psych Flashcards
whats realistic conflict theory
Competition for Resources: RCT suggests that when two or more groups are in competition for scarce resources, conflict and hostility are likely to develop. This competition can be over tangible resources (like food, territory, or money) or intangible ones (like social status or prestige).
whats intergroup contact theory
Intergroup contact refers to interactions between people from different social groups such as racial, ethnic or religious groups (Allport, 1954). These interactions can take many forms (e.g., people from two racial groups talking in the street or people from two different nationalities being close friends).
what did naeem (2012) do
naeem (2012) developed a culturally sensitive course of CBT for 9 patients in Pakistan, by interviewing them and putting the way they viewed their depression into the treatment (for example, referring to their ‘tension’ and ‘poor sleep’ rather than ‘depression’
participants were interviewed about their thoughts on their illness and the course of the treatment
-transcripts were made later based on the recordings
-data was combined with field notes from one of the authors during the clinical field practice
-inductive content analysis was applied to derive common themes emerging in the patients’ subjective interpretations
what did griner and smith (2006) do
they conducted a meta-analysis of 76 studies that looked at the effectiveness of making treatments culturally specific for patients, particularly for minorities who have traditionally had worse health outcomes (e.g. Māori in New Zealand)
They found evidence that if culture is paid attention to as part of the process (e.g. conversing in native language, referencing cultural beliefs) then treatment outcomes are improved
oderately strong benefit of culturally adapted interventions
therapist speaking native language more effective than therapist speaking english
benefit 4 times stronger for same race groups than mixed race
naeem 2012 type of study
interview, field observation
results of naeem
4 themes emerged in the content analysis:
1) patients’ perception of depression-tended to mention physical symtoms much more often than mental symptoms, didn’t use “depression” as a label for their illness and used expression such as “illness of poor sleep” and tension
2) patients’ belief about the causes of depression-attributed their illness to “problems in the environment”, “thinking too much” and “worries”
3) models of referral for help the majority of patients were referred to the clinic by relatives
4) patients knowledge about treatment of depression-they believed that they could be caused by “good quality medicine” / magicians
describe aim of segal’s study
To determine the long-term effects of MCBT
what did segal do and results
Pps randomly assigned to one of three conditions:
1) patients discontinued their antidepressants & attended 8 weekly group sessions of MBCT.
2) patients continued taking their therapeutic dose of antidepressant medication w/o MBCT.
3) patients discontinued active medication & were switched to a placebo.
- Relapse was defined as a return of symptoms (for at least 2 weeks) sufficient to meet the criteria for MDD & measured.
RESULTS of Segal et al’s study?
- MBCT could help prevent relapse as well as recurring depressive episodes & medication.
- MBCT was more efficient than a placebo.
segal participants
84 ppl in remission for MDD.
segal evaluation
Strengths:
Randomized Controlled Design: The study was well-designed, utilizing a randomized controlled trial (RCT) which strengthens the reliability of its findings. Participants were randomly assigned to different conditions (MBCT, medication discontinuation, or continuation), reducing bias.
Relapse Prevention Focus: The study specifically targeted people in remission for MDD, examining how MBCT can prevent relapse. This focus on relapse prevention, rather than symptom reduction, is important since MDD is a recurring condition.
Clinical Relevance: The findings had practical implications. They showed that MBCT could be as effective as continued medication for preventing relapse, offering an alternative for people who may prefer psychological interventions over long-term medication use.
Longitudinal Aspect: The study followed participants for 18 months, providing insights into the long-term effectiveness of MBCT, which is often a limitation in shorter studies.
Limitations:
Sample Specificity: The study focused on individuals who had experienced multiple episodes of depression (three or more). This means the findings may not generalize to individuals experiencing their first or second episode of depression, limiting its broader applicability.
Adherence to MBCT: The study did not extensively evaluate how strictly participants followed the mindfulness practices after the intervention period. Adherence to mindfulness practices is crucial for the long-term benefits of MBCT, and without measuring this, it’s hard to say if continued practice is necessary for relapse prevention.
Medication Discontinuation Group: While the study compared MBCT with both medication continuation and discontinuation, the effects of medication withdrawal (side effects or psychological impacts of discontinuation) might have influenced the relapse rates in this group, complicating interpretation of the results.
Self-reporting: Like many psychological studies, this one relied on self-reported data for assessing depressive symptoms, which can introduce bias or inaccuracies based on participants’ perceptions and memories.
griner and smith evaluation
- large sample size
- meta analysis, studies may have been curated (confirmation bias)
