Mental Health Professionals' Perspectives on Group Intervention for Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Study.

Background: To examine the perspectives of mental health professionals on providing group intervention for female spouses of men with alcohol dependence who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: A qualitative research design was used, and a purposive sample technique was used to select the participants. Nine experts with more than five years of experience in handling partner violence cases provided insights through in-depth interviews. The transcripts were carefully examined several times, coded and re-coded. The codes were subsequently organized into thematic categories. Results: Most of the experts were between the age of 35-45 years (66.7%), females (77.8%) and had more than five years of experience in mental health and IPV (55.6%). Most of the experts (66.7%) were working in teaching institutions related to mental health and IPV. The remaining one-third (33.3%) of the experts were legal and women empowerment practitioners. The thematic analysis generated six main themes and 19 subthemes, with 189 codes. The six mean themes were: psychosocial needs and concerns, psychosocial interventions, enhancing psychological well-being, enhancing the social support systems, challenges, and therapeutic strategies. Conclusion: Experts emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to IPV intervention. Group intervention addresses multiple issues that contribute to violence. Survivors need safe housing, counseling, legal help, and financial assistance.

Emotional reactions and stigmatization after a parricide in South Tyrol, Italy, among mental health professionals and the general population, including persons with mental disorders, relatives, and persons with no direct or indirect contact.

Introduction: This study was conducted on the occasion of the parricide in Bolzano (South Tyrol, Italy) in January 2021. The psychological impact of parricide on the general population and on mental health professionals has scarcely been investigated to the present day. Studies on stigmatization show differences between various groups. The aim was to analyze the emotional reactions to the parricide and the stigmatization of persons with mental disorders in the South Tyrolian population. Methods: In September 2022, 121 mental health professionals of the Department of Psychiatry in Bolzano were surveyed using an online questionnaire. In addition, from January to March 2023, the general population of South Tyrol was invited to take part in the survey through an online-link and was divided into three groups: 267 persons with mental health problems, 855 relatives and 1,019 persons with no direct or indirect contact to people with mental problems. The validated Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS) was used together with questions on the emotional reactions to the parricide and the perceived dangerousness of psychiatric patients. Descriptive statistics, one-way Anovas as well as regressions were carried out. Results and discussion: All groups experienced sadness the most. Relatives experienced more sadness and anger than the other groups. Over 80% of the professionals stated that psychiatric patients were not at greater risk of committing parricide. The population with no contact rated the risk higher than those affected and had the lowest level of openness (RIBS). There were no differences between genders, but there were age differences, with younger people being more stigmatizing. The results suggest that personal contact, appropriate information, and education are associated with less stigmatization.

Attitudes and behaviours of mental health professionals in the care of transgender people: A qualitative study.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Mental health professionals' beliefs about transgender individuals vary, often influenced by stereotypes. There's recognition of healthcare needs, but limited knowledge impacts decision-making. Stereotypes persist regarding why transgender individuals seek mental health care. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Professionals' attitudes show both positive support and negative, discriminatory views. Lack of training and knowledge gaps hinder effective care for transgender individuals. Pathologising attitudes exist, associating gender diversity with mental health conditions. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Addressing training gaps is crucial for equitable care for transgender individuals. Challenging stereotypes and beliefs is necessary to reduce stigma and improve understanding. Enhancing knowledge and evidence-based tools will ensure safe and equal healthcare access. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Transgender people face against significant barriers in accessing mental health services due to, among other reasons, discrimination and a lack of expertise among professionals. AIM: To explore the beliefs and attitudes of professionals in the mental health network of the region of Murcia towards transgender people, focusing on aspects such as knowledge, perceptions, and prejudices about gender identity. METHOD: We carried out a qualitative study involving 14 participants, conducting semi-structured interviews based on prior knowledge of the topic. We asked the professionals about their experiences and challenges in their clinical interaction with transgender users and followed an inductive-deductive process to analyse the data. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified from the interviews, which were sub-categorised into different sub-themes: (a) beliefs about transgender people: underlying factors and origins of gender diversity, health needs, and stereotypes about the demand for health care; (b) attitudes and behaviours of professionals towards transgender people: pathologization and attitudes towards decision-making. DISCUSSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our findings suggest that mental health professionals tend to oversimplify the factors underlying gender diversity and hold certain stereotypical beliefs about these users that oversimplify the complexity of their experiences.

"I Felt a Sense of Mission during Moments of Crisis": Mental Health Professionals' Perspectives on Their Initial Treatment of Evacuees during the Israel-Hamas Conflict.

This study examines mental health service providers who provided care to evacuees during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Utilizing a phenomenological qualitative method, the research delves into the psychological impact on the participants' lived experiences. The sample included 25 mental health providers (13 female, age range 28-63, mean 42.4, SD 7.3; 15 psychologists and 10 social worker, average seniority 10.8 years, SD 5.2, range 2-18 years). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted between December 2023 and March 2024. The data analysis revealed a dual narrative: Participants paid a major personal price and experienced secondary traumatization manifesting in emotional detachment, physical symptoms, and heightened arousal. They also derived a profound sense of meaning and fulfillment from their work, contributing to personal and professional growth. These findings underscore the complexity of their experiences, which were marked by the challenges of secondary trauma and the resilience fostered through their work. This study emphasizes the importance of support systems, including social and familial networks and professional supervision, in navigating these challenges. This study has several limitations, including small sample size and the use of virtual interviews, suggesting the need for further research with a broader participant base and in different contexts.

Unraveling Trust Issues Towards Mental Health Professionals Among Bedouin-Arab Minority in Israel.

Trust in mental health professionals and services profoundly impacts health outcomes. However, understanding trust in mental health professionals, especially in ethnic minority contexts, is lacking. To explore this within the Bedouin-Arab minority, a qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 Bedouins in southern Israel. Participants were primarily female (60%) married (60%), averaging 34.08 years old. Employing grounded theory, three themes emerged. Firstly, concerns about confidentiality were central, eroding trust due to societal repercussions. Secondly, factors influencing confidentiality concerns and distrust were tied to Bedouin-Arab social structures and cultural values rather than professional attributes. Lastly, the consequences of distrust included reduced help-seeking. This study enriches the understanding of trust in mental health professionals among non-Western ethnic minorities, highlighting how cultural factors shape perceptions of mental health services and distrust. Addressing confidentiality worries demands Bedouin mental health professionals to acknowledge hurdles, build community ties, and demonstrate expertise through personal connections and events.

The prevalence of PTSD and coping strategies among Palestinian mental health professionals during political violence and wartime.

Background: In times of war, mental health professionals are at an increased risk of developing psychological problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effects of conflicts or wars on mental health professionals in Palestine and their coping methods of dealing with these challenges remain unknown. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and strategies for coping among mental health professionals in Palestine, in light of the ongoing Gaza war and political violence. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. Self-reported questionnaires, including the PCL-5 and Brief COPE scales, were used to gather data. The relationship between the research variables and PTSD symptoms was investigated using frequencies, percentages, bivariate analysis, Pearson correlation, and Pearson's chi-square test. Results: A total of 514 participants were recruited, with an estimated prevalence of PTSD of 38.7%. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis revealed that having a prior history of trauma and feeling disabled or unable to deal with your patients during the current Gaza war and Israeli-Palestinian political violence increases the likelihood of developing PTSD symptoms. In addition, using venting, self-blame, and behavioral disengagement as coping strategies increases the likelihood of developing symptoms of PTSD. Moreover, using acceptance and substance use as coping strategies reduces the risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: The findings revealed a high prevalence of PTSD symptoms among mental health professionals during wartime and political violence. As a result, mental health professionals need immediate assistance in enhancing their mental wellbeing through supervision, psychotherapy, and comprehensive and continuous training.

Mental health stigma and its relationship with mental health professionals - A narrative review and practice implications.

The extent and magnitude of the mental health stigma are enormous, with substantial clinical and social implications. There is a complex relationship between mental health stigma and mental health professionals (MHPs); MHPs can be anti-stigma crusaders, victims of stigma, and even a source of stigma. Unfortunately, literature is scarce talking about the relationship between stigma and MHPs. Hence, the current review aims to bridge the existing gap in the literature on various aspects of stigma and the role of MHPs. For the current review, we ran a search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases; we restricted our study to records focusing on the interplay of mental health stigma and the MHPs, published during 2012-2022, in English, and having a full text available. We found that MHPs (psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses) can also be the recipients of the stigma. The stigma faced by the MHPs is determined by the negative stereotypes set by the media, or medical students, or other health professionals; the marginal position of psychiatry in the health system; difficult-to-treat mental disorders; MHPs' own experience of stigma; and the attitude or beliefs of various caders of the MHPs, their professional experience, and expertise in managing various mental health conditions. Notably, MHPs can also be a source of stigma (stigmatizers). MHPs need to be sensitized concerning this, and the anti-stigma interventions must incorporate this aspect of stigma. Novel interventions, such as digital-based programs, should be used instead of traditional anti-stigma programs in order to decrease stigma around mental health issues and make anti-stigma initiatives more appealing and scalable. To address the issues of stigma, there has to be more communication between MHPs, other health professionals, service users, and policymakers.

Sexual Harassment Among Chinese Psychiatrists and Its Impact on Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objectives: Sexual harassment (SH) is a prevalent issue in various professional fields worldwide. The current study aims to investigate the incidence of SH targeting psychiatrists in China and explore its impact on quality of life (QOL). Methods: A consecutive recruitment of 1093 psychiatrists was conducted from 6 hospitals in China. The recorded data included participants' socio-demographic characteristics, experiences of workplace SH within the previous year, and their QOL. SH comprised verbal harassment, physical harassment, and displaying of sexual organs. The Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) was employed to assess QOL. We compared the demographic characteristics and QOL between the SH group and the non-SH group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent demographic correlates of SH. Results: In total, 13.8% (n = 151) of the psychiatrists reported SH, with 5.8% reporting it once, 4.4% reporting it twice, and 3.6% reporting it three times or more. Psychiatrists who had encountered SH exhibited lower QOL across social, psychological, physical, and environmental domains. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that young physicians and those with shorter work experience had a higher likelihood of experiencing SH. Conclusion: The high prevalence of SH among Chinese psychiatrists is of concern. Given its detrimental effects on the well-being of physicians and the quality of medical care they provide, it is crucial to develop specialized employee training programs for this population to effectively manage workplace SH.

Predictors of family-focused practices among mental health workers in Quebec.

Context: Engaging family members in the ongoing care of individuals with mental illness is a practice known to bolster the client's recovery journey and enhance the overall wellbeing of both children and families involved. Despite its potential benefits, there remains a dearth of understanding surrounding the implementation of family-focused practices (FFP) by mental health professionals serving adults, as well as the factors that could either promote or hinder such practices. This knowledge gap is particularly pronounced within North American settings. Goal: The goal of this study was to identify potential hindering and enabling factors of FFP used in adult mental health services. Methods: A sample of 512 professionals working with adult mental health clients, from all regions of Quebec, Canada, with a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and working in different work settings, completed the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire (FFMHPQ). Multinominal logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of several factors - organizational, professional, and personal - on the degree of family-based practices of mental health workers. Results and discussion: Findings of this study show that the strongest predictors for the adoption of higher FFP levels among adult mental health professionals in Quebec, are being employed on a full-time basis, perceiving a higher level of skills, knowledge, and confidence toward FFP, and having a supportive workplace environment. Results underscore the need to address both organizational and worker-related aspects to effectively promote better FFP in mental health services.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of clinical psychologists in Austria: results of a mixed-methods study.

Introduction: Clinical psychologists in Austria shouldered a large part of the massive increase in demand for mental health services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to find out how the pandemic affected their work and to gather information on how best to support the profession in the event of a crisis. Methods: N = 172 Austrian clinical psychologists participated in a cross-sectional online survey between 11 April 2022 and 31 May 2022, including both closed and open-ended questions about their work. Open-ended questions were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A mixed-methods analysis was conducted to test correlations between the categories derived from the qualitative analysis and professional variables. Results: The analyses revealed that clinical psychologists, especially those with more years of experience, perceived an increased need for clinical psychological treatment, especially for children and adolescents, a lack of coverage for clinical psychological treatment by health insurance, a change to remote treatment formats, and a number of burdens associated with complying with COVID-19 measures. Discussion: Clinical psychologists reported an urgent need to increase resources in both outpatient and inpatient settings and to promote health insurance coverage. To support the clinical psychology profession in providing high-quality work in times of crisis, there is a need to facilitate more opportunities for team and peer exchange, as well as financial support in the event of loss of income.

Safety Planning Intervention Training Among Early Career Mental Health Professionals: Perception of Self-Efficacy, Usefulness and Feasibility.

INTRODUCTION: In 2021, in Argentina there were 3,639 deaths by suicide, equivalent to one death every three hours. Evidence indicates that brief suicide preventive interventions in emergency services, such as the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI), effectively reduce future suicidal ideation and attempts in both adults and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of self-efficacy, and the feasibility and usefulness of a training in SPI in early career mental health professionals. METHOD: Sixty-nine early career mental health professionals from Buenos Aires participated in a 3-hour SPI training. Through an online survey, measurements were taken in three times: before and after the training and 8-10 weeks after the training. RESULTS: All participants completed the pre- and post-training measures, and 43 of them completed the follow-up survey. Post-training measures showed an increase in self-efficacy, maintaining the effect at 8-10 weeks. The SPI was found useful and feasible to be implemented in clinical care. More than half of the participants reported having used the SPI during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that training in SPI is associated with an increased perception of self-efficacy of early career mental health professionals; this is maintained after 2 months post-training. In addition, the intervention is perceived as feasible, acceptable and useful for professionals in training.

Which self-reported measures are useful to explore diabetes support needs among adults with diabetes and severe mental illness?

OBJECTIVES: To construct and test patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for identifying diabetes support needs of adults with co-existing diabetes and severe mental illness (SMI) provided by mental health professionals at psychiatric outpatient clinics. METHODS: Design thinking was used to identify, select, and modify PROMs in collaboration with 18 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and SMI and 10 healthcare experts. The PROMs were then tested with 86 adults with diabetes and SMI recruited from eight psychiatric outpatient clinics in Denmark. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation (questionnaire construction) and descriptive statistics (testing). RESULTS: Four principles for PROMs were identified: (a) be modified to be relevant for the target group, (b) be concise and simple to complete, (c) have a clear and unambiguous wording, and (d) be designed to measure topics that are perceived as meaningful. Test of the questionnaire contained 49 items in four domains. Missing response rates in the test were 1.2-4.7% in three domains and 4.7-11.6% in a domain addressing potential sources of diabetes support. DISCUSSION: PROMs can successfully be constructed in collaboration with this vulnerable population that yield low rates of missing responses.

Slovene Translation of the Difficulties in Suicidal Behaviors Intervention Questionnaire (DSBQ).

Background: Mental health professionals encounter numerous difficulties when working with suicidal clients. To understand these difficulties in clinical practice better, a valid instrument measuring them is needed. Aims: This study aimed to translate the Difficulties in Suicidal Behaviors Intervention Questionnaire (DSBQ) to Slovene, validate it, and explore Slovenian professionals' experiences with it. Method: The participants were 106 professionals (19 men, 87 women), aged 26-66 years. Apart from the DSBQ, scales on attitudes toward suicide prevention and coping strategies in difficult clinical situations were used. The data were collected between October 2017 and January 2019. Results: Although slightly diverging from the originally reported component structure, the Slovene translation of the DSBQ measures difficulties in working with suicidal clients with acceptable/good reliability and sensitivity, and adequate construct validity. Slovenian professionals most commonly experience difficulties related to working with children, followed by technical, system and setting, and other types of difficulties. Limitations: The sample of participants was relatively heterogeneous. Conclusion: Further studies of the DSBQ structure and validity, as well as difficulties, especially those related to working with children/adolescents and facing the theme of death, are warranted. Considering the difficulties most frequently reported in this investigation, more efforts are also needed in Slovenia to address technical and logistic aspects.

Polish mental and sexual health specialists working with transgender and gender diverse persons - who are they and what is their background? / Polscy specjalisci i specjalistki w dziedzinie zdrowia psychicznego i seksualnego pracujacy z osobami transplciowymi i róznorodnymi plciowo ­ kim sa i jakie maja przygotowanie?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present the demographic and professional characteristics of Polish mental and sexual health specialists (MSHS) and their experience in clinical work with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using the LimeSurvey platform. A total of 239 MSHS with a diverse professional background, at different stages of their careers, with experience of working with TGD patients, completed the survey. Participants were asked to provide demographic (e.g., gender and sexual identity) and professional (e.g., knowledge of leading standards and guidelines of care) data. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 39.5 years (SD 7.92) and the majority were assigned female at birth (73.2%). The sample was composed predominantly of psychotherapists (70%), then psychologists (53%), medical doctors (31%) and certified sexologists (5.9%). The majority (72%) practised in large cities (>500,000); 68.6% reported female gender identity, 24.7% a male identity and 6.3% were TGD; 63.2% were heterosexual, 12.1% homosexual, 12.6% bisexual, and 12.1% reported other sexual identity. Both the significance of religion and religious practice were significantly decreased compared to general Polish population. Most participants declared that they either do not know the basic guidelines of care for TGD people at all or know them very little. The majority of MSHS rated their professional training as insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: People providing clinical services to TGD patients are a professionally diverse group. There is an urgent need to expand and intensify professional training directed at MSHS on topics related to the health care dedicated to TGD people.

[Knowledge, competence and educational needs of mental health staff on palliative care for the elderly with dementia].

Dementia is a clinical syndrome for which the benefits of palliative care have been recognized. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and educational needs of mental health physicians and nurses and also their perceptions of their competence regarding palliative care for the elderly with dementia. A total of 96 mental health professionals (doctors, nurses) working in a public psychiatric hospital and its allied community mental health settings participated in the study. The Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) was used to detect their knowledge on palliative care as well as a questionnaire to collect participants' demographics, their perceptions about their competence in palliative care provision and their educational needs on the basic domains of palliative care for the elderly with dementia. Results revealed participants' significant lack of knowledge (PCQN =7.79/20) and low perception of competence regarding palliative care for elderly persons with dementia. Participants who were psychiatrists, who had work experience between 16-20 years and provided care to more than ten patients with terminal dementia per year, showed higher PCQN scores at a statistically significant level (p=0.001). The majority (93.6%) of participants considered training in palliative care for dementia patients as necessary, particularly in providing information to family/carers, relieving the psychosocial burden of family/carers, managing the terminal stage of dementia, providing information to dementia patients and planning their advanced care. The findings of this study could inform the design of training programs on palliative care for the elderly with dementia in Greece.

Don't Beat Around the Bush! The Relationship Between Forensic Vigilance and Communication Style.

The field of forensic mental healthcare is unique in several ways. Forensic vigilance is a specialty needed by forensic mental health professionals, consisting of professional forensic psychiatric knowledge, knowledge of individual patients, environmental observations, and clinical judgment. Though communication seems to play an important role in forensic vigilance, it is still unknown which communication styles are related to forensic vigilance, if any. In the current study, we examined if certain communication styles are related to forensic vigilance by means of an online survey among forensic mental health professionals. In total 138 Dutch forensic psychiatric professionals participated in the survey. The expressive and precise communication styles positively predict forensic vigilance, while the emotional and manipulative communication styles show a negative relationship with forensic vigilance. Findings of the present study further the understanding of the construct of forensic vigilance. The findings presented here may give rise to attention for specific manners of communication in supervision and training programs. The current study represents the first effort to study the relationship between communication styles and forensic vigilance.

Evaluation of Online Counseling through the Working Experiences of Mental Health Therapists Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to reflect on mental health professionals' experiences with online counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their perceptions and recommendations for the future. The method of qualitative research with semi-structured interviews was used. The sample consisted of 17 mental health professionals working in the public or private sectors. A framework analysis revealed four main themes, namely (a) the evaluation of online counseling; (b) comparing in-person and online counseling; (c) factors influencing the effectiveness of online counseling; and (d) suggestions for the future use of online counseling. Most therapists reported that their overall experience with online counseling was positive. The main advantages cited were the accessibility for everyone and the reductions in time, money, and distance. Its primary drawbacks included less nonverbal communication, the inability to employ certain therapeutic tools, problems with confidentiality, lack of experience, and technical difficulties during online sessions. Its effectiveness depends on contextual factors and factors related to the therapeutic process itself. Organizational planning, training, and a solid implementation strategy may help ensure that this communication medium is used to its fullest potential. In addition, the possible utilization of remote counseling combined with in-person psychotherapeutic intervention methods will provide solutions for the future, especially in crisis situations.

Inpatient staff experiences of providing treatment for males with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder: A thematic analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: We know that there are similar rates of borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosed in both men and women; however, some research suggests that BPD is diagnosed later and less frequently in men. Some research suggests that males diagnosed with BPD present differently to women, but not much is known about how this influences the care men receive in inpatient mental health hospitals. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This paper is the first to specifically ask inpatient staff about men diagnosed with BPD, and to hear about their perceptions and experiences. It identified that some staff do not feel as knowledgeable in identifying and treating BPD in men compared to women. Some staff talked about how emotional difficulties like BPD are often not the first thought when men present with distress compared to women. Staff also talked about needing a safe, open and transparent working culture to be able to ask questions and to be questioned on their own assumptions, biases or lack of training. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This paper suggests that inpatient staff may hold some assumptions about men and their emotions, such as assuming that they are less likely to struggle with emotional difficulties like BPD. Staff anxieties about risk management may influence how they perceive and care for men in inpatient wards. The findings suggest that male-specific training in identifying and treating BPD should be provided for staff on inpatient wards, to improve knowledge and confidence. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Research highlights discrepancies in recognition of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in men, despite similar rates of prevalence across genders. AIM: To investigate inpatient mental health professionals' experiences of delivering treatment for males with a diagnosis of BPD. METHOD: Six mental health professionals working within adult acute inpatient wards completed a semi-structured interview. All participants were members of the nursing team. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Five themes were identified: Gender Differences, Stereotyping, Facilitators to Care Delivery, Barriers to Care Delivery and Ways to Improve Care. Participants talked of a lack of awareness and understanding of BPD in males impacting both diagnosis and treatment in an acute inpatient setting. DISCUSSION: There may be factors ranging from gender stereotypes, limited knowledge and understanding of gender differences in presentations, and personal/organisational cultures influencing the formulation and treatment of males with a diagnosis of BPD in inpatient settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings suggest that gender stereotypes such as masculine norms may influence how male patients' emotional difficulties are understood and managed, and that additional training in male-specific issues to improve knowledge and care provision. This research will support inpatient staff, service leads and clinical educators to identify ways to adapt care provision for men.