Stakeholder informed development of the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement team–based program (EASE-Teams)

Emotion dysregulation (ED) underlies psychiatric symptoms and impedes adaptive responses in autistic individuals. The Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) program was the first mindfulness-based intervention designed to target emotion dysregulation in autistic adolescents (12–17 years old). This project partnered with stakeholders to adapt EASE for autistic adolescents and adults with co-occurring intellectual disability and autistic elementary-aged children, groups who often benefit from caregiver support in treatment. Over three adaptation phases, we: (1) elicited stakeholder and expert feedback to adapt the original EASE program for autistic individuals with intellectual disability; (2) redesigned the adapted manual and expanded the target age range following a small “micro-trial” with a sample of autistic adolescents and adults with intellectual disability ( n = 6); and (3) demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of a caregiver-client team-based approach (EASE-Teams) in a sample of 10 autistic individuals with and without intellectual disability (ages 7–25) and their caregivers. EASE-Teams was both acceptable and helpful to families. Significant improvements were noted in participant emotion dysregulation, psychiatric symptoms, and caregiver stress from their child’s dysregulation. Findings suggest that EASE-Teams may be appropriate for heterogeneous developmental and cognitive needs. Future research to establish efficacy and refine EASE-Teams with community providers is warranted. Lay abstract Emotion dysregulation (ED) impacts mental health symptoms and well-being in autistic individuals. In prior work, we developed the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) to improve emotion dysregulation with autistic adolescents (aged 12–17). The study team partnered with autistic individuals, their caregivers, and expert clinicians to adapt EASE for autistic adolescents and adults with co-occurring intellectual disability and autistic elementary-aged children, groups that often benefit from caregiver support in treatment. In three phases, we (1) gathered caregiver and expert feedback to adapt the original EASE program for autistic adults with intellectual disability, (2) revised the treatment after using it with six autistic adults with intellectual disability, and (3) tested the newly developed caregiver–client team-based treatment, called EASE-Teams, in a small group of 10 autistic individuals with and without intellectual disability (aged 7–25). Families found EASE-Teams to be acceptable and helpful. We found improvements in emotion dysregulation and mental health symptoms for autistic participants. Caregivers reported less stress from their child’s dysregulation after participating. These results show that EASE-Teams can be appropriate for different developmental and cognitive needs. Future studies will need to test the benefits of the treatment in community clinics.

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Camouflaging in non-autistic adults is associated with poorer mental health

10.31234/osf.io/myp4g ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mark Somerville ◽

Sarah E. MacPherson ◽

Sue Fletcher-Watson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Executive Function ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Self Report ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Autistic People ◽

Autistic Adults ◽

The Relationship

Camouflaging is a frequently reported behaviour in autistic people, which entails the use of strategies to compensate for and mask autistic traits in social situations. Camouflaging is associated with poor mental health in autistic people. This study examined the manifestation of camouflaging in a non-autistic sample, examining the relationship between autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health. In addition, the role of executive functions as a mechanism underpinning camouflaging was explored. Sixty-three non-autistic adults completed standardised self-report questionnaires which measured: autistic traits, mental health symptoms, and camouflaging behaviours. In addition, a subset (n=51) completed three tests of executive function measuring inhibition, working memory, and set-shifting. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse data. Results indicated that autistic traits are not associated with mental health symptoms when controlling for camouflaging, and camouflaging predicted increased mental health symptoms. Camouflaging did not correlate with any measure of executive function. These findings have implications for understanding the relationship between autistic traits and mental health in non-autistic people and add to the growing development of theory and knowledge about the mechanism and effects of camouflaging.

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Patterns of Trauma Exposure, Emotion Dysregulation, and Mental Health Symptoms: A Latent Class Analysis

Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma ◽

10.1080/10926771.2021.1970673 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Zoe Bridges-Curry ◽

Tamara L. Newton

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Latent Class ◽

Trauma Exposure ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms

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Inpatient treatment of borderline personality disorder in adults with intellectual disability: reflections on practice

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1108/amhid-03-2018-0008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 67-75

Author(s):

Trine Elisabeth Iversen ◽

Kristin Horndalsveen ◽

Espen Matre ◽

Tine Finstad Henriksen ◽

Sarah Fusche ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Borderline Personality Disorder ◽

Personality Disorder ◽

Inpatient Treatment ◽

Borderline Personality ◽

Behaviour Problems ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Content Type

Purpose There are few publications on personality disorder in adults with intellectual disability (ID), and on borderline personality disorder (BPD) specifically. Publications concerning treatment are sparse, despite the high symptom burden in these patients. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Six patients with BPD and ID were recruited from the same inpatient unit. Behaviour problems and mental health symptoms were scored on admission and discharge. Information about treatment, length of stay, etc. was taken from case files. Findings Both mental health symptoms measured by the SCL-90-R, and behaviour problems measured by the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist were significantly reduced on discharge. In the active treatment period, the two main aspects of treatment were validation and practicing new solutions when emotional and behavioural problems occur, i.e. skills training. Research limitations/implications The limitations related to this study are that the study is conducted in one milieu only. Another limitation is that the patients were admitted over a five-year period, where, some changes were made in the treatment approach. Practical implications Inpatient treatment of this patient group seems to be effective if individually adjusted to the patient’s psychopathology, ID and communication style. Close co-operation between the individual therapist and milieu therapists is essential. Originality/value There is a need for intervention studies on BPD in ID. This study may be a valuable contribution.

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Acute-Stage Mental Health Symptoms by Natural Disaster Type: Consultations of Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Teams (DPATs) in Japan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182312409 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (23) ◽

pp. 12409

Author(s):

Yoshifumi Takagi ◽

Sho Takahashi ◽

Yasuhisa Fukuo ◽

Tetsuaki Arai ◽

Hirokazu Tachikawa

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Health Information ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Acute Stage ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Information

This study analyzed the support activities that the Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team (DPAT) in Japan provided following four previous disasters (a volcanic eruption, a mudslide, a flood, and an earthquake) to identify links between the disaster type and the characteristics of acute stage mental disorders observed. Using Disaster Mental Health Information Support System database records of consultations with patients supported by the DPAT during the survey period from 2013 (when DPAT was launched) to 2016, we performed cross-tabulations and investigated significant differences using chi-squared tests. For expected values less than 5, Fisher’s exact test was performed. Frequently occurring acute-stage symptoms after a disaster include anxiety, sleep problems, mood and affect, and physical symptoms. The affected population characteristics, victim attributes, severity of damage sustained, and evacuation status were the chief factors that influenced acute-stage mental health symptoms. The psychiatric symptoms detected in our study together with the results of diagnoses are important for determining the types of early interventions needed during the acute stage of a disaster. By sharing baseline mental health information, together with disaster-related characteristics highlighted in this study, mental health providers are better able to predict future possible mental disorders and symptoms.

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Child, parent, and family mental health and functioning in Australia during COVID-19: Comparison to pre-pandemic data

10.31234/osf.io/ydrm9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Westrupp ◽

Clair Bennett ◽

Tomer S Berkowitz ◽

George Joseph Youssef ◽

John Toumbourou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Parenting Practices ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Higher Alcohol ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Couple Conflict

The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to the mental health and wellbeing of families. This study aimed to examine: (1) patterns of parent and child (0–18 years) mental health, parent substance use, couple conflict, parenting practices, and family functioning during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic data; and (2) associations between parent, child, and family outcomes during the pandemic and both pre-existing risk factors and COVID-19 stressors. Participants were Australian mothers (81%) and fathers aged 18 years and over who were parents of a child 0–18 years (N=2,365). Parents completed an online self-report survey assessing mental health, substance use, couple conflict, parenting, and family functioning during ‘stage three’ COVID-19 restrictions in April 2020. Data were compared to pre-pandemic data from four Australian population-based cohorts. Compared to pre-pandemic estimates, during the pandemic period parents reported higher rates of parent mental health symptoms (Cohen’s d=0.26-.81, all p<.001), higher parenting irritability (d=0.17-.46, all p<.001), lower family positive expressiveness (d=-0.18, p<.001), and higher alcohol consumption (22% vs 12% drinking four or more days per week, p<.001). In multivariable analyses, pre-existing financial deprivation and COVID-19 stressors were associated with greater severity in parent and child mental health symptoms, parent emotion dysregulation, parenting irritability, couple conflict and family positive/negative expressiveness. Parents and children with pre-existing mental health conditions had elevated difficulties during the pandemic across most domains. Our data suggest wide-ranging, detrimental family impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and support policy actions to assist families with financial supports, leave entitlements, and social housing.

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Cocaine Use and Post Partum Psychiatric Symptoms

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1992.70.1.51 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 51-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Daniel R. Neuspiel ◽

Sara C. Hamel

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychiatric Symptom ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Post Partum ◽

Index Score ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Symptom Index ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Cocaine Use ◽

Cognitive Disturbance

The association of mental health symptoms with cocaine use was studied among post partum women. Gestational cocaine use was determined by confidential interview or urine assay. A structured Psychiatric Symptom Index was used to measure mental health symptoms. Among 155 women, 24 (15%) used cocaine. Cocaine-using women had less education, higher parity, less weight gain during pregnancy, and used more cigarettes, marijuana, and opiates in pregnancy than nonusers. High frequency of symptoms (standardized Psychiatric Symptom Index score ≥20) was found in 71% of women for the Total Index score, 81% on depression, 61% on anxiety, 36% on cognitive disturbance, and 75% on anger. No differences in Psychiatric Symptom Index Total or factor scores were associated with cocaine use.

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