Palliative Care Psychiatry: Building Synergy Across the Spectrum
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPalliative care (PC) psychiatry is a growing subspecialty focusing on improving the mental health of those with serious medical conditions and their caregivers. This review elucidates the current practice and ongoing evolution of PC psychiatry.Recent FindingsPC psychiatry leverages training and clinical practices from both PC and psychiatry, addressing a wide range of needs, including enhanced psychiatric care for patients with serious medical illness, PC access for patients with medical needs in psychiatric settings, and PC-informed psychiatric approaches for individuals with treatment-refractory ...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - February 8, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
The Impact of Social Media Use on Sleep and Mental Health in Youth: a Scoping Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSocial media use (SMU) and other internet-based technologies are ubiquitous in today ’s interconnected society, with young people being among the commonest users. Previous literature tends to support that SMU is associated with poor sleep and mental health issues in youth, despite some conflicting findings. In this scoping review, we summarized relevant studies published within th e past 3 years, highlighted the impacts of SMU on sleep and mental health in youth, while also examined the possible underlying mechanisms involved. Future direction and intervention on rational use of SMU was discusse...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - February 8, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Childhood Sexual Abuse by Women of Boys Who Go On to Sexually Offend: Review and Critical Analysis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSexual offending perpetrated by women has historically been overlooked and understudied, and the potentially unique impact of that abuse is even more so.Recent FindingsWomen who have sexually offended against children typically do so against older boys, use little or no forms of force or coercion during the abuse, and are unlikely to be prosecuted or sentenced following the abuse. Boys whom women have sexually abused are unlikely to report or disclose the abuse that they have experienced, perhaps because social structures surrounding sexual abuse of boys by women are designed to minimize, excuse, o...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - February 8, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Sex Differences in ADHD: Review and Priorities for Future Research
AbstractPurpose of reviewIn childhood, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is diagnosed three to 16 times more frequently in males compared to females, yet in adulthood, nearly equivalent numbers of males and females are diagnosed with ADHD. Relatively few studies have prioritized examination of sex differences in ADHD even though sex differences may have critical implications for the identification and treatment of ADHD in females and males. This review highlights current research on sex differences in ADHD across the lifespan that has emerged from cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal studies of youth,...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - February 7, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Attachment Theory and Sexual Offending: Making the Connection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to discuss how attachment theory can be applied to explain sexual violence. Specifically, it discusses how the development of certain risk factors contributes to these behaviors and how attachment-based models can be used to address this issue through prevention and therapeutic interventions.Recent FindingsRecent research demonstrates that individuals who commit sexual offenses have higher rates of insecure attachment styles and that these styles are associated with a number of criminogenic risk factors associated with sexual offending. Such risk factors include cognit...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - February 6, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Cross-Cultural Validity of Sexual Recidivism Risk Assessments Using Static-99R, STABLE-2007, and the VRS-SO
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe overrepresentation of certain racial/ethnic groups in criminal legal systems raises concerns about the cross-cultural application of risk assessment tools. We provide a framework for conceptualizing and measuring racial bias/fairness and review research for three tools assessing risk of sexual recidivism: Static-99R, STABLE-2007, and VRS-SO.Recent FindingsMost cross-cultural research examines Static-99R and generally supports its use with Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian men. Preliminary research also supports STABLE-2007 with Asian men. Findings are most concerning for Indigenous men, where S...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - January 11, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Threat Responses in Schizophrenia: A Negative Valence Systems Framework
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEmotions are prominent in theories and accounts of schizophrenia but are largely understudied compared to cognition. Utilizing the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Negative Valence Systems framework, we review the current knowledge of emotions in schizophrenia. Given the pivotal role of threat responses in theories of schizophrenia and the substantial evidence of altered threat responses, we focus on three components of Negative Valence Systems tied to threat responses: responses to acute threat, responses to potential threat, and sustained threat.Recent FindingsIndividuals with schizophrenia show a...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - January 6, 2024 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Social Media and Youth Mental Health
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe review recent evidence regarding the relationship between the social media (SM) habits, experiences, and the mental health of youth. We examine effects of social media use (SMU) on specific diagnoses including depression and anxiety. The relationship between psychiatric illness, specific SM experiences, and the issue of SM mental health contagion is also explored.Recent FindingsYouth engagement in SMU has increased dramatically in recent years, concurrent with increases in prevalence of depression and anxiety. The relationship between SMU and mental illness is complex and depends on characterist...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - December 16, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
An Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care: Considerations and Guidance
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis paper provides an overview of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the possible implications in the delivery of mental health care.Recent FindingsGenerative AI is a powerful technology that is changing rapidly. As psychiatrists, it is important for us to understand generative AI technology and how it may impact our patients and our practice of medicine.SummaryThis paper aims to build this understanding by focusing on GPT-4 and its potential impact on mental health care delivery. We first introduce key concepts and terminology describing how the technology works and various novel uses of...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - November 30, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health: Intervention-Focused Future Directions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to highlight the challenges related to the study of the relationship between social media use and youth mental health and propose a path forward in intervention-focused research.Recent FindingsRecent findings relay the need to conceptualize the effects of social media use on youth mental health in a nuanced way. Unique, discrete social media experiences may either contribute to an individual ’s well-being, ill-being, or both. Social media use may contribute to well-being for one person, but ill-being for another. Similarly, social media use may contribute to well-bei...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - November 27, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Children ’s Sleep and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic and protracted home confinement required adjustments to schedules and routines generating concern about children ’s sleep. This review describes general considerations regarding children’s sleep, changes and disturbances in their sleep during the pandemic, and the association of sleep measures with health and psychological outcomes in general and in the context of the pandemic.Recent FindingsA number of studies found an increase in the duration of children ’s sleep with later bedtimes and waketimes for some children. The research also documented sleep disturbances and as...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - November 14, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Presenting a Framework for Telebehavioral Health Implementation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis paper presents OPTIC as a framework to guide the conceptualization and implementation of telebehavioral health (TBH) in a comprehensive, structured, and accessible manner.Recent FindingsThere is a need for comprehensive frameworks for TBH implementation, yet current models and frameworks described in the literature have limitations. Many studies highlight favorable outcomes of TBH during COVID-19, along with increased adoption. However, despite the plethora of publications on general telehealth implementation, knowledge is disparate, inconsistent, not comprehensive, and not TBH-specific.Summar...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - November 13, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Art Therapy Interventions for Syrian Child and Adolescent Refugees: Enhancing Mental Well-being and Resilience
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis critical review primarily aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of recent studies conducted within the past 3 years, with a specific focus on the use of art therapy within Syrian child and adolescent refugee populations. The central objective of this inquiry is to explore the impact of art therapy interventions and provide critical insights into their effectiveness in enhancing the mental well-being and resilience of these young refugees.Recent FindingsRecent research conducted within the past 3 years highlights the effectiveness of art therapy as an intervention strategy within Syrian ch...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - November 9, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Gender Differences in Risks of Suicide and Suicidal Behaviors in the USA: A Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe review recent research (2018 –2023) on gender differences in suicidal behaviors (i.e., suicidal ideations and attempts, death by suicide). We examine research studies in the following areas: developmental period, substance use, and special populations (Veterans, sexual and gender minorities).Recent FindingsNovel results were found in these different areas. For example, suicide rates for female youth are increasing at a faster rate relative to male youth. Further, some evidence suggests that heavy alcohol use/binge drinking is a significant and growing risk factor for suicidal behaviors in wome...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - November 6, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
Reproductive Health Among Those with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Considerations Related to the Premenopausal Period, Pregnancy and Postpartum, and the Menopausal Transition, with a Focus on Recent Findings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSchizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) impact many aspects of reproductive health for women and non-binary and transgender individuals assigned female at birth. In this narrative review, we highlight considerations and recent research related to (1) the premenopausal period, (2) pregnancy and postpartum, and (3) the menopausal transition.Recent FindingsMost recent research has focused on pregnancy and the postpartum period, and specifically on elucidating perinatal risk factors, adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes (and modifiable contributors such as smoking), long-term child health, and psyc...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - October 31, 2023 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research
