Screening for anxiety in patients with cancer: Diagnostic accuracy of GAD-7 items considering lowered GAD-7 cut-offs.

Background: A standard questionnaire for generalized anxiety disorders is the GAD-7. Attempts to improve its screening capacity in oncological settings resulted in a discussion about lowering its cut-off. This study examines the diagnostic accuracy of the GAD-7 items depending on applied cut-offs and whether, similar to depressive symptoms, a distinction between somatic-emotional and cognitive items might be relevant.

Outpatient group therapy for post-COVID patients - a naturalistic feasibility study of a face-to-face and online group concept.

Background: A significant number of individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 continue to suffer from persistent symptoms, a condition commonly referred to as Post-COVID syndrome (PCS). The most common manifestations are fatigue, post-exertional malaise, respiratory problems and cognitive deficits due to the lack of a causal treatment, therapeutic options remain symptom oriented. The aim of this study was to develop a low-threshold group therapy concept for patients with PCS and to test its feasibility in face-to-face and online format.

Perceived and endocrine acute and chronic stress indicators in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and tenderness and closely associated with high levels of stress. FMS is therefore often considered a stress-related disease. A comparative study was conducted with 99 individuals diagnosed with FMS and a control group of 50 pain-free individuals.

Experiences and concerns of pregnant refugee women from Nigeria seeking for asylum in Germany - A qualitative analysis.

Problem: Insights into and data of the experiences of pregnant women seeking asylum in Germany are largely lacking.

Background: Due to multiple stress factors, pregnant refugees are considered a vulnerable group. Gender-specific causes of flight, traumatic experiences during flight, and numerous stressors in the respective host country have a decisive impact on the health of women and affect pregnancy and childbirth.

Implementing a stabilizing intervention for traumatized refugees in temporary accommodations in South-West Germany - a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Unlabelled: The prevalence of trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as depressive or anxiety disorders, are significantly increased in refugees compared to the general population. This is due to the high risk of burdening and potentially traumatic experiences before, during and after their flight. However, the treatment options for these mental illnesses are significantly limited due to the legal uncertainties surrounding the asylum procedure as well as language and cultural barriers.

Dynamics of following and leading: association of movement synchrony and depression severity.

Objective: Depression negatively affects interpersonal functioning and influences nonverbal behavior. Interpersonal theories of depression suggest that depressed individuals engage in behaviors that initially provoke others' support and reassurance, but eventually lead to rejection that may also be expressed nonverbally.

Methods: This study investigated movement synchrony as a nonverbal indicator of support and rejection and its association with depression severity in a sample of depressed and healthy individuals.

Secondary traumatization in refugee care-EMDR intervention for interpreters (STEIN): a study protocol for a quasi-randomized controlled trial.

Background: By the end of 2022, more than 100 million people worldwide fled their homes. Before, during and after their flight, refugees have high risk of experiencing traumatic events. Accordingly, around every third refugee is affected by posttraumatic stress disorder.

The interplay of personality pathology and treatment outcome in psychosomatic psychotherapy: A longitudinal analysis using latent change score modelling.

Introduction: While ample data demonstrate the effectiveness of inpatient psychosomatic treatment, clinical observation and empirical evidence demonstrate that not all patients benefit equally from established therapeutic methods. Especially patients with a comorbid personality disorder often show reduced therapeutic success compared to other patient groups. Due to the heterogeneous and categorical personality assessment, previous studies indicated no uniform direction of this influence.

Model of integrated mental health video consultations for people with depression or anxiety in primary care (PROVIDE-C): assessor masked, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether an integrated mental health video consultation approach (PROVIDE model) can improve symptoms compared with usual care in adults with depression and anxiety disorders attending primary care.

Design: Assessor masked, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (PROVIDE-C).

Setting: In 29 primary care practices in Germany, working remotely online from one trial hub.

The Role of Negative Age Stereotypes and Sociodemographic Factors in the Intention to Leave Among German University Hospital Nursing Staff.

Staff shortages are a global problem in the nursing profession. Negative beliefs about older workers may have detrimental effects on the development and performance capacity of an aging workforce. To date, little is known about the impact of age stereotypes and potential factors on nurses' intent to leave (ITL).

Two sides of the same coin? What neural processing of emotion and rewards can tell us about complex post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) share clinical similarities, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Research on the neurobiology of BPD and monotraumatic PTSD has shown that a prefrontal-limbic imbalance in emotional and reward processing is a hallmark of both disorders, but studies examining this network in cPTSD are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to directly compare neural processing of emotion and reward during decision making in cPTSD and BPD.

Experts' views on the implementation of digital interventions for eating disorders: a Delphi study.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) constitute a considerable burden for individuals and society, but adequate and timely professional treatment is rare. Evidence-based Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHIs) have the potential both to reduce this treatment gap and to increase treatment effectiveness. However, their integration into routine care is lacking.

Sex-related differences in self-efficacy of patients with heart failure: a pooled cross-sectional study of the German Competence Network Heart Failure.

Aim: To assess the level of self-efficacy in patients with heart failure (HF), and identify differences between important subgroups including sex, and to identify the determinants of high self-efficacy.

Methods And Results: This was a pooled cross-sectional analysis of 2,030 patients from four prospective studies conducted within the German Competence Network Heart Failure. We used the Self-efficacy Subscale and the Overall Summary Score (OSS) of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-23) to assess self-efficacy and health-related quality of life.

The curious physician: exploring the role of curiosity in professionalism, patient care, and well-being.

Introduction: Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that drives learning and exploration. However, research on curiosity has received little attention in the medical field, despite its potential to enhance knowledge acquisition, work performance, and psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to address part of this gap by investigating physicians' perspectives on their personal experiences with curiosity and its role in their professional practice and medical training.

The psychological impact of torture and state repression in Türkiye between 2015 and 2018: Reports from Turkish refugees seeking asylum in Germany.

Torture seeks to undermine not only the physical and emotional well-being of an individual, but to damage the coherence of entire communities. Thus, torture and state repression are used to weaken entire subpopulations. After the failed coup d'état in Türkiye in 2016 and during the subsequently following state of emergency that lasted until 2018, allegations of torture and other degrading treatment in Türkiye spread widely.

Psychosocial distress and psychosocial resources in couples facing non-melanoma skin cancers and malignant melanoma.

Background: Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and comprises various non-melanoma skin cancer (NMCS) diagnoses and malignant melanoma (MM). It places a psychological burden on patients and their spouses. The present study aims to investigate psychological distress, temporal changes of psychosocial resources (PR), as well as dyadic dynamics of psychological distress and PR in patients with NMSC or MM and their spouses.

Responding to human trafficking among refugees: prevalence and test accuracy of a modified version of the adult human trafficking screening tool.

Background: Human trafficking is a human rights violation and urgent public health challenge. It involves the exploitation of a person by means of force, intimidation or deceit and causes severe health risks. Though it occurs all over the world, its true extent is still unknown.

Gender-specific factors associated with case complexity in middle-aged and older adults-Evidence from a large population-based study.

Objectives: To investigate gender-specific factors associated with case complexity in a population-based sample of middle-aged and older adults using a holistic approach to complexity.

Methods: Data were derived from the 8-year follow-up home visits of the ESTHER study-a German population-based study in middle-aged and older adults. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted for 2932 persons (aged 57-84).

Examining childhood experiences and personality functioning as potential predictors for the speed of recovery during psychotherapy of patients with anxiety disorders.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences were previously identified as relevant risk factors for the development of anxiety disorders. Furthermore, anxiety disorders were shown to be associated with impairments of personality functioning. The objective of this study was to investigate adverse and protective childhood experiences as well as personality functioning, as defined by the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis system, as potential predictors for the speed of recovery during psychotherapy for patients with anxiety disorders.

An integrated mental health video consultations model for patients with somatic symptom disorder in primary care: The randomized VISION pilot trial.

Objective: Symptoms of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) are one of the most common reasons for consultations in primary care. However, specialized psychological services are mostly unavailable. This pilot trial aimed to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the integrated mental health video consultations VISION model for patients with SSD in primary care.

Do the elderly and those with comorbid chronic physical conditions have improved access to outpatient psychotherapy post structural reforms in Germany? Results of the ES-RiP study.

Background: In 2017, a reform of the German outpatient psychotherapy guideline was carried out, aiming to reduce waiting times and facilitate low-threshold access. This study analyzes the extent to which the implementation of the two new service elements 'psychotherapeutic consultation times' and 'acute short-term psychotherapeutic interventions' improved psychotherapeutic care for patients with mental disorders and chronic physical conditions (cMPs), for patients with mental disorders without chronic physical conditions (MnoP), and elderly patients.

Methods: In a quantitative secondary analysis, we analyzed health insurance data of patients with psychotherapy billing codes obtained from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) for the years 2015-2019, evaluating descriptive statistical parameters for specific patient groups and care services.

Somatic symptom profile in patients with chronic heart failure with and without depressive comorbidity.

Background: Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) frequently suffer from depressive comorbidity. CHF and depressive comorbidity can cause somatic symptoms. The correct attribution of somatic symptoms is important.

Electronic health intervention to manage symptoms of immunotherapy in patients with cancer (SOFIA): Results from a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background: For patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, early detection of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is critical for one's safety. To this end, a smartphone app (SOFIA) was developed that featured the assessment of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) focusing on irAEs as well as a set of comprehensive supportive information. Its feasibility and preliminary efficacy were evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Autobiographical memory following weight gain in adult patients with Anorexia Nervosa: A longitudinal study.

Background: Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show overgeneralization of memory (OGM) when generating autobiographical episodes related to food and body shape. These memories are central for the construction of a coherent self-concept, interpersonal relationships, and problem-solving abilities. The current study aims to investigate changes in autobiographical memory following weight gain.