JOURNAL OF CONSULTING AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Evaluating hypothetical prevention strategies for internalizing symptoms in the general population and at-risk children
Dall'Aglio L, Labrecque JA, Schuurmans I, Zhang Y, Creasey N, Wilson M, Kennedy CJ, Muetzel RL, Smoller JW, Tiemeier H and Choi KW
Specific modifiable factors (e.g., screen time [ST], sleep duration, physical activity, or social connections) are targets for reducing depression risk in adults. However, research in adolescents lacks causal inference implementations, as prevention trials are costly and often prohibitive. Emulating randomized trials with observational data enables inference regarding hypothetical interventions on modifiable factors that reduce depression risk, in general and at-risk populations.
In search of lost time: Discrete- versus continuous-time models of working alliance and symptom severity
Wester RA, Koch T, Münch F, Driver C, Lutz W and Rubel J
The therapeutic alliance is one of the most stable predictors of symptom burden over the course of therapy. So far, this effect has only been examined on the basis of sessions. Continuous-time models (CTM) allow this relationship to be modeled as a continuous process in which the actual time interval between measurements is considered. The aim of the present study was to compare the fit of discrete-time models (DTM) of the alliance-symptom relationship with CTM using different time variables (sessions vs. actual time interval).
Efficacy of facilitative interpersonal and relational skills training for teletherapy: A randomized controlled trial
Lin T, Anderson T, Antebi-Lerman E, Bate J and Aafjes-van Doorn K
Therapists report a lack of confidence and competence in teletherapy compared to in-person therapy. Training focusing on teletherapy skills is scarce. This study reports on (a) the development of a training workshop for facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) in teletherapy (tele-FIRST) and (b) a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of tele-FIRST. Tele-FIRST is a 2-hr online synchronous training workshop that incorporates didactics, deliberate practice, simulation of teletherapy challenges, modeling, and discussion.
Mediators of a randomized controlled trial of a preventive intervention for youth of parents with depressive disorders
Ciriegio AE, Pine AE, Cole DA, McKee LG, Forehand R and Compas BE
The present study assessed two theory-driven mediators of the effects of a family group cognitive-behavioral (FGCB) preventive intervention for youth of parents with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymia on long-term youth psychopathology symptoms and diagnoses.
Sudden gains in the treatment of children and adolescents with prolonged grief
Lechner-Meichsner F, Spuij M and Boelen PA
Sudden gains describe large and stable reductions in symptoms between two consecutive treatment sessions and have not yet been investigated in prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a new disorder in the 11th edition of the and text revision of the fifth edition of the characterized by separation distress and accompanying symptoms beyond 6 months of bereavement. The study aimed to examine the occurrence of sudden gains and their relation to treatment outcome and content during cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and supportive counseling for children and adolescents with PGD symptoms.
Employing survival analysis of administrative claims to identify prospective predictors of evidence-based practice sustainment versus provider turnover
Brookman-Frazee L, Lind T, Motamedi M, Lui JHL, Crawley M, Le K and Lau AS
This study described therapists' delivery of six child mental health evidence-based practices (EBPs) over 33 months during the sustainment phase of a system-driven implementation aimed at improving access to EBPs in community settings.
A randomized controlled trial of an online mindfulness program for adolescents at risk for internalizing problems
Garber J, Chavira DA, Adam EK, Craske MG, McMahon T, Williams A, Abitante G, Lanser I, Pashtunyar DS, Chen S and Zinbarg R
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the effects of an online, coached mindfulness intervention on momentary negative affect (mNA) for youth with high levels of trait negative affectivity.
Effects on family functioning and the home environment of a family-based preventive intervention for children of parents with severe mental illness: A randomized controlled trial
Gjøde ICT, Müller AD, Hjorthøj C, Hemager N, Ingversen S, Moszkowicz M, Christensen SH, Mikkelsen LJ, Nielsen SS, Melau M, Forman J, Nordentoft M and Thorup AAE
Children of parents with severe mental illness are at increased risk of mental illness throughout their lifespan due to complex gene-environment interactions. Preventive interventions supporting parents and children are warranted. Compared with usual treatment, we tested the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary family-based preventive intervention, VIA Family.
The benefits of mindfulness training for momentary mindfulness and emotion regulation: A randomized controlled trial for adolescents exposed to chronic stressors
Miller-Chagnon RL, Shomaker LB, Prince MA, Krause JT, Rzonca A, Haddock SA, Zimmerman TS, Lavender JM, Sibinga E and Lucas-Thompson RG
The goal of this study was to test if a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) compared to an active control ameliorates the impacts of life stressors on momentary mindfulness and emotion regulation difficulties among adolescents exposed to chronic stressors.
The power of friends in reducing sexual assault risk in college women: A preliminary test of dyad-based motivational intervention approach
Read JP, Livingston JA, Shaw RJ, Wiseblatt AF, Jenzer T, DiPaolo LR, Mastroleo NR, Katz J, Testa M and Colder CR
Sexual assault (SA) is unfortunately common in U.S. college campuses. Friends are central to the social context of college women, and thus to the context of SA, and thus may play a key role in SA prevention. The objective of the present study was to provide a preliminary test of a novel friend-based motivational intervention (FMI) that encourages and prepares friends to work together to reduce SA risk.
Effects of a responsive parenting intervention on Black mothers' depressive symptoms postpartum: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Adesogan O, Beach SRH, Carter SE, Metzger IW and Lavner JA
This study examined whether a responsive parenting (RP) intervention for first-time Black mothers had secondary benefits for their mental health by reducing their postpartum depressive symptoms.
Individual risk of not responding to psychotherapy in Latin America: Bringing data-informed precision care to underresourced clinical settings
Gómez Penedo JM, Errázuriz P, Coyne AE and Flückiger C
Machine learning has a great potential for prospectively forecasting individual patient response to mental health care (MHC), thereby enabling treatment personalization. However, previous efforts have been limited to populations living in predominantly higher income, developed countries. This study aimed to extend the reach of precision MHC systems by developing and testing a feasible and readily implementable algorithm for identifying patients at risk of nonresponse to routinely delivered psychotherapy in Chile, a developing country in Latin America.
"Caminando y socializando con Happy Older Latinos are Active (HOLA)": Results of a randomized clinical trial to promote health and prevent depression and anxiety in older Latinos
Jimenez DE, Ross EJ, Weinstein ER, Martinez Garza D, Signorile JF, Perdomo-Johnson D and Martinez C
This study sought to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Happy Older Latinos are Active (HOLA) health promotion intervention in a group of older Latinos who were at risk for developing major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.
"Informed" consent? Ethical considerations for clinicians using therapy-matching platforms
Delawalla CN and Lorenzo-Luaces L
Mental health care in the United States is prohibitively difficult to access. Barriers of entry include a shortage of providers, high cost of services, insufficient insurance coverage, and layers of bureaucracy. This problem of low supply and high demand created a unique environment for capitalist problem solvers to enter the therapeutic market, via "therapy-matching platforms." Several ethically related Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints and independent investigations into these platforms highlight that the forward progress is not without growing pains. This commentary focuses on ensuring proper informed consent when providing services on therapy-matching platforms (e.g., BetterHelp, TalkSpace). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Cognitive behavioral digital therapeutic effects on distress and quality of life in patients with cancer: National randomized controlled trial
Taub CJ, Zion SR, Ream M, Ramiller A, Heathcote LC, Eich G, Mendelsohn M, Birckbichler J, Ganz PA, Cella D, Penedo FJ, Antoni M and Shumay DM
Cancer-specific psychological interventions like cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) demonstrate distress (e.g., anxiety/depression) and quality of life (QoL) benefits. Digital formats can expand access.
Examining racial and ethnic differences in youth psychotherapy treatment engagement and outcomes
Johansen K, Saran I, Cho E, Weisz JR and Price MA
Research has identified racial/ethnic disparities in mental health treatment engagement, and there have been recent calls to examine effects of mental health treatment engagement on clinical outcomes among youth of color. This study aimed to examine racial/ethnic differences in (a) behavioral and attitudinal engagement, (b) treatment effectiveness, and (c) the associations between engagement and treatment effectiveness.
Letter to the editor: Methodological flaws on the conduct and reporting in "Psychotherapies for the treatment of borderline personality disorder: A systematic review"
Mattos BP, Pascher E, Catelan RF and Eckert I
This brief commentary critically examines the study "Psychotherapies for the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Systematic Review" by Crotty et al. (2023) It highlights several methodological and reporting concerns that impact the study's credibility and conclusions. Key issues include the retrospective registration of the study protocol, discrepancies in authorship and protocol content, lack of clarity in inclusion and exclusion criteria, and limitations in geographical scope without clear justification. Furthermore, the letter discusses inconsistencies in the risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments, particularly in the application of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. These methodological shortcomings question the study's findings, contrasting with other comprehensive reviews in the field. The critique emphasizes the importance of methodological rigor and transparency in systematic reviews, especially those influencing clinical practice and policy decisions in mental health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Response to commentary by Mattos et al. (2024)
Crotty K, Gartlehner G and Viswanathan M
Replies to comments made by Mattos et al. (see record 2025-49982-003) on the original article (see record 2024-19816-001). Mattos et al. critiqued our assessments of the certainty of evidence as being overly permissive and not adhering to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group's guidelines. GRADE has become an international standard to describe the level of confidence that investigators have in estimates of effects. Like the risk of bias evaluations, determining the certainty of evidence involves subjective judgment. The true value of GRADE is not in yielding a definitive evidence certainty rating but in its emphasis on transparency. While we acknowledge and respect the differing viewpoints of Mattos et al. regarding our ratings, we caution against the rigid and formulaic use of the GRADE methodology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Data-informed psychological therapy, measurement-based care, and precision mental health
Lutz W, Vehlen A and Schwartz B
Measurement-based care, that is, incorporating data-informed decision support for therapists into psychological therapy, has undergone significant advancements over the past 2 decades. Technological innovations such as computerized data assessment and feedback tools have facilitated its widespread adoption across various settings. For instance, clinicians can utilize psychometric data to personalize therapeutic approaches, strategies, or modules and track a patient's response to therapy in real time (e.g., Lutz, Schwartz, & Delgadillo, 2022). Furthermore, new algorithm-based clinical support tools used within measurement-based care can optimize treatment for such patients at risk for treatment failure. Consequently, measurement-based care is evolving into a data-informed and precision psychological therapy concept that can be viewed as a low-intensity transtheoretical adjunct to evidence-based treatments. It can be integrated at multiple care points into clinical practice regardless of the clinical modality, manual, or program used in a given health care system. Therefore, it emerges as an important component of clinical competence, practice, and training, akin to continuous monitoring of physical health indicators (e.g., insulin, fever, or blood pressure). In this viewpoint article, we summarize the core concepts of data-informed psychological therapy that customizes individual psychological interventions to meet specific patient needs. We also explore implications and future steps to integrate this approach into clinical practice . (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
School-based organizational skills training for students in grades 3-5: A cluster randomized trial
Nissley-Tsiopinis J, Power TJ, Fleming PF, Tremont KL, Poznanski B, Ryan S, Cacia J, Egan T, Montalbano C, Holdaway A, Patel A, Gallagher R, Abikoff H, Localio AR and Mautone JA
Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of interventions to reduce organizational skills deficits and homework problems, including the clinic-based Organizational Skills Training (OST-C) program (Abikoff et al., 2013). In this study, OST-C was adapted for schools as a small-group (Tier 2) intervention delivered by school partners (OST-T2).
Change processes associated with functional improvement in a web-based version of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (webSTAIR) for trauma-exposed veterans
Macia KS, Carlson EB, Blonigen DM, Lindsay J and Cloitre M
In spite of the evidence that both symptom reduction and functional improvement are important for supporting recovery from trauma, psychotherapy process research has largely focused on mechanisms of symptom reduction. A better understanding of how change occurs in treatments that emphasize functional improvement rather than trauma processing is critical for optimizing effective, patient-centered care.