Comparing the Resilience of the Medical Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic After Yalom Group Psychotherapy and Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy

Background: The medical staff working on the front-line battle against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are more exposed to mental health risks than the general population. Resilience is the ability to withstand challenging situations and help people defend their mental health against stressors. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Yalom and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on medical staff resilience in COVID-19 centers. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population includes all 600 medical staff of Hamedan City, Iran, caring for patients with COVID-19 in 2021. Based on the average variance of resilience obtained in previous studies, 45 people were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (each 15) and one control group (n=15). The experimental groups were divided into Yalom and ACT group psychotherapy, and all three groups responded to the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) before and after the intervention. The obtained data were analyzed by analysis of covariance in SPSS software, version 25. Results: Yalom group psychotherapy and ACT group therapy had different effects on the participants' resilience and are statistically significant since the F statistics (106.722) was significant (P=0.001 and P=0.05, respectively). Based on the results, Yalom group psychotherapy has a better rate of improvement than ACT. Conclusion: Considering the significant efficacy of Yalom group psychotherapy and its relative ease of implementation compared to ACT, it is possible to employ this intervention to protect the mental health of medical staff during severe epidemics of diseases such as coronavirus. © 2023, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

The comparison of the effectiveness of group-based logotherapy and solution-oriented therapy on death anxiety and feeling of loneliness in elderly women with fear of coronavirus

The coronavirus disease, as an emerging disease with global spread and high mortality rates among vulnerable groups, in addition to physical symptoms, has led to the occurrence of many psychological disorders such as death anxiety and feeling of loneliness due to the fear of infection. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of group logotherapy and solution-oriented therapy on anxiety and feeling of loneliness in the elderly with the fear of coronavirus. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and a control group design. The statistical population consisted of the elderly women who took part in the daily rehabilitation centers of the Welfare Institution (Sazman-e Behzisti), in Tabriz, among whom 36 eligible individuals were selected and randomly assigned into two experimental and one control groups. measuers applied in the current study incuded Templer's Death Anxiety Scale and Russell et al.'s UCLA Loneliness Scale. The experimental groups underwent ten 90-minute therapy sessions, separately and with two different approaches, while the control group did not receive any intervention at the same time. The data were analysed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-24 software. The results indicated that logotherapy and Solution-oriented therapy have a significant effect on reducing death anxiety and feeling of loneliness (P <= 0.05). Although, there was no significant difference between two experimental groups in reducing death anxiety (P >= 0.05), there was a significant difference between the two experimental groups in reducing loneliness, in a way that the effectiveness of logotherapy was greater (P <= 0.05). According to the results, logotherapy and solution-oriented therapy can be applied to improve the death anxiety and feeling of loneliness among elderly women with fear of coronavirus. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Virtual care during the pandemic: Multi-family group sessions for Hong Kong Chinese families of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

The suspension of social services in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the caregiver strain for families of adolescent children with intellectual disabilities, possibly aggravating their family relationships. This article reports on an online Multi-Family Group (MFG) conducted during the pandemic for Hong Kong Chinese families of adolescents affected by mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities. A thematic analysis of the experiences of the participating service users revealed three positive effects of the intervention model: improved family relationships, mutual helpful influences occurring among families, and a new understanding of family members with intellectual disabilities. The therapeutic group process used to promote family development is illustrated by a group vignette. The challenges and the practical considerations for conducting an MFG online are discussed.

Looking ahead to continued innovation

As evidenced by the articles included in this special issue, group workers have been both intentional and adaptive in navigating the global transformations that have characterized this historical era. Alongside the ongoing developmental needs of students and clients, the complex challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the sociopolitical unrest of the past few years have necessitated new levels of group work innovation. This special issue represents the wide array of topics with which group workers and scholars are currently engaged. As the world continues to transform in both unprecedented and expected ways, it will be important for group facilitators to remain adaptive, committed, and innovative in both theory and practice. We hope these articles provide new insight and direction for group work scholars and practitioners and we look forward to the continued evolution of this important work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Attachments, trauma, and COVID-19: Implications for leaders, groups, and social justice

Objective: The present article applies attachment theory to understand the impact of COVID-19 on social inequities, discrimination, and oppression of people based on their different group identities (e.g., race, class, ability, gender, faith). Method: Theory and research was reviewed in the area social and clinical psychology. The link between attachment and outgroup behavior, transgenerational trauma, and group leadership was discussed. After careful review of the literature, the link between attachment, trauma, epistemic trust, and reflective functioning, at the individual and group level was explored. Results: During the pandemic, individuals were more inclined to rely on their group identities and vulnerable to devalue out-groups. They were more at risk of experiencing traumatic reactions that can compromise their ability to tolerate conflict in groups. However, group interventions were still an important resource during this challenging time. Conclusion: The author recommends more research and attention on facilitating secure attachments, training group leaders, addressing transgenerational trauma in groups, promoting the use of group interventions, and increasing efforts toward social justice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Highlights and Implications-* Attachment theory can shed light on discrimination and oppression. It is related to self-esteem, outgroup derogation, and aggression. * Attachment dimensions can be explored using a group-level perspective. Group attachments are ways different types of groups take on more anxious, more avoidant, or more secure behaviors and emotion regulating strategies. * Intergenerational and current group traumas, as well as threats of mortality due to COVID-19, impact both individual and group attachment security. * Attachment theory provides a general explanation for group processes that are both destructive and curative. Group researchers and therapists can engage in social justice and facilitate leadership that can promote trust and empathy in groups that are suffering. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

The influence of personal and public health and smart applications on biking behavior in South Korea

Bicycling is an important form of active transport that contributes to sustainability mobility as a result of its role in personal and public health and emissions reduction. The significance of which has grown since the COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak. However, biking studies have neglected, in theoretical terms, developing an understanding of why consumers bike. Therefore, this research designs and verifies an extended theory of planned behavior adding personal and public health and a moderator of perceived smart application usage to help explain such consumer behavior. This study is based on a digital survey of South Koreans who biked for leisure, tourism, and/or work, utilizing partial least squares‐structural equation modeling with multi‐group analysis and Fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Results revealed that personal health is most important to cyclists, followed by public health, attitude, and subjective norm. Interestingly, people with perceived high usage of smart applications for biking show stronger relationships between public health and attitude and perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention than low users. In contrast, individuals with perceived low usage of smart applications for biking reveal a stronger relationship between attitude and behavioral intention than high users. The high and low user groups of smart applications also distinctively differ in levels of cycling behavior. Consequently, this work offers several theoretical and managerial implications for research and practice.

Evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a brief virtual dialectical behavioral therapy skills group for college students during COVID-19

College students have been facing a variety of challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic generated fear and led to a spectrum of psychological consequences (Liu et al., 2020) ranging from increased anxiety and depression to behavioral changes such as difficulty sleeping. The unprecedented COVID?19 crisis presents an imperative for telemental health interventions. Telemental health has been effective in treating anxiety and depressive symptoms (Brenes et al., 2015), and implementing telemental health can facilitate the delivery of counseling services to address students' pressing mental health concerns (Dorsey & Topol, 2020). Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT;Linehan, 1993) skills training is one evidence-based treatment which effectively targets behaviors associated with difficulties regulating emotions. As DBT aims to teach individuals more adaptive coping skills so that reliance on ineffective coping mechanisms is reduced, DBT provides a fitting model amenable to telehealth. DBT skills training has been implemented in college settings, however, the available research evaluating DBT skills when delivered in an entirely virtual format is scant. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week virtually delivered DBT skills training program for college students during COVID-19. The intent-to-treat sample included 111 college students between the ages of 18 and 54 years (77% identified as cisgender women;83% identified as White). Participants were randomly assigned to virtual DBT (n = 57) or a waitlist control condition (n = 54). Assessments were conducted at pretreatment, 4-, 8- and 12-week follow up. Results of the study indicate that the intervention was feasible to implement in a virtual platform as evidenced by the retention of 71.9% of participants enrolled and was considered largely acceptable to participants as measured by both quantitative acceptability ratings and qualitative data. The intervention did not demonstrate efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression but demonstrated efficacy at reducing symptoms of anxiety. The intervention prevented participants from getting more distressed as the semester progressed. While the intervention did not demonstrate efficacy in increasing DBT skills use, it was effective in decreasing dysfunctional coping skills. Findings suggest that DBT skills training may serve as a preventative measure in the development or worsening of mental health problems, and that the virtual delivery of DBT skills can enhance mental health outcomes among college students. Recommendations as to how to improve the delivery of virtual DBT are provided. Clinical implications and future avenues of research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Practising social work groups online: Practitioners' reflection on the COVID-19 outbreak

Conducting online social work groups, as a substitute for traditional forms of groups, was uncommon in Hong Kong before the outbreak of COVID-19. Frontline social workers encountered several difficulties and challenges while trying to provide this alternative form of social work intervention. This article serves as a reflection on the use of online social work groups from social work practitioners' point of view at this critical juncture. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (French) Animer des groupes de travail social en ligne, en remplacement des formes traditionnelles de travail social de groupes, etait une pratique rare a Hong Kong avant l'epidemie de COVID-19. Les travailleurs sociaux de premiere ligne ont rencontre plusieurs difficultes et challenges en essayant d'offrir cette forme alternative d'intervention en travail social. Cet article sert de reflexion a propos l'utilisation du travail social de groupes en ligne du point de vue des praticiens du travail social a ce stade critique. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) La realizacion de grupos de Trabajo Social en linea, como sustituto de las formas tradicionales de grupos, era poco comun en Hong Kong antes del brote de COVID-19. Los trabajadores sociales de primera linea encontraron varias dificultades y desafios al tratar de proporcionar esta forma alternativa de intervencion del Trabajo Social. Este articulo sirve como una reflexion sobre el uso de grupos de Trabajo Social en linea desde el punto de vista de los profesionales del Trabajo Social en esta coyuntura critica. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Zooming in on experiential groups (and what is it like not to be able to see each other's shoes during Covid?)

In order to think about the second part of the question as to why they can be so difficult and uncomfortable, I will revisit and briefly outline some of the psychoanalytic thinking around groups, specifically Freud, Bion and Menzies-Lyth. I find it helpful to think of valency as not just a biological tendency which seems a bit restrictive, but as a complex interplay between nature, Bion's idea of tropism, but also linked to nurture, specifically our early infant and childhood experiences. I find the concept of valency most interesting both having been a group member and as a group conductor, so Bion terms it as a physical/biological tendency in all humans to be drawn into receiving projections which contributes to how the whole group operates. The other important aspect of Bion's work is his noting how individuals will have a valency to certain projections from the group, he describes this as, 'the individual's readiness to enter into combination with the group in making and acting on the basic assumptions: if his capacity for combination is great, I shall speak of a high valency, if small, of a low valency;he can have, in my view, no valency only by ceasing to be human ... valencies can hardly be called mental at all but are characterised by behaviour in the human being that is more analogous to tropism in plants' (Bion, [1], pp. 116-117). [Extracted from the article]

[CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES IN DAY HOSPITALS IN TIMES OF COVID-19]. / MEJORÍA CLÍNICA Y FUNCIONAL EN LOS HOSPITALES DE DÍA DURANTE EL COVID-19.

Objective - Mental health services have been clearly affected by the pandemic and its restrictions. In our day hospital units users attended on fewer days, group therapy was drastically reduced, the number of users in groups was limited and individual and group teletherapy was initiated. This study evaluates the impact of these changes on clinical and functional outcomes.Methods - This is a descriptive study prospectively comparing two cohorts of users: those admitted and discharged from our day hospitals before or during the pandemic. All users received a multidisciplinary assessment at admission and discharge including clinician and user-rated scales on psychopathology, daily living skills, quality of life and caregiver burdens. Improvement in both groups was compared.Results - Both cohorts were homogenous at admission. Length of admission was not different for the two groups, but users admitted during the pandemic attended the day hospital on significantly fewer days. Improvement observed in most scales was equivalent in both groups, suggesting a similar evolution of both cohorts.Conclusions - Despite the reduction in assistance days and group therapeutic interventions no major changes were found in the outcomes of both groups. This study shows that careful adaptations and availability, even in critical situations, can result in equally effective treatments. Further research is essential to determine which of these adaptations should be maintained beyond the pandemic.

Using Neuroscience-informed Group Work with Children and Adolescents Affected by the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many types of disruptions from mild inconveniences to deaths. These disruptions have resulted in a host of stress responses among children and adolescents. Small group work is one way that helpers in schools and agencies can address developmental and diagnostic issues that arise. Neuroscience informs counselors understanding of stress responses and reactions in children and adolescents, as well as aids in generating activities and activating group therapeutic factors. This article describes the ways the neuroscience of pandemic stress and therapeutic factors can be used in group work with children and adolescents.

Evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a brief virtual dialectical behavioral therapy skills group for college students during COVID-19

College students have been facing a variety of challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic generated fear and led to a spectrum of psychological consequences (Liu et al., 2020) ranging from increased anxiety and depression to behavioral changes such as difficulty sleeping. The unprecedented COVID?19 crisis presents an imperative for telemental health interventions. Telemental health has been effective in treating anxiety and depressive symptoms (Brenes et al., 2015), and implementing telemental health can facilitate the delivery of counseling services to address students' pressing mental health concerns (Dorsey & Topol, 2020). Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT;Linehan, 1993) skills training is one evidence-based treatment which effectively targets behaviors associated with difficulties regulating emotions. As DBT aims to teach individuals more adaptive coping skills so that reliance on ineffective coping mechanisms is reduced, DBT provides a fitting model amenable to telehealth. DBT skills training has been implemented in college settings, however, the available research evaluating DBT skills when delivered in an entirely virtual format is scant. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week virtually delivered DBT skills training program for college students during COVID-19. The intent-to-treat sample included 111 college students between the ages of 18 and 54 years (77% identified as cisgender women;83% identified as White). Participants were randomly assigned to virtual DBT (n = 57) or a waitlist control condition (n = 54). Assessments were conducted at pretreatment, 4-, 8- and 12-week follow up. Results of the study indicate that the intervention was feasible to implement in a virtual platform as evidenced by the retention of 71.9% of participants enrolled and was considered largely acceptable to participants as measured by both quantitative acceptability ratings and qualitative data. The intervention did not demonstrate efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression but demonstrated efficacy at reducing symptoms of anxiety. The intervention prevented participants from getting more distressed as the semester progressed. While the intervention did not demonstrate efficacy in increasing DBT skills use, it was effective in decreasing dysfunctional coping skills. Findings suggest that DBT skills training may serve as a preventative measure in the development or worsening of mental health problems, and that the virtual delivery of DBT skills can enhance mental health outcomes among college students. Recommendations as to how to improve the delivery of virtual DBT are provided. Clinical implications and future avenues of research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Descriptive analysis of adherence to mindfulness-based group therapies: online versus face-to-face interventions

Introduction: The use of technological supports in psychotherapeutic interventions has been widespread in recent years. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase has been greater. The feasibility of online group interventions has been proved in previous studies. Research comparing dropout rates in group interventions with clinical population that include mindfulness training is infrequent. Objective(s): To compare the difference in dropout rates between online and face-to-face mindfulness-based group interventions. Method(s): This study was carried out in a Mental Health Unit in Colmenar Viejo (Madrid, Spain). One hundred thirty-five adult patients with anxiety disorders were included in group interventions (74 face-to-face;61 online). The group treatments were Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and a Mindfulness-based Emotional Regulation intervention, during 8 weeks, guided by two Clinical Psychology residents. A descriptive analysis of dropout rates (participants attending 3 or fewer sessions out of the total number of participants starting the intervention) was performed. Result(s): Of the 135 patients included, 8 did not participate in the interventions (5 face-to-face;3 online), which represents a 5.93% rejection rate;6.76% for the face-to-face intervention and 4.92% for the online intervention. Of the remaining sample (127 participants), a total dropout rate of 12.6% was obtained, with 8.69% in the faceto-face intervention versus 17.24% online. Conclusion(s): A higher dropout rate was obtained in online interventions compared to face-to-face, with an increase of almost double. Research on specific factors that may interfere with treatment adherence to online group interventions is needed.

Telemental health: It's here to stay, what can we do better for future trainees?

Presents findings from two focus groups conducted with psychology trainees and new clinicians providing telemental health services during the pandemic. Participants were eligible if they were a United States resident over the age of 18, had experience delivering virtual therapy, and had a strong internet connection. Focus groups included nine clinicians who had delivered telemental health therapy during the 2020-2021 year. Clinicians participated in one of two 1-hour focus groups conducted virtually via a HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform. Telemental health appears to be a fixed entity in the future of mental healthcare, and targeted training of future clinicians is needed. Nine clinicians early in their training shared their experiences during the transition to telemental health at the start of the pandemic. Results of the current study can be utilized to inform better therapeutic experiences for both clinicians and clients. The themes reveal both useful aspects and barriers associated with telemental health and identify matters of telemental health that require further attention and improvement. The discussion aims to link the identified themes with possible solutions for clinicians moving forward. Clinician and client themes are discussed together when they are related. Given that telemental health is here to stay, it is important that professional psychology training programs begin incorporating the methods suggested in this article into their training curriculum. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Online or offline? Mentalizing the body under pandemic conditions

(German) Technologische Innovationen und gesellschaftliche Krisen gehen mit einer Reihe von Phanomenen einher, die mit den pramentalistischen Modi des Mentalisierungsmodells und seinem Konzept des epistemischen Vertrauens" bzw. Misstrauens" erklart werden konnen. Die severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2)-Pandemie fuhrte zu pramentalistischen Modi mit spezifischen Storungen der Wahrnehmungen des Korpers und des Denkens. Hierzu gehoren Verschworungsglauben (dass mit der Impfung Chips" in den Korper eingeschleust wurden), Leugnung des Virus (selbst bei vorliegender coronavirus disease 2019" [COVID-19]) und Verkennung der politischen Verhaltnisse (Diktatur") bis hin zu verbalen und tatlichen Angriffen auf Wissenschaftler. Letztere fanden in einem rechtzeitig aufgedeckten Entfuhrungsszenario des Gesundheitsministers Anfang Mai 2022 ihren bisherigen Hohepunkt. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Leader–member exchange, work–family enrichment and their effects on mental health: the moderating role of remote e-work

Purpose>This paper aims to examine the effect of leader–member exchange (LMX) and work–family enrichment (WFE) on anxiety and depression, social functioning and loss of confidence as three dimensions of mental health. Furthermore, the paper aims to investigate telework and information and communication technology-based mobile work (TICTM) as a moderator of the effects of LMX and WFE on mental health.Design/methodology/approach>Data were collected from 214 Bangladeshi employees in the public and private sectors via an online survey. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and multi-group analysis were performed to gauge the abovementioned linkages.Findings>The findings reveal that LMX fosters employees' social functioning while it mitigates their losing confidence. The findings further indicate that WFE enhances social functioning while alleviating anxiety and depression. However, TICTM did not act as a moderator of the effects of LMX and WFE on three dimensions of mental health.Originality/value>Despite a plethora of empirical studies on LMX and WFE, no empirical studies have examined the effect on employee mental health as well as TICTM as a moderator in these linkages in the extant service literature so far. This paper set out to fill in these voids.

Online group psychodynamic psychotherapy-The effectiveness and role of attachment-The results of a short study.

The role of remote treatment, including psychotherapy, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of research in this area are promising, initially pointing to similar effectiveness for online psychotherapy as that of face-to-face psychotherapy. A significantly smaller amount of research has been conducted on online group psychotherapy, in particular, in the psychodynamic paradigm. Many authors have drawn attention to the need to conduct further research, considering specific patient features, for example, personality traits, attachment style, age, and other demographic variables. This study conducted pre- and post-treatment (10 weeks) and a 6-week follow-up, on the effectiveness of online synchronous group psychodynamic psychotherapy (via Zoom) taking into account patients' attachment styles. Four main hypotheses were tested: H1: Patients will obtain a lower score in the attachment's dimensions of anxiety and avoidance; H2: Patients will get a lower level of symptoms and sense of loneliness; H3: Patients will have increased self-esteem; and H4: The anxiety and avoidance dimensions of the attachment will be predictors for the effectiveness of online psychodynamic group psychotherapy. Twenty-two outpatients participated in the study, out of which 18 suffered from neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (F40-F48), and four suffered from a depressive episode (F32.0, F32.1) according to ICD-10. The results of the pre-treatment test showed a reduction in the global severity of psychiatric symptoms (d = -0.526) and depressive symptoms (d = -0.5), as well as an increase in self-esteem (d = 0.444) and feelings of loneliness (d = 0.46). A change in the attachment dimension, anxiety (d = -0.557) and avoidance (d = -0.526), was also observed. The above results were maintained in the follow-up test conducted after 6 weeks. Additionally, a reduction in the symptoms of social phobia was observed. Attachment dimensions were not a predictor of the effectiveness of psychotherapy, but a decrease in avoidance during therapy was a predictor of increased symptoms of pain. The results of the research are promising in terms of psychiatric symptoms and increased self-esteem. During therapy, there may be a favorable change in attachment dimensions, but this variable was not shown to be a predictor of results. These results suggest that more controlled research is required.

Face-to-face versus Video Teleconference Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Preliminary Comparison.

OBJECTIVE: Telehealth is being increasingly incorporated into the delivery of mental health care and has received widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its ability to facilitate care during physical distancing restrictions. Videoconferencing is a common telehealth modality for delivering psychotherapy and has demonstrated similar outcomes to those of face-to-face therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most common psychotherapy evaluated across various telehealth modalities; however, studies on CBT delivered via videoconference, particularly in a group therapy format, are lacking. Further, little research exists on videoconference group CBT for anxiety disorders. Accordingly, the present study compared the outcomes of group CBT for anxiety and related disorders delivered via videoconference versus face-to-face. METHOD: Using a non-randomized design, data on attendance, dropout, clinical outcomes, and functional impairment were collected from 413 adult outpatients of a tertiary care anxiety disorders clinic who attended a CBT group for panic disorder/agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder delivered either face-to-face (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) or via videoconference (since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic). Outcomes were assessed using well-validated self-report measures. Data were collected pre-treatment, across 12 weekly sessions, and post-treatment. Intent-to-treat analyses were applied to symptom outcome measures. RESULTS: Face-to-face CBT conferred only a slight benefit over videoconference CBT for symptom outcomes across all groups, but when assessed individually, only the GAD group showed greater symptom improvement in the face-to-face format. Effect sizes for significant differences between the delivery formats were small. Participants in videoconference groups tended to have slightly higher attendance rates in some instances, whereas functional improvement and treatment dropout were comparable across the delivery formats. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide preliminary evidence that videoconference group CBT for anxiety and related disorders may be a promising and effective alternative to face-to-face CBT. Additional research is needed to establish equivalence between these delivery formats.

Using solution focused group therapy to decrease anxiety in adolescent students during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a plethora of challenges for adolescents, including but not limited to social distancing, mandatory mask requirements, refrained outdoor activities, on-line learning, social isolation, and a disconnect from their normal day to day routines. Current literature indicates the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the lives, health, employment, educational-system, and overall stability of the world (Wen-Chin, Rei-Lin, & ShinRu, 2020). Previous research on infectious disease outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), swine flu, and influenza found negative psychosocial consequences which were experienced individually, within communities, and internationally (Wessely, 2020). This study was devised to evaluate the utilization of Solution Focused therapy (SFT) with adolescent students, in a group therapy setting, to determine if using Solution Focused therapy can decrease anxiety as they return to face-to-face instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used for this study to determine the effectiveness of SFT in decreasing anxiety in adolescents as they return to face-to-face instruction during the COVID19 pandemic. The study was conducted with adolescent students in the DFW area. The study utilized two survey instruments: The Kyser Comfortability Scale (KCS) (Kyser, 2020) and the scaling question (Berg & DeJong, 2002). Pre-test and post-test data was analyzed with a sample of four participants. Results showed SFT decreased anxiety and improved the comfortability level amongst study participants regarding returning to face-to-face instruction during the COVID19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Therapists' Perceptions of Online Group Therapeutic Relationships During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey-Based Study

Background: In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most group therapists moved their practice to online platforms. Surveys of psychotherapists indicate that many intend to maintain at least part of their practices online after the pandemic. This survey-based study is an attempt to identify therapist experiences with doing group therapy online, and to examine factors that are associated with therapist-rated outcomes. Method: We surveyed 307 group therapists about their ratings of the ease or difficulty in conducting group therapy online versus in-person, and indicators of patient outcomes in online groups. A confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a good fitting three latent factor solution: group therapeutic process factor (therapist ratings of ease to foster therapeutic alliance, group cohesion, and patient self-disclosure), group therapist factor (therapist presence, empathy, and focus in online therapy), and group therapeutic challenges factors in online work (related to the difficulty of working through conflict, managing avoidance, observing nonverbal communication, and discomfort during the online session). An online group therapy outcome factor was the dependent variable modeled as a latent factor of therapists' perception of patient outcomes and their own satisfaction with online groups. In a structural equation model, higher levels of the group therapeutic processes and group therapist factors, and lower group challenges were associated with higher online group therapy outcomes. Discussion: The present study suggests that online groups operate based on many of the same factors that have been supported in in-person group treatment. These factors were associated with the therapist's perceptions of online group effectiveness. However, difficulties in managing relationships in the online session may represent a barrier to enacting group therapeutic factors. Postpandemic research on conducting online group therapy and managing online therapeutic relationships may lessen perceived drawbacks to its use.