Psychological Services

A peer veteran approach to the caring letters suicide prevention program: Preliminary data.
Caring Letters is a prevention program aimed at reducing suicide risk; however, clinical trials indicate mixed results among military and veteran samples. The present study aimed to pilot a new version of the Caring Letters intervention that was adapted to military culture in order to emphasize peer support. The supportive letters, traditionally sent from clinicians, were written by peer veterans (PVs) who volunteered from local Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). PVs (n = 15) attended a 4-hr workshop to learn about Caring Letters and write six letters to a veteran with a recent hospitalization for suicide risk (hospitalized veterans [HVs]; n = 15 completed a baseline assessment). Letters from PVs were sent to HVs once a month for 6 months following discharge from the psychiatric inpatient unit. The study used a limited efficacy approach to examine feasibility outcomes including implementation procedures, participant recruitment and retention rates, and barriers and facilitators. Acceptability measures examined HV satisfaction, perceived privacy and safety, and PV workshop satisfaction. Among HVs, results suggested that suicidal ideation improved from baseline to follow-up (g = 3.19). Results suggested resilience scores improved among HVs (g = 0.99). Results also suggested a possible reduction in stigma associated with mental health treatment among PVs at 1-month postworkshop assessment. Interpretation of the results is limited by the design and sample size, but the results provide preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of a PV approach to Caring Letters. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Suicidal ideation and clinician-rated suicide risk in veterans referred for ADHD evaluation at a VA Medical Center.
The U.S. military veteran population experiences elevated rates of suicide relative to demographically matched community samples. Understanding suicide risk factors in veterans is therefore of critical importance. Accordingly, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented elevated vigilance for suicidal ideation in its health care. One potential risk factor for suicidal ideation or behavior may be attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is frequently characterized by impaired impulse control and experience of intense emotions. To determine whether ADHD, as diagnosed by VHA assessment, may represent an independent or interactive risk factor for suicidal ideation or suicide attempt, we examined potential linkages between VHA-assessed symptomatology of ADHD and suicide attempts or ideation, either with or without the presence of comorbid VHA-assessed psychiatric symptomatology. In a retrospective chart review, we compared severity of clinician-rated suicide risk in 342 veterans (82.5% male) referred to a VHA medical center for ADHD assessment, of whom 198 were diagnosed with ADHD. Contrary to our preregistered hypotheses, there were no main or additive effects of ADHD in terms of increased suicidal ideation, clinician-rated suicide risk or in incidence of lifetime suicide attempt. Motoric impulsivity in neurocognitive testing also showed no relationship with suicide risk or attempts. Rather, consistent with previous literature, presence of a mood disorder or other non-ADHD psychopathology was linked to suicide risk ratings and attempts, irrespective of presence of ADHD symptoms. These data suggest that once comorbid symptomatology such as depression is controlled for, ADHD alone is not associated with elevated suicidal ideation or attempts in veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Previous mental health care and help-seeking experiences: Perspectives from sexual and gender minority survivors of near-fatal suicide attempts.
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations face heightened risk of suicide compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, and a previous suicide attempt is among the strongest predictors of suicide mortality. Despite this increased risk, limited research has explored mental health help-seeking behavior and previous mental health care experiences of SGM individuals among the highest risk for suicide—individuals with a recent, near-fatal suicide attempt. This study presents thematic analysis results of interviews with 22 SGM individuals who reported at least one near-fatal suicide attempt in the past 18 months. Identified themes were (a) factors that affect help-seeking for SGM individuals with a recent, near-fatal suicide attempt, including previous mental health care experiences, support systems, and structural barriers and facilitators; (b) hospitalization is not a one-size fits all solution; and (c) recommendations for improving care for this population. Findings demonstrate that anti-SGM stigma may magnify existing barriers to mental health care across all socioecological levels. Notably, participants cited a fear of loss of autonomy from inpatient hospitalization and previous discriminatory experiences when seeking mental health care as hampering help-seeking. Given increased risk for suicide mortality, this patient population is a necessary stakeholder in suicide prevention and intervention development and policy discussions affecting mental health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Telebehavioral health at a federally qualified health center pre- and peri-COVID-19.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are a safety net for low-income individuals needing mental and/or physical health care. The COVID-19 pandemic required FQHCs (and other health organizations) to pivot rapidly to telehealth. In theory, telehealth services can expand access to needed care. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a natural opportunity to “test” this assumption. We compared sociodemographic differences in patients accessing behavioral health services pre- and peri-COVID-19 at an FQHC. We also investigated potential patient sociodemographic disparities in telebehavioral health service use during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from a single FQHC (13 sites, 4 integrated primary care medical clinics) in the southern United States. Participants included 5,190 patients (69.2% female, 59.7% persons of color) attending a total of 16,474 behavioral health sessions across 2 years (one pre- and one peri-COVID-19). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 100% of behavioral health visits were conducted in person. During the pandemic, nearly half of behavioral health visits were conducted via telehealth. Telehealth visits were most frequently attended by adults, non-Latinx Whites, women, and people making ≤ 200% of the federal poverty level. A combination of in-person and telehealth service delivery models should be used by FQHCs to maximize access to care for different demographic groups. FQHCs should consider key factors (e.g., access, ableism, technology facility, and language) to increase patients’ ability to take advantage of telehealth services where available. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
The role of depression and anxiety symptom severity in remotely delivered mental health care.
This study examined differences in mental health characteristics of Veterans who received VA Video Connect (VVC) or audio-only care during initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cohort of Veterans with primary diagnoses of depressive or anxiety disorders (diagnosed between March 2019 and February 2020) was identified, and data were obtained for Veterans who engaged in virtual care from April to December 2020. Two groups were created: Veterans receiving audio-only care (n = 161,071) and Veterans receiving two or more VVC visits (n = 84,505). Multiple logistic regression models examined symptom severity in the year before COVID as a predictor of treatment modality during COVID. Chi-square tests examined associations between modality and the number of assessments. Symptom severity as evaluated by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 significantly predicted modality of encounters during the pandemic such that those who had moderate or severe symptoms prior to COVID-19 were more likely than those with low or no symptoms to have two or more VVC encounters during the pandemic. Of those who received VVC, 55.62% had no Patient Health Questionnaire–9 assessments compared to 68.96% of those who received audio-only. In the VVC group, 70.36% had no Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 assessments compared to 81.02% in the audio-only group. Taken together, these findings suggest that VVC, when compared to audio-only, was used during the pandemic to reach Veterans with more severe mental health symptomatology and to engage in administration of measurement-based care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Barriers to accessing telepsychology services questionnaire: Structure and language-based performance in a sample of Latinx caregivers.
A lack of validated measures to examine barriers to youth telepsychology services among Latinx families limits research that could identify targets for reducing mental health disparities. We developed and validated the Latinx Barriers to Accessing Telepsychology Services (Latinx BATS) questionnaire, a brief multidimensional measure for caregivers of youths. Participants included 511 Latinx caregivers of youths Ages 6–18 (English n = 275, Spanish n = 236) who completed the Latinx BATS and reported on telepsychology service utilization and youth mental health problems. Caregivers whose youths had clinically elevated mental health problems were more likely to report barriers to accessing youth telepsychology services compared to nonclinical youths. Commonly endorsed barriers included concerns that the child would be distracted and not get much benefit, and that providers would be unfamiliar with the family’s culture or would not pick up on nuances and emotions. Loadings from an exploratory graph analysis returned four-factors: relational, acceptability, quality, and access concerns. Network centrality measures identified provider knowledge regarding community resources and Latinx culture as important targets for reducing barriers to youth telepsychology services. Confirmatory factor analyses were then conducted and found that the four-factor structure outperformed a single-factor solution. The four-factor structure was similar for the English and Spanish versions of the Latinx BATS, but the strength of item loadings varied across languages. Implications for the use of the Latinx BATS in research and clinical practice are discussed including specific strategies for reducing these obstacles to care among Latinx families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Evaluation of teleneuropsychology services in veterans during COVID-19.
This study evaluated the quality of direct-to-home teleneuropsychology (teleNP) services that offered patients choice of service modality. We conducted a quality assurance project in a sample of Veterans (N = 143) referred for a variety of referral reasons from a Midwestern Veteran Affairs Hospital. Neuropsychological evaluations were conducted between February and June 2021 during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated teleNP rate of use, factors influencing acceptability and feasibility, and cost savings. Approximately 40% of our scheduled patients completed full direct-to-home teleNP, with about 80% of our sample choosing at least one telehealth encounter as part of their evaluation. Age was a significant factor in predicting full teleNP use, with older adults preferring in-person testing. Digital divide consults (i.e., loaned tablets) led to an increase in teleNP use. Those utilizing full teleNP (interview, assessment, feedback) benefited from cost and travel distance savings. Most Veterans in our Midwestern Veteran Affairs Hospital used teleNP services during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with utilization influenced by specific patient demographics (i.e., age) and access to technology. Offering Veteran choice of assessment modality (in-person or video teleNP) was associated with significant cost reduction due to mileage savings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Impact and efficiency of treatment across two PTSD clinical trials comparing in-person and telehealth service delivery formats.
The intent of this study is to examine treatment impact and efficiency observed when cognitive behavioral treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are delivered in-person or using telehealth. This study pooled data from 268 veterans enrolled in two PTSD clinical trials. In both trials, treatment was delivered using in-home telehealth (telehealth arm), in-home in-person (in-home arm), and in-office care, where patients traveled to the Department of Veterans Affairs for either office-based telehealth or office-based in-person care (office arm). Average age was 44 (SD = 12.57); 80.9% were males. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was used to assess symptom severity. Treatment impact was measured by (a) the proportion of participants who completed at least eight treatment sessions and (b) the proportion with a reliable change of ≥ 10 points on the PCL-5. Treatment efficiency was measured by the number of days required to reach the end point. The proportion of participants who attended at least eight sessions and achieved reliable change on the PCL-5 differed across treatment formats (ps <.05). Participants in the in-home (75.4%) format were most likely to attend at least eight treatment sessions, followed by those in the telehealth (58.3%) and office (44.0%) formats, the latter of which required patients to travel. Participants in the in-home (68.3%, p <.001) format were also more likely to achieve reliable change, followed by those in the telehealth (50.9%) and office (44.2%) formats. There were no significant differences in the amount of time to complete at least eight sessions. Delivery of therapy in-home results in a significantly greater likelihood of achieving both an adequate dose of therapy and a reliable decrease in PTSD symptoms compared to telehealth and office formats. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Atypical jobs series: An interview with Dr. Julie Takishima-Lacasa.
This article outlines the early career of Dr. Takishima-Lacasa as a commuting clinical psychologist in the island state of Hawai‘i. This work setting is made atypical by the necessity to fly between different islands within the state and provide services to rural communities. Dr. Takishima-Lacasa discusses her motivation behind her decision to become a clinical psychologist and her time working on the islands. She addresses challenging aspects of being a rural provider, how she worked to overcome those obstacles, and the rewards to working in rural communities. She provides information to those looking to increase their cultural knowledge and offers advice to those interested in working with rural communities or underserved populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Interview with Dr. Ruth Balser: A psychologist’s journey into politics.
In 1998, Dr. Ruth Balser, a licensed practicing psychologist in Massachusetts, was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives to represent the 12th Middlesex District. She is the first psychologist to serve in the Massachusetts legislature and has won each reelection since she first ran, making this her 12th term in office. Having worked in the field of mental health for 30 years, Dr. Balser was 50 years old when she first ran for office. Throughout the interview, Dr. Balser was clear that she continues to strongly identify as a practicing psychologist, who is also a legislator and politician committed to advocating for and improving mental health legislation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Atypical jobs in psychology: An interview with former governor Dr. Ted Strickland.
This article outlines the career of former governor of Ohio, Dr. Theodore “Ted” Strickland, who was trained as a psychologist prior to entering the world of politics. He became increasingly interested in politics while practicing as a psychologist, specifically, in the ability and training of psychologists, which he believes grants them unique skills to guide public policy. As governor, Strickland was able to interact with a diverse group of individuals on the challenges encountered during his term and understand issues from different viewpoints due to his background in psychology. He also maintained the scientist–practitioner approach by keeping himself informed on current issues via publications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Atypical jobs in psychology: Interview with Dr. M. David Rudd.
This is an interview with Dr. M. David Rudd, the president of the University of Memphis. This interview describes Dr. Rudd’s work, the rewards and challenges of his job, and the pathway to his job. Readers will be inspired by his vision for the university, his ability to build consensus, and his use of psychological skills in overcoming challenges. In addition, readers will learn valuable leadership lessons such as valuing people and understanding how decisions impact others. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Atypical jobs in psychology: Public safety and criminal justice reform consultant.
This article samples the career of Dr. Guy O. Seymour, whose undergraduate studies were completed at La Universidad Interamericana in Puerto Rico. He earned his MA and PhD in clinical, counseling, and community psychology at Boston University. The first bilingual person of color appointed to the professional staff of the city of Boston’s general hospital, he founded the nation’s first multicultural internship program and rose to be the chief psychologist of the Boston Department of Health and Hospitals. His career path led him to develop psychological services in nontraditional workspaces, including medical, police, fire, and correction departments and for the International Olympic Games. At the end of his career, a family member’s encounter with marijuana laws led to an interest in advocacy for criminal justice reform. Since retirement from practice, he has continued to volunteer with efforts to decriminalize marijuana possession and to abolish cash bail for pretrial and misdemeanor offenses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Trust and perceived mental health access: Exploring the relationship between perceived access barriers and veteran-reported trust.
The importance of patients’ trust in health care is well known. However, identifying actionable access barriers to trust is challenging. The goal of these exploratory analyses is to identify actionable access barriers that correlate with and predict patients’ lack of trust in providers and in the health care system. This article combines existing data from three studies regarding perceived access to mental health services to explore the relationship between provider and system trust and other access barriers. Data from the Perceived Access Inventory (PAI) were analyzed from three studies that together enrolled a total of 353 veterans who screened positive for a mental health problem and had a VA mental health encounter in the previous 12 months. The PAI includes actionable barriers to accessing VA mental health services. The data are cross-sectional, and analyses include Spearman rank correlations of PAI access barriers and provider and system trust, and linear regressions examining the effect of demographic, clinical, and PAI barriers on lack of trust in VA mental health providers and in the VA health care system. Age, depression, and anxiety symptoms and PAI items demonstrated statistically significant bivariate correlations with provider and system trust. However, in multivariate linear regressions, only PAI items remained statistically significant. The PAI items that predicted provider and system trust could be addressed in interventions to improve provider- and system-level trust. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Provider perceptions and use of mental health services in the Veterans Health Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the way in which health care is delivered, challenging providers, and systems of care to innovate to maintain access to services. This article describes the delivery of mental health services during the pandemic in two Veterans Health Administration (VHA) regions that include 15 hospitals and over 100 outpatient facilities in the southern United States. Data were derived from (a) a survey of provider perspectives (n = 1,175) on delivering mental health care prior to and during the pandemic and (b) VHA administrative data on mental health service delivery. Providers reported that access, quality, and timeliness of services remained high during the pandemic; indicated increased use of telehealth services; and reported challenges in delivering evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) and measurement-based care (MBC). Administrative data indicated no drop in the number of Veterans receiving mental health care during the pandemic but showed fewer total visits relative to prepandemic levels and confirmed a dramatic increase in telehealth services during the first 6 months of the pandemic (+ 459% telephone and + 202% video) and a decrease in use of EBPs (−28%) and MBC (−31%). Data at 12 months showed a continued increase in video services (+ 357%) and modest improvement in EBP and MBC use. Rapid shifts in the use of telehealth services, coupled with organizational efforts, ensured that Veterans continued to have access to mental health services during the pandemic. Although mental health services remained accessible, challenges existed in the delivery of specialized mental health services, including EBPs and MBC. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Assessment of psychological functioning in retired firefighters.
The past decade has witnessed increased clinical and investigative attention directed to the mental health of active-duty firefighters. Yet, to our knowledge, no investigations have focused on the well-being of retired firefighters, despite awareness of retirement posing significant challenges for many older adults in general, and, in particular, first responders. The purpose of this study was to (a) conduct an initial assessment of psychological functioning in 315 retired firefighters, (b) examine the relationship between overall psychological functioning and self-concept clarity (i.e., the extent to which an individual’s self-concept is clearly defined, internally consistent, and temporally stable), and (c) determine whether self-concept clarity moderates and/or mediates relationships between psychological functioning and relevant demographic and personal variables. Results indicated firefighters suffer from mental health symptoms associated with psychological disorders, such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, at higher rates than their same-aged counterparts in the general population. Furthermore, results showed that factors like age, length of time on active duty, and length of time retired, each significantly correlated with overall psychological functioning. Finally, results suggested that self-concept clarity both mediates and moderates the association between overall psychological functioning and personal factors such as daily levels of pain, feelings of financial stability, and access to affordable health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Translating an integrative metacognitive model of psychotherapy for serious mental illness into a group format: A pilot investigation on feasibility.
Metacognitive reflection and insight therapy (MERIT) is an one-on-one intervention that targets insight with the aim to help people with serious mental illness develop more integrated ideas about themselves and others in order to respond to their psychological and social challenges more adaptively. There is a growing body of evidence on MERIT’s effectiveness. Considering the clinical demand for more cost-effective group psychotherapies, we modified the original individual MERIT format to a group-based intervention (MERITg) for application in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. Thirty-one participants (inpatient = 10; outpatient = 21) with serious mental illness were surveyed on their experience of MERITg, which was offered adjunctively to their routine clinical care. Program evaluation measures were used to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the group. Across locations, more than half of all participants attended more than one group. Participants reported attending the group initially because they thought writing would be helpful, and further reported that they liked the group because they enjoyed writing and the discussion, and that they found it interesting to hear the perspectives and writings of others. Findings further support the need for future research on the efficacy and effectiveness of the group and its relationship to changes in metacognitive capacity and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Contrasting ecological contexts among treatment-seeking military sexual assault survivors: Consideration of relationships with sexual and gender minority identification.
Survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) seeking mental health services may present with concerns extending beyond symptom relief. Attention to social, economic, and coping resource contexts is salient for care consideration. Although those identifying as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are overrepresented among service members exposed to assaultive MST, research contrasting ecological resource variability among treatment seekers is limited. The present study delineates modifiable risk and protective factors that might be used to inform MST-related health care for Veterans, broadly, and SGM-identifying Veterans, specifically. Veterans (N = 493, 12.8% identifying as SGM) presenting for treatment secondary to military sexual assault completed a semistructured clinical interview and intake survey including demographic characteristics, diversity-related factors, and access to psychosocial resources. SGM/non-SGM-identifying groups were contrasted on individual-, interpersonal-, and community-level ecological characteristics. SGM-identifying Veterans were less likely to report access to sufficient financial resources and had double the prevalence rate of housing instability in contrast to non-SGM-identifying Veterans. No significant differences emerged in terms of past-year interpersonal violence exposure, endorsement of helpful spiritual beliefs, or availability of social support based on SGM identification. Findings underscore the importance of attending to the intersection of SGM identity and ecological factors that can influence Veterans’ clinical presentation and treatment engagement. Recommendations for provision of MST services are made. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Triple jeopardy: The impact of race, class, and gender on girls and women in sport and physical activity.
Thirty-six million youth athletes participate in and benefit from sport each year in the United States. Along with developing sport skills, the lifelong benefits of physical activity for girls and women are significant and include improved dietary habits and quality sleep, decreased risk for breast cancer and osteoporosis, among other benefits (Erickson et al., 2019; Zarrett et al., 2018). In addition, girls and women that engage in sport are more likely to experience additional professional benefits with 94% of women business executives reporting they played sport in their youth (Kotschwar, 2014). However, as in many performance domains, the benefits are not experienced equally by all would-be participants. Research indicates that girls and women of color do not have the same access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities (National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA], 2021; Smith-Evans et al., 2014). In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruption of racial unrest have widened the participation gaps and the resulting psychosocial and health benefit gap for girls of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The purpose of this article is to signify the important role sport and physical activity play in socioemotional development, physical fitness, and health of girls and women. By centering the experiences of girls and women who are currently not equitably served by the existing youth sport environment (e.g., girls and women of color and girls from working-class backgrounds), the authors will identify barriers that prevent access to physical activity opportunities for everyone. In addition, strategies for change will be offered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Treatment-relevant factors among adults receiving court-mandated substance use treatment: The role of emotion dysregulation.
Despite often being mandated to substance use treatment after release, many people on probation do not complete treatment. Several historical factors have been identified as relevant to substance use treatment in this population (i.e., past substance use, treatment history, and criminal history); however, less is known about the psychological characteristics, such as emotion dysregulation, that influence treatment-relevant factors among people in the criminal justice system. The present study used cross-sectional data to examine whether emotion dysregulation was associated with past-year substance use severity, engagement in prior drug and alcohol use treatments (yes/no, number of prior treatments), and previous criminal charges (total number of charges, number of charge types) in a sample of adults on probation who were receiving court-mandated substance use treatment (N = 163). We also examined whether these relationships varied across sex. Results showed that overall emotion dysregulation was more strongly linked to substance use severity and criminal charges for females than males. Emotion dysregulation dimensions of difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors and controlling impulsive behaviors when distressed were associated with more severe past-year substance use, more prior drug treatments, and a greater number of lifetime criminal charges and charge types. Emotion dysregulation plays a role in substance use treatment-relevant factors among people on probation. Sex-specific clinical implications of targeting emotion dysregulation in the context of mandated treatment in order to prevent treatment failures are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Willingness to work among males on parole: A quantitative and qualitative analysis.
This study investigated employment attitudes of adult males who were recently released from prison and onto parole. The study investigated the role of willingness to work entry-level jobs, an understudied variable in career development of justice-involved persons. We hypothesized that criminal thinking and perception of barriers would each have a direct effect on job search self-efficacy and a direct and indirect effect on willingness to work entry-level jobs, through job search self-efficacy. We also predicted that criminal thinking and perception of barriers would each have an indirect effect on career aspirations within a job, through job search self-efficacy and willingness to work entry-level jobs. Results confirmed these hypotheses. Results of two serial mediation analyses indicated that perceiving more barriers to work predicted less job search self-efficacy, less job search self-efficacy predicted less willingness to work entry-level jobs, and less willingness to work entry-level jobs predicted lower career aspirations. Similarly, higher reactive criminal thinking predicted less job search self-efficacy, less job search self-efficacy predicted less willingness to work entry-level jobs, and less willingness to work entry-level jobs predicted lower career aspirations. Results of qualitative analysis indicated that the vast majority of parolees planned to work in entry-level jobs within the first few months of release from prison. The study sheds light on the work attitudes of males who leave prison and what factors may influence their willingness to work entry-level jobs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Pilot study of career mentoring program for juveniles.
This article describes an innovative career-mentoring program for court-ordered juveniles that targets risk factors of recidivism and incorporates elements of effective career intervention. Youth were randomly assigned to a mentoring group or a treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. The mentoring group received nine sessions of a structured career-mentoring program from students at a university. The TAU group received other programs provided by the court. Results at posttest indicated that the mentoring group exhibited more pro-social motivations for work, more realistic attitudes toward work, and more professional job interests than the TAU group. Persons in the mentoring group enjoyed their mentoring experience with their university student mentors. Results have implications for cost-effective programs for court-ordered youth at a crucial time in their development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Preferred terminology of people with serious mental illness.
People with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) have argued for name changes for their conditions given problems with oversimplification, stigma, and social exclusion. There is a need to better understand the terminology preferences of people with SMI. The present two-part qualitative study analyzed data regarding participant preferences and evaluations of different labels for SMIs using qualitative data analysis methodologies of grounded theory and content analysis. The range of names identified by people with SMI in the present qualitative interviews and the positive and negative evaluations of the different labels are presented. Results were integrated across Study 1 and Study 2 to identify the following preferred and nonpreferred terms for these mental health problems; mental illness, diagnosis, disorder, psychiatric disability, person in recovery, person with lived experience, mental health challenges/issues, chemical imbalance, symptom names, and self-constructed labels. These results suggest the need to identify and reflect the terminology preferences of each individual with mental health problems when seeking psychological services and recognize the varying benefits of different terms depending on time and context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Psychological Services - Vol 21, Iss 1