Reward functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder, metabolic syndrome, and psychological resilience.

Background: Reward system dysfunction may play a role in the comorbidity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological resilience, through its effects on the reward system, may modulate outcomes in PTSD. Utilising a monetary incentive delay task during functional magnetic resonance imaging in a case-control study (PTSD, n = 88, trauma-exposed controls [TEC], n = 85), we aimed to investigate reward system function in relation to PTSD, MetS, and psychological resilience.

The Contribution of Noncommunicable and Infectious Diseases to the Effect of Depression on Mortality: A Longitudinal Causal Mediation Analysis.

Background: The increased prevalence of physical diseases among individuals with mental illness contributes to their increased risk of mortality. However, the mediating role of specific diseases in the effect of mental illness on mortality is not well understood.

Method: We conducted a longitudinal causal mediation analysis using data from beneficiaries of a South African medical insurance scheme from 2011 to 2020.

Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT): Global and Risk-Group Stratified Course of Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents.

Objective: To identify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on well-being/mental health, coping strategies, and risk factors in adolescents worldwide.

Method: This study was based on an anonymous online multi-national/multi-language survey in the general population (representative/weighted non-representative samples, 14-17 years of age), measuring change in well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index [WHO-5]/range = 0-100) and psychopathology (validated composite P-score/range = 0-100), WHO-5 <50 and <29, pre- vs during COVID-19 pandemic (April 26, 2020-June 26, 2022). Coping strategies and 9 a priori- defined individual/cumulative risk factors were measured.

The saNeuroGut Initiative: Investigating the gut microbiome and symptoms of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress.

Introduction: Common mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), present a substantial health and economic burden. The gut microbiome has been associated with these psychiatric disorders via the microbiome-gut-brain axis. However, previous studies have focused on the associations between the gut microbiome and common mental disorders in European, North American and Asian populations.

Predictors of study dropout in cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Available empirical evidence on participant-level factors associated with dropout from psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is both limited and inconclusive. More comprehensive understanding of the various factors that contribute to study dropout from cognitive-behavioural therapy with a trauma focus (CBT-TF) is crucial for enhancing treatment outcomes.

Objective: Using an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) design, we examined participant-level predictors of study dropout from CBT-TF interventions for PTSD.

Mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: An international comparison of gender-related home and work-related responsibilities, and social support.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE  : To assess gender differences in COVID-19 related changes in home and work responsibilities longitudinally, and determine whether these differences, together with other potential risk and protective factors, are associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology.

Method: Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD were measured using an online survey instrument, between May 2020 and April 2021, in four waves completed at 3-monthly intervals. Analyses were based on data from the COvid MEntal healTh (COMET) survey which investigated the mental health effects of the COVID-19 outbreak spanning 13 countries on five continents in N = 7,909 participants.

Differential microRNA expression in adolescent anxiety proneness.

Biological mechanisms underlying anxiety proneness (AP), the tendency to react fearfully to stressors due to the belief that experiencing anxiety has harmful consequences, remain unclear. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs (small, non-coding RNAs 19-20 nucleotides long), may be contributory. This study investigated AP-associated differences in microRNA expression among South African adolescents with variable exposure to childhood trauma (CT).

Childhood maltreatment is linked to larger preferred interpersonal distances towards friends and strangers across the globe.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is thought to be associated with altered responses to social stimuli and interpersonal signals. However, limited evidence exists that CM is linked to larger comfortable interpersonal distance (CID) - the physical distance humans prefer towards others during social interactions. However, no previous study has investigated this association in a comprehensive sample, yielding sufficient statistical power.

Childhood maltreatment and its associations with trauma-related psychopathology: disentangling two classification approaches.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with various mental health disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This study explores how specific classifications - dichotomous (abuse versus neglect) and dimensional (physical, emotional, sexual) - relate to distinct psychopathologies. We recruited 642 individuals, screening them for CM history and symptoms.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonism for psychosis: a living systematic review and meta-analysis of human and non-human data.

Background: Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonism shows promise for treating psychosis, prompting us to synthesise data from human and non-human studies.

Methods: We co-produced a living systematic review of controlled studies examining TAAR1 agonists in individuals (with or without psychosis/schizophrenia) and relevant animal models. Two independent reviewers identified studies in multiple electronic databases (until 17.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following exposure to acute psychological trauma in children aged 8-16 years in South Africa: protocol for the Sinethemba longitudinal study.

Introduction: Children exposed to trauma are vulnerable to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other adverse mental health outcomes. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), children are at increased risk of exposure to severe trauma and co-occurring adversities. However, relative to high-income countries, there is limited evidence of the factors that predict good versus poor psychological recovery following trauma exposure in LMIC children, and the role of caregiver support in these high-adversity communities.

Adaptation and feasibility of WHO PM+ for adolescents living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: an implementation feasibility study protocol.

Introduction: Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are an extremely vulnerable population, with the burden of mental health problems carefully documented together with the constraints for receiving timely and adequate management of the problems, especially in rural settings. Problem Management Plus (PM+) is a scalable psychological intervention for individuals impaired by distress in communities exposed to adversity. Initially developed for adult populations, few studies have assessed its potential to address adolescent distress.

Attitudes of patients and mental health professionals towards hypothetical use of serious games in psychotherapy.

Unlabelled: Serious games are increasingly being applied within healthcare, but their integration in psychotherapeutic settings is less documented.

Objectives: The present study sought to identify the attitudes of psychotherapists and patients towards the hypothetical use of serious games in psychotherapy in the South African context.

Methods: Online surveys assessed acceptance, experience, and requirements for the utilisation of serious games in therapeutic contexts.

Relationships between trauma types and psychotic symptoms: A network analysis of patients with psychotic disorders in a large, multi-country study in East Africa.

Background: The link between trauma exposure and psychotic disorders is well-established. Further, specific types of trauma may be associated with specific psychotic symptoms. Network analysis is an approach that can advance our understanding of the associations across trauma types and psychotic symptoms.