Australian Psychological Society

Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT) is a chronic, debilitating illness associated with tick bites in Australia. DSCATT is of unknown aetiology, can impact emotional well-being and has no recognised treatments. The development and piloting of a novel psychotherapeutic adjunctive intervention for DSCATT that aimed to increase daily functioning, improve quality of life and reduce the impact of symptoms in people with DSCATT. This is a single-site, intervention development and acceptability study. The intervention was developed iteratively according to a Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach and manualised across four phases, with input from end users at each phase: qualitative interviews, development of the intervention, piloting, and revising and refining the intervention. Acceptability of the prototype intervention was evaluated through thematic template analysis of exit interviews. Self-report measures were completed before and after intervention delivery. Following qualitative interviews with 13 participants (11 females and 2 males; aged 35-70 years), the intervention was informed by an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model interwoven with cognitive and behavioural strategies that targeted DSCATT-specific difficulties. The manualised intervention consisted of 12 1-h weekly individual sessions, delivered by psychologists via Telehealth (video call or telephone). Modules addressed the six core psychological processes of ACT, alongside DSCATT-specific modules addressing cognitive function, sleep and social relationships. Pilot testing and follow-up interviews were conducted in a separate sample of six individuals with DSCATT (all females; aged 46-71 years). All participants reported that the approach benefited their emotional well-being and overall health and would recommend it to others with DSCATT. This is a novel and theoretically driven psychotherapeutic intervention for DSCATT, co-produced with patient involvement across four phases. Pilot testing suggested the manualised intervention was feasible and acceptable, supporting future evaluation of feasibility and treatment outcomes with randomised controlled trials. This study involved the engagement and participation of individuals with DSCATT across four stages of the project, according to an HCD approach-the choice of the intervention; the development of the intervention; the piloting of the intervention, and the assessment of the intervention. The pilot study component of this project was prospectively registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR); trial ID: ACTRN12621001032842.

Awe is theorized to serve a social function, enabling individuals to integrate into collaborative groups and engage in collective action. Across five studies (N = 1,124), we examined awe's role in promoting identity fusion-an apex form of group connection. Two cross-sectional studies (1a and 1b) revealed that dispositional awe predicted stronger identity fusion. Three subsequent experiments (Studies 2-5) demonstrated that awe experiences strengthened identity fusion, with analyses revealing that the small-self sense of "vastness vis-à-vis the self" provided a significant indirect pathway linking awe (vs. controls) to increased fusion. These effects replicated across varying awe manipulations (emotion recall and virtual reality), target groups (country, university, local community, and nature), and cultural contexts (Australian and American samples). Our findings suggest that awe primes a readiness to fuse with groups, creating an openness to deeper collective bonds. Importantly, rather than diminishing personal agency, awe appears to foster an interdependent alignment where personal and collective goals converge, motivating individuals to direct their capabilities toward shared goals through mutual strengthening between self and group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Abstract Background Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a significant issue worldwide. Victim-survivors often engage mental health workers to assist with their recovery, including lived experience peer workers who are an important group increasingly being employed across many types of services, providing support underpinned by mutuality, equality and reciprocity, drawing on their own lived experiences. No studies have investigated peer worker perspectives and experiences regarding their support needs when working with people who have experienced or are experiencing DFV and the support psychologists might provide. Methods This Australian study employed four qualitative focus groups with lived experience mental health and suicide prevention peer workers. Participants shared perspectives about their support needs when working with people who have experienced DFV, the potential role of psychologists and other professionals in supporting peer workers’ wellbeing at work, and what they need to promote psychologically safe workplaces that value their lived experience expertise. Lived experience researchers, psychological scientists and psychologists worked collaboratively to analyse data using descriptive thematic analysis methods. Results Participants included 20 peer workers (18 women / 2 men), working across diverse mental health and suicide prevention service roles in psychosocial and clinical settings. One overarching theme of ‘safety’ and three subthemes were identified. Safety was seen both as an issue for people that peer workers support as well as psychological safety for themselves in the workplace. Participants spoke about challenges in navigating differences in the expertise, knowledge and practice of peer workers as compared to psychologists and other professionals as part of supporting peer workers’ wellbeing at work. Participants identified needs as individuals and within organisational culture, practice, and service systems, including greater acknowledgement of their role and expertise, more attention to privacy and confidentiality, education and training for psychologists and other professionals about lived experience peer work, and more explicit focus on DFV within peer workers education and training, peer group reflection and supervision. Conclusions Findings underscore the need for more education and training for all workers supporting people with DFV experiences, including peer workers and psychologists. Addressing these concerns is essential to create psychologically safe workplaces for this important workforce. Trial registration Not applicable

ABSTRACTIntroductionManagement of multiple sclerosis (MS) revolves around timely initiation of effective disease‐modifying therapy. Here we investigate the additive predictive value of age‐adjusted normalised neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations when combined with a clinicodemographic model of treatment response.MethodsData were obtained from three sources: the University Hospital Basel, the SET cohort in Prague, and EIMS and IMSE cohorts from Sweden. NfL samples were collected within 90 days of baseline, age‐adjusted and normalised using a reference population. Principal component analysis reduced the dimensionality of clinicodemographic predictors. Cox proportional hazards models estimated cumulative hazards of relapse, 6‐month confirmed disability worsening and 9‐month confirmed disability improvement, with and without NfL. Uno's concordance index compared prediction accuracy across pooled and treatment‐specific models.ResultsThe study included 1716 individuals across three therapies: interferon β (n = 554), fingolimod (n = 307) and natalizumab (n = 369). Clinicodemographic characteristics were associated with relapse and disability outcomes. While NfL showed no association in the pooled cohort, in the natalizumab group, higher NfL predicted lower probability of disability improvement (HR = 0.819, 95% CI: 0.814–0.823). Pooled models predicted outcomes with moderate accuracy (relapse: 63.4%, disability worsening: 56.4%, improvement: 67.7%), with minimal contribution from NfL. In treatment‐specific models, NfL‐inclusive accuracy ranged from 51.3%–62.2% (relapse), 54.3%–60.3% (worsening) and 65%–67.9% (improvement), closely matching models without NfL.ConclusionIn well‐characterised MS patients treated with interferon β, fingolimod or natalizumab, clinicodemographic information provides modest prognostic value; however, NfL adds minimal incremental utility.

Climate misinformation reduces public acceptance of climate change and undermines support for mitigation policies. This study explored the impact of different types of climate misinformation, examining through content-based and logic-based frameworks. The content-based framework was based on a taxonomy of contrarian claims consisting of five categories-it's not real, it's not us, it's not bad, climate solutions won't work and scientists are not reliable. The logic-based framework examined six rhetorical techniques used in science denial arguments-misrepresentation, false equivalence, oversimplification, red herring, cherry picking and slothful induction. We experimentally tested 30 misinformation examples, crossing five content categories with six fallacies. Participants rated the perceived veracity of misinformation as well as the likelihood of interacting with it. We found no main effect of fallacy on perceived veracity or likelihood to interact but did find a main effect of content category, with the fourth category (climate solutions won't work) perceived as most veracious. We also found that content categories interacted with political ideology, replicating past research into the polarizing effect of climate misinformation. Specifically, the most polarizing categories of misinformation were those targeting climate solutions or attacking climate scientists. Our results highlight the need to prioritize combatting misinformation that targets solutions and scientists.

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Background:Depressive disorders are a major global health challenge, with many individuals unresponsive to existing treatments. Novel psychedelic therapies show promise but require further research.Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of psilocybin with psychotherapeutic support for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), investigate predictors of treatment outcomes and deepen understanding of individual variability in response.Design:Open-label, single-arm pilot trial with mixed-methods assessment.Methods:Treatment consisted of two 25 mg psilocybin sessions, alongside three preparatory and six integration sessions. Depression severity was assessed using the self-rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology at 3 weeks (primary endpoint) and at 20 weeks post-dose 2 (long-term follow-up). Potential predictors of clinical outcomes were evaluated using questionnaires, and qualitative interviews were used to capture individual experiences.Results:At the aggregate level, a clinically meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms was observed at the primary endpoint (mean change = –7.14; p = 0.02; Hedges’ g = –1.27; 95% CI [–2.40, –0.37]) and maintained long-term. Individual participant data revealed diverse response patterns. Two participants displayed a sustained treatment response, three relapsed, and two exhibited no substantial improvement. Exploratory analyses identified mindset prior to dosing, spiritual experiences and perceptual shifts during dosing as predictors of treatment trajectory, while treatment expectations were not a reliable predictor. Adverse events were largely consistent with previous studies, with no serious adverse events.Conclusion:Findings add to the growing evidence base for psilocybin therapy and provide direction for further research on individual variability in response to better tailor treatments and enhance efficacy.Trial registration:Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621001097831).

Abstract Background: Eating disorders are increasing in prevalence and confer serious physical, emotional and social impacts on individuals, families, communities and systems. Tertiary education of health professionals is key to addressing these impacts. Yet, graduates of key health professions may not complete their studies with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to prevent, identify, refer and provide safe care within their role and scope of practice. This study reports on current eating disorder-focused teaching, and opportunities for improvements, within Australian tertiary training programs for key medical and allied health professional groups. Methods: Tertiary leaders and educators (n=205) representing 42 Australian tertiary education institutions completed an online survey including closed and open text questions exploring the relevance, importance, barriers and enablers of eating disorder-focused teaching. Results: Three quarters (76.1%) of participants indicated that students had the opportunity to learn about eating disorders within the current curriculum. Identification (54.1%) and treatment (46.3%) were most likely to be taught; prevention (40.5%) and eating disorder safe care (31.2%) were less likely to be taught. Most respondents (85.9%) reported that teaching about eating disorders, disordered eating and body image within their program was either important (23.9%) or very important (62.0%). Perceived challenges to enhancing content included a crowded curriculum, lack of appropriately skilled educators and lack of clarity regarding basic profession-specific competencies and when these should be taught. Potential facilitators include developing materials and networks for implementing best practice training, support of accreditation/professional bodies and use of lived experience educators. Conclusions: Most Australian healthcare educators consider eating disorders important and relevant to their curricula. However, there are limited time and practical opportunities for learning about eating disorders within current curricula. There is a need for guidance and resource development to help support educators to enhance eating disorder content in relevant curricula.