{"title":"Writing Yourself Well: Dispositional Self-Reflection Moderates the Effect of a Smartphone App-Based Journaling Intervention on Psychological Wellbeing across Time","authors":"A. MacIsaac, Aislin R. Mushquash, C. Wekerle","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.24","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Self-reflection is often viewed positively; paradoxically, however, it is also associated with distress, potentially because of its relationship with rumination. Focusing self-reflection on positive themes may be one way to promote adaptive self-reflection. This study examined whether the disposition to engage in self-reflection motivates use of a journal containing positively focused writing prompts and moderates the benefit gained from it, specifically when rumination is controlled for. For 28 days, participants (N = 152) accessed an app-based mental health intervention containing various features, including the aforementioned journal. Outcomes of self-regulation and psychological wellbeing were assessed, controlling for time spent using other app features. As expected, journaling was associated with improvements in psychological wellbeing but only when baseline self-reflection was average or higher. Journaling was also initially associated with improvements in self-regulation, but this was diminished after controlling for time spent using other app features. Findings suggest self-reflection could be a strength for fostering wellbeing when it is directed in a positive way.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48456477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mélise J. Ouellette, K. Rowa, D. Cameron, Ashleigh Elcock, N. Soreni, E. Pawluk, R. McCabe
{"title":"Why Use Cannabis? Examining Motives for Cannabis Use in Individuals with Anxiety Disorders","authors":"Mélise J. Ouellette, K. Rowa, D. Cameron, Ashleigh Elcock, N. Soreni, E. Pawluk, R. McCabe","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.21","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 This study examined cannabis use motives in individuals with anxiety disorders and compared motives between infrequent and frequent cannabis users. It was hypothesised that coping motives would be endorsed at a significantly higher rate than other motives, and that frequent cannabis users would endorse coping motives significantly more than infrequent users. Participants were 144 adults seeking clinical services for anxiety disorders who reported using cannabis. Cannabis use was categorized by infrequent (n = 54) and frequent (n = 90) use. Anxiety symptoms were assessed and deemed clinically significant. Participants completed measures of cannabis use motives, cannabis use patterns, and cannabis use disorder symptoms, cross-sectionally. Cannabis use motives were examined for the entire sample and compared between frequent and infrequent users. In general, cannabis users endorsed coping (i.e., use for managing distress) and enhancement (i.e., use for fun, pleasant feeling, or the high) motives at equal rates (p = .265) and more than other motives (p < .001). Frequent users reported using cannabis for coping and expansion motives (i.e., use to change one's thinking) significantly more than infrequent users. These results indicate that individuals with anxiety disorders use cannabis for various reasons, some of which may not be directly related to their mental health symptoms. Future research is needed to compare motives for cannabis use in those with anxiety disorders, other mental health populations, and the general population, as well as examine motives for cannabis use within specific anxiety disorders.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42650637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adults with Animal Phobia: Systematic Replication of Clinical Cases","authors":"Antonio Ruiz-García, Luis Valero-Aguayo","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.20","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Animal phobia is common in children, but it is also frequent in adults who maintain the problem throughout their lives. Eleven cases of animal phobia that were treated with progressive multimedia exposure are presented. The participants were two men and nine women (aged 19–27 years), with anxiety and avoidance problems in relation to various animals. A single-case A-B-Follow-up design was carried out, with concurrent control of several baselines; and a systematic between-subjects replication, with the same treatment repeated across different participants and types of phobias. A behavioural interview, phobia questionnaires, and Multimedia Behavioural Avoidance Test (M-BAT) with pictures and videos of animals, as well as heart rate, were used for assessment purposes. The intervention was the progressive multimedia exposure in four phases (photographs, videos, simulated animals, and live exposure), in addition to diaphragmatic breathing, and homework assignments. The results replicate the same efficacy in each of the participants, with statistically significant and clinical changes in their daily lives. Also, the data as a group show this success with a high Cohen's <span>d</span> effect size (between −1.63 and −30.03). We conclude with an appraisal of the usefulness of the procedure for adults with phobias who do not tolerate direct exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138514199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Cognitive-Behavioural Approach to Targeting Sensation-Based and Intrusion-Based Misinterpretations in Health Anxiety: A Single-Case Experimental Study","authors":"A. Lau‐Zhu, L. Brummer","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.22","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Health anxiety (HA) is common in psychiatric and medical settings. Cognitive models of HA highlight the role of misinterpreting physical sensations as dangerous. This report presents the case of a 31-year-old man and the use of a cognitive-behavioural approach to treat his HA which also considers the role of misinterpreting intrusions as abnormal, by drawing on theoretical accounts of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A single-case experimental design demonstrated reliable improvements in symptom measures of HA and general distress. Distinguishing sensation-based versus intrusion-based appraisals in HA has implications for interventions in health settings and for refining cognitive theory.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42677693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Krahe, Kate O'Leary, S. Reilly, Kate E. Wallis, Karyn Walsh
{"title":"Factors Affecting Young Mothers’ Access to Child Healthcare Services: A Behavioural Analysis to Guide the Development of Interventions","authors":"M. Krahe, Kate O'Leary, S. Reilly, Kate E. Wallis, Karyn Walsh","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.23","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Young mothers are more likely to access healthcare for their children in emergent care settings and less likely to use preventive care. This study examines the healthcare-seeking behaviours of young mothers to inform the design of tailored interventions. Semi-structured interviews with nine young mothers (aged ≤ 25 years) who were attending a supported playgroup in Brisbane, Australia were conducted and explored using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Five behavioural themes were identified (navigating the system, complex referral pathways, delays and long wait times, understanding child development, and connecting to services) and the role of the supported playgroup in shaping young mothers’ understanding of child development and connecting them to services was highlighted. Recommended strategies to address these factors include opportunities for young mothers to learn about child developmental milestones, improving young mothers’ health literacy, increasing young mothers’ skills and/or the availability of support to help them navigate health services, and providing more accessible entry points for child assessments, referrals, or early intervention programs.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44473120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Relationship Between Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis","authors":"Carissa Dunn, G. Sicouri","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.13","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objective: To provide a quantitative assessment of the literature examining the cross-sectional association between loneliness and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Method: A total of 44 studies from 35 articles (n = 27, 214; mean age 13.63 years; 51% female) met inclusion criteria. Results: A medium, positive correlation between loneliness and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents was found (r = .48). Age and gender did not moderate the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Loneliness may be a particular risk factor for depression. These results have implications for COVID-19 disease containment measures.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42000917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An Update on Loneliness Theory and Practice for Health Professionals","authors":"G. Dingle, J. Groarke","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.19","url":null,"abstract":"Loneliness has been described as an aversive emotional state experienced when people’s desire for social connection is not met. Loneliness is widespread — an estimated one in four adults in Australia feels lonely (Australian Psychological Society, 2018) and the rate has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns and social distancing policies. While the experience of loneliness is considered to be universal (Barreto et al., 2021), it is also implicated in the development and progression of a range of physical and mental health conditions (Park et al., 2020) — as some papers in this collection help to demonstrate. Loneliness itself is not a diagnosable condition, which may explain why the availability of theoretical models and specific assessment and intervention options for loneliness has lagged those for other emotional states such as anxiety, depression, anger, and shame. As loneliness researchers from the disciplines of health, clinical, and music psychology, we have guest edited this collection of short reports to bring readers an update on the understanding, measurement, and intervention strategies to address loneliness in a range of populations and contexts. There are seven papers in the collection. The first is a review and meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents (Dunn & Sicouri, 2022). This review included 44 studies published between 1983 and 2021, representing data from 27,214 participants aged 9–18 years. The review established an overall positive correlation between loneliness and depression of r = 0.48, which is consistent with earlier research on adult populations. Interestingly, participant gender and age did not moderate the strength of the relationship between loneliness and depression. The authors spoke of the potential role of health professionals in helping young people to feel part of a group, maintain the quality and quantity of their relationships and experience social rewards. The second paper examined loneliness and sense of belonging in Australian university students, using a comparison of three cohorts of first year students entering a metropolitan university in 2019 (pre-COVID-19), 2020 (first wave of COVID), and 2021 (lifting of public health restrictions) (Dingle, Han, & Carlyle, 2022). This study highlighted the detrimental social impact of COVID-19 and the associated rapid move to isolated online learning for university students in terms of increased loneliness and decreased sense of university belonging for students in the 2020 cohort. These social effects were strongly related to levels of psychological distress. The implications for health professionals and university staff are to help students to develop a sense of connection and belonging at university both in educational activities and in extra-curricular social activities. The third and fourth papers focus on sensory aspects of loneliness such as touch and so","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43280993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alyssa J. Tan, Vincent O. Mancini, J. Gross, Amit Goldenberg, J. Badcock, M. Lim, R. Becerra, B. Jackson, D. Preece
{"title":"Loneliness Versus Distress: A Comparison of Emotion Regulation Profiles","authors":"Alyssa J. Tan, Vincent O. Mancini, J. Gross, Amit Goldenberg, J. Badcock, M. Lim, R. Becerra, B. Jackson, D. Preece","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.18","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Loneliness, a negative emotion stemming from the perception of unmet social needs, is a major public health concern. Current interventions often target social domains but produce small effects and are not as effective as established emotion regulation (ER)-based interventions for general psychological distress (i.e., depression/anxiety). Given that loneliness and distress are types of negative affect, we aimed to compare them within an ER framework by examining the amount of variance ER strategies accounted for in loneliness versus distress, and comparing the ER strategy profiles characterising them. Participants (N = 582, Mage = 22.31, 77.66% female) completed self-report measures of loneliness, distress, and use of 12 cognitive (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) or behavioural (e.g., expressive suppression) ER strategies. Regression analyses revealed that ER explained comparable variance in these constructs. Latent profile analysis identified seven profiles differing in ER patterns, with no distinct loneliness or distress profile identified. Rather, similar patterns of ER characterised these two constructs, involving the greater use of generally maladaptive strategies and the lesser use of generally adaptive strategies. However, loneliness was additionally characterised by less use of strategies involving social connection/expression. Overall, our study supports the utility of ER for understanding loneliness. Established ER-based frameworks/interventions for distress may have transdiagnostic utility in targeting loneliness.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48291987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of Positive Search Training for Irritable Youth: A Single-Case Experimental Design","authors":"Olivia M. Elvin, K. Modecki, A. Waters","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.16","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Although irritability is common in youth, research on treatment is in its infancy. Threat biases are more pronounced in irritable compared to low irritable youth, similar to evidence found in anxious youth. Therefore, interventions targeting these biases may be promising for reducing irritability. This study utilised a multiple baseline case series design to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of positive search training (PST) for irritable children. Three children were included who met criteria for a principal diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), and a secondary diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). PST was feasible with two of the three participants; one child refused to continue after one session. For the two participants who completed PST, acceptability was stable with moderate-to-high ratings of engagement and enjoyment, and high and stable treatment-relevant verbalisations of the key strategies. Both cases showed declines in DMDD severity across treatment and no longer met criteria at post-treatment. Both participants met criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) at post-treatment (considered less severe for irritability than DMDD). Declines in parent-reported irritability occurred for both cases, however some returns to baseline were observed. Overall, PST for irritable youth shows promise as an acceptable and feasible intervention. Further studies are needed combining PST with strategies for secondary diagnoses, given its high comorbidity with disruptive behaviour disorders.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46147887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Associations Between Fear of Guilt and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms","authors":"N. Kenny, V. Starcevic, D. Berle","doi":"10.1017/bec.2022.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2022.14","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Half of the people who seek treatment for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) do not benefit from first-line interventions. A better understanding of the factors associated with obsessions and compulsions may inform the development of more effective treatments. This study aimed to examine whether a fear of guilt is associated with obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Fear of guilt incorporates two domains: punishment (the tendency to believe that guilt means one is bad and to punish oneself for feelings of guilt) and harm prevention (the tendency to believe that guilt implies failure to be one's ideal self and the drive to prevent feelings of guilt). Online questionnaires assessing OCD symptoms, fear of guilt, and other related factors were administered to 192 adults. In contrast to previous studies, key conceptually relevant constructs, such as shame, anxiety, and depression symptoms, were also assessed. The punishment dimension of fear of guilt subscale was positively associated with OCD symptoms controlling for age, sex, guilt, shame, responsibility for harm, generalised anxiety, and depression. The punishment domain of fear of guilt may therefore be an important factor to consider and potentially target in treatments for OCD. Future investigations with clinical populations may clarify the importance of fear of guilt in OCD.","PeriodicalId":46485,"journal":{"name":"Behaviour Change","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48557330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}