| 1. |
- Ahlström, Katrin, et al.
(författare)
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Therapeutic encounters at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic : psychodynamic therapists' experiences of transition to remote psychotherapy
- 2022
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Ingår i: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0266-8734 .- 1474-9734. ; 36:3, s. 256-274
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic crippled many parts of society as it spread throughout the world beginning in early 2020. Overnight, whole societies were forced to change their way of life, because of social distancing and lockdowns. For therapists, the pandemic meant that in-person sessions were no longer possible and many switched to different forms of synchronous remote communication by telephone, online audio or video link. The aim of this study was to explore psychodynamic therapists’ experiences over time of forced transitions to telepsychotherapy. Five therapists were interviewed at the beginning of the pandemic and at a one-year follow-up. The data were analysed by applying thematic analysis with a phenomenological approach. Initially, the therapists struggled with technical and safety issues. The loss of the therapy room and of access to non-verbal nuances contributed to impaired contact with the patients and more superficial conversations. The therapists experienced that the very nature of psychodynamic psychotherapy was affected, even if telepsychotherapy could give some new opportunities. One year later many of the difficulties remained, but the therapists developed better coping strategies and were back to the therapy focus. One implication of this study is that telepsychotherapy needs to be integrated into psychotherapy training and supervision.
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| 2. |
- Badinlou, F., et al.
(författare)
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Impairments following COVID-19 infection: manifestations and investigations of related factors
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - 2045-2322. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic had a major global impact on the health and wellbeing for many individuals. Even though the infection rates have gone down due to the availability of vaccines, the consequences of the disease are still present due to persistent symptoms among individuals. The aim of the current study was to map long-term impairments in individuals infected with COVID-19 by applying the framework of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and also investigate the factors related to the context of an individual's life influencing the impairments. A web-survey that targeted individuals that had been infected with COVID-19 was used. The survey included a range of measures covering contextual factors and factors related to body functions and structures and post-COVID impairments. A total of 501 individuals were included in the study (with a mean age of 47.6 years). 96% of the respondents reported at least one moderate-to-severe impairment due to COVID-19 infection and the most frequent one was fatigue. In that, 79.6% and 86.9% of the study sample reported moderate-to-severe brain fatigue and tiredness or lack of energy, respectively. Severity of COVID-19 infection appeared as the strongest risk factor for post-COVID impairments. Based on the results, interventions can be tailored to help individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. This could be one way lessening the effect of COVID-19 on health care and society as a whole.
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| 3. |
- Engström, Ellinor, et al.
(författare)
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Outcome of iCBT for ADHD symptoms : A randomized controlled study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Abstracts from the 12th Swedish Congress on internet interventions (SWEsrii), Uppsala University, Sweden. ; , s. 2-2
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder characterized by, hyperactivity, impulsivity, lack of attention.The condition results in several impairments that can impair everyday functioning and lead to underperformance. At present, there are not many large scale studies that have investigated the effect of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) for ADHD symptoms. This study presents the outcome of a clinical trial of internet- based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), using a randomized controlled study design, with the primary aim to increase quality of life, as well as to reduce symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and stress. Approximately a hundred participants with symptoms of ADHD will be included in the first wave (recruitment for the second wave comprised of an additional 100 participants is ongoing) and randomized to two conditions (treatment and wait-list control). The treatment period is comprised of ten weeks, with two mandatory modules and ten modules from which the participants can choose freely. The study utilizes an intention to treat design, with ANOVAs and Reliable Change Index to evaluate treatment effects both on an individual and group level. Implications for iCBT for ADHD symptoms will be discussed.
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| 4. |
- Erlandsson, Anette, et al.
(författare)
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Accessibility at What Price? Therapists’ Experiences of Remote Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1528-9168 .- 1940-9214. ; 21:4, s. 293-308
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Psychotherapy has traditionally been delivered in person, but recent technological advances have made it possible to conduct remote treatments. There is currently strong evidence for the efficacy of guided self-help with online support from a therapist, but less is known about video-mediated psychotherapy. The COVID-19 pandemic has however forced many therapists to provide remote treatments. This transition might be especially trying for therapists of children and adolescents, but their experiences are underexplored. This study aimed to investigate their perceptions of video-mediated psychotherapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 therapists and analyzed using thematic analysis. The therapists described how they struggled with technical and ethical issues and tried to overcome the loss of their usual therapeutic tools. They were concerned that the online format led to less effective treatments or could have negative effects, even if it might increase care availability. Generally, they felt frustrated, inadequate, and stressed, and experienced less job satisfaction. The therapists concluded that video-mediated sessions might be a good alternative for children and adolescents – provided the therapists themselves could determine for whom and when to offer video sessions. Implications of their experiences are discussed, including how psychotherapy training might have to incorporate issues related to remote psychotherapy.
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| 5. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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A study protocol of a randomized controlled study of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- 2023
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier. - 2214-7829. ; 33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of attention. It can have a major impact on everyday life and result in negative consequences for one's personal, academic, and work situation. For individuals with symptoms of ADHD, increased levels of anxiety and depression are common, and an overall reduction of quality of life is often present. This study protocol describes a clinical trial of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), using a randomized controlled study design, with the primary aim to increase quality of life, as well as to reduce symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and stress. A second aim is to investigate, by qualitative means, what aspects of treatment were perceived as helpful and hindering when it comes to completing iCBT. Two hundred participants with symptoms of ADHD will be included and randomized to two conditions (treatment and wait-list control). The treatment period is comprised of a maximum of ten weeks, with two mandatory modules and ten modules from which the participants can choose freely. Self-report measures will be completed by the participants at baseline and end of treatment, as well as at a six-month follow-up. The treatment is guided by therapists and consists of weekly correspondence with the participants. The study will utilize an intention to treat design, with ANOVAs and Reliable Change Index to evaluate treatment effects. The qualitative part of the project will be interview-based and employ thematic analysis. Lastly, a psychometric evaluation of a common instrument for determining ADHD-symptoms will also be made. The results will hopefully contribute to the evidence base for iCBT for individuals with symptoms of ADHD and help disseminate potentially effective interventions.
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| 6. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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A systematic review of educational programs and consumer protection measures for gambling : an extension of previous reviews
- 2021
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Ingår i: Addiction Research and Theory. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1606-6359 .- 1476-7392. ; 29:5, s. 398-412
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Besides supply reduction, preventive interventions to reduce harm from gambling include interventions for the reduction of demand and to limit negative consequences. Several interventions are available for gamblers, e.g. limit-setting. Reviews have been published examining the evidence for specific measures as well as evaluating the effect of different measures at an overall level. Only a few of these have used a systematic approach for their literature review. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is twofold. First, to assess the certainty of evidence of different preventive measures in the field of educational programs and consumer protection measures, including both land-based and online gambling. The second is to present shortcomings in eligible studies to highlight what type of information is needed in future studies.Method: This systematic review included measures administered in both real-life settings and online. Twenty-eight studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and had low or moderate risk of bias.Results: The results showed that only two measures (long term educational programs and personalized feed-back) had an impact on gambling behavior. Follow-up period was short, and measures did not include gambling as a problem. The certainty in most outcomes, according to GRADE, was very low. Several shortcomings were found in the studies.Discussion: We concluded that the support for preventive measures is low and that a consensus statement regarding execution and methods to collect and analyze data for preventive gambling research is needed. Our review can serve as a starting point for future responsible gambling reviews since it evaluated certainty of evidence.
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| 7. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Dropouts’ usage of a responsible gambling tool and subsequent gambling patterns
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cogent Psychology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2331-1908. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Responsible gambling measures are mainly implemented by the gambling industry to reduce excessive gambling and gambling-related harm. These measures include responsible gambling tools that target online gamblers, typically through behavior tracking, feedback, and, in some cases, advice on how to reduce gambling. Playscan is a responsible gambling tool implemented at gambling sites in several countries with many users in Norway and Sweden. Previous studies have indicated that these tools have limited repeated use. Also, the tools have shown to have a low effect on decreasing gambling behavior. Our aim has been to investigate usage and effect of Playscan among Norwegian gamblers (N = 835) that began to use Playscan and then opted out. These gamblers had a high initial use, but extensive lack of repeated use of the functions included in the tool (secondary data was used). The majority of the gamblers used Playscan for a short period of time. The results indicate that the participants did not gamble less after using Playscan (gambling data analyzed using ANOVA). A hypothesis that can be suggested is that short-term use of Playscan do not decrease the level of gambling for this sample. Also, low-risk gamblers seems to have increased their gambling after using Playscan. The results implies that level of use and length of use needs to be taken into account when evaluating the effect of responsible gambling tools. The low level of use in this sample and in other studies implies that strategies to increase is needed.
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| 8. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Feasibility and results of a pilot online survey to examine prevalence of gambling and problem gambling among Swedish substance abuse inpatients in compulsory care
- 2024
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Ingår i: Cogent Psychology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2331-1908. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The comorbidity between problem gambling and substance use/abuse is high in many populations previously studied. However, the occurrence of problem gambling among individuals with substance abuse has not been thoroughly studied, which is especially true for individuals in inpatient or compulsory care. The present early-stage study explored the presence of gambling and problem gambling among inpatients in compulsory care in Sweden who has been court-ordered to treatment for their substance abuse (alcohol and/or drugs). The study furthermore investigates the use of preventive measures and treatment seeking. The most effective strategy to recruit participants (no incentive, incentive and incentive and face-to-face recruitment) was also explored. Twenty-one participants were recruited and seven of them had at-risk or problem gambling and none of them had accessed treatment. The best way of recruiting was to offer a gift certificate and inform about the study face-to-face. The implications are that individuals in compulsory care for substance abuse need to be screened for problem gambling, that recruitment for studies in this population is best carried out by offering incentives and educational efforts and that it might be beneficial for the clients in compulsory care to be offered gambling treatment.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Isolation and worry in relation to gambling and onset of gambling among psychiatry patients during the COVID-19 pandemic : A mediation study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- When the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading globally, there was a fear that addictive behaviors would increase due to changes in everyday life caused by restrictions due to COVID-19. Studies were carried out to explore if this was true for gambling, typically revealing no overall increase in gambling behavior, although individuals who had previous experience with gambling problems were more likely to increase gambling during the pandemic. However, these studies only included individuals with previous gambling problems. It remains unknown whether other vulnerable groups, such as individuals with common mental disorders increased their gambling. This study aimed to explore the level of gambling problems among individuals with a history of mental disorders, namely, (i) pre-pandemic gamblers and (ii) pandemic-onset gamblers. Furthermore, we explored if worry and isolation mediate gambling and problem gambling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a structural equation model to investigate mediation. The results showed a high prevalence of at-risk and problem gambling in both groups. The pre-pandemic gamblers had a high level of at-risk and problem gambling. Furthermore, the individuals that started to gamble during the pandemic had an even higher degree of at-risk and problem gambling. The mediation showed that the onset of gambling was linked with the worry of COVID-infection and that worry predicted the level of gambling problems. This study highlights that vulnerability factors, isolation, and worry can be triggers for individuals with common mental disorders to engage in gambling as well as the importance of screening this population for gambling problems.
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| 11. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Measuring loot box consumption and negative consequences : Psychometric investigation of a Swedish version of the Risky Loot Box Index
- 2022
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Ingår i: Addictive Behaviors Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-8532. ; 16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Loot boxes are products in videogames that is earned by playing a video game or by buying them. Loot boxes has similar mechanisms as a lottery and there is an ongoing debate if loot boxes are gambling. However, to understand the potential harm of loot boxes valid instruments are needed. An English study psychometrically evaluated an instrument focused on risky loot box use called the Risky Loot Box Index. The study evaluated 12 item scale and based on a factor analysis it was reduced to a five-item scale. The aim of our study is to evaluate a Swedish version of the 12-item instrument from a psychometric perspective. Two samples recruited via an online survey were used. The first sample was recruited from the gambling site Unibet. A mail with an invitation to participate was sent to esports bettors and sport bettors at the gambling site. The second sample was recruited from a Facebook forum focused on e-sports. An invitation was posted on the forum to partake in the study. A total of 195 of respondents (96% men and 4% women) with a mean age of 33.76 (SD = 12.34) answered the Unibet survey and 169 respondents (96% men and 4% women and non-binary) with a mean age of 23.89 (SD = 5.52) answered the Facebook survey. An exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factor seven item solution. The factors were overconsumption regarding time spent on loot boxes and the other factor was focused on overconsumption of loot boxes in terms of spending money. The confirmatory factor analysis conducted in the Facebook sample validated the result from the exploratory factor analysis. The conclusion of the study is that the Swedish version of the Risky Loot Index has good psychometric properties and can used to measure risky loot box consumption.
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| 12. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Psychometric properties of the Jonsson-Abbott Scale : Rasch and confirmatory factor analyses
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Measuring and assessing the different aspects of gambling behavior and its consequences is crucial for planning prevention, treatment, and understanding the development of at-risk and problem gambling. Studies indicate that instruments measuring problem gambling produce different results based on the characteristics of the population assessed. To accurately measure at-risk and problem gambling behavior, especially in a low-risk population, measures must cover a wider set of dimensions than the negative consequences already manifest. The Jonsson-Abbott Scale (JAS) includes items that cover overconsumption, actions that reinforce gambling behavior, and belief in gambling fallacies, based on a three-factor structure and has previously demonstrated good psychometric properties. However, there is a need to investigate how the instrument also functions in low-risk populations. This study aims to do so using both confirmatory factor and Rasch analysis; this research included 1,413 Swedish participants who endorsed at least one JAS item. The results replicated the previous three-factor solution and indicated that the instrument had good reliability. In addition, the results demonstrated that the three factors are independent, and the overall score per factor needs to be analyzed. In summary, the JAS appears suitable for use in low-risk populations to measure various aspects of gambling behavior.
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| 13. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-
(författare)
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The use and experience of responsible gambling tools : An explorative analysis of user behavior regarding a responsible gambling tool and the consequences of use
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Responsible gambling tools are an intervention that is designed to decrease gambling among individuals with an at-risk gambling behavior. Studies have indicated that responsible gambling tools can decrease gambling behavior, but little is known about how this intervention is used by gamblers. The aim of the present thesis was to explore different facets of the use, experience and functions of these tools. Study I used descriptive statistics and latent class analysis (LCA) combined with multinomial regression to explore the use of the responsible gambling tool Playscan among 9528 gamblers (regular and at-risk gamblers). The participants had volunteered to use the tool. The functions of the tool had a high rate of initial use but a low rate of repeated use. The LCA identified five user classes. Two of the classes (self-testers and multifunctional users) were defined as high users of the tool and had a higher risk of developing gambling problems according to multinomial regression. The multifunctional users were characterized by an extensive use of all the functions while the other high usage class had an extensive use of the self-test. The three other classes were as follows: those who did not use the tool, those who visited the tool but did not engage in any of the functions, and those who only used the tool’s advice on how to decrease their gambling. Participants’ reasons for use and non-use of the tool were attributed to their degree of need of the tool and its functions. The tool’s most widely used function was the self-test that investigated the level of negative consequences faced by a user due to his or her gambling. Study II was a qualitative study investigating participants’ views, experiences and their reasons for using the tool. The study was conducted by interviewing 20 volunteer users of the tool. These semi-structured interviews were analyzed by thematic analysis. The results showed that the users had a positive attitude towards the tool and understood its purpose. The self-test was the most widely used function in this sample as well. However, the participants’ positive attitude toward the tool did not effectively encourage them to use it; they displayed low use of the tool’s functions. This paradox was explained by lack of feedback and the fact that some participants did not understand that they had registered to use the tool. Providing more feedback and tailoring the feedback to individual users were seen as ways of bridging the paradox. Study II also found that participants used the gambling website (which Playscan was linked to) in an analogue way, preparing their bets before placing them online. This limited the time they spent on the site and inhibited their use of Playscan. Study III was motivated by the extensive use of the self-test among users in Study I and Study II. The aim of Study III was to investigate the psychometric properties of the self-test (known as GamTest) to better understand how it could be used with Playscan in the most efficient way. Two thousand two hundred and thirty four respondents answered the questionnaire, along with instruments measuring depression, anxiety and another instrument measuring problems due to gambling. Factor analysis, parallel analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and correlations were used to establish the tool’s psychometric properties. The results yielded a three-factor model, excellent reliability, and high correlation with the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), endorsing the validity of the self-test. The results also indicated that the questionnaire could be effectively shortened. Overall, the studies show that the tool has an initial high use, low repeated use and that the self-test is the most used feature. In addition, the self-test had good psychometric properties.
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| 14. |
- Forsström, David, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Utbud av stöd och behandling för spelproblem : En studie om utmaningar inför förtydligat ansvar i lagstiftningen
- 2018
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Den 1 januari 2018 genomfördes lagändringar som innebar ett förtydligat ansvar för socialtjänsten samt hälso-och sjukvården att förebygga, motverka och bistå individer med insatser vid spelmissbruk. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka utbudet av stöd och behandling vid spelproblem innan lagändringen trädde i kraft. En sammanställning av befintliga uppgifter från Folkhälsomyndigheten och Stödlinjen gjordes. Intervjuer genomfördes med sexton nyckelpersoner inom spelbehandlingsfältet från kommuner, landsting, myndigheter och frivilligorganisationer. Intervjumaterialet analyserades med hjälp av tematisk analys. Preliminära resultat presenterades för en grupp behandlare för att validera och få kommentarer. Undersökningen visade att stödet för personer med spelproblem varierar i landet och är fragmentariskt. På vissa orter finns behandling att tillgå, men dagens behandlingsutbud bygger på enskilda behandlare som har ett specialintresse för målgruppen. Det är ofta bara en till två behandlare i en organisation som arbetar med målgruppen vilket skapar en sårbarhet. Få personer utbildas på övergripande nivå och om en behandlare slutar ersätts sällan personen. Den behandling som erbjuds är huvudsakligen kognitiv beteendeterapi. Det finns behov av att utveckla mer specifika och integrerade behandlingsalternativ till olika målgrupper. Frivilligorganisationer fyller en viktig funktion genom att erbjuda stöd som komplement till behandling eller som alternativ och när behandling inte finns tillgänglig. Det huvudsakliga resultatet är att kommuner och landsting är dåligt rustade för att möta att målgruppen. Resurser och kompetens saknas på många håll för att tillhandahålla stöd och behandling som kan hjälpa hjälpsökande att komma ur ett problemspelande. Mer satsning på utbildning och screening föreslås som sätt att åtgärda bristerna. Även om utvecklingsarbete påbörjats innebär lagändringarna en stor utmaning för kommuner och landsting för att få till fungerande samverkan för att tillmötesgå spelares och deras anhörigas behov. En uppföljning av föreliggande studie planeras under 2019/2020 för att kartlägga hur behandlingsutbudet har utvecklats efter att lagändringen trädde i kraft.
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| 15. |
- Kjellberg, Alexa, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment related helping and hindering factors for iCBT for ADHD symptoms : A qualitative study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Abstracts from the 12th Swedish Congress on internet interventions (SWEsrii), Uppsala University, Sweden. ; , s. 6-
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition with symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, lack of attention. ADHD can affect every day for an individual in a comprehensive way leading to poor performance and negative consequences. However, little is known about what influences treatment success and what patients experience as helping and hindering in this context. The aim of this current study is to evaluate helping and hindering factors for undergoing iCBT for ADHD. An additional focus on helping and hindering factors outside the treatment setting also included. Participants are recruited from a randomized controlled trial and those who completed the treatment is asked to participate in the study. The goal of the treatment is to increase everyday functioning and decrease ADHD symptoms. Participants are interviewed via telephone using a semi-structured interview guide and transcribed ad verbatim. The interviews are analyzed using thematic analysis. The results regarding helping and hindering factors are discussed in relation to treatment adherence and outcome of treatment. The study will inform how future treatments can be implemented in a better way.
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| 16. |
- Rozental, Alexander, et al.
(författare)
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A psychometric evaluation of the Swedish translation of the Perceived Stress Scale: a Rasch analysis
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Psychiatry. - : Springer Nature. - 1471-244X. ; 23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Stress reflects physical and psychological reactions to imposing demands and is often measured using self-reports. A widely-used instrument is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), intended to capture more general aspects of stress. A Swedish translation of the PSS is available but has not previously been examined using modern test theory approaches. The aim of the current study is to apply Rasch analysis to further the understanding of the PSS’ measurement properties, and, in turn, improve its utility in different settings.Methods: Data from 793 university students was used to investigate the dimensionality of different version of the PSS (14, 10, and 4 items) as well as potential response patterns among the participants.Results: The current study demonstrates that the PSS-14 has two separate factors, divided between negatively worded items (perceived stress) and positively worded items (perceived [lack of] control), although with only the negative subscale exhibiting good reliability. Response patterns were analyzed using Differential Item Functioning, which did not find an influence of gender on any of the items, but for age regarding the positive subscale (items 6 and 9). The PSS-10 also demonstrated adequate reliability for the negative subscale, but the PSS-4 was not deemed suitable as a unidimensional scale.Conclusions: Based on the results, none of the versions of the PSS should be used by sum-scoring all of the items. Only the negative items from the PSS-14 or PSS-10 can be used as unidimensional scales to measure general aspects of stress. As for different response patterns, gender may nevertheless be important to consider, as prior research has found differences on several items. Meanwhile, content validity is discussed, questioning the relevance of anger and being upset when measuring more general aspects of stress. Finally, a table to convert the PSS-7 (i.e., negative items) ordinal sum scores to interval level scores is provided.
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| 17. |
- Rozental, Alexander, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Mental health in individuals with self-reported psychiatric symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic : Baseline data from a swedish longitudinal cohort study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychiatry. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-0640. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Individuals with psychiatric disorders may be both vulnerable and sensitive to rapid societal changes that have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. To fully understand these impacts, repeated measurements of these individuals are warranted. The current longitudinal study set out to perform monthly assessment of individuals with common psychiatric disorders using established questionnaires with a possibility for them to self- rate their symptoms, over time.Methods: Recruitment of individuals who identified themselves as struggling with mental health problems, living in Sweden between July 2020 and June 2021 using an online survey. The individuals answered questions on demographics, psychiatric history, current psychiatric symptoms (e.g., Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9; General Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7), somatic health, health-care contacts and any changes therein during the pandemic. Monthly, longitudinal assessments are still ongoing (consenting participants provide data for 1 year), and here we present descriptive statistics from the baseline measurement. All measurements from baseline (>400 items), and follow-ups are presented in detail.Results: A total of 6.095 participants (average age 35 years) submitted complete baseline data. Marital status (43% single) and number of years of education (48% highest degree being high school) were evenly distributed in this population. The most common lifetime psychiatric disorder in the sample was depressive disorder (80.5%) and generalized anxiety disorder (45.9%), with a substantial proportion having severe symptoms of depression. (30.5%) and anxiety (37.1%). Lifetime suicidal ideation (75.0%) and non-suicidal self-harm (57.7%) were prevalent in the group and 14.5% reported drug use during the pandemic. Allergies (36.8%) were the most common somatic condition, followed by irritable bowel syndrome (18.7%). For those having experienced a traumatic event, 39% showed symptoms during the pandemic indicating PTSD. Regarding contact with mental health services during the pandemic, 22% had established a new contact, and 20% reported to have increased their psychiatric medication compared to before the pandemic.Conclusion: Baseline data collected during the pandemic from individuals in Sweden with pre-existing psychiatric disorders demonstrate that this sample represents a population suitable for an investigation on the long-term impact of the pandemic, as intended by the longitudinal investigation that is ongoing. Follow-up questionnaires over a 12-month period are being collected and will indicate how the health and well-being of this population was impacted during the changes and uncertainties that have been characteristic of the past 2 years.
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| 18. |
- Rozental, Alexander, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Procrastination Among University Students : Differentiating Severe Cases in Need of Support From Less Severe Cases
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Procrastination refers to voluntarily postponing an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for this delay, and students are considered to be especially negatively affected. According to estimates in the literature, at least half of the students believe procrastination impacts their academic achievements and well-being. As of yet, evidence-based ideas on how to differentiate severe from less severe cases of procrastination in this population do not exist, but are important in order to identify those students in need of support. The current study recruited participants from different universities in Sweden to participate in an anonymous online survey investigating self-rated levels of procrastination, impulsivity, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life. Furthermore, diagnostic criteria for pathological delay (PDC) as well as self-report items and open-ended questions were used to determine the severity of their procrastination and its associated physical and psychological issues. In total, 732 participants completed the survey. A median-split on the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS) and the responses to the PDC were used to differentiate two groups; “less severe procrastination” (PPS ≤ 2.99; n = 344; 67.7% female; M age = 30.03; SD age = 9.35), and “severe procrastination” (PPS ≥ 3.00; n = 388; 66.2% female; M age = 27.76; SD age = 7.08). For participants in the severe group, 96–97% considered procrastination to a problem, compared to 42–48% in the less severe group. The two groups also differed with regard to considering seeking help for procrastination, 35–38% compared to 5–7%. Participants in the severe group also reported more problems of procrastination in different life domains, greater symptoms of psychological issues, and lower quality of life. A thematic analysis of the responses on what physical issues were related to procrastination revealed that these were characterized by stress and anxiety, e.g., tension, pain, and sleep and rest, while the psychological issues were related to stress and anxiety, but also depression, e.g., self-criticism, remorse, and self-esteem. The current study recommends the PPS to be used as an initial screening tool, while the PDC can more accurately determine the severity level of procrastination for a specific individual.
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| 19. |
- Rozental, Alexander, et al.
(författare)
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Treating perfectionism using internet-based cognitive behavior therapy : Comparing two types of treatment
- 2022
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Ingår i: Abstracts from the 11th Swedish Congress on internet interventions (SWEsrii), Gothenburg, Sweden, 23-24 May 2022. - Linköping : Linköping University Electronic Press. ; , s. 11-11
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Perfectionism is characterized by setting high standards and being concerned about performance, which can have a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and psychological wellbeing. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), administered in a face-to-face setting and via the Internet, has previously demonstrated promising effects with regard to symptoms of perfectionism and related problems, for example depression. However, no clinical trial has used an active comparator. In the current study, Internet-based CBT (iCBT) was compared to Internet-based Unified Protocol (iUP) for self-referred participants seeking treatment for perfectionism.Methods: In total, 138 participants were deemed eligible and randomized to receive two types of treatment via the Internet, iCBT and iUP. Eight modules over eight weeks were distributed, containing both psychoeducation and homework assignments. If needed, participants could also receive support on demand from three therapists. A number of self-report measures were administered prior to and after the treatment period. At the time of the conference, the results of both conditions will be analyzed using an intention-to-treat, mixed model-analysis, applying maximum likelihood estimation to account for missing data.Results: Results from the post-treatment assessment showed that half of the participants (52.9%) had opened all of the eight modules, with no difference between the conditions. For the main outcome measure, the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire, the within-group effect size Cohen’s d was 1.61 for iCBT and 1.83 for iUP. For the secondary outcome measures, effects ranged from d 0.33 to 0.67. At the time of the conference, additional results from two follow-up assessments, six- and 12-months, will also be presented.Conclusion: Perfectionism can lead to significant difficulties and sometimes warrant treatment. CBT has been shown to benefit those affected by helping them change inflexible standards, refute cognitive biases, experiment with more flexible behaviors, and basing one’s self-worth on more than performance. The current study replicates prior research findings that CBT for perfectionism can successfully be delivered via the Internet, which could help disseminate an effective treatment to those in need.
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| 20. |
- Sundström, Christopher, et al.
(författare)
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What do we know about alcohol internet interventions aimed at employees? : A scoping review
- 2023
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2565. ; 11
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Internet interventions are a promising avenue for delivering alcohol prevention to employees. The objective of this scoping review was to map all research on alcohol internet interventions aimed at employees regardless of design, to gain an overview of current evidence and identify potential knowledge gaps.Methods: We conducted a literature search in three data bases (PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science). Eligibility criteria were that (1) the study targeted employees age ≥18 years; (2) the intervention was delivered predominantly online; (3) the study focused specifically or in part on alcohol use; and (4) the study was published in English in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Two reviewers independently screened, reviewed, and extracted data.Results: Twenty studies were included, of which 10 were randomized controlled trials, five were secondary analyses, three were feasibility trials, one was a cohort study and one described the rationale and development of an intervention. No qualitative studies were found. Randomized trials tended to show effects when interventions were compared to waitlists but not when more intensive interventions were compared to less intensive ones. We identified two design-related aspects where studies differed; (1) whether all applicants were included regardless of alcohol use level and (2) whether the intervention was explicitly framed as alcohol-focused or not. Significant recruitment problems were noted in several studies.Conclusions: Alcohol internet interventions hold promise in delivering alcohol prevention to employees, but heterogeneity in study design and difficulties in recruitment complicate interpretation of findings.
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| 21. |
- Werbart, Andrzej, et al.
(författare)
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New Skills for Distance Regulation : Therapists' Experiences of Remote Psychotherapy Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of psychotherapy integration. - : American Psychological Association (APA). - 1053-0479 .- 1573-3696. ; 34:1, s. 27-44
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic forced many therapists to shift from in-person sessions to the use of communication technology. This shift actualizes the issue of for whom and when remote therapy is suitable and how the therapeutic technique should be adjusted. Our study explored therapists' long-term experiences of remote psychotherapy after this transition. Data were collected about 2 years after World Health Organization's (WHO's) declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Semistructured interviews with 10 therapists with different treatment orientations were analyzed, applying the qualitative method of inductive experiential thematic analysis. The therapists said that the use of communication technology implied a new and different in-session interaction, inclusive of changed relational dynamics and the need to adjust their way of working. All therapists experienced possibilities and advantages as well as difficulties and challenges with remote psychotherapy. As time went on, they gained both positive and negative new experiences of the distinctive features of remote therapy and became more comfortable with remote communication. Above all, they acquired new technical and relational skills. Taken together, the therapists' experiences illustrate the need to develop new skills for negotiating setting alternations and distance regulation and to adapt therapeutic interventions when shifting between in-person settings and remote sessions.
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