In this editorial, the author notes that this issue of
features a pair of important articles related to newly updated standards for reporting research in psychology in scientific journals, covering ...both quantitative (Appelbaum et al., 2018) and qualitative (Levitt et al., 2018) research. The increasing breadth and complexity of research, and the importance of communicating it effectively, requires user-friendly resources that can be applied widely to scientific studies. These two articles are intended to serve that purpose, and to encourage thoroughness and accuracy in research reporting, for psychologists and other scientists in broader academic communities. The articles, known as the Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS) reports, are based on the work of a task force appointed by the American Psychological Association (APA) Publications and Communications Board in 2015. (PsycINFO Database Record
Psychology has much to contribute in terms of understanding and influencing the impact of the global coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To disseminate articles on key issues related to the ...pandemic in a time-sensitive manner, American Psychologist opened its Call for Papers in spring 2020. The journal applied a rapid review mechanism in order to publish articles on important aspects of the pandemic quickly. The response from around the world has been striking. The editors are pleased to publish the first articles in this ongoing series in the current issue.
In this value dictum, or editorial farewell, the author says it has been a great honor to serve as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of
) for the past 6 years. The article is organized in four sections. The ...first looks at how the current editorial term fits within the mission and history of AP and describes significant changes enacted during this editorial era intended to further advance the scholarly impact of AP as a leading journal in the field of psychology. Second, the article is a record of the editorial metrics of the journal, noting our performance and accomplishments in terms of traditional measures of journal impact, such as number of submissions, editorial lag, and Impact Factors. This report serves as a historical record of the journal's publication activities. Third, this article provides ideas about how editorial processes and content reflected changes in psychology, publishing, the American Psychological Association (APA), and most importantly the broader social context in which we live. And, finally, the author concludes by expressing her deep appreciation to the many people who have contributed to the successes of AP throughout her editorial term. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
The objective of this systematic review is to reevaluate and update the Integrative Model of Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress (PMTS; Kazak et al., 2006), which provides a conceptual framework for ...traumatic stress responses across pediatric illnesses and injuries.
Using established systematic review guidelines, we searched PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PubMed (producing 216 PMTS papers published since 2005), extracted findings for review, and organized and interpreted findings within the Integrative Model framework.
Recent PMTS research has included additional pediatric populations, used advanced longitudinal modeling techniques, clarified relations between parent and child PMTS, and considered effects of PMTS on health outcomes. Results support and extend the model's five assumptions, and suggest a sixth assumption related to health outcomes and PMTS.
Based on new evidence, the renamed Integrative Trajectory Model includes phases corresponding with medical events, adds family-centered trajectories, reaffirms a competency-based framework, and suggests updated assessment and intervention implications.
This article examines the concept of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) as it applies to children and adolescents, emphasizing care for behavioral health conditions, the role of psychology and ...psychological science, and next steps for developing evidence-informed models for the Pediatric PCMH. The PCMH concept for pediatric populations offers unique opportunities for psychological science to inform and enhance the transformation of the United States health care system and improve health in our nation. Available evidence on the outcomes of PCMH implementation for pediatric populations is limited, underscoring the need for additional research evaluating Pediatric-PCMH models and concepts. While behavioral health has only recently been emphasized as a formal part of the PCMH, accumulating evidence supports the effectiveness of some approaches for providing behavioral health care through pediatric primary care. These approaches suggest that a comprehensive Pediatric-PCMH model that includes behavioral health care has the potential to optimize the availability, quality, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of behavioral health services. This could ultimately enhance youth health and behavioral health, with effects potentially extending through the adult years. Rigorous research and demonstration projects are needed to guide further development of optimal strategies for improving health and behavioral health in pediatric populations and advancing the public health impact of behavioral health care services.
Childhood cancers are life-threatening diseases that are universally distressing and potentially traumatic for children and their families at diagnosis, during treatment, and beyond. Dramatic ...improvements in survival have occurred as a result of increasingly aggressive multimodal therapies delivered in the context of clinical research trials. Nonetheless, cancers remain a leading cause of death in children, and their treatments have short- and long-term impacts on health and well-being. For over 35 years, pediatric psychologists have partnered with pediatric oncology teams to make many contributions to our understanding of the impact of cancer and its treatment on children and families and have played prominent roles in providing an understanding of treatment-related late effects and in improving quality of life. After discussing the incidence of cancer in children, its causes, and the treatment approaches to it in pediatric oncology, we present seven key contributions of psychologists to collaborative and integrated care in pediatric cancer: managing procedural pain, nausea, and other symptoms; understanding and reducing neuropsychological effects; treating children in the context of their families and other systems (social ecology); applying a developmental perspective; identifying competence and vulnerability; integrating psychological knowledge into decision making and other clinical care issues; and facilitating the transition to palliative care and bereavement. We conclude with a discussion of the current status of integrating knowledge from psychological research into practice in pediatric cancer.
Abstract
Background. Although families of children with cancer and other serious medical conditions have documented psychosocial needs, the systematic identification of needs and delivery of ...evidence-based care remain challenges. Screening for multifaceted family psychosocial risk is a means by which psychosocial treatment needs for pediatric patients and their families can be identified in an effective and inclusive manner.
Material and methods. The Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM) is a model that can guide systematic assessment of family psychosocial risk. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) is a brief parent report screener of psychosocial risk based on the PPPHM that can be used for families of infants through adolescents. The PPPHM and the PAT are described in this paper, along with a summary of data supporting systematic risk assessment.
Results. The PPPHM outlines three tiers of family psychosocial risk - Universal (low), Targeted (medium), and Clinical (high). The PAT is a validated measure of psychosocial risk. Scores on the PAT, derived from multiple sites and disease conditions, map on to the PPPHM with indications that one-half to two-thirds of families score at the Universal level of risk based on the PAT.
Conclusion. The PAT is a unique screener of psychosocial risk, both in terms of its breadth and underlying model (PPPHM), and its length and format. As an example of a means by which families can be screened early in the treatment process, PAT scores and corresponding PPPHM levels can provide direction for the delivery of evidence-based psychosocial care.
Transgender and gender diverse patients who are assigned female at birth may request menstrual management to alleviate an increased dysphoria due to menses. The objective of this study is to describe ...the initiation and use over time of menstrual management methods (MMMs) in transgender and gender diverse adolescents.
A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients in a multidisciplinary pediatric gender program from March 2015 to December 2020 who were assigned female at birth, identified as transgender or gender diverse, and had achieved menarche. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed.
Of 133 patients, 119 (90%) identified as transgender male, 11 (8%) as gender nonbinary, and 3 (2%) as another gender identity. Mean age was 15 (standard deviation 1.6) years. Only 12 (9%) patients had ever been sexually active. During the study period, 48 (36%) used gender-affirming testosterone. At the initial visit, 114 (86%) patients were not using an MMM. Of 80 patients who initiated a new MMM, 3 (4%) chose continuous oral contraceptive pills, 65 (83%) used norethindrone acetate (NETA), and 9 (11%) planned levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. At 1 year, 56 patients were using NETA and 20 had an IUD in place.
This study provides data on MMM choice in transgender and gender diverse adolescents using these methods almost exclusively for menstrual management and not contraception. Although few patients were using an MMM at baseline, most opted to start a method when given the opportunity. The most common methods were NETA or an levonorgestrel IUD.
The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is an increasingly common model of health care delivery with many exciting opportunities for psychologists. The PCMH reflects a philosophy and model of care ...that is highly consistent with psychological science and practice. It strives to provide patient-centered, comprehensive, team-based, coordinated, accessible, and quality and safety-oriented health care delivery to individuals and families. Moreoever, in keeping with changes in the health care system more broadly, the PCMH model prioritizes the integration of behavioral and physical health care, and this emphasis lays the foundation for active and full engagement of psychologists in this context. This article provides an overview of the PCMH and the evidence and roles for psychologists across a range of pediatric, adult, and geriatric health care populations and settings. Current challenges to the necessary expansion of psychology in the PCMH are discussed, with particular attention to the needs for training and advocacy to support the contributions of behavioral health care in the PCMH. Psychology must embrace its rightful place as a health profession and appreciate and highlight the ways in which psychologists can play unique and critical roles in transforming present and future health care delivery models.