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Mitchell EA, Roberson PNE, DiPillo M, Cordova JV, Gordon KC. Improvements in depressive symptoms following a brief relationship intervention. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2024; 50:120-135. [PMID: 37890047 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, 21 million adults are diagnosed with depression. Couple therapy effectively treats depression, however, couples encounter access barriers. The Relationship Checkup is an assessment and feedback intervention delivered in participants' homes. The current study examines changes in relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms, and moderators and mechanisms of change in a community sample (N = 85 couples). Changes in depressive symptoms and satisfaction, and the association between changes in satisfaction and depressive symptoms were examined with multilevel modeling. Depressive symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.36) and satisfaction (d = 1.43) improved from baseline to 1-month follow-up, with greater declines in depression (d = 0.44) for those with more severe symptoms. Increases in satisfaction were associated with decreases in depressive symptoms (d = 0.23), and decreases in depressive symptoms were associated with increases in satisfaction (d = 0.33). Individuals with depression and relationship distress may be well served by this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica A Mitchell
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - James V Cordova
- Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristina Coop Gordon
- College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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2
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Crasta D, Funderburk JS, Gray TD, Cordova JV, Britton PC. Brief relationship support as a selective suicide prevention intervention: Piloting the Relationship Checkup in veteran couples with relationship and mental health concerns. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2023; 53:787-801. [PMID: 37594162 PMCID: PMC10591926 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Close relationship problems play a key role in many contemporary theories of suicide. However, the potential of relationship support in suicide prevention is understudied. This study explores the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and promise of utilizing the 3-session Relationship Checkup (RC) in veterans with mental health and romantic relationship concerns. METHODS We conducted a single-arm pilot of telehealth RC in veterans with a positive mental health screen and their romantic partners. Couples completed baseline and post-treatment assessments of study outcomes. RESULTS Feasibility analyses showed we were able to recruit an elevated-risk sample (30% history of attempts or interrupted attempts), take them through the service (90% treatment completion), and had minimal harm events (no suicidal behavior, no physical harm in arguments). Multimethod acceptability analyses suggested high satisfaction with the program, though some desired more intensive services. Couples reported improvements in relationship functioning, emotional intimacy, thwarted belongingness, depression, and posttraumatic stress. Perceived burdensomeness only improved for identified patients and drinking did not change for either partner. CONCLUSION The RC is a feasible, safe, and acceptable strategy for providing relationship support to couples at elevated risk. Although further randomized trials are needed, RC shows promise to reduce relationship-level and individual-level suicide risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dev Crasta
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Canandaigua, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer S Funderburk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Tatiana D Gray
- Department of Psychology, Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
| | - James V Cordova
- Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter C Britton
- Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Canandaigua, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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Leth‐Nissen AB, Fentz HN, Trillingsgaard TL, Stadler G. Randomized controlled trial of the Marriage Checkup: Stress outcomes. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2023; 49:242-259. [PMID: 36525504 PMCID: PMC10108012 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Several couple interventions targeting relationship distress also show beneficial effects on individual mental health. Yet, strikingly few studies report effects on perceived stress. This study examined the effects of a brief couple intervention, the Marriage Checkup (MC), on perceived stress. We randomly assigned 231 couples to receive two MCs (Weeks 7 and 51) or to a waitlist control. Survey data were collected at seven time points over 2 years and analyzed using multilevel models. We found no significant between-group treatment effects on average stress at any time point. However, women, but not men, in the intervention group experienced decreased stress after the second MC (d = -0.23) and more women in the intervention group (26.5%) compared with the control group (14.9%) experienced reliable improvements in stress after the second MC. Overall, the MC did not result in main effects on stress but caused temporary reliable change in terms of stress relief for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid B. Leth‐Nissen
- The Department of Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Hanne N. Fentz
- The Department of Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Tea L. Trillingsgaard
- The Department of Psychology and Behavioral SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Gertraud Stadler
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CC1 Health & Human SciencesGender in MedicineBerlinGermany
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Leth‐Nissen AB, Fentz HN, Stadler G, Trillingsgaard TL. A randomized controlled trial of a 5-year marriage checkup booster session for a subsample of responder couples. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2023; 49:49-73. [PMID: 36153652 PMCID: PMC10087138 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examined maintenance and booster effects of a brief couple intervention, the Marriage Checkup (MC), across 5 years. A subsample of 63 couples who benefitted from two previous MCs (responder couples), were randomly assigned to a third MC or control. Before randomization (at 4-years-9-months), the responder sample had maintained small to medium effects on two measures of relationship functioning. After randomization, we found no significant between-group effects. Yet, within-group analyses revealed that while control couples showed flat trajectories in all outcomes after the 4-year-9-months baseline, couples receiving a third MC (at Year 5) reported small to medium improvements in three measures of relationship functioning and maintained follow-up effect in one measure. Findings indicate that couples who initially improved from the MC can maintain some of their improvements over long periods. The potential of boosting such improvements with recurrent MCs is a relevant target for further investigation in larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanne N. Fentz
- The Department of Psychology and Behavioural SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Gertraud Stadler
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CC1 Health & Human SciencesGender in MedicineBerlinGermany
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Gray TD, Dovala TK, Cordova JV. Affirmative Adaptations of the Relationship Checkup to Meet the Needs of LGBTQ Couples. JOURNAL OF COUPLE & RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15332691.2022.2149652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Li C, Ning G, Xia Y, Liu Q. Health benefits of physical activity for people with mental disorders: From the perspective of multidimensional subjective wellbeing. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1050208. [PMID: 36465298 PMCID: PMC9712743 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1050208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper uses a large scale and nationally representative dataset, Chinese General Social Survey, to empirically examine the role of physical activity in reducing the negative effects of depression among people with mental disorders. Empirical results demonstrate that physical exercise could help to alleviate depression's adverse consequences on work and life for depressed individuals. The impact mechanism is that physical activity may decrease the severity of depression, enhance life satisfaction, improve mood, and make people have a better sense of purpose and meaning in life. Therefore, from the perspective of multidimensional subjective wellbeing, evaluative wellbeing, experienced wellbeing and eudaimonic wellbeing all play mediating roles in the reduction of depression's adverse effects. Heterogeneity analysis shows that there are no significant gender differences in the health benefits of physical exercise, but its impact tends to be more prominent for depressed individuals who are younger and higher educated, with better health status, and live in urban areas. It is also found that socioeconomic status may play an important moderating role. The health benefits of physical activity seem to be greater for depressed people who have lower income, work in the secondary labor market, and have lower levels of social capital and assets. In addition, the instrumental variable approach is used to identify the causal impact of physical activity, which further proves a significant effect of it based on tackling the endogeneity problem. Meanwhile, this paper uses different explanatory and explained variables, different statistical models, as well as machine learning and placebo techniques to conduct robustness tests, all of which lend credence to above findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Business School, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | | | - Yuxin Xia
- HSBC Business School, Peking University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Business School, Shandong University, Weihai, China
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Al Balushi M, Al Balushi S, Javaid S, Leinberger-Jabari A, Al-Maskari F, Al-Houqani M, Al Dhaheri A, Al Nuaimi A, Al Junaibi A, Oumeziane N, Kazim M, Al Hamiz A, Haji M, Al Hosani A, Abdel Wareth L, AlMahmeed W, Alsafar H, AlAnouti F, Al Zaabi E, K. Inman C, Shahawy OE, Weitzman M, Schmidt AM, Sherman S, Abdulle A, Ahmad A, Ali R. Association between depression, happiness, and sleep duration: data from the UAE healthy future pilot study. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:235. [PMID: 36271400 PMCID: PMC9587590 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00940-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The United Arab Emirates Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS) is one of the first large prospective cohort studies and one of the few studies in the region which examines causes and risk factors for chronic diseases among the nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim of this study is to investigate the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) as a screening instrument for depression among the UAEHFS pilot participants. METHODS The UAEHFS pilot data were analyzed to examine the relationship between the PHQ-8 and possible confounding factors, such as self-reported happiness, and self-reported sleep duration (hours) after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and gender. RESULTS Out of 517 participants who met the inclusion criteria, 487 (94.2%) participants filled out the questionnaire and were included in the statistical analysis using 100 multiple imputations. 231 (44.7%) were included in the primary statistical analysis after omitting the missing values. Participants' median age was 32.0 years (Interquartile Range: 24.0, 39.0). In total, 22 (9.5%) of the participant reported depression. Females have shown significantly higher odds of reporting depression than males with an odds ratio = 3.2 (95% CI:1.17, 8.88), and there were approximately 5-fold higher odds of reporting depression for unhappy than for happy individuals. For one interquartile-range increase in age and BMI, the odds ratio of reporting depression was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.1, 1.0) and 1.8 (95% CI: 0.97, 3.32) respectively. CONCLUSION Females are more likely to report depression compared to males. Increasing age may decrease the risk of reporting depression. Unhappy individuals have approximately 5-fold higher odds of reporting depression compared to happy individuals. A higher BMI was associated with a higher risk of reporting depression. In a sensitivity analysis, individuals who reported less than 6 h of sleep per 24 h were more likely to report depression than those who reported 7 h of sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitha Al Balushi
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. .,Institute of public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Sara Al Balushi
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Syed Javaid
- grid.43519.3a0000 0001 2193 6666Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Andrea Leinberger-Jabari
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatma Al-Maskari
- grid.43519.3a0000 0001 2193 6666Institute of public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Al-Houqani
- grid.43519.3a0000 0001 2193 6666Institute of public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha Al Dhaheri
- grid.43519.3a0000 0001 2193 6666Institute of public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdullah Al Nuaimi
- grid.417387.e0000 0004 1796 6389Zayed Military Hospital,, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdullah Al Junaibi
- grid.417387.e0000 0004 1796 6389Zayed Military Hospital,, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naima Oumeziane
- Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services- Seha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marina Kazim
- Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Services- Seha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aisha Al Hamiz
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Health and wellness Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muna Haji
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha Al Hosani
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Abdel Wareth
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael AlMahmeed
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- grid.440568.b0000 0004 1762 9729Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme AlAnouti
- grid.444464.20000 0001 0650 0848College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eiman Al Zaabi
- grid.508019.50000 0004 9549 6394Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Claire K. Inman
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Omar El Shahawy
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY United States of America
| | - Michael Weitzman
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY United States of America
| | - Ann Marie Schmidt
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY United States of America
| | - Scott Sherman
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ,grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY United States of America
| | - Abdishakur Abdulle
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amar Ahmad
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raghib Ali
- grid.440573.10000 0004 1755 5934Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ,grid.5335.00000000121885934MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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8
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Tilden T, Ulvenes P, Zahl-Olsen R, Hoffart A, Johnson SU, Wampold BE, Håland ÅT. Predicting change through individual symptoms and relationship distress: A study of within- and between-person processes in couple therapy. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1275-1284. [PMID: 33605519 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In couple therapy clients often suffer from a blend of individual psychiatric symptoms as well as severe relational distress. However, research is inconclusive on whether relational change predicts symptom change or vice versa. Because answers to this question could have important clinical implications on what to focus on in couple therapy at which time in treatment, more research is recommended. METHOD In this study, data collected before every therapy session were used to test whether changes in relational functioning predicted symptom functioning or vice versa. The study used a multilevel modelling approach, and the variables of interest were disaggregated into within- and between-person effects. RESULTS The results indicated that if an individual improved more than expected on relational functioning, this predicted more improvement than expected on individual symptoms. No significant reciprocal relationship was found between these variables. CONCLUSIONS The clinical implication is discussed, suggesting that an emphasis on relational improvement seems to be an important mechanism during couple therapy that may facilitate the change on individual symptoms in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terje Tilden
- Research Institute at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway
| | - Pål Ulvenes
- Research Institute at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway.,Psychological Institute, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Zahl-Olsen
- Department for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Asle Hoffart
- Research Institute at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway.,Psychological Institute, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Urnes Johnson
- Research Institute at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway.,Psychological Institute, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bruce E Wampold
- Research Institute at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway.,Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Whisman MA, Sbarra DA, Beach SRH. Intimate Relationships and Depression: Searching for Causation in the Sea of Association. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2021; 17:233-258. [PMID: 33567901 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-103323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This article provides a critical review of existing research on intimate (marriage or marriage-like) relationship distress and risk for depression. Using the meta-framework of research triangulation, we seek to synthesize research evidence across several different methodologies and study designs and to draw the most reliable conclusion regarding a potential causal association between relationship distress and depression. Focusing on existing correlational (i.e., observational), genetically informed, and intervention (i.e., experimental) research on the association between relationship distress and depression, we conclude that the existing body of research evidence supports the claim that relationship distress is a causal risk factor for depression. A secondary aim of the article is to highlight a variety of effective methods that, when viewed from the perspective of triangulation, enhance the pursuit of causal inference, including propensity score matching, target trial emulation, directed acyclic graph approach, and Mendelian randomization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Whisman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345, USA;
| | - David A Sbarra
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0068, USA
| | - Steven R H Beach
- Center for Family Research and Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-3013, USA
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