Pandemic-Related Post-traumatic Stress Symptomatology in COVID-19 Patients with and without Post-COVID Conditions.

Trauma and stressor-related symptoms have been frequently reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Few studies compare post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) between patients and non-infected controls. Using data from an ongoing natural history study of COVID-19, this study compared PTSS between patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first year of the pandemic and controls.

The Emotional and Personal Experiences of the COVID-19 Illness During the Early Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Several studies report the incidence of psychiatric symptoms and disorders among patients who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, little is known about the emotional impact of acute COVID-19 illness and recovery on these survivors. Qualitative methods are ideal for understanding the psychological impact of a novel illness.

Objective: To describe the emotional experience of the acute COVID-19 illness and recovery in patients who contracted the virus during the early months of the pandemic.

Examining the factor structure of the DSM-5 Level 1 cross-cutting symptom measure.

Objectives: The DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure (DSM-XC) was developed by the American Psychiatric Association as a transdiagnostic mental health symptom survey. Despite its promise as a screening tool, few studies have assessed its latent dimensionality or provided guidance on interpreting responses. We examined the factor structure of the DSM-XC in a convenience sample of participants with varying degrees of psychopathology.

A Longitudinal Study of COVID-19 Sequelae and Immunity: Baseline Findings.

Background: A substantial proportion of persons who develop COVID-19 report persistent symptoms after acute illness. Various pathophysiologic mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Objective: To characterize medical sequelae and persistent symptoms after recovery from COVID-19 in a cohort of disease survivors and controls.

The mental health impact of contact with COVID-19 patients on healthcare workers in the United States.

This study assessed the relationship between contact with COVID-19 patients and the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States (US). In a convenience sample of 957 HCWs who completed an anonymous online survey between April-May 2020, HCWs who provided direct care to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients reported increased depressive and posttraumatic symptoms compared to HCWs with no COVID-19 patient contact. Additionally, more frequent contact was associated with higher distress.

The utility of self-perceived health ratings in screening volunteers for mental health research.

We report on the utility of online self-perceived medical and mental health ratings (SPH) when screening healthy volunteers for mental health research. These one-item ratings were correlated with eligibility decisions and longer clinical surveys. We found correlations between SPH ratings and blinded clinician ratings of volunteer medical and mental health after an in-person evaluation, although additional analysis revealed poor reliability between clinician and volunteer ratings.

COVID-19 and Mental Health: Predicted Mental Health Status is Associated with Clinical Symptoms and Pandemic-Related Psychological and Behavioral Responses.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to dramatic threats to health and social life. Study objectives - develop a prediction model leveraging subsample of known Patient/Controls and evaluate the relationship of predicted mental health status to clinical outcome measures and pandemic-related psychological and behavioral responses during lockdown (spring/summer 2020).

Methods: Online cohort study conducted by National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program.

Examining the Factor Structure of the DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure.

Objectives: The DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure (DSM-XC) is a transdiagnostic mental health symptom measure that has shown promise in informing clinical diagnostic evaluations and as a screening tool for research. However, few studies have assessed the latent dimensionality of the DSM-XC. We examined the factor structure of the DSM-XC in a large convenience sample of participants with varying degrees of psychological health.

Utilization of the DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult to Screen Healthy Volunteers for Research Studies.

The DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult (DSM XC) was developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as a transdiagnostic measure of current mental health symptomatology. This paper describes utilization of the DSM XC to screen volunteers for participation in mental health research studies as healthy controls. Research volunteers completed an online, modified version of the DSM XC, which along with other clinical information, was used to determine eligibility for participation as a healthy control.

Trends in MD/PhD Graduates Entering Psychiatry: Assessing the Physician-Scientist Pipeline.

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify trends in MD/PhD graduates entering psychiatry, to compare these trends with other specialties, and to review strategies for enhancing the physician-scientist pipeline.

Methods: Data on 226,588 medical students graduating from Liaison Committee on Medical Education accredited programs between 1999 and 2012 (6626 MD/PhDs) were used to evaluate the number, percentage, and proportion of MD/PhDs entering psychiatry in comparison with other specialties (neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, family medicine, and radiation oncology). Linear regression and multiple linear regression determined whether these values increased over time and varied by sex.

Mind the gap: neuroscience literacy and the next generation of psychiatrists.

The National Institute of Mental Health seeks to address the gap between modern neuroscience and psychiatric training. The authors describe a two-pronged approach: first, to identify and support trainees in clinical neuroscience and second, to promote neuroscience literacy in psychiatric residency programs.

Comparative effectiveness of medication versus cognitive-behavioral therapy in a randomized controlled trial of low-income young minority women with depression.

Objective: To examine whether there are latent trajectory classes in response to treatment and whether they moderate the effects of medication versus psychotherapy.

Method: Data come from a 1-year randomized controlled trial of 267 low-income, young (M = 29 years), minority (44% Black, 50% Latina, 6% White) women with current major depression randomized to antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or referral to community mental health services. Growth mixture modeling was used to determine whether there were differential effects of medication versus CBT.

A qualitative evaluation of barriers to care for trauma-related mental health problems among low-income minorities in primary care.

This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of mental health care for patients with trauma histories via qualitative methods with clinicians and administrators from primary care clinics for the underserved. Individual interviews were conducted, followed by a combined focus group with administrators from three jurisdictions; there were three focus groups with clinicians from each clinic system. Common themes were identified, and responses from groups were compared.

Attachment and health care relationships in low-income women with trauma histories: a qualitative study.

Few studies have examined the relationship between low-income, traumatized women and their health care providers. In this study we interviewed 23 women from primary care and social service settings for the underserved about trauma, attachment, psychiatric symptoms, and reports of their interactions with primary care providers. Nearly all reported trauma exposure, and 17% had current posttraumatic stress disorder.

Dialogues on mixed-methods and mental health services research: anticipating challenges, building solutions.

Increasingly, contemporary mental health services research projects aim to combine qualitative and quantitative components. Yet researchers often lack theoretical and practical guidance for undertaking such studies. In September 2006 the authors convened under the auspices of the National Institute of Mental Health at a working conference, "Mixed Methods in Community-Based Mental Health Services Research.

Evaluating the cultural validity of the stressful life events screening questionnaire.

Measures of psychological trauma are rarely evaluated for validity with disadvantaged populations. The authors used three qualitative methods to assess the cultural validity of the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (SLESQ) with low-income African American women. Focus groups (n = 17), cognitive interviews (n = 20), and videotape reviews of SLESQ interviews were conducted (n = 16).

Depression and health-related quality of life for low-income African-American women in the U.S.

The health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact of depression for low-income young African-American women has not been quantified. Baseline scores on a generic HRQL measure, the SF-36, from a randomized controlled trial of depression treatments were used as a basis for describing the HRQL of depressed (n = 124) and non-depressed (n = 44) low-income African-American young women. Results were compared to U.

Cost-effectiveness of evidence-based pharmacotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy compared with community referral for major depression in predominantly low-income minority women.

Background: Few clinical trials have evaluated interventions for major depressive disorder in samples of low-income minority women, and little is known about the cost-effectiveness of depression interventions for this population.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pharmacotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) compared with community referral for major depression in low-income minority women.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 267 women with current major depression.

Treating depression in predominantly low-income young minority women: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Impoverished minority women experience a higher burden from depression than do white women because they are less likely to receive appropriate care. Little is known about the effectiveness of guideline-based care for depression with impoverished minority women, most of whom do not seek care.

Objective: To determine the impact of an intervention to deliver guideline-based care for depression compared with referral to community care with low-income and minority women.