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Attachment orientation has been argued to play a role in the development and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, but this relationship has yet to be fully understood. Attachment orientation may also contribute to appraisals of uncertainty such as threatening and negative beliefs about the consequences of loss of control, constructs which may also be associated with OCD. The present study aimed to investigate whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and negative beliefs about losing control (BALC) mediate the relationship between attachment and OCD symptoms. Two hundred and five participants were recruited from the general community to undertake a cross-sectional online survey which included the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale – 12 item, the Beliefs About Losing Control Inventory, and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised. Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, IU, and BALC were positively correlated with OCD symptoms. Both attachment dimensions were associated with IU and BALC. IU and BALC were found to be serial multiple mediators in the relationship between both attachment dimensions and OCD symptoms, though only the relationship between attachment anxiety and OCD remained significant when controlling for the corresponding attachment dimension. The results suggest that IU and BALC may play a key role in the relationship between attachment and OCD symptoms. What is already known about this topic: Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance have been demonstrated to be associated with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Both attachment dimensions have been demonstrated to be associated with intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and may be hypothesised to lead to negative beliefs about the consequences of loss of control. No research has investigated the potential mediating role of IU and beliefs about losing control on the relationship between attachment and OCD symptoms. What this topic adds: Attachment anxiety and avoidance were found to be associated with beliefs about losing control and IU, and all variables were associated with OCD symptoms. IU and beliefs about losing control were found to be serial-multiple mediators in the relationship between attachment dimensions and OCD symptoms. Attachment orientation, IU and beliefs about losing control may all be important variables to understand as potential contributors to the experience of OCD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal anxiety (PNA) is common, yet few studies have examined the perceived barriers to accessing mental health services and treatment preferences for women in the perinatal period. Further, there is a lack of research specifically exploring Australian women's perspectives on treatment preferences for PNA. The current study explored the views of 20 women (Mage = 34.65, SD = 8.68) who were experiencing, or who had previously experienced, PNA using semi-structured interviews. The interview questions focused on their experiences of PNA, the perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment, and participants' preferences for treatment. Verbatim scripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis and several global themes were identified, including 1) uncertainty concerning changes during pregnancy and postpartum; 2) making sense of pregnancy, motherhood, excessive worries concerning fear of labour, and fear of caring for the baby and anxiety symptoms; 3) treatment preferences; 4) accessibility as facilitators to accessing therapeutic support; and 5) stigma regarding being a "good enough" mother. Each global theme encompassed several organising themes. The results of the study identified several common experiences of PNA and indicated numerous barriers and expectations in relation to treatment uptake. The findings from this study can be used to inform future service design and delivery for the treatment of PNA. What is already known about this topic: Perinatal anxiety is often undiagnosed and undertreated. Treatment uptake for perinatal anxiety is low despite effective treatments being available. Several barriers to accessing mental health treatment in the general population exist. What this topic adds: Women with perinatal anxiety experience several specific barriers to accessing treatment. Treatment uptake and the delivery of psychological care for perinatal anxiety may be enhanced by reducing barriers, and by increased education regarding available treatment option. Online treatments may be a more accessible treatment option for those with perinatal anxiety than traditional face-to-face treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have been hypothesized to be associated with interpersonal problems. Furthermore, a stronger contention is that EMSs impact negatively on, or cause, interpersonal problems. The aims of this meta‐analysis were (a) to assess the strength of the association between EMSs and interpersonal problems, (b) clarify which EMSs are most strongly associated with interpersonal problems, (c) examine any possible moderators on the relationship between EMSs and interpersonal problems, and (d) examine whether any empirical evidence exists supporting a causal relationship between EMSs and interpersonal problems. A comprehensive systematic literature search and meta‐analysis were conducted using the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. A total of 49 empirical studies were reviewed investigating EMSs and interpersonal problems. EMSs were found to have a moderate positive association with interpersonal problems with different EMSs having small to moderate effect sizes. To date, there has been limited evidence supporting a causal effect of EMSs on interpersonal problems. Possible limitations and avenues for future research were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiritual emergency (SEY) is a process of spiritual emergence (SE) or awakening that becomes traumatic for an individual, leading to a state of psychological crisis. The current study aimed to operationalize and empirically validate a definition of SEY. Twenty expert participants (i.e., academic, clinical and experiential) completed two rounds of a modified online Delphi-style questionnaire. Quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed ideological differences among experts that precluded the achievement of consensus and agreement when defining SEY. However, numerous themes were identified, and remained stable across the two rounds of the study: differentiation, spiritual emergence(y) continuum, crisis, ego, understanding (self and others), and transformation and growth. These themes may be used as the basis to guide further empirical inquiry. We propose that this is a necessary step towards assisting in appropriate and culturally sensitive diagnosis and treatment of religious and spiritual issues that are preventing individuals from achieving their fullest potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated whether early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are associated with interpersonal problems and whether this relationship is mediated by trait mindfulness. Method: One hundred and seventeen participants (M = 34.66, SD = 17.14) were recruited and completed measures of EMSs (Young Schema Questionnaire, Short Form, Version 3; YSQ‐SF‐3), trait mindfulness (Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills; KIMS) and interpersonal problems (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems‐32; IIP‐32). Results: The number of EMSs endorsed by an individual at a clinically significant level was negatively associated with trait mindfulness and positively associated with interpersonal problems. Trait mindfulness was negatively associated with interpersonal problems. Only the describing and accepting without judgement facets of trait mindfulness were found to mediate the relationship between EMS endorsement and interpersonal problems. Conclusions: The relationship between EMSs and interpersonal problems may partially operate through some facets of trait mindfulness. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiritual emergency (SEY) is a type of religious or spiritual struggle that has been associated with physical and psychological health problems as well as providing a unique opportunity for growth. The SEY construct provided the impetus for the development of a diagnostic v-code that exists within the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). However, clinicians are failing to utilize the code due to a lack of understanding and knowledge. This article discusses the clinical relevance of identifying religious and spiritual problems and presents an overview of the SEY construct. We discuss attempts to identify religious and spiritual problems in a clinical setting and distinguish them from psychopathology. A systematic review of recent research aimed to measure SEY is provided, along with an outline of its limitations and suggestions for further empirical inquiry. Given the expanding number of positive health benefits associated with healthy religiousness and spirituality, facilitating this potential outcome for those experiencing more pathological forms of religiousness and spirituality should be of paramount importance to mental health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiritual emergency (SE) is a process of spiritual emergence that becomes a psychological crisis and may appear identical to clinical psychosis. This study attempted to validate Goretzki, Thalbourne and Storm's (2009) Spiritual Emergency Subscales (SES), and Experiences of Psychotic Symptoms Scale (EPSS) as measures of SE and psychosis, respectively. The study also investigated whether personality traits (i.e., transliminality, dissociation, sensitivity, openness to change, tension and abstractedness) predicted SES and EPSS scores. Two hundred and twenty-four participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Factor analysis revealed that the SES is a multidimensional scale. Results showed preliminary support for the reliability of both scales and the validity of the EPSS. However, the SES may not be sufficiently capturing the crisis aspect of SE. Transliminality predicted scores on both scales, while dissociation and emotional stability predicted EPSS scores. In conclusion, results indicate that the SES requires modification if it is to be a valid measure of SE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable and valid assessment instrument would aid clinicians in their diagnosis of spiritual crisis, or emergency. The current study investigated the structural validity and personality correlates of the 30-item Spiritual Emergency Scale (SES) (Goretzki, Thalbourne, & Storm, 2013). Participants (N = 162) were recruited via email and social media and completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Exploratory principal axis factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution. Mysticism was correlated with SES scores, supporting convergent validity. However, the SES appears to neglect the crisis aspect of SE. As expected, results found that self-concept expanding beyond the here-and-now and mental boundaries predicted SES scores. In contrast, ego-grasping style did not predict SES scores. In conclusion, although in need of revision, the 30-item SES may be regarded as a promising measure of spiritual emergence but perhaps not emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a long-standing assumption that holotropic breathwork (HB) induces an altered state of consciousness. However, this assumption has not been empirically tested. Consequently, 32 participants were recruited for the present study, which aimed to use the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) to quantify the pattern of phenomenological subsystems and Altered State of Awareness (ASA) scores associated with a HB condition relative to a comparison condition and a baseline assessment. The hypothesis that the HB group would report a different pattern of relationships among phenomenological subsystems relative to the comparison condition and baseline was partially supported. In addition, the hypothesis that, while controlling for baseline, the HB group would report higher ASA scores than the comparison group was supported. Finally, for the HB group, transliminality did not significantly improve the prediction of ASA, while controlling for baseline. Various suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]