Psychiatry - Research Publications
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ItemIdentifying the cognitive underpinnings of voice-hearing by comparing never, past and current voice-hearers(WILEY, 2020-06)OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to compare specific cognitive profiles corresponding to auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) status and elucidate which pattern of cognitive deficits may predict voice-hearing status. METHOD: Clinical participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were partitioned into: (i) current voice-hearers (n = 46), (ii) past voice-hearers (n = 37) and (iii) never voice-hearers (n = 40), and compared with 319 non-clinical controls. Cognitive assessment employed the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), supplemented by the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Colour-Word Interference Test (Stroop) as a robust measure of executive function. RESULTS: On the Visual Learning domain, current and past voice-hearers had significantly poorer performance relative to never voice-hearers, who in turn had significantly poorer performance than non-clinical controls. Current and never voice-hearers had significantly poorer performance on the Social Cognition domain relative to non-clinical controls. Current voice-hearers also had significantly poorer performance on the Inhibition domain relative to non-clinical controls. Binary logistic regression revealed that Visual Learning was the only significant cognitive predictor of AVH presence. CONCLUSION: Visual learning, and potentially inhibition, may be viable therapeutic targets when addressing cognitive mechanisms associated with AVHs. Future research should focus on investigating additional cognitive mechanisms, employing diverse voice-hearing populations and embarking on related longitudinal studies.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableMental health status of individuals with a mood-disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Initial results from the COLLATE project(ELSEVIER, 2020-10-01)BACKGROUND: Physical-distancing strategies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may be particularly detrimental to the mental health of individuals with a pre-existing mood disorder. Data on the mental health status of these individuals during the current pandemic is sparse, and their current mental health needs unclear. METHOD: We characterised COVID-19 related lifestyle changes, primary concerns and psychological distress in n=1292 respondents self-reporting a mood disorder (either bipolar disorder or depressive disorder) and n=3167 respondents without any reported mental disorder from the COLLATE (COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy) project; an Australian national survey launched on April 1st 2020. RESULTS: Psychological distress was heightened in the mood disorder group compared to the group with no mental disorder, with stress and depression further elevated in respondents with bipolar disorder compared to those with depressive disorder; and men with bipolar disorder having even higher levels of depression than women with bipolar disorder. Respondents with bipolar disorder were particularly concerned about financial issues associated with COVID-19 compared to those with depressive disorder and those with no mental disorder. Adverse changes to lifestyle behaviours were more prevalent in respondents with a mood disorder and linked to higher levels of distress. LIMITATIONS: Mood disorder was self-reported and was not clinically verified. CONCLUSIONS: Current psychological distress levels are elevated in individuals with mood disorder and are associated with maladaptive situational and lifestyle changes occurring in response to COVID-19.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAlcohol use in Australia during the early days of theCOVID-19 pandemic: Initial results from theCOLLATEproject(WILEY, 2020-10)AIM: The effects of social isolation measures used to control the spread of COVID-19 are negatively impacting the mental health of many. One of the consequences of exposure to disasters/pandemics is an increase in alcohol use. The current study aimed to examine what predisposing (distal) and pandemic-related (proximal) factors were associated with increased drinking in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: On 1 April 2020, 5158 Australians completed a survey from the COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy (COLLATE) project, a nationwide study aimed at tracking key mental health concerns. Using logistic regression, distal (demographics and previous drinking behaviors) and proximal (employment, lifestyle factors, and mood) factors were assessed for their association with increased drinking since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Distal factors, including heavier drinking pre-pandemic, middle age, and average or higher income, and proximal factors, including job loss, eating more, changes to sleep as well as stress and depression, were all associated with increased drinking in the COVID-19 pandemic environment. Female sex and self-reported history of mental illness became nonsignificant after proximal measures were added to the model. Living alone, exercise, anxiety, and status as an essential or health-care worker were not associated with increased drinking. CONCLUSION: These results provide guidance as to who might be targeted to receive support based on predisposing demographic factors and pre-pandemic drinking behavior. Second, they indicate what behaviors/factors accompany increased alcohol use and provide targets for psychosocial and psychoeducational supports to address these proximal factors.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableEating and exercise behaviors in eating disorders and the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Initial results from the COLLATE project(WILEY, 2020-07)OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may be negatively impacting mental health. The impact on eating and exercise behaviors is, however, currently unknown. This study aimed to identify changes in eating and exercise behaviors in an Australian sample among individuals with an eating disorder, and the general population, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. METHOD: A total of 5,469 participants, 180 of whom self-reported an eating disorder history, completed questions relating to changes in eating and exercise behaviors since the emergence of the pandemic, as part of the COLLATE (COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy) project; a national survey launched in Australia on April 1, 2020. RESULTS: In the eating disorders group, increased restricting, binge eating, purging, and exercise behaviors were found. In the general population, both increased restricting and binge eating behaviors were reported; however, respondents reported less exercise relative to before the pandemic. DISCUSSION: The findings have important implications for providing greater monitoring and support for eating disorder patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the mental and physical health impacts of changed eating and exercise behaviors in the general population need to be acknowledged and monitored for potential long-term consequences.
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ItemConsiderations for assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Australia(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2020-11)During this unprecedented novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there is an urgent need for empirical data to characterise its impact on the mental health and well-being of Australians. In this viewpoint, we outline a number of considerations for research on this topic, highlighting areas necessitating special attention, consideration of particular vulnerable groups and the need for longitudinal studies to track mental health fluctuations in the general population. We conclude by introducing the COLLATE (COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy) project, outlining its aims, addressing some considerations raised herein and detailing avenues for future research. Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 (WHO, 2020), the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major upheaval both in Australia and globally. While the search for a vaccine continues, current efforts towards tackling the virus and limiting contagion in several nations have focused on social distancing and the shutdown of non-essential services. In Australia, the first case was reported on 13 January 2020 (COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team, 2020), the first death occurred on 24 February and a spate of progressive restrictions were enforced throughout the 2 weeks leading up to 31 March 2020 (COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team, 2020a).
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ItemDo schizotypy dimensions reflect the symptoms of schizophrenia?(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2019-03)OBJECTIVE: The personality characteristics and symptoms observed in schizophrenia are postulated to lie on a continuum, with non-clinical manifestations referred to as schizotypy. High schizotypy behaviours are argued to correspond with the three main clusters of symptoms in schizophrenia: positive, negative and cognitive/disorganised symptoms, yet there is limited empirical evidence to support this. This study aimed to investigate whether schizotypy dimensions significantly correlate with their respective schizophrenia symptomatology in the largest sample to date. METHODS: A total of 361 adults (103 patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and 258 healthy controls) were assessed for schizotypy using the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery supplemented by the Stroop task and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was administered to all participants to obtain objective measurements of cognition. Schizophrenia symptomatology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in patients only. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant correlations between the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences positive and negative subscales and their respective Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale subscales only, indicating that positive and negative schizotypy dimensions across patients and controls accurately reflect the respective schizophrenia symptomatology observed in patients. Cognitive performance did not correlate with cognitive/disorganised symptom dimensions of the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences or the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, indicating that cognitive impairment is an independent symptom dimension that requires objective cognitive testing. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the findings provide empirical evidence for the continuum theory and support the use of schizotypy as a model for investigating schizophrenia.
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ItemCognitive abilities in first-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder(ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2018-01-01)BACKGROUND: Although the study of cognition in first degree relatives (FDRs) is not new, findings in this group are still somewhat inconsistent and much of the research examining FDR populations include individuals under the age of 25, who are arguably still at significant risk to go on to develop BD. The present study aimed to establish the value of cognitive performance as a genuine endophenotypic marker of familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD), by examining cognition in FDRs aged 25 years or older. METHODS: The current study compared the cognitive performance of 27 unaffected FDRs to 47 healthy controls (HCs) and 28 BD patients using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). RESULTS: Results indicated that FDRs had impaired verbal learning performance, as well as selective impairments on a measure of speed of processing; and a measure of spatial working memory compared to HC. LIMITATIONS: Limitations relate to the potential insensitivity of some of the tests in the MCCB for detecting cognitive deficits that have been previously noted in BD and FDR samples using other batteries. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study implicate verbal learning, processing speed and working memory performance as promising candidate endophenotypes of familial risk for BD.