Parent-teen connection II: Towards a family systems approach to group therapy with young “at-risk” adolescents and their parents

Inflammatory markers including C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are increasingly used within research and clinical settings. Yet, varying methodologies for cleaning immunoassay data with out of range (OOR) samples may alter characteristic levels of CRP, thereby obscuring interpretation and reliability. This study investigated the influence of eight immunoassay OOR data treatment techniques on salivary CRP (sCRP) samples from at-risk adolescents. Participants from the ‘Sleep and Education: learning New Skills Early’ (SENSE) Study were 86 adolescents at-risk for depression (50 female), aged 14.29 years (SD=1.04). ANOVA results showed no statistically significant differences in average morning (F(7, 590)=1.24, p=.28) and evening (F(7, 599)=1.29, p=.25) values produced by each OOR data cleaning technique. However, varying techniques produced differences in the magnitude of Pearson’s correlations between consecutive saliva samples (r’s between .27 – .78), and influenced the significance of a sCRP diurnal pattern; two techniques produced statistically higher morning than evening sCRP levels (t(85)=2.70, p=.01 and t(85)=2.67, p=.01), whereas six techniques failed to find statistical differences between morning and evening sCRP levels (p’s >.05). Varying techniques also produced statistically divergent associations between sCRP and age and depressive symptoms. Results from this study provide evidence for the temporal stability of sCRP among adolescents, show winsorization as an effective OOR data management technique, and highlight the influence of methodological decisions in cleaning salivary biomarker data and the need for consistency within the field.

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Pre‐loss group therapy for dementia family care partners at risk for complicated grief

Alzheimer s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions ◽

10.1002/trc2.12167 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katherine P. Supiano ◽

Troy Andersen ◽

Marilyn Luptak ◽

Cynthia Beynon ◽

Eli Iacob ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Group Therapy ◽

Complicated Grief ◽

Family Care ◽

Care Partners

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A Group Therapy Approach to Facilitate Integration of Risk Information for Women at Risk for Breast Cancer

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674379804300405 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 375-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Mary Jane Esplen ◽

Brenda Toner ◽

Jonathan Hunter ◽

Gordon Glendon ◽

Kate Butler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

At Risk ◽

Family History ◽

Group Therapy ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Risk Information ◽

Degree Relative ◽

Therapy Approach ◽

History Of

Objective: To describe and illustrate elements of a group counselling approach designed to enhance the communication of risk information on breast cancer (BC) to women with a family history of this disease. Breast cancer is a leading cause of female cancer death. The most important risk factor for BC is a positive family history in at least 1 first-degree relative, and approximately one-third of women with BC have a family history of the disease. Recent evidence suggests that there is a significant psychological impact associated with having a family history of BC, and this may influence the psychological adjustment and response to being counselled for personal risk. New counselling approaches are required. Method: This paper describes a group therapy approach that incorporates principles of supportive-expressive therapy designed to address the emotional impact of being at risk for BC and to promote accuracy of perceived risk. The key elements of the intervention are described along with clinical illustrations from groups that are part of an ongoing study to develop and standardize the group therapy. Conclusion: Qualitative data from the groups suggest that this model of therapy is both feasible and effective.

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