Integrating positive psychology and spirituality in the context of climate change

In the context of climate change and its accompanying impact on stress and mental health, we argue that positive psychology (PP) may benefit from an integration of spirituality to better support people’s wellbeing. Starting with an overview of climate change’s impact on wellbeing and health, we explore the paradoxical and complex relationship between humans and nature. Following which, we will briefly define spirituality and present an evocative metaphor of the wave to portray the evolution of the field of PP. In our conclusive remarks, we argue that the field of PP has gradually become more open to integrate spirituality (since the first wave), as it evolves towards greater complexity (in its third wave). In addition to meaning, some spiritual perspectives potentially relevant to positive psychology facilitate an ecocentric view (i.e., eco-spiritualities) which allow for a better understanding of the paradoxical human-nature relationship, as we struggle to deal with the complex issues related to climate change.

God Attachment: Resource or Complication in Women's and Their Partners' Adjustment to the Threat of Breast Cancer

This study explored the role of adult attachment and God attachment in women's and their partners' adjustment to the threat of breast cancer. Women and their partners were assessed on their adult attachment, God attachment, empathic coping and couple adjustment prior to the women receiving their breast biopsy results. Results showed that a secure God attachment buffered the effects of an anxious adult attachment on the use of empathic coping for women and their partners. In addition, findings revealed that an avoidant God attachment potentially undermined the effects of a secure adult attachment on the use of empathic coping for women. For partners, an avoidant God attachment was directly related to a lesser use of empathic coping and a lower level of couple adjustment. In conclusion, findings revealed that God attachment can have implications for each partner's ability to remain empathic and satisfied in their couple relationship when faced with the threat of breast cancer.

Case study assessing the feasibility of using a wearable haptic device or humanoid robot to facilitate transitions in occupational therapy sessions for children with autism spectrum disorder

Introduction

Some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties with transitions that may lead to problem behaviours. Although the use of technologies with children with ASD is receiving increasing attention, no study has looked at their effect on transitions in activities of daily living. This study aimed to document the feasibility of (1) using two intervention technologies (NAO humanoid robot or wearable haptic device) separately to facilitate transitions in occupational therapy sessions for children with ASD and (2) the method used to document changes.

Methods

Using a single case reversal (ABA) design, two children with ASD were randomly assigned to one of the intervention technologies (humanoid robot or haptic bracelet). Each technology was used as an antecedent to stimulate the start of transitions in eight intervention sessions at a private occupational therapy clinic. Data concerning the time required for transitions, child's behaviours during transitions at the clinic and mother's perception of the child's performance in transitions at home were analysed graphically.

Results

When using technology, both children's behaviours were appropriate, quick and relatively stable. Also, both mothers reported improved perceptions of their child's performance in transitions.

Conclusions

This exploratory study suggests no detrimental effect of using these technologies.

Attachment to God and coping with the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Religious/spiritual factors are important for some individuals in the context of life stress. To the authors' knowledge, the present study is the first to explore the role of women's attachment to God (anxious vs secure) in their adjustment to breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the (1) pattern of change in women's attachment to God across time and (2) relationship between attachment to God and coping behaviors and depression.

METHODS

All English-speaking women who were scheduled to receive a core breast biopsy at a women's breast health center were eligible to participate in the study. Women were assessed on attachment to God, positive and negative coping, and depression at pre-diagnosis and 3, 6, and 12 months post-diagnosis. Women who received a benign diagnosis and those with a diagnosis of breast cancer participated in the study.

RESULTS

Attachment to God remained stable across time for both diagnostic groups (cancer, benign). Women from both groups who had a more anxious attachment to God utilized more avoidance coping and reported more depression at different points across time. Breast cancer patients with a more anxious attachment to God reported engaging in less acceptance coping post-diagnosis. Finally, the association between attachment to God and depression was partially mediated by avoidance coping at pre-diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that a more anxious attachment to God may contribute to negative patterns of adjustment while a secure attachment may help women remain more directly engaged in their coping with the threat of breast cancer and related diagnostic procedures.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

It is suggested that clinicians remain sensitive to and assess the role of spiritual beliefs in women's adjustment to the threat of breast cancer from pre-diagnosis up to 1 year post-diagnosis. In particular, women's belief in and experience of a secure or an anxious attachment with God or higher power may function as a potential resource or as an exacerbating factor, respectively, in their adjustment to breast cancer.

Maternal circadian cortisol mediates the link between prenatal distress and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is associated with positive maternal and infant outcomes. It is recommended that women exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months postpartum; however, these recommendations are not met in the majority of women. Psychological distress in pregnancy is associated with lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in the postpartum period. The mechanisms linking maternal distress to breastfeeding are not understood. In this study we examined maternal circadian cortisol as a mechanism linking distress in pregnancy to breastfeeding. This study is a secondary data analysis of 197 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who were part of a larger study of the effects of maternal mood on fetal and infant development. About 34% of women reported exclusively breastfeeding, 18% reported exclusively formula feeding, and 48% reported mixed feeding. Participants reported on perceived stress, perinatal anxiety and depression, and socioeconomic status during pregnancy. They provided salivary cortisol samples at three times a day for 3 days at 24, 30, and 36 weeks' gestation. Participants who reported lower socioeconomic status in pregnancy were less likely to breastfeed, and lower maternal cortisol awakening responses mediated this association. This area of research may identify foci in the prenatal period that could serve as targets for interventions to increase rates of breastfeeding. Lay summary Pregnant women who reported lower socioeconomic status in pregnancy were less likely to breastfeed. This association was mediated by lower cortisol awakening responses, but not evening cortisol levels, over pregnancy.

The Effects of a Combined Academic and Personal Counselling Initiative for Post-Secondary Student Retention

This study investigated the effectiveness of a combined academic and personal counselling initiative on student performance and emotional well-being outcomes of 289 at-risk students at a Canadian University. Criterion for risk included academic struggles, mental health distress, or both. The program was developed to be tailored to individual needs, and students participated in weekly counselling sessions over the course of 1 academic year. Results showed significant overall increases in student grade point average (GPA), academic functioning, and mental health well-being, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in addressing the differential needs of students. Implications of the results are discussed.

A multifaith spiritually based intervention versus supportive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

We have previously reported that a multifaith spiritually based intervention (SBI) may have efficacy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This randomized pilot trial tested whether the SBI had greater efficacy than a nonspecific control condition in GAD.

METHOD

Twenty-three participants with GAD of at least moderate severity were randomized to 12 individual sessions of the SBI (n = 11) or supportive psychotherapy (SP)--our control condition (n = 12).

RESULTS

Intent-to-treat analysis revealed the SBI fared better than SP in decreasing blind clinician ratings of anxiety and illness severity and self-report worry and intolerance of uncertainty, with large between-group effect sizes. The SBI also produced greater changes in spiritual well-being. Results remained the same when supplementary analyses were performed on the completer sample. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This small pilot trial demonstrates that a nondenominational SBI has greater efficacy than a rigorous control in improving symptoms of GAD and enhancing spiritual well-being. These results are encouraging and further research on the efficacy of the SBI and its underlying mechanisms is warranted.

Parental bonds in children at high and low familial risk for panic disorder

A rejecting and overprotective parenting style is considered to be an important risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders. This study examined the role of perceived parental bonding as a potential environmental risk factor for panic disorder (PD) in unaffected offspring with parental PD. Children with a biological parent with PD (n = 71) and children of parents with no psychiatric history (n = 80) participated in the study. Results indicate that high risk children do not perceive their parents as being more protective and less caring than low risk controls. The optimal bonding type (high care, low protection) was the most frequently reported parenting style across groups. The constraining type of maternal bonding (high care, high protection) was less frequently reported by high risk children (p < 0.05). Overall, these data suggest that parental PD does not compromise the parent-child bonds in never-ill offspring.

Repeated Intradetrusor Botulinum Toxin Type A in Children With Neurogenic Bladder Due to Myelomeningocele

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effect of repeated intradetrusor injections of BTA in pediatric myelomeningocele not responding to medical management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After baseline history, physical examination and urodynamic assessment BTA was injected (5 IU/kg body weight, maximum 300 IU) at 10 to 30 sites. Clinical and urodynamic assessment was performed at 3 months after each injection. Re-treatment was offered when clinical symptoms returned.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients (average age 13 years) received BTA injections. Of the patients 13 became continent. MBC increased from 215.6 +/- 58.8 cc to 338.3 +/- 98.4 cc (p < 0.01), MDP decreased from 43 +/- 13.7 cm H2O to 21.6 +/- 10.5 cm H2O (p < 0.01) and compliance increased from 5.2 +/- 2.6 ml/cm H2O to 13 +/- 6.9 ml/cm H2O (p < 0.01). At an average of 8.1 months after the first injection all 13 patients received a second injection, which led to similar improvement, ie MBC increased from 200.5 +/- 41.6 cc to 404.2 +/- 57.8 cc (p < 0.001), MDP decreased from 48.18 +/- 6.1 cm H2O to 27.8 +/- 3.7 cm H2O (p < 0.01) and compliance increased from 6.0 +/- 3.1 ml/cm H2O to 15.1 +/- 5.2 ml/cm H2O (p < 0.01). Among the responders 3 received 3 injections and 1 received 4 injections, all of whom exhibited improvement similar to that seen initially. Among our initial cohort of 20 patients 7 failed to improve initially and 6 failed to improve after a second injection.

CONCLUSIONS

BTA seems to be a simple and safe way to postpone or avoid invasive procedures in two thirds of children with myelomeningocele not responding to usual medical treatment.