Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2026-04-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2026.2664163
Brian Yim, J Christopher Muran, Qianying Ren, Bernard Gorman
{"title":"Exploring the application of large language models in coding the experiencing scale (EXP).","authors":"Brian Yim, J Christopher Muran, Qianying Ren, Bernard Gorman","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2664163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2026.2664163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psychotherapy process measures like the Experiencing Scale (EXP) offer valuable insight into clinical interactions but are time-intensive to code. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have the potential to streamline this process, but empirical validation is nascent. This exploratory study aimed to provide a proof-of-concept coding the EXP using ChatGPT with special attention to ethical considerations, limitations, and future directions. ChatGPT was used to code 79 psychotherapy transcripts drawn from the EXP manual. Multiple models of ChatGPT were tested using varied few-shot learning prompt engineering protocols. Data collection occurred in three phases, during which models rated both modal and peak EXP scores for all transcripts. ChatGPT demonstrated moderate agreement with manual reference ratings. An efficient configuration (o3-mini, 5-shot prompting) yielded moderate reliability for both modal EXP scores (ICC[3,1] = .67, 95% CI [.53, .79]) and peak EXP scores (ICC[3,1] = .71, 95% CI [.58, .81]). LLMs may feasibly augment or replace human EXP coders under certain conditions. However, evidence is preliminary and ethical and technical limitations remain. Future research should validate the present methodology using out-of-manual data, assess potential pretraining exposure, and explore locally hosted LLM applications to mitigate privacy concerns.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2664163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13107987/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147790714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2026-04-07eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2026.2653852
Hongjun Tan, Louis G Castonguay, Rebecca A Janis, Jeffrey A Hayes, Sultan A N Magruder, Caitlin L Chun-Kennedy, Brett E Scofield
{"title":"The role of social support in the effectiveness of counseling for international students.","authors":"Hongjun Tan, Louis G Castonguay, Rebecca A Janis, Jeffrey A Hayes, Sultan A N Magruder, Caitlin L Chun-Kennedy, Brett E Scofield","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2653852","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2026.2653852","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous studies on college counseling have shown that international student clients experience higher psychological distress and benefit less from individual psychotherapy in a university counseling center (UCC) setting compared to domestic student clients. International students face many challenges during adjustment to a foreign country, and social support plays a crucial role during this process and in their psychological well-being. This study aimed to compare the levels of pre-treatment symptoms and treatment outcomes between international and domestic student clients, and examine how perceived social support was related to these differences. The study used data collected from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), including 4876 clients treated by 1679 therapists in 98 UCCs, of which 2438 were international student clients from 142 countries. Multivariate general linear models were constructed to explore our research questions. International student clients reported lower perceived social network support and higher family support, and higher depression, academic distress and anger/frustration at pre-treatment than domestic student clients, but there were limited differences in treatment outcomes. Both perceived social network support and family support were predictive of pre-treatment symptoms, and family support was shown to be positively related to better treatment outcomes in patients with depression, anxiety and academic distress. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2653852"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13059032/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147647563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2026-03-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2026.2643551
Emma F Ehrenzeller, Paul J Smith, Timothy O Mousseau, Girija Chatufale, Sarah A Bennett, Michela N Thomsen, Kay James
{"title":"The neural impacts of gun violence exposure on adult attentional mechanisms: an EEG pilot study.","authors":"Emma F Ehrenzeller, Paul J Smith, Timothy O Mousseau, Girija Chatufale, Sarah A Bennett, Michela N Thomsen, Kay James","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2643551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2026.2643551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adolescents and young adults experience a disproportionately high risk of gun violence victimization while also undergoing a sensitive neurodevelopmental period for cognitive processes like attention. Consequently, in this exploratory study, we evaluated the impact of gun violence exposure (GVE) on neural indices of attentional systems in late adolescents and young adults. We hypothesized that GVE decreases efficiency of the primary attentional mechanisms in the brain: alerting, orienting, and executive control. We recorded electroencephalography while participants completed the Attention Network Test (ANT) to elicit N1, N2, and P3 event-related potentials (ERPs), indices of alerting, orienting, and executive control. Participants provided self-reports of mental health and violence exposure. Behavioral and ERP differences between participants with and without GVE were evaluated. Results from 13 participants (ages 18-35; <i>M</i> = 25.54; <i>SD</i> = 4.16) demonstrated that participants with GVE experienced less efficiency in the attentional alerting mechanism compared to participants with no GVE. These findings may relate to hypervigilance associated with anxiety disorders that can arise following traumatic firearm exposure. Preliminary evidence for the disruptive effects of GVE on the neural correlates of attention indicates a need for more robust research to understand the effects of firearm-related harms on neural and cognitive functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2643551"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12990279/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147476534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2026-02-17eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2026.2631209
Barbara Lopes, Rusi Jaspal
{"title":"An identity-based cognitive model of self-schemata, perceived social support and paranoid ideation: data from lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals.","authors":"Barbara Lopes, Rusi Jaspal","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2631209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2026.2631209","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people experience mental health inequalities but there are limited data on paranoid ideation in this population. Using cross-sectional survey data from 257 LGB people, this study tests an identity-based cognitive model of self-schemata, perceived social support and paranoid ideation. Specifically, it examines associations between the maladaptive self-schemata of uncertainty intolerance and rejection sensitivity and paranoid ideation directly and indirectly through the mediation of perceived social support, as well as the moderating role of the adaptive self-schema of identity resilience. An advanced moderated mediation generalized linear model (GLM) showed that uncertainty intolerance and rejection sensitivity were associated directly and positively with paranoid ideation and indirectly through the mediation of lower perceived social support. In addition to directly and negatively impacting paranoia, identity resilience moderated these direct and indirect relationships, essentially weakening the associations between the maladaptive self-schemata and paranoid ideation, the maladaptive self-schemata and lower perceived social support and lower perceived social support and paranoid ideation. Identity resilience may perform protective effects against paranoia notwithstanding the presence of maladaptive self-schemata.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2631209"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12918275/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147273212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2026-02-05eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2026.2625505
Megan J Magier, Hayley A Hamilton
{"title":"Characterizing unmet mental health need and barriers to seeking services among youth.","authors":"Megan J Magier, Hayley A Hamilton","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2625505","DOIUrl":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2625505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Youth experience a high burden of distress, yet little is known about how unmet mental health needs and barriers to seeking services vary across different subgroups. This study explored how unmet needs and barriers to seeking support varied by sociodemographic characteristics and distress. Using data from the 2023 Ontario Student Health and Drug Survey (OSDUHS), logistic regression models and interaction terms examined the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, distress, unmet need and barriers among students in grades 7 through 12. Approximately one-third of students reported needing but not seeking support. Unmet need was more common among females, secondary students and those with higher distress. The most frequently reported barrier was thinking they could manage it alone (67%), with significant variation in other barriers by gender, distress, and ethnoracial background. Youth with serious distress were more likely to report multiple barriers. Tests of the interaction between distress and ethnoracial background found that South Asian youth with low distress were at higher odds than other ethnoracial groups of endorsing the belief that help would not be effective as a reason for not seeking services. There were no significant interactions for other barriers. This study underscores the need for equity-informed, culturally responsive strategies to enhance access to mental health services.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2625505"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12879499/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2026-02-04eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2026.2626604
Barbara M Gfellner, Karin Bartoszuk, Jim Deal, Fernanda Cordero-Hermida, Ana I Cordoba
{"title":"Identity processes and distress: a person-centered analysis of ecuadorian university students.","authors":"Barbara M Gfellner, Karin Bartoszuk, Jim Deal, Fernanda Cordero-Hermida, Ana I Cordoba","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2626604","DOIUrl":"10.1080/28324765.2026.2626604","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study extended the identity development framework using latent profile analysis of identity processes on the Dimensions of Identity Scale (DIDS) with identity distress on the Identity Distress Scale (IDS), an affective indicator of difficulties with relevant identity issues. The objective was to investigate person-centered identity functioning typically obscured in variable-centered mean level research and how these profiles associate with traditional measures of identity, mental health, and psychosocial adjustment. Participants were 412 Ecuadorian university students (median<sub>age</sub> = 21 years; 67% female). They completed online surveys that included the DIDS, IDS and measures of psychosocial development, functional well-being, and mental health. Consistent with profiles found in the Netherlands, United States, and other countries the findings supported a five-profile model that included Troubled Diffusion (20.4%), Carefree Diffusion (5.4%), Foreclosure (11.6%), Undifferentiated (40%), and Achievement (24.5%). As expected, profile differences on ego strengths and achieved identity status provided criterion validity. Predictive validity was indicated with adjustment to university, perceived stress, optimism, agency, and psychological symptoms. Findings underscore the relevance of identity profiles among young adults in Ecuador, emphasize the importance of culture in identity development, and provide directions for further research and supportive services in relation to students' mental health and well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2626604"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12875100/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2025-12-28eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2025.2607769
Leslie M Barnard, Sophie Rosenberg, Ashley Brooks-Russell, Marian E Betz, Joseph P Schacht
{"title":"Alcohol use, risk of suicide, and access to firearms among youth in Colorado.","authors":"Leslie M Barnard, Sophie Rosenberg, Ashley Brooks-Russell, Marian E Betz, Joseph P Schacht","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2607769","DOIUrl":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2607769","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Firearms are the leading cause of death for U.S. children under 18 years of age, driven by their use in suicide attempts. Alcohol use is a risk factor for suicide, and approximately 22% of U.S. high school students reported recent alcohol use. We used data from a population-based health survey of high school students in Colorado, weighted to be representative of public high school students, to examine the association of alcohol use and suicide risk, and access to firearms using weighted frequencies and Rao-Scott chi-square tests. One-fifth (20.3%) of the students reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days. Compared to non-drinkers, students who reported drinking in the past 30 days were significantly more likely to report that they seriously considered attempting suicide (20.4% vs 8.9%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), made a plan to attempt suicide (17.0% vs 7.4%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), had actually attempted suicide (11.1% vs 3.9%, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and indicated that they could obtain and be ready to fire a loaded gun, regardless of adults' permission (29.0% vs 16.9%, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Given the distinct and combined risks of alcohol use and firearm access, the intersection is an important point for suicide prevention. Parents and guardians of youth may constitute an important population for means safety training.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"2607769"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12777784/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145936446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2025-12-16eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2025.2603596
Sarah M Stilwell, Paulina Guzmán M, Justin Heinze, Marc Zimmerman
{"title":"Securing schools, protecting minds: a scoping review of limited evidence for weapon carriage prevention in K-12 schools.","authors":"Sarah M Stilwell, Paulina Guzmán M, Justin Heinze, Marc Zimmerman","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2603596","DOIUrl":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2603596","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rising rates of weapon carriage in U.S. K-12 schools threaten the safety and well-being of students, educators, and staff. Despite widespread use of security measures such as metal detectors and law enforcement presence, evidence supporting their effectiveness remains mixed. This scoping review analyzes empirical studies from 2005 to 2025 that evaluate interventions aimed at reducing weapon carriage in U.S. schools. Only two studies met inclusion criteria: one assessing the impact of random mandatory metal detector searches on weapon carriage and student safety perceptions, and another evaluating the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) for its potential to prevent firearm-related incidents. While both interventions showed limited positive outcomes, the overall evidence base is weak, and long-term effectiveness is unclear. Moreover, 'target hardening' strategies like metal detectors may negatively affect student perceptions of safety, particularly among students of color. Findings highlight the need for more holistic, evidence-based approaches that go beyond physical security. Interventions that emphasize social and emotional learning, mental health support, and positive school climate may better address the root causes of weapon carriage. Future research should focus on evaluating integrated strategies that balance physical safety with psychological well-being to create more supportive and secure school environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"2603596"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12713219/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145806609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2025-12-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2025.2600722
Lauren A Magee, Jennifer Leaño, Beatrice Beverly, Katrina Nelson, Guangyu Tong, Megan Ranney
{"title":"Adapting a digital intervention to prevent youth violence and depressive symptoms from the emergency department for community violence interventions.","authors":"Lauren A Magee, Jennifer Leaño, Beatrice Beverly, Katrina Nelson, Guangyu Tong, Megan Ranney","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2600722","DOIUrl":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2600722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Firearm injury is the leading cause of death among youth in the US direct and indirect exposure is associated with increased mental health needs, particularly depression, yet few community-based interventions led by credible messengers exist to address co-occurring violence and depression among youth. This paper describes a pilot study to adapt a digital intervention for youth exposed to firearm violence. iDOVE3.0 was adapted from an evidence-based emergency department intervention for youth (ages 13-17) into a community setting (defined as a community-based organization outside an institutional setting) in Indianapolis, Indiana. This single-arm pilot study aimed to recruit 20 youth between September 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Participant recruitment is ongoing, and to-date we have screened 16 youth for mild to moderate depression and violence exposure and enrolled five youth. Violence patterns and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and follow-up at 2, 4 and 8 months. This descriptive study offers insights into the adaptation of a clinical intervention and implementation process into a community setting. Understanding how digital-based interventions can expand community violence interventions and how credible messengers can improve the acceptability of digital interventions are promising approaches to address co-occurring depression and violence among youth in need. Future studies will examine feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy among the pilot study cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"2600722"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12704117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145769960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cogent mental healthPub Date : 2025-12-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1080/28324765.2025.2594799
Silvia Cerolini, Genevieve P Nowicki, Rachel F Rodgers
{"title":"The interplay between social media use, poor sleep, and disordered eating: a narrative review.","authors":"Silvia Cerolini, Genevieve P Nowicki, Rachel F Rodgers","doi":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2594799","DOIUrl":"10.1080/28324765.2025.2594799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Emerging evidence suggests a complex, potentially reciprocal relationship between social media use, poor sleep, and disordered eating, each associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes. This mini-narrative review synthesizes recent findings on the bidirectional links between: 1) poor sleep and disordered eating, 2) social media use and poor sleep, and 3) social media use and disordered eating. It also explores their combined interplay and outlines possible underlying mechanisms across biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains. Despite some novel findings, the temporal and reciprocal nature of their relationships remains underexplored and requires further empirical research. This review highlights the urgent need for prospective, ecologically valid research that addresses these domains and interconnections, particularly among youth and emerging adults who may be particularly vulnerable to their cumulative effects. A deeper understanding of this interplay may be critical for advancing preventive and therapeutic efforts and developing transdiagnostic clinical strategies and public health guidelines that reflect the integrated nature of digital engagement, sleep health, and appearance and eating-related stimuli.</p>","PeriodicalId":72633,"journal":{"name":"Cogent mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"2594799"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12677040/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145703122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}