for patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research focuses on developing and testing interventions that leverage mental health-related mobile health (mHealth) services for patients with schizophrenia and other schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Yet, most formative research has focused on patient perspectives, with little attention paid to clinical stakeholders. AIMS: This qualitative study aimed to explore clinical stakeholders' (i.e., administrative supervisors, support staff, and clinicians) perspectives on what might help or hinder the use of mHealth, particularly when patients transition from inpatient to outpatient care. METHODS: In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 stakeholders from inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified: (a) adherence challenges; (b) role of mobile technology in patient care; (c) clinical professionals' receptiveness to adjunctive mHealth services; and, (d) costs related to implementation of mHealth services. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, stakeholders agree with extant data showing that supportive networks are important in facilitating patients' return to the community following hospitalization. Stakeholders welcome mHealth services but suggest they should be appropriately tailored to the population, both in terms of usability and connection to ongoing traditional treatments. Demonstration of added value will likely facilitate wider implementation of mHealth services in the care of patients with schizophrenia and other schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Development and Initial Testing of an mHealth Transitions of Care Intervention for Adults with Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders Immediately Following a Psychiatric Hospitalization.

An important period in the care of patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders is when they transition from inpatient to outpatient services and are at increased risk for relapse and rehospitalization. Thus, we developed and examined the initial feasibility, acceptability, and clinical effects of an mHealth transitions of care intervention (Mobile After-Care Support; MACS) in an open trial. Ten adults with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders were recruited during their index psychiatric hospitalization and enrolled prior to discharge. Measures of feasibility, acceptability, and MACS targets were administered at baseline and a 1-month follow-up. Drawing on skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), MACS delivered brief assessments of clinically relevant variables, followed by just-in-time interventions for patients starting immediately post-discharge. Individuals completed about one session per day on average as expected. Overall, measures of MACS usability and satisfaction were positive. T-test analyses showed that dysfunctional coping strategies significantly decreased from baseline to 1-month follow-up. Results also revealed statistically significant reductions in psychiatric symptoms over 1-month follow-up. This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of MACS, a new app-based intervention targeting transitions of care for patients with psychosis. The field is turning to the use of mobile technology as a means of augmenting service delivery and providing real-time assessment and intervention for patients at risk. MACS is a promising adjunctive intervention that warrants further testing in a randomized controlled trial.

Differences in Burden Severity in Adult-Child Family Caregivers and Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia.

Researchers are continuing to focus on the nature and sources of burden of family caregivers of persons living with dementia. Caregiving stress and burden are assessed and addressed by social workers, including at high-risk times such as hospitalization. This study tested whether adult-child family caregivers experience greater perceived burden than spousal caregivers, accounting for risks of acute stress which can accompany hospitalization for their care recipient, where social workers may be meeting with family caregivers for the first time. Family caregivers (N = 76; n = 42 adult-child; n = 34 spouse) were recruited during care-recipient clinical treatment. The settings of care included an outpatient memory care program and an inpatient geriatric psychiatry service. Results showed that adult-child caregivers reported greater burden as compared with spousal caregivers, but no differences regarding depressive symptoms, perceived stress, or grief. After controlling for demographics and location of care, being an adult-child caregiver remained a predictor of greater burden severity. Being an adult-child family caregiver may place an individual at increased risk for experiencing high burden. These findings suggest socials workers should consider how adult-child caregivers may benefit from strategies to address and reduce burden, beyond those typically offered to spousal caregivers.

Pilot randomized controlled trial of a video self-help intervention for depression based on acceptance and commitment therapy: Feasibility and acceptability.

A common setting where depression is identified and treated is in primary care, where there is a need for low-intensity and cost-effective interventions to be used as part of a stepped-care model. The current study involved a pilot, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial of a video self-help intervention for primary care patients based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The intervention, called LifeStories, consisted of storytelling vignettes of patients describing their use of ACT-consistent coping skills for depression. Primary care patients were recruited to determine feasibility, acceptability, and potential clinical effects of the intervention. Twenty-one participants were assigned to use LifeStories over a period of 4 weeks, and 19 participants were assigned to an attention-matched comparison group. Qualitative feedback indicated that participants using LifeStories found the intervention to be engaging and useful in transmitting key ACT principles. Furthermore, those receiving LifeStories rated their level of "transportation" or immersion in the videos higher than the control group. Both conditions showed large improvements in levels of depression at a 12-week follow-up. There were no significant differences in symptom outcomes between groups; however, because this was a pilot study, it was not powered to detect differences between interventions. Both conditions additionally showed smaller effect size changes in psychological flexibility, a key ACT mechanism. The results suggest LifeStories to be a feasible and acceptable psychological intervention that may improve depression, and further research is warranted to determine its effectiveness as part of a stepped-care approach to treating depression in primary care.

Impact of causal explanations for social anxiety disorder on stigma and treatment perceptions.

Background and aims: There is evidence to suggest that biogenetic explanations for symptoms of mental disorders have become increasingly popular. Research suggests that such explanations provokes mixed blessings: biological explanations may reduce blame but also encourage prognostic pessimism and promote perceptions of pharmacological treatment over psychotherapy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of different causal explanations on social anxiety disorder.Method: About 205 adults completed an experiment where they read a vignette describing an individual with social anxiety disorder and were randomly assigned to a symptom explanation that was: (1) biological, (2) biopsychosocial, (3) psychosocial, or (4) no explanation.Results: The psychosocial condition yielded the highest perceived credibility and lowest attributions of blame. The biological condition promoted positive expectations for medication effectiveness compared to other conditions. Conditions did not differ on prognostic expectations.Conclusions: Calls attention to the risk of generalizing from previous research to mental disorders as a whole.