Trajectories of positive attributes from childhood to young adulthood and its associations with threat and deprivation.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to investigate the trajectory of positive attributes from childhood to early adulthood and to explore how those trajectories can be modified by two domains of childhood adversity - threat and deprivation. METHODS: A large prospective school-based community cohort of youths (n=2,511, 6-14 years of age, 45% female) was assessed and followed up for 3 years (80% retention) and 6 years (71% retention). Positive attributes were assessed by the Youth Strength Inventory (YSI). Childhood exposure to threat and deprivation were assessed by a composite measure using multiple indicators. RESULTS: Trajectories of YSI scores were non-linear and distinct for boys and girls. While boys presented a more stable trajectory; girls showed higher levels of positive attributes early in life that decrease over time around adolescence. Both exposure to threat and deprivation presented negative linear association with YSI over time. Furthermore, we found interactions between developmental stage and both adversity domains meaning that the effects of exposure to adversity were stronger at earlier developmental stages and almost non-significant closer to early adulthood. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide new evidence on trajectories of positive attributes in youth and reveal and how experiences of adversity in early life impact not only mental disorder but also positive aspects of mental health.

Longitudinal associations between positive attributes and psychopathology and their interactive effects on educational outcomes.

Psychopathology is associated with impaired learning and early termination of schooling, whereas positive attributes are associated with better educational outcomes. However, it is important to understand if and how psychopathology and positive attributes longitudinally impact each other so we could shed light on where to intervene to promote educational outcomes through these constructs. A large prospective school-based community cohort of youths (5-15 years of age, 45% female) were assessed and followed up for 3 years (n = 2010; 80% retention). We assessed the longitudinal impact of positive attributes (Youth Strength Inventory) and psychopathology (bifactor model of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) using a cross-lagged panel model. We also used generalized mixed effects models to investigate how these both constructs predict school dropout and literacy, adjusting for confounders and testing their interaction. Positive attributes negatively predicted, and were negatively predicted by, the general factor of psychopathology and conduct problems in the cross-lagged panel model. Positive attributes (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.44, 0.73], p < 0.001) and specific conduct symptoms (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.64, 3.33], p < 0.001) predicted school dropout, whereas the general factor of psychopathology predicted lower literacy ability (ß = - 0.08, 95% CI [- 0.11, - 0.05], p < 0.001). However, the protective association of positive attributes on school dropout decreases as the general factor of psychopathology increases. These findings provide new evidence that positive attributes and psychopathology mutually influence each other over development and have interactive effects on educational outcomes.

Emotional face expressions recognition in childhood: developmental markers, age and sex effect.

Recognizing emotional face expressions in others is a valuable non-verbal communication and particularly relevant throughout childhood given that children's language skills are not yet fully developed, but the first interactions with peers have just started. This study aims to investigate developmental markers of emotional facial expression in children and the effect of age and sex on it. A total of 90 children split into three age groups: 6-7 years old (n = 30); 8-9 years old (n = 30); 10-11 years old (n = 30) took part in the study. Participants were exposed to 38 photos in two exposure times (500 ms and 1000 ms) of children expressing happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear and surprise on three intensities, plus images of neutral faces. Happiness was the easiest expression to be recognized, followed by disgust and surprise. As expected, 10-11-year-old group showed the highest accuracy means, whereas 6-7-year-old group had the lowest means of accuracy. Data support the non-existence of female advantage.

Distinct correlates of empathy and compassion with burnout and affective symptoms in health professionals and students.

OBJECTIVE: The causes of high rates of psychological distress among health professionals and students are largely unknown. Health professionals respond to those who are in distress with empathy (feeling what others feel) or compassion (caring about what others feel). This study aims to investigate whether empathy and compassion are distinct traits and how both traits are associated with negative affect (burnout, depression, anxiety and anger symptoms) in undergraduate students and professionals in medicine, psychology and nursing. METHODS: A sample of 464 students and professionals filled out an online protocol with a sociodemographic data questionnaire and self-report questionnaires covering the variables of interest. RESULTS: The findings indicate that empathy is associated with higher negative affect, while compassion is associate with lower negative affect, which suggests that they are different traits. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide new evidence that the well-being of health professionals might be affected differently depending on socioemotional traits relevant to emotional connection.

Theory of Mind in Substance Users: A Systematic Minireview.

BACKGROUND: Theory of mind concerns the sociocognitive ability to infer others' thoughts. It has been theorized to be impaired in substance use and abuse, as its alterations might explain negative social and interpersonal outcomes noted in the course of disorders. In addition, the brain structures involved in Theory of Mind (ToM) have been found to be disrupted in drug use conditions. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a systematic review of ToM functioning in drug use conditions. METHODS: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Embase) were searched to find studies that have addressed ToM and conditions related to actual or previous drug use. RESULTS: The search found 147 papers, of which 14 fulfilled our review eligibility criteria. Different methods were used, but overall, results indicated that drugs are related to ToM deficits, particularly related to alcohol and amphetamines use. These impairments correlate with other clinical and cognitive functions. CONCLUSION: Despite the lack of studies and the methodological limitations of the existing ones Theory of Mind seems to play a role in drug use conditions, which requires further investigation.

Psicoterapia cognitivo-comportamental para o transtorno de estresse agudo: uma revisão sistemática / Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for acute stress disorder: a systematic review

A Psicoterapia Cognitivo-Comportamental (TCC) tem sido considerada a terapia de escolha para o tratamento do Transtorno de Estresse Agudo (TEA), sendo empregada como forma de prevenção ao Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT). No entanto, não há um consenso sobre as estratégias mais eficazes dentro desta abordagem. O presente artigo teve por objetivo identificar, por meio de uma revisão sistemática de estudos clínicos controlados, as estratégias que apresentam maior eficácia dentro da abordagem cognitivo-comportamental. Foram consultadas as bases de dados Scielo, LILACS, MedLine/PubMed, Web of Science e PsychInfo em Junho de 2012. Foram inicialmente identificados 1103 estudos. Após a adoção dos critérios de exclusão, cinco estudos foram incluídos no processo de revisão. A partir dos estudos encontrados e da análise destes, conclui-se que a terapia de exposição apresenta resultados promissores para tratamento do TEA. A revisão indicou ainda a necessidade de estudos com melhor qualidade metodológica e amostras mais abrangentes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been considered the gold-standard treatment to Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), with its use in ASD course mainly focusing the prevention of the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, there is no consensus about effective strategies into CBT approaches for ASD treatment. Thus, this article aims to identify the most efficient strategies in the CBT approach. In order to attend this purpose, a systematic review was conducted, looking for randomized clinical trials addressing ASD treatment, on the following databases: Scielo, LILACS, MedLine / PubMed, Web of Science and PsychInfo in June 2012. Initially, 1103 studies were identified. After the adoption of the exclusion criteria, five studies were included in the review process. The results of the review point that exposure therapy have the most promising outcomes in ASD treatment. Furthermore, the review also indicates the need for studies with better methodological quality, as well as the use of broader samples.

Psicoterapia cognitivo-comportamental para o transtorno de estresse agudo: uma revisão sistemática / Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for acute stress disorder: a systematic review

A Psicoterapia Cognitivo-Comportamental (TCC) tem sido considerada a terapia de escolha para o tratamento do Transtorno de Estresse Agudo (TEA), sendo empregada como forma de prevenção ao Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT). No entanto, não há um consenso sobre as estratégias mais eficazes dentro desta abordagem. O presente artigo teve por objetivo identificar, por meio de uma revisão sistemática de estudos clínicos controlados, as estratégias que apresentam maior eficácia dentro da abordagem cognitivo-comportamental. Foram consultadas as bases de dados Scielo, LILACS, MedLine/PubMed, Web of Science e PsychInfo em Junho de 2012. Foram inicialmente identificados 1103 estudos. Após a adoção dos critérios de exclusão, cinco estudos foram incluídos no processo de revisão. A partir dos estudos encontrados e da análise destes, conclui-se que a terapia de exposição apresenta resultados promissores para tratamento do TEA. A revisão indicou ainda a necessidade de estudos com melhor qualidade metodológica e amostras mais abrangentes.(AU)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been considered the gold-standard treatment to Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), with its use in ASD course mainly focusing the prevention of the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, there is no consensus about effective strategies into CBT approaches for ASD treatment. Thus, this article aims to identify the most efficient strategies in the CBT approach. In order to attend this purpose, a systematic review was conducted, looking for randomized clinical trials addressing ASD treatment, on the following databases: Scielo, LILACS, MedLine / PubMed, Web of Science and PsychInfo in June 2012. Initially, 1103 studies were identified. After the adoption of the exclusion criteria, five studies were included in the review process. The results of the review point that exposure therapy have the most promising outcomes in ASD treatment. Furthermore, the review also indicates the need for studies with better methodological quality, as well as the use of broader samples.(AU)