From formative research to cultural adaptation of a face-to-face and internet-based cognitive-behavioural intervention for Arabic-speaking refugees in Germany

Background This study aims to provide a transparent and replicable documentation approach for the cultural adaptation of a cognitive-behavioural transdiagnostic intervention (Common Elements Treatment Approach, CETA) for Arabic-speaking refugees with common mental disorders in Germany. Method A mixed-methods approach was used, including literature review, interviews, expert decisions and questionnaires, in order to adapt the original CETA as well as an internet-based guided version (eCETA). The process of cultural adaptation was based on a conceptual framework and was facilitated by an adaptation monitoring form as well as guidelines which facilitate the reporting of cultural adaptation in psychological trials (RECAPT). Results Consistent with this form and the guidelines, the decision-making process of adaptation proved to be coherent and stringent. All specific CETA treatment components seem to be suitable for the treatment of Arabic-speaking refugees in Germany. Adaptations were made to three different elements: 1) Cultural concepts of distress: a culturally appropriate explanatory model of symptoms was added; socially accepted terms for expressing symptoms (for eCETA only) and assessing suicidal ideation were adapted; 2) Treatment components: no adaptations for theoretically/empirically based components of the intervention, two adaptations for elements used by the therapist to engage the patient or implement the intervention (nonspecific elements), seven adaptations for skills implemented during sessions (therapeutic techniques; two for eCETA only) and 3) Treatment delivery: 21 surface adaptations (10 for eCETA only), two eCETA-only adaptations regarding the format. Conclusion The conceptual framework and the RECAPT guidelines simplify, standardise and clarify the cultural adaptation process.

Stress and Psychopathology Reduction in Pregnant Women through Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy during COVID-19: A Feasibility Study

Background: The global pandemic has affected the psychological health of the population, including pregnant women. Due to the difficulty of offering conventional therapies to reduce stress in this population, studies are needed to show the effect of online therapies. Therefore, the objective was to test the effect of online cognitive behavioural therapy in pregnant women during the pandemic on the main variables of stress and psychopathology. Methods: The sample consisted of 16 pregnant women who participated in a weekly cognitive behavioural intervention for 8 weeks. Prenatal concerns, general stress, stress vulnerability, resilience and psychopathology were assessed. Results: The results show a reduction in prenatal concerns, perceived stress, stress vulnerability and psychopathology, as well as an increase in resilience. Conclusions: Online cognitive behavioural intervention may be effective in pregnant women, so it is important to conduct a randomised controlled trial to certify these findings.

The Four Ws of Test Anxiety

Test anxiety refers to the tendency to appraise tests and test-like situations, where performance is evaluated, as threatening and respond with high levels of state anxiety. High levels of test anxiety are associated with lower performance on test and examinations, and may also meet diagnostic criteria for clinical anxiety. In this paper we review: (i), the importance of the test anxiety construct and consider whether test anxiety may constitute a risk factor for clinical anxiety, (ii), the theoretical antecedents of test anxiety, with a specific focus on the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) Processing Model, and (iii), interventions for test anxiety in adolescents, with a specific focus on one cognitive-behavioural intervention, Strategies to Tackle Exam Pressure and Stress (STEPS). We bring the review to a close with a consideration of what the next steps might fruitfully be for research, theory, and intervention, and conclude there is much work still yet to be done in the field of test anxiety.

Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse einer VT-Kurzintervention bei Patienten mit somatoformen Symptomen

Sitnikova et al. A brief cognitive behavioural intervention is cost-effective for primary care patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms compared to usual care. J Psychosom Res, epub Aug 2020 Personen mit körperlichen Beschwerden, die sich nicht oder nicht hinreichend auf eine organische Erkrankung zurückführen lassen, machen einen beträchtlichen Anteil von Patienten in Allgemeinarztpraxen oder Krankenhäusern aus. Die Symptome können zeitweise auftreten oder bei Chronifizierung als Somatoforme Störung diagnostiziert werden. Die Beschwerden gehen häufig mit einer Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität, funktionalen Einschränkungen sowie psychischen Störungen einher.