Augmenting Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social and Intergroup Anxiety With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.

Objectives: Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of social anxiety treatment, yet not all patients respond. Symptoms in certain social situations, including intergroup (ie, out-group) contexts, may be particularly resistant to treatment. Exposure therapy outcomes may be improved by stimulating neural areas associated with safety learning, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

The association of distress tolerance and mindful awareness with mental health in first responders.

Mindful awareness (MA) and distress tolerance are emerging as robust predictors of mental health in populations with high levels of stress and trauma exposure, such as first responders. The combination of both protective factors may have potentiating benefits for mental health. First responders might especially benefit from high levels of MA if they are able to tolerate distressing present-moment experiences as needed.

Compassion for Oneself and Others Protects the Mental Health of First Responders.

Objectives: First responders are at elevated risk for psychological distress from frequent exposure to potentially traumatic events. Self-compassion may buffer against the negative impact of these stressors, and the potential emotional challenges of having high levels of compassion for others. However, little is known about the psychological impact of compassion in first responders.

Association between physical activity and mental health among first responders with different service roles.

Studies suggest that physical activity (PA) improves psychological recovery in trauma-exposed populations like first responders. However, trauma exposure varies among first responders in relation to their unique service roles and duties. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction effect of service role (traditional vs.