Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perspectives On Help-Negation, Coralie J. Wilson

Coralie J Wilson

Help-negation refers to the process of help avoidance or refusal that commonly occurs in clinical and non-clinical samples with varying forms and levels of psychological symptoms. In the last decade the effect has been established as an inverse relationship between the severity of symptoms and help-seeking for suicidal ideation, depression, and general psychological distress, for a variety of professional and non-professional help sources [see Wilson CJ, Bushnell JA, Caputi P. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 2011; 5: 34-39, for a review]. Findings from now over 20 help-negation studies suggest that at least some types of psychological symptoms or processes associated with …

Path Tortuosity In Everyday Movements Of Elderly Persons Increases Fall Prediction Beyond Knowledge Of Fall History, Medication Use, And Standardized Gait And Balance Assessments., William D. Kearns Phd, James L. Fozard Phd, Marion Becker Rn/Phd, Jan M. Jasiewicz Phd, Jeffrey D. Craighead Phd, Lori Holtsclaw Ba, Charles Dion Ma

William D. Kearns, PhD

Abstract Objectives: We hypothesized that variability in voluntary movement paths of assisted living facility (ALF) residents would be greater in the week preceding a fall compared with residents who did not fall. Design: Prospective, observational study using telesurveillance technology. Setting: Two ALFs. Participants: The sample consisted of 69 older ALF residents (53 female) aged 76.9 (SD=11.9 years). Measurement: Daytime movement in ALF common use areas was automatically tracked using a commercially available ultra-wideband radio real-time location sensor network with a spatial resolution of approximately 20 cm. Movement path variability (tortuosity) was gauged using fractal dimension (fractal D). A logistic regressionwas …

The Distinguishing Characteristics Of Narrative Identity In Adults With Features Of Borderline Personality Disorder: An Empirical Investigation, Jonathan Adler

Jonathan M. Adler

While identity disturbance has long been considered one of the defining features of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), the present study marks only the third empirical investigation to assess it and the first to do so from the perspective of research on narrative identity. Drawing on the rich tradition of studying narrative identity, the present study examined identity disturbance in a group of 40 mid-life adults, 20 with features of BPD and a matched sample of 20 without BPD. Extensive life story interviews were analyzed for a variety of narrative elements and the themes of agency, communion fulfillment (but not communion), …

Knowledge Of And Perceived Need For Evidence-Based Educational Materials About Antipsychotic Medication Safety By Nursing Home Staff, Celeste A. Lemay, Sarah Foy, Kathleen M. Mazor, Leslie R. Harrold, Jennifer L. Donovan, Abir O. Kanaan, Becky A. Briesacher, Jerry H. Gurwitz, Jennifer Tjia

Jennifer Tjia

Background: Given the widespread overuse of antipsychotic medications among US nursing home (NH) residents, we sought to identify knowledge of and perceived need for the AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Summary Guide (CERSG) “Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs”.

Methods: We conducted a baseline needs assessment with 12 NHs participating in a randomized controlled trail evaluating evidence dissemination strategies. Using a mixed method approach, we conducted in-depth assessments of knowledge, attitudes, and practice behavior using telephone interviews with NH leadership (administrators, directors of nursing [DON], and medical directors), and questionnaires with NH leadership, consultant pharmacists and direct care staff. …

Sitting At The Nexus Of Epistemological Traditions: Narrative Psychological Perspectives On Self-Knowledge, Jonathan Adler

Jonathan M. Adler

This authoritative handbook reviews the state of the science of self-knowledge, a key emerging area in psychology. Leading investigators describe innovative theory and research that is shedding new light on how—and how accurately—people perceive their own traits, thoughts, feelings, behavior, and relationships. Coverage encompasses the behavioral, mental, biological, and social structures that underlie self-knowledge; approaches to studying self-beliefs in specific domains; and the motives and biases that influence accuracy. The volume explores the personal and societal benefits of self-knowledge and also considers possible ways to enhance it.

Help-Negation For Suicidal Thoughts In Sub-Clinical Samples Of Young People, Coralie Joy Wilson

Coralie J Wilson

Across the popular and academic literature, it is widely recognised that young people with persistent suicidal thoughts are at high risk for suicide completion. It is also accepted that seeking and receiving appropriate help offers protection against the development of acute forms of suicidality, along with suicide completion. Yet, as promising as appropriate help-seeking appears for suicide prevention, a growing number of studies suggest that suicidal ideation itself may impede the help-seeking process. There is evidence that acutely suicidal samples will negate or avoid available help, and there are indications that the help-negation process may occur in samples before levels …

Brief Screening For Co-Occurring Disorders Among Women Entering Substance Abuse Treatment, Alisa K. Lincoln, Jane M. Liebschutz, Miriam Chernoff, Dana Nguyen, Hortensia Amaro (1950-)

Alisa Lincoln

BackgroundDespite the importance of identifying co-occurring psychiatric disorders in substance abuse treatment programs, there are few appropriate and validated instruments available to substance abuse treatment staff to conduct brief screen for these conditions. This paper describes the development, implementation and validation of a brief screening instrument for mental health diagnoses and trauma among a diverse sample of Black, Hispanic and White women in substance abuse treatment. With input from clinicians and consumers, we adapted longer existing validated instruments into a 14 question screen covering demographics, mental health symptoms and physical and sexual violence exposure. All women entering treatment (methadone, residential …

Insurance Status And Length Of Stay For Involuntarily Hospitalized Patients, William Fisher, Paul Barreira, Alisa Lincoln, Lorna Simon, Andrew White, Kristen Roy-Bujnowski, Marylou Sudders

Alisa Lincoln

General and private psychiatric hospitals are becoming increasingly common as sites for involuntary hospitalization. Unlike the public facilities that these settings are supplanting, these hospitals must pay strict attention to issues associated with reimbursement, insurance status, and managed care. This article examines the effects of insurance status on length of stay for involuntarily hospitalized patients in general and private hospitals in Massachusetts. Using a two-stage sampling procedure, data on episodes of involuntary hospitalization were gathered and assessed using multiple regression. The primary effect was found between patients with Medicare, who had the longest stays, and individuals who were uninsured, who …

The Aftermath Of Abusive Adoption Practices In The Lives Of Adoption Triad Members: Responding To Adoption Triad Members Victimized By Abusive Adoption Practices, David M. Smolin, Desiree L. Smolin

David M. Smolin

The above-titled presentation was given as a plenary presentation at the Annual Symposium of the Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) on April 18, 2012. Herein is a slightly modified version of the Power Point used at the presentation. We corrected some typos and made some editorial adjustments, but this is 99% the same as what was used at the presentation. Unfortunately the event itself was not taped.

It is important to note that the original context for this presentation is Intercountry Adoption to the United States. However, some of you may find some of these points relevant to …

Using The Fcb Grid To Evaluate A Failed Mental Health Levy: The Marketing Implications Of Stigma, Oscar T. Mcknight, Ronald Paugh, Steffi Liotta, Wenhui Jin

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This research found that using the FCB Grid to develop and evaluate a mental health levy campaign has merit. Likewise, stigma has both positive and negative impact on a mental health levy. Introduced is the ‘STIGMA’ planning model to help mental health professionals pass a public mental health levy.

Building The Foundation For The Family Options Project, Joanne Nicholson, Kathleen Biebel, Valerie Williams, Karen Albert

Joanne Nicholson

This article describes how the long-standing partnership between Employment Options, Inc., a psychosocial rehabilitation agency in Marlborough, MA, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School's (UMMS) Center for Mental Health Services Research led to the development of the Family Options program.

Mothers With Mental Health Disorders: Mental Health Promotion In The Context Of Parenting, Joanne Nicholson, Elizabeth Aaker, Michael Agar, Karen Albert, Steven Banks, Kathleen Biebel, Bernice Gershenson, Antonia Seligowski, Valerie Williams, Brenda Warren, Sierra Williams, Katherine Woolsey

Joanne Nicholson

Parenting is a meaningful role for the majority of American women, including those with mental health disorders. Success in this role, particularly for women with mental health disorders, would seem to be intimately related to mental health promotion, the recovery process, and successful functioning in other major life domains (e.g., employment, community living, and personal health and well-being). The achievement of maximum social participation for women with mental health disorders may hinge on addressing the challenges they face as parents. Presented at Margins to Mainstream: World Congress on Mental Health Promotion and Prevention. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, September 2008.

Exploring The Concept Of “Young Carer” In Families Living With Parental Mental Illness, Antonia Seligowski, Peter Mcnamee, Karen Albert, Valerie Williams, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Background Information: The concept of “young carers” has been framed in the literature as children providing care and assuming household responsibilities when parents have physical and/or mental disabilities (Aldridge & Becker, 2003). In the United Kingdom, young carers have been studied extensively, leading to increased access to services and supports (Dearden & Becker, 2004). Our goal is to explore the concept of young carers in the U.S.

Aims: 1) To describe the care giving and household responsibilities of children and youth living with parents with mental illnesses, how often they are performed, and the feelings of children and youth about …

Programs For Families With Parental Mental Illness: Results Of A Us National Survey, Joanne Nicholson, Beth Hinden, Kathleen Biebel, Alexis Henry, Lawrence Stier

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Nicholson, J., Hinden, B., Biebel, K., Henry, A., & Stier, L. (2004). Programs for families with parental mental illness. Visions: British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal, 2(2), 27-29. Available at: http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions/parenting. Summary: Survey of programs in the U.S. for parents with mental illness.

A Multi-Disciplinary, Whole-Of-Family Approach To Supporting Parents With Mental Illness, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Summary: Family members are likely to have multiple and overlapping needs & roles – individuals with mental illness, carers & siblings. There are many opportunities & strategies for intervention. The best care requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders working in partnership. Citation: Nicholson, J. (2010, November). A multi-disciplinary, whole-of-family approach to supporting parents with mental illness. Presented as a plenary at the Developing Strength and Resilience in Children conference of Voksne for Barn, Oslo, Norway.

The Family Networks Implementation Study, Susan Maciolek, Joanne Nicholson, Nicole Dube, Jodi Adams, Bernice Gershenson

Joanne Nicholson

Family Networks is a comprehensive system transformation initiative to redesign and integrate traditional categorical services across Massachusetts into local systems of care for children, youth, and families served by the child welfare system. The Family Networks Implementation Study, a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is a two-year study of the process of implementing local systems of care that began in January 2007, and will continue through December 2008. Presented at the 21th Annual Research Conference. A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, Florida, February …

Mental Illness: Understanding The Impact On Families And How To Help, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Abstract: Family is the context where mental health recovery takes place. Mental health services need to take a whole-of-family approach when working with people with a mental illness. Supporting people with a mental illness in their family roles actually improved the mental health outcomes of people participating in their programs. Citation: Nicholson, J. (2010, May). Mental illness: Understanding the impact on families and how to help. Presented as the 12th Annual Bruce Woodcock Memorial Lecture, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Family Members With Overlapping Mental Health Needs Require The Transformation Of Systems And Services, Joanne Nicholson, Kathleen Biebel, Beth Hinden, Valerie Williams, Bernice Gershenson, Judith Katz-Leavy

Joanne Nicholson

Women and men with a lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorder are at least as likely to be parents as are adults without psychiatric disorder. The majority of adults in all diagnostic categories are parents, including those meeting criteria for affective and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and non-affective psychosis. Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) receiving services in Systems of Care (SOCs) programs may have multiple family risk factors. Family-centered, strengths-based practices require a paradigm shift in the way administrators and providers view and intervene with children and adults. Presented at The Santa Fe Summit on Behavioral Health, the American College of …

Using Organizational Data To Create The Essential Context For System Transformation In Child Welfare, William Deveney, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

The Massachusetts Department of Social Services (MA/DSS) has 29 area offices organized in 6 regions; 74,651 consumers (39,913 are children < 18 years of age); 10,863 children and youth in placement; and 3,400 employees (FY2005; 2nd quarter).

A comprehensive system transformation initiative is underway, to shift from the traditional “adversarial” child protective model, and translate the core values of “child-driven,” “family-centered,” “community-focused,” “strength-based,” “committed to diversity/ cultural competence,” and committed to continuous learning” into an active child welfare agenda. The “learning organization” is the guiding framework.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is an interactive, iterative, participatory process that reflects change in organizational values, and catalyzes and guides improvements in policy and practice. Data drive CQI, obtained as framed …

Creating Opportunities For Success: Working With Trauma Survivors In The Shelter Setting, Joanne Nicholson, Linda Weinreb, Tina Runyan, Kathleen Biebel

Joanne Nicholson

Summary: Training workshop with the following objectives: Increase knowledge, awareness, & understanding of trauma & its impact; Provide information about skills & strategies; Suggest self care strategies. Citation: Nicholson, J., Weinreb, L., Runyan, T., & Biebel, K. (2010, November). Creating opportunities for success: Working with trauma survivors in the shelter setting. Presented at a training workshop for the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Worcester, MA.

The Massachusetts Family Networks Implementation Study, Susan Maciolek, Joanne Nicholson, Jodi Adams, Bernice Gershenson, Katherine Woolsey, Brenda Warren

Joanne Nicholson

Family Networks is a comprehensive systems transformation initiative to redesign and integrate traditional categorical services across the Commonwealth into local systems of care for children, youth, and families served by the child welfare system. The Family Networks Implementation Study, a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (MA/DSS) and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is a two-year study of the process of implementing local systems of care that began in January 2007, and will continue through December 2008. Findings from the Family Networks Implementation Study will inform MA/DSS strategic planning, system refinements, and the Family Networks outcomes evaluation. …

Family Options For Parents With Mental Illnesses: A Developmental, Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Joanne Nicholson, Karen Albert, Bernice Gershenson, Valerie Williams, Kathleen Biebel

Joanne Nicholson

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to provide a description of Family Options, a rehabilitation intervention for parents with serious mental illnesses and their children focusing on recovery and resilience, and to report the findings from a pilot study at 6-months post-enrollment for participating mothers. METHODS: A developmental design, and mixed quantitative and qualitative methods facilitate an in-depth understanding of Family Options and its impact on parents early in the implementation process. RESULTS: Participating families faced significant challenges, including long-term mental health conditions in adults, and emotional and behavioral difficulties in children. Data from mothers (n = 22) demonstrate …

Supporting Parents: Multi-Needs And The Need For Multi-Institutions’ Coordination Of Supports, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Summary: Family members are likely to have multiple and overlapping needs & roles – individuals with mental illness, carers & siblings. There are many opportunities & strategies for intervention. The best care requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders working in partnership.

Citation: Nicholson, J. (2010, May). Supporting parents: multi-needs and the need for multi-institutions coordination of supports. Presented as a keynote at the Conference on Ondersteuning Ouders met Psychiasche Problemen,The Hague, The Netherlands.

Parenting With A Mental Illness. A Radio Interview For Abc Radio National, Australia Public Radio (Audio File), Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Interview (mp3 audio file, 9.8 MB) by Dr. Joanne Nicholson with Richard Aedy, host and producer, “Parenting with a Mental Illness” on Life Matters, ABC Radio National, Australia public radio, May 25, 2010. Nicholson says that keeping families intact benefits both the family as a whole, and the ill parent's recovery. She argues too many health professionals make treatment plans without considering the family context. Citation: Nicholson, J. Interview with Richard Aedy, host and producer, “Parenting with a Mental Illness” on Life Matters, ABC Radio National, Australia public radio. May 25, 2010. Available from: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2010/2906312.htm.

Helping Families— Shifting The Emphasis, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Abstract: Family members are likely to have multiple and overlapping needs & roles – individuals with mental illness and carers. There are many opportunities & strategies for intervention. The best care requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders. Citation: Nicholson, J. (2010, May). Helping families – Shifting the emphasis. Presented as a keynote address at the Annual Corporate Breakfast with the Lord Mayor, Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Supporting Parents With Mental Health Needs In Systems Of Care, Barbara Friesen, Judith Katz-Leavy, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Summary: Community-based systems of care (SOCs) must address both the needs of parents with mental illness and the needs of their children. Learning more about the challenges faced by SOCs in this area, and the strategies they implement to overcome them, provides insights with implications for the broader field. This project was intended to learn more about efforts to assess parents’ mental health needs, effectively engage and support them, and improve system coordination and access to services to inform service delivery and system reform, especially for those involved in both child welfare and mental health. This report presents information gathered …

Supporting Parents With Psychiatric Disabilities And Promoting Recovery: An International Challenge, Peter Van Der Ende, Joanne Nicholson

Joanne Nicholson

Introduction: Parenting is a significant life role for adults with psychiatric disabilities. Not only is success in this role a normal life goal for many, but functioning as well as possible as parents would seem to be intimately related to the recovery process and successful functioning in other major life domains. Research on the prevalence and needs of parents with psychiatric disabilities in two countries, the U.S. and The Netherlands, provides the framework for developing and testing interventions. Essential program components include supports for parents in meeting their children’s needs as well as managing their own. Research Question: What are …

Implementation Challenges In Wrapping Interventions Around Families Living With Parental Mental Illness, Joanne Nicholson, Beth Hinden, Joan Mikula, Kathleen Biebel, Valerie Williams, Katherine Woolsey, Elizabeth Aaker

Joanne Nicholson

Citation: Hinden,B., Mikula, J., Nicholson, J., Bieble, K., Williams, V., Woolsey, K., & Aaker, E. (2008). Implementation Challenges in Wrapping Interventions Around Families with Parental Mental Illness. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, and R/ Friedman (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th Annual Research Conference, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: Parental mental illness challenges service providers in adult mental health, child welfare and children’s mental health systems of care. This presentation describes the development …

Fear And Worry, Helen Nunberg

Helen Nunberg

No abstract provided.

Our Mood Orchestra, Helen Nunberg

Helen Nunberg

No abstract provided.