scholarly journals Only human: Mental health difficulties among clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and trainees

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Victor ◽  
Andrew Devendorf ◽  
Stephen Lewis ◽  
JONATHAN ROTTENBERG ◽  
Jennifer J Muehlenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Psychology ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychology Faculty ◽  
Clinical Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Internship Programs ◽  
Health Diagnosis

How common is mental illness among applied psychologists? This question is paradoxically neglected, perhaps because disclosure and discussion of lived mental health difficulties remains taboo within the field. This study documented high rates of current and lifetime mental health difficulties and diagnoses (MHDD) among faculty, graduate students, and others affiliated with accredited doctoral and internship programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Over 80% of respondents (N = 1,395 of 1,692) reported lifetime mental health difficulties, and nearly half reported a formal mental health diagnosis. The most commonly reported lifetime MHDD were depression (over 55%), generalized anxiety disorder (over 50%), and suicidal thoughts or behaviors (over 40%), while bipolar (< 2%) and psychotic disorders (< 1%) were among the least reported. Most respondents with MHDD (90%) reported mild or no impairment in professional domains due to MHDD. Graduate students were more likely to endorse MHDD than faculty and were more likely to report professional impairment. Overall, lifetime rates of psychopathology within clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and trainees were similar to or greater than those observed in the general population. We discuss the implications of these results and suggest specific directions for future research on this heretofore neglected topic.

scholarly journals Only human: Mental health difficulties among clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and trainees

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Victor ◽  
Andrew Devendorf ◽  
Stephen Lewis ◽  
JONATHAN ROTTENBERG ◽  
Jennifer J Muehlenkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Psychology ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychology Faculty ◽  
Clinical Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Internship Programs ◽  
Health Diagnosis

How common is mental illness among applied psychologists? This question is paradoxically neglected, perhaps because disclosure and discussion of lived mental health difficulties remains taboo within the field. This study documented high rates of current and lifetime mental health difficulties and diagnoses (MHDD) among faculty, graduate students, and others affiliated with accredited doctoral and internship programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Over 80% of respondents (N = 1,395 of 1,692) reported lifetime mental health difficulties, and nearly half reported a formal mental health diagnosis. The most commonly reported lifetime MHDD were depression (over 55%), generalized anxiety disorder (over 50%), and suicidal thoughts or behaviors (over 40%), while bipolar (< 2%) and psychotic disorders (< 1%) were among the least reported. Most respondents with MHDD (90%) reported mild or no impairment in professional domains due to MHDD. Graduate students were more likely to endorse MHDD than faculty and were more likely to report professional impairment. Overall, lifetime rates of psychopathology within clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and trainees were similar to or greater than those observed in the general population. We discuss the implications of these results and suggest specific directions for future research on this heretofore neglected topic.

scholarly journals Leveraging the Strengths of Psychologists with Lived Experience of Mental Illness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Victor ◽  
Jessica L. Schleider ◽  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Daniel E. Bradford ◽  
Andrew Devendorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
School Psychology ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Psychology Faculty ◽  
Clinical Counseling

Psychopathology is a common element of the human experience, and psychological scientists are not immune. Recent empirical data demonstrate that over 80% of clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and graduate students have lived experience of mental illness (Victor et al., under review). This commentary compliments these findings by leveraging the perspectives of the authors and signatories, who all have personal lived experience of psychopathology, to improve professional inclusivity within these fields. By “coming out proud” (Corrigan et al., 2013), the authors aim to foster discussion, research, and inclusion efforts as they relate to psychopathology experiences within psychological science. To that end, the authors describe considerations related to disclosure of lived experience, identify barriers to inclusion, and provide concrete recommendations for personal and systemic changes to improve recognition and acceptance of psychopathology lived experience among psychologists.

scholarly journals The Cognitive Assessment Course: Two Decades Later

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Lockwood ◽  
Ryan L. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
School Psychology ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychology Programs

Given significant changes to legislation, practice, research, and instrumentation, the purpose of this study was to examine the course on cognitive assessment in school psychology programs and to describe the (a) structure, (b) instructional strategies, (c) content, and (d) interpretative strategies taught to school psychology graduate students. 127 instructors were surveyed, and results suggest that over the last 20 years support for teaching cognitive assessment has decreased while the content and instructional strategies have remained largely the same. Results of this study also indicate that the interpretation strategies taught rely heavily on Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory and related interpretive frameworks (e.g., cross-battery assessment). Additionally, instructors are placing greater emphasis on and multicultural sensitivity/ culturally and linguistically diverse assessment than in previous decades. Implications for future research, training and practice are discussed.

Bilingual school psychology graduate students’ perceptions of a cultural immersion experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desireé Vega ◽  
Cynthia Plotts
Keyword(s):  
School Psychology ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Cultural Immersion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychology Programs ◽  
Psychology Graduate Students ◽  
Immersion Experience ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Bilingual School Psychology ◽  
Bilingual School

This exploratory study investigated the experiences of seven bilingual school psychology graduate students’ participation in a two-week cultural immersion experience at the Texas–Mexico border. Findings revealed five significant themes related to their experience: (1) pushed out of comfort zone, (2) bonding with peers, (3) language, culture, and identity, (4) awareness of unique challenges, and (5) changes needed in the immersion program. Implications for school psychology programs and future research directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Long-term Benzodiazepine Treatment in Patients with Psychotic Disorders Attending a Mental Health Service in Rural Greece

2016 ◽  
Vol 07 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S026-S030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaios Peritogiannis ◽  
Thiresia Manthopoulou ◽  
Venetsanos Mavreas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Regimen ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Population Based ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Future Research ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mobile Mental Health

ABSTRACT Introduction: Long-term benzodiazepine (BZD) treatment in patients with mental disorders is widespread in clinical practice, and this is also the case of patients with schizophrenia, although the evidence is weak and BZD prescription is discouraged by guidelines and medical authorities. Data on BZD prescription are usually derived from national or regional databases whereas information on the use of BZD by patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses in general population-based samples is limited. Materials and Methods: Information for 77 patients with psychotic disorders who were regularly attending follow-up appointments with the multidisciplinary Mobile Mental Health Unit of the prefectures of Ioannina and Thesprotia, Northwest Greece, during 1-year period (2015) was obtained from our database. Results: From the total of 77 engaged patients, 30 (39%) were regularly prescribed BZDs in the long term, as part of their treatment regimen. Prescribed BZDs were mostly diazepam and lorazepam, in 43.3% of cases each. The mean daily dose of these compounds was 13 mg and 3.77 mg, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a correlation of long-term BZD use with the history of alcohol/substance abuse. Most patients were receiving BZD continuously for several years, and the mean dose was steady within this interval. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients with psychotic disorders were regularly prescribed BZD in long term. It appears that when BZDs are prescribed for some period in the course of a psychotic disorder, their use commonly exceeds the recommended interval and then becomes a regular part of the chronic treatment regimen. Future research should address the factors that may be related to the long-term BZD use by patients with psychotic disorders. Interventions for the reduction of regular BZD prescription should target the primary care setting and all those who treat first episode patients.

Mapping evidence from systematic reviews regarding adult attachment and mental health difficulties: a scoping review

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-229
Author(s):  
G. Mullen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Interpersonal Processes ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Meta Analyses

ObjectiveThe aim of this scoping review was to map evidence gathered through systematic reviews regarding adult attachment and mental health difficulties. This review highlights established, emerging, and inconsistent findings, suggesting areas for future research, and implications for theory and practice.MethodsA systematic search for meta-analyses and systematic reviews measuring adult attachment and concerning mental health difficulties was conducted. In total, 17 studies met the selection criteria.ResultsFindings were presented according to four identified themes, (1) measurement of attachment; (2) measurement of mental health difficulty; (3) intrapersonal processes related to attachment and mental health difficulties; and (4) interpersonal processes related to attachment and mental health difficulties.ConclusionsThis review highlights the connection between attachment style and mental health difficulties, and suggests that relationships can facilitate both mental health and illheath. However, the mechanisms through which insecure attachment confers risk for mental health difficulties require further research.

scholarly journals “I think I have a problem”. Disclosure of mental health difficulties by friends.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lampard-Scotford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Coping Responses ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
And Coping

Amidst concerns that the prevalence of young people experiencing a mental health issue is increasing, it is important to understand young people’s responses to mental illness disclosures. Drawing on data from one-on-one interviews with six participants aged between 19 and 22, this paper demonstrates how perceived barriers, age and context changes, and stress and coping responses effect a young person’s response to a mental illness disclosure from friends, and how these responses serve to either prevent or facilitate future help-seeking. Consequently, participants suggested stigma was the most significant impediment to help-seeking behaviours in young people with MHPs. Age and context differences were also highlighted, alongside their effect on the participants’ stress and coping responses to disclosures and perceptions of barriers in mental health. Implications for future research and practice are also outlined.

Nutrition interventions in populations with mental health conditions: a scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 687-697
Author(s):  
Stephana J. Cherak ◽  
Kirsten M. Fiest ◽  
Laura VanderSluis ◽  
Carlota Basualdo-Hammond ◽  
Diane L. Lorenzetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Essential Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
Positive Effects

Nutrition is a modifiable factor for intervention in mental disorders. This scoping review characterized nutrition intervention research in mental disorders. A 3-category framework characterized nutrition interventions: Guide (e.g., counselling), Provide (e.g., food provisions), and Add (e.g., supplementation). Nutrition interventions were classified as single-component (e.g., Guide) or complex (e.g., Guide-Provide). Sixty-nine trials met inclusion criteria, 96% were randomized controlled trials. Most commonly diagnosed mental disorders were depressive disorder (i.e., persistent) or major depressive disorder (n = 39), schizophrenia (n = 17), and other psychotic disorders (n = 13). Few trials included patients with anxiety disorders (n = 2) or bipolar disorders (n = 3). Several trials (n = 15, 22%) assessed and implemented nutrition interventions to improve dietary patterns, of which 11 (73%) reported statistically significant and clinically important positive effects of nutrition interventions on mental disorders. The majority of the trials (n = 61, 90%) investigated supplementation, most commonly adding essential fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals. The majority (n = 48, 70%) reported either statistically significant or clinically important effect and 31 (51%) reported both. Though most interventions led to statistically significant improvements, trials were heterogeneous for targeted mental disorders, nutrition interventions, and outcomes assessed. Given considerable heterogeneity, further research from robust and clinically relevant trials is required to support high-quality health care with effective nutrition interventions. Novelty Future research on whole-diet interventions powered to detect changes in mental health outcomes as primary objectives is needed. Dietitians may be an opportunity to improve feasibility and efficacy of nutrition interventions for mental disorder patients. Dietitians may be of value to educate mental health practitioners on the importance of nutrition.

Perception of Risk in Intimate Partner Violence Is Influenced by Risk Scales, Perpetrator and Victim Gender, and Mental Illness Diagnosis: A Risk Communication Study With Laypeople

Partner Abuse ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-157
Author(s):  
L. Maaike Helmus ◽  
Mehrnaz Peikarnegar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Victim Gender ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Despite considerable research on the predictive accuracy of risk scales, there is limited research exploring other factors that influence perceptions of risk. We recruited participants (N = 1,955) from Amazon's Mechanical Turk to read a vignette about a fictional intimate partner violence offender, varying risk level on a fictional scale (low or high), perpetrator gender (cis male, cis female, or transgender female), victim gender (cis male or cis female), and mental health diagnosis (none, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorder). The strongest effect was for the risk scale, with offenders perceived as highest risk when the scale reported “high risk” as opposed to “low risk.” The other main effects were also statistically significant. Cases were perceived as riskier when the perpetrator was cis male or the victim was cis female. Regarding mental health diagnosis, the highest risk ratings were provided in the schizophrenia condition. There was also a significant interaction among risk level, perpetrator gender, and diagnosis. The extent to which participants relied on gendered stereotypes about the relationship between mental illness and violence when providing risk judgments should be examined in future research. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of characteristics that are secondary to risk level but are likely to influence case management decisions in cases of intimate partner violence.

scholarly journals Experience of mental health diagnosis and perceived misdiagnosis in autistic, possibly autistic and non-autistic adults

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1508-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheena K Au-Yeung ◽  
Louise Bradley ◽  
Ashley E Robertson ◽  
Rebecca Shaw ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Mental Health Diagnoses ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Previous research shows that autistic people have high levels of co-occurring mental health conditions. Yet, a number of case reports have revealed that mental health conditions are often misdiagnosed in autistic individuals. A total of 420 adults who identified as autistic, possibly autistic or non-autistic completed an online survey consisting of questions regarding mental health diagnoses they received, whether they agreed with those diagnoses and if not why. Autistic and possibly autistic participants were more likely to report receiving mental health diagnoses compared to non-autistic participants, but were less likely to agree with those diagnoses. Thematic analysis revealed the participants’ main reasons for disagreement were that (1) they felt their autism characteristics were being confused with mental health conditions by healthcare professionals and (2) they perceived their own mental health difficulties to be resultant of ASC. Participants attributed these to the clinical barriers they experienced, including healthcare professionals’ lack of autism awareness and lack of communication, which in turn prevented them from receiving appropriate support. This study highlights the need for autism awareness training for healthcare professionals and the need to develop tools and interventions to accurately diagnose and effectively treat mental health conditions in autistic individuals.

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