Background:
Chronic depressions represent a substantial part of depressive disorders and are associated with severe consequences. Several studies were performed addressing the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and combined treatments for chronic depressions. Yet, a systematic review comparing the effectiveness of multiple treatment options and considering all subtypes of chronic depressions is still missing.Methods/ DesignAim of this project is to summarize empirical evidence on efficacy and effectiveness of treatments for chronic depression by means of a systematic review. The primary objectives of the study are to examine, which interventions are effective; to examine, if any differences in effectiveness between active treatment options exist; and to find possible treatment effect modifiers. Psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and combined treatments will be considered as experimental interventions and no treatment, wait-list, psychological/ pharmacological placebo, treatment as usual, and other active treatments will be seen as comparators. The population of patients will include adults with chronic major depression, dysthymia, double depression, or recurrent depression without complete remission between episodes. Outcomes of the analyses are depressive symptoms, associated consequences, adverse events, and study discontinuation. Only randomized controlled trials will be considered.DiscussionGiven the high prevalence and serious consequences of chronic depression and a considerable amount of existing primary studies addressing the effectiveness of different treatments the present systematic review may be of high relevance. Special attention will be given to the use of current methodological standards. Findings are likely to provide crucial information that may help clinicians to choose the appropriate treatment for chronically depressed patients.
Effectiveness of psychotherapeutic, pharmacological, and combined treatments for chronic depression: a systematic review (METACHRON)
The impact of a national mental health arts and film festival on stigma and recovery
Quinn N, Shulman A, Knifton L, Byrne P. The impact of a national mental health arts and film festival on stigma and recovery.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of a national mental health arts festival for the general public, encompassing a wide variety of art forms and themes.
Method: An evaluation was undertaken with 415 attendees from 20 different events, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Results: The findings demonstrate positive impact on the relationship between arts and mental health. Events increased positive attitudes, including positive representations of people’s contributions, capabilities and potential to recover. They did not decrease negative attitudes. Intended behaviour change was modest and one film event increased audience perceptions of dangerousness.
Conclusion: The paper argues that the arts can change stigma by constructing shared meanings and engaging audiences on an emotional level. Carefully programmed, collaborative, community-based arts festivals should form an integral part of national programmes to address stigma and to promote mental health and wellbeing, alongside traditional social marketing and public education approaches.
Predictors of improved eating behaviour following body image therapy: A pilot study
Abstract
Cognitive processes seem to play a vital role in eating disorders and body image. The current study, therefore, examines the impact and change of dysfunctional cognitions during a body image group therapy, which included 41 patients with an eating disorder. Dysfunctional cognitions were assessed with the ‘Eating Disorder Cognition Questionnaire’ both before and after treatment. Eating disorder psychopathology was also assessed. Results indicate a significant reduction of dysfunctional cognitions relating to ‘body and self-esteem’, ‘dietary restraint’, ‘eating and loss of control’, as well as ‘internalisation and social comparison’. Furthermore, the changes in dysfunctional cognitions were associated with a reduction in eating disorder psychopathology. Body image therapy is a worthy complementation to standardised eating disorder treatment programmes as it reduces negative eating related thoughts and changes attitudes towards the body. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Australia’s mothers and babies 2008
In 2008, 292,156 women gave birth to 296,925 babies in Australia. The increase in births continued, with 2,720 more births (0.9%) than reported in 2007. This is the second year that the rate of caesarean section has not significantly increased with a 0.2% rise from 30.9% in 2007 to 31.1% in 2008.
Welfare residualism: a comparative study of the Basic Livelihood Security systems in China and South Korea
Gao Q, Yoo J, Yang S-M, Zhai F. Welfare residualism: a comparative study of the Basic Livelihood Security systems in China and South Korea
Int J Soc Welfare 2010: ••: ••–••© 2010 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and International Journal of Social Welfare.
In this article, the Basic Livelihood Security (BLS) systems of China and South Korea are compared. The purpose of BLS is to provide a safety net for poor families, particularly the unemployed and the retired who were hard-hit by recent economic reforms and crises. A common characteristic of the two systems is residual welfare marked by strict eligibility rules and limited coverage. Both systems are subordinate to the primary goal of economic growth and therefore only compensate for the very disadvantaged left behind by market competition. Neither system is particularly effective in achieving its original antipoverty goals. However, South Korea’s provision of self-support programs to supplement cash transfers has helped individuals to move from welfare to work, and thus has implications for China’s BLS system. Both countries need to put more emphasis on equity and social justice in their ongoing reforms and expansions of BLS.