Religious-based interventions for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies

Digital selfie editing shows sex specific associations between processing biases and life satisfaction

Digital technology has introduced a novel form of self-representation, the selfie. This study investigated the psychological effects of selfie editing and its relationship with well-being by measuring editing behaviors, subjective and objective evaluations of selfies, and life satisfaction. The objective assessment employed a speeded perceptual matching task where participants learned to associate selfies and stranger photos with geometric shapes, then judged the correctness of subsequent photo- shape pairings. Results demonstrated that image editing enhanced immediate selfie satisfaction across sexes. Hierarchical drift diffusion modeling revealed preferential processing of both edited and unedited selfies versus stranger photos, suggesting that edited selfies may function as an extended self-identity. Bayesian regression analysis identified significant associations between life satisfaction and individual differences in selfie perception. Women who processed unedited selfies faster, with higher drift rate, yet reported greater satisfaction with edited selfies, exhibited lower life satisfaction. In contrast, women who demonstrated preferentially processed and reported higher satisfaction with edited selfies, had greater life satisfaction. These associations were absent in men. The findings suggest that congruency of subjective self-evaluation and objective processing of selfies might influence psychological well-being, while indicating sex differences in editing behaviors, underlying cognitive processes, and life satisfaction associations.

Examen Tu Salud: A Digital Spiritual Health Intervention for Young Adult US Latinas

Although spiritual health is a core dimension of health and wellness, particularly for Latinos, it receives limited attention in health promotion interventions. Examen Tu Salud is a brief intervention for young Latinas in the USA and is designed using culturally tailored spiritual messaging and education provided through daily multimedia messages and weekly remote peer coaching rooted in Ignatian values and pedagogy. Results from this single group intervention study showed that after four weeks, participants reported large increases in spiritual health (Cohen d = 0.82), well-being (Cohen d = 0.91), and happiness (Cohen d = 0.84), and moderate reductions in stress (Cohen d = 0.41) and anxiety (Cohen d = 0.49). These findings further develop the spiritual health intervention literature and establish a baseline for future brief digital health interventions to support Latinas and other groups using culturally tailored spiritual health messaging.

Symptom scale for anxiety and depression disorders (ESTAD): psychometric properties and sociodemographic profile in Peruvian university students

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and depression are two of the main psychological disorders that affect thousands of people in the world, including university students. This research is justified because it seeks to reevaluate, compare and confirm the psychometric properties and establish the sociodemographic profile of the Anxiety and Depression Disorders Symptom Scale in Peruvian university students. The main objective of this study was to determine the evidence of psychometric properties, and the sociodemographic profile, of the Symptom Scale for Anxiety and Depression Disorders in university students from the region of Piura, Peru.

METHODS

The sample was determined using proportional, probabilistic sampling that included 6 universities in Piura, Peru, consisting of 1243 participants. The scale has 35 Items within 7 subscales.

RESULTS

The results identified that the items fall within the range of ± 1.5 for skewness and kurtosis, except for items 22 and 35. The construct validity, assessed through factor analysis, shows that 100% of the items achieve scores greater than 0.5, with a significance level of less than < 0.001. The goodness-of-fit index through confirmatory factor analysis aligns with the transdiagnostic theoretical model, with scores for CFI and TLI ≥ 0.90, and for RMSEA and SRMR ≤ 0.60. The scale demonstrates adequate composite reliability according to MacDonald's Omega Coefficient (0.959). Furthermore, there is a moderate significant association (p = 0.001; γ = - 0.192) between age, the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms. A strong significant association (p = 0.001; γ = 0.365) is observed between sex and the presence of core symptoms of anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the scale evidence an adequate psychometric consistency, presenting itself as a valid and reliable instrument. Of the university students evaluated, it was generally identified that 24% reach a high level and 50% reach a moderate level of anxiety and depression symptoms. Additionally, being a woman and an adolescent increases the likelihood of presenting elevated levels of the symptoms evaluated by the scale.

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults: Réseau canadien pour les traitements de l'humeur et de l'anxiété (CANMAT) 2023 : Mise à jour des lignes directrices cliniques pour la prise en charge du trouble dépressif majeur chez les adultes

BACKGROUND

The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) last published clinical guidelines for the management of major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2016. Owing to advances in the field, an update was needed to incorporate new evidence and provide new and revised recommendations for the assessment and management of MDD in adults.

METHODS

CANMAT convened a guidelines editorial group comprised of academic clinicians and patient partners. A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since the 2016 guidelines. Recommendations were organized by lines of treatment, which were informed by CANMAT-defined levels of evidence and supplemented by clinical support (consisting of expert consensus on safety, tolerability, and feasibility). Drafts were revised based on review by patient partners, expert peer review, and a defined expert consensus process.

RESULTS

The updated guidelines comprise eight primary topics, in a question-and-answer format, that map a patient care journey from assessment to selection of evidence-based treatments, prevention of recurrence, and strategies for inadequate response. The guidelines adopt a personalized care approach that emphasizes shared decision-making that reflects the values, preferences, and treatment history of the patient with MDD. Tables provide new and updated recommendations for psychological, pharmacological, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine, digital health, and neuromodulation treatments. Caveats and limitations of the evidence are highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

The CANMAT 2023 updated guidelines provide evidence-informed recommendations for the management of MDD, in a clinician-friendly format. These updated guidelines emphasize a collaborative, personalized, and systematic management approach that will help optimize outcomes for adults with MDD.

Management of Depression in Adults: A Review

Importance

Approximately 9% of US adults experience major depression each year, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 17% for men and 30% for women.

Observations

Major depression is defined by depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, and associated psychological and somatic symptoms lasting at least 2 weeks. Evaluation should include structured assessment of severity as well as risk of self-harm, suspected bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms, substance use, and co-occurring anxiety disorder. First-line treatments include specific psychotherapies and antidepressant medications. A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported cognitive therapy, behavioral activation, problem-solving therapy, interpersonal therapy, brief psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based psychotherapy all had at least medium-sized effects in symptom improvement over usual care without psychotherapy (standardized mean difference [SMD] ranging from 0.50 [95% CI, 0.20-0.81] to 0.73 [95% CI, 0.52-0.95]). A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported 21 antidepressant medications all had small- to medium-sized effects in symptom improvement over placebo (SMD ranging from 0.23 [95% CI, 0.19-0.28] for fluoxetine to 0.48 [95% CI, 0.41-0.55] for amitriptyline). Psychotherapy combined with antidepressant medication may be preferred, especially for more severe or chronic depression. A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported greater symptom improvement with combined treatment than with psychotherapy alone (SMD, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.14-0.45]) or medication alone (SMD, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.20-0.47]). When initial antidepressant medication is not effective, second-line medication treatment includes changing antidepressant medication, adding a second antidepressant, or augmenting with a nonantidepressant medication, which have approximately equal likelihood of success based on a network meta-analysis. Collaborative care programs, including systematic follow-up and outcome assessment, improve treatment effectiveness, with 1 meta-analysis reporting significantly greater symptom improvement compared with usual care (SMD, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.23-0.61]).

Conclusions and Relevance

Effective first-line depression treatments include specific forms of psychotherapy and more than 20 antidepressant medications. Close monitoring significantly improves the likelihood of treatment success.

Defeat, entrapment and suicidal ideation in a Turkish community sample of young adults: an examination of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model of suicidal behaviour

The present study examines the relationships between defeat, entrapment, suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness through the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour in a sample of Turkish young adults. The sample consisted of 451 individuals (72.5% females, Mage= 25.20). The correlation analyses revealed significant relationships between defeat, entrapment, suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness in the expected directions. Mediation and moderation analyses partly confirmed the assumptions of the motivational phase of the IMV model; entrapment played a mediating role between defeat and suicidal ideation, and thwarted belongingness (but not perceived burdensomeness) had a moderating role in the pathway between entrapment and suicidal ideation. These findings add a new dimension to the understanding of suicide risk and potential protective factors through the IMV model, which was tested for the first time in the Turkish population. It is anticipated that this study will contribute to suicide prevention intervention strategies, especially for young adults, at-risk group for suicide in Turkey.

Development of a Ramayana-based Counseling Module for Persons with Common Mental Health Disorders

Background

Common mental health disorders (CMDs) affect nearly 10% of the population, with the majority (80%) remaining untreated. Culturally relevant counseling approaches can be a means to reach many untreated persons. We describe the development and validation of a socioculturally relevant counseling module based on the Ramayana for persons with CMDs.

Methods

The study employed an exploratory research framework to design the counseling module. The module underwent a comprehensive review of the Valmiki Ramayana to ensure its cultural relevance. Content validation was performed by mental health professionals from the field of Indian psychology. Concurrently, a panel of 15 experts from diverse backgrounds in Indian psychology validated the counseling module based on the Ramayana.

Results

Based on the results of expert interviews (n = 15), the counseling techniques, encompassing concepts, anecdotes, and narratives, were finalized. These interviews also contributed to the refinement of the counseling module. The primary objective of the content validation process was to systematically assess the appropriateness, accuracy, and practicality of the various components within the module. The content validation demonstrated that all items contained within the module exceeded the established threshold of p = .59.

Conclusions

The developed counseling module based on the Ramayana is feasible to be implemented as a sociocultural intervention for persons with CMDs. By assisting persons to enhance coping abilities and improve overall well-being, this module offers a valuable resource for mental health intervention in the Indian sociocultural context. It fosters a culturally sensitive and practical approach to address the diverse mental health needs of the population.

The effect of spiritual reminiscence therapy on depression and hope among Iranian older adults: a quasi-experimental study

This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the impact of spiritual reminiscence therapy (SRT) on depression and hope among older adults living in Shahroud, northeast of Iran. One hundred fifty-six older adults were selected through convenience sampling and assigned non-randomly to the intervention (n= 78) and control (n= 78) groups. The data collection tools included the Geriatric Depression Scale and Adult Hope Scale. For the intervention group, SRT was conducted in six weekly sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 min, over six weeks. The data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics and inferential tests (independent t-test, Chi-square test, and analysis of covariance). The two groups' post-intervention mean scores on depression (t= 11.63 and P< 0.001), and hope (t= 4.41 and P< 0.001) were statistically different, suggesting that SRT positively affected older adults by alleviating despair and boosting hope. The findings indicate that engaging in SRT can be beneficial in reducing depression and fostering hope among older adults.

Association between religiosity/spirituality and substance use among homeless individuals

BACKGROUND

Alcohol and illicit drug use are prevalent among homeless people. Religiosity and spirituality (RS) have been widely associated with lower consumption of substances. However, evidence of this relationship among homeless people is still scarce.

AIMS

To evaluate the associations between RS and alcohol and illicit drug consumption among homeless people in a large Brazilian urban center.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was carried out in São Paulo city, Brazil. Aspects such as spirituality (FACIT-Sp12), religiosity (DUREL), spiritual-religious coping (Brief-RCOPE), and self-report questions concerning the current substance use (alcohol and illicit substances) were evaluated. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the impact of RS beliefs on alcohol and illicit drug consumption.

RESULTS

A total of 456 homeless people were included, of an average age of 44.5 (SD = 12.6) years. More than half of the participants consumed alcohol (55.7%) weekly and 34.2% used illicit drugs weekly. Adjusted logistic regression models identified that aspects of RS were associated with lower likelihood factors for alcohol and illicit drug use; conversely, negative spiritual religious coping (SRC) strategies were associated with a higher likelihood to use both.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use among participants was high. RS and positive SRC were important protective factors for lower consumption of these substances. Conversely, negative SRC strategies were associated with risk factors.

The Place of Religiosity and Spirituality in Frankl's Logotherapy: Distinguishing Salvific and Hygienic Objectives

The relationship between psychology and religion has been widely debated in the field of psychology from its foundation as an empirical science to the present day. One author who was interested in the relationship between psychology and religion, the place of the latter in human nature, and its role in psychotherapy was the Viennese neurologist, psychiatrist, and philosopher Viktor Emil Frankl (1905-1997), the founder of logotherapy. This paper presents Frankl's main ideas about religion, the religious nature of the human being, and the relationship between religiosity, psychotherapy, and logotherapy, as well as a review of the main criticisms he has received in this regard. Frankl always defended the differences and limits between religion and psychotherapy, between the priestly cure of souls and the medical cure of souls, and between the salvific objective of religion and the hygienic objective of psychotherapy. In our opinion, critical authors have failed to appreciate Frankl's efforts to expose this distinction.

Collaborative depression care sensitive to the needs of underserved patients with cancer: Feasibility, acceptability and outcomes

PURPOSE

A single-arm trial evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of COPE-D, a collaborative care intervention for underserved cancer patients with depression.

METHODS

Bilingual (Spanish and English) care managers provided counseling and/or medication management in consultation with physicians. Outcomes were treatment improvement (≥ 5-point reduction in PHQ-9), treatment response (≥ 50% reduction in PHQ-9), suicidal ideation resolution, and changes in depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-2), sleep disturbance (PSQI), global mental and physical health (PROMIS), social isolation (PROMIS), and qualitative feedback.

RESULTS

193 patients consented to participate. 165 initiated and 141 completed treatment, with 65% and 56% achieving treatment improvement and response, respectively. Outcomes did not differ by ethnicity (31% Hispanic), cancer stage (71% stages III-IV), income, or education. Suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and social isolation also improved. Qualitative feedback was largely positive.

CONCLUSION

COPE-D improved depression and quality of life among underserved patients, with acceptable retention rates.