scholarly journals Internalizing symptoms impede adolescents’ ability to transition from in-person to online mental health services during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110212
Author(s):  
Ehud Mekori-Domachevsky ◽  
Noam Matalon ◽  
Yael Mayer ◽  
Noga Shiffman ◽  
Ido Lurie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Working Alliance ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Working Alliance Inventory ◽  
Session Evaluation

Introduction Online mental health services were previously found to be effective in many studies. However, this method was not generally used in Israel. By the end of 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic erupted, forcing mental health services to transition to online meetings to maintain the standard of care. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the attitudes of adolescent patients toward this involuntary new mode of care. Methods Forty-four adolescents (mean age 14.62 ± 2.12 years, 54.5% females) and 40 of their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires that included the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire, session evaluation questionnaire, working alliance inventory, and pediatric symptom checklist. Results Both adolescents and their caregivers reported a reasonable experience with the online medium and a feeling that the meetings were overall powerful, helpful, and comfortable as demonstrated by medium to high scores on the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire and session evaluation questionnaire questionnaires. A therapeutic alliance was generally maintained according to working alliance inventory scores. However, working alliance inventory scores were negatively correlated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms and parental stress. Discussion Our findings point to the possibility that anxious/depressed adolescents will have greater difficulties re-establishing therapeutic alliance when transitioned from in-person to online meetings. This may be due to the introduction of an “invisible” third party to the therapeutic setting—the computer. Psychologists and psychiatrists should be aware of these difficulties and respond adequately to maintain the standard of care.

scholarly journals A realistic evaluation of evidence-based therapeutic processes in mental health services– Context-Mechanisms-Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Badu ◽  
Anthony Paul O’Brien ◽  
Rebecca Mitchell ◽  
Akwasi Osei
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mental Health Professional ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Realistic Evaluation ◽  
Alliance Building

Abstract Background Evidence-based clinical practice is an inherent component of developed countries mental health professional practice, however, little is known about Ghana mental health professional perspectives on evidence-based practice. This paper outlines the processes involved in the delivery of best practice in Ghana. The paper describes a realistic evaluation of mental health nurses and allied health opinions regarding the evidenced-based therapeutic process in Ghana mental health facilities. Methods A purposive sample of 30 Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) was recruited to participate in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. A programme theory of Context + Mechanism = Outcome (CMO) configuration was developed from the analysis. Results The thematic analysis identified two CMO configurations: 1) technical competency stimulates evidence-based mental health services; and, 2) therapeutic alliance-building ensures effective interaction. The study demonstrated that contextual factors (technical competencies and therapeutic alliance building) together with mechanisms (intentional and unintentional) help to promote the quality of mental health services. However, contextual factor such as the lack of sign language interpreters yielded an unintended outcome such as consumer-provider communication barrier for consumers with hearing impaired and those from linguistically minority background. Conclusion We conclude that government stakeholders and policymakers should prioritize policy documents, periodic monitoring and adequate financial incentives to support the on-going mechanisms that promote mental health professional technical competence and therapeutic alliance building.

Referrer satisfaction with services provided at a national and specialist clinic for OCD and related disorders in children and adolescents

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Doreen Hoerold ◽  
Georgina Krebs ◽  
Cynthia Turner ◽  
Isobel Heyman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
After Care ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Satisfaction With Services

Rationale: Referrer satisfaction is an often-neglected outcome measure in mental health services and can inform service improvements. We examined referrer satisfaction with a specialist OCD service for young people.Method:  An online satisfaction questionnaire, comprising 19 closed and one open-ended question, was sent to 155 referrers of whom 30 (19.4%) responded.Results: Satisfaction was high overall. However, higher levels of satisfaction were noted with respect to treatment plans as compared to treatment outcome. Referrers also made recommendations for service improvements, such as increased communication during treatment, recommendations for after-care, managing co-morbidity and improving patient engagement.Conclusions: Referrer satisfaction may be improved by addressing these aspects of the service.

scholarly journals Examining the Relationship between Choice, Therapeutic Alliance and Outcomes in Mental Health Services

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Stanhope ◽  
Stacey Barrenger ◽  
Mark Salzer ◽  
Stephen Marcus
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
The Relationship

Evaluating the use of responsive art therapy in an inpatient child and adolescent mental health services unit

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fran Nielsen ◽  
Sophie Isobel ◽  
Jean Starling
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Art Therapy ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Inpatient Mental Health

Objectives: We describe the use of responsive art therapy in an inpatient child and adolescent mental health services unit, including its acceptability rated through a satisfaction questionnaire. Methods: A patient satisfaction questionnaire was developed to collect feedback from 46 adolescents. Images from therapy were photographed and collated looking for patterns across diagnoses and stages of treatment. Results: Adolescents reported that art therapy helped them learn how to express themselves safely (80%) and understand how their thoughts related to their feelings (78%). Conclusions: Responsive art therapy was a useful strategy to support the safe expression of distress and was seen as a positive experience by adolescents in inpatient mental health care.

Short-Term Changes in Internalizing Symptoms and Help-Seeking Attitudes During the Coronavirus Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 448-480
Author(s):  
P. Priscilla Lui ◽  
Shefali Katedia ◽  
Savannah Pham ◽  
Westley Giadolor ◽  
Sarah Gobrial ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Asian Americans ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Help Seeking Attitudes ◽  
General Decline

Introduction: Existing data suggest that American adults experience added emotional difficulties amid the coronavirus disease outbreak. Psychotherapy can help mitigate mental health concerns; still, many individuals with unmet mental health needs refrain from professional help-seeking. According to theory of reasoned action, negative help-seeking attitudes are key barriers to engagement with mental health services. Given that individuals with severe distress are more likely to seek therapy than individuals with mild psychopathology symptoms, greater initial and increasing levels of internalizing symptoms amid the coronavirus outbreak likely are linked to increasingly favorable attitudes toward professional help-seeking. Method: In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, American community adults, N = 831 [49.0% Asian Americans], Mage = 46.78, 50.2% women, were recruited for a panel survey study conducted over the course of three weeks. At each time point, participants completed questionnaires to assess their internalizing symptoms associated with depression and anxiety as well as their openness to and perceived value/need in treatment seeking. Results: Very few participants—especially Asian Americans —were seeking counseling during the study period. Latent growth curve results showed a general decline in internalizing symptoms, and no changes in openness to and perceived need in professional help-seeking. Whereas there were no time-varying correlations between internalizing symptoms and help-seeking attitudes, individuals with greater baseline internalizing symptoms generally were more open to seeking professional help and perceived less value in mental health services. Sensitivity analyses showed patterns in the Asian American subsample similar to those in the overall sample. Discussion: Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

scholarly journals “Sex isn’t everything”: views of people with experience of psychosis on intimate relationships and implications for mental health services

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca White ◽  
Gillian Haddock ◽  
Filippo Varese ◽  
Maria Haarmans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Social Constructionism ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Abusive Relationships ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Trauma Informed

Abstract Background The experience of psychosis and associated discrimination can be a barrier to forming and maintaining romantic relationships. Sexual health interventions within mental health services often focus on contraception and reducing risk. There are no known studies that seek to understand what support, if any, people who experience psychosis want regarding psychosocial aspects of intimate relationships. Methods To address this gap in the literature, qualitative data was collected to investigate how people with experience of psychosis conceptualise romantic relationships and what support they would like in this area of their lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 mental health service users (four women, six men) with experience of psychosis. Interviews were analysed from a critical realist social constructionism perspective using thematic analysis. Results Stigma was a prominent theme, described as impacting numerous aspects of romantic relationships. Power imbalance within services meant participants were wary of having conversations about relationships with professionals and identified a therapeutic alliance as a prerequisite. However, abusive relationships were highlighted as a needed area for support by services. Conclusion Services should be trauma-informed and help those in abusive relationships. The power and autonomy of people with experience of psychosis should be maintained in any discussions or interventions regarding intimate relationships. A strong therapeutic alliance is essential for any work in this area.

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