The Effect of a Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention on Burden, Express Emotion and Mental Well-Being in Family Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the impact of a mindful self-compassion intervention on burden, express emotion, and mental well-being in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Standardized measures, including the ZARIT Caregiving Burden Scale, Expressed Emotion Scale and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, were administered at baseline, post-intervention. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess differences between the two groups. Significant reductions in caregiver burden, expressed emotion, and enhanced mental well-being in the intervention group compared to the control group at post-intervention. The results of this randomized controlled trial indicate that the mindful self-compassion intervention significantly reduces caregiver burden, expressed emotion, and improves mental well-being in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. These findings underscore the potential utility of mindful self-compassion interventions as effective support for this population, highlighting the importance of integrating such interventions into caregiver support programs.

A relação entre arte e vida em vigotski: uma análise conceitual / The relationship between art and life in vygotsky: a conceptual analysis / La relación entre arte y vida en vigotski: un análisis conceptual

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a relação entre arte e vida segundo Vigotski. Para isso, foi realizada uma análise conceitual dos capítulos 1, 7, 9, 10 e 11 da Psicologia da Arte, do capítulo 13 da Psicologia Pedagógica e do texto O significado histórico da crise da Psicologia: Uma investigação metodológica. A pesquisa conceitual consiste na análise semântica dos principais conceitos de uma teoria com o intuito de elucidar seus sentidos ocultos ou confusos e desvendar possíveis contradições e ambiguidades no quadro teórico. Podemos observar que a arte é um fenômeno dialético tanto em sua criação como em seus efeitos. A influência da vida, isto é, da realidade sócio-histórica, na criação artística é indireta, pois ela é sempre mediada pelo psiquismo particular do artista. Já o efeito da arte sobre a vida possibilita que o ser humano se conscientize de sua realidade social e se engaje para mudá-la. A arte é, portanto, transformadora, pois reorganiza o psiquismo e possibilita uma mudança nas condições materiais dos seres humanos.(AU)

This study aims to analyze the relationship between art and life according to Vygotsky. Therefore, a conceptual analysis of chapters 1, 7, 9, 10, and 11 of Psychology of Art, chapter 13 of Educational Psychology and the text The Historical meaning of the Crisis of Psychology: A Methodological Investigation was carried out. Conceptual research consists of the semantic analysis of the main concepts of a theory to elucidate its hidden or confused meanings and to reveal possible contradictions and ambiguities in the theoretical framework. Results show that art is a dialectical phenomenon both in its creation and its effects. The influence of life, that is, of socio-historical reality, on artistic creation is indirect since it is always mediated by the artist's particular psyche. The effect of art on life, on the other hand, allows human beings to become aware of their social reality and engage to change it. Art is, therefore, transformative, as it reorganizes the psyche and enables a change in the material conditions of human beings.(AU)

Este proyecto tuve como objetivo analizar la relación entre el arte y la vida, según Vigotski. Para esto, fue realizado un análisis de los capítulos 1, 7, 9, 10 y 11 de Psicología del arte, del capítulo 13 de Psicología Pedagógica y del texto Él significado histórico de la crisis de la Psicología: una investigación metodológica. La pesquisa conceptual consiste en la analice semántica de los conceptos de una teoría, para aclarar sus significados ocultos o confusos y desvendar contradicciones y ambigüedades em el cuadro teórico. Pudimos observar que, el arte es un fenómeno dialéctico en su creación tanto como en sus efectos. La influencia de la vida, esto es, de la realidad socio-histórica, en la creación artística es indirecta, pues es mediada por el psiquismo particular de lo artista. Así, el efecto del arte sobre la vida habilita que lo ser humano adquiera conciencia de su realidad social y que se comprometa a cambiarla. El arte, consiguientemente, transformadora, pues reorganiza lo psiquismo y habilita un cambio en las condiciones materiales de los seres humanos.(AU)

Savoring the present: The reciprocal influence between positive emotions and positive emotion regulation in everyday life.

A growing body of research has investigated the regulation of negative emotions in ecological settings, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying positive emotion regulation in everyday life. Although some evidence suggests that adopting positive strategies is beneficial for emotional well-being, the literature is inconsistent about the effects of positive emotions on subsequent regulatory processes. In the present study, we adopted a two-week ecological momentary assessment to explore the association between positive emotions and positive emotion regulation in daily life. According to our results, the less individuals felt positive emotions at one point, the more they tended to enhance their use of positive strategies from this time to the next, which in turn resulted in subsequent higher levels of positive emotions. This prototype of positive regulation can be seen as a highly adaptive mechanism that makes it possible to compensate for a lack of positive emotions by enhancing the deployment of positive strategies. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Irritability and Perceived Expressed Emotion in Adolescents With Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Case-Control Study.

The objective of this study was to assess the difference in irritability and perceived expressed emotion (EE) between adolescents with iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and their healthy peers. In addition, we aimed to investigate the relationship between hemogram parameters, irritability, and perceived EE in adolescents with ID and IDA. The sample of this single-center cross-sectional case-control study consisted of 89 adolescents from 12 to 17 years of age. Of the participants, 19 had been diagnosed with ID, 31 had IDA, and 39 were healthy controls. Significant differences in the self-reported and parent-reported irritability scores were observed between the ID group and the control group and between the IDA group and the control group. There was also a significant difference in the subscale of irritability between the ID group and the control group. The difference between the IDA and control groups in the intrusiveness subscale was found to be significant as well. Adolescents with IDA and ID exhibited significantly perceived irritability compared with the control group. In terms of irritability, adolescents with IDA and ID revealed greater irritability than their healthy peers. The results of this study suggest that irritability and perceived EE should be investigated in cases of ID, whether with or without anemia. As chronic diseases may benefit substantially from psychiatric consultation, psychosocial evaluation and intervention should be considered a complementary treatment option in the management of ID and IDA.

Ambivalence over emotional expression and perceived social constraints as moderators of relaxation training and emotional awareness and expression training for irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological treatments are generally beneficial for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but patients' responses vary. A prior randomized controlled trial found that both relaxation training (RT) and emotional awareness and expression training (EAET) were superior to a waitlist control condition for IBS symptoms, quality of life, depression, and anxiety among IBS patients (Thakur et al., 2017). METHOD: We conducted secondary analyses on these data to examine potential moderators of treatment outcomes. Baseline measures of patients' ambivalence over emotional expression and perceived social constraints, which have been hypothesized to influence some treatments, were tested as possible moderators of the effects of RT and EAET, compared to the control condition. RESULTS: Results indicated that these variables moderated the effects of RT but not EAET. The benefits of RT occurred for patients who reported higher ambivalence over emotional expression or perceived social constraints, whereas the benefits of EAET were not influenced by these factors. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that RT might be particularly helpful for people who tend to avoid emotional disclosure and expression, supporting the possible benefit of targeting treatments to patient characteristics and preferences, whereas EAET might be helpful for a broader range of patients with IBS.

Effects of mindfulness training on emotional and physiologic recovery from induced negative affect.

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness training has been shown to improve psychological well-being and physical health. One proposed pathway for the positive effects of mindfulness training is through the development of new emotion regulation strategies, such as the ability to experience emotions by observing and accepting them without judgment. Theoretically, this should facilitate recovery from negative emotional states; however, this has rarely been examined empirically. The goal of the current study was to determine whether mindfulness training is associated with more efficient emotional and cardiovascular recovery from induced negative affect. METHODS: The current study tested emotional and cardiovascular recovery from induced negative affect during a personal recall task in women randomly assigned to 6-weeks of mindfulness training (n=39) compared to women assigned to a wait-list control condition (n=32). During baseline, task, and post-task rest, blood pressure and heart rate were monitored at fixed intervals and heart rate variability (HRV) and pre-ejection period (PEP) were monitored continuously. This study was embedded within a randomized trial that evaluated the effects of mindfulness training in a sample of younger breast cancer survivors, a group in need of access to effective psychosocial intervention as they can experience high stress, anxiety, and physical symptoms for many years in to survivorship. RESULTS: In response to the personal recall task, women in both the intervention and control groups showed significant increases in sadness, anxiety, and anger, with the intervention group reaching higher levels of sadness and anger than controls. Further, the intervention group showed a significantly steeper decline in sadness and anger, as well as steeper initial decline in diastolic blood pressure compared to women in the wait list control condition. Groups did not differ in their self-reported feelings of anxiety, or in blood pressure, heart rate, or pre-ejection period (PEP) responses to the task. The control group demonstrated an increase in heart rate variability (HRV) during the task (indexed by the root mean square of successive differences in heart rate; RMSSD) while the intervention group remained flat throughout the task. CONCLUSION: Compared to the control group, women in the intervention group experienced greater negative emotions when recalling a difficult experience related to their breast cancer, and demonstrated an efficient emotional and blood pressure recovery from the experience. This suggests that mindfulness training may lead to an enhanced emotional experience coupled with the ability to recovery quickly from negative emotional states.

Adulto jovem em hemodiálise: da descoberta da doença aos impasses do diagnóstico e do tratamento / Young adults undergoing hemodialysis: from the discovery of the disease todifficulties faced in diagnosis and treatment

Objetivo: apresentar a narrativa de adultos jovens com a doença renal crônica em hemodiálise, quanto aosprimeiros sintomas da doença, ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento. Método: estudo exploratório e descritivo, deabordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido com oito adultos jovens. Os instrumentos para a coleta de dados foramentrevista narrativa, observação assistemática e diário de campo. Para a análise utilizou-se a propostaoperativa. Resultados: os adultos jovens narraram suas histórias desde o surgimento dos primeiros sintomasde desordem corporal, a busca pelo diagnóstico da doença renal crônica, o impacto de sua descoberta e danecessidade do tratamento hemodialítico. Conclusão: percebe-se a importância de os profissionais da saúdeestarem preparados para cuidar das pessoas em adoecimento de um modo singular e holístico, qualificando aatenção prestada.

Terapia de juego breve como tratamiento de la ansiedad generalizada infantil / Brief play therapy as an alternative treatment for generalized childhood anxiety disorder / Teràpia de joc breu com a tractament de l’ansietat generalitzada infantil

El trastorno de ansiedad generalizada (TAG) se considera una manifestación crónica de ansiedad predominantemente cognitiva y afecta aproximadamente al 2,9 % de los infantes. En este trabajo, se describe el tratamiento psicológico de un niño de siete años diagnosticado con TAG. El caso se abordó a través de un programa de psicoterapia de juego breve con enfoque psicodinámico, el cual consistió en un total de ocho sesiones de 60 minutos de duración en las que se emplearon un conjunto de técnicas que tenían como objetivo principal la expresión de los conflictos emocionales del menor a través de diferentes actividades de juego libre. Este caso clínico aporta evidencia de la efectividad clínica y las ventajas que ofrecen los tratamientos psicoterapéuticos de duración breve en población infantil

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is considered to be a chronic manifestation of anxiety, mainly cognitive in type, and it affects approximately 2.9 % of children. The present paper describes the psychological treatment of a 7 year-old child who was diagnosed with GAD. The case was treated through a program of brief play therapy with a psychodynamic focus, carried out over a total of 8 sessions, each with a duration of 60 minutes. In these sessions, a series of techniques were employed with the aim of allowing the patient to express emotional conflicts through free play activities. This case study provides evidence of the clinical effectiveness of the method and of the advantages of brief psychotherapeutic treatments in children

El trastorn d'ansietat generalitzada (TAG) es considera una manifestació crònica d'ansietat predominantment cognitiva I afecta aproximadament el 2,9 % dels infants. En aquest treball es descriu el tractament psicològic d'un nen de set anys diagnosticat de TAG. El cas s'abordà mitjançant un programa de psicoteràpia de joc breu amb enfocament psicodinàmic, el qual va consistir en un total de vuit sessions de 60 minuts de durada en les quals s'empraren un conjunt de tècniques que tenien com a objectiu principal l'expressió dels conflictes emocionals del menor mitjançant diferents activitats de joc lliure. Aquest cas clínic aporta evidència de l'efectivitat clínica I els avantatges que ofereixen els tractaments psicoterapéutics de durada breu en la població infantil

Impact of the mindful emotional intelligence program on emotional regulationm in college students

The present study tests the effectiveness of the Mindful Emotional Intelligence Program (PINEP) that appeared from the fusion of two concepts; emotional intelligence and mindfulness. The program was given as training to 136 college students during a two-month period. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of (PINEP) and to know how students regulate their emotions. Student emotional behavior was evaluated before and after the PINEP program was carried out using self-report measures selected for their reliability. These were, burnout, engagement, neuroticism, extroversion, emotional regulation, and empathy. The results showed moderate significant differences (Cohen’s d) in the dimension of extroversion, burnout, engagement, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective and empathy. The outcome pointed toward favorable changes in relation with the program PINEP as the students showed significant changes in the way they regulated their emotions after the training (AU)

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Journalists’occupational stress: a comparative study between reporting critical events and domestic news

Nowadays, journalism is considered a stressful occupation, not only due to the stress perceived in journalists’ daily work but also due to the critical, potentially traumatic events they report. However, research on journalists’ occupational stress in both these professional settings is still scarce. This study aims to characterize and compare occupational stress variables perceived by journalists in their daily work and in critical scenarios. Taking the Holistic Model of Occupational Stress by Nelson and Simmons (2003) as a framework, 25 Portuguese journalists, all with experience in reporting critical events, were interviewed on their perceptions of some core variables of the model: occupational stressors, distress and eustress emotional reactions, and the consequences of these experiences on their well-being. Differences among these core variables, according to the number of deployments to a critical event, were statistically analysed in order to ascertain whether repeated exposure to trauma influenced journalists’ occupational stress perceptions. The data content analysis showed that occupational stressors and emotional reactions differed across settings, while the consequences associated with journalists’ experiences were perceived as being mainly negative in both occupational contexts. Significant differences were identified in some of these variables according to the number of deployments to a critical event (p < .05). These findings may contribute to a reflection on the role of media organizations in preparing and supporting journalists in their work performance, and on the promotion of occupational health within the scope of journalists’ daily work and critical events. The article closes with considerations for future studies (AU)

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The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale: Further Examination of Dimensionality, Reliability, and Concurrent Validity Estimates.

We examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in a sample of 810 undergraduate students. Using common exploratory factor analysis (EFA), we obtained evidence for a 1-factor solution (41.84% common variance). To confirm unidimensionality of the 15-item MAAS, we conducted a 1-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results of the EFA and CFA, respectively, provided support for a unidimensional model. Using differential item functioning analysis methods within item response theory modeling (IRT-based DIF), we found that individuals with high and low levels of nonattachment responded similarly to the MAAS items. Following a detailed item analysis, we proposed a 5-item short version of the instrument and present descriptive statistics and composite score reliability for the short and full versions of the MAAS. Finally, correlation analyses showed that scores on the full and short versions of the MAAS were associated with measures assessing related constructs. The 5-item MAAS is as useful as the original MAAS in enhancing our understanding of the mindfulness construct.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and art group therapy: Self-expression of traumatic inner world of war veterans.

Background/Aim: Art therapy and drawings may serve as alternative means of expression and release from trauma among veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: The retrospective clinical study of drawings of war veterans was performed. A total of 89 war veterans met the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) PTSD criteria and were consecutively admitted to the Day Hospital during 5 years. Art group therapy as part of integrative treatment was performed once a week. The group was open and heterogeneous. Qualitative analysis of drawings content and group protocols were obtained. The drawings were made by free associations. War related themes were explored and descriptive statistics were applied. Results: The most frequent type of common themes of combat stress presented battle and witnessing wounded and killed combatants. Less frequent were themes of graves, destroyed cities and broken trees. The veterans preferred black and red colors with association to death, blood, wounds and destroyed objects. Conclusion: Drawing could provide a unique, complex, visual illustration of war traumatic experiences and memories of posttraumatic stress disorder veterans. Art group discussion might enhance war veterans' verbal expression due to group support in safe setting. As adjuvant psychotherapy, art group therapy could enrich awareness and the ability of clinicians to treat hard posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms related to uncovered war trauma.

Niveles de ira en practicantes de boxeo y kickboxing: diferencias en función de la disciplina y el nivel desportivo / Niveis do ira na prática e kickboxing boxe: diferenças em termos de disciplina e nível esportivo / Anger intensity in boxing and kickboxing practitioners: differences based on discipline and competitive level

El objetivo fundamental de este trabajo fue estudiar el perfil de ira desde una perspectiva multidimensional en deportes de contacto pleno (al K.O.). En el estudio participaron 269 hombres entre 16 y 39 años divididos en 5 grupos por niveles deportivos: no practicantes, practicantes regulares, competidores regionales, nacionales e internacionales. Se les administró un cuestionario sociodemográfico y el Inventario de la Expresión de la Ira Estado-Rasgo (STAXI-2). Se hallaron diferencias significativas (p<,05) en función del nivel deportivo en todas las escalas y subescalas del inventario exceptuando en la expresión y control interno de ira. Las pruebas post hoc revelaron cómo el grupo de deportistas internacionales presentó niveles significativamente más bajos de ira que los practicantes regulares y los no practicantes. Asimismo, se han establecido correlaciones significativas entre la edad, los años, los días y las horas de práctica y diferentes dimensiones de la ira. No se han encontrado diferencias significativas en el nivel de ira entre los practicantes regulares de estas disciplinas y los no practicantes de actividad física. Finalmente, tampoco se han encontrado diferencias significativas en los niveles de ira entre los practicantes de boxeo y los de kickboxing. Se discuten los hallazgos del estudio, se exponen las limitaciones encontradas, futuras líneas de investigación y aplicaciones prácticas (AU)

O objetivo fundamental deste trabalho foi estudar o perfil da ira a partir de uma perspetiva multidimensional em desportos de contacto pleno (ao K.O.). No estudo participaram 269 homens entre os 16 e os 39 anos, divididos em 5 grupos por níveis desportivos: não praticantes, praticantes regulares, competidores regionais, nacionais e internacionais. Foi-lhes aplicado um questionário sociodemográfico e o Inventário da Expressão da Ira Estado- -Traço (STAXI-2). Foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p<, ,05) em função do nível desportivo em todas as escalas e subescalas do inventário, exceto na expressão e controlo interno da ira. Os post hoc revelaram que o grupo de desportistas internacionais apresentou níveis significativamente mais baixos de ira do que os praticantes regulares e os não praticantes. Além disso, foram estabelecidas correlações significativas entre a idade, os anos, os dias e as horas de prática e diferentes dimensões da ira. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas no nível de ira entre os praticantes regulares destas modalidades e os não praticantes de atividade física. Finalmente, também não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos níveis de ira entre os praticantes de boxe e os de kickboxing. São debatidos os resultados do estudo, e expostas as limitações encontradas, futuras linhas de investigação e aplicações práticas (AU)

The main goal of this study was to assess the anger profile of direct-contact (K.O.) sports’ sportsmen from a multidimensional perspective. A total of 269 men, ages between 16 and 39 years old, agreed to participate. They completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2). Participants were placed in 5 groups based on their competitive level: no-practice, regular practice, state competitors, national competitors, and international competitors. Significant differences (p<, 05) were found among groups in the different scales and subscales of the inventory, except expression and internal control of anger. Post hoc analyses revealed that the international competitors showed significant lower anger levels than no-practice and regular practice participants. Significant correlations were found among variables such as age, years, days, hours of practice and different dimensions of anger. No significant differences were found between no-practice and regular practice participants’ anger level. Finally, no significant differences were found between boxing and kickboxing participants’ anger levels, either. Findings are discussed, limitations are exposed, future lines of research are introduced, and practical applications are included (AU)

Conceptual analysis of suffering in cancer: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Patient suffering is a neglected area of care, partly because of poor definitions. The aim of this study was to distill what is currently known about suffering in the health literature in order to generate a conceptual basis for further research. METHODS: A systematic review focusing on suffering across all cancers was undertaken. The search included peer-reviewed English articles published between 1992 and 2012 in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library databases focusing on conceptualisation of suffering in adult cancer patients. Seminal theoretical articles conceptualising suffering more generally were also eligible. To ensure identification of a sufficiently broad range of conceptualisations of suffering in cancer, the search strategy was drafted iteratively. Study findings were subjected to conceptual analysis using the evolutionary method. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight studies were identified, which discussed definitions or conceptualisations of suffering. In terms of its attributes, suffering is defined as 'an all-encompassing, dynamic, individual phenomenon characterized by the experience of alienation, helplessness, hopelessness and meaninglessness in the sufferer which is difficult for them to articulate. It is multi-dimensional and usually incorporates an undesirable, negative quality.' Surrogate terms, antecedents and consequences of suffering are described. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review revealed that suffering includes holistic suffering, which is multidimensional, oscillating, individual and difficult for individuals to express. Opportunities should be provided for patients to express their suffering. The potential for suffering to be transcended needs to be recognized and facilitated by healthcare staff.

Religiousness/Spirituality and anger management in community-dwelling older persons.

Mismanaged anger is associated with adverse health outcomes. This study examined whether dimensions of religiousness/spirituality could predict healthy anger management in a sample of 82 community-dwelling older Americans. A correlational research design was employed using the Deffenbacher Anger Scale and the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Higher scores on Forgiveness, Daily Spiritual Experiences, Religiousness/Spirituality as Coping, and Self-Ranking of Religiousness/Spirituality were correlated with healthier anger management; however forgiveness was the only significant predictor in the regression analysis. Interventions to facilitate forgiveness may promote healthy anger management and minimize the adverse health effects of mismanaged anger.

Cuidados psicosociales de enfermería en el paciente gran quemado / Psychosocial nursing care patient with major burns

Debemos considerar al paciente desde el punto de vista holístico, esto es, no sólo desde una perspectiva física, sino también mental, emocional y espiritual (que no ha de confundirse con la religiosidad). Un paciente gran quemado en el lugar del accidente es visto por el profesional que lo atiende como un paciente crítico, y para él lo primordial es su supervivencia. Es al ingresar en la Unidad de Grandes Quemados cuando comienza su largo y no fácil camino hasta su recuperación, entendiendo esta como el inicio en la mayoría de los casos de una nueva manera de integrarse, sentir, percibir y, en definitiva, de aprender de nuevo a vivir. El papel de la enfermería durante esta andadura resultará vital. Del vínculo que se establezca entre la enfermera o el enfermero y el paciente dependerá en gran medida su pronta y mejor recuperación y, por lo tanto, su integración y reinserción en la nueva vida que le espera. En este artículo se desarrollan los siguientes apartados: · Evolución psicoemocional durante su estancia en la unidad (duelo). · Cuidados psicoemocionales de la enfermería (miedos, dolor, cambio de imagen, larga estancia, recursos). · Manejo de las medidas de autoprotección del personal de enfermería para mantener la propia estabilidad psicoemocional (AU)

We must consider the patient as a human being from a holistic point of view; that is, not only from a physical point of view, but also from a mental emotional and spiritual perspective (not to be confused with religion). A patient with major burns is seen as a critical patient by the physician, and for him the most important issue is the survival of the patient. It is when the patient is admitted in the Burns Unit when the long and not easy road to recovery begins, in the understanding this is a new way to integrate, feel and ultimately learn to live again. The role of nursing during this journey will be vital. The prompt and better recovery of the patient will largely depend on the link established between nurse and patient, as well as his/her integration in the new life that awaits him. The following topics are developed in this article: · Emotional evolution during his stage in the Burns Unit. · Psychoemotional nursing care (fear, pain, image change, long hospital stay, resources). · Management of the self-protection measures of the nursing staff to maintain its own emotional stability (AU)

Using sensors and facial expression recognition to personalize emotion learning for autistic children.

This paper describes CaptureMyEmotion, an app for smartphones and tablets which uses wireless sensors to capture physiological data together with facial expression recognition to provide a very personalized way to help autistic children identify and understand their emotions. Many apps are targeting autistic children and their carer, but none of the existing apps uses the full potential offered by mobile technology and sensors to overcome one of autistic children's main difficulty: the identification and expression of emotions. CaptureMyEmotion enables autistic children to capture photos, videos or sounds, and identify the emotion they felt while taking the picture. Simultaneously, a self-portrait of the child is taken, and the app measures the arousal and stress levels using wireless sensors. The app uses the self-portrait to provide a better estimate of the emotion felt by the child. The app has the potential to help autistic children understand their emotions and it gives the carer insight into the child's emotions and offers a means to discuss the child's feelings.

A prospective study of family conferences: effects of patient presence on emotional expression and end-of-life discussions.

CONTEXT: Limited research has taken place examining family conferences (FCs) with patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers in the palliative care setting. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the FCs involving cancer patients in a palliative care unit at a comprehensive cancer center and examine the effects of patient participation on emotional expression by the participants and end-of-life discussions. METHODS: A data collection sheet was completed immediately after 140 consecutive FCs that documented the number of participants, caregiver demographics, expressions of emotional distress, dissatisfaction with care, and the topics discussed. Patient demographics and discharge disposition also were collected. RESULTS: Seventy (50%) patients were female, 64 (46%) were white, and 127 (91%) had solid tumors. Median age of patients was 59 years. Patients participated in 68 of 140 FCs (49%). Primary caregivers (n = 140) were female (66%), white (49%), and the spouse/partner (59%). Patients verbalized distress frequently (73%). Primary caregivers' verbal expression of emotional distress was high (82%) but not significantly affected by patient presence (82% vs. 82%, P = 0.936). Verbal expressions of emotional distress by other family members were more common when patients were absent (87%) than when present (73%), P = 0.037. Questions concerning advance directives (21%), symptoms anticipated at death (31%), and caregiver well-being (29%) were infrequent. Patient presence was significantly associated with increased discussions regarding goals of care (P = 0.009) and decreased communication concerning prognosis (P = 0.004) and what symptoms dying patients may experience (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a high frequency of expression of emotional distress by patients and family members in FCs. Patient participation was significantly associated with decreased verbal emotional expression by family members but not the primary caregiver and was associated with fewer discussions regarding prognosis and what dying patients may experience.

Multilevel alterations in the processing of audio-visual emotion expressions in autism spectrum disorders.

The abilities to recognize and integrate emotions from another person's facial and vocal expressions are fundamental cognitive skills involved in the effective regulation of social interactions. Deficits in such abilities have been suggested as a possible source for certain atypical social behaviors manifested by persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In the present study, we assessed the recognition and integration of emotional expressions in ASD using a validated set of ecological stimuli comprised of dynamic visual and auditory (non-verbal) vocal clips. Autistic participants and typically developing controls (TD) were asked to discriminate between clips depicting expressions of disgust and fear presented either visually, auditorily or audio-visually. The group of autistic participants was less efficient to discriminate emotional expressions across all conditions (unimodal and bimodal). Moreover, they necessitated a higher signal-to-noise ratio for the discrimination of visual or auditory presentations of disgust versus fear expressions. These results suggest an altered sensitivity to emotion expressions in this population that is not modality-specific. In addition, the group of autistic participants benefited from exposure to bimodal information to a lesser extent than did the TD group, indicative of a decreased multisensory gain in this population. These results are the first to compellingly demonstrate joint alterations for both the perception and the integration of multisensory emotion expressions in ASD.

Learning of facial responses to faces associated with positive or Negative emotional expressions

The possibility that facial expressions of emotion change the affective valence of faces through associative learning was explored using facial electromyography (EMG). In Experiment 1, EMG activity was registered while the participants (N = 57) viewed sequences of neutral faces (Stimulus 1 or S1) changing to either a happy or an angry expression (Stimulus 2 or S2). As a consequence of learning, participants who showed patterning of facial responses in the presence of angry and happy faces, that is, higher Corrugator Supercilii (CS) activity in the presence of angry faces and higher Zygomaticus Major (ZM) activity in the presence of happy faces, showed also a similar pattern when viewing the corresponding S1 faces. Explicit evaluations made by an independent sample of participants (Experiment 2) showed that evaluation of S1 faces was changed according to the emotional expression with which they had been associated. These results are consistent with an interpretation of rapid facial reactions to faces as affective responses that reflect the valence of the stimulus and that are sensitive to learned changes in the affective meaning of faces (AU)

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