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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Dec 2022The present systematic review aims to assess the psychological adjustment of children born through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and to screen for clinical... (Review)
Review
The present systematic review aims to assess the psychological adjustment of children born through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and to screen for clinical problems when compared with normative data from the standardized indexes of mental health. Following PRISMA guidelines, the search was conducted from inception through September 2021 using APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Academic Search Complete, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, and RCAAP. Search terms related to ART and children's psychological adjustment were combined to Boolean operators to identify relevant published studies in English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Peer-reviewed studies focused on the psychological adjustment of ART children aged between the 3 and 11 years were included. From a total of 337 results, 45 papers were eligible to be included in this review. Data extraction was performed independently by two authors and revised and confirmed by other two authors. All children scored below the clinical range for psychiatric symptoms when compared with normative data for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) or the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA), regardless of type of ART and different family configurations. Further, some evidence suggests that surrogacy children with gay fathers present the lowest levels of psychological problems when compared to normative data. These findings enable practitioners to develop an informed view of ART children mental health outcomes to help parents find more adaptive strategies to navigate their chosen pathways in healthier ways.
PubMed: 36580112
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02129-w -
Journal of Child Psychology and... Jan 2013This article reviews the available quantitative research on psychosocial adjustment and mental health among children (age <18 years) associated with armed forces and... (Review)
Review
AIMS AND SCOPE
This article reviews the available quantitative research on psychosocial adjustment and mental health among children (age <18 years) associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG)--commonly referred to as child soldiers.
METHODS
PRISMA standards for systematic reviews were used to search PubMed, PsycInfo, JSTOR, and Sociological Abstracts in February 2012 for all articles on former child soldiers and CAAFAG. Twenty-one quantitative studies from 10 countries were analyzed for author, year of publication, journal, objectives, design, selection population, setting, instruments, prevalence estimates, and associations with war experiences. Opinion pieces, editorials, and qualitative studies were deemed beyond the scope of this study. Quality of evidence was rated according to the systematic assessment of quality in observational research (SAQOR).
FINDINGS
According to SAQOR criteria, among the available published studies, eight studies were of high quality, four were of moderate quality, and the remaining nine were of low quality. Common limitations were lack of validated mental health measures, unclear methodology including undefined sampling approaches, and failure to report missing data. Only five studies included a comparison group of youth not involved with armed forces/armed groups, and only five studies assessed mental health at more than one point in time. Across studies, a number of risk and protective factors were associated with postconflict psychosocial adjustment and social reintegration in CAAFAG. Abduction, age of conscription, exposure to violence, gender, and community stigma were associated with increased internalizing and externalizing mental health problems. Family acceptance, social support, and educational/economic opportunities were associated with improved psychosocial adjustment.
CONCLUSIONS
Research on the social reintegration and psychosocial adjustment of former child soldiers is nascent. A number of gaps in the available literature warrant future study. Recommendations to bolster the evidence base on psychosocial adjustment in former child soldiers and other war-affected youth include more studies comprising longitudinal study designs, and validated cross-cultural instruments for assessing mental health, as well as more integrated community-based approaches to study design and research monitoring.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Military Personnel; Prevalence; Resilience, Psychological; Risk Factors; Social Adjustment; Social Support; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Violence; Warfare
PubMed: 23061830
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02620.x -
Long-term adjustment to unmet parenthood goals following ART: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Human Reproduction Update May 2017Fertility treatment is not guaranteed to succeed and around 30% of patients do not achieve parenthood. Failed treatment represents the loss of parenthood and often... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Fertility treatment is not guaranteed to succeed and around 30% of patients do not achieve parenthood. Failed treatment represents the loss of parenthood and often triggers intense and prolonged grief reactions. There is an increasing awareness of the need to support patients in the aftermath of failed treatment; however, there are no effective interventions for the effect. This need for support is expected to increase as the number of people delaying parenthood increases and therefore so does the number for whom assisted reproduction will not offer a solution.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
This mixed-methods review aims at investigating if patients with failed fertility treatment experience significant psychosocial adjustment difficulties that warrant the provision of psychosocial support, and at developing a comprehensive model of adjustment to unmet parenthood goals that can be used to assist the design of theory led psychosocial interventions.
SEARCH METHODS
Five databases were systematically searched between 1978 and December 2015. Search terms were variations of fertility treatment AND psychosocial adjustment AND post-treatment. Quantitative studies had to include group mean comparisons on psychosocial adjustment (mental-health and well-being) between patients who had failed treatment and a control group. Qualitative studies had to focus on experiences of psychosocial adjustment after failed treatment. Screening, data extraction and critical appraisal were carried out independently by the authors using predefined protocols. Two meta-analyses were performed on mental-health and well-being with a random effect model. The primary outcome was Hedge's g. Publication bias was checked with visual inspection of funnel plots, Egger's test and the trim-and-fill method. A three-stage thematic analysis of results reported in primary qualitative papers was implemented. First-order descriptive and second-order interpretative themes were extracted.
OUTCOMES
Nine quantitative (9052 individuals, 8 countries) and 9 qualitative (267 individuals, 6 countries) studies were included. Six (67%) of the quantitative studies reported on mental-health and six on well-being. The meta-analyses showed that the failed group had worse mental-health (g = -0.496, P = 0.001, 95% CI [-0.791 to 0.200]; I2 = 88%, P < 0.001) and well-being (g = -0.324, P < 0.001, 95% CI [-0.454 to 0.193], I2 = 0%, P = 0.552) than controls. The qualitative review resulted in 28 first-order themes that were grouped into 6 second-order themes: individual and relational adjustment, social adjustment, acceptance, pursuit of new life goals, meaning making, and fertility care perceptions and needs. The data showed that individual, relational and social adjustment tended to increase with time since treatment, and that individuals' care perceptions and needs also changed. The data also suggested that individuals who engage in the psychological tasks of accepting and making meaning of their situation and pursuing new life goals adjust better and have fewer support needs. These predictions were articulated in the Three Tasks Model of Adjustment to Unmet Parenthood Goals.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Results provide compelling evidence for the provision of psychosocial care directed at helping individuals who are relinquishing their parenthood goals. The Three Tasks Model of Adjustment to Unmet Parenthood Goals offers comprehensive guidance on the therapeutic mechanisms that psychosocial care should target to promote adjustment. Future research should test the model with prospective cohort studies or by developing and testing interventions based on its predictions.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Counseling; Female; Humans; Infertility; Male; Mental Health; Parents; Qualitative Research; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sex Factors; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28164236
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmx001 -
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps Oct 2017Women in the military are a minority group who, in addition to facing exposure to traumatic events due to the nature of the work, face additional stressors while... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Women in the military are a minority group who, in addition to facing exposure to traumatic events due to the nature of the work, face additional stressors while deployed. It is argued that these exposures and experiences place individuals at a significantly higher risk of finding it difficult adjusting post deployment. This paper focuses on the psychological health and well-being of female veterans post-deployment.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature related to female veterans' experiences upon returning home from deployment was conducted.
RESULTS
Eight in-depth qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria for the study and were analysed using thematic analysis. Five key themes were identified in the papers: (1) bringing the war home, (2) post-deployment adjustment, (3) loss, (4) failed belongingness and (5) post-traumatic growth.
CONCLUSIONS
These studies provide a useful insight into the different psychological health and well-being experiences that female veterans encounter. Additionally, the associated effects upon the individual and their families and communities are considered.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Mental Health; Qualitative Research; Veterans; Young Adult
PubMed: 28356493
DOI: 10.1136/jramc-2016-000705 -
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 2023Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has led to the demise of millions of people worldwide; additionally, it has resulted in a significant economic and mental health... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has led to the demise of millions of people worldwide; additionally, it has resulted in a significant economic and mental health burden. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, various measures have been constructed to evaluate pandemic-related fear and anxiety. The COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19ASS) is a promising measure that assesses coping strategies (e.g., avoidance, checking, worrying and threat monitoring), termed 'COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome', in response to COVID-19 fear and anxiety. The measure has been broadly welcomed, leading to its use in Brazil (Portuguese), China, Greece, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iran (Farsi), Italy, Saudi Arabia (Arabic), Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. To gain a better understanding of the relevance of the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the psychological correlates and psychometric properties of the C-19ASS. Through the analysis of a total of 17,789 individuals (age range 19-70; female = 33%-85%), the C-19ASS demonstrated a consistent factor structure, measurement invariance across gender and acceptable reliabilities. Furthermore, a significant association with COVID-19 anxiety, depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, psychological distress and functional impairment (work and social adjustment) during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed. When considering the Big Five personality traits, the C-19ASS and its subscales were only significantly and negatively associated with extraversion; only the total score on the measure was associated with neuroticism. The observed effect sizes ranged from very small to medium. Given that all included studies (K = 24) were cross-sectional, and due to the nature of the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome, which may well persist after the pandemic ends, it is recommended to continue screening society for the persistence of this syndrome.
Topics: Humans; Female; United States; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics; Psychometrics; Depression; Anxiety
PubMed: 37166175
DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2861 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 2023Stoma surgery is a profoundly life changing event that can result in a range of negative psychological and mental health outcomes, often requiring significant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Stoma surgery is a profoundly life changing event that can result in a range of negative psychological and mental health outcomes, often requiring significant postoperative adaption. While postoperative avenues of support to address these outcomes exist, there remains a lack of preoperative psychological preparation for surgical candidates in standard models of care. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to examine the current and emerging models of psychological preparation available to stoma surgery candidates during the preoperative period.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SCOPUS was conducted. All studies examining the effects of preoperative psychological interventions targeting postoperative psychological adjustment and/or mental health outcomes for individuals planning to undergo or who had undergone stoma surgery were included.
RESULTS
Overall, 15 publications meeting inclusion criteria were identified, encompassing 1565 total participants. Intervention types ranged from psychoeducational, counselling, and practical based skills, examining the postoperative outcomes of anxiety, depression, quality of life, adjustment, self-efficacy, and systematic improvements to standard models of care. Five studies examining postoperative anxiety were included for meta-analysis, demonstrating an overall significant effect (SMD = -1.13, 95% CI -1.96 to -0.30, p = .008). Due to the high level of heterogeneity between remaining studies, articles examining postoperative outcomes other than anxiety were synthesised in narrative form.
CONCLUSION
Despite some promising advancements in the field, there remains insufficient evidence to judge the overall effectiveness of current and emerging models of preoperative psychological preparation on postoperative psychological outcomes for individuals facing stoma surgery.
Topics: Humans; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Psychosocial Intervention; Quality of Life; Self Efficacy
PubMed: 36898315
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111211 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2020Facial palsy is often associated with impaired facial function and altered appearance. However, the literature with regards to the psychological adjustment of children...
INTRODUCTION
Facial palsy is often associated with impaired facial function and altered appearance. However, the literature with regards to the psychological adjustment of children and adolescents with facial palsy has not been systematically reviewed to date. This paper aimed to review all published research with regards to psychosocial adjustment for children and adolescents with facial palsy.
METHODS
MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsychInfo and AMED databases were searched and data was extracted with regards to participant characteristics, study methodology, outcome measures used, psychosocial adjustment and study quality.
RESULTS
Five studies were eligible for inclusion, all of which investigated psychosocial adjustment in participants with Moebius syndrome, a form of congenital facial palsy. Many parents reported their children to have greater social difficulties than general population norms, with difficulties potentially increasing with age. Other areas of psychosocial adjustment, including behaviour, anxiety and depression, were found to be more comparable to the general population.
DISCUSSION
Children and adolescents with Moebius syndrome may experience social difficulties. However, they also demonstrate areas of resilience. Further research including individuals with facial palsy of other aetiologies is required in order to determine the psychosocial adjustment of children and adolescents with facial palsy.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotional Adjustment; Facial Paralysis; Female; Humans; Male; Mobius Syndrome
PubMed: 32751746
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155528 -
Psychological Trauma : Theory,... Sep 2023A core challenge in working with first responders worldwide (e.g., firefighters, emergency service personnel, police officers) is identifying theoretically and...
OBJECTIVE
A core challenge in working with first responders worldwide (e.g., firefighters, emergency service personnel, police officers) is identifying theoretically and empirically based individual-level factors that are associated with adjustment and that can be translated to interventions. The transactional model of stress and coping provides an excellent framework to guide interventions with first responders, yet no review to date has explicitly and comprehensively focused on coping responses in this population.
METHOD
The current study systematically evaluated global evidence linking primary appraisals and coping efforts to mental health and behavioral risk-taking in first responders, with an eye toward their application to interventions.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies from eight countries met review criteria and were summarized. Studies of coping efforts predominated; only two studies assessed primary appraisals. Overall, disengaged coping efforts, relative to engaged coping, were more often associated with adjustment. Further, for engaged coping, associations with adjustment largely were present for cognitive, versus behavioral, strategies; for disengaged coping, cognitive and behavioral strategies were associated equally with poorer adjustment. Two thirds of the studies assessed posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. Given the nature of PTS, use of disengaged strategies may particularly exacerbate these symptoms relative to other adjustment outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Additional research focused on both primary appraisals and coping efforts and that employs longitudinal designs would expand our understanding of the role of coping processes in first responders' adjustment to duty-related stress. Further, these data suggest that interventions targeting individuals (vs. systems or environments) should focus on replacing cognitive and behavioral disengaged coping strategies with engaged strategies that are cognitive in nature. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Adaptation, Psychological; Emergency Responders; Occupational Stress; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 35653742
DOI: 10.1037/tra0001258 -
Schizophrenia (Heidelberg, Germany) Mar 2024This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the association between premorbid adjustment and social cognition in people with psychotic spectrum disorder.... (Review)
Review
This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the association between premorbid adjustment and social cognition in people with psychotic spectrum disorder. Obtaining evidence of this association will facilitate early detection and intervention before the onset of psychosis. Literature searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO. Studies were eligible if they included patients with a psychotic disorder or at a high-risk state; social cognition and premorbid adjustment were measured; and the relationship between premorbid adjustment and social cognition was analysed. The authors independently extracted data from all included articles, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Literature searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO. Studies were eligible if they included patients with a psychotic disorder or at a high-risk state; social cognition and premorbid adjustment were measured; and the relationship between premorbid adjustment and social cognition was analysed. The authors independently extracted data from all included articles, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Of 229 studies identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria. Different methods of assessment were used to measure premorbid adjustment, such as the Premorbid Adjustment Scale or premorbid IQ, among others. Social cognition was assessed as a global measure or by domains using different instruments. A total of 16 articles found a relationship between social cognition (or its domains) and premorbid adjustment: general social cognition (n = 3); Theory of Mind (n = 12); Emotional Recognition and Social Knowledge (n = 1). This review shows evidence of a significant relationship between social cognition and premorbid adjustment, specifically between Theory of Mind and premorbid adjustment. Social cognition deficits may already appear in phases prior to the onset of psychosis, so an early individualized intervention with stimulating experiences in people with poor premorbid adjustment can be relevant for prevention. We recommend some future directions, such as carrying out longitudinal studies with people at high-risk of psychosis, a meta-analysis study, broadening the concept of premorbid adjustment, and a consensual assessment of social cognition and premorbid adjustment variables. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022333886.
PubMed: 38491028
DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00428-y -
Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports Aug 2017The aims of this study were to identify and systematically evaluate studies published from 2005-2017 that took a dyadic approach to assessing or intervening upon... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The aims of this study were to identify and systematically evaluate studies published from 2005-2017 that took a dyadic approach to assessing or intervening upon hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients and their informal caregivers.
RECENT FINDINGS
Our search yielded 20 studies. Regarding sample demographic characteristics, most participants were Caucasian and most caregivers were related to the patient by marriage. Regarding design characteristics, 18 studies were quantitative and two were qualitative; five were cross-sectional, ten were longitudinal, one was experimental, and four were interventional. Most outcomes were psychosocial and the interventions were largely psycho-educational in nature. Large variation in quality of the studies emerged (six were rated as low quality, seven as adequate, and seven as high quality). Understudied populations include racial/ethnic minorities and same-sex couples. More work is needed to understand functioning during survivorship and impacts on patient medical outcomes, and to truly leverage the dyad to optimize individual- and relationship-level adjustment.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Caregivers; Communication; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Patients; Spouses
PubMed: 28573496
DOI: 10.1007/s11899-017-0391-0