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PubMed2026

Space to grieve and grow: A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesized evidence from intervention studies published over the past 25 years that aimed to improve coping and psychosocial well-being among individuals early in the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course. The goal was to evaluate intervention characteristics, theoretical foundations, and psychosocial outcomes, and to identify gaps for future research. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (2000-2025). Eligible studies included quantitative or mixed-methods interventions that addressed coping or psychosocial well-being among adults newly diagnosed with MS. Data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by multiple reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. RESULTS: Seven studies (n = 345) met inclusion criteria, representing cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance-based, and nurse- or peer-delivered interventions. The interval between diagnosis and intervention enrollment ranged from 14 days to >4 years, suggesting different phases of adjustment. All interventions produced significant short-term improvements in at least one psychosocial domain (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress, coping, or illness acceptance). However, sustained effects beyond 6-12 months were inconsistent. Common mechanisms across interventions included enhancing self-efficacy, stress management, and adaptive coping. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that brief psychosocial interventions for adults in the early years after MS diagnosis are feasible and may provide short-term benefits for selected psychosocial outcomes. However, the evidence base remains limited, heterogeneous, and preliminary. Future studies should more clearly define diagnosis timing, use adequately powered designs and longer follow-up, and examine mechanisms of change.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

From fear to empowerment: the impact of employees AI awareness on workplace well-being - a new insight from the JD-R model.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of the study was to explore the impact of health workers' awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) on their workplace well-being, addressing a critical gap in the literature. By examining this relationship through the lens of the Job demands-resources (JD-R) model, the study aimed to provide insights into how health workers' perceptions of AI integration in their jobs and careers could influence their informal learning behaviour and, consequently, their overall well-being in the workplace. The study's findings could inform strategies for supporting healthcare workers during technological transformations. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study employed a quantitative research design using a survey methodology to collect data from 420 health workers across 10 hospitals in Ghana that have adopted AI technologies. The study was analysed using OLS and structural equation modelling. FINDINGS: The study findings revealed that health workers' AI awareness positively impacts their informal learning behaviour at the workplace. Again, informal learning behaviour positively impacts health workers' workplace well-being. Moreover, informal learning behaviour mediates the relationship between health workers' AI awareness and workplace wellbeing. Furthermore, employee learning orientation was found to strengthen the effect of AI awareness on informal learning behaviour. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: While the study provides valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge its limitations. The study was conducted in a specific context (Ghanaian hospitals adopting AI), which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other healthcare settings or industries. Self-reported data from the questionnaires may be subject to response biases, and the study did not account for potential confounding factors that could influence the relationships between the variables. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study offers practical implications for healthcare organizations navigating the digital transformation era. By understanding the positive impact of health workers' AI awareness on their informal learning behaviour and well-being, organizations can prioritize initiatives that foster a learning-oriented culture and provide opportunities for informal learning. This could include implementing mentorship programs, encouraging knowledge-sharing among employees and offering training and development resources to help workers adapt to AI-driven changes. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of promoting employee learning orientation, which can enhance the effectiveness of such initiatives. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study contributes to the existing literature by addressing a relatively unexplored area - the impact of AI awareness on healthcare workers' well-being. While previous research has focused on the potential job displacement effects of AI, this study takes a unique perspective by examining how health workers' perceptions of AI integration can shape their informal learning behaviour and, subsequently, their workplace well-being. By drawing on the JD-R model and incorporating employee learning orientation as a moderator, the study offers a novel theoretical framework for understanding the implications of AI adoption in healthcare organizations.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Impact of early nurse-led implementation of an intensive care unit diary following major trauma on quality of life: The QUALITRAU randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of major trauma often experience long-term impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intensive care unit (ICU) diaries have been proposed to reduce psychological sequelae, but evidence remains conflicting and not specific to trauma patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether, in patients with major trauma, a nurse-led ICU diary implemented within the first 48 h after trauma improves HRQoL at 1 year vs. usual care. METHODS: The QUALITRAU randomized controlled trial was conducted in three ICUs of a French tertiary hospital. Adult patients with major trauma (Injury Severity Score > 15) were randomized within 48 h of admission to receive either an ICU diary combined with usual care or usual care alone. The primary outcome was HRQoL at 12 months, assessed with the 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included PTSD severity measured with the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Between November 2014 and November 2016, 208 patients were randomized (101 intervention, 107 control), with primary outcome available for 121 (53 intervention, 68 control). Median age was 35 years [IQR 25-51], 81% were men, and 63% had severe traumatic brain injury. At 12 months, there were no differences between intervention and control groups in the WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical: 5.7 [IQR 4.6-11.4] vs 9.1 [IQR 4.6-13.1],P = 0.16; psychological: 8.0 [IQR 6.7-13.3] vs 11.3 [IQR 6.7-13.3],P = 0.08; social: 5.3 [IQR 4.0-14.7] vs 12.0 [IQR 4.0-14.7],P = 0.10; environment: 8.0 [IQR 5.5-14.5] vs 12.0 [IQR 5.5-15.5], P = 0.05). IES scores were also not different. CONCLUSIONS: Early implementation of nurse-led ICU diaries was not associated with improved long-term HRQoL or reduced PTSD symptoms in patients with major trauma. IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings suggest that ICU diaries may need to be integrated into broader, multimodal rehabilitation strategies and may depend on factors such as timing, content, or patient characteristics.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Five-year outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of prolonged exposure therapy and supportive counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescents: a task-shifted intervention.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive-behavioural therapies with a trauma focus are effective in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological distress in adolescents. Long-term follow-up data on adolescents treated for PTSD remain scarce, with few studies extending beyond 12 months after treatment completion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maintenance of treatment gains in a comparative study of effectiveness of PE-A and SC up to 60 months post-treatment. METHOD: Sixty-three adolescents diagnosed with PTSD were randomly assigned to either treatment, provided by newly trained and supervised non-specialist health workers. The primary outcome measure was PTSD symptom severity, as independently assessed on the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). We report on the 60-month post-treatment follow-up, building on post-treatment, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month and 24-month post-treatment data that have been published previously. RESULTS: Participants in both treatment groups maintained a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms up to 60-months post-treatment (F (7, 343)&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.86, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;.01). Participants receiving prolonged exposure experienced greater improvement on the CPSS at all follow-up assessment timepoints, except for the 60-month FU (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;.28; g&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.33). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with PTSD continued to maintain treatment gains up to 60-months post-treatment. These data, along with findings from the original RCT, indicate that a brief treatment protocol (averaging 9 sessions of PE-A or SC) in a LMIC, task-shifted to be delivered by nurses without prior psychotherapy experience, led to lasting improvements in PTSD and comorbid symptoms for up to five years. The sustained benefits and improved functioning over the first few years post-treatment support expanding both treatments, especially PE-A, in community settings.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Validation of a Turkish Translation of the Stress in Emergency Healthcare Professionals: The Stress Factors and Manifestations Scale.

AIM: The primary duties of emergency healthcare professionals (EHPs) are to provide emergency patient care to acutely ill and injured individuals. Due to the nature of their work, EHPs operate under constant stress, often requiring rapid decision-making, swift action, and the delivery of necessary medical care in life-or-death situations, sometimes under inadequately safe conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the validity and reliability of the Emergency Healthcare Professional Stress Factors and Symptoms (SEHP:SFMS) Scale in Turkish for identifying stress factors and symptoms in emergency medical care professionals providing emergency patient care services. DESIGN: A methodological study design was used in this study. METHODS: The study was conducted with the participation of 211 EHPs from employees working in emergency care institutions affiliated with the Mu&#x11f;la Provincial Health Directorate between November 2023 and June 2024. Data were collected via a face-to-face survey. Data were analysed using Lawshe content validity ratio, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient, Bartlett test, exploratory factor analysis, principal component analysis, Varimax factor rotation method, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's &#x3b1; internal consistency coefficient, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test-retest, and Spearman correlation coefficient tests. RESULTS: The linguistic translation and cultural adaptation of the SEHP:SFMS showed strong performance. The scope validity index of the scale is 0.83. The item-total correlation values of the scale were found to be between 0.486 and 0.794, and the factor loadings were between 0.474 and 0.816. Confirmatory factor analysis fit indices: &#x3c7;2&#x2009;=&#x2009;248.727; df&#x2009;=&#x2009;101; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;211; p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.000; &#x3c7;2/df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.463; RMSEA&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.083; CFI&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.914, SRMR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.052, which was found to be compatible and acceptable with the proposed 3-factor model. The Cronbach's &#x3b1; reliability coefficient of the scale was 0.931, and the total variance was 61.97%. CONCLUSIONS: SEHP:SFMS is a valid and reliable tool to assess stress factors and symptoms of Turkish emergency healthcare professionals. Its use improves the quality of emergency care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: These study findings have been used to create a tool with Turkish validity and reliability that allows for the examination of stress factors among healthcare professionals working in emergency and critical services. Identifying and reducing stress factors among healthcare professionals is crucial for the delivery of quality healthcare services. It can also be used to develop targeted interventions and ongoing strategies to facilitate improved clinical supervision and mentoring. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses in emergency departments, which are among the most stressful, dynamic, intense, life-saving, and critical environments in healthcare institutions, and where life-saving treatment is administered, are at high risk of experiencing psychological trauma. Trauma experienced in the work environment is a significant problem for nursing. The consequences of trauma negatively affect nurses and institutions. Studies show that post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout are commonly observed in emergency department nurses. In this sense, understanding the stress and stress factors experienced by nurses can guide future interventions. The results of this study are considered important in making visible the stress and stress factors experienced by nurses in the emergency department, and also in guiding managers and nurses working in this field in terms of preventive and protective measures.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Effectiveness and moderators of PE and CPT in adult PTSD treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that challenges mental health services worldwide. Effective psychological interventions are crucial for treatment, among which Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are prominent. Comparative analyses of these treatments, considering moderators such as patient demographics and treatment specifics, are necessary to tailor interventions effectively.Objective: This meta-analysis synthesised findings from 175 treatment arms across 163 studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of PE and CPT for PTSD. Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g for between-group (treatment vs. control) and within-group (pre-post) comparisons.Results: Using a random-effects model, the overall pooled effect size was large (Hedges' g&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.67, 95% CI [1.56, 1.79]), suggesting substantial treatment-related symptom improvement. Multivariate meta-regression revealed, across the full sample, none of the main effects or interactions was significant. A sensitivity analysis excluding 10 influential outliers reduced the overall effect size (g&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.55), indicating that PE was associated with larger effects than CPT among non-military samples, and larger effects were observed in studies with a higher proportion of female participants, military samples, and samples with lower proportions of sexual trauma. Treatment-by-sample-characteristic interactions were not significant in the trimmed model.Conclusions: Findings suggest that PE and CPT produce large effects in reducing PTSD symptoms, with some variation across treatment type and sample characteristics. Results underscore the importance of examining contextual moderators such as treatment setting and population type and highlight the need for transparent reporting of key sample features to improve future meta-analytic precision.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Stigma, discrimination-related events, and determinants among adult people living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Systematic review and indicator-level meta-analysis.

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with 0.4&#xa0;million new cases diagnosed annually. With its wide variety of visible and invisible manifestations, people living with SLE report being exposed to stigmatization, which impacts their personal and professional lives. However, the current literature is unclear on whether healthcare management teams assess this concern during follow-up. This study aims to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence and determinants of stigma among people living with SLE.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis gathered evidence from observational studies identified from three databases on 16 July 2025. Dual independent screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment (using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were performed. Results were synthesized using descriptive statistics, narrative synthesis, and indicator-level meta-analyses.ResultsWithin the past two decades, 11 studies comprising 2254 people living with SLE reported and measured stigma- and discrimination-related events using various scales. Stigma was found to be prevalent across its three constructs: interpersonal, perceived, and intrapersonal stigma. This review demonstrated that people living with SLE reported a moderate overall burden of stigma (34.71 [95% CI 26.15, 43.27]), with average stigma scores indicating psychological impact. Additionally, nearly one in two persons (46% [95% CI 28-66%]) experienced at least one form of stigma or discrimination, most commonly social isolation and unfair treatment. Mental health associations were correlated with higher stigma burden.ConclusionThis review demonstrates that stigma and discrimination are not just social challenges but also critical determinants of health. With cautious interpretation, pooled evidence reveals a consistent high prevalence of stigma and discrimination, which act as "toxic" stressors, creating a vicious cycle with psychological stress and psychiatric manifestations and disease activity. There is an urgent clinical need to move beyond a mere biological approach to disease assessment and management and to begin screening for the "invisible" burden of invalidation and discrimination.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Urban Design Quality and Clinical Mental Health: A Systematic Review.

ObjectivesThis systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence on core urban design dimensions that affect clinical mental health outcomes and examines how environmental exposures mediate or moderate these relationships.BackgroundUrban design has increasingly been recognized as a determinant of psychological well-being, yet a standardized framework to evaluate its mental health impact remains underdeveloped.MethodsFollowing PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically reviewed 19 quantitative empirical studies published through January 2025, examining relationships between outdoor urban design features and validated clinical mental health indicators across four major databases.ResultsFindings reveal that urban design influences clinical mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive decline) through two objective spatial scales: street-level features (imageability, enclosure, human scale, complexity) and neighborhood environments (land use mix, density, green infrastructure). Environmental exposures (traffic, noise, air pollution) operate as perceptual and experiential mechanisms that mediate or moderate the mental health effects of these spatial design features.ConclusionsWe propose an integrated three-domain conceptual framework distinguishing objective spatial design scales from subjective exposure mechanisms. This framework provides evidence-based guidance for urban planners and policymakers toward creating mentally healthier urban environments.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Psychological interventions for children with chronic physical conditions: a systematic review assessing the role of coping, emotional and cognitive processes.

OBJECTIVES: Coping, emotional and cognitive processes are crucial in child development, particularly in children with pediatric chronic physical conditions (CPC). No systematic review in pediatric psychology has investigated the effectiveness of interventions on these processes concurrently. This review addresses this gap by focusing on the effectiveness of psychological interventions on coping, emotional and cognitive processes in children with CPCs. METHODS: Five electronic databases were searched for studies assessing at least one of these processes. Only randomized-controlled trials with children (8-12&#x2009;years) with a CPC (e.g. diabetes, asthma), which implemented a psychological intervention were included. This study is registered in (CRD42021233505). RESULTS: Ten intervention studies were identified. While cognitive interventions (Cogmed) showed some improvements in working memory, the effects varied across studies despite similar methodologies. Coping interventions (e.g. Coping Skills Training) showed little effect on coping strategies or psychological health variables and were no more beneficial than control groups. No study trained coping, emotional processes and cognitive processes together. CONCLUSION: This review shows current limitations in evaluating psychological interventions targeting coping, cognitive or emotional processes in children with CPCs, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the interventions' action mechanisms. Systematically including underlying processes in intervention studies could help to better adjust those interventions.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Psychological skills training for sport-related outcomes: An umbrella review of evidence credibility and methodological quality.

Psychological skills training (PST) is widely used in sport, but review-level evidence remains fragmented across interventions, populations, outcomes, and methodological standards. This umbrella review synthesized evidence on PST-related interventions for sport-related outcomes, including athletic performance, psychological outcomes, cognitive performance, and sports injury, and evaluated evidence credibility, certainty, and methodological quality. A systematic literature search was conducted on 21 May 2025 in MEDLINE, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete. Overall, 61 reviews involving 42,106 participants were included; 35 meta-analyses involving 28,076 participants were eligible for quantitative synthesis, and 26 reviews or meta-analyses involving 14,030 participants were summarized qualitatively. Quantitative findings showed generally positive point estimates for mindfulness-based interventions, imagery practice, music-based interventions, neurofeedback, perceptual-cognitive training, and multiple PST interventions, but most findings were weak or non-significant and certainty was generally very low. Qualitative evidence suggested potential benefits, but conclusions varied according to intervention definition, delivery, outcome measurement, and methodological quality. Evidence was more developed for athletic performance and psychological outcomes than for cognitive performance and sports injury. Overall, PST-related interventions may benefit sport-related outcomes, but conclusions should remain cautious because of low certainty, methodological heterogeneity, and limited evidence credibility.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Intravenous Ketamine reduces psychological pain in suicidal inpatients: A secondary analysis of a six-week randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Psychological pain has been conceptualized as an unbearable inner experience and a possible precondition for suicidal ideation. No randomized placebo-controlled study has specifically investigated psychological pain as a treatment target in psychiatric populations. We examined ketamine's effect on psychological pain in suicidal psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This secondary analysis used KETIS, a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants received two 40-minute intravenous infusions of ketamine (0.5&#xa0;mg/kg) or placebo (0.9% saline) 24&#xa0;h apart, alongside usual care and medication. Psychological and physical pain were assessed at baseline, repeatedly during 96&#xa0;h, and at weeks 2, 4, and 6 using the self-rated PPP-VAS. Longitudinal mixed models compared pain trajectories. RESULTS: The trial randomized suicidal inpatients to ketamine (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;73) or placebo (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;83). Psychological pain decreased in both groups but was lower with ketamine during the first 96&#xa0;h. Pointwise scores were lower with ketamine from 40&#xa0;min to 96&#xa0;h, largest at 40&#xa0;min, 2&#xa0;h, 4&#xa0;h, and 24&#xa0;h (all p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001), but not at weeks 2, 4, or 6. This early difference remained significant after adjustment for depressive symptoms and hopelessness. The early reduction appeared more pronounced in the bipolar subgroup. No robust baseline predictors of outcome were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous ketamine was associated with a greater reduction in psychological pain than placebo in suicidal inpatients, with the clearest effects emerging within the first hours after treatment and remaining evident through the first 96&#xa0;h. Ketamine may represent a clinically relevant option as a psychological pain reliever in psychiatric patients.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Against Politically Active Women: A Systematic Review of Psychological and Political Consequences and Women's Coping Behaviors.

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence presents critical challenges for politically active women, whose professional roles often expose them to elevated levels of online abuse with far-reaching impacts on their emotional well-being, professional engagement, and participation in public life. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 48 studies employing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research to examine the psychological and political consequences and coping mechanisms associated with online harassment. Eighty-one percent of the included studies (39/48) report psychological distress, anxiety, and fear among targeted women, with 31% of the studies (15/48) identifying online harassment as a trigger for (re-) traumatization. The political consequences are equally significant, with 62% of the studies (30/48) documenting modifications in political messaging, 39% (19/48) noting reduced engagement with online platforms, and 29% (14/48) showing that women abandon their online presence altogether. Additionally, 20% (10/48) of the studies report cases of women withdrawing from their political roles. In terms of coping strategies, 66% (32/48) report women blocking or muting harassers, while 37% (18/48) document women reporting abuse to authorities or platforms. This study highlights the pervasive impact of technology-facilitated violence on women's emotional well-being, and their political participation and underscores its broader implications for democratic discourse and social equity.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) improves professional psychological help-seeking attitudes: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Professional psychological help-seeking attitudes are crucial for addressing mental health challenges, yet the mechanisms underlying their improvement through internet-based interventions remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial aimed to (1) evaluate the efficacy of Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT) in enhancing professional help-seeking attitudes, and (2) elucidate the longitudinal mediating roles of psychological rigidity and self-stigma. METHODS: A total of 91 male participants (Mean Age&#xa0;=&#xa0;21.09) were randomly assigned to either a 12-day iACT intervention group (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;46) using a self-developed mobile application or a waitlist control group (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;45). Psychological flexibility, rigidity, self-stigma, and help-seeking attitudes were measured at four time points: baseline, mid-intervention (Day 6), post-intervention (Day 12), and 1-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and latent growth modeling. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed the iACT group showed greater improvements in help-seeking attitudes than controls (F (3,87)&#xa0;=&#xa0;5.95, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001), with medium-to-large between-group effects at post-test for reducing psychological rigidity (d&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.77, 95% CI [-1.19, -0.34]) and self-stigma (d&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.88, 95% CI [-1.31, -0.45]). Latent growth modeling revealed a sequential mediation effect: the iACT intervention reduced psychological rigidity (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.53, SE&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.12), which in turn reduced self-stigma (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.61, SE&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.09) and improved help-seeking attitudes (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.47, SE&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.08). CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence that a self-guided iACT mobile intervention can effectively enhance professional help-seeking attitudes by reducing psychological rigidity, which in turn alleviates self-stigma. The developed app offers a scalable solution to overcoming stigma-related barriers to mental health care.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Clinical and psychological characteristics of adolescents at risk of mood disorders compared with adolescents with suicidal behavior.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, yet little is understood about the biopsychosocial factors related to suicidality. The demographic, clinical, and biological characteristics of adolescents with and without psychiatric histories may help inform mechanistic approaches to treatment of mood disorders and suicidality. The 'characterizing the inflammatory profile and suicidal behavior in adolescents' and 'RAD arm of the Texas Resilience Against Depression' studies aimed to characterize the clinical and biological profiles of youth with suicidal behavior and youth at risk for mood disorders, compared to healthy adolescents (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;75 in each group). Here, we report the descriptive baseline clinical and psychological characteristics of adolescents at risk of mood disorders and those with suicidal behavior. The adolescents with suicidal behavior reported 3.53 lifetime suicidal events on average, predominantly reported moderate to very severe depression (34.7%, 24%, to 9.3%), moderate to severe anxiety (58.6%), low optimism (91.9%), and mild (39.2%) to moderate (28.4%) degree of hopelessness. The at-risk adolescents predominantly reported no depression (60%) or anxiety (68.9%), moderate optimism (50%), and a positive outlook (85.7%). Healthy adolescents predominantly reported no depression (88.3%) or anxiety (93.2%), moderate optimism (59%), and a positive outlook (87%). The adolescents with suicidal behavior and those at risk of mood disorders exhibited significantly higher irritability and borderline personality disorder features (uncorrected p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.02 to p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001) and lower resilience compared to healthy adolescents. Ongoing investigations using the longitudinal clinical and biological data will help identify the immune biosignatures of suicidality in youth.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

The Thyroid-Brain Network: Exploring Inflammation, Immune Mechanisms and Common Triggers in Thyroid-Related Neurological Dysfunction.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, represent the most prevalent endocrine disorders worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions with profound but often under recognized neurological consequences. There are emerging lines of evidence establishing inflammation and immunity as the critical missing link connecting peripheral thyroid dysfunction to central nervous system manifestations. Thyroid hormones function as essential neuromodulators governing neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive processing through integrated genomic and non-genomic mechanisms, with region-specific cerebral metabolic disturbances correlating with distinct neuropsychiatric symptoms. The immunological perspective reveals that AITD propagates neuroinflammation through convergent pathways: molecular mimicry enabling cross-reactivity between thyroid and neural antigens, cytokine-mediated disruption of neurotransmitter metabolism, HMGB1-driven glial activation, and blood-brain barrier compromise facilitating immune cell infiltration. The thyroid-gut-microbiota axis emerges as a critical mediator wherein dysbiosis perpetuates both thyroid autoimmunity and neuroinflammation through impaired serotonin precursor availability and increased intestinal permeability. Mitochondrial dysfunction represents an energetic common denominator, as thyroid hormone dysregulation directly impairs oxidative phosphorylation, producing region-specific cerebral metabolic disturbances. Simultaneous compromise of monoamine systems, cholinergic signaling abnormalities, and glutamate excitotoxicity creates a particularly toxic neurochemical state in untreated thyroid dysfunction. Common triggers such as psychological stress, gut dysbiosis, and mitochondrial impairment may activate interconnected pathways that simultaneously compromise thyroid and brain function, revealing that these disorders share fundamental mechanistic origins. These insights have been discussed in the current review to enhance the understanding of thyroid-brain function, the core mechanisms and consequences of functional deficits.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2026

Psychological impacts of APOE genotype disclosure among Latinos in New York City: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Latinos face increased Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk but are underrepresented in studies of APOE genotype disclosure. We evaluated the psychological impacts of APOE disclosure in the Informaci&#xf3;n de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer para Latinos (IDEAL) study, a randomized controlled trial among Latinos in New York City. METHODS: Latino northern Manhattan residents without self-reported AD (mean age 52, 69% women, 49% college graduates) were randomized in the period August 2021 to July 2024 to receive AD risk estimates to age 85 incorporating APOE genotype, family history, and ethnicity (disclosure) or the same factors excluding APOE (non-disclosure). Bilingual genetic counselors delivered risk estimates to both groups, unmasked to randomization. Follow-up surveys were completed 6&#xa0;weeks, 9 months, and 15 months after risk delivery. Primary outcomes were impact of genetic testing in AD (IGT-AD) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in depression, anxiety, and perceived AD threat. Analyses used intention-to-treat with multiple imputation. RESULTS: Disclosure (N&#xa0;=&#xa0;194) and non-disclosure (N&#xa0;=&#xa0;180) groups did not differ on IGT-AD (mean disclosure-non-disclosure difference [MD] at 6 weeks: -1.5, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.14; 9 months: -1.2, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.35; 15 months: -2.0, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.07), IES-R (MD at 6 weeks: 0.00, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.98; 9 months: 0.01, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.84; 15 months: 0.03, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.64), or change in secondary outcomes. Occurrence of disclosure-related adverse events was similar in the disclosure (N&#xa0;=&#xa0;2) and non-disclosure (N&#xa0;=&#xa0;3) groups. DISCUSSION: In this Latino cohort, APOE disclosure did not have clinically significant adverse psychological effects, addressing an important evidence gap. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04471779.

Aged↗
PubMed2026

Prevalence and pattern of psychological symptoms in form of dental fear and anxiety in children and adolescents with traumatic dental injuries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the level and pattern of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) amongst children and adolescents with traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and, where available, to compare these outcomes with non-traumatised controls. METHODS: An a priori protocol was developed and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261329946). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus on 3 March 2026, with additional grey literature, citation, and reference searching. No language or time restrictions were applied. Observational clinical studies assessing DFA in individuals with TDI using validated tools were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: A total of 2885 records were identified, of which 4 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria after screening. Studies were conducted in Croatia and Kosovo and included paediatric populations. Sample sizes ranged from 147 to 505 participants. Different validated scales (CFSS-DS, CDAS, S-DAI) were used to assess DFA. Overall, children with TDI demonstrated predominantly low levels of dental fear and anxiety across assessment tools. However, findings were inconsistent, with some studies reporting lower or similar anxiety levels in TDI patients compared to controls. Risk of bias was moderate or high in three of the four studies, and the overall certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low due to methodological limitations, heterogeneity, and imprecision. CONCLUSION: The limited available evidence suggests that children and adolescents with TDI do not consistently present with higher levels of dental fear and anxiety than non-traumatised controls. These findings indicate that TDI does not inherently cause DFA, underscoring the critical role of empathetic behaviour support in mitigating post-traumatic dental fear. However, the evidence is based on a small number of regionally concentrated cross-sectional studies with low to very low certainty. Future prospective studies using standardised TDI classifications, validated DFA instruments, and clearly defined assessment time points are needed.

Dental anxiety↗
PubMed2026

The feasibility and efficacy of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a pilot randomised crossover trial.

Sleep disturbances contribute to disease progression in dementia and result in reduced quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions are recommended for the management of sleep and other behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), although these interventions can be challenging to implement. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention for people with BPSD in a neurobehavioural unit. Fourteen residents, serving as their own control, slept two weeks with a weighted blanket and two weeks with usual bedding in a crossover trial. The primary outcomes were sleep duration and efficiency, measured via a Withing's sleep analyser and sleep disordered behaviours, measured by the sleep disorder inventory (SDI). Secondary outcomes included responsive behaviours, measured by the Neuropsychiatric index (NPI), falls incidents, restrictive practice incidents and use of pro re nata psychotropic medications. Generalised Estimation Equation (GEE) method was used for analysis. There was no statistical evidence that weighted blankets improved sleep or behavioural outcomes for people with BPSD, however fewer fall incidents, wakings and restrictive practices were reported during weighted blanket use. Weighted blankets were considered feasible and acceptable with high recruitment rates, nil participant withdrawals and no adverse outcomes, however there was variable compliance to the intervention protocol and the Withings did not adequately measure sleep. Whilst there is insufficient effectiveness evidence for further trials, weighted blankets can be offered to people living with dementia as a low risk sleep intervention option, with the caveat that there is currently no effectiveness evidence.

Behavioural Symptoms↗