A scalable, single session intervention for perceived control over anxiety during COVID-19 (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mullarkey ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Isaac Ahuvia ◽  
Jason Shumake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Control ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
The United States ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Single Session Intervention

BACKGROUND Anxiety is rising across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, and social distancing mandates preclude in-person mental healthcare. Anxiety is not necessarily pathological; however, increased worrying about COVID-19 shows links to more severe anxiety pathology. Greater perceived control over anxiety has predicted decreased anxiety pathology, including adaptive responses to uncontrollable stressors. Evidence suggests that no-therapist, single-session interventions can strengthen perceived control over emotions like anxiety; similar programs, if designed for the COVID-19 context, could hold substantial public health value. OBJECTIVE Our registered report tested whether a no-therapist, single-session online intervention adapted for the COVID-19 context could: 1) decrease generalized anxiety and increase perceived control over anxiety, versus a placebo intervention and 2) achieve this without decreasing social-distancing intentions. METHODS We tested these questions using a between-subjects design in a weighted-probability sample of U.S. adults (N=500). RESULTS We found no support for therapeutic or iatrogenic effects; effects on generalized anxiety were d = -0.06 (P = 0.48, CI [-0.27, 0.15]), effects on perceived control were d = 0.04 (P = 0.48, CI [-0.08, 0.16]), and effects on social-distancing intentions were d = -0.02 (P = 0.83, CI [-0.23, 0.19]). CONCLUSIONS Strengths of this study included a large, nationally representative sample and adherence to open science practices. Implications for scalable interventions are discussed. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04459455

A scalable, single session intervention for perceived control over anxiety during COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C Mullarkey ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Jason Shumake ◽  
Christopher G Beevers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Control ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Value ◽  
Placebo Intervention ◽  
Single Session Intervention ◽  
Weighted Probability

Anxiety is rising across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, and social distancing mandates preclude in-person mental healthcare. Anxiety is not necessarily pathological; however, increased worrying about COVID-19 shows links to more severe anxiety pathology. Greater perceived control over anxiety has predicted decreased anxiety pathology, including adaptive responses to uncontrollable stressors. Evidence suggests that no-therapist, single-session interventions can strengthen perceived control over emotions like anxiety; similar programs, if designed for the COVID-19 context, could hold substantial public health value. Our registered report will test whether a no-therapist, single-session online intervention adapted for the COVID-19 context can: 1) decrease generalized anxiety and increase perceived control over anxiety, versus a placebo intervention 2) without decreasing social-distancing intentions. We will test these questions using a between-subjects design in a weighted-probability U.S. sample (N=500). Findings will inform whether a highly-scalable intervention can decrease anxiety without yielding unwanted secondary effects.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Utility of an Open-Access, Online Single-Session Intervention Platform for Adolescent Mental Health

10.2196/20513 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. e20513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lee Schleider ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Emma Mumper ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Single Session Intervention ◽  
Science Framework ◽  
Internalizing Distress

Background Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, promising to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be uniquely scalable, particularly if they are freely available for as-needed use. However, the acceptability of online SSI and their efficacy have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, and their practical utility is poorly understood. Objective We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment & Support), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. Methods After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (eg, hopelessness, self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. Results From September 2019 through March 2020, 694 youths accessed YES, 539 began, and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75% non-white; 78.10% female; 43.23% sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (dav=0.53; dz=0.71), self-hate (dav=0.32; dz=0.61), perceived control (dav=0.60; dz=0.72) and agency (dav=0.39; dz=0.50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (eg, enjoyable, likely to help peers). Conclusions Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress. Trial Registration Open Science Framework; osf.io/e52p3

scholarly journals Acceptability and Utility of an Open-Access, Online Single-Session Intervention Platform for Adolescent Mental Health (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lee Schleider ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Emma Mumper ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Single Session Intervention ◽  
Science Framework ◽  
Internalizing Distress

BACKGROUND Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, promising to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be uniquely scalable, particularly if they are freely available for as-needed use. However, the acceptability of online SSI and their efficacy have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, and their practical utility is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment &amp; Support), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. METHODS After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (eg, hopelessness, self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. RESULTS From September 2019 through March 2020, 694 youths accessed YES, 539 began, and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75% non-white; 78.10% female; 43.23% sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.53; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.71), self-hate (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.32; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.61), perceived control (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.60; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.72) and agency (<i>d</i><sub>av</sub>=0.39; <i>d</i><sub>z</sub>=0.50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (eg, enjoyable, likely to help peers). CONCLUSIONS Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress. CLINICALTRIAL Open Science Framework; osf.io/e52p3

scholarly journals Association of Parental Psychiatric Morbidity with their Altruistic Behaviors and Sense of Obligation to Children in the United States

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. CMPsy.S883
Author(s):  
Takeo Fujiwara ◽  
Cynthia Lee
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Complex Mechanism ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Sense Of Obligation

Previous studies have suggested that altruistic behaviors for children and grandchildren (ABC) have a complex mechanism for psychiatric morbidity among parents and grandparents. The interaction between ABC and sense of obligation to children/grandchildren (SOC) may help to provide a better understanding of the association between ABC and psychiatric morbidity. In this study, we seek to investigate the association between the interaction of ABC and SOC and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression (MD) using a nationally representative sample of middle-aged parents/grandparents in the United States (N = 2,193). Among women, feeling obligated was associated with MD regardless of ABC status. Among men, having SOC and providing informal assistance or financial support was associated with GAD morbidity. Further research that elucidates the complexity of the interaction of ABC and SOC on psychiatric morbidity among parents/grandparents is needed.

scholarly journals Social Distancing in America: Understanding Long-term Adherence to Covid-19 Mitigation Recommendations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Reinders Folmer ◽  
Megan Brownlee ◽  
Adam Fine ◽  
Malouke Esra Kuiper ◽  
Elke Olthuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Situational Influences ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Practical Capacity ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Motivational Influences

A crucial question in the governance of infectious disease outbreaks is how to ensure that people continue to adhere to mitigation measures for the longer duration of the pandemic. The present paper examines this question by means of a nationally representative cross-sectional set of studies conducted in the United States in May, June, and July 2020. It seeks to understand to what extent Americans continued to adhere to social distancing measures in the period after the first lockdown ended during the first wave of COVID-19. Moreover, it seeks to uncover which situational and motivational variables sustained (or undermined) adherence. Our findings reveal a mix of situational and motivational variables that contributed to adherence in the period after the first lockdown: individuals’ knowledge of social distancing measures, their practical capacity to adhere to them, their opportunities for not doing so, and their impulsivity (situational influences), as well as their moral alignment with mitigation measures against the virus, perceptions of its health threat, and perceived norms for adherence in their community (motivational influences). The results also reveal, however, that adherence among Americans declined during this period, as did important situational and motivational processes that sustained this. The findings show that adherence does not just originate in motivations and that situational variables play a central role. Moreover, they show that adherence is dynamic, as the core variables that sustain can change over a short period of time. These insights help to advance understanding of pandemic governance, as well as illuminating the interaction between rules and human conduct and compliance more generally. Moreover, they identify important avenues for policy to promote and sustain adherence to mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and in future outbreaks.

scholarly journals Connected while apart: Associations between social distancing, computer-mediated communication frequency, and positive affect during the early phases of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110413
Author(s):  
Kevin N. Shufford ◽  
Deborah L. Hall ◽  
Ashley K. Randall ◽  
Bailey M. Braunstein ◽  
Mary M. O’Brien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Affect ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Nationally Representative

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered life for individuals worldwide. Specifically, at the time of data collection (late April 2020), most forms of face-to-face interactions were limited and, in some cases, prohibited, as close contact with others increases the rate of transmitting the virus. As social beings, engaging in social distancing may have negative consequences on well-being. However, many individuals maintained their social connections by means of computer-mediated communication (CMC), such as hosting FaceTime happy hours or family reunions. Utilizing a nationally representative sample of 985 adults from the United States, this study investigated the association between social distancing adherence and positive affect and the extent to which this association might be mediated by CMC frequency. Results did not indicate a direct effect of social distancing adherence on positive affect. However, an indirect effect between these two variables occurred when mediated by CMC frequency. Specifically, greater social distancing adherence predicted greater frequency of CMC, which predicted greater positive affect. These findings held controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, relationship status, and income. Results suggest that despite social distancing, CMC may be a beneficial way to engage with others during and, perhaps, beyond COVID-19.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Utility of an Open-Access, Online Single-Session Intervention Platform for Adolescent Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Schleider ◽  
Mallory Dobias ◽  
Jenna Sung ◽  
Emma Mumper ◽  
Michael C Mullarkey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
Single Session Intervention ◽  
Internalizing Distress

Background. Many youths with mental health needs are unable to access care. Single-session interventions (SSIs) have helped reduce youth psychopathology across multiple trials, suggesting promise to broaden access to effective, low-intensity supports. Online, self-guided SSIs may be especially scalable, particularly if freely available for as-needed use. However, online SSIs’ acceptability and effects have remained unexamined outside of controlled trials, leaving their practical utility poorly understood. Objective. We evaluated the perceived acceptability and proximal effects of Project YES (Youth Empowerment &amp; Support; www.schleiderlab.org/yes), an open-access platform offering three online SSIs for youth internalizing distress. Method. After selecting one of three SSIs to complete, youth participants (ages 11-17 years) reported pre- and post-SSI levels of clinically-relevant outcomes that SSIs may target (e.g. hopelessness; self-hate) and perceived SSI acceptability. User-pattern variables, demographics, and depressive symptoms were collected to characterize youths engaging with YES. Results. From 9/2019-3/2020, 694 youths accessed YES, of whom 539 began and 187 completed a 30-minute, self-guided SSI. SSI completers reported clinically-elevated depressive symptoms, on average, and were diverse on several dimensions (53.75% non-white; 78.10% female; 43.23% sexual minorities). Regardless of SSI selection, completers reported pre- to post-program reductions in hopelessness (dav = .53; dz = .71), self-hate (dav = .32; dz = .61), perceived control (dav = .60; dz = .72) and agency (dav = .39; dz = .50). Youths rated all SSIs as acceptable (e.g., enjoyable; likely to help peers). Conclusions. Results support the perceived acceptability and utility of open-access, free-of-charge SSIs for youth experiencing internalizing distress.

The Racial and Economic Context of Trump Support: Evidence for Threat, Identity, and Contact Effects in the 2016 Presidential Election

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Knowles ◽  
Linda Tropp
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Racial Identification ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Neighborhood Diversity ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
To Come ◽  
Neighborhood Level ◽  
Support Evidence

Donald Trump's ascent to the Presidency of the United States defied the expectations of many social scientists, pundits, and laypeople. To date, most efforts to understand Trump's rise have focused on personality and demographic characteristics of White Americans. In contrast, the present work leverages a nationally representative sample of Whites to examine how contextual factors may have shaped support for Trump during the 2016 presidential primaries. Results reveal that neighborhood-level exposure to racial and ethnic minorities is associated with greater group threat and racial identification among Whites, as well as greater intentions to vote for Trump in the general election. At the same time, however, neighborhood diversity afforded Whites with opportunities for intergroup contact, which is associated with lower levels of threat, White identification, and Trump support. Further analyses suggest that a healthy local economy mutes threat effects in diverse contexts, allowing contact processes to come to the fore.

STEM-Focused Career Courses and College Pipeline for Students with Learning Disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 089590482110199
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Freeman ◽  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Jay Stratte Plasman
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
High School Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
School Students ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Stem Majors ◽  
Career And Technical ◽  
Nationally Representative

Recent educational policies in the United States have fostered the growth of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career-focused courses to support high school students’ persistence into these fields in college and beyond. As one key example, federal legislation has embedded new types of “applied STEM” (AS) courses into the career and technical education curriculum (CTE), which can help students persist in STEM through high school and college. Yet, little is known about the link between AS-CTE coursetaking and college STEM persistence for students with learning disabilities (LDs). Using a nationally representative data set, we found no evidence that earning more units of AS-CTE in high school influenced college enrollment patterns or major selection in non-AS STEM fields for students with LDs. That said, students with LDs who earned more units of AS-CTE in high school were more likely to seriously consider and ultimately declare AS-related STEM majors in college.

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