Search

A system-based approach to expert assessment work presupposes collaboration between the Educational Psychological Service (EPS) and key stakeholders to capture students' needs. Nevertheless, few studies have explored what challenges to collaboration exist and how they can be resolved. The purpose of this study was therefore to fill this knowledge gap by exploring EPS advisers' experiences of challenges in collaborating with key stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers and principals. The results of eight interviews revealed challenges for EPS advisers in capturing the student's voice, gaining legitimacy from teachers, involving principals, and being parents' spokesperson, as well as challenges related to the perceived ambiguity of the EPS's mandate. The findings suggest a lack of collaborative competence to lead a joint process of knowledge development; such competence could prevent conflicting expectations of EPS`s mandate, confusion about roles and contribute to trustful relationships between EPS and key stakeholders. A two-part strategy for a collaborative approach to expert assessment work is suggested.

This article explores the role of psychiatry in the sorting of schoolchildren in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden from 1920 to 1950. Whereas the role and rise of educational psychology and IQ-testing in the differentiation processes in schooling have been examined through earlier research, the role of psychiatry in the interprofessional collaboration has so far been largely unexplored when it comes to the Scandinavian case. In line with Michel Foucault, the article regards these professional efforts as part of the biopolitics, where psychiatry amongst other disciplines engaged in the development of means to involve strategically in the life of schoolchildren and their families, as part of shaping the future of the population. We argue that psychiatric sorting activities related to schoolchildren did not solely take place through IQ-testing in schools, but involved classification of children through a range of measures in various settings. We further argue that these processes took place due to local agents and initiatives in a broader context of interprofessional collaborations between psychiatrists, psychologists, and teachers, rather than top--down processes initiated by the state. The analysis in the article draws on different sources of the period: journals, articles, and monographs from the key-agents of the period.

On behalf of the International Test Commission and the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations a world-wide survey on the opinions of professional psychologists on testing practices was carried out. The main objective of this study was to collect data for a better understanding of the state of psychological testing worldwide. These data could guide the actions and measures taken by ITC, EFPA, and other stakeholders. A questionnaire was administered to 20,467 professional psychologists from 29 countries. Five scales were constructed relating to: concern over incorrect test use, regulations on tests and testing, internet and computerized testing, appreciation of tests, and knowledge and training relating to test use. Equivalence across countries was evaluated using the alignment method, four scales demonstrated acceptable levels of invariance. Multilevel analysis was used to determine how scores were related to age, gender, and specialization, as well as how scores varied between countries. Although the results show a high appreciation of tests in general, the appreciation of internet and computerized testing is much lower. These scales show low variability over countries, whereas differences between countries on the other reported scales are much greater. This implies the need for some overarching improvements as well as country-specific actions.

Qualitative research interviews constitute specific contexts for creating and telling stories. This study illuminates the significance of the research interview on the subjectivation of participants who are usually rendered problematic or victimized--in this case, young people who live in residential care provided by child protection services (CPS). It explores how the interview situation offers possible subject positions for the interviewees that contradict with how they are positioned in their daily lives. In contrast to the conversations, these young people often engage in with professionals, the research interview may position them as competent actors. It may also allow for a greater degree of complexity, ambiguity, and ambivalence. When the aim is not necessarily to acquire an understanding of how things 'really are,' or to describe the participants in categorical ways, the variety and diversity of life may be speakable. This in turn allows for the telling of new narratives, the prospect of other subjectivities and the creation of new developmental possibilities.

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Current interventions designed to facilitate return to work (RTW) after long-term sick leave show weak effects, indicating the need for new approaches to the RTW process. The importance of social relationships in the workplace is widely recognized in existing RTW literature, but very little is known about the role of the interpersonal problems of the returning worker. Current research indicates that a subset of these – hostile-dominant interpersonal problems – give particular disadvantages in several life areas. This prospective cohort study aims to test whether higher levels of interpersonal problems predict lower likelihood of RTW when controlling for symptom levels (H1); and whether higher levels of hostile-dominant interpersonal problems specifically predict lower likelihood of RTW (H2). Methods: 189 patients on long-term sick leave completed a 3½-week transdiagnostic RTW program. Before treatment, self-reported interpersonal problems, chronic pain, insomnia, fatigue levels, anxiety and depression were collected. RTW data for the following year were collected from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration. Results: A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis found that (H2) hostile-dominant interpersonal problems significantly predicted RTW (OR = 0.44, [95% CI: 0.19, 0.98], p =.045), while a corresponding analysis (H1) found that general interpersonal problems did not. Conclusion: Hostile-dominant interpersonal problems negatively predict RTW after long-term sick leave, suggesting an overlooked factor in the field of occupational rehabilitation. The findings could open up new avenues for research and interventions entailed to individuals in the field of occupational rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the wake of terrorist attacks, protecting the health and psychosocial wellbeing of those affected and the general population, are important tasks for the healthcare system. The responses to such emergencies are often complex, including different phases and many actors, and may unveil insufficiencies that incite reforms to existing systems. Recently, initiatives have been promoted to strengthen cooperation and coordination regarding the governance of health threats in Europe. Comparative research is requested on how states prepare for health emergencies such as terrorist attacks. This study investigated how governments in two European countries with universal health coverage prepared to address the civilian population's health needs after terrorist attacks, and the factors that contributed to shaping their chosen approach. Methods: Utilizing document analysis and Walt and Gilson's model for the analysis of health policy, national plans for post-terror health responses in Norway and France were studied with a focus on context, process, content, and actors. Results: Whereas target groups for psychosocial care and certain measures were similar in both cases, the contents of prescribed policies and the actors responsible for enacting them differed. One of the most distinct differences was to what extent specialized mental healthcare was relied upon to provide psychosocial follow-up in the emergency phase. In the French approach, specialized mental healthcare practitioners, such as psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses, provided early psychosocial support. In contrast, the Norwegian approach relied on interdisciplinary primary care crisis teams in the local municipalities to provide early psychosocial support, with further involvement of specialized mental healthcare if this was considered necessary. Historical, political, and systemic differences contributed to the variation in the countries' responses. Conclusions: This comparative study highlights the complexity and diversity of health policy responses to terrorist attacks across countries. Moreover, challenges and opportunities for research and health management in response to such disasters, including possibilities and potential pitfalls for the coordination of this work across Europe. An important first step could be to map out existing services and practices across countries to better understand if and how common core elements for psychosocial follow-up might be implemented internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of our study was to gain insight into how practitioners in mental health care support people with severe psychiatric disabilities in setting and pursuing personal goals that are meaningful to them. Method: We conducted focus groups with 36 mental health practitioners in Norway and interpreted the data by using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged from the analysis: (a) active collaboration to understand what is meaningful to the individual, (b) being nonjudgmental during the process of goal setting, (c) helping individuals break goals into smaller goals and steps, and (d) allowing time for the process of trying to achieve goals. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Although goal setting is central to the Illness Management and Recovery program, practitioners perceive the work as quite demanding. To succeed, practitioners need to acknowledge goal setting as a long-lasting and shared process, not as a means to an end. As people with severe psychiatric disability often need help in goal setting, practitioners should play an important role in supporting them in setting goals, making plans for achieving them, and taking actual steps in that direction. Impact and Implications: Goal setting is a shared process where true collaboration is needed. Practitioners should monitor an individual's ambitions and goals even when they face increasing demands to treat individuals quickly, cheaply, and efficiently. If practitioners let financial and administrative priorities dictate their clinical practice, there is a risk that they will become less responsive to individuals' ambitions, rush to set goals too quickly, and not really attend to where individuals are. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing spiritual concerns in psychotherapy might be challenging in secular societies. An additional obstacle may be a possible religiosity gap between psychotherapists and their patients. To explore levels of religiosity and spiritual care competence, the Spiritual Care Competence Questionnaire was given to professionals in Norwegian mental health clinics. 262 staff participated, 92 of them psychologists. Results indicated first, that psychologists were significantly less religious than other professionals. Second, competence scores varied in the lower range for all participants, regardless of profession. Third, psychologists were open toward spiritual topics in principle, but hesitant to address them actively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore professionals' and service users' experiences and perceptions of interprofessional collaboration and coordination for service users with complex and severe mental health issues. Design and Methods: A qualitative study involving semi‐structured interviews of professionals and individual interviews of service users. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Findings: Participants described challenges and suggested improvements concerning Distribution of roles, responsibilities, and tasks; Communication; and Knowledge and attitudes. Practice Implications: Mental health nurses and other professional helpers should have a particular focus on common aims, clear division of roles, planning and timing of interventions, and communication with other professionals and service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients with an eating disorder are frequently referred to as a particularly challenging group to treat. As a consequence, it is important to understand how working with eating disorders affects workplace well‐being. Job satisfaction is a key indicator of workplace welfare. The aims of the current study were to (a) measure overall job satisfaction among healthcare providers working at specialized eating disorder units in Norway, and (b) to investigate possible differences in job satisfaction between professional groups and between staff working fixed versus rotating shifts. Method: This cross‐sectional study is part of a larger study investigating work‐related well‐being at specialized eating disorder units in Norway. The total sample was composed of 186 participants from 11 specialized eating disorder units. Results: Overall, high job satisfaction was found across all professional groups. There were significant differences between daytime and shift workers on several dimensions of job satisfaction. Medical doctors and clinical psychologists scored significantly higher than nursing staff on several aspects of job satisfaction. Discussion: This study suggests high job satisfaction across all professional groups among healthcare providers working at specialized eating disorder units, contrary to commonly‐held beliefs that working with eating disorders is very demanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehending professionals' emotional challenges when addressing child abuse can help to improve identification, protection, and care for exposed children. This study presents an interpretive description analysis of qualitative interviews with ten child protective services workers and nine child mental health services psychologists in Norway. The participants described intense negative reactions due to addressing child abuse during assessments and investigations. We identified five main themes: (a) facing children's suffering caused by adults, (b) feeling mean, (c) doubting one's ability and skills, (d) feeling that one is betraying children, and (e) being obstructed by heavy workload and dysfunctional structure. To improve professionals' capacity to help exposed children, it is necessary to change the organizational structure and culture. In addition, professionals would benefit from systematic training in handling complexity and in efficient emotion regulation. Finally, we strongly suggest that institutions responsible for investigating child abuse facilitate and prioritize deliberate practice for their staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this qualitative interview study, the authors investigated how therapists experience and view treatment and care for suicidal patients in psychiatric wards. The focus is on aspects that may contribute toward shaping and possibly constraining therapists' connections with suicidal individuals. They conducted semistructured interviews of 4 psychiatrists and 4 psychologists and analyzed the data by means of thematic analysis. The findings suggest that high emphasis on diagnostics and standardized suicide risk assessments, limited direct care of suicidal patients, and fragmented mental health services may challenge therapists' connections with suicidal patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short and valid instruments for measuring factors facilitating or hindering implementation efforts are called for. This article describes (1) the adaptation of a shorter version of the Evidence-based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS-50 items), and (2) the psychometric properties of the shortened version in both US and Norwegian data.Methods: The US participants were mental health service providers (N = 418) recruited from clinics providing mental health services in San Diego County, California. The Norwegian participants were psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and psychology students (N = 838) recruited from the Norwegian Psychological Association and the Norwegian Nurses Organization. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach was used.Results: The reduction resulted in 36 items named EBPAS-36, and the original 12 factor model was maintained. The EBPAS-36 had acceptable model fit, as indicated by a low degree of misspecification errors in both the US (RMSEA = .045 (CI90% .040-.049); SRMR = .05) and the Norwegian data (RMSEA = .052 (CI90% .047-.056, SRMR = .07). Incremental model fit was fair in the US (CFI = .93, TLI = .91) and in the Norwegian samples (CFI = .91, TLI = .89). The internal consistency (Cronbach's α) in the US and the Norwegian samples were good for the total EBPAS-36 score (.79 and .86, respectively) and were ranged from adequate to excellent for the subscales (US .60-.91 and Norway .61-.92).Conclusions: The EBPAS-36 has adequate psychometric properties both in US and Norwegian samples, hence indicating cross-cultural validity. It is a brief, pragmatic, and more user-friendly instrument than the EBPAS-50, yet maintains a broad scope by retaining the original 12 measurement domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective with this study was to explore satisfaction with life (SWL) among adults with Marfan syndrome (MFS) compared to the general Norwegian population and other patient groups and further to examine the associations between SWL and demographic factors, contact with social and health services, MFS-related health problems, chronic pain, and fatigue.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with postal questionnaire, including the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), questions on demographic factors, health-related aspects of MFS, and validated instruments measuring chronic pain (Standardized Nordic Questionnaire) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale). One hundred and seventeen adults with MFS were invited to participate, and 73 (62 %) participated.Results: The SWLS mean score in adults with MFS was significantly lower than that reported for the general Norwegian population, but similar to or higher than that reported for other patient groups. Only fatigue, aortic dissection, and having regular contact with psychologist showed significant unique contribution to the SWLS score in the hierarchical multiple linear analyses. The total variance explained by the model was 45.2 % p ≤ 0.000, confirming that the combination of independent variables significantly predicted SWLS.Conclusions: The results reflect that MFS influences people's SWL and that particularly severe fatigue, aortic dissection, and psychological aspects are associated with lower SWL. This is important to take into account in the clinical work with people with MFS. Further investigation is needed, especially on larger sample groups. Studies with combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches are recommended to obtain more comprehensive and accurate knowledge about the consequences of MFS on satisfaction with life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we wished to compare the long-term outcome of (medication-free) panic disorder with agoraphobia patients randomized to cognitive or guided mastery therapy. Thirty-one (67.4%) of 46 patients who had completed treatment were followed up about 18 years after end of treatment. In the combined sample and using intent-to-follow-up analyses, there were large within-group effect sizes of −1.79 and −1.63 on the primary interview-based and self-report outcome measures of avoidance of situations when alone, and 56.5% no longer had a panic disorder and/or agoraphobia diagnosis. No outcome differences between the two treatments emerged. Guided mastery was associated with greater beneficial changes in catastrophic beliefs and self-efficacy. For two of five outcome measures, more reduction in panic-related beliefs about physical and mental catastrophes from pre- to post-treatment predicted lower level of anxiety from post-treatment to 18-year follow-up when the effect of treatment changes in (a) self-efficacy and (b) anxiety was controlled. However, for one of the outcome measures, this effect attenuated with time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message The results suggest that the very-long-term outcome of both cognitive therapy and guided mastery therapy for agoraphobia is positive., The results support the role of catastrophic beliefs as mediator of change., The pattern of results suggests that learning processes other than catastrophic beliefs may be important for long-term outcome as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asperger syndrome (AS) may be difficult to distinguish from psychosis in the schizophrenia spectrum (PSS), as the two conditions share core features. Aim: The aim of this paper is to identify symptoms which are useful in the differential diagnostic process, and which symptoms cause confusion in the assessment. Methods: Twelve patients, consecutively referred to a specialized psychiatric inpatient unit for re-diagnostic assessment, were recruited in a 3-year period. The patients were systematically assessed for both AS and for psychotic disorder in the schizophrenia spectrum. Results: Symptoms that caused misdiagnosis in the present sample were especially idiosyncratic speech taken for delusions (or the reverse), dysfunction related to self-care, task solving, and relationships, and social impairment taken for negative symptoms (or the reverse). Useful areas were symptom onset, symptoms of disorganized speech, occurrence of hallucinations, and occurrence of relapses. The latter contributed to diagnostic clarity related to PSS only. Conclusion: Patients with both AS and PSS may show severe symptoms which usually are difficult to distinguish. When both AS and PSS are suspected in severely impaired adult patients, comprehensive assessment including both AS and PSS is required. Symptoms that may differentiate PSS from AS are age of onset, presence of hallucinations, presence of disorganized speech and behaviour, and occurrence of relapses. Confusing symptoms include social impairments, and idiosyncratic opinions in persons with AS, which may be mistaken for delusions (or the reverse). Also bizarre behaviour and general dysfunction may be wrongly attributed to AS or PSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is a growing consensus worldwide that palliative care needs to be both more inclusive of conditions other than cancer and to improve. This paper explores some common challenges currently faced by professionals providing palliative care for patients with either cancer or dementia across five countries. Method: One focus group (n = 7) and 67 interviews were conducted in 2012 across five countries: England, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway, with professionals from dementia, cancer and palliative care settings. Results: The interviews revealed five common challenges faced across the five countries: communication difficulties (between services; and between professionals, and patients and their families); the variable extent of structural/functional integration of services; the difficulties in funding of palliative care services; problematic processes of care (boundaries, definitions, knowledge, skills and inclusiveness) and, finally, time constraints. Conclusion: These are not problems distinct to palliative care, but they may have different origins and explanations compared to other areas of health care. This paper explored deeper themes hidden behind a discourse about barriers and facilitators to improving care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present paper is to explore the extent to which different groups of Norwegian psychologists address sexual topics during therapy and clinical work. What is the relationship between the frequency of discussing various aspects of sexuality with clients and the therapists’ social background, training in sexology and beliefs and attitudes about handling sexual issues in therapy? A random sample of 2352 clinical psychologists was invited by email to participate in an online survey. The response rate was 47%. The psychologists reported that, in therapy, they most frequently discussed topics related to negative sexual experiences, sexual problems, sexual function and sexual orientation with their clients. Psychologists who did not believe that sexuality should be communicated on the initiative of the patient did not feel uncertainty about sexuality as a topic, and those who had talked about sexuality during supervision were more likely to communicate with their clients about any sexual topic. Psychologists who are self-confident and who have received supervision regarding sexuality deal with sexual topics more often during therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Professional knowledge about Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential in order to provide appropriate care for those suffering from this progressive and fatal condition. The optimizing of service provision to these patients and their families should also involve mental health professionals including clinical psychologists. In the present study, members of the Norwegian Psychological Association working in clinical practice were invited to participate in a web-based survey measuring knowledge about AD and related disorders. Questions regarding age, gender, accreditation as clinical specialist, age group of typical patients, and experience with patients suffering from dementia were asked in addition to the administration of the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). ADKS consists of 30 true/false items covering risk factors, assessment and diagnosis, symptoms, course, life impact, care giving, and treatment and management. A total of 956 clinical psychologists participated, yielding a response rate of 50.9%. The average mean performance score on the ADKS was 24.10 (SD = 2.5, range 15–30). Kuder-Richardson coefficient of reliability on the ADKS was 0.98. Multiple regression analysis showed that being indirectly exposed to dementia in older family members through their own patients, together with a self-reported knowledge of one's performance on the ADKS, significantly explained high scores on the ADKS. With reservations based on study limitations, it is concluded that the knowledge of AD in Norwegian clinical psychologists is fairly good. An obvious challenge is how to strengthen this knowledge both in our professional training programs in psychology as well as among those working in applied clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

How do psychologists in clinical practice perceive and use self-help materials for clients with anxiety and depression? The use of self-help materials with guidance from a therapist has been suggested as a way of meeting the increasing need for mental health services. The present study investigated factors relevant to the use of self-help materials for the treatment of anxiety and depression among psychologists employed in mental health services. Among 1863 eligible clinical psychologists in Norway, 815 (43.7%) participated in a national survey. A total of 93.5% of the participants had recommended self-help materials to clients, and approximately half (55.1%) had received requests from their clients regarding self-help materials. Self-help materials were recommended as an adjunct and not as an alternative to therapist contact by 73.0% of respondents, by 16.6% for relapse prevention, and by 1.2% to clients on a waiting list. Internet/computer-based programs were recommended by 2.2% of the participants. The practitioner's previous use of self-help materials to enhance his or her therapy skills and knowledge of self-help materials was related to use of self-help materials with clients. Psychologists working in child mental health services recommended self-help less often than those working in adult services. These results have implications for future efforts to disseminate effective self-help materials through increased attention toward self-help interventions in training and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In 2007 the Norwegian attempt by Standards Norway to develop common standards for coaching collapsed in disarray. The purpose of this article is to explore the Norwegian attempt in order to see what lessons can be learnt that may assist in the further maturation of the coaching industry. Methods & Results: In this paper we use Dean's (1995) ACCESS criteria for professionalisation and industry maturation (autonomy, commitment, collegiality, extensive education, service orientation, and special skills and knowledge) as a lens though which to view the Norwegian experience and the challenges of developing common standards in a fragmented coaching industry. We discuss the Norwegian experience, and detail how the subsequent failure of the Norwegian coaching industry to come to a joint agreement left the door open for a single faction of the coaching industry to develop a recognised nationalised standard that gave National Standards status to their own NLP-based coach-related commercial offerings. Conclusions: It is concluded that, from a global perspective, the Norwegian experience of industry fragmentation is an exception rather than the rule. Worldwide there is an increasing emphasise on evidencebased approaches to coaching and increasing cooperation between different coaching and coaching psychology bodies, with such endeavours typically explicitly aimed at fostering the mature development of the broader coaching industry. The paper provides recommendations for future constructive discussion between industry stakeholders who seek to establish coaching as an evidence-based and legitimate practice that provides best care for clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]