Identity - A critical but neglected construct in cognitive-behaviour therapy

Expanding the toolset of experimental Psychopathology: The Trier Social Stress Test induces a personally relevant emotional memory

Despite the remarkable progress in developing effective psychological interventions for emotional disorders, our understanding of the mechanisms driving therapeutic change remains strikingly limited. To bridge this gap, we need to refine experimental paradigms with high ecological validity and establish their clinical utility. In this study, we replicate and extend previous findings that the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) can evoke persistent, sensory rich, and personally meaningful emotional memories. One week after the TSST, a student sample (N = 146) reported greater negative valence, arousal, and lack of control in response to TSST-related versus control cues. Participants reported intrusive memories, the content of which reflects the personal relevance, sensory richness, and emotionality of the TSST memory. Re-imagining the TSST through guided imagery evoked heightened emotional responses (skin conductance, heart rate, and self-report) and participants evaluated themselves more negatively due to the TSST. These effects correlated with trait anxiety. However, comparisons to a naïve sample that only experienced the TSST through guided imagery (N = 38) revealed that some findings, including changes in self-image, were not memory-induced. We conclude with concrete examples of how the paradigm can expand our toolset to further unravel mechanistic underpinnings of memory-focused interventions.

A 10 years update of effects of exercise on depression disorders-in otherwise healthy adults: A systematic review of meta-analyses and neurobiological mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide and is a major burden for those affected. As conventional therapies do not always work and are also associated with side effects, alternative treatment methods are urgently indicated. In the past, exercise has established itself as a seemingly good alternative treatment method. The aim of this work is to provide a state of the art review and to check whether there are new findings since the publication of the article by Wegner and colleagues 10 years ago.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted. This included searching for appropriate literature in databases such as PsycINFO, PsychARTICLES, PubMed, CINAHL Complete, SocINDEX, SPORTDiscus and Psyndex. Effect sizes calculation and evaluation of the methodological characteristics (AMSTAR 2) were carried out. Finally, the neurobiological explanations for the effect of exercise on depression are discussed.

RESULTS

Eleven meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria, with the total sample consisting of 16.255 participants and 229 individual studies. The most frequently implemented intervention was aerobic exercise, while the intervention in the control groups was usually no treatment, waiting list, or attention/activity placebo. The pooled results indicate a moderate clinical effect, suggesting the positive effect of exercise and physical activity in reducing depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.61, 95% CI [- 0.78; -0.43], p = <0.01).

CONLCUSION

The medium but consistently positive effects that were found in the present study place exercise/ physical activity as a promising and helpful alternative for adults with depression. The positive effect of exercise and physical activity could potentially be explained by neurological changes. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects are still unclear.

Childhood maltreatment and NSSI in prisoners: mediation through self-identity and moderation by sensation-seeking

Introduction

The prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among prisoners is widely recognized. However, most research conducted in prisons setting has focused on lifetime engagement in NSSI, with limited knowledge about its correlates and risk factors during imprisonment.

Methods

Drawing on the integrated theoretical model of NSSI, this study aimed to examine the combined effects of childhood maltreatment (an environmental factor) and two intrapersonal factors, namely self-identity and sensation-seeking, on NSSI. 1042 Chinese male offenders participated in the current study, and regression analyses is used to examine the relationship among variables.

Results

The results revealed that self-identity mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and prisoners' NSSI. Sensation-seeking moderated the relationship between self-identity and NSSI, and this connection was only significant for offenders with high sensation-seeking.

Discussion

We discuss the results of the current research and possible practical implications.