Psychometric properties of the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) psychosis module: a Sub-Saharan Africa cross country comparison.

Background: The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory 7.0.2 (MINI-7) is a widely used tool and known to have sound psychometric properties; but very little is known about its use in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Factor structure and item response of psychosis symptoms among Kenyan adults.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of the psychosis module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview version 7.0.2 (MINI-7).

Increasing diversity in genomics requires investment in equitable partnerships and capacity building.

Calls for diversity in genomics have motivated new global research collaborations across institutions with highly imbalanced resources. We describe practical lessons we have learned so far from designing multidisciplinary international research and capacity-building programs that prioritize equity in two intertwined programs — the NeuroGAP-Psychosis research study and GINGER training program — spanning institutions in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and the united States.

Temporal dynamics of symptom change among veterans receiving an integrated treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders.

The present study examined temporal patterns of symptom change during treatment for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs). We hypothesized that PTSD symptom severity would predict subsequent-session substance use and that this association would be particularly strong among patients who received an integrated treatment versus SUD-only treatment. Participants were 81 United States military veterans with current PTSD and an SUD who were enrolled in a 12-week, randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an integrated treatment called Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE) compared with cognitive behavioral relapse prevention therapy (RP).

Transdiagnostic preventative intervention for subclinical anxiety: Development and initial validation.

Risk factors associated with the development of anxiety disorders have been identified; however, the development of preventive interventions targeting these risk factors is in the nascent stage. To date, preventive interventions have tended to target specific anxiety disorder symptoms (e.g.

Generalizability of demographically corrected Zambian neuropsychological norms to South African women.

Demographically corrected norms typically account for the effects of age, education, and in some cases, sex and other factors (e.g. race/ethnicity).

Posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and childhood trauma: Differences in hippocampal subfield volume.

Volume-based hippocampal findings in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been inconsistent, with very little investigation of hippocampal subfields. We assessed the effects of early childhood trauma on hippocampal subfields in participants with SAD with and without early childhood trauma and PTSD, compared to healthy controls. The sample comprised 26 participants SAD with early childhood trauma, 22 participants with SAD without early childhood trauma, 17 with PTSD secondary to early childhood trauma and 25 control participants.

Concurrent treatment of substance use disorders and PTSD using prolonged exposure: A randomized clinical trial in military veterans.

Objective: A substantial amount of individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) also meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prolonged Exposure (PE) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for PTSD, but there is limited data on its use among individuals with current alcohol or drug use disorders. This study evaluated the efficacy of an integrated treatment that incorporates PE (Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure or COPE) among veterans.

The Effects of a BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Given evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is moderately heritable, a number of studies utilizing candidate gene approaches have attempted to examine the potential contributions of theoretically relevant genetic variation. Some of these studies have found sup port for a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) variant, Val66Met, in the risk of developing PTSD, while others have failed to find this link.

Methods: This study sought to reconcile these conflicting findings using a meta-analysis framework.

Targeting Safety Behaviors in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: A Case Study of False Safety Behavior Elimination Treatment.

This article provides an overview of F-SET, a brief transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety disorders. The article focuses on the use of specific treatment techniques and follows a successful course of treatment using the F-SET protocol. The client's treatment progress is discussed session by session and at midtreatment, posttreatment, and 11-month follow-up.

Integrated Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders: Examination of Imaginal Exposure Length.

Efforts to improve the efficiency of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have demonstrated that reducing the length of imaginal exposures does not negatively affect treatment outcome. A recent adaptation of PE, called Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure [COPE], integrates substance use disorder treatment with PE in the same timeframe (twelve 90-minute sessions, 8 of which include imaginal exposure). The current study, which represents a subanalysis of a larger randomized controlled trial, examined how the length of imaginal exposures (nonrandomized and measured continually) related to PTSD, substance use, and depression in a sample of military veterans (N = 31) who completed the COPE treatment.

Habituation of distress and craving during treatment as predictors of change in PTSD symptoms and substance use severity.

Objective: Increasing evidence supports the efficacy of trauma-focused exposure therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring substance use disorders. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms of change in treatment for patients with PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine whether within- and between-session habituation of distress and substance craving during imaginal exposure relates to treatment outcomes among U.

Integrated Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders: The Mediating Role of PTSD Improvement in the Reduction of Depression.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents one of the most common mental health disorders, particularly among veterans, and is associated with significant distress and impairment. This highly debilitating disorder is further complicated by common comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as substance use disorders (SUD). Individuals with PTSD and co-occurring SUD also commonly present with secondary symptoms, such as elevated depression.

Predictors and Outcomes of Growth Mixture Modeled Trajectories Across an Exposure-Based PTSD Intervention With Veterans.

Objectives: Exposure-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are effective for many, but not all patients. It is important to determine for whom these treatments work and to examine predictors of success.

Method: An 8-week modified prolonged exposure (PE) treatment, including components of behavioral activation and reducing the number of imaginal exposure sessions, was administered to a sample of 231 Veterans (mean age = 45.

Relations among social support, PTSD symptoms, and substance use in veterans.

Social support plays a significant role in the development, maintenance, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there has been little investigation of social support with PTSD and its frequent comorbid conditions and related symptoms. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are 1 set of conditions that have yet to be investigated in combination with PTSD and social support.

False Safety Behavior Elimination Therapy: A randomized study of a brief individual transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety disorders.

In response to the ever-growing number of CBT based therapy protocols, transdiagnostic approaches to anxiety treatment, based on models of anxiety emphasizing common elements across anxiety disorders, have been increasingly explored. The aim of the current study was to test the efficacy of an individually administered, brief (5-session) transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety disorders. The current treatment (called F-SET) focuses chiefly on the elimination of anxiety maintaining behaviors and cognitive strategies (so-called "safety" aids) among individuals suffering from a range of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder (PD).

Concurrent Treatment of Substance Use and PTSD.

Substance use disorders (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are chronic, debilitating conditions that frequently co-occur. Individuals with co-occurring SUD and PTSD suffer a more complicated course of treatment and less favorable treatment outcomes compared to individuals with either disorder alone. The development of effective psychosocial and pharmacological interventions for co-occurring SUD and PTSD is an active and critically important area of investigation.

Differential treatment response trajectories in individuals with subclinical and clinical PTSD.

Subclinical presentations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), wherein patients are one or two symptom criteria short of the full disorder, are prevalent and associated with levels of distress and impaired functioning approximating that of full PTSD. Nonetheless, research examining treatment efficacy for this group is in the nascent stage. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the subclinical PTSD group would: (1) show a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms at pre and post treatment in response to an exposure based treatment and (2) show a greater rate of change over the course of treatment, when compared to the full criteria PTSD group.

Factor mixture modeling of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire: Evidence for distinct classes of worry.

Worry, the anticipation of future threat, is a common feature of anxiety and mood psychopathology. Considerable research has examined the latent structure of worry to determine whether this construct reflects a dimensional or taxonic structure. Recent taxometric investigations have provided support for a unidimensional structure of worry; however, the results of these studies are limited in that taxometric approaches are unable to assess for the presence of more than two classes of a given construct.

Safety aid use and social anxiety symptoms: The mediating role of perceived control.

The use of safety aids, cognitive or behavioral strategies used to reduce or cope with anxiety, has emerged as a key construct of interest in anxiety disorders due to their role in the development and maintenance of anxiety symptoms. It has been suggested that individuals with anxiety engage in safety aid use to reduce their anxiety and feel more in control of a situation; however, no studies to date have examined the association between perceived control, that is, perceived level of control over internal events in anxiety provoking situations, and the use of safety aids. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association of perceived control, the use of safety aids, and symptoms of social anxiety.

Factor mixture modeling of anxiety sensitivity: a three-class structure.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a multidimensional construct composed of several lower order factors and has been implicated in the development and maintenance of anxiety and depression symptoms and disorders. Recently, it has been suggested that AS is a dimensional-categorical construct, reflecting classes of individuals with different levels of and relations between AS factors. Factor mixture modeling was applied to examine the latent structure of AS in a sample of 1,151 college students (M age = 18.