Informant Discrepancies in Judgments About Change During Mental Health Treatments

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-332
Author(s):  
Jessecae K. Marsh ◽  
Andrew S. Zeveney ◽  
Andres De Los Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Informant Discrepancies ◽  
Multiple Informants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Professional Mental Health ◽  
Receive Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Treatments ◽  
Treatment Improvement

Understanding how mental health treatments benefit people who receive treatment comes with a challenge: Often different people involved in treatment have different impressions of the treatment’s ultimate effects. How do people reconcile these different reports to understand the true benefit of treatment? In a series of four experiments, we tested people’s beliefs about how to integrate information from multiple informants for the treatment improvement of child clients. We found that laypeople (Experiments 1, 2, and 3) and professional mental health clinicians (Experiment 4) trust informants they believe to be insightful about the specific disorder but pessimistic about overall improvement. Our findings suggest important future research avenues to better understand how intuitions about reconciling informants influence the process of weighting information from clients and other people involved in their care.

scholarly journals Training Preservice Mental Health Counselors for Suicide Assessment: A Multiple Baseline Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teal Bohrer ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Probe Design ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Suicide Assessment ◽  
The Impact

Rates of death by suicide continue to increase across the United States. Mental health clinicians often have contact with individuals expressing suicidal ideation, but research suggests clinicians may not be appropriately prepared to assess a client’s suicide risk. Numerous models and theories explain and assess suicidal ideation. In 2009, Thomas Joiner and his colleagues proposed the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPT), which focused on three main factors strongly supported by research over the preceding decade. The present study utilized a nonconcurrent, multiple-baseline, multiple-probe design as well as a one-group pretest–posttest design to examine the impact of an IPT-based training model. Participants were preservice mental health clinicians currently enrolled in Master’s degree programs. Participants completed assessments on IPT knowledge and suicide-assessment self-efficacy, and results from this study indicated a significant increase in knowledge after completion of the training, as well as a slight decrease in self-efficacy. This study suggests that suicide-assessment training, even when done remotely, can increase suicide-assessment knowledge. Future research should explore preservice mental health clinicians’ self-efficacy as well as those factors influencing the confidence these professionals feel in their assessments of risk.

Anxiety Disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 338-344
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Nelson ◽  
Chelsea S. Rapoport ◽  
Lara Traeger ◽  
Joseph A. Greer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Patient Centered

The focus of this chapter is on the clinical manifestation of anxiety disorders in patients diagnosed with cancer. We review the prevalence and correlates, presenting characteristics, assessment methods and recommendations, and evidence-based pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments of anxiety in this population. Cancer-related considerations that may impact care and treatment planning are highlighted. Close collaboration between oncology and mental health clinicians as well as between the patient and their multidisciplinary team is essential for developing a patient-centered approach for managing anxiety, improving quality of life, and supporting participation in cancer care. The chapter concludes with discussion of key directions for future research on anxiety disorders in the oncology setting.

Examination of Family Counseling Coursework and Scope of Practice for Professional Mental Health Counselors

2020 ◽  
pp. 106648072097853
Author(s):  
Amy E. Williams ◽  
Olivia L. Weinzatl ◽  
B. L. Varga
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Counseling ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Professional Mental Health ◽  
Training Opportunities ◽  
And Training

This study examined couple and family counseling coursework in the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)–accredited clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) programs and scope of practice related to couple and family counseling based on each state’s licensure regulations for mental health counselors (MHCs). Required and offered courses in couple/family-related content areas for 331 CACREP-accredited CMHC programs were analyzed. In addition, state licensure regulations for all 50 states and Washington, DC, were examined to determine whether MHCs can conduct couple and family counseling based upon licensure regulations. The results of this study indicated a mean of 1.1 couple/family-related courses required and a mean of 2.3 of these courses offered within CMHC programs. All but one of the 51 licensure regulations analyzed either permits or does not specify whether couple/family counseling falls within the scope of practice of MHCs; these 50 state/territory regulations also lack concrete guidelines related to required training or supervised experience in couple and family counseling to provide this service competently as an MHC. Limitations and areas for future research and training opportunities are discussed in light of these results.

scholarly journals Pharmacogenetic testing in outpatient mental health clinics

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tammie Gainey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Pharmacogenetic Testing ◽  
Mental Health Clinics ◽  
Outpatient Mental Health ◽  
Health Clinics

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mental health clinicians' perceived knowledge regarding pharmacogenetic testing; their attitude, receptivity towards, and confidence in pharmacogenetic testing; and how pharmacogenetic testing is being implemented to support decision making in outpatient clinics. This study was guided by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory. An exhausted literature search was conducted to find studies on mental health clinicians' knowledge, perceived attitudes, and implementation of pharmacogenetic testing. The subject population included 28 mental health clinicians who are actively utilizing pharmacogenetic testing in outpatient mental health clinics. Participants responded to semi-structured open-ended prompts regarding knowledge, perceptions and implementation of pharmacogenetic testing in mental health outpatient clinics. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Five relevant themes emerged related to the perceptions of pharmacogenetic testing, impact on clinical decision-making, associated concerns of pharmacogenetic testing, knowledge gaps among clinicians, and policy challenges. Overall, clinicians perceived pharmacogenetic testing beneficial to guide dosing and medication selection to decrease the risk of side effects and increase tolerability of psychotropic medications. This study will lead to future research to support shared decision-making around pharmacogenetics testing, medication adherence and tolerability, and setting guidelines for pharmacogenetics testing in mental health clinics.

scholarly journals Sharing Clinical Notes in a Canadian Mental Health Setting: Recommendations from Applying the Consolidated Framework for Intervention Research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Lo ◽  
Iman Kassam ◽  
Keri Durocher ◽  
Danielle Shin ◽  
Nelson Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Intervention Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Clinical Notes ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OpenNotes movement presents an optimal solution for virtual engagement through the sharing of clinical notes within mental health care settings. Therefore, we conducted interviews to discover how mental health clinicians interact with patients using OpenNotes. We integrated The Consolidated Framework for Intervention Research to establish implementation recommendations. As both challenges and opportunities were identified, future research should address challenges to foster patient and clinician engagement in sharing clinical notes.

Predicting rejection attitudes toward utilizing formal mental health services in Muslim women in the US: Results from the Muslims’ perceptions and attitudes to mental health study

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110010
Author(s):  
Sara Ali ◽  
Danah Elsayed ◽  
Saadia Elahi ◽  
Belal Zia ◽  
Rania Awaad
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Professional Mental Health

Background: The underutilization of mental health services is a recognized problem for the growing number of Muslims living in the West. Despite their unique mental health risk factors and the pivotal role they play in determining mental health discourse in their families and in society, Muslim women in particular have not received sufficient study. Aim: To help remedy this research gap, we examined factors that may impact the rejection attitudes of Muslim women toward professional mental health care using the first psychometrically validated scale of its kind; the M-PAMH (Muslims’ Perceptions and Attitudes to Mental Health). Methods: A total of 1,222 Muslim women responded to questions about their cultural and religious beliefs about mental health, stigma associated with mental health, and familiarity with formal mental health services in an anonymous online survey. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that higher religious and cultural beliefs, higher societal stigma, and lower familiarity with professional mental health services were associated with greater rejection attitudes toward professional mental healthcare. The final model was statistically significant, F (5, 1,216) = 73.778; p < .001, and explained 23% of the variance in rejection attitudes with stigma accounting for the most (12.3%) variance, followed by cultural and religious mental health beliefs (6%), and familiarity with mental health services (2.7%). Conclusions: Findings suggest that although the examined factors contributed significantly to the model, they may not be sufficient in the explanation of Muslim women's rejection attitudes toward mental health services. Future research may explore additional variables, as well as predictive profiles for Muslim women’s perceptions and attitudes of mental health based on a combination of these factors.

Cosmetic Medical and Surgical Treatments and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Canice E. Crerand ◽  
David B. Sarwer ◽  
Margaret Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Symptom Exacerbation ◽  
Mental Health Treatments ◽  
Surgical Treatments ◽  
Aesthetic Procedures

This chapter reviews the topic of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and cosmetic medical (including surgical) treatments. One of the most concerning aspects of BDD from a clinical perspective is these individuals’ pursuit of non-mental health treatments—such as surgery, dermatologic treatment, and dental treatment—for a mental health problem. The prevalence of BDD among individuals who seek cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical treatments—especially rhinoplasty—is consistently higher than BDD’s estimated prevalence in the general population. Conversely, a high proportion of persons with BDD seek aesthetic procedures to improve their perceived appearance defects. The limited literature on changes in BDD symptoms and psychosocial functioning after these treatments suggest that outcomes appear to often be poor. BDD symptom improvement is rare and, at best, temporary; there also is risk for symptom exacerbation. Provision of cosmetic treatment for BDD concerns may also involve risks for both patients and clinicians. Taken together, these findings suggest that BDD is a contraindication for cosmetic procedures. The chapter concludes with directions for future research.

Physical and Psychological Benefits of Written Emotional Expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.

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