Program to Enhance Adjustment to Residential Living (PEARL): Effect on Adjustment, Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Stress.

OBJECTIVES: The Program to Enhance Adjustment to Residential Living (PEARL) is a five session intervention primarily designed to address high rates of depression in newly admitted residents. This study reports the efficacy of PEARL on secondary outcomes of resident adjustment, symptoms of anxiety, quality of life, and stress. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 219 newly admitted nursing home residents (M age = 85.5 years) from 42 nursing homes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at two and six month post-intervention follow-up, compared to a standard care condition. RESULTS: There was a significant overall condition by time interaction for adjustment (p = .027) and quality of life (p = .015), but not for stress (p = .309). While the overall condition by time interaction was not significant for anxiety (p = .221), there was a significant interaction contrast six-month post-intervention, indicating a greater decrease in anxiety scores in the intervention group relative to control (p = .039). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the broad effects of PEARL on the wellbeing of newly admitted residents. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: PEARL is a brief intervention that may be feasible for routine use in nursing homes to facilitate adjustment and improve residents' quality of life.

Trajectory and Predictors of Mental Health Symptoms and Wellbeing in Newly Admitted Nursing Home Residents.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined changes in multiple aspects of mental health and wellbeing in newly admitted nursing home residents, and identified risk and protective factors. METHODS: Participants were 204 residents recently admitted to one of 42 nursing homes in Melbourne, Australia. A subgroup of 82 participants were followed up eight months post-admission. Depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Predictive factors (demographics, health, transition factors, nursing home characteristics) were examined in multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Rates of depression and anxiety were high at both baseline and follow-up. Low self-rated health and medical comorbidity predicted poor wellbeing at baseline. Higher perceived control in the relocation to the nursing home and engagement in meaningful activities were associated with better post-admission outcomes. Baseline psychotropic medication use predicted lower anxiety at follow-up but did not impact depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant changes in mental health and wellbeing from one to eight months post-admission. The negative effect of residing in a for-profit nursing home requires further investigation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Individual activity scheduling and an opportunity to participate in relocation decision-making and planning may support resident wellbeing post-admission.

A cluster randomised trial of the program to enhance adjustment to residential living (PEARL): a novel psychological intervention to reduce depression in newly admitted aged care residents.

BACKGROUND: Depression rates are high in residential aged care (RAC) facilities, with newly admitted residents at particular risk. New approaches to address depression in this population are urgently required, particularly psychological interventions suitable for widespread use across the RAC sector. The Program to Enhance Adjustment to Residential Living (PEARL) is a brief intervention, designed to provide individually tailored care approaches to meet the psychological needs of newly admitted residents, delivered in collaboration with facility staff. METHODS: PEARL will be evaluated using a cluster randomised controlled design, comparing outcomes for residents who participate in the intervention with those residing in care as usual control facilities. Participants are RAC residents aged 60 years or above, with normal cognition or mild-moderate cognitive impairment, who relocated to the facility within the previous 4 weeks. The primary outcomes are depressive symptoms and disorders, with secondary outcomes including anxiety, stress, quality of life, adjustment to RAC, and functional dependence, analysed on an intention to treat basis using multilevel modelling. DISCUSSION: PEARL is an intervention based on self-determination theory, designed to reduce depression in newly admitted residents by tailoring day to day care to meet their psychological needs. This simple psychological approach offers an alternative care model to the current over-reliance of antidepressant medications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12616001726448; Registered 16 December 2016 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.

Consumer directed care in residential aged care: an evaluation of a staff training program.

Objectives: The advent of Consumer-Directed Care (CDC, or individualized care) in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs, or residential care) will require a paradigm shift in service delivery. This article evaluated the six-session Resident at the Centre of Care (RCC) staff training program designed to equip staff to implement a CDC model of care among residents.Method: There were two experimental conditions: RCC training program alone, RCC training program plus support, and a 'care as usual' condition. Outcome measures were resident quality of life (QoL) and resident working relationships with staff at 3-month follow-up. At Time 1, 92 residents from RACFs participated in the program. The RCC is six sessions that focus on the development of staff skills in communicating with residents, as well as the organizational change and transformational leadership that is needed for the implementation of CDC.Results: There were significant improvements in resident QoL. There was no major difference between the RCC Program plus support condition compared to the RCC Program alone condition, but both were associated with more positive changes in resident QoL than the 'care as usual' condition.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that training staff in strategies to implement CDC in RACFs can lead to an improvement in the wellbeing of many residents, and that additional support to assist staff to implement the strategies may not be required to produce such improvements. Longer term follow-up is necessary to determine if the improvements in resident QoL are sustained.

Toward a More Evidence-Based Nosology and Nomenclature for Female Sexual Dysfunctions-Part III.

INTRODUCTION: In 2016 the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) published an expert consensus report on new nomenclature that addressed the need for comprehensive, evidence-based criteria for new diagnoses in desire, arousal, and orgasm, with the definition on arousal focusing exclusively on female genital arousal disorder (FGAD). AIM: A new expert panel solely focused on mechanisms of arousal disorders convened to revise the nomenclature to include female cognitive arousal disorder (FCAD) and FGAD. METHODS: The ISSWSH co-chairs identified experts on arousal disorders in women. The 10 participants included clinicians, researchers, and educators, representing a diverse, multidisciplinary group. Pre-meeting preparation included evidence-based literature review as the basis of presentations panelists made at the meeting on the current knowledge in cognitive arousal. Consensus was reached using a modified Delphi method. Writing assignments were made as a basis of manuscript development. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The new definition of FCAD is characterized by distressing difficulty or inability to attain or maintain adequate mental excitement associated with sexual activity, as manifested by problems with feeling engaged and mentally turned on or sexually aroused for a minimum of 6 months. RESULTS: Female sexual arousal disorder encompasses both FGAD (revised definition) and FCAD (new definition). Recommendations regarding diagnosis include a clinical interview to assess for FCAD using targeted questions. Patient-reported outcomes that contain questions to assess FCAD are described, including limitations for differentiating between cognitive arousal, genital arousal, and sexual desire. Laboratory measures of cognitive and genital arousal are discussed, including the relationships between genital and cognitive arousal patterns. Biopsychosocial risk factors for FCAD and FGAD, as well as exclusionary conditions, are presented. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The revision of the ISSWSH nomenclature regarding the criteria for the 2 arousal categories, FCAD and FGAD, and the recommended diagnostic strategies offers a framework for management of women with arousal disorders. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This nomenclature allows for basic science and clinical research in subtypes of arousal in order to develop better diagnostic and treatment options for use by clinicians, scientists, and regulatory agencies. There are limited validated measures of cognitive arousal, including the Female Sexual Function Index, the most commonly used measure, which does not effectively distinguish between cognitive excitement, genital sensations, and event-related desire. CONCLUSION: Future directions include the refinement of FCAD and FGAD and development and validation of patient-reported outcomes that distinguish between the cognitive processes and genital responses to enhance clinical care and research in this area. Parish SJ, Meston CM, Althof SE, et al. Toward a More Evidence-Based Nosology and Nomenclature for Female Sexual Dysfunctions-Part III. J Sex Med 2019;16:452-462.

Do replicable profiles of multimorbidity exist? Systematic review and synthesis.

This systematic review aimed to synthesise multimorbidity profiling literature to identify replicable and clinically meaningful groupings of multimorbidity. We searched six electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science) for articles reporting multimorbidity profiles. The identified profiles were synthesised with multidimensional scaling, stratified by type of statistical analysis used in the derivation of profiles. The 51 studies that met inclusion criteria reported results of 98 separate analyses of multimorbidity profiling, with a total of 407 multimorbidity profiles identified. The statistical techniques used to identify multimorbidity profiles were exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis of diseases, cluster analysis of people, and latent class analysis. Reporting of methodological details of statistical methods was often incomplete. The discernible groupings of multimorbidity took the form of both discrete categories and continuous dimensions. Mental health conditions and cardio-metabolic conditions grouped along identifiable continua in the synthesised results of all four methods. Discrete groupings of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with asthma, falls and fractures with sensory deficits and of Parkinson's disease and cognitive decline where partially replicable (identifiable in the results of more than one method), while clustering of musculoskeletal conditions and clustering of reproductive systems were each observed only in one statistical approach. The two most replicable multimorbidity profiles were mental health conditions and cardio-metabolic conditions. Further studies are needed to understand aetiology and evolution of these multimorbidity groupings. Guidelines for strengthening the reporting of multimorbidity profiling studies are proposed.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a staff training program to implement consumer directed care on resident quality of life in residential aged care.

BACKGROUND: Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) are moving towards a Consumer Directed Care (CDC) model of care. There are limited examples of CDC in ageing research, and no evaluation of a comprehensive CDC intervention in residential care was located. This study will implement and evaluate a staff training program, Resident at the Center of Care (RCC), designed to facilitate and drive CDC in residential care. METHODS: The study will adopt a cluster randomized controlled design with 39 facilities randomly allocated to one of three conditions: delivery of the RCC program plus additional organizational support, delivery of the program without additional support, and care as usual. A total of 834 staff (22 in each facility, half senior, half general staff) as well as 744 residents (20 in each facility) will be recruited to participate in the study. The RCC program comprises five sessions spread over nine weeks: Session 1 clarifies CDC principles; Sessions 2 to 5 focus on skills to build and maintain working relationships with residents, as well as identifying organizational barriers and facilitators regarding the implementation of CDC. The primary outcome measure is resident quality of life. Secondary outcome measures are resident measures of choice and control, the working relationship between resident and staff; staff reports of transformational leadership, job satisfaction, intention to quit, experience of CDC, work role stress, organizational climate, and organizational readiness for change. All measures will be completed at four time points: pre-intervention, 3-months, 6-months, and 12-month follow-up. Primary analyses will be conducted on an intention to treat basis. Outcomes for the three conditions will be compared with multilevel linear regression modelling. DISCUSSION: The RCC program is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of staff and encourage transformational leadership and organizational change that supports implementation of CDC. The overarching goal is to improve the quality of life and care of older people living in residential care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618000779279; Registered 9 May 2018 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ ).

Organizational factors related to the confidence of workers in working with residents with dementia or depression in aged care facilities.

OBJECTIVES: There has been limited research examining how organizational factors are associated with the level of confidence of residential aged care staff in managing both residents' depression and the behavioural and psychological symptoms of residents with dementia (BPSD). This study investigated this issue. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was employed. In total, 255 aged care staff (131 senior staff, 124 junior staff) from 21 residential care facilities participated in the study. All staff completed measures of self-efficacy in managing BPSD as well as confidence in working with older people with depression. They also completed measures of organizational climate (autonomy, cohesion, trust, pressure, support, recognition, fairness and encouragement of innovation) and measures of workplace experience (job role, number of years working in aged care facilities), job stress and satisfaction, and knowledge of depression. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that autonomy, trust, support, and job stress were associated with confidence in managing BPSD, while the factors related to confidence in managing depression were autonomy, support, job stress, job satisfaction, and knowledge of depression. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that organizational climate factors need to be addressed in order to increase staff confidence in managing BPSD and depression. In particular, the findings demonstrate the importance of fostering organizational environments in which autonomy is promoted and there is support and cooperation among aged care staff. Attention to these factors is likely to increase the confidence of staff as they carry out their carer role.

Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia that Present Management Difficulties in Nursing Homes: Staff Perceptions and Their Concordance With Informant Scales.

The current study aimed to profile behaviors associated with dementia that pose management difficulties for staff and determine whether existing rating scales capture these reported behaviors. Staff in 17 nursing homes described the behavioral symptoms of 229 residents with predominantly moderate-severe dementia associated with management difficulties. Behaviors were categorized by an expert clinical panel and compared to items in four dementia behavior rating scales. Staff reported 59 discrete behavioral symptoms, with physically agitated, aggressive verbal, non-aggressive verbal, and aggressive physical behaviors most common, followed by resistance to care and inappropriate social and sexual behaviors. Results suggested that some scales omit important behaviors reported by staff for residents with particularly challenging behaviors. The current study highlights the clinical complexity faced by nursing home staff in managing residents with behavioral symptoms of dementia. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43(1), 34-43.].

Definitions of Sexual Dysfunctions in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement From the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Definitions of sexual dysfunctions in women and men are critical in facilitating research and enabling clinicians to communicate accurately. AIMS: To present the new set of definitions of all forms of sexual dysfunction in women and men adopted by the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) held in 2015. METHODS: Classification systems, including the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and systems that focus on only specific types of sexual dysfunctions (e.g., the International Society for Sexual Medicine definition for premature ejaculation) were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evidence-based definitions were retained, gaps in definitions were identified, and outdated definitions were updated or discarded. Where evidence was insufficient or absent, expert opinion was used. Some definitions were self-evident and termed clinical principles. RESULTS: The evidence to support the various classification systems was carefully evaluated. A more comprehensive analysis of this evidence can be found in two other articles in this journal that consider the incidence and prevalence and the risk factors for sexual dysfunction in men and women. These data were used to shape the definitions for sexual dysfunction that have been recommended by the 2015 ICSM. CONCLUSION: The definitions that have been adopted are those that are most strongly supported by the literature at this time or are considered clinical principles or consensus of experts' opinions. As more research and clinical studies are conducted, there likely will be modifications of at least some definitions.

Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement from the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence and prevalence of various sexual dysfunctions in women and men are important to understand to designate priorities for epidemiologic and clinical research. AIM: This manuscript was designed to conduct a review of the literature to determine the incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women and men. METHODS: Members of Committee 1 of the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (2015) searched and reviewed epidemiologic literature on the incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunctions. Key older studies and most studies published after 2009 were included in the text of this article. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were the reports in the various studies of the incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women and men. RESULTS: There are more studies on incidence and prevalence for men than for women and many more studies on prevalence than incidence for women and men. The data indicate that the most frequent sexual dysfunctions for women are desire and arousal dysfunctions. In addition, there is a large proportion of women who experience multiple sexual dysfunctions. For men, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are the most common sexual dysfunctions, with less comorbidity across sexual dysfunctions for men compared with women. CONCLUSION: These data need to be treated with caution, because there is a high level of variability across studies caused by methodologic differences in the instruments used to assess presence of sexual dysfunction, ages of samples, nature of samples, methodology used to gather the data, and cultural differences. Future research needs to use well-validated tools to gather data and ensure that the data collection strategy is clearly described.

Risk Factors for Sexual Dysfunction Among Women and Men: A Consensus Statement From the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015.

INTRODUCTION: This article presents a review of previous research concerning risk factors for sexual dysfunction in women and men. AIM: The aim is to evaluate past research studies to determine the contribution of all risk factors to the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction among women and men. METHODS: Studies were organized under a biopsychosocial framework, with the bulk of studies of women and men having investigated the role of biological factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were the data on factors for sexual dysfunction. RESULTS: Many more studies investigated risk factors for sexual dysfunction in men than in women. For women and men, diabetes, heart disease, urinary tract disorders, and chronic illness were significant risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Depression and anxiety and the medications used to treat these disorders also were risk factors for sexual dysfunction in women and men. In addition, substance abuse was associated with sexual dysfunction. Many other social and cultural factors were related to sexual dysfunction in women and men. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial factors are clearly risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Women and men with sexual dysfunction should be offered psychosocial evaluation and treatment, if available, in addition to medical evaluation and treatment. The impact of social and cultural factors on sexual function requires substantially more research. The evidence that erectile dysfunction is a harbinger of other forms of cardiovascular disease is strong enough to recommend that clinical evaluation for occult cardiovascular disease should be undertaken in men who do not have known cardiovascular disease but who develop organic erectile dysfunction, especially in men younger than 70 years.

Attachment Style and Less Severe Forms of Sexual Coercion: A Systematic Review.

Few studies have examined how attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance) is associated with the more subtle and less severe forms of sexual coercion, such as verbal threats and partner manipulation. This is despite the fact that past research has indicated some of the relationship behaviors exhibited by insecurely attached individuals represent behaviors indicative of either the perpetration or victimization of less severe forms of sexual coercion. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association between attachment style and less severe forms of sexual coercion. Our search, which included published journal papers, book chapters, and theses published between January 1970 and October 2014, yielded 1091 records. Examination of these records against exclusion criteria yielded 11 studies that focused on the associations between attachment orientation and perpetration of sexual coercion (n = 3), sexual coercion victimization (n = 3), or both perpetration and victimization (n = 5). Findings revealed that attachment anxiety appeared to be more consistently associated with being the victim of sexual coercion than attachment avoidance. In terms of perpetration, attachment avoidance was more consistently associated with sexual coercion. These findings were observed when examining the association between attachment dimensions and motives for sexual coercion. The findings also revealed gender to be a moderator for victimization. This review provides insights into how attachment style may influence the perpetration and victimization of sexual coercion.

An RCT to evaluate the utility of a clinical protocol for staff in the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in residential aged-care settings.

OBJECTIVES: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) cause significant stress and distress to both aged-care residents and staff. This study evaluated a training program to assist staff to manage BPSD in residential care. METHOD: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) was employed. The study was included in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Register residential care facilities. Staff (n = 204) and residents (n = 187) were from 16 residential care facilities. Facilities were recruited and randomly assigned to four staff training conditions: (1) training in the use of a BPSD-structured clinical protocol, plus external clinical support, (2) a workshop on BPSD, plus external clinical support, (3) training in the use of the structured clinical protocol alone, and (4) care as usual. Staff and resident outcome measures were obtained pre-intervention, three months and six months post-intervention. The primary outcome was changes in BPSD, measured using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) as well as frequency and duration of challenging behaviors. Secondary outcomes were changes in staff adjustment. RESULTS: There were improvements in challenging behaviors for both intervention conditions that included training in the BPSD instrument, but these were not maintained in the condition without clinical support. The training/support condition resulted in sustained improvements in both staff and resident variables, whereas the other conditions only led to improvement in some of the measured variables. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the BPSD protocol in reducing BPSD and improving staff self-efficacy and stress.

Sleep problems among clinically depressed adults in China.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore which variables predict poor sleep among clinically depressed Chinese adults. METHODS: In total, 100 participants were recruited from Shanghai Mental Health Centre. The dependent variables were number of hours spent sleeping as well as the quality of sleep and number of times the participants woke during the night. The independent variables were gender, age, length of depression and severity of depression. The use of antipsychotic medication was controlled for in all analyses. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that depression severity was the most important predictor of sleep quality and night waking. Gender and age were also found to be predictors of sleep problems. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated that depressed Chinese patients experienced similar relationships between sleep disturbance and depression to Westerners. Future studies should include other measures of sleep quality as well as variables consistently found to be associated with both depression and sleep difficulty, such as the use of addictive substances and psychosocial factors.

My Road Ahead study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of an online psychological intervention for men following treatment for localised prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer to promote adaptive coping with the challenges and distress associated with diagnosis, treatment and recovery. In addition, interventions are needed that help to overcome barriers to psychosocial treatment such as limited face-to-face psychosocial support services, a shortage of adequately trained professionals, geographical distance, perceived and personal stigma and a preference for consumer-centric and self-directed learning. My Road Ahead is an online cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention for prostate cancer. This protocol describes a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that will evaluate the efficacy of this online intervention alone, the intervention in combination with a moderated online forum, and the moderated online forum alone. METHODS/DESIGN: This study utilises a RCT design with three groups receiving: 1) the 6-module My Road Ahead intervention alone; 2) the My Road Ahead intervention plus a moderated online forum; and 3) the moderated online forum alone. It is expected that 150 men with localised prostate cancer will be recruited into the RCT. Online measures will assess men's psychological distress as well as sexual and relationship adjustment at baseline, post-intervention, 3 month follow-up and 6 month follow-up. The study is being conducted in Australia and participants will be recruited from April 2012 to Feb 2014. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of My Road Ahead in reducing psychological distress. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, My Road Ahead is the first self-directed online psychological intervention developed for men who have been treated for localised prostate cancer. The RCT will assess the efficacy of this intervention in improving psychological well-being, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction and overall quality of life. If successful, this intervention could provide much needed support to men receiving treatment for localised prostate cancer in a highly accessible manner. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: ACTRN12611000278932.

A systematic review of the psychosocial outcomes associated with erectile dysfunction: does the impact of erectile dysfunction extend beyond a man's inability to have sex?

AIM: The aim of this study was to report and analyze the published data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for (i) the psychosocial outcomes associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) before treatment with a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor; and (ii) the change in psychosocial outcomes after the use of a PDE5 inhibitor in men with ED. METHODS: The method used was a prospectively designed systematic literature review of publications reported in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Science Citation Index Expanded, and PsychINFO from January 1, 1995 to May 14, 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were scores on psychosocial measures in men who were treated for ED with a PDE5 inhibitor before and after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 1,714 publications were retrieved; 1,674 publications were excluded because they did not meet the design requirements of the review, and 40 publications (32 RCTs) were retained. Before treatment, men who participated in clinical trials reported relatively good quality of life and overall relationships, but poor sexual relationships and sexual satisfaction, diminished confidence, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression. After treatment, there were significant improvements from baseline in most of these measures, except for overall life satisfaction and overall relationship satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: ED and the treatment of ED are associated with substantially broader aspects of a man's life than just erectile functioning. This review demonstrates the importance of evaluating the psychosocial factors associated with ED and its treatment, and the importance of using standardized scales to conduct this evaluation. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the reciprocal relationships among physical and psychological functioning in men with ED.

An online, mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral therapy for female sexual difficulties: impact on relationship functioning.

This article presents the evaluation of an online treatment for female sexual difficulties as it relates to relationship functioning. Pursuing Pleasure was an online, mindfulness-based, cognitive behavioral therapy for female sexual difficulties. In Study 1, 26 women completed treatment and changes were compared with a waitlist control group (n = 31). In Study 2, 16 women from the control group then completed treatment. The authors did not use a control group in Study 2. Results demonstrated that both treatment groups observed significant improvements in sexual intimacy and communication, and emotional intimacy improved significantly in the Study 1 treatment group. Most improvements were maintained at follow-up.

A qualitative evaluation of online chat groups for women completing a psychological intervention for female sexual dysfunction.

Because of the embarrassment that can surround female sexual dysfunctions, online interventions offer an anonymous and private treatment alternative. Recently, an online cognitive-behavioral treatment for female sexual dysfunctions was evaluated. Although significant improvements were observed in sexual functioning, the treatment was primarily a behavioral intervention because of difficulties with engaging participants in cognitive therapy over e-mail. To address this limitation, the use of chat groups was incorporated into a new online treatment for female sexual dysfunctions-the PursuingPleasure program. Thirty-eight women participated in the PursuingPleasure chat groups. The goals of the chat groups were to address and overcome challenges as women progressed through PursuingPleasure and to create a social support network where group therapy processes could be used. The chat groups aimed to address misunderstandings, monitor changes, and receive feedback. A qualitative analysis of the chat groups revealed that they helped to facilitate the cognitive-affective aspects of the program, as well as fulfill their other intended functions. This study demonstrates how the use of chat groups in the online treatment of female sexual dysfunctions is a useful addition to Internet-based treatment. Feedback suggests that the chat groups were one of the most helpful aspects of the program, although a small group of women reported finding the groups unhelpful.

A test of the resource security and the body mass index reference point hypotheses of body dissatisfaction amongst adolescents in eight countries.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify cultural-level variables that may influence the extent to which adolescents from different cultural groups are dissatisfied with their bodies. DESIGN: A sample of 1730 male and 2000 female adolescents from Australia, Fiji, Malaysia, Tonga, Tongans in New Zealand, China, Chile, and Greece completed measures of body satisfaction, and the sociocultural influences on body image and body change questionnaire, and self-reported height and weight. Country gross domestic product and national obesity were recorded using global databases. RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity/overweight and cultural endorsement of appearance standards explained variance in individual-level body dissatisfaction (BD) scores, even after controlling for the influence of individual differences in body mass index and internalization of appearance standards. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural-level variables may account for the development of adolescent BD.