Emotional Freedom Techniques for Postpartum Depression, Perceived Stress, and Anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) group intervention on perceived stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms in women in the postpartum period. DESIGN: A one-group pre- and posttest quasi-experimental design. SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety affect nearly one in five women in the first 12 months after childbirth. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant worsening of symptoms of PPD, stress, and anxiety in this population. Mental health screening is the standard of care in perinatal settings. This practice has led to an increased rate of PPD and anxiety diagnoses and the need for evidence-based nonpharmacologic interventions to support mothers with PPD and anxiety. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven mothers seeking care for lactation concerns who screened positive for PPD and anxiety symptoms. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: A total of eight 1-hour group EFT sessions were offered to participants over a period of 4 weeks. During the group sessions, participants were taught how to perform the steps of EFT and apply it in a supportive group format. Measurement tools included the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. The preintervention and postintervention scores of these tools were compared using a paired-samples t test. RESULTS: After implementing EFT as a group intervention, we observed a reduction in mental health burden experienced by women in the postpartum period. There was a statistically significant decrease in depression (p = .003), anxiety (p <.001), and perceived stress (p <.001) scores 1 month after the EFT intervention. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that EFT may be a viable adjunctive intervention for managing depression, anxiety, and stress in the postpartum period. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to confirm these findings.

Developing an International Standard Set of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Psychotic Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project was to develop a set of patient-reported outcome measures for adolescents and adults who meet criteria for a psychotic disorder. METHODS: A research team and an international consensus working group, including service users, clinicians, and researchers, worked together in an iterative process by using a modified Delphi consensus technique that included videoconferencing calls, online surveys, and focus groups. The research team conducted systematic literature searches to identify outcomes, outcome measures, and risk adjustment factors. After identifying outcomes important to service users, the consensus working group selected outcome measures, risk adjustment factors, and the final set of outcome measures. International stakeholder groups consisting of >100 professionals and service users reviewed and commented on the final set. RESULTS: The consensus working group identified four outcome domains: symptoms, recovery, functioning, and treatment. The domains encompassed 14 outcomes of importance to service users. The research team identified 131 measures from the literature. The consensus working group selected nine measures in an outcome set that takes approximately 35 minutes to complete. CONCLUSIONS: A set of patient-reported outcome measures for use in routine clinical practice was identified. The set is free to service users, is available in at least two languages, and reflects outcomes important to users. Clinicians can use the set to improve clinical decision making, and administrators and researchers can use it to learn from comparing program outcomes.

Age Differences in Non-Medical Prescription Opioid Use and Psychological Distress.

Background/Purpose: Prescription opioid use has been recognized as an epidemic in the United States and globally. More research is needed to understand the association of opioids and mental health for older adults. This study examined age differences in the association of non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and psychological distress, with a focus on older adult populations. Methods: This study used the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and included 37,842 adults aged 18 and older. Weighted multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of NMPOU and psychological distress, measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Results: NMPOU was associated with higher psychological distress (b = 0.48, SE = 0.16, p < .01). For those 50 and older, NMPOU was associated with 224% increased odds of meeting the clinical threshold for having a serious mental illness (SMI; OR = 2.24, p < .01, 95% CI: 1.23, 4.09). Conclusions: Although the prevalence of NMPOU and psychological distress trended downward throughout the lifespan, the association of NMPOU on SMI was highest among the youngest and oldest adults. These findings highlight the need for services and supports that are tailored for older adult populations. Future research is needed to investigate vulnerabilities from life stage stressors specific to older adults, which may account for the disproportionate odds of opioid use on mental health pathology. Interprofessional collaboration is needed among geriatric professionals to provide effective mental health treatment for this at-risk population.

An international survey of Psychiatric-Mental-Health Nurses on the content validity of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for Schizophrenia.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for schizophrenia describe the key problems in functioning that are experienced by individuals with this disorder. This study examines the content validity of these Core Sets and aims to identify the most frequent problems faced by people with schizophrenia, considering for this analysis the perspective of Psychiatric-Mental-Health Nurses. The study complied with the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies. A total of 101 nurses from 30 countries covering all six World Health Organization regions participated in a Delphi study. Their responses in Round 1 were linked to ICF categories, retaining those reported by at least 5% of participants. In Round 2, they were asked to rate the relevance of each of these categories to the nursing care of patients with schizophrenia. This process was repeated in Round 3. A total of 2327 concepts were extracted in Round 1 and linked to ICF categories. Following the analysis, 125 categories and 31 personal factors were presented to the experts in rounds 2 and 3. Consensus (defined as agreement ≥75%) was reached for 97 of these categories and 29 personal factors. These categories corresponded to all those (N = 25) in the Brief Core Set and 87 of the 97 categories of the Comprehensive Core Set for schizophrenia. Ten new categories emerged. The Delphi process identified the problems in functioning that nurses encounter when treating individuals with schizophrenia, and the results supported the content validity of the Core Sets. We conclude that these Core Sets offer a comprehensive framework for structuring clinical information and guiding the treatment process.

Age differences in the association of nonmedical prescription opioid use and suicidality.

OBJECTIVES: To examine age differences in the associations of nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and suicidality. DESIGN: This is a population health study using the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 38,136 persons 18 and older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weighted logistic regression analyses were used to examine the odds of past year NMPOU with suicidality (suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in the past year), stratified by age groups. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of suicidality was higher for persons who reported past year NMPOU across all age groups. For the full sample, NMPOU was associated with increased odds of suicidal thoughts (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.36, 2.14), plans (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.33, 2.84), and attempts (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.27, 4.00). Users 18 to 34 had greater odds for reporting yes on all three suicidality measures. Users 50 and older had greater odds for suicidal thoughts in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: Among younger and older age groups, there is a higher prevalence and associated odds of suicidality for those who report any misuse within the 12-month period.

Schizophrenia--time to commit to policy change.

Care and outcomes for people with schizophrenia have improved in recent years, but further progress is needed to help more individuals achieve an independent and fulfilled life. This report sets out the current need, informs policy makers and all relevant stakeholders who influence care quality, and supports their commitment to creating a better future. The authors recommend the following policy actions, based on research evidence, stakeholder consultation, and examples of best practice worldwide. (1) Provide an evidence-based, integrated care package for people with schizophrenia that addresses their mental and physical health needs. (2) Provide support for people with schizophrenia to enter and to remain in their community, and develop mechanisms to help guide them through the complex benefit and employment systems. (3) Provide concrete support, information, and educational programs to families and carers on how to enhance care for an individual living with schizophrenia in a manner that entails minimal disruption to their lives. (4) All stakeholders, including organizations that support people living with schizophrenia, should be consulted to regularly revise, update, and improve policy on the management of schizophrenia. (5) Provide support, which is proportionate to the impact of the disease, for research and development of new treatments. (6) Establish adequately funded, ongoing, and regular awareness-raising campaigns that form an integral part of routine plans of action. Implementation of the above recommendations will require engagement by every stakeholder, but with commitment from all, change can be achieved.

Implications of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cortisol secretions serve as the barometer of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates and controls responses to stress. Studies of cortisol secretions in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reveal inconsistent results. PURPOSE: Current research on HPA axis functioning in PTSD is examined to elucidate the neuroendocrine contributions in the disorder, identify current treatment's impact on the HPA axis, and consider implications for nursing care and areas for future research. FINDINGS: There is evidence for HPA dysregulation in PTSD, which contributes to widespread impairment in functions such as memory and stress reactivity and to physical morbidity via processes such as allostatic load. There is limited, but building, evidence that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is released simultaneously with cortisol, may provide anti-glucocorticoid and neuroprotective effects. CONCLUSION: Current treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and psychotherapy may have a beneficial impact on the HPA axis in PTSD populations. Somatic approaches to treating PTSD have not yet been studied in relation to their impact on HPA axis parameters in PTSD patients. Treatment studies of DHEA or glucocorticoids have not yet used HPA axis endpoints. PTSD treatment studies that include measures of HPA axis target mechanisms and consider HPA axis regulation as an additional treatment outcome are warranted.

Psychophenomenology of the postpsychotic adjustment process.

A clinical phenomenological study with nine adults with schizophrenia explored the postpsychotic adjustment stage of recovery from a psychotic episode to map a psychological recovery trajectory. Participants (ages 21-37 years) were actively involved in an early psychosis outpatient treatment program. Psychophenomenological analysis of interview data resulted in 458 descriptive expressions reflecting four structural elements. Cognitive dissonance involved achieving pharmacological efficacy and cognitive efforts to "sort out" the experience. Insight was distinguished by mastery of autonomous performance of reality checks. Cognitive constancy was marked by resuming interpersonal relationships and age-appropriate activities. Ordinariness involved consistent engagement in daily activities reflective of prepsychosis functioning.

Clinicians on the front line: active management of depression and anxiety in primary care.

Primary-care practitioners confront myriad issue in managing their patients with depression and/or anxiety. Understanding the scope and epidemiology of these disorders is essential to understanding their shared characteristics. Do we always recognize these patients in practice? What are the barriers to diagnosis and treatment, and how can they overcome? What are the treatment options of these sometimes life-altering conditions, and how do we choose from among the many that exist?

Wellness outcomes of trauma psychoeducation.

A program evaluation study was conducted to determine if a group psychoeducation course would improve wellness scores in subjects with trauma-related disorders. The sample consisted of 10 men age 20-65 years and 44 women age 20-66 years. Levels of wellness were evaluated using the Wellness Assessment Tool [International Journal of Psychiatric Nursing Research, 3(1) (1996), 308-317] that evaluates 10 wellness items in each of the four domains: health, attitudes/behavior, environment/relationship, and spirituality. Paired sample correlations showed statistically significant correlations among 37 of the 50 pairs, ranging from .524 in the health scores to .830 in spirituality. The paired t tests also showed significant differences at P = .05 in each of the wellness domains. Subjects felt an improvement in overall health, a decrease in interpersonal conflict, a stronger sense of spirituality, and improvement in environmental control and interpersonal relationships.

The BE SMART trauma reframing psychoeducation program.

Despite the human capacity to survive and adapt, traumatic experiences can cause alterations in health, attitudes and behaviors, environmental and interpersonal functioning, and spiritual balance such that the memory of an event or a set of events taints all other experiences. The BE SMART (Become Empowered: Symptom Management for Abuse and Recovery from Trauma) group psychoeducation program is a 12-week course designed for both men and women to learn wellness coping principles in recovering from the aftermaths of trauma and abuse. The course is based on the Murphy-Moller Wellness Model [Murphy, M. F., & Moller, M. D. (1996). The Three R's Program: A Wellness Approach to Rehabilitation of Neurobiological Disorders. The International Journal of Psychiatric Nursing Research, 3(1), 308-317] and the Trauma Reframing Therapy [Rice, M. J., & Moller, M. D. (2003). Wellness Outcomes of Trauma Psychoeducation. Podium presentation at the 2003 Meeting of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Atlanta, Georgia. October].