Pediatric Trauma Recidivism: A Statewide Risk Factor Analysis of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC).

BACKGROUND: National estimates suggest pediatric trauma recidivism is uncommon but are limited by short follow up and narrow ascertainment. We aimed to quantify the long-term frequency of trauma recidivism in a statewide pediatric population and identify risk factors for re-injury. METHODS: The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission Dataset was queried for 0-19-year-old patients with emergency department or inpatient encounters for traumatic injuries between 2013 and 2019. We measured trauma recidivism by identifying patients with any subsequent presentation for a new traumatic injury. Univariate and multivariable regressions were used to estimate associations of patient and injury characteristics with any recidivism and inpatient recidivism. RESULTS: Of 574,472 patients with at least one injury encounter, 29.6% experienced trauma recidivism. Age ≤2 years, public insurance, and self-inflicted injuries were associated with recidivism regardless of index treatment setting. Of those with index emergency department presentations 0.06% represented with an injury requiring inpatient admission; unique risk factors for ED-to-inpatient recidivism were age >10 years (aOR 1.61), cyclist (aOR 1.31) or burn (aOR 1.39) mechanisms, child abuse (aOR 1.27), and assault (aOR 1.43). Among patients with at least one inpatient encounter, 6.3% experienced another inpatient trauma admission, 3.4% of which were fatal. Unique risk factors for inpatient-to-inpatient recidivism were firearm (aOR 2.48) and motor vehicle/transportation (aOR 1.62) mechanisms of injury (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric trauma recidivism is more common and morbid than previously estimated, and risk factors for repeat injury differ by treatment setting. Demographic and injury characteristics may help develop and target setting-specific interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (Retrospective Comparative Study).

The impact of a virtual mind-body program on symptoms of depression and anxiety among international English-speaking adults with neurofibromatosis.

The neurofibromatoses (NFs) are a set of incurable genetic disorders that predispose individuals to nervous system tumors. Although many patients experience anxiety and depression, there is little research on psychosocial interventions in this population. The present study examined the effects of a mind-body intervention on depression and anxiety in adults with NF. This is a secondary analysis of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF (3RP-NF), an 8-week virtual group intervention that teaches mind-body skills (e.g., relaxation, mindfulness) to improve quality of life. Participants were randomized to 3RP-NF or the Health Enhancement Program for NF (HEP-NF) consisting of health informational sessions and discussion. We evaluated depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) at posttreatment, 6 months, and 12 months. Both groups improved in depression and anxiety between baseline and posttest, 6 months, and 12 months. The 3RP-NF group showed greater improvements in depression scores from baseline to 6 months compared with HEP-NF and with lower rates of clinically significant depressive symptoms. There were no between-group differences for anxiety. Both interventions reduced distress and anxiety symptoms for individuals with NF. The 3RP-NF group may be better at sustaining these improvements. Given the rare nature of NF, group connection may facilitate reduced distress.

Improving multimodal physical function in adults with heterogeneous chronic pain; Protocol for a multisite feasibility RCT.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is associated with substantial impairment in physical function, which has been identified as a top concern among persons with pain. GetActive-Fitbit, a mind-body activity program, is feasible, acceptable, and associated with improvement in physical function among primarily White, sedentary individuals with pain. In preparation for a multisite efficacy trial, we must examine feasibility across multiple sites with diverse patient populations. Here we describe the protocol of a multisite, feasibility RCT comparing GetActive-Fitbit with a time- and attention-matched educational comparison (Healthy Living for Pain). We aim to 1) test multisite fidelity of clinician training; 2) evaluate multisite feasibility benchmarks, including recruitment of chronic pain patients taking <5000 steps/day and racial and ethnic minorities; and 3) optimize fidelity and study protocol in preparation for a future multisite efficacy trial. METHODS: Clinician training fidelity was assessed via roleplays and mock group sessions. Feasibility (i.e., recruitment, acceptability, credibility, adherence, satisfaction), multimodal physical function (e.g., self-report, 6-Minute Walk Test, step-count), and other psychosocial outcomes are assessed at baseline, posttest, and 6 months. Protocol optimization will be assessed using exit interviews and cross-site meetings. RESULTS: The trial is ongoing. Clinician training is complete. 87 participants have been recruited. 54 completed baseline assessments and randomization, 44 are mid-intervention, and 9 have completed the intervention and posttest. CONCLUSIONS: This study addresses the critical need for feasible, acceptable mind-body-activity interventions for chronic pain that follow evidence-based guidelines and improve all aspects of physical function across diverse populations. Results will inform a future fully-powered multisite efficacy trial. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05700383.

Risks and Benefits of the Proposed Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act for Disadvantaged Patients.

Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the major risk factors for vascular disease and access to vascular specialist care are well-documented.1-3 The higher incidence of diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and related nontraumatic lower extremity amputation among racial and ethnic minority groups, those of low socioeconomic status, and those with poor access to care based on geography (together, referred to below as disadvantaged groups) are particularly pervasive.1,4-9 Practitioners of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy are uniquely positioned to address health inequities in lower extremity screening, medical management, intervention, and limb preservation among the population of adults at the highest risk for limb loss.

Improving Health for Older Adults With Pain Through Engagement: Protocol for Tailoring and Open Pilot Testing of a Mind-Body Activity Program Delivered Within Shared Medical Visits in an Underserved Community Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent and disabling among older adults in underserved communities. Psychosocial pain management is more effective than pharmacological treatment in older adults. However, underserved community clinics often lack psychosocial treatments, in part because of a lack of trained providers. Shared medical appointments, in which patients undergo brief medical evaluation, monitoring, counseling, and group support, are an efficacious and cost-effective method for chronic disease management in underserved clinics, reducing the need for specialized providers. However, shared medical visits are often ineffective for chronic pain, possibly owing to lack of inclusion of skills most relevant for older adults (eg, pacing to increase engagement in daily activities). OBJECTIVE: We have described the protocol for the development and initial pilot effectiveness testing of the GetActive+ mind-body activity intervention for older adults with chronic pain. GetActive+ was adapted from GetActive, an evidence-based intervention that improved pain outcomes among mostly affluent White adults. We aim to establish the initial feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and effectiveness of GetActive+ when delivered as part of shared medical appointments in a community clinic. METHODS: We conducted qualitative focus groups and individual interviews with providers (n=25) and English-speaking older adults (aged ≥55 y; n=18) with chronic pain to understand the pain experience in this population, perceptions about intervention content, and barriers to and facilitators of intervention participation and implementation in this setting. Qualitative interviews with Spanish-speaking older adults are in progress and will inform a future open pilot of the intervention in Spanish. We are currently conducting an open pilot study with exit interviews in English (n=30 individuals in total). Primary outcomes are feasibility (≥75% of patients who are approached agree to participate), acceptability (≥75% of patients who enrolled complete 8 out of 10 sessions; qualitative), and fidelity (≥75% of session components are delivered as intended). Secondary outcomes include physical function-self-reported, performance based (6-minute walk test), and objective (step count)-and emotional function (depression and anxiety). Other assessments include putative mechanisms (eg, mindfulness and pain catastrophizing). RESULTS: We began enrolling participants for the qualitative phase in November 2022 and the open pilot phase in May 2023. We completed the qualitative phase with providers and English-speaking patients, and the results are being analyzed using a hybrid, inductive-deductive approach. We conducted rapid analysis of these data to develop GetActive+ before the open pilot in English, including increasing readability and clarity of language, reducing the number of skills taught to increase time for individual check-ins and group participation, and increasing experiential exercises for skill uptake. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a blueprint for the refinement of a mind-body activity intervention for older adults with chronic pain in underserved community clinics and for incorporation within shared medical visits. It will inform a future, fully powered, effectiveness-implementation trial of GetActive+ to help address the chronic pain epidemic among older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05782231; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05782231. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52117.

Bridging the gap: Utilizing insights from exposure therapy in the innovation of chronic musculoskeletal pain treatment.

For some time, the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders has been exposure therapy, defined as the repeated approach of anxiety-inducing situations, memories, or physiological sensations. Existing treatments to target fear and avoidance of pain can be augmented by innovations from exposure research in the anxiety disorders, including greater emphasis on safety learning, the utilization of imaginal exposure to catastrophic fears, and exposure to contrasting emotions. Given that treatments to target core, maintaining mechanisms of anxiety, including imaginal exposures, can be administered as self-directed treatments without therapist involvement, they represent important avenues for ensuring the millions of people with chronic musculosketal pain can gain access to psychosocial treatment and reduce the interference of pain in their lives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Addressing the Chronic Pain-Early Cognitive Decline Comorbidity Among Older Adults: Protocol for the Active Brains Remote Efficacy Trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain and early cognitive decline, which are costly to treat and highly prevalent among older adults, commonly co-occur, exacerbate one another over time, and can accelerate the development and progression of Alzheimer disease and related dementias. We developed the first mind-body activity program (Active Brains [AB]) tailored to the needs of older adults with chronic pain and early cognitive decline. Results from our previous study strongly supported the feasibility of conducting AB remotely and provided evidence for improvements in outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We are conducting a single-blinded, National Institutes of Health stage-2, randomized clinical trial to establish the efficacy of AB versus a time-matched and dose-matched education control (Health Enhancement Program [HEP]) in improving self-reported and objective outcomes of physical, cognitive, and emotional functions in 260 participants. The methodology described in this paper was informed by the lessons learned from the first year of the trial. METHODS: Participants are identified and recruited through multidisciplinary clinician-referred individuals (eg, pain psychologists and geriatricians), the Rally Research platform, social media, and community partnerships. Interested participants complete eligibility screening and electronic informed consent. Baseline assessments include self-report, performance-based measures (eg, 6-min walk test) and objective measures (eg, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status). Participants are mailed a wrist-worn ActiGraph device (ActiGraph LLC) to passively monitor objective function (eg, steps) during the week between the baseline assessment and the beginning of the programs, which they continue to wear throughout the programs. After baseline assessments, participants are randomized to either AB or HEP and complete 8 weekly, remote, group sessions with a Massachusetts General Hospital psychologist. The AB group receives a Fitbit (Fitbit Inc) to help reinforce increased activity. Assessments are repeated after the intervention and at the 6-month follow-up. Coprimary outcomes include multimodal physical function (self-report, performance based, and objective). Secondary outcomes are cognitive function (self-report and objective), emotional function, and pain. RESULTS: We began recruitment in July 2022 and recruited 37 participants across 4 cohorts. Of them, all (n=37, 100%) have completed the baseline assessment, 26 (70%) have completed the posttest assessment, and 9 (24%) are actively enrolled in the intervention (total dropout: n=2, 5%). In the three cohorts (26/37, 70%) that have completed the AB or HEP, 26 (100%) participants completed all 8 group sessions (including minimal makeups), and watch adherence (1937/2072, 93.48%, average across ActiGraph and Fitbit devices) has been excellent. The fourth cohort is ongoing (9/37, 24%), and we plan to complete enrollment by March 2026. CONCLUSIONS: We aim to establish the efficacy of the AB program over a time-matched and dose-matched control in a live video-based trial and test the mechanisms through theoretically driven mediators and moderators. Findings will inform the development of a future multisite effectiveness-implementation trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05373745; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05373745. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/47319.

The impact of a virtual mind-body program on resilience factors among international English-speaking adults with neurofibromatoses: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To test the effects of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program - Neurofibromatosis (3RP-NF), a mind-body resilience program for people with NF, on resilience factors from baseline to post-treatment and 6- and 12-month follow-up. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a fully powered randomized clinical trial (RCT) of 3RP-NF and health education control (HEP-NF). We recruited adults with NF1, NF2, or schwannomatosis who reported stress or difficulty coping with NF symptoms. Both conditions received 8 weekly 90-minute group sessions; 3RP-NF focused on building resilience skills. We measured resilience factors via the Measure of Current Status-A (adaptive coping), Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (mindfulness), Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (gratitude), Life Orientation Test Optimism Scale (optimism), and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (perceived social support) at baseline, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-up. We used linear mixed models with completely unstructured covariance across up to four repeated measurements (baseline, post-treatment, and 6- and 12-month follow-up) to investigate treatment effects on resilience factors. RESULTS: We enrolled 228 individuals (Mage=42.7, SD = 14.6; 74.5% female; 87.7% White; 72.8% NF1, 14.0% NF2, 13.2% schwannomatosis). Within groups, both 3RP-NF and HEP-NF showed statistically significant improvements in all outcomes across timepoints. 3RP-NF showed significantly greater improvement in adaptive coping compared to HEP-NF from baseline to post-intervention and baseline to 6 months (Mdifference= 0.29; 95% CI 0.13-0.46; p < 0.001; Mdifference= 0.25; 95% CI 0.07-0.33; p = 0.005); there were no other between-group differences amongst the remaining resilience factors. CONCLUSION: 3RP-NF showed promise in sustainably improving coping abilities amongst people with NF. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03406208. Registration submitted December 6, 2017, first patient enrolled October 2017.

Corrigendum: Implementation of a patient-centered remote wound monitoring system for management of diabetic foot ulcers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1157518.].

Implementation of a patient-centered remote wound monitoring system for management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Background: Regular clinical assessment is critical to optimize lower extremity wound healing. However, family and work obligations, socioeconomic, transportation, and time barriers often limit patient follow-up. We assessed the feasibility of a novel, patient-centered, remote wound management system (Healthy.io Minuteful for Wound Digital Management System) for the surveillance of lower extremity wounds. Methods: We enrolled 25 patients from our outpatient multidisciplinary limb preservation clinic with a diabetic foot ulcer, who had undergone revascularization and podiatric interventions prior to enrollment. Patients and their caregivers were instructed on how to use the digital management system and asked to perform one at-home wound scan per week for a total of 8 weeks using a smartphone application. We collected prospective data on patient engagement, smartphone app useability, and patient satisfaction. Results: Twenty-five patients (mean age 65.5 ± 13.7 years, 60.0% male, 52.0% Black) were enrolled over 3 months. Mean baseline wound area was 18.0 ± 15.2 cm2, 24.0% of patients were recovering from osteomyelitis, and post-surgical WiFi stage was 1 in 24.0%, 2 in 40.0%, 3 in 28.0%, and 4 in 8.00% of patients. We provided a smartphone to 28.0% of patients who did not have access to one that was compatible with the technology. Wound scans were obtained by patients (40.0%) and caregivers (60.0%). Overall, 179 wound scans were submitted through the app. The mean number of wound scans acquired per patient was 0.72 ± 0.63 per week, for a total mean of 5.80 ± 5.30 scans over the course of 8 weeks. Use of the digital wound management system triggered an early change in wound management for 36.0% of patients. Patient satisfaction was high; 94.0% of patients reported the system was useful. Conclusion: The Healthy.io Minuteful for Wound Digital Management System is a feasible means of remote wound monitoring for use by patients and/or their caregivers.

Associations of Cardiac Biomarkers With Peripheral Artery Disease and Peripheral Neuropathy in US Adults Without Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-troponin T), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-troponin I) are increasingly being recommended for risk stratification for a variety of cardiovascular outcomes. The aims of our study were to establish the prevalence and associations of elevated NT-proBNP, hs-troponin T, and hs-troponin I with lower extremity disease, including peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral neuropathy (PN), in the US general adult population without known cardiovascular disease. We also assessed whether the combination of PAD or PN and elevated cardiac biomarkers was associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the associations of NT-proBNP, hs-troponin T, and hs-troponin I with PAD (based on ankle-brachial index <0.90) and PN (diagnosed by monofilament testing) in adult participants aged ≥40 years of age without prevalent cardiovascular disease in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) 1999 to 2004. We calculated the prevalence of elevated cardiac biomarkers among adults with PAD and PN and used multivariable logistic regression to assess the associations of each cardiac biomarker, modeled using clinical cut points, with PAD and PN separately. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to assess the adjusted associations of cross categories of clinical categories of each cardiac biomarker and PAD or PN with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: In US adults aged ≥40 years, the prevalence (±SE) of PAD was 4.1±0.2% and the prevalence of PN was 12.0±0.5%. The prevalence of elevated NT-proBNP (≥125 ng/L), hs-troponin T (≥6 ng/L), and hs-troponin I (≥6 ng/L for men and ≥4 ng/L for women) was 54.0±3.4%, 73.9±3.5%, and 32.3±3.7%, respectively, among adults with PAD and 32.9±1.9%, 72.8±2.0%, and 22.7±1.9%, respectively, among adults with PN. There was a strong, graded association of higher clinical categories of NT-proBNP with PAD after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical categories of elevated hs-troponin T and hs-troponin I were strongly associated with PN in adjusted models. After a maximum follow-up of 21 years, elevated NT-proBNP, hs-troponin T, and hs-troponin I were each associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with higher risks of death observed among adults with elevated cardiac biomarkers plus PAD or PN compared with elevated biomarkers alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our study establishes a high burden of subclinical cardiovascular disease defined by cardiac biomarkers in people with PAD or PN. Cardiac biomarkers provided prognostic information for mortality within and across PAD and PN status, supporting the use of these biomarkers for risk stratification among adults without prevalent cardiovascular disease.

A 10-Year Analysis of Representation of Women in Patent Applications and NIH Funding in Vascular Surgery.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increasing focus on gender disparities in the medical field and in the field of vascular surgery specifically. We aimed to characterize gender representation in vascular surgery innovation over the past 10 years, using metrics of patents and National Institutes of Health (NIH) support. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all vascular-related patent filings (Google Scholar) and NIH-funded grants (NIH RePORTER) over a 10-year period (January 1st, 2012, to December 31st, 2021). Gender-API (Application Programming Interface) was used to identify the gender of the inventors, with manual confirmation of a 10% random sample. Gender representation for patent inventors and grant principal investigators (PIs) were compared using Chi-squared and Student's t-tests as appropriate. Yearly temporal changes in representation were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: We identified 2,992 unique vascular device patents with 6,093 associated inventors over 10 years. Women were underrepresented in patent authorship overall (11.5%), and were least likely to be listed as first inventor (8.9%) and most commonly fourth and fifth inventors (15.5% and 14.1%, respectively) compared to men. There was no significant change in representation of women inventors over time (-0.2% females per year, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.54 to 0.10). We identified 1736 total unique NIH grants, with 23.8% of funded projects having women PIs. There was an increase in the proportion of women PIs over time (+1.31% per year, 95% CI 0.784 to 1.855; P < 0.001). Projects with women PIs received mean total awards that were significantly lower than projects with men PIs ($350,485 ± $220,072 vs. $451,493 ± $411,040; P < 0.001), but the overall ratio of funding:women investigators improved over time (+$11,531 per year, 95% CI $6,167 to $16,895; P = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: While we have made strides in increasing the number of women in the surgical research space, there is still room for improvement in funding parity. In addition, we found substantial and persistent room for improvement in representation of women in surgical innovation. As we enter a new frontier of surgery hallmarked by equalizing gender representation, these data should serve as a call-to-action for initiative aimed at rebuilding the foundation of surgical innovations upon equal gender representation.

Association of Year of Surgery and Carotid Stenting Outcomes in High-risk Patients, 2015-2021.

This cohort study quantifies the yearly trends and outcomes of transcarotid artery revascularization vs transfemoral carotid artery stenting among high-risk patients from 2015 to 2021.

Multidisciplinary approach to decreasing major amputation, improving outcomes, and mitigating disparities in diabetic foot and vascular disease.

Major nontraumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) is a morbid complication of longstanding or poorly controlled diabetes and/or end-stage peripheral artery disease. Incidence of major LEAs consistently declined during the 1990s and 2000s, but rates have plateaued or increased in many regions during the past decade. Marked racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in risk of LEA persist and are related to inequalities in access to care and differential rates of attempted limb preservation. Multidisciplinary diabetic foot care (MDFC) is increasingly recognized as a necessary model for optimal management of patients with diabetic foot and vascular disease. This article reviews the role of MDFC in reducing major LEAs and the specific ways in which MDFC can mitigate disparities in care delivery and limb preservation outcomes. Access to MDFC among vulnerable populations remains a significant barrier to systematic reduction in major LEAs.

Disparities in limb preservation and associated socioeconomic burden among patients with diabetes and/or peripheral artery disease in the United States.

Racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in limb preservation and nontraumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) are consistently demonstrated in populations with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Higher rates of major LEA in disadvantaged groups are associated with increased health care utilization and higher costs of care. Functional decline that often follows major LEA confers substantial risk of disability and premature mortality, and the burden of these outcomes is more prevalent in racial and ethnic minority groups, people with low socioeconomic status, and people in geographic regions where limited resources or distance from specialty care are barriers to access. We present a narrative review of the existing literature on estimated costs of diabetic foot disease and PAD, inequalities in care that contribute to excess costs, and disparities in outcomes that lead to a disproportionate burden of diabetes- and PAD-related LEA on systematically disadvantaged populations.

Etiology, Epidemiology, and Disparities in the Burden of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a major source of preventable morbidity in adults with diabetes. Consequences of foot ulcers include decline in functional status, infection, hospitalization, lower-extremity amputation, and death. The lifetime risk of foot ulcer is 19% to 34%, and this number is rising with increased longevity and medical complexity of people with diabetes. Morbidity following incident ulceration is high, with recurrence rates of 65% at 3-5 years, lifetime lower-extremity amputation incidence of 20%, and 5-year mortality of 50-70%. New data suggest overall amputation incidence has increased by as much as 50% in some regions over the past several years after a long period of decline, especially in young and racial and ethnic minority populations. DFU are a common and highly morbid complication of diabetes. The pathway to ulceration, involving loss of sensation, ischemia, and minor trauma, is well established. Amputation and mortality after DFU represent late-stage complications and are strongly linked to poor diabetes management. Current efforts to improve care of patients with DFU have not resulted in consistently lower amputation rates, with evidence of widening disparities and implications for equity in diabetes care. Prevention and early detection of DFU through guideline-directed multidisciplinary care is critical to decrease the morbidity and disparities associated with DFU. This review describes the epidemiology, presentation, and sequelae of DFU, summarizes current evidence-based recommendations for screening and prevention, and highlights disparities in care and outcomes.

Functional and structural social support in DSM-5 mood and anxiety disorders: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Social support has been found to be a key correlate of many psychiatric disorders including several mood and anxiety disorders. However, research on social support is largely investigated in individual disorders, despite the high co-occurrence of these diagnoses, and has typically relied on pre-DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Additionally, differences in structural and functional social support are rarely explored. Thus, the present study investigated the unique association between these two aspects of social support and past-year DSM-5 mood and anxiety disorders while adjusting for comorbidity and socio-demographic variables. METHODS: Multivariate regression and relative weights analyses were conducted to determine the association of functional and structural social support with these disorders in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions consisting of 36,309 participants. RESULTS: Results indicated depression, bipolar I, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder were significantly associated with functional support, while depression and agoraphobia were uniquely associated with structural support. Major depression and persistent depression were the two most important predictors of functional social support. LIMITATIONS: The current study utilized cross-sectional data and does not allow for causal or directional conclusions. Further, additional studies with diverse samples are needed to determine the generalizability of the current results. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights differences in functional and structural social support in various disorders and explores how this varies when accounting for comorbidity. A deeper understanding of how specific aspects of social support relate to individual psychiatric disorders could inform future prevention and treatment efforts.

The Role of Safety Behaviors in the Relationship between Social Anxiety and Marijuana Use Problems.

Background: Social anxiety has been associated with higher levels of and more problematic marijuana use. Research suggests that safety behaviors may play a role in the development and maintenance of marijuana problems. However, the safety behaviors that are most commonly associated with social anxiety have not been investigated, nor has the potential moderating role of gender on this relationship. Method: A diverse sample of regular marijuana users (N = 279) completed measures of social anxiety, safety behaviors related to social situations, and marijuana use problems. Results: Social anxiety and safety behavior use were both positively correlated with marijuana use problems. These relationships were stronger in men than in women. Among men only, tendencies to use safety behaviors to cope with social situations accounted for the relationship between social anxiety symptoms and marijuana-related problems. Discussion: The avoidant coping style that characterizes safety behaviors in social anxiety may also underlie problematic patterns of marijuana use, particularly for men. The present study is the first to report an association between safety behaviors in social situations and marijuana use problems and suggests the importance of examining the effect of reducing safety behaviors in social situations, in regular marijuana users with comorbid social anxiety.

Disengagement Training for the Treatment of Pathological Worry: A Preliminary Test.

Pathological worry is characterized by an inability to distract or disengage from worry, and this uncontrollability is the defining feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The present study assessed a novel computerized strategy that targets these attention difficulties. Worry Disengagement Training (WDT), which involves alternating between writing about one's worry and positive topics, was evaluated in a sample with elevated worry (N = 50), most of whom met for GAD diagnosis (66%). Compared to waitlist, WDT led to increased ability to disengage from in vivo worry on a breath focus task, resulting in fewer negative intrusions (ß = -.29, p = .02; sr2 = .08). Relative to waitlist, WDT also led to lower self-reported general worry (ß = -.36, p = .001, sr2 = .14) and depressive symptoms (ß = -.25, p = .02, sr2 = .07). These effects remained in the subset of participants meeting criteria for GAD. WDT did not impact anxious arousal, suggesting some specificity of effects. These findings provide preliminary support for WDT as an effective strategy to increase disengagement ability and reduce worry and depression. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Development of the Response to Fearful Situations Scale.

BACKGROUND: Most measures of anxious avoidance are limited to disorder-specific mechanisms and ignore the measurement of courage/approach responding in confronting fearful situations. AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to construct and validate a self-report assessment of the tendency towards avoidant or approach responding in fearful situations, the Response to Fearful Situations Scale (RFSS). METHOD AND RESULTS: In Study 1 (n = 241), exploratory factor analysis resulted in two factors, avoidance and approach. Study 2 (n = 423) replicated the two-factor structure and established test-re-test reliability. In Study 3 (n = 44), the RFSS demonstrated predictive validity on a behavioural avoidance task. In Studies 4 (n = 253) and 5 (n = 256), the RFSS was associated with clinical symptoms above existing measures of avoidance. DISCUSSION: These results validate the use of the RFSS as a transdiagnostic measure of avoidance and approach.