| Summary, etc. |
[Article Title: Are You Ready for Change? / Barbara J. Limandri, p. 11-13] Abtract: Under the direction of the Journal's new Psychopharmacology Section Editor, a different approach will be taken: psychotropic drugs will be classified based on their neurobiological mechanism of action in the brain. This approach focuses on how the drug acts on brain cells and neurotransmitters involved in the specific symptoms presented by patients. The current article introduces the approach and will help clinicians think about medications as they relate to the neurobiological functions they are trying to correct.;[Article Title: Unable to Speak: Selective Mutism in Youth / Heather L. Smith-Schrandt and Erin Ellington, p. 14-18] Abstract: It is important for psychiatric nurses to be familiar with the clinical presentation and recommended treatment for selective mutism (SM), as it is a childhood anxiety disorder that is not commonly studied. This article provides a brief overview of its diagnostic criteria, prevalence, assessment, and history. Special attention is given to misconceptions regarding the disorder and differentiation of trauma and oppositional disorders. Two vignettes illustrate varied presentations of SM, with and without comorbid social phobia. Empirically supported behavioral and psychopharmacological treatment is outlined, and considerations for nursing are provided.;[Article Title: Dignity in Older Adults With Schizophrenia Residing in Assisted Living Facilities / Darlene Robison, Gloria McInnis-Perry, Lori E. Weeks and Vicki Foley, p. 20-28] Abstract: There is a lack of nursing literature on older adults' perceptions of dignity, specifically those of older adults with schizophrenia. With the aging population, mental health services and support for older adults with schizophrenia will become a greater priority. The purpose of the current descriptive phenomenological study was to describe the meaning of the lived experience of dignity for older adults with schizophrenia residing in assisted living facilities. A purposive sample of eight older adults with schizophrenia residing in assisted living facilities participated in semi-structured interviews following the descriptive phenomenological psychological method. Five intertwined constituents were identified: (1) dignity is an intrinsic or self-regarding experience; (2) dignity is an experience that is reciprocal, extrinsic, and regards others, and is embedded in social relationships; (3) dignity can be eroded by ageism, stigma, discrimination, and alienation; (4) dignity can be interrupted when positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia are present and misunderstood by others; and (5) dignity can be enhanced when oneself and others embrace a recovery-focused relationship. Implications for mental health nursing are provided.;[Article Title: For the Love of the Game: Game- Versus Lecture-Based Learning With Generation Z Patients / Mary A. Adamson, Hengyi Chen, Russell Kackley and Alicia Micheal, p. 29-36] Abstract: The current study evaluated adolescent patients' enjoyment of and knowledge gained from game-based learning compared with an interactive lecture format on the topic of mood disorders. It was hypothesized that game-based learning would be statistically more effective than a lecture in knowledge acquisition and satisfaction scores. A pre-post design was implemented in which a convenience sample of 160 adolescent patients were randomized to either a lecture (n = 80) or game-based (n = 80) group. Both groups completed a pretest/posttest and satisfaction survey. Results showed that both groups had significant improvement in knowledge from pretest compared to posttest. Game-based learning was statistically more effective than the interactive lecture in knowledge achievement and satisfaction scores. This finding supports the contention that game-based learning is an active technique that may be used with patient education. ;[Article Title: Emotional and Psychosocial Problems Encountered by Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused / Şerife Tutar Güven, Ayşegül İşler Dalgiç and Zerrin Erkol, p. 37-43] Abstract: The current descriptive analysis sought to identify the emotional and psychosocial problems experienced by children who have been sexually abused. Of 518 children with a history of sexual abuse who applied to the Child Protection Center, 443 were included in the study. Approximately 71.6% of children were subject to sexual abuse entailing penetration, whereas 69% were subject to sexual abuse not entailing penetration. After-effects reported included despair (46.5%), fear of reoccurrence of the incident (52.8%), distrust of others (36.8%), difficulty sleeping (32.7%), negative expectations about the future (32.1%), and self-blame (31.1%). Nurses have crucial roles and functions in the protection, improvement, treatment, and rehabilitation of the health of children who have been sexually abused.;[Article Title: Adolescent Depression in Jordan: Symptoms Profile, Gender Differences, and the Role of Social Context / Latefa Ali Dardas, Susan G. Silva, Moria J. Smoski, Devon Noonan and Leigh Ann Simmons, p. 44-55] Abstract: The influence of gender and other individual and context characteristics on the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms among Jordanian adolescents remains unclear. The aims of the current study were to: (a) characterize depressive symptoms profiles for Jordanian adolescents; and (b) examine gender differences in the type, severity, and correlates of depressive symptoms. Cross-sectional data were collected from 2,349 Jordanian adolescents ages 12 to 17 using a nationally representative school survey. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Female adolescents had significantly higher mean depression scores (17.9 [SD = 11.6], 95% confidence interval [CI] [17.3, 18.5]) than their male counterparts (13.8 [SD = 10.2], 95% CI [13.2, 14.5]). Approximately 41% of girls and 26% of boys reported scores indicating moderate to severe depression. Sex differences and socially constructed gender differences need to be adequately considered in the planning and delivery of mental health care for adolescent depression. If the risk for depression is gender-specific, prevention strategies cannot be gender-neutral. |
