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Objective: Interpersonal problems have been identified as a plausible mechanism underlying the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. The Interpersonal Relationships in Eating Disorders (IR‐ED) scale is the first eating disorders‐specific measure of interpersonal problems, which was developed in a nonclinical sample. The aims of the current study were to (a) confirm the factor structure of the IR‐ED within a large clinical sample, (b) investigate measurement invariance of the IR‐ED across nonclinical and clinical samples, (c) examine the convergent validity of the IR‐ED using a generic measure of interpersonal problems, and (d) investigate the incremental clinical utility of the IR‐ED in uniquely predicting eating disorder symptomatology. Method: Treatment‐seeking individuals (N = 437) completed the IR‐ED at their initial assessment appointment at a specialist eating disorder outpatient service. Results: A multiple‐group confirmatory factor analysis supported an invariant bifactor structure comprising a general interpersonal problems factor and two group factors—Avoidance of Body Evaluation and Food‐Related Interpersonal Tension. Convergent validity was demonstrated by a large, statistically significant correlation with a generic measure of interpersonal problems (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). A series of structural equation models further revealed unique incremental predictive utility of the IR‐ED for eating disorder symptomatology. Discussion: The IR‐ED has strong psychometric properties and may prove beneficial in the assessment, formulation, and treatment of eating‐specific interpersonal problems among patients with eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The limited research funding available needs to be directed towards stakeholder-identified priorities that will have the largest positive impacts on mental health. This study aimed to identify consensus mental health research priorities across lived experience and mental health professional panels. Method: A modified Delphi study with two panels (lived and professional experience in mental health) was used to identify priorities over three rounds. Priorities were rated on a 9-point scale from not important, important but not critical, to critical. Consensus (≥80% agreement on items rated ≥ 6 in importance across both panels) was analysed descriptively. Results: 1015 initial potential priorities and 18 additional priorities were rated by panel members (N = 120, 52 lived experience, 68 professionals), with 608 priorities achieving consensus across 23 mental health domains. Priority themes included: services; prevention, early intervention, detection and health promotion; intersectionality; determinants of mental health; translation; culture, spirituality and wellbeing (identity); suicide and self-harm; data and technology; capacity building; trauma; physical health; stigma and shame; help-seeking and coping; and co-design. Conclusions: There was high agreement across stakeholders on mental health research priorities, which may provide a basis for funding allocations for impactful research that would improve the mental health of the community. Key Points: What is already known about this topic: There is very limited funding for research in mental health. It is essential to identify what areas of mental health research would be most relevant and meaningful to the community. Co-design is important for authentic participation in priority-setting between different stakeholders in the community. What this paper adds: People with lived and/or professional experience identified research priorities across a broad array of mental health challenges, populations, and settings in the Australian community. The mental health research priorities can be used to guide policy, funding, and researchers in conducting future projects. Results pointed to the need for more research in a range of critical areas within the themes of services-based research; prevention, early intervention, detection and health promotion; and intersectionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farming is a challenging, stressful and rewarding occupation involving many factors that are beyond farmers' control. The aim of this study was to investigate correlates associated with the anxiety, depression and stress of farmers in Western Australia. Farmers and farm residents (N  = 124) completed an online survey assessing anxiety, depression, stress, farming stressors, social supports, coping strategies and sense of belonging. Higher financial/external trade and societal pressures, family/relationship tension, use of coping strategies such as self-blame, venting, disengagement and planning, lack of succession planning and considering selling the farm, and lower social support and sense of belonging, were associated with higher anxiety, depression and/or stress. The findings highlight the specific impacts of financial and family pressures on poorer mental health status among farmers. Clinical and community interventions that build on naturally occurring strengths, such as family support and community connectedness, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD) is effective, but little data exist on generic relational components of the therapeutic process, such as group cohesion and therapy alliance, and central CBT-specific components such as homework engagement, beliefs, and perceived consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between homework, group cohesion, and working alliance during group CBT for social anxiety disorder. Participants (N = 105) with SAD engaged in 12 sessions of group CBT. Measures of homework, working alliance, and group cohesion were completed at multiple points throughout treatment. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were used to evaluate the prospective relationships between measures. Prospective relationships between the homework outcomes did not vary throughout the treatment period, with the only significant relationships seen between the random intercepts ("trait" levels). Homework beliefs were a significant negative predictor of future group cohesion, but only in mid- to late-treatment. Homework consequences and working alliance were significantly and positively predictive of each other throughout therapy. Early homework engagement is associated with higher engagement throughout therapy. Working alliance and homework engagement are important to bolster early in group CBT. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12616000579493.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have investigated the role of generic relational factors, such as group cohesion and working alliance, in group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD). The aim of this study was to examine the temporal associations among working alliance, group cohesion, and an index of a CBT-specific factor, homework engagement, as correlates of fear of negative evaluation and symptoms of social anxiety in group CBT for SAD. There were 105 participants with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder who were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of group imagery-enhanced or standard CBT. Participants completed measures at various time points during the 12-session interventions, and the relationship among variables was examined through random-intercept cross-lagged panel models. Group cohesion was significantly associated with social anxiety symptoms at the end of treatment, however there was no significant relationship with working alliance. Greater homework engagement predicted lower social interaction anxiety, but only during mid-treatment. The results highlight the importance of supporting group cohesion and maximising homework engagement during core components of social anxiety treatment such as behavioural experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Post‐traumatic stress is common among people who hear voices (auditory verbal hallucinations), many of whom hear trauma‐related voices, whereby voice content is related to past trauma. Preliminary evidence suggests that imagery rescripting (ImRs) may more effectively reduce post‐traumatic stress and voices compared to treatments that are based on existing models of PTSD or positive symptoms. No known studies have explored the potential maintaining factors of trauma‐related voices in relation to ImRs. We aimed to uncover insights into the factors that maintain trauma‐related voices and how ImRs may influence such factors by exploring voice hearers' explanations of voices and experiences of change throughout ImRs. Design: Thematic analytical methodology was used due to the study's critical epistemological framework. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews explored relationships between trauma and voices, and experiences of change and stability throughout ImRs in a transdiagnostic sample (N = 10) who underwent 10–18 weekly ImRs sessions. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes. Results: Two themes captured explanations of voices, which suggested voices may have counterproductive protective functions. Three themes captured psychological experiences during ImRs, which reflected concepts such as freedom to experience emotions, and experiences of justice, closure and grieving. Three themes described the outcomes of ImRs, reflecting concepts such as increased confidence, coping, perceived safety and voices becoming less powerful. Conclusions: Trauma‐related voices may have underlying protective functions and ImRs may support emotional expression, adaptive trauma re‐appraisals and improve self‐worth and coping self‐efficacy. These change processes may have clinical implications in ImRs and other treatments for trauma‐affected voice hearers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]