The Use of Computerized Self-Help Packages to Treat Adolescent Depression and Anxiety

Despite the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating adolescent anxiety, few sufferers seek treatment. Barriers to accessing psychologists include a shortage of skilled therapists, long waiting lists, and affordability. The Internet is a medium possibly able to address issues of accessibility and affordability. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of online therapy in the treatment and prevention of adolescent anxiety and depression. Participants (N = 38) were randomly allocated to one of four conditions: online CBT, face-to-face CBT, combined face-to-face/online CBT, and control. Combined face-to-face/online CBT is more effective in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to stand-alone online or face-to-face therapy. The present study suggests that for those who are unable to access face-to-face therapy, computerized therapy may be a viable option. This is an important finding, especially in light of current capacity to treat and accessibility problems faced in the treatment of adolescent depression and anxiety.     

An Initial Comparison of Live Instruction and Immersive Video Modes of Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is an established treatment for the reduction of anxiety, and has been delivered via live instruction, audiotape, videotape, and immersive video. Although previous research has compared some of these modes of PMR delivery, this is the first study to compare live instruction with immersive video. Participants completed one session of either live instruction or immersive video PMR, and outcome data was obtained for affect, satisfaction, and heart rate. Results indicate the comparability of live instruction and immersive video PMR conditions, as well as the overall effectiveness of a single session of PMR. Moreover, results suggest the potential superiority of immersive video over live instruction in terms of perceived value.     

Online posting anxiety: impacts on blogging

This study investigates what influences the blog-maintenance intentions of American and Chinese bloggers. Specifically, the current study investigates the role of online posting anxiety and its determinants. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), this study suggests that bloggers experience anxiety because of their low blogging self-efficacy, negative outcome expectations, and the specific characteristics of blogs. To investigate this hypothesis, in-depth interviews were conducted to examine the nature of online posting anxiety among American and Chinese bloggers. Ten American and 16 Chinese bloggers were interviewed online about their beliefs pertaining to blogging self-efficacy, negative outcome expectations, and online posting anxiety. The current research therefore makes a unique and original contribution, in that this research applies social cognitive concepts to explain online posting anxiety in a computer-mediated communication (CMC) domain.     

大学生焦虑及应对方式的相关研究

通过采用贝克焦虑量表和简易应对方式问卷,调查了大学生大学生焦虑及应对方式,并做了相关研究。研究发现：1．大学生中呈显著焦虑的人数较少;2．焦虑水平和积极应对方式在性别上都表现出明显差异,而在消极应对方式中没有明显差异;3．不同年级消极应对方式的采取有极显著性差异;4．在不同专业中,焦虑水平和积极消极应对方式上都存在极其显著的差异;5．大学生焦虑水平与积极应对方式之间没有相关,而与消极应对方式之间存在一定程度的相关。根据研究结果,认为应该采取一些正确的应对策略,从根本上改变大学生的不健康心理状况。     

What Are the Correlates of Infertility-Related Clinical Anxiety? A Literature Review and the Presentation of a Conceptual Model

Infertility is a major stressor for many couples. Although several reviews addressing psychological distress and depression within infertile couples exist, less emphasis has been placed on infertility-related anxiety. Yet it is important to know whether clinical anxiety is a prevalent problem among infertile couples and what are the characteristics of those suffering from clinical anxiety. The present article summarizes the literature on infertility-related anxiety published between 1997 and 2008 and presents a model of infertility-related clinical anxiety that identifies variables that may distinguish individuals who present with clinical anxiety from those who successfully cope with infertility. This model is intended to inform both research and clinical practice with partners of infertile couples. Methodological shortcomings of infertility research and recommendations for future studies are also discussed.     

Poverty,Partner Abuse,and Women's Mental Health: New Knowledge for Better Practice

ABSTRACT.

To better understand how poverty and poor mental health impact women who are abused by intimate partners, a convenience sample of 300 abused women using shelters or justice services for the 1st time were interviewed. The 300 women were categorized as having no income, being above poverty, and being below poverty according to U.S. Poverty Guidelines. Results indicated that no direct effect of income on poor mental health was noted; however, an interaction between type and severity of abuse and income level had an impact on poor mental health. Abused women who were above poverty with the highest incomes reported the highest levels of depression in the presence of high physical and sexual abuse. In contrast, women reporting no income reported no significant effect of severity or type of abuse on depression scores. Women just above the poverty level who experienced severe abuse were at highest risk for mental health problems. Poverty impacts the mental health of abused women according to the degree of poverty and type and severity of abuse. More research is needed to specify programs to maximize the mental health functioning and economic solvency of abused women.     

Case studies of the families of schizophrenics 1

This case study examines therapeutic mechanisms in the work with the parents of a latency aged child, with child separation anxiety disorder, according to the DSM-5 classification. In this single–case study design, the mechanisms identified are practitioner-researcher’s intervention narratives within a theoretically informed framework that is shaped by the psychodynamic understanding of the causes and treatment for the child separation anxiety disorder. The study evaluates the process and the effectiveness of the practitioner-researcher’s treatment throughout the analysis of 11 sessions with the parents. These intervention narratives modified the often unconscious “aggressive” parental beliefs and attitudes toward the child. They also contributed to the progressive reduction and, finally, extinction of his separation anxiety disorder. The study finally demonstrates that, apart from the intervention on the current relationship dynamics between the parents and the child, parent work involves intervention in the emotional difficulties of the parents as well as intervention focused on the couple relationship problems, especially those that reinforce the separation anxiety of the child. The parents were treated in a Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Centre in a major urban area in southern Europe, and they consented to the publication of anonymous information of the case.     

诗与思——从海德格尔视角出发诠释中文和德文诗歌中的生存论意境

在海德格尔那里,诗与思不可分,诗是他阐发哲学思想的重要方式,而他的现象学方法是一种面对事情本身的方法,是一种在自己的生存处境中察看事实真相、领悟生存意义的方法。本文从海德格尔的视角出发,选取愁、异乡人、灵魂与大地、语词等中德诗歌中常见的主题,通过跨文化的诠释,揭示中德诗歌中的生存论意境。     

Why do I dread looking old?: A test of social identity theory,terror management theory,and the double standard of aging

ABSTRACT

Outward appearance is one of the means by which age is determined, and fear of looking old may stem from fears about social identity and death. This study explored how social identity theory and terror management theory may help to explain the dread of looking old. University students from the United States, England, and Australia (N = 1,042) completed a questionnaire regarding their attitudes about aging and older adults. Results indicated that sex, age, beliefs about personal aging, and death anxiety explained 30.4% of the variance for participants’ dread of looking old. Theoretical hypotheses were supported by our findings.     

文化焦虑：“废都精神”的文化解析

具有"文化焦虑"艺术特征的"废都精神",包含这样四个文化结构层面一是在它"喧哗与骚动"式的"废都现象"背后,隐匿着废都文化人深刻的废球、废国、废都文化生态思想;二是在它"弑父与恋母"式的"废都情结"之中,淤积着废都文化人自残、自戕、自毁的文化心理倾向;三是在它"性欲与死亡"式的"废都意识"里边,对象着废都文化人自尊、自卑、无奈的文化突围动机;四是在它"幻想和毁灭"的"废都心态"之内,包含着废都文化人渴望成名、被爱和理性的文化回归欲望.