Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Hobbs, C., Jelbert,
S., Santos, L. R., Hood, B.
Psychoeducational courses focused on positive psychology
interventions have been shown to benefit student well-being. However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying social restrictions,
many educators have had to deliver their courses online. Given that online teaching presents a very different university experience for students, do
psychoeducational courses provide similar well-being benefits in an online format? In this pre-registered study (https://osf.io/3f89m), we
demonstrate that despite the challenges of remote learning, first year university students (N = 166) taking an online \"Science of Happiness\" course
during the first term experienced positive benefits to mental well-being in comparison to a wait-list control group (N = 198) registered to take the
course in the second term. Specifically, university students currently taking the course maintained their mental well-being over the semester
relative to the wait-list control who showed a significant decline in well-being and increase in anxiety during the same period. Our findings suggest
that the online-administered \"Science of Happiness\" course delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a protective effect on mental
well-being. We also observed that engagement with the course was high, though there was no evidence that this factor mediated the positive effects we
observed. However, we did find evidence that prior interest in increasing well-being influenced the effects of the course; participants with lower
well-being interest showed less of a benefit. Our results suggest that online psychoeducational courses might provide a relatively cheap, flexible,
and efficient means of providing support as part of an integrated approach to student mental well-being. Copyright © 2022 Hobbs et al. This is an
open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
PLoS ONE, 17(2 February) (no
pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Herzog,
E., Voss, M., Keller, V., Koch, S., Takano, K., Cludius, B.
Although
several studies have shown that one acute bout of physical exercise can reduce state anxiety in healthy samples, studies that examine this effect in
subclinical and clinical samples are still rare and have found mixed results. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a single session of
acute exercise on state anxiety in a subclinical sample with moderate to high anxiety sensitivity. Potential mediators, including self-efficacy,
self-esteem, mindfulness, subjective vitality, rumination and emotional competencies were explored. Participants (N = 88) with moderate to high
anxiety sensitivity were assigned randomly to either an active group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 44). State anxiety and the mediator variables
were assessed before and after the intervention. State anxiety was reduced from baseline to post-intervention, but no difference was found between
groups. Exploratory analyses suggested that in the active intervention condition, a reduction in state anxiety was partly mediated by an increase in
positive affect and mediated by an increase in subjective vitality. One acute bout of exercise might not be enough to decrease state anxiety in
subclinical individuals with moderate to high anxiety sensitivity. However, the results of this study suggest that positive affect and subjective
vitality could be two mechanisms that might explain the beneficial effect of exercise on anxiety. This should be further investigated in future
studies. Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
Mental Health and
Physical Activity, 23 (no pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Physical activity, exercise
Heise, M., Werthmann, J., Murphy, F., Tuschen-Caffier, B., Renner,
F.
Background: Disease burden and unsatisfactory
treatment outcomes call for innovation in treatments of depression. Prospective mental imagery, i.e. future-directed voluntary imagery-based thought,
about potentially-rewarding activities may offer a mechanistically-informed intervention that targets deficits in reward processing, a core clinical
feature of depression. We propose that the previously described impact of prospective mental imagery on motivation for everyday activities is
facilitated by affective forecasting, i.e. predictions about an individual's emotional response to the imagined activities. Method(s): Participants
(N = 120) self-nominated six activities to engage in over the following week and were randomized to either: (1) an affective forecasting imagery
condition (n = 40); (2) a neutral process imagery condition (n = 40); or (3) a no-imagery control condition (n = 40). Result(s): As predicted,
increases in motivation ratings from pre to post experimental manipulation were significantly higher following affective forecasting imagery compared
to both neutral process imagery (d = 0.62) and no-imagery (d = 0.91). Contrary to predictions, the number of activities participants engaged in did
not differ between conditions. Conclusion(s): Results provide initial evidence for a potentially important role of affective forecasting in
prospective mental imagery. We discuss how these findings can inform future research aiming to harness prospective mental imagery's potential for
clinical applications. Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
Cognitive Therapy and Research, 46(4) : 704-720
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Hassanzadeh-Avval, M., Mashhadi, A., Suveg, C., Bigdeli, I., Amin-Yazdi, S. A., Rafi, M.
A.
Past studies show that emotional socialization and family accommodation are involved in children's anxiety, but
research has yet to investigate whether targeting emotional socialization training (EST), family accommodation modification (FAM), or EST and FAM in
tandem can reduce anxiety in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of EST and FAM on improving emotion
regulation (ER) and reducing anxiety symptoms in anxious children. The sample consisted of 80 children with an anxiety disorder (Mage =
6.7, SD = 0.1) and their mothers. Mothers were randomly assigned to an EST (n=17), FAM (n=16), Combined (n=17), or a waitlist control (WLC) (n=16)
groups. Mothers completed The Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC) and Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) at pre-test, post-test, and at 6-month
of follow-up. The results showed that the EST, FAM, and Combined groups were more effective than WLC in improving ER and reducing anxiety severity at
post-test and follow-up. Among the intervention groups, children in the combined group showed greater reductions in the severity of anxiety symptoms
and emotion dysregulation than the other two groups. Assisting parents to use strategies that encourage healthy emotion regulation and decrease
family accommodation might help reduce the severity of children's anxiety symptoms.
, 53(2) : 281-
293
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Hartman, A., Campenni, C.
This randomized controlled study
examined the effects of creating open circle mandalas with divergent instruction type (distraction and reflection) and medium type (resistive and
fluid) on state anxiety, mood, and mindfulness. The design followed a 2 (instruction type) x 2 (medium type) x 3 (time) mixed experimental design.
Reflective writing tasks were analyzed for linguistic expression. Results indicated anxiety reduction and improved mood across all conditions as
evidenced by explicit assessment. Implicit assessments determined enhanced mindfulness for reflection instruction type and fluid medium type.
Practical connections to the Expressive Therapies Continuum (Lusebrink, 1990) and Media Dimensions Variable (Kagin & Lusebrink, 1978) frameworks are
discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Art Therapy, 39(4) : 203-210
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Creative expression: music, dance, drama, art
Harrsen, K., Tolboll, M.
M., Larsen, L. H.
This study examined the effectiveness of an 18-session
manualized integrative group psychotherapy intervention for parentally bereaved young adults with grief complications. Participants, 63 young adults
aged 20-27 years, completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of prolonged grief, PTSD, depression and anxiety prior to and following treatment.
Treatment effectiveness was assessed by comparing outcomes for the intervention group to a waitlist comparison group. Results revealed a
statistically significant reduction in symptoms of grief (large effects size), PTSD (medium effect sizes), and depression (medium effect size). The
treatment did not result in a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms. The study provided preliminary support for this intervention for parentally
bereaved young adults.
, : 302228211069713
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Hanani, A., Badrasawi, M., Zidan, S., Hunjul, M.
Background: The COVID-19
pandemic had a profound psychological influence on everyone in society, and the impact it had on students, particularly medical students, cannot be
underestimated. The main purpose of this study is to (1) determine the prevalence of mental disorders among medical students and their associated
factors, and (2) examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy on mental health problems among medical students. Method(s): Between March
and May 2021, we conducted a randomized controlled study on two phases among medical students at An-Najah National University. Data were collected
using an online questionnaire and the Arabic version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We also used the MEDAS tool to assess
their Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence. In the second phase, sixty-six students were recruited and assigned randomly to control and intervention
groups. Intervention impact was assessed using 12-item General Health Questionnaire at two-time points; baseline, and 8 weeks post-intervention. The
interventional model used was cognitive behavioral therapy, and the control group received no treatment. Result(s): A total of 329 students were
included in the analysis of the first phase of the study. Approximately 28% of students had mental health problems. We found a significant
relationship between good mental health status with a higher level of physical activity level, longer sleeping hours, and shorter entertainment time
(p < 0.05). In the second phase of the study, a total of 91 students were included. Overall, using the CBT program showed a significant improvement
in the outcome measures. At 8 weeks post-intervention, students had lower scores on total GHQ-12, depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction.
Conclusion(s): These findings propose that adequate attention must be paid to the mental health of medical students and that CBT programs can be used
for the management of mental health problems among medical students. Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
BMC
Psychiatry, 22(1) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Hamdani, S. U., Zill e, H., Zafar, S. W., Suleman, N., Um ul,
B., Waqas, A., Rahman, A.
Background: Adolescent depression and anxiety are among the leading contributors to health burden worldwide.
'Relaxation Techniques (RTs)' are a \"set of strategies to improve physiological response to stress\" and are frequently cited as an active
ingredient of trans-diagnostic, psychosocial interventions for scaling-up care for preventing and treating these conditions in adolescents. However,
there is a little evidence on the effectiveness of 'relaxation techniques' for this age group. Aim(s): As a part of the Wellcome Trust's Active
Ingredients commission, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of RTs to reduce the symptoms of distress, anxiety
and depression in young people, aged 14 to 24 years old, globally. Method(s): We searched 10 academic databases to include 65 Randomized Controlled
Trials (RCTs) of relaxation-based interventions for young people with the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Primary outcomes were reduction in
symptoms of distress, anxiety and/or depression. We employed the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment,
Development and Evaluations) guidelines to assess certainty of outcomes pertaining to anxiety, depression and distress. Standardized mean difference
was estimated using effect size. Result(s): The analysis of 65 RCTs with 8009 young people showed that RTs were highly effective in treating anxiety
(pooled effect size of (Standardized Mean Difference-SMD) - 0.54 (95% CI - 0.69 to - 0.40); moderately effective in reducing distress (SMD = - 0.48,
95% CI - 0.71 to - 0.24) and had only a weak effect on improving depression in young people (SMD = - 0.28 (95% CI - 0.40% to - 0.15). Face-to-face
delivered relaxation techniques yielded higher effect size (SMD = - 0.47, 95% CI - 0.64 to - 0.30) compared to online delivery (SMD = - 0.22, 95% CI
- 0.48 to 0.04) for anxiety. Conclusion(s): Most of the included studies were from High Income Countries (HICs) and had a high risk of bias. Further
high-quality studies with low risk of bias, especially from low resource settings are needed to evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of RTs as an
active ingredient of psychological interventions to reduce the symptoms of distress, anxiety and depression in young people. Copyright © 2022, The
Author(s).
International Journal of Mental Health
Systems, 16(1) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Relaxation
Hallford, D. J., Hardgrove, S., Sanam, M., Oliveira, S., Pilon, M., Duran, T.
Reminiscence-based interventions focus on the recall of autobiographical memories and reflective
reasoning about these remembered experiences. This study assessed the effect of a three-session, positive-memory version of cognitive-reminiscence
therapy (CRT) on the psychological resources and mental well-being of young adults. The participants (N=62, Mage =24.6 [SD=3.1], 71% females) were
randomised to CRT or wait-list. Psychological resources (self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life and optimism), mental well-being (depression,
anxiety and stress symptoms) and theorised change processes (automatic negative thoughts, awareness of narrative identity and cognitive reappraisal)
were assessed. The results showed the CRT group was significantly higher on psychological resources at post-CRT (d=0.75-0.80) and follow-up (d=0.52-
0.87) and mental well-being at post-intervention (d=0.71-1.30) and follow-up (d=0.64-0.98). The hypotheses regarding change processes were supported.
Future research may use an active comparator and include a longer follow-up, given only short-term effects were assessed. Brief, positive-focused CRT
is effective in increasing psychological resources and mental well-being in young adults. Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Applied Psychology: Health
and Well-Being published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Association of Applied Psychology.
Applied Psychology: Health and well-being, 14(3) : 1004-
1021
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Grieve, P., Egan, S. J., Andersson, G., Carlbring, P., Shafran, R., Wade, T. D.
The current study investigated the impact of an 8-module internet-based cognitive
behaviour therapy for perfectionism (ICBT-P) across a variety of perfectionism subscales. Undergraduate students who identified as having a problem
with perfectionism were randomized to receive the intervention (n = 41), and were free to choose the number of treatment modules they completed over
a 4-week period, while the control group (N = 48) received access to treatment 8 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary measures included depression,
anxiety, stress, body image and self-compassion. Assessments occurred at baseline, 2-, 4- and 8-week time points. A mean of 3.12 (SD = 2.67) modules
were completed; 7 participants (17%) completed none and 6 (15%) completed all. Linear mixed modelling (with baseline observation included as a
covariate) showed significant Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc between-group differences for 5 of the 6 perfectionism measures, favouring the
intervention group; the most robust between group effect sizes were for the Concern over Mistakes (d = -0.82), High Standards (d = -0.69), and
Perfectionistic Standards (d = -0.47) subscales. There were no between-group differences for our secondary measures. ICBT-P was found to be an
effective intervention for reducing different components of perfectionism compared to a control group. The relatively low use of modules may have
contributed to a lack of effect on secondary measures. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) Trial Number:
ACTRN12620000562976.
, 51(2) : 130-142
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Gregoire, S., Beaulieu, F., Lachance, L., Bouffard, T., Vezeau, C., Perreault, M.
Despite recent calls for more
peer support initiatives aimed at promoting mental health in postsecondary institutions, those initiatives remain scarce. In this study, a multisite
randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the effect of an online peer support intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy using
mental health and school indicators. Undergraduate students were recruited in three Canadian universities and randomly assigned to an intervention (n
= 54) or a wait-list control group (n = 53). Compared to control participants, those who took part in the program self-reported reduced psychological
inflexibility, stress, anxiety and depression, and increased psychological flexibility and well-being. The intervention had no effect on academic
satisfaction and engagement. These results were found both in completer and intent-to-treat samples. The findings provide evidence that peer support
may be a beneficial adjunct to mental health interventions offered to college and university students.
, : 1-13
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Other Psychological Interventions, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Goger, P., Weersing, V. R.
Anxiety disorders are the most common and impairing
mental health problems across the lifespan. Familial factors are strongly implicated in the onset and maintenance of anxiety, but available
evidence-based treatments are usually individual-focused. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current evidence base (2010-2019) of family
based interventions addressing youth and adult anxiety and highlight findings comparing family based and individual-focused treatments. A systematic
literature search was conducted. Articles were considered if they targeted primarily anxiety-related issues and utilized a randomized controlled
trial design, resulting in 22 included youth studies. No adult studies met criteria for inclusion. Overall, family based treatments performed better
than no-treatment controls and as well as individual-based interventions, with some evidence that family based interventions might outperform
individual-based ones in certain populations (i.e., autism). Family based interventions may represent a good alternative for anxiety treatment in
youth. Additional research on family based treatment for anxiety is adults is needed.
Journal of Marital & Family
Therapy, 48(1) : 107-128
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder), At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other Psychological Interventions