Validation of the Farsi version of the Suicide Ideation and Behavior Scale.

Objective: Suicide ideation and suicide attempts are prevalent in Farsi speaking populations. The present study aimed at validating the Farsi version of the Suicide Ideation and Behavior Scale (SIBS). Methods: Reliability and validity of the Farsi version of the SIBS were established in a highly burdened Afghan student sample (N = 279). Internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity were investigated, and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Results: The Farsi version of the SIBS was shown to have a unidimensional structure with excellent internal consistency, as well as good convergent and divergent validity. Discussion: The results suggest that the SIBS is a brief, reliable, and valid measure of current suicidal ideation and behavior that can be used in Farsi speaking populations.

Suicide ideation during the COVID-19 outbreak in German university students: Comparison with pre-COVID 19 rates.

INTRODUCTION: An increase of suicidal thinking within the COVID-19 pandemic has been postulated. Yet, direct comparisons with pre-COVID-19 rates are missing. METHODS: The present study investigated whether levels and rates of suicidal ideation have changed between 2016 and 2020. Data of N = 664 university students (five cohorts: 2016: n = 105, 2017: n = 117, 2018: n = 108, 2019: n = 154, 2020: n = 180) were collected by online surveys. RESULTS: The rate of students suffering from suicidal ideation was twice as high in 2020 than in previous years. Furthermore, levels of suicidal thinking and of depression were higher in 2020 than in 2019 and 2016. LIMITATIONS: The sample size of the current study was rather modest and suicide ideation was assessed with a single item only. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of students suffering from suicidal ideation was twice as high in 2020 than in previous years. Help-lines and online counselling should be promoted to the public and the possibilities of telepsychotherapy for suicidal people should be used and expanded.

[Bullying experiences in outpatients of a child and adolescent psychotherapy centre - A particularly vulnerable group?] / Bullying-Erfahrungen bei PatientInnen einer Ambulanz für Kinder- und Jugendpsychotherapie ­ eine besonders gefährdete Gruppe?

Bullying experiences in outpatients of a child and adolescent psychotherapy centre - A particularly vulnerable group? Abstract. Objective: Bullying has both short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health. Thus, more victimized children might tend to be found in clinical samples. This is the first study to examine the prevalence of bullying roles and modes in children/adolescents in a psychotherapeutic outpatient setting in Germany. Method: 298 outpatients being treated in a child/adolescent psychotherapy centre (6-20 years, 50.7 % female) completed a questionnaire concerning their bullying experiences over the last 6 months. Results: 24.5 % of the patients reported from a victim's perspective, independent of being perpetrators of bullying. 19.1 % reported solely as victims, 5.4 % as victims who also bullied (bully-victims), and 2.0 % as bullies. More than one-third of those with victim or bully-victim experiences had been polyvictimized, 86.2 % were victims solely of traditional bullying, and 1.4 % solely of cyberbullying. The exploratory comparison to general-population school samples seems to show significantly more patients with victim experiences and significantly less patients who bullied others. There seem to be no significant effects for bully-victims. Compared to an inpatient sample, significantly fewer adolescent patients seem to state being victims or bully-victims. Conclusions: Bullying is a topic of particular importance in the context of psychotherapy. These findings have implications for the psychotherapeutic practice as well as training settings.

Large-group one-session treatment: Feasibility and efficacy in 138 individuals with phobic fear of flying.

Recent research suggests that exposure-based large-group one-session treatments (LG-OSTs) may represent useful and efficient treatment options for different types of phobic fear. Although there are effective single session- and small group-interventions for the treatment of clinically relevant Fear of Flying (FoF), no LG-OST for this type of phobic fear has been realized so far. The present study aimed to investigate feasibility and efficacy of an LG-OST for the treatment of clinically relevant FoF. Two months after an initial diagnostics to assess FoF severity and confirm the underlying diagnoses (89% specific flight phobia; 10% agoraphobia), 138 patients attended the LG-OST consisting of psychoeducation, imparting of a breathing technique and a joint 2 ½ hour exposure flight in a chartered airplane (Airbus A320). FoF again was assessed at pre- and post-treatment as well as at 6-months follow-up with the latter again containing clinical diagnostics. Only a small decrease in FoF emerged in the pre-treatment interval. From pre-to post-treatment however, substantial reductions in FoF were observed with a large mean 'intention-to-treat' effect size of Cohen's d = 1.42 that remained stable over time (mean d = 1.44). At follow-up, 71% of the patients were rated as fully (55%) or partially remitted (16%). Also concerning the treatment of clinically relevant FoF, a LG-OST proved feasible and effective. Therefore, LG-OST can be regarded as a highly efficient and promising treatment tool which in terms of efficiency combines the advantages of one-session individual and group treatments.

Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness Mediate the Association Between Bullying and Suicide Ideation.

Background: Bullying has regularly been shown to be associated with suicide ideation. However, so far, only a few studies have examined the mechanisms underlying the relationship between bullying and suicide ideation within a theory of suicide. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness mediate the association between bullying and suicide ideation. Method: A total of 267 outpatients (63.3% female; Mage = 37.52, SDage = 12.80) completed online measures of bullying, suicide ideation, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Results: Thwarted belongingness as well as perceived burdensomeness fully mediated the association between bullying and suicide ideation - controlling for gender and age. Limitations: Given the cross-sectional nature of the data, only hypothetical conclusions on causality can be drawn. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesized and theory-derived relations between bullying, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicide ideation. In anti-bullying programs it seems to be of particular importance to counter impressions of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness.