TikTok and teen mental health: an analysis of user-generated content and engagement.

BACKGROUND: TikTok is a social media mobile application that is widely used by adolescents, and has the potential to serve as a revolutionary platform for public and mental health discourse, education, and intervention. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to describe the content and engagement metrics of the hashtag #teenmentalhealth on TikTok. METHODS: In this study, we: (a) conducted a directed content analysis of the Top 100 TikTok videos tagged with #teenmentalhealth, and (b) collected data on video engagements (views, likes, saves, and shares) and computed view-based engagement rates. RESULTS: The videos collectively garnered 144,320,591 views; 28,289,655 likes; 219,780 comments; 1,971,492 saves; and 478,696 shares. Most of the generated content were from teens and therapists. Engagement metrics revealed strong user engagement rates across user types. The most prevalent content categories represented across videos were personal experience, coping techniques or treatment, humor, interpersonal relationships, and health campaign. The content categories with the highest engagement rates were relatable media representation, health campaign, social isolation, and humor. Only a single video incorporated evidence-based treatment content. CONCLUSION: TikTok facilitates communication and information dissemination on teen mental health. Future research should focus on improving the quality and credibility of digital content while maintaining engagement through creativity, self-expression, and relatability. Use of popular social media platforms and community-engaged research to disseminate evidence-based content may help bridge the translational research gap.

Work-Related Quality of Life among Physicians in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Working in a healthcare setting is associated with high levels of stress and burnout syndrome. Work-related quality of life (WRQoL) remains insufficiently evaluated among physicians. The aim of this study is to assess the WRQoL among physicians of interventional, non-interventional, and diagnostic specialties in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized and anonymous WRQoL questionnaires have been filled in by 257 physicians working in Silesia, Poland. After the removal of missing data, 246 individuals were stratified in terms of specialties into the appropriate categories, including interventional, non-interventional, and diagnostics. These categories were compared using the following subscales: general well-being (GWB), home-work interface (HWI), job and career satisfaction (JCS), control at work (CAW), working conditions (WCS), and stress at work (SAW). RESULTS: Out of 246 individuals, 132 were women (53.7%) and 112 (45.5%) were men. There were no differences in terms of WRQoL scores (p = 0.220) and subscales GWB (p = 0.148), HWI (p = 0.368), JCS (p = 0.117), CAW (p = 0.224), WCS (p = 0.609), SAW (p = 0.472) between interventional, non-interventional, and diagnostic specialties. The group of young doctors (age ≤ 30 years) had higher JCS scores than the older ones (mean score [SD], 22.7 [3.98] vs. 21 [4.6]; p = 0.013). Physicians who were not working in hospital had higher WRQoL score than respondents working in hospital (p = 0.061), with significant differences in terms of GWB (mean score [SD], 20.3 [4.93] vs. 22.8 [3.2], p = 0.014), HWI (mean score [SD], 9.1 [=2.65] vs. 10.6 [2.73], p = 0.011), and WCS (mean score [SD], 9.5 [2.61] vs. 10.8 [2.54], p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: There were no differences considering overall WRQoL between analyzed groups stratified according to specialty. However, we disclosed a significant association between the respondent's WRQoL and age as well as place of work.

Addressing Psychosocial Disabilities Through Social Interventions for Individuals With Severe Mental Disorders.

Mental disorders are prevalent worldwide, often causing significant distress and impairment across various life domains. Furthermore, they may lead to psychosocial disabilities exacerbated by stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion that hinder full societal participation and frequently result in human rights violations denying access to education, work, high-quality health, and reproductive rights. Therefore, a comprehensive and coordinated response to mental health requires a biopsychosocial approach and the integration of holistic promotion, prevention, support, care, and rehabilitation. Effective interventions need to be recovery-focused and should include social interventions. This editorial discusses the social interventions that can be utilized to address psychosocial disabilities in individuals with severe mental disorders. There is a need for developing innovative strategies, tools, and digital solutions, the provision of psychoeducation and caregiver support, along with conducting recovery-oriented research and provider training. Furthermore, the focus should be more on strengths instead of pathology and on cultivating a mental health-promoting environment. This requires inclusive policies, increased advocacy to decrease stigma and promote human rights, redirecting funds to community-based services from long-stay mental hospitals, and a multisectoral collaboration between different sectors such as employment, education, health, housing, social, and judicial sectors to provide support across different life stages, facilitate access to human rights, and attain equal opportunities to help individuals with severe mental disorders reach their full potential and live a meaningful life.

Relationship between anhedonia and psychosocial functioning in post-COVID-19 condition: a post-hoc analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), also known as "long COVID," is characterized by persistent symptoms, negatively affecting the well-being of individuals with PCC. Anhedonia (i.e. reduced capacity for pleasure) and compromised psychosocial functioning are notable symptoms in those with PCC. We aimed to provide insights to understand the effects of anhedonia and impaired psychosocial functioning of individuals with PCC. METHODS: This post-hoc analysis used data from an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial which evaluated vortioxetine for cognitive deficits in individuals with PCC (Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05047952). A total of 147 eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive vortioxetine or matching placebo over eight weeks of double-blind treatment. Our study investigated the relationship between anhedonia, assessed by the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and psychosocial functioning, measured with the Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) scale. The analysis was conducted using a generalized linear model, with adjustments for relevant covariates such as age, sex, education, suspected versus confirmed COVID diagnosis, MDD diagnosis, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Of the 147 participants, 143 participants had available baseline data for analysis. We observed that baseline PCFS score was statistically significantly positively correlated to baseline SHAPS score (ß = 0.070, p = 0.045, 95% CI). DISCUSSIONS: Our analysis revealed a significant relationship between measures of anhedonia and psychosocial functioning in adults with PCC. Strategies that aim to improve patient-reported outcomes with PCC need to prioritize the prevention and treatment of hedonic disturbances in patients experiencing PCC.

Adaptations of interpersonal psychotherapy in psycho-oncology and its effects on distress, depression, and anxiety in patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Objective: Patients with cancer experience significant psychosocial distress. Stressors include interpersonal difficulties like loneliness, isolation, thwarted belongingness, communication impediments, and conflicts. Interventions are required that address their specific psychosocial needs. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a promising concept for the treatment of psychosocial distress associated with cancer because it addresses patients' interactions and role transformations. This review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence regarding interventions for patients with cancer based on IPT. Methods: A systematic review following PRISM guidelines was conducted, including randomized controlled trials of IPT-based interventions in patients with cancer, assessing effects on distress, depression, and anxiety. Results: Eight studies were included, sampling 390 patients in total. Seven out of eight studies assessed exclusively women with breast cancer. Two studies described IPT interventions and showed stronger improvement in depression and anxiety compared to TAU and equal improvement in depression compared to other psychotherapy interventions. Six studies described remote Interpersonal Counselling (IPC). One found remote IPC to be superior to control conditions regarding depression, and one found remote IPC to be superior to attention control, but not active control conditions. No study found remote IPC to be superior to control conditions regarding distress. Discussion: There are few randomized controlled trials of IPT for patients with cancer. Results regarding depression and anxiety are promising for in-person IPT, but mixed for remote IPC. Conclusion: The review suggests in-person IPT, but not remote IPC, may yield benefits for patients with cancer. Research on the subject is scarce, and to inform implementation of IPT interventions, research with diverse groups of patients with cancer is required. Systematic trial registration: PROSPERO, Identifier CRD42023410687.

The impact of clinically relevant health conditions on psychosocial outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer: results of the DCCSS-LATER study.

PURPOSE: Investigate the association between presence, number and type of clinically relevant health conditions and a range of psychosocial outcomes (emotional, social, cognitive, physical) in survivors of childhood cancer (CCS). METHODS: CCS from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS)-LATER cohort (diagnosed between 1963-2001, attained age ≥ 18, diagnosed < 18, ≥ 5 years since diagnosis) completed a questionnaire on health conditions (2013-2014), and questionnaires on psychosocial outcomes (2017-2020): Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Short form 36, TNO-AZL Questionnaire for Adult Health-Related Quality of Life, and the Self-Rating Scale for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Associations among health conditions and psychosocial outcomes were assessed with regression analysis, adjusting for attained age, sex, and time since diagnosis, and adjusting for multiple testing (p < 0.004). RESULTS: A total of 1437 CCS, mean age 36.3 years, 51.1% female, ≥ 15 years since diagnosis, completed questionnaires on health and psychosocial outcomes. CCS with a clinically relevant health condition, and those with more conditions had worse emotional, social, and physical outcomes; regression coefficients were small to moderate. CCS with gastro-intestinal conditions, endocrine, nervous systems, eye, or ear conditions, and especially those with secondary malignant neoplasms, reported worse psychosocial functioning; regression coefficients were small/moderate to large. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Health care professionals should be aware of the increased risk for psychosocial problems among CCS with health conditions, especially for survivors with secondary malignant neoplasms, gastro-intestinal, endocrine, nervous system, eye, and ear conditions. CCS may benefit from psychological interventions to develop coping strategies to manage health conditions and psychosocial consequences of the cancer trajectory.

Predictors of psychosocial functioning in people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders that committed violent offences and in those that did not: Results of the Recoviwel study.

Psychosocial functioning represents a core treatment target of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD), and several clinical and cognitive factors contribute to its impairment. However, determinants of psychosocial functioning in people living with SSD that committed violent offences remain to be more thoroughly explored. This study aims to separately assess and compare predictors of psychosocial functioning in people with SSD that did and that did not commit violent offences considering several clinical, cognitive and violence-related parameters. Fifty inmates convicted for violent crimes in a forensic psychiatry setting diagnosed with SSD (OP group) and fifty participants matched for age, gender, education, and diagnosis (Non-OP group) were included in the study. A higher risk of violent relapse as measured by HCR-20 clinical subscale scores (p < 0.002) and greater global clinical severity as measured by CGI-S scores (p = 0.023) emerged as individual predictors of worse psychosocial functioning, as measured by PSP scores, in the OP group. Greater global clinical severity (p < 0.001), worse performance in the processing speed domain as measured by the BACS Symbol Coding (p = 0.002) and TMT-A tests (p = 0.016) and higher levels of non-planning impulsivity as measured by BIS-11 scores (p < 0.001) emerged as individual predictors of worse psychosocial functioning in the Non-OP group. These results confirm that clinical severity impacts psychosocial functioning in all individuals diagnosed with SSD and suggest that while cognitive impairment clearly represents a determinant of worse functional outcomes in most patients, the risk of violent relapse is a specific predictor of worse psychosocial functioning in people with SSD that committed criminal offences.

Effects of exergames on rehabilitation outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis. A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of exergames on rehabilitation outcomes in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was reported according to the PRISMA statement. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in Pubmed, Scopus, WoS, CINAHL, and PEDro (inception to November 2023). Studies that applied non-immersive exergames and assessed physical, functional, cognitive, pain, and psychosocial outcomes were included. Comparisons were other exercise modalities and non-intervention. Methodological quality was assessed with PEDro scale, and risk of bias (RoB) was assessed with Cochrane RoB-2 tool. RESULTS: Eight studies were included (total of participants = 401). The mean PEDro score was 6.1, and seven studies had high RoB. Seven studies involved knee OA and one cervical OA. The most frequent duration for interventions was four weeks. Exergames were more effective than controls in at least one outcome in all studies. The outcomes for which exergames were most effective were functional disability, postural balance, muscle strength, proprioception, gait, range of motion, pain, quality of life, depression, and kinesiophobia. CONCLUSION: Non-immersive exergames constitute an effective strategy for optimizing several relevant outcomes in rehabilitation. However, more RCTs with high methodological quality are required to deepen the knowledge about the multidimensional effects of exergames in OA patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of disability, involving high health costs and a public health problem.Physical exercise has recently been recognized as a first-line treatment in OA to reduce symptomatology and to improve or maintain physical functioning and quality of life.Non-immersive exergames are a safe therapeutic strategy to improve functional disability, postural balance, muscle strength, proprioception, gait performance, range of motion, and pain in OA patients.Similarly, non-immersive virtual reality strategies contribute to the improvement of depression, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in people with OA.

Body image and psychosocial outcomes in youth and young adults with differences of sex development: a multi-method study.

OBJECTIVE: Differences of sex development (DSD) can affect the physical health, appearance, and psychosocial functioning of affected individuals, but little is known about how subjective appearance perceptions (body image) impact psychosocial outcomes. This study evaluated body image and its associations with psychosocial outcomes including quality of life, resilience, and psychosocial adjustment. METHODS: This cross-sectional, multi-method study assessed body image and psychosocial outcomes including quality of life, adjustment, and resilience in 97 youth and young adults with DSD (mean age = 17 ± 3.7 years; 56% assigned female in infancy) using psychometrically sound instruments. A subsample (n = 40) completed qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Quantitative results indicated that overall, participants were satisfied with their physical appearance, although less so with their primary sex characteristics. Body image dissatisfaction was associated with poorer psychosocial adjustment, quality of life, and resilience. Qualitatively, youth and young adults reported a variety of perceptions, both positive and negative, related to their body image and the impact of living with a DSD condition. Themes identified included appearance management; effects of DSD on body image; diagnostic factors and features; attitudes about diagnosis; and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Body image is significantly associated with psychosocial outcomes in youth and young adults with DSD, with qualitative findings highlighting both positive and negative body image experiences. Results have implications for clinical care including screening for appearance concerns, normalization of appearance variations, and intervention development to better support healthy body image and psychosocial functioning in youth and young adults with DSD.

Development of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Narcolepsy: A Feasibility Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to improve psychosocial functioning in medical populations but have not been studied in narcolepsy. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of an MBI that was adapted for narcolepsy, including three variations in program length. METHODS: Adults with narcolepsy (N = 60) were randomized to MBI groups of varying durations: brief (4 weeks), standard (8 weeks), or extended (12 weeks). Participants completed assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. To assess feasibility and acceptability, primary outcomes included attendance, meditation practice, and data completeness. Additionally, participants completed measures of mindfulness, self-compassion, mood, sleep, psychosocial functioning, and cognition. An effect size of Cohen's d ≥ 0.5 was used as the pre-specified benchmark for a minimal clinically important difference (MCID). RESULTS: The attendance, meditation, and data completeness benchmarks were met by 71.7%, 61.7%, and 78.3% of participants, respectively. Higher proportions of the brief and extended groups met these benchmarks compared to the standard group. All groups met the MCID for mindfulness, self-compassion, self-efficacy for managing emotions, positive psychosocial impact, global mental health, and fatigue. Standard and extended groups met the MCID for anxiety and depression, and extended group met the MCID for additional measures including social and cognitive functioning, daytime sleepiness, hypersomnia symptoms, and hypersomnia-related functioning. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the remote delivery and data collection methods are feasible to employ in future clinical trials, and it appears that the extended MBI provides the most favorable clinical impact while maintaining attendance and engagement in meditation practice.

Symptom domains and psychosocial functioning in borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is often characterized by severe functional impairment, even after a decrease in symptoms. A comprehensive understanding of psychosocial functioning in BPD is necessary to tailor treatment offer, which should address relevant aspects of daily life. The aims of the present study are to (1) conduct a cross-sectional comparison of functioning of a group with BPD and a non-BPD clinical comparison group at service entry, and to (2) assess the relationship between intensity of BPD symptom domains and psychosocial functioning. METHODS: The sample consists of N = 65 participants with BPD and N = 57 participants from the clinical comparison group without BPD (non-BPD group). The Revised Borderline Follow-up Interview (BFI-R) was used to evaluate psychosocial functioning and the Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB-R) to assess BPD symptoms. Linear, logistic, and multinomial regression models were run separately for each aspect of functioning as a function of BPD status or BPD symptom domains. RESULTS: Only 23% of participants in the BPD group fulfilled criteria for good overall psychosocial functioning, compared to 53% in the non-BPD group. Furthermore, participants in the BPD group were less likely to have completed a high number of years of education, to work consistently, to be financially independent, to be in a cohabiting relationship and have a good relationship with parents. In addition, various links were identified between BPD symptom domains and functional impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with prior research, the main impairments in functioning in the BPD group are found in the educational and vocational domains. Though some domains show impairment, others, like friendships, may act as potential resources. Further investigation on the relationships with symptom domains is required.

Standardization use of the international classification of functioning, disability and health in the determination of health status in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

PURPOSE: To propose a standardized method for the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe the health status in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) and investigate interrater agreement in the linking process in instruments and clinical exams using the ICF categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and interrater agreement study that followed the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. Two raters performed the linking coding process in instruments of quality of life, anxiety and depression, fatigue and pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The codes were qualified by standards defined to each instrument and exams. RESULTS: The instrument with the lowest Cohen's Kappa coefficient was anxiety and depression (k = 0.57). Forty ICF codes were linked to clinical instruments and exams. The fatigue instrument presented a higher degree of disability by the qualification process, from severe to complete, in the linked codes. CONCLUSION: The study presents a standardized method for the assessment of the health status of patients with PACS through ICF. Restriction in work performance, socialization and family relationships as well as disabilities in physical endurance, fatigue and exercise tolerance were found in the sample. The agreement between the raters was moderate to perfect, demonstrating that the method can be reproducible.

The body structures and functions, environmental factors, activities and participation in a person's environment are determinant aspects of his health.Ways to measure these aspects are key to assessing health not only as absence of disease, so the International Classification of Disability and Functional Health demonstrates the ability to fully describe health.This study proposes a standardization in the use of the tool to facilitate usability in clinical practice.

Level of structural integration in people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders - applicability and associations with clinical parameters.

Introduction: The psychic structure of people with psychosis has been the subject of theoretical and qualitative considerations. However, it has not been sufficiently studied quantitatively. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the structural abilities of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis using the Levels of Structural Integration Axis of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis System (OPD-2-LSIA). The study aimed to determine possible associations between the OPD-2-LSIA and central parameters of illness. Additionally, possible structural differences between people diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis were tested. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 129 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. Measures of structural integration, symptom load, severity of illness, cognition, and social functioning were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the overall structural level and the structural dimensions. Correlation coefficients were computed to measure the associations between OPD-2-LSIA and variables regarding the severity of illness and psychosocial functioning. Regression models were used to measure the influence of illness-related variables on OPD-2-LSIA, and the influence of OPD-2-LSIA on psychosocial functioning. Participants diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders were examined with regard to possible group differences. Results: The results of the OPD-2-LSIA showed that the overall structural level was between 'moderate to low' and 'low level of structural integration'. Significant correlations were found between OPD-2-LSIA and psychotic symptoms (but not depressive symptoms), as well as between OPD-2-LSIA and psychosocial functioning. It was found that variables related to severity of illness had a significant impact on OPD-2-LSIA, with psychotic, but not depressive symptoms being significant predictors. OPD-2-LSIA was found to predict psychosocial functioning beyond symptoms and cognition. No significant differences were found between participants with schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis. There was also no correlation found between OPD-2-LSIA and depressive symptomatology (except for the subdimension Internal communication). Discussion: Contrary to theoretical assumptions, the results of the study show a heterogenous picture of the psychic structure of people with psychosis. The associations between OPD-2-LSIA and severity of illness, particularly psychotic symptomatology, as well as the influence of OPD-2-LSIA on psychosocial functioning, are discussed.

A phenomenological inquiry into the costs and consequences of insomnia for veterans with serious mental illness.

Many individuals with serious mental illness (i.e. schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar or major depressive disorders, with serious functional impairments) have insomnia symptoms. Insomnia is a common reason for mental health referrals in the Veterans Health Administration. The primary aim of this study was to explore the costs (what participants lose or what trade-offs they make due to insomnia) and consequences (how insomnia impacts functioning) of insomnia for veterans with serious mental illness. Semi-structured interviews of 20 veterans with insomnia and serious mental illness were collected as data using an inductive phenomenological approach. Two main themes were identified: Sleep Affects Mental Health and Functioning; and Compromising to Cope. Results illuminate pathways by which sleep effort destabilizes functional recovery, and illustrate how sleep has multiplicative positive impacts on functioning and mood. Researchers and clinicians alike must explore supporting people with serious mental illness in replacing sleep effort with the recovery of meaningful identity-driven, values-based experiences formerly conceded due to serious mental illness, insomnia or both.

Impact of psychopathology on day-to-day living in patients with schizophrenia: A network analysis.

Although the relationship between schizophrenia and disability is well established, the association between the symptoms of the disorder and functional domains remains unclear. The current study explored the nuances of the relationship between symptoms and domains of functioning in a sample of 1127 patients with schizophrenia. We assessed the symptoms of schizophrenia with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and psychosocial functioning with the mini-ICF-APP (mini-International Classification of Functioning Rating for Limitations of Activities and Participation in Psychological Disorders). The mean PANSS score was 94.28 (27.20), and the mean mini-ICF-APP score was 25.25 (8.96), both of which are indicative of severe symptom load and impairment. We were able to show a strong relationship and overlap between symptoms and disability in patients with schizophrenia. We identified several symptoms related to functional impairment. Deficits in judgment and abstract thinking contribute to impairment through poor adherence (to routines and compliance with rules) and difficulties in planning and organizing. We believe that in schizophrenia, symptoms and their interactions constitute a disorder beyond any single manifestation. Furthermore, we suggest that cognitive testing and cognitive treatment should become part of the standard of care for patients with schizophrenia.

The Contribution of Sleep Quality and Psychological Factors to the Experience of Within-Day Pain Fluctuations Among Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorders.

We assessed the impact of day-to-day sleep quality and psychological variables (catastrophizing, negative affect, and positive affect) to within-day pain fluctuations in 42 females with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) using electronic diaries. More specifically, we examined the contribution of these variables to the likelihood of experiencing pain exacerbations defined as 1) an increase of 20 points (or more) in pain intensity on a 0 to 100 visual analog scale from morning to evening, and/or 2) a transition from mild-to-moderate pain over the course of the day; and pain decreases defined as 3) a decrease of 20 points (or more) in pain intensity (visual analog scale) from morning to evening, and/or 4) a reduction from moderate-to-mild pain over the day. The results indicated significantly main effects of sleep on both pain exacerbation outcomes (both P's < .05), indicating that nights with better sleep quality were less likely to be followed by clinically meaningful pain exacerbations on the next day. The results also indicated that days characterized by higher levels of catastrophizing were associated with a greater likelihood of pain exacerbations on the same day (both P's < .05). Daily catastrophizing was the only variable significantly associated with within-day pain decrease indices (both P's < .05). None of the other variables were associated with these outcomes (all P's > .05). These results underscore the importance of addressing patients' sleep quality and psychological states in the management of painful TMD. PERSPECTIVES: These findings highlight the significance of sleep quality and pain catastrophizing in the experience of within-day pain fluctuations among individuals with TMD. Addressing these components through tailored interventions may help to alleviate the impact of pain fluctuations and enhance the overall well-being of TMD patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Swedish Adolescents' Mental Health, Psychosocial Functioning, Risk Behaviours, and Victimisation: Gender Differences and Implications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown varying effects on adolescents' mental health, psychosocial functioning, risk behaviours, and victimisation. This study aims to examine the changes reported by a sample of Swedish adolescents (N = 1607) at the end of the first year of the pandemic in relation to these factors. Data were collected with an electronic survey between September 2020 and February 2021, targeting upper-secondary high school students (aged 15-19 years). The results indicate a relatively low overall impact of the pandemic on Swedish upper-secondary school students, with notable gender differences. Compared to adolescent women, a higher percentage of adolescent men reported experiencing elevated levels of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, anger, and increased illicit drug use as consequences of the pandemic. In contrast, women demonstrated an increase in several salutogenic behaviours. Victimisation rates generally decreased during this period. These findings underscore the importance of heightened awareness among professionals within schools, social services, and healthcare settings regarding the distinct challenges encountered by a larger portion of adolescent men during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.

Competing Models of Personality Disorder: Relations With Psychosocial Functioning.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013), includes 10 categorical personality disorders (PD) in Section II (Section II PD) and a dimensional alternative model of PD (AMPD) in Section III. We compared the two models in explaining concurrent psychosocial functioning levels in psychiatric outpatients and community residents screened as at risk for PD pathology (N = 600). The AMPD's fully dimensional form showed stronger associations with psychosocial difficulties and explained more of their variance compared with the categorical Section II PD. AMPD Criterion A (personality functioning impairment) and Criterion B (pathological traits) incrementally predicted psychosocial functioning about equally with some unique predictions. Finally, AMPD's six categorical PD diagnoses did not show stronger associations with psychosocial functioning than the corresponding Section II PD diagnoses. Findings directly comparing the two models remain important and timely for informing future conceptualizations of PD in the diagnostic system.

Emotional Distress, Cognitive Complaints, and Care Needs among Advanced Cancer Survivors Treated with Immune Checkpoint Blockade: A Mixed-Method Study.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a better understanding of survivorship-related issues in advanced cancer survivors treated with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The purpose of this study was to identify survivorship-related issues, with a focus on psychological distress, cognitive complaints, physical sequelae, impact on family dynamics, and care needs in unresectable, advanced cancer survivors treated with ICB. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were conducted in survivors followed up at the University Hospital Brussels. We performed content analysis on the semi-structured interviews and analyzed the PROMs descriptively. RESULTS: 70 cancer survivors (71.4%) consented to participate between July 2022 and November 2023. Clinical fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) was present in 54.3% of the cancer survivors, and 18.6% had elevated cognitive complaints. We identified triggers related to clinically important psychological distress, such as immune-related adverse events, the progression/recurrence of disease, difficulties in adjusting to life after treatment, and co-existing life stressors, alongside persistent physical issues and unmet psychological and nutritional care needs. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate the existence of persistent psychological, physical, and cognitive issues, and support the need for routine screening for FCR. The identified triggers related to severe psychological distress can aid clinicians in timely referring the patient, thereby enhancing survivorship care.

Online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines: An exploratory study of outcomes after reintegration into the community.

BACKGROUND: This study examined psychosocial outcomes for Filipino survivors of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify relationships between demographic variables, self-reported and caregiver-reported trauma symptoms, and psychosocial functioning among Filipino youth who have experienced OSAEC. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: This study utilized inclusion criteria of survivors of OSAEC between ages 12 and 18 who received residential care and were reintegrated into the community for at least one year (N = 48). Participants were in care at shelters associated with Project PAVE in the Philippines. METHODS: As measured by three assessment tools, relationships between demographic variables and psychosocial functioning were explored for risk and protective factors of trauma symptoms and psychosocial functioning to better understand this population's needs post-integration. RESULTS: Results suggest survivors continue to experience psychosocial symptoms after reintegration. Caregivers reported survivors reintegrated outside the home had significantly higher externalizing symptoms (MR = 6.67; H(3) = 14.85, p = .002, η2 = 0.27) compared to survivors reintegrated within the home and survivors who trafficked themselves to have higher internalizing symptoms (MR = 16.79; H(3) = 11.80; p = .008, η2 = 0.20) than survivors trafficked by a relative. Caregivers reported survivors who resided in the shelter for one month or less to have higher internalizing symptoms (MR = 20.12; H(2) = 11.06; p = .004; η2 = 0.20) than survivors who resided in the shelter for six months or longer. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of further research to better understand the needs of this vulnerable population in order to guide the most effective intervention, aftercare, and reintegration programs to support survivors and their caregivers.