scholarly journals Affective Behavior in Parent Couples Undergoing Couple Therapy: Contrasting Case Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Liekmeier ◽  
Joëlle Darwiche ◽  
Lara Pinna ◽  
Anne-Sylvie Repond ◽  
Jean-Philippe Antonietti
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Couple Therapy ◽  
Clinical Analysis ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Affective Behavior ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
Romantic Satisfaction

Being in a romantic relationship is characterized by a high degree of intimacy and affective involvement. Affective behavior indicates the emotional content in couple interactions and therefore promotes an understanding of the evolution of romantic relationships. When couples are also parents, their affective behavior reflects their romantic and coparental bonds. In this paper, we present an observation of parent couples’ affective behavior during a coparenting conflict discussion task to document whether and how much it improved during couple therapy. Two contrasting cases of affective behavior change are included. Observational coding of affective behavior within pre- and post-intervention coparenting conflict discussion tasks was carried out to compute means and CIs for each partner in both cases. In addition, the partners’ coparental and romantic satisfaction were evaluated through validated self-report questionnaires in pre- and post-intervention assessments; this helped document whether the partners’ coparental and romantic satisfaction were dissimilar between the two cases. Finally, a clinical analysis of both cases was realized with the contribution of the therapists to investigate possible differences within therapy sessions. Statistical analyses revealed negative means of affective behavior for couple A in the pre-intervention assessment and positive means in the post-intervention assessment. Partners from couple B had negative means of affective behavior in the pre- and post-intervention assessments. Results concerning coparental and romantic satisfaction differed: Couple A’s coparental satisfaction slightly increased and the romantic satisfaction somewhat decreased, whereas couple B’s coparental satisfaction remained stable and the romantic satisfaction slightly increased between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The clinical analysis revealed that the interactional quality of couple A slightly improved within therapy sessions and that both partners succeeded in working together as coparents, notwithstanding their romantic distress. Couple B conveyed coparental distress and exhibited poor interactional quality throughout therapy sessions (e.g., repeated criticism and contempt). This study contributes to enriching the more traditional empirical research methods in the field of couple psychotherapy, as it takes into account microlevel affective changes within parent couples’ interactions in addition to self-reported data. Furthermore, the analysis of therapy sessions supports the importance of working with affective behavior in couple therapy.

scholarly journals Modified CBT for social anxiety and social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Bemmer ◽  
Kelsie A. Boulton ◽  
Emma E. Thomas ◽  
Ben Larke ◽  
Suncica Lah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Adults With Asd ◽  
Young Adults With Asd

Abstract Background There is a strong research imperative to investigate effective treatment options for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated social anxiety, difficulties with social functioning and poor mental health have all been identified as core treatment targets for this group. While theoretical models posit a strong bidirectionality between social anxiety and ASD social functioning deficits, few interventions have targeted both domains concurrently. Of the two group interventions previously conducted with adolescents and adults with ASD, significant results have only been observed in either social anxiety or social functioning, and have not generalised to changes in overall mood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit, tolerability and acceptability of a group cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention in young adults with ASD. Primary treatment outcomes were social anxiety symptoms and social functioning difficulties; secondary outcomes were self-reported mood and overall distress. Method Ten groups of participants completed an eight-week, modified group CBT intervention targeting both social anxiety and social functioning, that included social skills training, exposure tasks and behavioural experiment components. Seventy-eight adolescents and young adults with ASD, without intellectual impairment, aged between 16 and 38 (M = 22.77; SD = 5.31), were recruited from the community, Headspace centres and the Autism Clinic for Translational Research at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. Outcomes (social anxiety, social functioning and mood) were measured pre- and post-intervention via self-report questionnaires (administered either online or through the return of hard-copy booklets), and participants were invited to provide anonymous feedback on the intervention (at the mid-point and end of the intervention). Results Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements on all outcome measures in response to the intervention. Specifically, social anxiety symptoms decreased (p < .001), and specific subdomains of social functioning improved post-intervention, particularly in social motivation (p = .032) and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (p = .025). Self-reported symptom improvements also generalised to mood (depression, anxiety and stress; p < .05). All improvements demonstrated small effect sizes. Participant feedback was positive and indicated strong satisfaction with the program. Limitations The absence of a control group and follow-up measures, reliance on self-report instruments as outcome measures and the exclusion of those with intellectual disability represent significant limitations to this study. Conclusions These findings indicate that a group CBT intervention appears to be a beneficial intervention for self-reported social anxiety, social functioning and overall mental health in adolescents and young adults with ASD. The stand-alone nature of the intervention combined with positive participant feedback indicates it was well tolerated, has potential clinical utility and warrants further study in a randomised-controlled, follow-up design.

scholarly journals Cultivating the compassionate self against depression: An exploration of processes of change

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S356-S356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Matos ◽  
J. Duarte ◽  
C. Duarte ◽  
J. Pinto-Gouveia ◽  
P. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionCompassion and self-compassion can be protective factors against mental health difficulties, in particular depression. The cultivation of the compassionate self, associated with a range of practices such as slow and deeper breathing, compassionate voice tones and facial expressions, and compassionate focusing, is central to compassion focused therapy (Gilbert, 2010). However, no study has examined the processes of change that mediate the impact of compassionate self-cultivation practices on depressive symptoms.AimsThe aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a brief compassionate self training (CST) intervention on depressive symptoms, and explore the psychological processes that mediate the change at post intervention.MethodsUsing a longitudinal design, participants (general population and college students) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Compassionate self training (n = 56) and wait-list control (n = 37). Participants in the CST condition were instructed to practice CST exercises for 15 minutes everyday or in moments of stress during two weeks. Self-report measures of depression, self-criticism, shame and compassion, were completed at pre and post in both conditions.ResultsResults showed that, at post-intervention, participants in the CST condition decreased depression, self-criticism and shame, and increased self-compassion and openness to receive compassion from others. Mediation analyses revealed that changes in depression from pre to post intervention were mediated by decreases in self-criticism and shame, and increases in self-compassion and openness to the compassion from others.ConclusionsThese findings support the efficacy of compassionate self training components on lessening depressive symptoms and promoting mental health.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Differences between medically treated and untreated non-fatal self-harm reported by hotline callers in China

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongsheng Tong ◽  
Yi Yin ◽  
Nancy H. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
The Self ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Relationship Problems ◽  
Wish To Die ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Routine Assessment ◽  
Improve Access

Background Many self-harmers do not present in hospitals due to the self-harm. It is still unclear on the differences between medically treated and untreated self-harm in China. This study described the differences of the two groups of self-harmers using the largest psychological aid hotline data. Methods The present observational study recruited 3,403 hotline callers who reported episodes of self-harm before the call. In routine assessment, information about the most recent episode of self-harm was collected, including the method of self-harm, the wish to die, goals of the self-harm, and any medical treatment (irrespective of psychological services) in the hospital. The callers were divided into two groups: those who received hospital-based medical treatment due to the most recent self-harm (treated self-harm callers) and those who did not (untreated self-harm callers). Results In the most recent episode of self-harm, 65% (n = 2,217) of callers were untreated and 55% (1,226/2,217) of the untreated self-harm callers reported a wish to die. A total of 67% of the callers reported that their main goal of self-harm was to relieve suffering. The most common self-harm methods were using instruments (knife or rope) and overdosing on medicines. Compared with treated self-harm callers, the untreated self-harm callers were less likely to have a wish to die (OR = 0.57), engage in self-harm outside the home (OR = 0.71 and 0.78), and attribute their self-harm to romantic relationship problems (OR = 0.76); however, they were more likely to use instruments, to jump, or to choose other methods (OR = 3.73, 3.83, and 7.71, respectively). Conclusions Among hotline callers, many episodes of self-harm did not receive medical treatment, despite over half reporting a wish to die. Characteristics of self-harm behaviors were different between treated and untreated self-harm callers. Our findings suggest that more strategies should improve access to hospital-based medical treatment and coverage for post-intervention for self-harmers who are not presented in hospitals.

The Rationale for Collecting Patient-Reported Symptoms during Routine Chemotherapy

2014 ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Basch
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Data Representation ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Multiple Systems ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
American Society ◽  
Reported Data

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as symptoms and functional status are commonly measured in clinical trials. There is increasing interest to integrate PROs into routine clinical practice, for example during chemotherapy or postoperatively. There are several rationales for this. First, patient self-reporting improves patient-clinic communication, symptom detection, and symptom control. Second, patient-reported data may be used for quality assessment. Third, aggregated patient-reported data can be informative in comparative-effectiveness research (CER). Of particular interest is an approach that employs electronic collection of PROs with interfaces to the electronic health record (EHR) and clinician alerts for concerning symptoms. Multiple systems have been developed in oncology with these characteristics. Barriers to implementation exist, such as cost, logistics, EHR interfacing, data representation, and data interpretation, but have been largely overcome. Missing data remain a concern, but backup data collection strategies can bring self-report compliance rates up to about 85% in unselected routine care patients with advanced cancers. Overall, including patient self-reporting in routine care enhances quality of care and patient satisfaction, and is expected to become more common in the future. American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has several ongoing initiatives to develop standards and clinical practice tools in this area.

An evaluation of the skills group component of DBT-A for parent/guardians: a mixed methods study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Daniel Flynn ◽  
Conall Gillespie ◽  
Mary Joyce ◽  
Ailbhe Spillane
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Subjective Burden ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Skills Group

Objectives: Previous research indicates that dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) is effective in treating emotionally dysregulated adolescents with self-harm and/or suicidal ideation. As part of the DBT-A programme, parents attend the weekly skills group with their child. However, few studies have evaluated parental outcomes in DBT-A. This multi-site study aims to explore the outcomes and experiences of parents who participated in a 16-week DBT-A programme in Ireland. Methods: This study was conducted in community-based child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the national public health system in Ireland. Participants were parent/guardians of adolescents attending a DBT-A programme in their local CAMHS. Participants attended the group skills component of the DBT-A programme. This study utilised a mixed methods approach where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participants. Self-report measures of burden, grief and parental stress were completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 16-week follow-up. Qualitative written feedback was obtained at post-intervention. The data were analysed using multi-level linear mixed-effects models and content analysis. Results: One hundred participants (76% female) took part in this study. Significant decreases were reported for objective burden, subjective burden, grief and parental stress from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.01). Participants reported that the skills component of DBT-A was useful in meeting their own needs and the needs of their child. Discussion: DBT-A shows promise for parents as well as their adolescent child. Future studies should evaluate changes to family relationships following completion of the programme and also include controlled comparison groups.

scholarly journals Positive Lifestyle Behavior Changes Among Canadian Men: Findings From the HAT TRICK Program

2020 ◽  
pp. 089011712095717
Author(s):  
Cristina M. Caperchione ◽  
Joan L. Bottorff ◽  
Sean Stolp ◽  
Paul Sharp ◽  
Steven T. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Quadratic Trend ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Linear Trends

Purpose: To estimate program effectiveness regarding physical activity (PA), diet, and social connectedness as part of a feasibility study. Design: Pre-post quasi-experimental. Setting: HAT TRICK was delivered in collaboration with a Canadian semi-professional ice hockey team and offered at the arena where they trained and played games. Participants: Participants (N = 62) at baseline were overweight (BMI >25kg/m2) and inactive (<150 minutes of MVPA/week) men age 35+ years. Intervention: Gender-sensitized 12-week intervention for men targeting PA, healthy eating and social connectedness. Method: Baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks) and 9-month follow-up self-report and accelerometer data were collected. Multi-level modeling assessed growth trajectories of outcome measures across time. Results: Accelerometer measured weekly/min. of moderate PA showed significant linear trends (95%CI: 42.9 – 175.3) from baseline (147.0 ± 104.6), 12-week (237.7 ± 135.5) and 9-month follow-up (204.89 ± 137.7) qualified with a quadratic trend. Self-reported weekly/min of moderate and vigorous PA showed significant linear trends (95%CI: 94.1, 264.1; 95%CI: 35.1, 109.6) from baseline (52.6 ± 83.8, 22.42 ± 44.9), 12 week (160.1 ± 157.4, 66.6 ± 74.4) and 9-month follow-up (118.6 ± 104.6, 52.2 ± 59.2) qualified with quadratic trends. DINE measured fat score rating showed linear trends over time (95%CI -14.24, -6.8), qualified with a quadratic trend. DINE fibre score and social connectedness showed no trends. Conclusion: Findings yield valuable information about the implementation of gender-sensitized lifestyle interventions for men and demonstrate the importance of male-specific strategies for reaching and engaging overweight, physically inactive men.

scholarly journals Father’s Involvement When Bringing Baby Home: Efficacy Testing of a Couple-Focused Transition to Parenthood Intervention for Promoting Father Involvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 806-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyson F. Shapiro ◽  
John M. Gottman ◽  
Brandi C. Fink
Keyword(s):  
Father Involvement ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Clinical Trial Design ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Psychoeducational Program ◽  
Psychoeducational Programs ◽  
Intent To Treat

The goal of the present research was to test the efficacy of the Bringing Baby Home couple-focused psychoeducational program for promoting father involvement and related satisfaction. A randomized clinical trial design was used to randomly assign 136 pregnant couples to either an intervention or control group. Father involvement post-intervention was assessed through self-report of engagement in parenting tasks. Intent-to-treat analysis of covariance analyses indicated that fathers who participated in the Bringing Baby Home program reported significantly more involvement in parenting tasks, satisfaction with the division of parenting labor, and feeling appreciated by their wives. Both husbands and wives were also more satisfied with the division of labor when fathers were more involved in parenting. Results suggest that couple-focused psychoeducational programs can be successful for promoting father involvement.

scholarly journals Mood, Activity Participation, and Leisure Engagement Satisfaction (MAPLES): a randomised controlled pilot feasibility trial for low mood in acquired brain injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Kusec ◽  
Fionnuala C. Murphy ◽  
Polly V. Peers ◽  
Cara Lawrence ◽  
Emma Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Low Mood ◽  
Activity Planning

Abstract Background Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects approximately 79.3 million individuals annually and is linked with elevated rates of depression and low mood. Existing methods for treating depression in ABI have shown mixed efficacy. Behavioural activation (BA) is a potentially promising intervention. Its premise is that individuals with low mood avoid planning and engaging in activities due to low expectations of a positive outcome. Consequently, their exposure to positive reinforcement is reduced, exacerbating low mood. BA aims to break this cycle by encouraging activity planning and engagement. It is unknown whether cognitive demands of traditional BA may undermine efficacy in ABI. Here, we assess the feasibility and acceptability of two groups designed to increase activity engagement. In the activity planning group (traditional BA), the importance of meaningful and positive activity will be discussed and participants encouraged to plan/engage in activities in everyday life. The activity engagement group (experiential BA) instead focuses on engagement in positive experiences (crafts, games, discussion) within the group. The primary aims are to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the two groups in ABI. A secondary aim is to explore relative efficacy of the groups compared to an equivalent period of waitlist controls. Method This study outlines a parallel-arm pilot feasibility trial for individuals with low mood and ABI that compares a traditional vs experiential BA group vs waitlist controls. Adults (≥ 18 years) will be recruited from local ABI services and randomised to condition. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed via recruitment, retention, attendance and participant feedback. Groups will be compared (pre- and post-intervention and 1 month follow-up) by assessing self-reported activity engagement. Secondary outcomes include self-report measures of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic distress related to the ABI, motivation, participation and sense of control over one’s life. Ethics and dissemination The trial has been approved by the Health Research Authority of the NHS in the UK (East of England—Cambridge Central, REF 18/EE/0305). Results will inform future research on interventions for mood in ABI and be disseminated broadly via peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and social media. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03874650 pre-results. Protocol version 2.1, March 5, 2019

scholarly journals Measuring romantic competence in young adults: The Inventory of Romantic Relationship Competence

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-95
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Faber ◽  
Eu Gene Chin ◽  
Victor R. Wilburn ◽  
Shahrokh M. Shafaie
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Correlated Errors ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Relationship Competence

This article presents psychometric data for a 35-item self-report instrument measuring romantic relationship competence in two separate samples of young adult college students. In study 1 (N = 219), results from Parallel Analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) suggested the extraction of seven domains of romantic relationship competence: relationship locus of control, perspective taking, intimacy avoidance, emotion regulation, romantic appeal, conflict resolution skills, and temperament. In study 2 (N = 907), a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) provided support for the aforementioned factor structure albeit with minor revisions (i.e., correlated errors between three pairs of items). MIMIC modeling results provided support for partial measurement invariance across gender. A CFA-based method of estimating scale reliability demonstrated acceptable to good reliability indices. Bivariate correlations with other social competence and self-esteem measures provided support for convergent and divergent validity. An excel-based applet is available to readers who are interested in using the 35-item IRRC with individual respondents (e.g., practitioners). Researchers interested in using the measure within the context of structural equation modeling should model relevant non-invariant parameters before proceeding with the evaluation of structural parameters. This instrument demonstrates promise as an instrument for measuring domains of romantic relationship competence within the emerging adult population.

The Effectiveness of Group Triple P and the Impact of the Four Telephone Contacts

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia C. Gallart ◽  
Stephen Matthey
Keyword(s):  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Triple P ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Waitlist Control ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the four telephone contact sessions that are prescribed as an integral component of the Group Triple P parenting program, and to compare the efficacy of Group Triple P to a waitlist control group. Parents of children aged 2 to 8 years were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: the usual Group Triple P program, consisting of four group sessions and four telephone calls (n = 16); a modified Group Triple P condition, consisting of just the four group sessions (n = 17); or a waitlist control condition (n = 16). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and the Parenting Scale (PS). Statistically and clinically significant main effects were found for attending either the full Triple P or the modified Triple P program on both the DASS and the ECBI, but not on the participant's perception of their parenting style (PS). We conclude that (a) the four telephone sessions are not an essential component for the initial effectiveness of the Group Triple P program (though further research needs to explore whether they impact on maintenance of gains), and (b) that Group Triple P is effective in bringing about change, as measured using these self-report instruments.

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