Individual Nurse-Led Active Listening Intervention for Spouses of Individuals With Depression: A Pre-/Posttest Pilot Study.

The current pre-/posttest pilot study investigated the impact of an individual nurse-led active listening intervention for spouses of individuals with depression (herein referred to as patients) on spouses' psychological states and patients' depressive symptoms. Sixteen couples participated in the study. Individual sessions were conducted over 10 weeks to help spouses express their thoughts and feelings. Psychological measurement scale scores did not change markedly postintervention for spouses; however, their subjective evaluations of the intervention were positive. In the qualitative analysis, spouses stated that they were able to express their thoughts and feelings and that the sessions were meaningful. Moreover, postintervention depressive scores of patients improved significantly. Findings suggest that the nurse-led intervention of active listening for spouses may provide a better environment for improving the depressive symptoms of patients. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(12), 19-25.].

Antecedents and Outcomes of Work Engagement among Psychiatric Nurses in Japan.

While previous studies have examined antecedents and outcomes of work engagement among general nurses, studies among psychiatric nurses remain limited. This study aimed to explore the antecedents (i.e., job crafting and nursing practice environment) and outcomes (i.e., strength-oriented care attitudes, mental health, and turnover intention) of work engagement among psychiatric nurses in Japan. This cross-sectional study included 309 nurses from three psychiatric hospitals in Japan (valid response rate: 60.4%). Data collection using the self-administered questionnaire took place from July to August 2021. We performed Structural Equation Modeling to examine the directional relationships among variables. Job crafting (ß = 0.57, p < 0.01) and nursing practice environment (ß = 0.23, p = 0.01) exhibited positive effects on work engagement. Work engagement had positive effects on strength-oriented care attitudes (ß = 0.15, p = 0.04) and mental health (ß = 0.37, p < 0.01) as well as negative effects on intention to resign from their profession as a nurse (ß = -0.17, p = 0.01). Job crafting and a healthier nursing practice environment could help enhance work engagement. Higher work engagement could contribute to improving strength-oriented care attitudes, mental health, and intention to resign from their profession as a nurse.

The Preliminary Efficacy of a Program to Facilitate Benefit Finding for People with Mental Illness: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Japan.

Benefit finding is a concept that refers to finding positive changes or benefits through negative experiences from stressful life events. The present study aimed to develop a new intervention program to facilitate benefit finding for people with mental illness and examine its feasibility and preliminary efficacy from pilot data. We hypothesized that participants who joined the group-based intervention program would show progress in benefit finding, personal recovery, and well-being, as well as alleviated psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment, compared to participants in the control group. The participants in the intervention group joined in a new program which focuses on (1) cognitive-behavioral stress management and (2) own experiences, including what was found or realized through their lives since the onset of mental illness. The program used a workbook comprised of eight 90-min sessions, with one held every week. Twenty-four were found eligible and provided informed consent to participate in the study. About 46% were males, and the average age was 42.5 years. Around 63% were diagnosed with schizophrenia. We did not find significant differences over time by groups. However, medium to large effects in each scale or at least one subscale (i.e., benefit finding, personal recovery, subjective well-being, and psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment) were observed. Future studies with more participants from various settings would be necessary to exactingly examine the effectiveness of the intervention program.

Work Engagement and the Validity of Job Demands-Resources Model Among Nurses in Japan: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Work engagement (WE) is defined as a positive, fulfilling, and work-related state of mind. Enhancing WE leads to positive outcomes in both individuals and organizations. Although cultural factors may influence the antecedents and outcomes of WE, no reviews summarized these factors among nurses, mainly in Asia. This review aimed to identify the antecedents and outcomes of WE among nurses in Japan. This may offer novel insights into the influencing factors on WE. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using six data sources: PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Business Source Premier, Ichushi-Web, and CiNii. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies that included registered nurses and/or midwives at hospitals or facilities were included in this review. The antecedents and outcomes were classified into four themes based on the job demands-resources model (JD-R model). FINDINGS: Many variables in three components of the JD-R model (i.e., job resources, personal resources, and favorable outcomes) exhibited positive relationships with WE as theorized. Many other variables in job demands demonstrated negative relationships with WE as hypothesized. Many factors that were identified in this review were consistent with the JD-R model. The model in turn was found to be applicable among nurses. The antecedents and outcomes in this review were similar to those in previous studies in Western countries, while this review also revealed teamwork nursing as a possible antecedent of WE, which has not previously been reported. CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Improving job resources (e.g., teamwork nursing) and personal resources may effectively enhance WE among Japanese nurses.

Related Changes in Personal Recovery, Benefit Finding, and Sense of Coherence among People with Chronic Mental Illness: A Two-Wave Study.

Personal recovery is a process of developing new meaning and purpose in life beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness. Benefit finding (BF) is conceptualized as finding positive changes or benefits through experiences in adversity. Sense of coherence (SOC) focuses on how people can stay healthy and maintain well-being, even in adversity. This study aimed to examine the relationships among the initial levels and longitudinal changes in personal recovery, BF, and SOC among people with chronic mental illness in Japan. In this longitudinal study, a two-wave self-report questionnaire survey was conducted for service users aged 20 or older with mental illness using convenience sampling method in 2014 and 2015. We applied the Latent Change Score approach. Model fit was evaluated according to the CFI and RMSEA. Among 373 eligible participants at baseline, valid responses in both T1 and T2 from 195 respondents were included in the study (valid response rate = 52.3%). Among them, 65.6% were male, with average age of 45.6. The model of the three constructs at the two time points had good to reasonable fit to the data. The initial levels and changes in personal recovery, BF, and SOC were significantly and positively related to each other.

Association between Work Environments and Stigma towards People with Schizophrenia among Mental Health Professionals in Japan.

This study aimed to examine the association between control over practice in work environments and stigma toward people with schizophrenia among mental health professionals. We conducted secondary analyses on data from a self-administered questionnaire survey. The sample in the initial study included mental health professionals from two psychiatric hospitals, 56 psychiatric clinics, and community service agencies in Japan. The Ethics Committee of the University of Tokyo, approved this study. Data from 279 participants were used for secondary analyses (valid response rate = 58.7%). The hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine the association between control over practice and stigma. We performed subgroup analyses among nurses (n = 121) and psychiatric social workers (n = 92). Control over practice was negatively associated with stigma among mental health professionals (ß = -0.162, p < 0.01). The subgroup analyses among nurses indicated that control over practice, educational history and recovery knowledge were associated with stigma. However, these variables were not associated with stigma among psychiatric social workers. Control over practice might help to reduce stigma among mental health professionals. Factors related to stigma might differ by occupation. Therefore, further comprehensive studies among various professionals would further our understanding of these factors.

The Benefit Finding Questionnaire (BFQ): Scale Development, Validation, and Its Psychometric Properties Among People with Mental Illness.

Benefit finding has been defined as positive life changes that result from a stressful event, such as the diagnosis of chronic illness. The present study aimed to develop a benefit finding questionnaire (BFQ) and examine its psychometric property among people with chronic mental illness in Japan. This study adopted a mixed method composed of three phases, including Phase 1: To draft the item pool and design the BFQ based on literature review and discussion among the authors, Phase 2: To revise and refine the drafted items through feedback from focus group interviews and further consideration, and Phase 3: To examine the psychometric properties of the BFQ following the questionnaire survey for people with chronic mental illness and validation of the questionnaire. In Phase 3, a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for mental health service users. Among the 373 eligible participants, we used data from 265 respondents for the analyses (valid response rate = 71.0%). About 65% were male, and the average age was 45.3 years (SD = 12.9). Around 70% were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Factorial, concurrent, and divergent validities, as well as reliability were explored. The 21-item BFQ demonstrated good factorial validity, concurrent and divergent validities, and sufficient internal consistency reliability among people with chronic mental illness. It appears to be a useful scale to assess experience of benefit finding among people with chronic mental illness. Further large-scale research will ensure verification of the scale among people with other illnesses or difficulties.

A Literature Review on Psychosocial Support for Disaster Responders: Qualitative Synthesis with Recommended Actions for Protecting and Promoting the Mental Health of Responders.

Little scientific evidence exists on ways to decrease the psychological stress experienced by disaster responders, or how to maintain and improve their mental health. In an effort to grasp the current state of research, we examined research papers, agency reports, the manuals of aid organisations, and educational materials, in both English and Japanese. Using MEDLINE, Ichushi-Web (Japanese search engine), Google Scholar, websites of the United Nations agencies, and the database of the Grants System for Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 71 pertinent materials were identified, 49 of which were analysed. As a result, 55 actions were extracted that could potentially protect and improve the mental health of disaster responders, leading to specific recommendations. These include (1) during the pre-activity phase, enabling responders to anticipate stressful situations at a disaster site and preparing them to monitor their stress level; (2) during the activity phase, engaging in preventive measures against on-site stress; (3) using external professional support when the level of stress is excessive; and (4) after the disaster response, getting back to routines, sharing of experiences, and long-term follow-up. Our results highlighted the need to offer psychological support to disaster responders throughout the various phases of their duties.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the INSPIRE measure of staff support for personal recovery in community mental health service users in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Supporting personal recovery in people with mental health difficulties is central to mental health services. This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of INSPIRE and Brief INSPIRE measure of staff support for personal recovery and to evaluate its reliability and validity. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted from October to December 2015. The authors asked users to participate in the survey of 14 community mental health services in the Kanto region of Japan. The service users completed self-administered questionnaires that include the Japanese version of INSPIRE, the Recovery Assessment Scale, the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, the patient version of the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health care and the Short Form Health Survey. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa. Convergent validity was examined by assessing correlation with other scales. Factor validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with generalized least-squares mean and oblimin rotation. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis was used to check the fitness of the factor structure models derived from the EFA. RESULTS: A total of 195 out of 212 users gave written informed consent and participated in the study. Data from 190 respondents were analyzed (response rate 89.6%). INSPIRE, Brief INSPIRE, and the subscales all showed Cronbach's alpha coefficient over 0.78. ICC and weighted kappa derived more than 0.92 for subscales and Brief INSPIRE. These numerical values indicated good reliability. The convergent validity of Brief INSPIRE and the subscales was significantly positively correlated with the other scales. Different from the previous study, the factor structure was extracted using EFA. Both factor structures were checked by CFA, but the degree of fitness index was not good in either. Therefore, the factor analysis did not show goodness of fit. CONCLUSIONS: This study found the Japanese version of INSPIRE and Brief INSPIRE to be reliable and valid for use among community mental health service users in Japan.

Factors related to recovery knowledge and attitudes among professionals in mental health in Japan.

AIM: To explore what factors may influence recovery knowledge and attitudes among professionals in mental health. METHODS: We utilized an existing dataset from a study that surveyed 331 subjects among 475 eligible professionals. We used data from 289 participants without missing values for the analyses (valid response rate = 60.8%). The questionnaire included three psychometrically tested scales: (a) Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI); (b) Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ); and (c) Internal Work Motivation, as well as other variables. Mean-based comparisons of the RKI and RAQ scores between several subgroups were examined. We also examined the correlation between RKI and RAQ scores and the continuous variables. Multiple linear regression was implemented to examine the simultaneous effects of the factors on RKI and RAQ scores. The mean age of participants was 39.9 years and 69.2% were female and 44.0% were nursing professionals. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the internal work motivation and the experience of discharging patients after a lengthy hospitalization were significantly and positively associated with recovery attitude. Working at community facilities and being young were significantly and weakly correlated with recovery knowledge. The experience of participation in self-help groups exhibited positive relationships with RKI and RAQ scores, while education exhibited positive but weak relationships with RKI and RAQ scores. No significant relationship was observed in the regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Internal work motivation, the experience of discharging patients after a lengthy hospitalization, working at community facilities, and being young may positively contribute to better recovery knowledge and attitudes. Future research using a longitudinal design will explore other factors.

Correction to: The property of the Japanese version of the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) among mental health service providers: a cross sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13033-017-0178-7.].

The property of the Japanese version of the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) among mental health service providers: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) is one of the influential scales to assess knowledge and attitude toward recovery-oriented practices among mental health service providers. In the present study, we aimed to develop a Japanese version of RKI and examine the validity and reliability. METHODS: We translated RKI into Japanese by reference to the guidelines for translating and adapting psychometric scales. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with mental health service providers. Of a total of 475 eligible professionals, we used data from the 299 participants without missing value for the analyses (valid response rate = 62.9%). The questionnaire included Japanese RKI, Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire, The positive attitudes scale, and Japanese-language version of the Social Distance Scale. To examine the factorial validity of RKI, explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis was employed. Convergent validity was assessed by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficients between the total RKI score and the scores for the other three scales. We also calculated Cronbach's α coefficients for the total score and for each domain of RKI to assess internal consistency reliability. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 40.4 years and 30.4% were men. 20-item RKI did not provide any adequate or interpretable factor solutions at any number of factors by EFAs. Thus four items (#1, 4, 5, and 13) were subsequently eliminated in stages, then 16-item RKI was employed as a consequence for further analyses. EFA with four factor structures yielded marginally interpretable constitution. Each factor represented the knowledge regarding psychiatric symptoms and recovery; knowledge about the recovery process; the understanding of what is important for recovery; and the understanding of the challenges and responsibility in recovery, respectively. Subsequent CFA suggested good fit to the data. Good convergent validity and understandable internal consistency reliability were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese 16-item RKI revealed reasonable factorial validity, good convergent validity, and understandable internal consistency reliability among mental health professionals. Japanese cultural settings seemed to influence the four-factor structure in the present study. It can be used for future study in Japan, while future large-scale research is required to ensure robust verification.

Psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) among mental health providers: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: "Recovery" is a central concept in mental health, particularly for mental health services and policy-makers. The present study examined the factorial and concurrent validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability of the Japanese version of the 7-item Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) among mental health service providers in community and inpatient settings in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire with a number of eligible professional groups, including psychiatrists, registered/assistant nurses, public health nurses, clinical psychologists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, and social workers. Participants were drawn from two psychiatric hospitals and 56 psychiatric clinics or community service agencies. In total, 331 participants completed the questionnaire. After excluding those with missing RAQ values, 307 participants were included in the analysis; the participants' mean age was 40.2 years and 29.6 % were men. The questionnaire comprised the Japanese version of the 7-item RAQ developed by the present authors, the revised scale of the positive attitudes of staff toward persons with mental disorder (the positive attitudes scale), and the Japanese-language version of the Social Distance Scale (SDSJ). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine factorial validity of a two-factor structure reported in a previous study (Borkin et al., 2000) as well as a single-factor structure. Concurrent validity was determined by calculating correlations between RAQ and the other two scales. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients and inter-item correlations. Test-retest reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with a weighted kappa in a subsample of participants (n = 13). RESULTS: The two-factor structure showed acceptable factorial validity. RAQ scores were significantly and positively correlated with the positive attitudes scale, and there was a significant inverse correlation with the SDSJ (p < 0.01). The RAQ had an overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.64. Four inter-item correlations were not significant. The ICC and weighted kappa values indicated unsatisfactory test-retest reliability. CONCLUSION: The Japanese RAQ showed acceptable factorial validity, reasonable concurrent validity, and unsatisfactory reliability in community and inpatient mental health settings in Japan. Further large-scale research is required to ensure robust verification.

Psychological Transformation by an Intervention to Facilitate Benefit Finding Among People With Chronic Mental Illness in Japan.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to preliminarily explore the psychological transformation effected by a newly developed intervention program for facilitating benefit finding among individuals with chronic mental illness in Japan. DESIGN AND METHODS: An intervention study with three weekly group sessions was implemented, and qualitative data on the participants' experience of benefit finding were obtained by a questionnaire survey and analyzed using content analysis technique. FINDINGS: Of the 31 participants, 23 responded that they realized some sort of benefit finding through the intervention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The program component in question may contribute to enhanced benefit finding for people with chronic mental illness while longitudinal studies involving more participants are desirable.

Association between stigmatisation and experiences of evidence-based practice by psychiatric rehabilitation staff in Japan: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Mental health professionals are one of the groups holding harmful stigmatisation towards people with mental illness. AIMS: To investigate the association between the performance of evidence-based practice (EBP) and the staff's level of stigmatisation in Japan. METHODS: The study enrolled 179 staff members in psychiatric day-care, psychiatric community outreach teams, and psychiatric rehabilitation teams at 14 psychiatric hospitals. The Positive Attitudes Scale (PAS), the Japanese-language version of the Social Distance Scale (SDSJ) and the Recovery Attitude Questionnaire (RAQ) were employed as outcome measures. Scores on each scale were compared between participants who performed EBPs and those who had never performed EBPs. RESULTS: Approximately 40% of the staff engaged in at least assertive community treatment, supported employment or family psychoeducation. The staff who performed EBPs had significantly higher scores on PAS (MD, 7.09; 95% CIs, 4.09-10.09) and RAQ (MD, 1.30; 95% CIs, 0.36-2.25) but lower scores on SDSJ (MD, -2.41; 95% CIs, -3.50 to -1.32) than those who never performed EBPs. Multivariate analyses found that EBP experience was associated with a low level of staff stigmatisation after controlling for confounders. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that an individual EBP experience is associated with their reduced stigmatisation.

A silver nanowire-based tip suitable for STM tip-enhanced Raman scattering.

A chemically synthesized silver nanowire was used for atomic-resolution STM imaging and tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) spectroscopy, yielding excellent reproducibility. This TERS tip will open a new venue to surface analysis, such as molecular finger printing at nanoscales.

The concept of "benefit finding" for people at different stages of recovery from mental illness; a Japanese study.

BACKGROUND: Benefit finding is defined as finding benefits through the struggle with adversity. AIM: This study explored benefit finding at different stages of recovery among people with severe mental illness in Japan. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey, which contained both open-ended questions regarding benefit finding and the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), was conducted. Of the responses received from 193 (61%) of 319 individuals with mental illness, responses about benefit finding from 94 questionnaires was analyzed using content analysis (males: 57%; females: 43%; average age: 45 years). Each response about benefit finding was classified into one of three groups according to the stages of recovery by their RAS score (i.e. low, middle or high). RESULTS: The group with higher recovery scores provided more examples of benefit finding, although almost a quarter of examples of benefit finding were provided by the low-RAS group. Different benefit finding characteristics were found between groups of people at different stages of recovery. CONCLUSION: While individuals with higher recovery scores are likely to find a variety of benefits, even individuals with lower recovery scores are capable of benefit finding.

Effectiveness of a program to facilitate recovery for people with long-term mental illness in Japan.

Recovery is defined as the process of developing new meaning and purpose in life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness. This study aimed to develop a program to facilitate recovery and examine its effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial. The program was developed with three components that enhance benefit finding, personal meaning, and a sense of happiness. Sixty-three participants with long-term mental illness were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n = 32) or the control group (n = 31). The intervention group attended eight 2-h group sessions, with one held every week. Recovery was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a three-month follow-up. In the per-protocol analysis, after excluding those who dropped out, the intervention group showed significant improvement in recovery compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the intention-to-treat analysis, a repeated measures analysis of variance did not show any significant intervention effect (time × group) (P > 0.05). The program had the potential to facilitate recovery.

Social capital and stigma toward people with mental illness in Tokyo, Japan.

Living in a community with high social capital might lead to lower stigma towards people with mental illness. We examined the association between social capital and stigma toward people with mental illness in the community of Tokyo, Japan. A random sample of 2,000 community residents was selected and surveyed. Data from 516 respondents were analyzed. In this study, two individual-based social capital variables were significantly and negatively associated with the stigma score, while area-based social capital was not significantly associated with the stigma score. Social capital, particularly reciprocity/norm of cooperation and trust in the community, may be associated with lower stigma.

Quantitative relationship between recovery and benefit-finding among persons with chronic mental illness in Japan.

This study quantitatively examined the association between recovery and benefit-finding among persons with a chronic mental illness in Japan. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted, with responses from 237 (74%) of 319 individuals (≥ 20 years old) with a chronic mental illness in community and inpatient ward settings. The data of 120 questionnaires were analyzed (men, 64%; average age, 41 years). The questionnaire included the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) and Self-identified Stage of Recovery Parts A and B (SISR-A and SISR-B) for assessing recovery and the Perceived Positive Change Scale (PPCS) for assessing benefit-finding. The total RAS and SISR-B scores strongly and positively correlated with the PPCS score. The PPCS score significantly differed among the recovery stages, as classified by the SISR-A, with higher scores at higher stages; the association was almost linear. The study confirmed the theoretically expected relationship between recovery and benefit-finding among these individuals. Benefit-finding might be associated not only with a higher stage of recovery but also with each step from one stage to another.