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Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14288/6
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Publication Open Access Self-Help Plus for refugees and asylum seekers; study protocol for a series of individual participant data meta-analyses(Taylor _ Francis, 2021) Karyotaki, Eirini; Sijbrandij, Marit; Purgato, Marianna; Lakin, Daniel; Bailey, Della; Peckham, Emily; Uygun, Ersin; Tedeschi, Federico; Wancata, Johannes; Augustinavicius, Jura; Carswell, Ken; Valimaki, Maritta; van Ommeren, Mark; Koesters, Markus; Popa, Mariana; Leku, Marx Ronald; Anttila, Minna; Churchill, Rachel; White, Ross; Al-Hashimi, Sarah; Lantta, Tella; Au, Teresa; Klein, Thomas; Tol, Wietse A.; Cuijpers, Pim; Barbui, Corrado; Department of Psychology; Acartürk, Ceren; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; 39271Background: refugees and asylum seekers face various stressors due to displacement and are especially vulnerable to common mental disorders. To effectively manage psychological distress in this population, innovative interventions are required. The World Health Organization (WHO) Self-Help Plus (SH+) intervention has shown promising outcomes in reducing symptoms of common mental disorders among refugees and asylum seekers. However, individual participant differences in response to SH+ remain largely unknown. The Individual Participant Data (IPD) meta-analysis synthesizes raw datasets of trials to provide cutting-edge evidence of outcomes that cannot be examined by conventional meta-analytic approaches. Objectives: this protocol outlines the methods of a series of IPD meta-analyses aimed at examining the effects and potential moderators of SH+ in (a) reducing depressive symptoms at post-intervention and (b) preventing the six-month cumulative incidence of mental disorders in refugees and asylum seekers. Method: RCTs on SH+ have been identified through WHO and all authors have agreed to share the datasets of the trials. The primary outcomes of the IPD meta-analyses are (a) reduction in depressive symptoms at post-intervention, and (b) prevention of six-month cumulative incidence of mental disorders. Secondary outcomes include post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, well-being, functioning, quality of life, and twelve-month cumulative incidence of mental disorders. One-stage IPD meta-analyses will be performed using mixed-effects linear/logistic regression. Missing data will be handled by multiple imputation. Conclusions: these results will enrich current knowledge about the response to SH+ and will facilitate its targeted dissemination. The results of these IPD meta-analyses will be published in peer-reviewed journals.Publication Open Access The ventral hippocampus CA3 is critical in regulating timing uncertainty in temporal decision-making(Elsevier, 2021) Çavdaroğlu, Bilgehan; Riaz, Sadia; Shi, Yuqing; Ito, Rutsuko; Department of Psychology; Balcı, Fuat; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; KU Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR) / KU Arçelik Yaratıcı Endüstriler Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (KUAR); Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Translasyonel Tıp Araştırma Merkezi (KUTTAM); College of Social Sciences and Humanities; 51269Timing uncertainty is a critical component of temporal decision-making, as it determines the decision strategies that maximize reward rate. However, little is known about the biological substrates of timing uncertainty. In this study, we report that the CA3 subregion of the ventral hippocampus (vCA3), a relatively unexplored area in timing, is critical in regulating timing uncertainty that informs temporal decision making. Using a variant of the differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) task that incorporates differential levels of approach-avoidance conflict, rats were trained to wait a minimum of 6 s to earn a reward that was paired with varying durations of foot shock. Post-training chemogenetic inhibition of the vCA3 reduced timing uncertainty without affecting mean wait times, irrespective of the level of conflict experienced. Simulations based on the information-processing variant of scalar expectancy theory (SET) revealed that the vCA3 may be important in modulating decision threshold or switch closure latency variability. © 2021 The Author(s)The neural substrate of timing uncertainty, an inherent component of optimal temporal decision making, is not well known. Using a temporal decision-making task combined with chemogenetics, Çavdaroğlu et al. demonstrate that pyramidal cells in the CA3 subregion of the ventral hippocampus are important in modulating timing uncertainty.Publication Open Access Cross-linguistic patterns in the acquisition of quantifiers(National Academy of Sciences, 2016) Katsos, Napoleon; Cummins, Chris; Ezeizabarrena, Maria-Jose; Gavarro, Anna; Kraljevic, Jelena Kuvac; Hrzica, Gordana; Grohmann, Kleanthes K.; Skordi, Athina; de Lopez, Kristine Jensen; Sundahl, Lone; van Hout, Angeliek; Hollebrandse, Bart; Overweg, Jessica; Faber, Myrthe; van Koert, Margreet; Smith, Nafsika; Vija, Maigi; Zupping, Sirli; Kunnari, Sari; Morisseau, Tiffany; Rusieshvili, Manana; Yatsushiro, Kazuko; Fengler, Anja; Varlokosta, Spyridoula; Konstantzou, Katerina; Farby, Shira; Guasti, Maria Teresa; Vernice, Mirta; Okabe, Reiko; Isobe, Miwa; Crosthwaite, Peter; Hong, Yoonjee; Balciuniene, Ingrida; Nizar, Yanti Marina Ahmad; Grech, Helen; Gatt, Daniela; Cheong, Win Nee; Asbjornsen, Arve; Torkildsen, Janne von Koss; Haman, Ewa; Miekisz, Aneta; Gagarina, Natalia; Puzanova, Julia; Andelkovic, Darinka; Savic, Maja; Josic, Smiljana; Slancova, Daniela; Kapalkova, Svetlana; Barberan, Tania; Hassan, Saima; Chan, Cecilia Yuet Hung; Okubo, Tomoya; van der Lely, Heather; Sauerland, Uli; Noveck, Ira; Department of Psychology; Özge, Duygu; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and HumanitiesLearners of most languages are faced with the task of acquiring words to talk about number and quantity. Much is known about the order of acquisition of number words as well as the cognitive and perceptual systems and cultural practices that shape it. Substantially less is known about the acquisition of quantifiers. Here, we consider the extent to which systems and practices that support number word acquisition can be applied to quantifier acquisition and conclude that the two domains are largely distinct in this respect. Consequently, we hypothesize that the acquisition of quantifiers is constrained by a set of factors related to each quantifier's specific meaning. We investigate competence with the expressions for "all," "none," "some," "some. not," and "most" in 31 languages, representing 11 language types, by testing 768 5-y-old children and 536 adults. We found a cross-linguistically similar order of acquisition of quantifiers, explicable in terms of four factors relating to their meaning and use. In addition, exploratory analyses reveal that language-and learner-specific factors, such as negative concord and gender, are significant predictors of variation.Publication Open Access The bottleneck metaphor of leadership culture: how shared understandings about leadership develop in groups and impede diversity and effectiveness of leaders(Frontiers, 2021) Department of Psychology; Özcan, Muaz; Department of Psychology; Graduate School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesThere are two big problems related to leadership today: unequal representation and high failure rates among leaders. This conceptual paper argues that commonly shared values, assumptions, and beliefs about leadership, i.e., universal leadership culture, are the common cause of both problems. After the concepts and levels related to leadership culture were explained, we introduce a multilevel, multi-actor process model named the bottleneck metaphor of leadership culture. This metaphor describes how leadership cultures are co-constructed by multiple actors based on their involvement in leader selection and reproduce themselves in groups over time based on emergent leaders' characteristics. Next, a diagnostic tool called the leadership mirror is proposed for organizations that want to assess their leadership culture's current state as a starting point for further interventions. Specific suggestions are made for various actors, ranging from individuals to organizations, for their possible roles in preventing undesired leadership cultures.Publication Open Access Adverse childhood experiences and global mental health: avenues to reduce the burden of child and adolescent mental disorders(Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2022) Ceccarelli, C.; Prina, E.; Muneghina, O.; Jordans, M.; Barker, E.; Miller, K.; Singh, R.; Sorsdhal, K.; Cuijpers, P.; Lund, C.; Barbui, C.; Purgato, M.; Department of Psychology; Acartürk, Ceren; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; 39271Mental disorders are one of the largest contributors to the burden of disease globally, this holds also for children and adolescents, especially in low-and middle-income countries. The prevalence and severity of these disorders are influenced by social determinants, including exposure to adversity. When occurring early in life, these latter events are referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In this editorial, we provide an overview of the literature on the role of ACEs as social determinants of mental health through the lenses of global mental health. While the relation between ACEs and mental health has been extensively explored, most research was centred in higher income contexts. We argue that findings from the realm of global mental health should be integrated into that of ACEs, e.g. through preventative and responsive psychosocial interventions for children, adolescents and their caregivers. The field of global mental health should also undertake active efforts to better address ACEs in its initiatives, all with the goal of reducing the burden of mental disorders among children and adolescents globally.Publication Open Access Age-dependent decline in learning and memory performances of WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy(BioMed Central, 2012) Karson, Ayşe; Utkan, Tijen; Arıcıoğlu, Feyza; Ateş, Nurbay; Department of Psychology; Balcı, Fuat; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; 51269Recent clinical studies revealed emotional and cognitive impairments associated with absence epilepsy. Preclinical research with genetic models of absence epilepsy however have primarily focused on dysfunctional emotional processes and paid relatively less attention to cognitive impairment. In order to bridge this gap, we investigated age-dependent changes in learning and memory performance, anxiety-like behavior, and locomotor activity of WAG/Rij rats (a valid model of generalized absence epilepsy) using passive avoidance, Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, and locomotor activity cage. We tested 5 month-old and 13 month-old WAG/Rij rats and compared their performance to age-matched Wistar rats. Results revealed a decline in emotional and spatial memory of WAG/Rij rats compared to age-matched Wistar rats only at 13 months of age. Importantly, there were no significant differences between WAG/Rij and Wistar rats in terms of anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity at either age. Results pointed at age-dependent learning and memory deficits in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy.Publication Open Access Symptoms of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in six European countries and Australia - differences by prior mental disorders and migration status(Elsevier, 2022) Gemes, K.; Bergstrom, J.; Papola, D.; Barbui, C.; Lam, A.I.F.; Hall, B.J.; Seedat, S.; Morina, N.; Quero, S.; Campos, D.; Pinucci, I.; Tarsitani, L.; Deguen, S.; van der Waerden, J.; Patane, M.; Sijbrandij, M.; Burchert, S.; Bryant, R.A.; Mittendorfer-Rutz, E.; Department of Psychology; Acartürk, Ceren; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; 39271Background: little is known about changes of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in potentially disadvantaged groups. We investigated changes in anxiety and depression symptoms during the first year of the pandemic in six European countries and Australia by prior mental disorders and migration status. Methods: overall, 4674 adults answered a web-based survey in May-June 2020 and were followed by three repeated surveys up to February 2021. Information on psychosocial, financial and demographic, living conditions, prior mental disorders, depression and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic and migration status was collected. Weighted general estimation equations modelling was used to investigate the association between prior mental disorders, migration status, and symptoms over time. Results: most participants were <40 years old (48%), women (78%) and highly educated (62%). The baseline prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms ranged between 19%-45% and 13%-35%, respectively. In most countries, prevalence rates remained unchanged throughout the pandemic and were higher among people with prior mental disorders than without even after adjustment for several factors. We observed interactions between previous mental disorders and symptoms of anxiety or depression over time in two countries. No difference by migration status was noted. Limitations: convenience sampling limits generalizability. Self-assessed symptoms of depression and anxiety might involve some misclassification. Conclusions: depression and anxiety symptoms were worse among individuals with prior mental disorders than without, but there was no clear trend of worsening mental health in the observed groups during the observed period.Publication Open Access Prevalence of common mental disorders among Syrian refugee children and adolescents in Sultanbeyli district, Istanbul: results of a population-based survey(Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2020) Scherer, N.; Hameed, S.; Deniz, G.; Sheikhani, A.; Volkan, S.; Orucu, A.; Pivato, I; Akıncı, I; Patterson, A.; Polack, S.; Department of Psychology; Acartürk, Ceren; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and HumanitiesAims: research demonstrates elevated levels of common mental disorders among Syrian refugees, but the majority of studies have, to date, focused on adult populations. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Syrian children and adolescents living in Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul, Turkey. Methods: a population-based survey among Syrian children and adolescents aged 8-17 years living in Sultanbeyli district was conducted in 2019, as part of an all-age survey of disability. 80 clusters of 50 participants (all-ages) were selected from the local municipality's refugee registration database using probability proportionate to size sampling. Children aged 8-17 years were assessed for symptoms of common mental disorders using the Child Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) and abbreviated versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED). Results: of the 852 participants, 23.7% (95% CI 19.9-27.2) screened positive for symptomatic depression, PTSD and anxiety. The prevalence estimates for depression, PTSD and anxiety were 12.5% (95% CI 9.8-15.6), 11.5% (95% CI 9.1-14.4) and 9.2% (95% CI 6.8-12.1), respectively. Depression and PTSD were significantly more common in older adolescents, whilst anxiety and PTSD were significantly more common in girls. Depression was more common in children from poorer households and those who had received no education. Children coming from larger households were less likely to show symptoms of PTSD. Conclusions: Syrian refugee children and adolescents are vulnerable to common mental disorders, and culturally appropriate prevention and intervention support are needed for this population.Publication Open Access Gesture use and processing: a review on individual differences in cognitive resources(Frontiers, 2020) Department of Psychology; Özer, Demet; Göksun, Tilbe; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; N/A; 47278Speakers use spontaneous hand gestures as they speak and think. These gestures serve many functions for speakers who produce them as well as for listeners who observe them. To date, studies in the gesture literature mostly focused on group-comparisons or the external sources of variation to examine when people use, process, and benefit from using and observing gestures. However, there are also internal sources of variation in gesture use and processing. People differ in how frequently they use gestures, how salient their gestures are, for what purposes they produce gestures, and how much they benefit from using and seeing gestures during comprehension and learning depending on their cognitive dispositions. This review addresses how individual differences in different cognitive skills relate to how people employ gestures in production and comprehension across different ages (from infancy through adulthood to healthy aging) from a functionalist perspective. We conclude that speakers and listeners can use gestures as a compensation tool during communication and thinking that interacts with individuals' cognitive dispositions.Publication Open Access Preventing the mental health consequences of war in refugee populations(Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2022) Barbui, Corrado; Purgato, Marianna; Churchill, Rachel; Cuijpers, Pim; Koesters, Markus; Sijbrandij, Marit; Valimaki, Maritta; Wancata, Johannes; White, Ross G.; Department of Psychology; Acartürk, Ceren; Faculty Member; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; 39271The refugee experience is associated with several potentially traumatic events that increase the risk of developing mental health consequences, including worsening of subjective wellbeing and quality of life, and risk of developing mental disorders. Here we present actions that countries hosting forcibly displaced refugees may implement to decrease exposure to potentially traumatic stressors, enhance subjective wellbeing and prevent the onset of mental disorders. A first set of actions refers to the development of reception conditions aiming to decrease exposure to post-migration stressors, and a second set of actions refers to the implementation of evidence-based psychological interventions aimed at reducing stress, preventing the development of mental disorders and enhancing subjective wellbeing.