Perceptions of Therapeutic Intervention in Suicide Crisis Counseling in Experienced Korean Counselors: A Concept Mapping Study

Within Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations, South Korea has the highest suicide rate for which immediate prevention measures are sought including effective therapeutic counseling interventions. As such, the present study explored and examined experienced South Korean counselors' perception of therapeutic interventions for the prevention or delaying of completed suicide, using concept mapping methodology. The semi-structured interviews were provided to 15 study participants of experienced counselors having a minimum of 5 years of professional counseling career and at least 10 suicide crisis counseling sessions. A total of 77 statements were extracted with 8 major clusters: “Securing Safety,” “Active Advocacy for Client,” “Coping Skills Training,” “Conceptualization of Suicide Crisis,” “Emotional Identification and Validation,” “Empowerment,” “Counselor Self-Disclosure,” “Counselor Self-Awareness and Regulation.” From the results, the present study described unique findings in Korean counselors' perceptions of suicide crisis therapeutic intervention. Study limitations and future implications are further discussed.

Peri-abortion contraceptive counseling: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Objective To assess the effects of peri-abortion contraceptive counseling interventions. Methods We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effect of different types of peri-abortion contraceptive counseling interventions and were published as original papers in scientific journals. The literature search was performed in June 2021 in PubMed, Central Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Scopus, and Google Scholar; without restrictions in language or publication date. Two independent authors identified studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted the data. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool, and evidence certainty was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Whenever possible, meta-analyses were performed. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020187354). Results Eleven RCTs were eligible for inclusion (published from 2004 to 2017), from which nine compared enhanced versus standard counseling. Pooled estimates showed that, compared to standard counseling, enhanced counseling was associated with a higher incidence of effective contraceptive use (>3 months) (relative risk [RR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.16), although no significant difference was found in the incidence of long-acting reversible contraceptive use (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.68–2.29), contraceptive uptake (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.98–1.15), and obstetric event occurrence (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.57–1.47). Certainty of evidence was very low for all outcomes. In addition, two studies compared contraceptive counseling provided by physicians versus that provided by non-physicians, which did not show significant differences. Conclusions Enhanced contraceptive counseling may favor effective contraceptive use but may not affect the rate of obstetric event occurrence. Also, the studies did not find a difference in the effects of counseling interventions given by different providers. Since evidence certainty was very low, future well-designed RCTs are needed to make informed decisions. Registration The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020187354).

Desensitisasi Bersistem (CBT-SD) Terhadap Simptomatologi PTSD Mangsa Buli: Satu Kajian Kes

Bullying not only has a significant influence on victims' physical and emotional well-being, but they are also reported to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts and emotions of hopelessness and powerlessness. The symptomatology of untreated PTSD exposes victims to other psychological issues such as substance abuse, depersonalization and suicide. This case study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Systematic Desensitization (CBT-SD), a counseling intervention for reducing symptomatology of PTSD. He was diagnosed with clinically severe symptomatology of PTSD (T> 65) by using the Detailed Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress (DAPS) (Briere, 2001). The treatment planning using CBT-SD technique was constructed aimed at answering the research questions. The results indicate a decrease in the symptomatology of PTSD and other psychological issues, particularly on the scales of dissociation and suicide. Reducing PTSD symptoms has a favourable impact on the client’s cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning, as seen by his improved personal functioning in his daily life. Hence, prevention and early rehabilitation through counseling interventions are crucial in aiding victims of bullying achieve psychological balance. The implications of this intervention are also discussed.

Lactation counseling for maintaining exclusive breastfeeding in adolescent mothers: a trial protocol

Background Adolescent mothers have lower rates of initiation, continuation, and exclusivity of breastfeeding, and even more so in the first pregnancy. Current interventions target adult women, and little evidence is available for breastfeeding promotion among adolescents. Methods This is a pilot study protocol with a parallel, single-blind, randomized, and controlled trial design, to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention “Lactation Counseling” in first-time adolescent mothers to maintain exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. The control group will receive routine education in prenatal care and prenatal and childbirth classes, the experimental group will receive additionally the intervention “Lactation Counseling”, for 4 weeks, both conducted by trained nurses. Feasibility outcome includes recruitment and dropout rates, and, pilot outcomes will be the exclusive breastfeeding rate and the breastfeeding knowledge. Measurements will be taken at baseline, post-intervention, and 2, 4, and 6 months after childbirth. Discussion Exclusive breastfeeding rates could be increased in adolescent mothers through nursing counseling interventions that are previously structured and evaluated from their feasibility. This study will allow the evaluation of the feasibility of an intervention in low-income, Latin American population adolescents. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04655846, Registered 7 December 2020.

The effect of university students’ COVID-19 stress on smartphone addiction: The mediating effects of self-regulation

This study examined the relationship between COVID-19 stress, self-regulation, and smartphone addiction among university students. It also assessed whether self-regulation mediates the relationship between COVID-19 stress and smartphone addiction. The participants comprised 346 students enrolled in G city university. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS to generate descriptive statistics, perform a correlation analysis, and create a structural equation model. The main findings were as follows. First, COVID-19 stress had a negative correlation with self-regulation, but a positive correlation with smartphone addiction. A negative correlation was observed between self-regulation ability and smartphone addiction. Secondly, self-regulation partially mediated the relationship between COVID-19 stress and smartphone addiction. The results will inform educational and counseling interventions aimed at preventing smartphone addiction among university students living in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Behavior Change Programs in Primary Care and Community Practices for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Risk Factor Management Among Midlife and Older Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cardiovascular disease predominates as the leading health burden among middle-aged and older American adults, but progress in improving cardiovascular health remains slow. Comprehensive, evidenced-based behavioral counseling interventions in primary care are a recommended first-line approach for promoting healthy behaviors and preventing poor cardiovascular disease outcomes in adults with cardiovascular risk factors. Assisting patients to adopt and achieve their health promotion goals and arranging follow-up support are critical tenets of the 5A Model for behavior counseling in primary care. These 2 steps in behavior counseling are considered essential to effectively promote meaningful and lasting behavior change for primary cardiovascular disease prevention. However, adoption and implementation of behavioral counseling interventions in clinical settings can be challenging. The purpose of this scientific statement from the American Heart Association is to guide primary health care professional efforts to offer or refer patients for behavioral counseling, beyond what can be done during brief and infrequent office visits. This scientific statement presents evidence of effective behavioral intervention programs that are feasible for adoption in primary care settings for cardiovascular disease prevention and risk management in middle-aged and older adults. Furthermore, examples are provided of resources available to facilitate the widespread adoption and implementation of behavioral intervention programs in primary care or community-based settings and practical approaches to appropriately engage and refer patients to these programs. In addition, current national models that influence translation of evidence-based behavioral counseling in primary care and community settings are described. Finally, this scientific statement highlights opportunities to enhance the delivery of equitable and preventive care that prioritizes effective behavioral counseling of patients with varying levels of cardiovascular disease risk.

Counseling and Care Partner Training in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Purpose Individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) experience loss of communication abilities in the context of neurodegenerative disease. Consequently, many individuals with PPA endorse negative psychosocial effects, including social isolation, reduced communication confidence, and depression. Incorporating communication-centered counseling early and often within the speech-language pathology treatment framework is a vital component in holistically addressing the multifaceted ramifications of living with this devastating disorder. Additionally, care partners are key stakeholders in the treatment dynamic. Involving these individuals in the treatment paradigm through care partner training is crucial for facilitating optimal communication in daily life. The purpose of this narrative literature review is to discuss existing research regarding counseling and care partner training in PPA and to outline additional treatment considerations and future research needs in this understudied area. Conclusions Relative to studies that delineate restitutive speech-language interventions for PPA, the literature pertaining to counseling and care partner training is limited. Available evidence supports the utility of these approaches, which serve as complementary components to restitutive and compensatory speech-language intervention. Additional research is warranted to support generalizability and long-term benefit of these interventions, and to address facets of counseling and care partner training that have not been explored in PPA (e.g., counseling interventions drawing from specific psychotherapeutic traditions; multicultural counseling) or have only been explored to a limited degree (e.g., interventions that jointly provide counseling and partner training).

Therapeutic Components of Digital Counseling for Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Task force statements support the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) to promote self-care in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Digital counseling interventions have the potential to complement conventional programs. However, therapeutic components of digital programs that are associated with improved outcomes are not clearly established. OBJECTIVE Identify therapeutic components of the Canadian e-Platform to Promote Behavioral Self-Management in Chronic Heart Failure (CHF-CePPORT) protocol that were associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQL). METHODS Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify the therapeutic components of the CHF-CePPORT protocol. The primary outcome was the 12-month Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire: Overall Summary (KCCQ-OS) tertile. Logistic regressions determined the association between 12-month KCCQ-OS tertile, using logon hours for key segments of the protocol, modality of content delivery, and clinical themes. RESULTS Patients (n = 117) in this study were enrolled in the e-Counseling arm of the CHF-CePPORT trial. Median age was 60 years (IQR 52-69). Total logon hours in the initial 4-month segment of CHF-CePPORT (Sessions 1-16) was associated with increased 12-month KCCQ-OS tertile (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.1-1.5, P = 0.001). Within sessions 1-16, improved KCCQ-OS was associated with logon hours for self-assessment tools/trackers (OR = 1.49, 95% CI, 1.1-2.0, P = 0.007), and videos (OR = 1.57, 95% CI, 1.03-2.4, P = 0.04), but not for CHF information pages. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of using evidence-based guidelines from CBT and MI as core components of digital counseling, delivered through videos and interactive tools/trackers, to improve HRQL with CHF. CLINICALTRIAL CHF-CePPORT Trial ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01864369