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There is strong evidence that children of mothers with insecure attachment styles have poor outcome trajectories. Maternal sensitivity may be the behaviour which links mother and child attachment models. This would, therefore, be a natural target for treatment in attachment interventions. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine the body of knowledge regarding maternal sensitivity, with a focus on the evidence-base for maternal sensitivity measures and interventions. We searched the PsychINFO and Medline databases up to December 2016, for peer-reviewed journal articles with 'maternal sensitivity' in the subject heading, MeSH Terms or abstract fields. One thousand four hundred and fifteen articles were retrieved. Following removal of duplicates and non-relevant material, 687 articles reviewed and categorized. There is extensive research linking maternal sensitivity, attachment, and child outcomes. Far fewer articles exist of published maternal sensitivity measures or interventions. At present, the evidence-base for directly affecting attachment via maternal sensitivity interventions is equivocal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Providing therapy to refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced torture and trauma exposes clinicians to traumatic stories. Additionally, clinicians working with refugees and asylum seekers are often required to work in the context of immigration detention and uncertainty for clients' futures, potentially compounding the already difficult nature of trauma therapy and further impacting clinician wellbeing. There is a paucity of research considering the consequences of working with refugees and asylum seekers, particularly in the Australian context. This mixed‐methods study aimed to explore the impact of working therapeutically with refugees and asylum seekers on the psychological wellbeing of Australian clinicians. Method: Fifty clinicians who work with refugees and asylum seekers participated in an online survey focussing on the impact of their work and protective factors. The survey also comprised open‐ended questions to collect qualitative information. Results: The sample reported low levels of depression, anxiety, stress, compassion fatigue, and average to high levels of compassion satisfaction. Analysis of free‐text comments regarding aspects of the job that impact wellbeing revealed three main themes: government and policy level stressors, work environment, and meaning‐making for the clinician. Conclusion: While the sample reported psychological wellness, qualitative responses revealed that Australian immigration policies impact clinician wellbeing to a greater extent than exposure to traumatic narratives. Engaging in meaning‐making processes regarding work appeared to positively impact clinician wellbeing. Those in leadership or supervisory positions would benefit from understanding what aspects of the work most significantly impact clinicians, in order to best support staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Early adolescents from culturally diverse backgrounds are at higher risk of school disengagement, especially as they transition to secondary school. Extracurricular activities have potential to build engagement and social skills. This study examines the experiences of students attending a weekly after-school film club where students produce their own short films. Ten students aged 10–14 years participated in semi-structured interviews, analysed to elucidate the personal meaning students ascribed to their experiences. Students reported that film club fostered a desire to learn, a sense of social connection, and autonomy. This experience was related to developing confidence and self-efficacy, group inclusiveness and the ability to recognise different ways of being in differing contexts. These experiences acted as forerunners to positive engagement in the classroom. Positive outcomes potentially included the transfer of skills, improved classroom engagement, greater perspective taking, empathy, and social responsibility. Highlights • Film club students reported positive experiences including self-efficacy, group belonging, and increased confidence. • Students said their experiences had impacts on school engagement, like a desire to learn, autonomy, and social skills. • Film club was a creative experience and has potential to positively impact students from a diverse range of backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a research project investigating psychology graduate students' experiences of Y model psychotherapy training at an Australian university. Focus group interviews were conducted with clinical psychology students (N=20), and thematic analysis was used to capture core aspects of their training experience. Participants felt that the dual training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy gave them a significant advantage over students trained in only a single approach. Notwithstanding the perceived benefits of their training, participants emphasized how intellectually and emotionally demanding it was. Students struggled to shift between therapeutic orientations, both in learning about and conducting different therapies and in accommodating differing supervisory expectations. Psychodynamic therapy was viewed as the most conceptually, technically, and personally challenging component to learn, but also as the most enriching. Despite the emphasis the students placed on the psychodynamic arm of the Y model training, participants reported a variety of therapeutic identity positions, and most maintained a flexible view of how they would practice therapeutically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article describes the development of an interpersonal psychotherapy group which has been adapted to address the mother–child relationship in the context of postnatal depression (PND). Background: When PND develops, the child of the sufferer is also at risk for deleterious outcomes. It is thought that this is because the mother–baby bonding process is interrupted, affected, or reduced in quality by the existence of depression in addition to genetics and biological effects of exposure to illness in utero. Past approaches to mitigating this risk have focused on treating the depression as the primary issue and the mother–baby relationship as secondary. This article makes the argument that interpersonal psychotherapy has neglected this relationship despite the evidence that this is a key precipitating/perpetuating factor in PND, and that targeting this relationship has benefits for both mother and baby. Method: An interpersonal psychotherapy protocol was developed, modified to incorporate psychoeducation and practice of maternally sensitive interactions. A case study from a version of this group intervention is provided. Results: The case study outcomes on self-report scales of depression suggest the modified protocol is as effective in treating PND as the original protocol. Self-report of maternal attachment and videotape measures of maternal sensitivity also improved, suggesting that the modified protocol can address the mother–baby relationship. Conclusion: The suitability of adapting interpersonal psychotherapy to address the mother–baby relationship appears promising. Further rigorous trials using this therapy are warranted to determine its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Heparin cofactor II (HCII) is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) that has been shown to be a predictor of decreased atherosclerosis in the elderly and protective against atherosclerosis in mice. HCII inhibits thrombin in vitro and HCII–thrombin complexes have been detected in human plasma. Moreover, the mechanism of protection against atherosclerosis in mice was determined to be the inhibition of thrombin. Despite this evidence, the presence of HCII in human atherosclerotic tissue has not been reported. In this study, using samples of coronary arteries obtained from the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) study, we explore the local relationship between HCII and (pro)thrombin in atherosclerosis. We found that HCII and (pro)thrombin are co-localized in the lipid-rich necrotic core of atheromas. A significant positive correlation between each protein and the severity of the atherosclerotic lesion was present. These results suggest that HCII is in a position to inhibit thrombin in atherosclerotic lesions where thrombin can exert a proatherogenic inflammatory response. However, these results should be tempered by the additional findings from this, and other studies, that indicate the presence of other plasma proteins (antithrombin, albumin, and α1-protease inhibitor) in the same localized region of the atheroma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Military operations involve both traumatic and non-traumatic stressors. The authors developed a scale to measure non-traumatic operational stressors. In Study 1, a list of stressors identified by military personnel was compared across responses from two operations in East Timor. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three similar factors for each dataset. A confirmatory factor analysis on the combined data determined item placement. Item analysis then reduced the questionnaire to 22 items. In Study 2, the questionnaire was administered to personnel from operations in the Middle East. Correlations with similar scales measured the content validity of the three subscales (work concerns, operational concerns and separation concerns). The authors conclude the questionnaire is a robust measure of operational non-traumatic stressors applicable across operations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracurricular arts programmes and supportive adult relationships provide youth with opportunities for positive development, however, more research about how relationships within these programmes develop and what factors and practices adults use to guide their work would help to improve youth programmes' outcomes. Eight Film Club facilitators at an after‐school film‐making club for students in grades 5 through 8 were interviewed about their perceived their role and what practices they successfully utilised. The semistructured interviews were then thematically analysed. Facilitators perceived the development of authentic and supportive relationships provided a foundation for meaningful learning. Rather than being directive, the facilitators had a collaborative approach to engagement, which allowed for social and emotional learning opportunities and established youth agency. Relationships within creative extracurricular spaces, which are youth‐led and include supportive adult facilitators may provide young people with valuable opportunities for social, emotional and identity development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapists and counsellors who provide trauma‐focussed therapy and support to refugees and asylum seekers are often exposed to distressing and confronting stories of war, violence, torture, loss and grief, and other atrocities. In addition to this, working within an immigration and detention context has been reported to further contribute to experiences of burnout, vicarious trauma, and other adverse consequences of working with traumatised populations. There is a scarcity of research seeking to understand how therapists address these difficulties and maintain well‐being to help them continue in this field of work. This mixed‐methods research aimed to identify and explore factors associated with mental health and well‐being among workers, with a particular focus on the role of clinical supervision. Participants were staff (n = 50) who identified as providing therapeutic support to refugees and asylum seekers either in Australia or in Australian‐run detention facilities. Participants took part in an anonymous online survey which focussed on the psychological impact of their work, professional quality of life, and clinical supervision and incorporated free‐text items. Thematic analysis of free‐text data revealed four themes related to maintaining well‐being at work including relationships and support seeking; physical and contemplative practices; professional growth; and balance and boundaries. Results from the quantitative analyses revealed several variables related to supervision that were important for well‐being. In particular, the findings suggest that rapport and overall alliance with one's clinical supervisor are protective of secondary traumatic stress and depression, respectively. Important aspects of supervision were also explored in greater depth through qualitative and quantitative inquiry, increasing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between clinical supervision and mental health and well‐being for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military and veteran populations may exhibit heightened vulnerability to gambling problems; however, there is scant relevant evidence outside the US, and few studies of transition periods, including return from operational deployment. The aim of this study was thus to highlight the extent, risk-factors, and implications of gambling problems among current members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) following deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). It involved analyses of data from n = 1324 ADF personnel who deployed between 2010 and 2012, and completed surveys within four months of returning to Australia. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identified Problem Gambling (PG: PGSI ≥5) and At-Risk Gambling (ARG: PGSI 1–4), alongside measures of Depression (PHQ-9), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PCL-C), alcohol use problems (AUDIT), distress (K10), and post-deployment stressors. Analyses indicated that 7.7% of personnel reported at least some gambling problems post-deployment, including 2.0% that were distinguished by PG, and 5.7% indicating ARG. These figures were comparable to conditions including probable depression and alcohol dependence, while levels of any gambling problems were high relative to harmful drinking. Higher levels were observed among personnel who were aged 18–24, reported 0–4 years of military service, served in the Army, and comprised Non-Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks. There were strong associations with gambling problems and various indicators of mental health and wellbeing, and self-reported post-deployment difficulties. The findings indicate that gambling problems are salient concerns for some Australian military personnel post-deployment, and highlight the need for increased recognition and responses to these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]