LGBTQ+ Population in Asia Pacific (Malaysia)

The topic of LGBTQ in Malaysia was chosen as this issue is relatively new (as compared to Western society) and perhaps not as open due to the different religious, cultural, and familial taboo surrounding it. Individuals who face a crisis in their sexuality, hence, face insurmountable challenges and conflicts and may need to seek help from the counselling/helping professionals. This chapter that focuses on LGBTQ+ population in general, and particularly in Malaysia, it is hoped that it would facilitate the relationship between the counsellor with a member of this particular population.

How best to provide help to bereaved adolescents: a Delphi consensus study

Background Many adolescents struggle with their grief and mental health issues after the death of a close person, such as a family member or a friend. Given the potentially devastating impact of the loss on the adolescent and their family, professional help can be warranted. However, little is known about how to best help these adolescents. This study aimed to address this gap by determining what help professionals (i.e., counselors) should provide to bereaved adolescents. Methods The Delphi method was used to achieve consensus regarding the importance of statements that describe actions a helping professional can take to help a bereaved adolescent. Statements were compiled through a systematic search of the scientific and grey literature, and reviewing interview data from a recent related research study with bereaved adolescents, parents and counselors. An expert panel (N = 49) comprising 16 adolescents, 14 parents and 19 helping professionals, rated each statement. Statements that were endorsed by at least 80% of panellists were considered consensus recommendations. Results Panellists endorsed 130 out of 190 statements as appropriate actions. These included help for a bereaved adolescent being offered on an ongoing basis, with support to be provided flexibly to meet individual adolescent needs and to acknowledge the agency of the adolescent. Support after a loss by suicide should be tailored to address specific suicide-related issues. Parents of bereaved adolescents should also be offered support so that they are better equipped to help their bereaved adolescent. Conclusions This study identified consensus recommendations on how a helping professional might best help bereaved adolescents. It is hoped that these recommendations will guide helping professionals and enhance adolescent grief interventions.

Critical Care Psychology and Rehabilitation

When contemplating the broad field of critical care and all of its complexities, rehabilitation and psychology practice is not likely among the top 10 things that clinicians, patients, or the public think of. However, just beneath the surface of this fascinating, multilayered environment, the need for psychologists and rehabilitation-oriented clinicians is everywhere, in large part because intensive care stands among the most emotionally intense and physically taxing hospital-based settings for everyone involved. This book provides an introduction to critical care for professionals who are interested in, or who are already providing services in, intensive care environments. It also organizes and expands upon the growing literature that emphasizes the benefits of integrating rehabilitative and psychological principles into the continuum of critical care practice. Chapters from international experts, on a broad range of topics, provide summative reviews of the literature, treatment techniques, and innovative developments in various intensive care settings geared toward helping professionals appreciate how integrated critical care practice can benefit all stakeholders—patients, families, caregivers, staff, institutions, and society at large.

The Green Sheep: Exploring the Perceived Risks and Benefits of Cannabis Among Young Military Members and Veterans

Medical and recreational cannabis are becoming more accessible and socially accepted across the United States. Emerging adults (EAs; 18 to 29) are the largest group of cannabis users. Studies have found that veterans are more likely to report cannabis use compared to nonveterans. While research exists on the use levels of cannabis, limited knowledge is available on the perceived risks and benefits of using cannabis among EA military and veteran populations. Helping professionals encounter veterans who use cannabis and must consider military cultural factors and attitudes towards cannabis that may influence or exacerbate cannabis use. We conducted a qualitative study with 23 EA veteran and military members with high-risk substance use and asked about their thoughts on the acceptability, risks, and perceived benefits associated with cannabis. Two qualitative coders used NVivo to find themes following the six steps of thematic analysis. Results provide in-depth understanding of EA military members and veterans’ perceptions of cannabis. Overall, we found participants were receptive to using cannabis for pain ailments, mental health issues, and as an alternative to benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol. However, they acknowledged restrictions are needed to moderate cannabis use and mitigate negative outcomes. Lastly, participants recognized the incongruence of cannabis use with military job responsibilities and expectations. These findings shed light on potential risk and protective factors related to using cannabis for recreational or medical reasons and should be considered when consulting EA military members and veterans.

Burnout Syndrome and Dark Triad at Schools: Engineers as Teachers of Vocational Technical Subjects

The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship of three aversive personality traits - Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, nowadays known by experts as the Dark Triad and burnout syndrome on the sample of vocational technical subject teachers. The study was carried out on a sample of 241 participants (Mage = 44.53; SD = 10.29). Females represented 75.1% of all respondents (Mage = 44.48; SD = 10.02), males represented the remaining 24.9% of respondents (Mage = 42.36; SD = 11.8). The Slovak version of Short Dark Triad - SD3 and the adapted Slovak version of Maslach Burnout Inventory - HSS on the sample of helping professionals were administered. Significant positive relations of the Dark Triad traits with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal satisfaction were identified. Regression analysis indicated the Dark Triad as a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, psychopathy was the most significant predictor. The Dark Triad concept predicted 58% of burnout syndrome’s variance.

Biopsychosocial Factors during the Perinatal Period: Risks, Preventative Factors, and Implications for Healthcare Professionals

Women face risks to their wellbeing during the perinatal period of pregnancy. However, there is a dearth of information on perinatal risk factors within the biopsychosocial paradigm. Emphasis is often placed on biological components associated with pregnancy and women’s health. However, psychological and social determinants of health are integral during the perinatal period, and mental wellness is often a determinant for positive maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This article reviews risk factors of perinatal wellness (e.g., physical and nutritional concerns, trauma, discrimination, adverse childhood events) and highlights protective factors for women in their perinatal period. Healthcare professionals can support perinatal health by focusing on culturally and contextually appropriate research and prevention, providing equal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare information and services, providing quality education and training for helping professionals, and supporting policies for positive sexual and reproductive women’s healthcare.