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Background and Objectives: The utilization of Between‐Session Homework (BSH) holds a longstanding tradition in the field of psychotherapy. Significantly, it serves as a pivotal catalyst for change within behavioral and cognitive‐behavioral therapies, and has also garnered endorsement within psychodynamic and humanistic‐experiential therapies. While our current conceptualization of BSH is characterized by assimilation and integration, diversity prevails in how BSH is incorporated into the treatment plan, spanning various therapy stages, thus necessitating a customized therapist‐client interpersonal dynamic. Far from being a panacea, the employment of BSH emerges as a highly sophisticated and intricate clinical methodology, demanding a high degree of therapist proficiency and competence to facilitate client engagement. Methods: In this introductory paper, we present an issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session that exemplifies the diverse modalities through which BSH can be integrated into clinical practice across various client demographics and within distinct psychotherapeutic paradigms. We place specific emphasis on the pivotal role of BSH and its interplay with proposed mechanisms of change throughout the course of treatment. Results: Initially, we provide an overarching view of the subject and expound on empirical research substantiating the efficacy of BSH in psychotherapy. Subsequently, we delve into strategies for adeptly integrating and monitoring BSH within clinical practice. Conclusions: Our primary objectives encompass affording readers a more lucid comprehension of (1) the content and nature of homework; (2) the influence of BSH on treatment outcomes; and (3) the ways through which therapists can foster client engagement with BSH. Finally, we introduce the six papers comprising this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: Our proposed systematic review and meta‐analysis will integrate the evidence available from all sources to answer the following questions: (1) to what extent can information, behavioral and monetary interventions reduce energy consumption of households in residential buildings? (average treatment effect of interventions) (2) what is the relative effectiveness of interventions? (account for heterogeneity in treatment effects across and within studies) (3) how effective are combinations of different interventions? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of the COVID‐19 pandemic, workplace wellbeing is a key priority for employers. Severe market and health conditions continue to bring inevitable problems that could be reduced with the application of psychological interventions to prevent mental and physical health issues, making this study a highly pertinent and valuable contribution to the field. This paper reports the effects of a rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) programme on the irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity of 56 office‐based sales professionals located in the northwest region of the UK. A pre‐test, post‐test experimental design was utilised, and a mixed model ANOVA (repeated measures) was adopted to assess changes in mean differences concerning irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity at pre and post‐test stages for the intervention group, in comparison to a control group. Results indicate that those in the REBT group reported significant reductions in irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity, whilst those in the control group reported no such changes. It is recommended that future research studies consider utilizing a mixed methods design and focus on a strategic collaboration of organisational and individual level interventions for improving the psychological wellbeing and performance of sales personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition characterized by distressing, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. Internet‐based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for various mental health disorders. This meta‐analysis evaluates the efficacy of guided self‐help ICBT (GSH ICBT) and unguided self‐help ICBT (SH ICBT) against active and passive control conditions in adults with OCD. A comprehensive systematic literature search yielded 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 15 comparison arms (N = 1416) that met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that GSH ICBT significantly reduced OCD symptomatology posttreatment compared to active controls (g = 0.378, k = 9), with no significant effects maintained at follow‐up (g = 0.153, k = 4). GSH ICBT was also found to be as effective as active CBT interventions in reducing comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms posttreatment (g = 0.278, k = 6) and at follow‐up (g = 0.124, k = 4). However, improvements in quality of life were not significant posttreatment (g = 0.115, k = 4) nor at follow‐up (g = 0.179, k = 3). Combined GSH and SH ICBT demonstrated large effects on reducing OCD symptoms (g = 0.754, k = 6), medium effects on comorbid symptoms (g = 0.547, k = 6) and small effects on quality of life (g = 0.227, k = 2) when compared to inactive controls. No significant differences were found between GSH and SH ICBT in all measured outcomes posttreatment (OCD: g = 0.098, k = 3; AD: g = 0.070, k = 3; QoL: g = −0.030, k = 1) and at follow‐up (OCD: g = 0.265, k = 2; AD: g = 0.084, k = 2; QoL: g = 0.00, k = 1). Sample size was identified as a significant moderator of treatment effects. This paper further explores clinical significance, treatment adherence, therapist time investment and moderator influences of the ICBT. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are thoroughly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Almost no research has been published reporting on evaluations of the effectiveness of psychological interventions for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities and depression. This paper describes the development and initial feasibility testing of an adapted Behavioural Activation therapy (BeatIt2) for this population. Method: Phase 1 of the study examined participant recruitment and willingness to be randomised in the context of a planned Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). Phase 2 examined the feasibility of delivering the intervention. Results: Twenty adults with a severe or profound intellectual disability and clinically significant depression were recruited to Phase 1 of the study. In Phase 2, there was 100% participant retention for those recruited to the study at 6‐month follow‐up. The BeatIt2 therapy was reported to be acceptable for participants. Conclusion: COVID disruption meant that it was not possible to complete the planned feasibility RCT. The positive findings suggest that additional evaluation of BeatIt2 is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the protocol for an updated Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the effect of behavioral interventions on smoking cessation among homeless individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: High levels of HIV stigma as well as stigma directed towards sexual and/or gender minorities (SGMs) are well documented in the African setting. These intersecting stigmas impede psychosocial wellbeing and HIV prevention and care. Yet, there are few if any evidence‐based interventions that focus on reducing internalized stigma and promoting mental health and HIV wellness for SGMs in Africa. We developed and evaluated a group‐based intervention drawing on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) at risk for or living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The intervention comprised four weekly in‐person group sessions facilitated by community health workers. We conducted a delayed intervention group randomized controlled trial (April−September 2022), with pre‐post surveys plus 3‐month follow‐up (immediate group only), as well as qualitative research with participants and programme staff. Outcomes included internalized stigma related to SGM and HIV status, depression, resiliency/coping and pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)/HIV treatment use. Results: Mean age of the 240 participants was 26 years (range 18−42). Seventy‐seven percent self‐identified as MSM and 23% TGW; 27% were people with HIV. Most (88%) participants attended all four sessions, and 98% expressed high intervention satisfaction. There was significant pre‐post improvement in each psychosocial outcome, in both the immediate and delayed arms. There were further positive changes for the immediate intervention group by 3‐month follow‐up (e.g. in intersectional internalized stigma, depression). While baseline levels of ever‐PrEP use were the same, 75% of immediate‐group participants reported currently using PrEP at 3 months post‐intervention versus 53% of delayed‐group participants right after the intervention (p<0.01). Participants post‐intervention described (in qualitative interviews) less self‐blame, and enhanced social support and resilience when facing stigma, as well as motivation to use PrEP, and indicated that positive pre‐intervention changes in psychosocial factors found in the delayed group mainly reflected perceived support from the study interviewers. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a group‐based CBT model for MSM and TGW in Nigeria. There were also some indications of positive shifts related to stigma, mental health and PrEP, despite issues with maintaining the randomized design in this challenging environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Greater self‐monitoring of caloric intake and weight has been associated with success at both initial weight loss and long‐term maintenance. Given the existence of wide variability in weight loss outcomes and the key role of self‐monitoring within behavioral weight management interventions, this study examined individual variability in associations between self‐monitoring and weight change and whether demographic factors could predict who may best benefit from self‐monitoring. Methods: Participants were 72 adults with overweight or obesity (mean ± SD, age = 50.6 ± 10.3; body mass index = 31.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2; 71%Female; 83%White) enrolled in a 12‐week weight loss program followed by a 40‐week observational maintenance period. Participants were encouraged to self‐monitor caloric intake and weight daily and to report these data via a study website each week. Multilevel mixed models were used to estimate week‐to‐week associations between self‐monitoring and weight change, by individual and linear regressions and ANOVAs were used to explore demographic differences in these associations. Results: Most participants (68%) demonstrated statistically significant negative associations between self‐monitoring of either caloric intake or weight and weight change. Of these, 76% benefited from self‐monitoring both caloric intake and weight, 18% from self‐monitoring caloric intake only, and 6% from self‐weighing only. The magnitude of associations between self‐monitoring and weight change did not significantly differ by age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, or income, all ps > 0.05. Conclusions: Differences in the effectiveness of self‐monitoring for weight loss were not observed by demographic characteristics. Future research should examine if other factors may predict the effectiveness of self‐monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]