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Alcoholism and traumatic brain injury (TBI) often produce neuropsychological deficits. However, the extent and manner by which these factors interact is unclear. In this study, it was hypothesized that alcoholism would have compounding cognitive effects in individuals with TBI and alcoholism. Participants were divided into three groups, including a patient comparison (PC) group and groups with TBI with or without alcoholism histories. Participants were administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and major components of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery. Comparing the groups on test performance, the TBI groups performed significantly worse than the PC group but did not significantly differ from each other. Thus, the effects of TBI on cognitive function overshadow preexisting deficits from the alcoholism.

Stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness can be a daily struggle for people with schizophrenia. While investigations into the impact of internalizing stigma on negative symptoms have yielded mixed results, resistance to stigmatizing beliefs has received little attention. In this study, we examined the linkage between internalized stigma, stigma resistance, negative symptoms, and social power, or perceived ability to influence others during social interactions among people with schizophrenia. Further, we sought to determine whether resistance to stigma would be bolstered by social power, with greater power in relationships with other possibly buffering against motivation/pleasure negative symptoms. Fifty-one people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed measures of social power, internalized stigma, and stigma resistance. Negative symptoms were assessed using the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS). Greater social power was associated with less internalized stigma and negative symptoms as well as more stigma resistance. Further, the relationship between social power and negative symptoms was partially mediated by stigma resistance. These findings provide evidence for the role of stigma resistance as a viable target for psychosocial interventions aimed at improving motivation and social power in people with schizophrenia.

Although current treatments help to alleviate some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, people with schizophrenia often continue to experience residual symptoms. An emotion-focused treatment approach may help to improve well-being in this population by increasing positive experiences and resources. In this article, we discuss the feasibility and acceptability of a skills-based group treatment for people schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. As part of the Awareness and Coping with Emotion in Schizophrenia (ACES) intervention, group members learned eight empirically supported cognitive and behavioural skills covering emotional awareness and coping. Group member feedback and three case illustrations illuminate participants' experiences with the group, as well as the potential benefits and challenges of this treatment approach. These data suggest that ACES is a feasible and acceptable group intervention. Future research is needed to examine whether ACES has a selective impact on well-being, but these initial findings point to the promise of this intervention to improve quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, thus filling a void in existing treatments options.There is a void in existing treatments for schizophrenia with few interventions focusing on increasing well-being in this population. Awareness and Coping with Emotion in Schizophrenia (ACES) is a skills-based group intervention that teaches cognitive and behavioural interventions to promote awareness and coping with emotion. Preliminary evidence demonstrates the feasibility and acceptance of the ACES group intervention in increasing well-being in those with schizophrenia. Future studies should extend this work by systematically evaluating the efficacy of this treatment approach.

To establish empirical sub-types, based upon cognitive test results of individuals who had sustained traumatic brain injury.The study was retrospective, applying cluster analyses and associated statistical tests to an established database.Neuropsychological data from veterans with brain trauma were cluster analysed using the WAIS-R and Halstead-Reitan Battery (HRB). External validity of the cluster solutions was evaluated.The study was based upon use of an established database that contained cognitive test data and information regarding diagnosis and clinical history.The WAIS-R clusters described sub-groups with near normal function, preserved verbal but impaired problem-solving abilities or global impairment. The HRB clusters differed in level of performance with Near Normal, Moderately Impaired and Globally Impaired clusters. Cluster membership was associated with age and employment status, but not with neurological findings.The outcome of traumatic brain injury is heterogeneous and mainly associated with demographic considerations.