The Effect of Emotional Disclosure by Writing on the Depression of Hemodialysis Patients in Iran: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Depression is the most common psychological problem in patients with renal failure, and it can lead to mortality in severe cases. Effective interventions are required to promote mental health in patients on hemodialysis with various types of mental disorders. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of emotional disclosure by writing on depression of patients on hemodialysis in Iran. Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out on 140 patients undergoing hemodialysis in hemodialysis centers of Kerman. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control after signing the written consent forms and completing the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21). The intervention group was requested to write daily the deepest emotions and intrusive thoughts within 15 to 20 minutes in four consecutive days. The control group received routine care. Then, the questionnaire was recompleted two weeks later. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS (version 13) using independent t-test and paired t-test. Results: The mean depression score was either moderate or high. While depression scores seemed to decrease in the intervention group after the intervention, the depression scores continued to rise following the intervention in the control group. The difference in depression scores was statistically significant between the two groups before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Emotional disclosure by writing can be effective on the level of depression in patients on hemodialysis.Simus adi omnimodipsa sam fugita dolenistiae inveles est doluptat.

From Military Masculinity toward Hybrid Masculinities: Constructing a New Sense of Manhood among Veterans Treated for PTSS

This study examines how Israeli men who are army veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress and consequently participated in therapy engage “new masculinities” ideologies. Drawing from interview data with these veterans, we find changes in the men’s perceptions of masculinity and sense of themselves as men. They expressed this shift through criticisms of military masculinity and disassociating from the idea of man-as-fighter, disputing the sociocultural category of hegemonic masculinity, and performing practices identified as feminine. The men portrayed this movement, away from endorsing hegemonic military masculinity toward affirming “new masculinity” ideology rooted in therapeutic discourse, which emphasizes sensitivity, emotional disclosure, self-care, and seeking help, as intertwined with their mental recovery—and they attributed both to therapy. These findings suggest that new masculinity ideology embedded in therapeutic discourse, can offer men suffering from PTSS a template to reaffirm their status as men—although men of a different kind—and indicate the possibilities for therapy in this endeavor. However, while the men adopted new masculinity ideologies, they also conformed to hegemonic masculinity, constructing hybrid masculinities. The study joins growing evidence that hybrid masculinities may have positive effects in enabling men to overcome the limitations of hegemonic masculinity, while also conforming to its expectations more broadly and maintaining men’s power.

The Impact of Using Social Networking Sites at Work on Organizational Knowledge

Many of the employers fear a reduction in productivity when employees use social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook for non-work purposes during office hours. Employers then have started regulating SNSs usage at work, but extreme monitoring and blockage of SNSs can spoil the relationship between employers and employees and can negatively affect organizational knowledge (OK). Therefore, this study investigates the effect of using SNSs on OK by employees at work. Collecting data from employees working in national and multinational organizations and using structural equation modelling for data analysis, the results showed that using SNSs for business activities and for emotional disclosure enhanced OK. In contrast to these findings, work deviation caused using SNSs decreased OK but had no effect on productivity. Finally, the study concluded that the benefits of using SNSs at work are increasingly growing but require transparent policies to reduce employee distractions.

The impact of using social networking sites at work on organizational knowledge

Many of the employers fear a reduction in productivity when employees use social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook for non-work purposes during office hours. Employers, then have started regulating SNSs usage at work, but extreme monitoring and blockage of SNSs can spoil the relationship between employers and employees and can negatively affect organizational knowledge (OK). Therefore, this study investigates the effect of using SNSs on OK by employees at work. Collecting data from employees working in national and multinational organizations and using structural equation modelling for data analysis, the results showed that using SNSs for business activities, and for emotional disclosure enhanced OK. In contrast to these findings, work deviation caused using SNSs decreased OK but had no effect on productivity. Finally, the study concluded that the benefits of using SNSs at work are increasingly growing but require transparent policies to reduce employee distractions..

Η θεραπευτική σχέση στη συστημική θεραπεία

Τhis study aimed to examine the evolution of the therapeutic relationship in systemic therapy through the theoretical developments of systemic thinking over the last few decades. In the first part, a historical overview of the de-personalized therapeutic relationship according to First Order Cybernetics perspective (from ‘50s to ‘70s) is presented, that proceeds to the therapeutic relationship with emotional disclosure in the 80s (Second Order Cybernetics) and the Constructivist position that allowed an engagement in an ongoing relational process in therapy. Further, it traces the modifications of the therapeutic relationship through the post-modern developments; Social Constructionism, Reflexivity and Narrative therapy that allow therapist’s essential emotional involvement during co-construction of the meaning in psychotherapy, presents in brief the "revolutionary" view of the theorist of the Open Dialogue (Seikkula, 2011), the Attachment Theory meta-model and the importance of secure attachment in therapeutic relationship. Throughout this review the issue of power imbalance in the therapeutic relationship is discussed, as this underlies the ideological debate of client’s resistance towards the therapist’s positions. In the second part, methodological approaches and psychometric tools regarding research for the documentation of the importance of the therapeutic relationship in systemic therapy are reviewed and research findings are presented concerning the prevailing factors in the therapeutic relationship from the client’s point of view. Finally, issues for further training and enhanced competence of the therapist in order to response effectively to current social-cultural needs are highlighted.

Emotional disclosure in palliative care: A scoping review of intervention characteristics and implementation factors

Background: Emotional disclosure is the therapeutic expression of emotion. It holds potential as a means of providing psychological support. However, evidence of its efficacy in palliative settings is mixed. This may be due to variation in intervention characteristics. Aim: To derive a greater understanding of the characteristics of potentially effective emotional disclosure-based interventions in palliative care by: (1) Developing a taxonomy of emotional disclosure-based interventions tested in people with advanced disease and (2) Mapping and linking objectives, outcomes, underlying mechanisms, and implementation factors. Design: A scoping review drawing on Intervention Component Analysis to combine evidence from studies’ methods, results, and discussion sections. Data sources: Six databases were searched to May 2020 including CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies of emotional disclosure in adults with advanced disease were included. Study quality was appraised using an established tool. Results: Seven thousand seven hundred ninety-two unique records were screened, of which 25 primary studies were included. Intervention characteristics were grouped into classes within three domains: topic of disclosure, format, and dose. Evidence was not available to determine which, if any, of the characteristics is most effective. Thematic synthesis of evidence from methods and discussion sections identified factors to consider in tailoring an emotional disclosure-based intervention to this setting, including: population characteristics (e.g. time since diagnosis), providing a safe environment, and flexibility in format. Conclusions: This review approach facilitated a clearer understanding of factors that may be key in developing emotional disclosure-based interventions for palliative populations. Intervention Component Analysis has potential for application elsewhere to help develop evidence-based interventions.