Inconclusive Findings in Studies of the Link Between Media Coverage of Mass Trauma and Depression in Children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper reports a review of the empirical research examining the association between mass trauma media contact and depression in children, the factors that may influence the association, and the difficulties encountered in the study of media effects on depression. RECENT FINDINGS: All of the included studies assessed general population samples. Pre-COVID-19 research focused primarily on television coverage alone or on multiple media forms including television, while COVID-19 media studies examined various media forms including social media. Most studies used cross-sectional design and non-probability sampling. The review revealed inconclusive findings across studies. The study of mass trauma media effects on depression in children is complicated by a number of potential confounding factors and by the relatively high prevalence of depression in the general population. Media contact was a relatively minor consideration among other interests in the extant studies which failed to explore numerous issues that warrant attention in future research.

An Uncontrolled Case Study of a Tabletop Role-playing Therapy Group With Difficult-to-engage Patients.

Mental health organizations are increasingly adapting tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) into psychotherapy groups. Existing literature on therapeutic modalities with similar methods and theories of change suggest TTRPGs holds great promise in creating positive change for certain mental health populations, particularly those that have not responded well to traditional psychotherapy formats. At this time, no published, peer-reviewed research has examined TTRPG therapy groups offered to adults. Here we describe the application of one 8-week TTRPG therapy group with seven adults at a forensic facility. In this case study, we also describe the data we gathered and our findings regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of participating in this TTRPG. Our findings provide preliminary support of the feasibility and acceptability of this approach, and offer new directions on how to maximize benefits to group members. Limitations and future directions are discussed.