Evidence for the Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for Internalized Stigma among Adults with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.

In recent years, psychological interventions have been used to alleviate internalized stigma in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, but outcomes have been inconsistent. The aim of this review was to examine the existing evidence regarding this matter. Four electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched from inception until 8 September 2022, using appropriate strategies. The eligibility, quality, and strength of evidence of each study were all evaluated against the predetermined standards. Further quantitative analyses were performed using the RevMan software. A total of 27 studies were included in the systematic review. Eighteen studies with extractable data for meta-analysis yielded a statistically significant overall effect (Z = 3.00; p = 0.003; 95% CI: -0.69 [-1.15, -0.24]; n = 1633), although there was considerable heterogeneity (Tau2 = 0.89; Chi2 = 303.62, df = 17; p < 0.00001; I2 = 94%). Subgroup analyses for Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) produced a statistically significant and highly homogenous effect (Z = 3.40; p = 0.0007; 95% CI: -0.44 [-0.70, -0.19]; n = 241; Tau2 = 0.00; Chi2 = 0.14, df = 2 (p = 0.93); I2 = 0%). In conclusion, the majority of the psychological interventions are successful in lowering levels of internalized stigma, especially NECT, and interventions that integrate multiple therapies may be more beneficial.

Association between the Internet Gaming Disorder and Anxiety and Depression among University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Internet gaming is now a major concern since its overuse has had a detrimental impact on people's well-being. This study aims to investigate the association between Internet Gaming Disorder and depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as gaming elements during the COVID-19 pandemic, among university students. Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 213 students from two different institutions who were randomly selected. The participants were required to complete three sets of online questionnaires via Google Forms. The online questionnaire consists of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGD9-SF) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: The prevalence rate of IGD among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic was 9.86%. Bivariate analysis revealed biological sex (p-value = 0.011), preferred gaming platforms (p-value = <0.001), game gameplay (p-value = 0.03), history of substance use (p-value = <0.001), and stress (p-value = <0.001) to be associated with IGD. Meanwhile, binary logistic regression demonstrated that males have a higher risk of developing IGD compared with females (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.426, p-value 0.015, CI = 1.27-9.21). Students who used consoles as their preferred gaming platform were 13 times more likely to develop IGD in comparison to another platform (AOR = 13.031, p-value = 0.010, 95% CI = 1.87-91.02). Extensive gaming duration of more than 4 h a day showed a higher risk of developing IGD (AOR = 8.929, p-value 0.011, CI = 1.659-48.050). High-stress levels significantly increased the risk of IGD (AOR = 13.729, p-value = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.81-67.1). Conclusion: The prevalence of IGD among university students was high during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, interventions for reducing stress among university students should be implemented to reduce the risk of IGD.

The Role of Virtual Reality as a Psychological Intervention for Mental Health Disturbances during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world and created many problems. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in mortality and morbidity, including mental health problems. Around the world, the movement control order (MCO) was strictly enforced, but the spread of the infection epidemic was still rampant. The magnitude of the increase in mental health illnesses has caused many individuals to suffer. Given that face-to-face interventions are challenging to carry out during an outbreak, we need to address this critical problem through an online approach, such as virtual reality (VR). This approach is vital to helping patients deal with their existing problems in more pragmatic, practical, and customer-friendly ways. Thus, in the present review, we proposed the development of a virtual digital device for this noble purpose. Various challenges, improvements, and expectations for VR applications were outlined and discussed in this narrative review.

Systematic review and critical appraisal of child abuse measurement instruments.

Child abuse is a major public health concern and a strong predictor of adult psychopathology. However, a consensus on how best to measure child abuse is not evident. This review aimed to critically appraise the methodological quality and measurement properties of published child abuse measures, examined the strength of evidence of these instruments for research use using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement InstrumeNts (COSMIN) checklist and determined which measures were capable of providing information on the developmental timing of abuse. Systematic search of electronic databases identified 52 eligible instruments from 2095 studies. Only 15% (n = 8) of the instruments had strong to moderate levels of evidence for three or more of the nine COSMIN criteria. No instrument had adequate levels of evidence for all criteria, and no criteria were met by all instruments. Our results indicate there is no single instrument that is superior to all others across settings and populations. The availability of measures capable of capturing the effects of child abuse on brain development and associated behavioral phenotypes are limited. Refined instruments with a focus on capturing abuse events during development are warranted in addition to further evaluation of the psychometric properties of these instruments.

Psychosis post corona radiata and lentiform nucleus infarction.

Complications of stroke can include neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, post-stroke psychosis is rare. We report a case where an acute presentation of psychosis, depression and fluctuating cognitive impairment in a middle-aged man turned out to be related to a silent brain infarction. The patient had a background of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus with glycated haemoglobin level of 9.0-11.0%, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. His CT brain results showed multifocal infarct with hypodensities at bilateral lentiform nucleus and bilateral corona radiata. His strong genetic predisposition of psychosis and a history of brief psychotic disorder with complete remission 3 years prior to the current presentation might possibly contribute to his post-stroke atypical neuropsychiatric presentation, and posed diagnostic challenges. He showed marked improvement with risperidone 6 mg nocte, chlorpromazine 50 mg nocte and fluvoxamine of 200 mg nocte. The need of comprehensive treatments to modify his stroke risk factors was addressed.

Sexual abuse and substance abuse increase risk of suicidal behavior in Malaysian youth.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the association between sexual abuse, substance abuse and socio-demographic factors with suicidal ideation (SI), plans (SP) and deliberate self-harm (DSH) and propose steps to prevent youth suicidal behavior. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 6786 adolescents aged 17-18 years, selected randomly from all Malaysian adolescents to undergo compulsory youth camps located in Selangor, Malaysia (2008-2009). Participants were assessed using self-administered questionnaires developed to reflect the local cultural setting. However, only 4581 subjects were analyzed after excluding incomplete data. RESULTS: The rates of SI, SP and DSH were 7.6%, 3.2% and 6.3%, respectively. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio showed that sexual abuse was associated with SI 1.99 (95% CI: 1.56-2.55), SP 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09-2.27) and DSH 2.26 (95% CI: 1.75-2.94); illicit drug use was associated with SI 4.05 (95% CI: 2.14-7.67), SP 2.62 (95% CI: 1.05-6.53) and DSH 2.06, (95% CI: 1.05-4.04); for alcohol use DSH was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.00-1.79). Being female was associated with all suicidal behaviors: SI 2.51 (95% CI: 1.91-3.30), SP 2.07 (95% CI: 1.39-3.08) and DSH 1.59 (95% CI: 1.19-2.11). DISCUSSION: Given the well-founded concern of increasing risk of suicidal behavior among youth, preventive efforts should adopt a more comprehensive approach in dealing with sexual abuse and substance abuse, and their sequelae, especially in girls.