Young adults (17-25 years old) are at greater risk of experiencing depression or anxiety, and have worse psychological therapy outcomes compared to working-age and older adults. Social functioning and related constructs are valued as outcomes of treatment, and may be particularly important to young adults, who report loneliness and a lack of social support. The relationship between social functioning and mental health during treatment in this group therefore requires further exploration. Four random intercept cross-lagged panel models were fitted to model the session-by-session change in measures of social functioning and mental health symptoms over the course of treatment among patients of NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression services. A total of 19,600 young adults who had received at least three sessions of psychological therapy were included. There was evidence of a significant bi-directional relationship between social functioning and mental health symptoms between the third and sixth session of treatment, although associations between earlier sessions were less stable. As both mental health symptoms and social functioning were predictive of later symptom severity, further research into how support to improve social functioning could improve treatment outcomes could improve experiences of, and outcomes of treatment. Such support may also account for contextual factors relating to employment or education in this population, as some differences according to employment status emerged.

Social cognition (SC), the ability to interpret and respond to social situations appropriately, is essential for effective interpersonal functioning. Challenges in these areas are a core feature of depression. Evidence shows mixed findings regarding the extent and presence of these deficits in depression, especially in its milder forms. SC comprises key processes such as the theory of mind (ToM), attribution style, emotion, and social perception. In addition to exploring emotion perception (EP) ability through faces and vocal stimuli, music has recently emerged as a valuable tool in studying EP, given the effectiveness of music intervention in improving mood and overall emotional functioning in patients with depression.

This study aimed to explore social cognition abilities in patients with mild-moderate major depressive disorder (MDD) and investigate the relationship between SC and neurocognition in depression.

Nineteen patients diagnosed with mild-moderate MDD and eighteen age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) (n = 18) were assessed using the Social Cognition Rating tools in the Indian Setting (SOCRATIS), the NIMHANS Emotion Perception Test (NEPT; assessing facial and prosodic domains), and the Music Emotion Perception Test (MEPT).

Patients with MDD showed significant deficits in first-order ToM (FOT) compared to HCs (p = 0.01). On the music emotion recognition test, the MDD group rated the intensity of positive emotions (e.g., happiness) significantly lower than the HC group (p = 0.007). However, no significant group differences were found in the accuracy of emotion identification across facial, prosodic, or musical stimuli. Correlational analyses revealed trends toward significant positive associations between attention and second-order ToM (SOT; r = 0.58, p < 0.01), as well as between the executive function (EF) index and EP (r = 0.60, p < 0.01), SOT (r = 0.56, p = 0.01), and social perception (r = 0.60, p < 0.01).

Individuals with mild-moderate depression show reduced FOT ability and emotion scaling of positive emotions on music excerpts. A potential association exists between neurocognitive (attention and EFs) and SC measures.

Sufficient quantity and quality of sleep are crucial for physical and mental health and performance. The ideal duration and time of sleep varies from person to person, with the latter depending on chronotype. However, rather than accommodating these needs, everyday life is often structured around rigid societal times that can result in sleep deficits and poor sleep quality. This survey study in healthy adults investigated the relationships between sleep duration, quality, and timing and how they relate to chronotype, lifestyle, perceived workload and anxiety/depression symptoms.

Participants (N =315) were recruited from a large German metropolitan region. Sleep quality and quantity were evaluated separately on workdays and work-free days using assessments of tiredness upon waking and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep time, duration, chronotype, sleep loss, and social jetlag were assessed using the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ). Lifestyle variables assessed in this study included exercise and substance use. Self-reported sleep quality, timing and duration were compared between work and work-free days. The relationships between variables were explored using correlation and correlation-based network analyses.

Our data suggest that workday sleep duration is a significant determinant of self-reported sleep quality, which in turn is negatively correlated with daytime dysfunction, anxiety/depression, and perception of workload. Moreover, physical activity and not smoking were significantly associated with self-reported sleep quality as well as with depression and anxiety symptoms.

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, strategies to advance bedtime and/or adapt working hours to chronotype may improve sleep quality and thus mental health.

The MTurk Parent eHealth Preference Survey aimed to examine parents' preferences for eHealth program features as well as their attitudes and preferences towards three programs: AbilitiCBT, Triple P Online, and BEAM. The data also cover sociodemographic factors, mental illness symptoms, social support, resilience, stressful experiences, medication use, and psychosocial service use. The data (n = 177; United States) were collected through an online cross-sectional self-report survey on MTurk. The primary and processed data are available OSF and have reuse potential for clinical research on parental mental health, methodological research on crowdsourcing for participant recruitment, and for use in statistics courses.

Sleep disturbances are a risk factor for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. While recent findings suggest that improving sleep by psychotherapeutic sleep interventions exerts a positive effect on suicidality, there are also indications that certain sleep medications are associated with an increased risk for suicidality. Given these discrepancies, the current study systematically reviewed the effect of non-pharmacological and pharmacological sleep interventions on suicidality.

A systematic literature search of various scientific databases was conducted (March 2025). Randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of sleep interventions on suicidality were searched for.

The search strategy resulted in 5037 unique articles. A total of k = 44 articles (N = 14965 participants) were included in the systematic review. The results indicate that sleep interventions, particularly psychotherapeutic sleep treatments (g = -0.17, [-0.26 to -0.08]), result in a small significant reduction of suicidal ideation. No conclusive evidence was found for the effect or safety of pharmacotherapy or light therapy targeting sleep disturbance on suicidality. The findings should be interpreted in light of the limited number of studies with often small sample sizes, methodological inconsistencies in monitoring suicidality as an adverse event, restrictions on the inclusion of people with suicidality, and reliance on suicidal ideation as an outcome measure of suicidality.

Health care professionals are recommended to apply psychotherapeutic sleep interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, to reduce suicidal ideation in clients with disturbed sleep. When prescribing medications for disturbed sleep, we recommend professionals to closely monitor clients for potential adverse effects on suicidality.

Research in the field of existential psychotherapy has mainly relied on measures of spiritual well-being and existential quality of life, and has been hindered by the lack of instruments specifically assessing existential distress and wellbeing. Our aim was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure this dimension.

First, we created a list comprising more than 200 items that address the main existential themes as described by the philosophical and clinical literature. Out of these, 84 were retained after pilot testing and exclusion of the items that showed unsatisfactory psychometric properties. A total of 411 non-clinical participants with a wide range of age groups and educational levels participated in the validation study with a cross-sectional design and a 4-week follow-up. They completed the new instrument, named the 'Existential Dimension Inventory' (EDIN), along with several criterion measures, such as the 15-item Dispositional Resilience Scale, the 18-item Personal Well-Being Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire, the 18-item Brief Symptom Inventory, the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, the Authenticity Scale, and the Temperament and Character Inventory. They also completed the EDIN for a second time after 4 weeks. After performing principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation, we estimated the internal consistency and test-retest stability of EDIN factorially derived scales. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed by examining the correlations between EDIN total and subscale scores, and scores on the criterion measures.

Eight factors (interpreted as Mastery, Fear of loss and death, Authenticity, Serenity in relationships, Pressure of time, Openness to others, Worry about meaning in life, and Loneliness) that accounted for 53% of the total variance were extracted. All EDIN scales displayed high internal consistency and stability, and the pattern of correlations between EDIN scores and their relevant criterion measures was consistent with expectations. Also, the results supported discriminant validity with respect to emotional distress, psychiatric symptomatology, and temperament and character dimensions.

These findings suggested that the EDIN may allow valid and reliable measurement of existential well-being. Many EDIN subscales cover themes identified by existential philosophers and therapists as key issues that human beings face in their everyday lives, which corroborates the relevance of the dimension of existential wellbeing as measured by the EDIN. Despite some limitations, this study supports the validity and reliability of the EDIN. It suggests that this instrument holds the promise of being a valuable tool for research, clinical, and training purposes.

The broad phenotypic variability observed in patients with Xp22.31 deletion, traditionally associated with X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), is increasingly recognized as encompassing a wider spectrum of clinical manifestations. While ichthyosis, caused by STS gene deletion, remains the hallmark feature, recent studies and genomic analyses (e.g., chromosomal microarray and whole genome sequencing) have revealed additional extracutaneous phenotypes. These include corneal opacification, cryptorchidism, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, epilepsy, developmental delay, renal anomalies, and an elevated risk of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias, particularly in males. Interestingly, duplications of this region are usually considered benign, underscoring the need for nuanced interpretation.

We describe three unrelated male patients carrying hemizygous Xp22.31 microdeletions (~1.6 Mb), all presenting with mild to moderate ichthyosis characterized by "plate-like" desquamation. Two patients exhibited intellectual disability and bradyarrhythmia, while one experienced seizures. None had major congenital anomalies, and all underwent chromosomal microarray analysis to confirm the diagnosis.

Our findings emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach when evaluating patients with Xp22.31 deletions, extending beyond dermatologic assessment to include neurological and cardiological evaluations, even in the absence of overt symptoms. This broader phenotypic understanding may enhance clinical management, support more accurate genetic counseling, and inform prenatal diagnostic decision-making. Furthermore, our observations support the hypothesis that genes within the deleted region-such as STS, PNPLA4, and VCX family genes-may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurological and cardiac abnormalities, warranting further functional studies and long-term clinical monitoring.

Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSCs) offer a person-centered, community-based alternative to Emergency Departments for suicide prevention. CSCs may facilitate the expansion of the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline by providing callers with places to go in communities to receive treatment. However, new, recovery-focused psychological interventions for suicide prevention that can be rapidly implemented in CSCs are needed to be effective. This pilot study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and target engagement of the Toward Recovery, Hope, Interpersonal Connection, Values, and Engagement (i.e., THRIVE) for CSCs. THRIVE includes a psychotherapy group and peer-led recovery coaching calls after discharge. This project consists of three phases to adapt, pilot, and test THRIVE in CSCs in preparation for a full-scale effectiveness trial. In phase I, we will use the Model for Implementation Design and Impact (i.e., MADI) to adapt THRIVE to CSCs' implementation needs (n = 25). In phase II, we will assess the feasibility and acceptability of THRIVE through CSC Stakeholder feedback and completing a pilot trial of THRIVE with CSC guests (n = 20). In phase III, we will complete a pilot randomized effectiveness trial of THRIVE (n = 162) to test the effectiveness of THRIVE on treatment initiation. We will also examine target engagement (i.e., as thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness) of the THRIVE intervention. Participants will be randomized to (a) Thrive + Discharge & Safety Planning as Usual (i.e., Intervention Arm): or (b) Discharge & Safety Planning as Usual (i.e., Control Arm). Participants complete assessments at baseline, discharge, 1 month, and 3 months. This protocol demonstrates strategies for involving community-based practice partners in research and is the first randomized controlled trial in a CSC sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Burnout has received limited attention in treatment programs, despite high prevalence among health professionals and the threat burnout places upon the mental health and the long-term sustainability of the Australian healthcare system. As part of The Essential Network (TEN), a blended care mental health support service for Australian health professionals, we developed Navigating Burnout - a digital cognitive-behavioural therapy program for health professional burnout. This three-arm randomised-controlled trial (RCT) will examine the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of Navigating Burnout in both blended care and digital formats in reducing burnout among doctors.

Doctors (n = 207) with burnout will be randomised to (1) a blended version of Navigating Burnout combining digital resources with five fortnightly telehealth sessions with a clinical psychologist, (2) a digital-only version of Navigating Burnout, or (3) self-care psychoeducation as an active attention control. Burnout, psychosocial wellbeing, workforce engagement and attrition, and service acceptability will be measured at baseline, post-treatment, and 3 months post-treatment.

At 3 months post-treatment, we hypothesise reductions in burnout across both treatment arms, with the strongest effect in the blended care arm. Similar trends are expected for psychosocial and occupational outcomes. High service acceptability across both blended care and digital-only versions of Navigating Burnout is also anticipated.

With this evidence, Navigating Burnout may be incorporated into TEN's person-to-person components. Further, by demonstrating the effectiveness of blended care for burnout, Navigating Burnout may provide a crucially needed service for Australian doctors and replicable model of care for other organisations and support services.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and chronic psychiatric disorder associated with substantially reduced quality of life. However, current mental health management strategies- particularly for non-pharmacological interventions-to reduce this burden are limited in their efficacy. This pilot trial will, for the first time, assess if simulated sailing, combining virtual reality with recreational exercise, is a promising exercise-based therapeutic approach to reducing depression and improving the quality of life for people with MDD.

To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual sailing on MDD, 58 adults aged between 18 and 64 who have a diagnosis of MDD and can consent and participate in virtual sailing exercises will be recruited for the trial. Exclusion criteria include suicidality, severe mental illness, ongoing psychiatric treatment, and life circumstances that would hinder participation. After the pre-exercise screening, eligible participants will participate in simulated sailing sessions (30 min per session, one session per week) over six weeks. The primary outcome measurements include the evaluation of depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, clinical improvement, and overall functioning as well as motor coordination. The second aim is to investigate if the virtual sailing program results in neuroplastic changes in the brain that restore altered resting-state functional connectivity and metabolites in MDD using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Participants will be assessed at baseline and after the last sailing session.

The findings of this pilot study will inform a new therapeutic approach aimed at reducing depression and improving the quality of life for people with MDD.