Title: The psychological aftermath of voluntary medical assistance after the terrorist attack on the brussels metro: who’s the doctor for the doctor?

Abstract:

On 2016 March 22th, the national airport and the metro in Brussels were the target of two successive terrorist attacks which killed 35 people and seriously injured hundreds of others. Due to my voluntary commitment near the Maelbeek metro station, I was left out in terms of acute psychosocial relief, since I was not involved in an organization such as fire brigade or police. Research shows that in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, healthcare providers directly involved in the rescue of these victims report a significantly higher psychological impact, defined by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, than those not directly involved. A number of victims and rescue workers exhibit a mixture of PTSD and mild Traumatic Brain Injury, which is a typical trauma-like brain concussion syndrome. Furthermore, unaffiliated volunteers seem to be at higher risk of posttraumatic stress, while professional rescue workers appear to be more protected. As a child psychiatrist in training, I quit my residency after the attack, and started a carreer in occupational medicine. In Brussels, I work with employers and employees who experienced this tragedy. In my presentation I give answers on the following questions: How did they deal with this event? What impact do these terrorist attacks still have, five years later? What are the lessons learned in the field of psychotrauma care in Belgium? And finally, I will tell you my story about the impact of the event in my doctor’s office, for my patients and likewise, for me as a doctor.

Biography:

Tine Gregoor is a Belgian occupational health physician, child consultation clinic physician, public speakor, author and filantropist. She has experience in anesthesiology and childhood psychiatry and has a special interest in the field of maternity protection, fertility, mental illness, particulary in the management of psychotrauma. During the 2016 Brussels attacks at the Maelbeek metrostation, Gregoor was a first responder, helped the most heavily injured in a prehospital setting. In her book ‘Bombs in Brussels’, which she wrote together with war journalist Joanie de Rijke, she goes in search of victims, relatives, aid workers, policymakers and security services five years afterwards

Title: Unchanging the brain: how to cope with uncertainty during difficult times

Abstract:

Whether one is facing a global, personal, or employment crisis, or perhaps experiencing a mix of all three, building resilience will assist in providing hope for not only the present but the future. This presentation will focus on brain-behavioral impact of stress and a range of mixed emotions upon one’s health and happiness. Evidenced-based approaches and resources, including user-friendly applications to use during moments of challenge and hardship will be discussed. A sample “Care Plan” will be reviewed which may assist one to experience resilience leading to a sense of calm and confidence to handle issues of concern.

Biography:

Leonard-Zabel is a Full Professor of Psychology and serves as the Psychology Department Coordinator at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. She owns and operates a private clinic specializing in School Psychology/School Neuropsychology and Clinical Forensic Examining. She holds diplomat and fellow certificates/certifications in Neuropsychology, Forensic Counseling and Examining, Psychotherapy, Autism, Addictions, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Anxiety, Disability Analysis, Brain-Behavioral International Coaching, Telepractice and in Homeland Security. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Board of Disability Analysts. Dr. Leonard-Zabel is the recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in School Neuropsychology from the American Board of School Neuropsychology. She serves on the Learning Disabilities Worldwide Congress as one of the Board of Directors (LDW). Dr. Leonard-Zabel recently received international awards acknowledging her Keynote addresses encompassing school neuropsychological research on assessment approaches involving Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adolescent Addiction, and Mental Health focusing on the Anxious Brain, Assessment Practices, Learning Differences, Ethics & Law and Traumatic Brain Injury. Dr. Leonard-Zabel was awarded in December 2019 the title of Global Goodwill Ambassador (GGA), representing the USA with the “Humanitarian” designation for her volunteerism both nationally and internationally. Throughout her career at Curry College, she was awarded the Curry College Excellence in Teaching Researcher of the Year Award, Excellence in Teaching with Partnerships & Collaboration Award, Excellence and Research in the Field, and Person of the Year, acknowledging excellence in teaching, mentorship, collegiality, leadership, and community service. Dr. Leonard-Zabel presents nationally and internationally on an ongoing basis.

Title: Eazysense Nanotechnologies Inc Presents Neuromolecular Imaging for Mental Health

Abstract:

The superstar, Robin Williams, had a long documented history of clinical depression that has been shown to be empirically associated with the disorder of Parkinson. Nonetheless, it was later found during his autopsy that the neurotransmitter, dopamine,was missing, Actually, half of the biomarker, dopamine, was missing in the motor neurons in the brain of the beloved Robin Williams. Moreover, Lewy bodies were found! Lewy bodies contain the molecules that cause depression and it so happens that these Lewy bodies contain the molecules that lead to not only depression but also neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease. Let’s look at this carefully. The discoveries made for our Robin, our star, were  post-mortem, that is, after death. One woman is looking to change all this. Patricia Broderick has found a way to see inside the brain of the Parkinson patient LIVE! In fact, she has discovered the Tau Peptide, responsible for Alzheimer and Parkinson and she has made this discovery LIVE! Eazysense Nanotechnologies Inc.is the start-up company that has successfully manufactured the tiny probe, smaller than a human hair, for the human and the animal patient. The nanoprobe is named after her father, Paddy Broderick. The BRODERICK PROBE^® senses the neurotransmitters as the subject walks. The nanoprobe sensors also see inside the brain of depression and bipolar diseases easily. Our new photodiode nanoprobe sensor is poised to revolutionize the industry. The nanosensor is comprised of carbon polymers and proteins from the opsin family that provide a new voltaic optical sensor. The polymeic carbon allotrope, fullerene, is, indeed, a semiconductor. In proud association with the Technology Commercialization Office, CUNY, the Reaearch Foundation of CUNY and its patent lawyers, Dr. Broderick has achieved the value of the Eazysense start-up company at the billion dollar acquisition level. The Broderick Brain Foundation is the non-profit arm of Eazysense Nanotechnologies Inc, in NY and is available worldwide for service. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) NY State Tax Exempt Organization. Support for this organization is tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

Biography:

Patricia A. Broderick has completed her PhD from St John’s University, Queens, NY, USA and her postdoctoral studies from The Albert Einstein Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA and Cornell University Medical School, White Plains, NY, USA. Patricia serves as Tenured and Full Medical Professor in the Dept. of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences at the City University of New York School of Medicine and as Director of the Neurobiology Course at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, CUNY School of Medicine, CCNY. A highly recognized expert and prominent editor, author, inventor and lecturer, Patricia has published more than 500 papers in reputed journals and sought after books and she serves as an editorial board member of repute worldwide. Dr. Broderick holds several patents and trademarks and is the Founder and CEO of Eazysense Nanotechnologies Inc.and the Broderick Brain Foundation.

Title: Mediating Effects of Self Concept and Social Identity between Peer Relations and Delinquency

Abstract:

Adolescent delinquency is a growing concern in different parts of the world and role of peer relations in delinquent behavior is well-researched subject. However, relationship between peer relations, self-concept , social identity, and delinquency is less known. This study examined the mediating effects of self-concept and social identity between peer relations and delinquency among adolescents in Pakistan. Survey research design was used through convenient sampling to collect data. The sample comprised of adolescents (N = 498; 218 female and 280 male adolescents) aged 11-18 years old. Participants provided data on questionnaires measuring self-concept, social identity, peer relations, and delinquency. Findings revealed that peer relation has significant impact on delinquency behavior and social identity of adolescents. However, peer relation was not found connected with self-concept significantly. Findings further indicated that social identity played meditating role between the relationship of peer relation and delinquency while self-concept did not mediate the impact of peer relation on delinquency. This study is helpful in determining factors leading to delinquency behavior and how delinquency behavior can be reduced by working on self-concept and social identity.

Biography:

Afra Mahmood holds degree of Master of Philosophy in Applied Psychology from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. She served as Psychologist at Social welfare & Baitul Maal Department Punjab, Pakistan (2017-2020). She currently provides telehealth services as Clinical Therapist in Chicago.

Title: COVID-19 and Correlated Neurological Impairments

Abstract:

 The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caught the world by surprise and caused the entire world to respond to this pandemic. Although the nature surrounding the source of this virus remains unclear, there is no question the impact of COVID-19 has affected nations, governments, citizens, and families across the world. Within the United States of America alone, it is estimated that the death total is over 1 million as of June 1, 2022 (Johns Hopkins University and National Public Health Agencies, 2022). However, COVID-19 doesn’t affect everyone the same, and the variability of symptoms can range from person to person. Although many factors may contribute to these results from age to preexisting health concerns, to being vaccinated or not, there are no direct answers to how a person will react to the virus. Consequently, there is a growing body of literature surrounding residual effects associated with COVID-19. In particular, there are neurocognitive impairments post-exposure being reported. According to existing research, neurocognitive impairments reported consist of mental fatigue, memory difficulties, executive function, attention/ concentration/ working memory, information processing speed, receptive language, mood changes, and in cases of ICU admission global deficits. However, there is no clear consensus on the etiology of these cognitive deficits as not everyone reports having residual effects. In this presentation, the author will review the etiology of COVID-19, the course of the virus, direct symptoms of COVID-19, neurocognitive deficits, instruments that can be used to evaluate the impact of these deficits, and possible treatment and recommendations for improving these cognitive deficits.

Biography:

Andre Pierre Longino is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds two master's degrees; one in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, and the other in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology. He is currently a doctoral candidate for a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology from Alliant International University. He is interested in Forensic and Neuropsychological Assessments and Evaluations as well as services for the Severe Mental Illness population. He currently provides services in a secure psychiatric facility and performs supervised neuropsychological testing.  

Title: Cross-Cultural Comparison of Relationships between Empathy and Implicit Theories of Emotions (in Chinese and Russians)

Abstract:

The current manuscript presents the results of a cross-cultural comparison of the relationships between empathy and implicit theories of emotion in individuals from China and Russia. We hypothesized that the members of the Chinese culture would differ from the more Western Russian participants in terms of relationships between the various components of the emotional domain. Thus, we aimed to identify latent personality profiles while hypothesizing that the Chinese sample would demonstrate more prominent links between empathy and implicit theories regarding the possibility of controlling emotions. We also assumed that immediate social context could affect the results, and therefore, we compare two groups of Chinese participants—those living in China and those living in Russia, predominantly studying in Russian universities. The initial sample included Russians (N = 523), Chinese living in Russia (N = 376), and Chinese living in China (N = 423). However, following matching procedures to enable the sociodemographic comparability of samples, the final comparison was reduced to a final sample of Russians (N = 400), a sample of Chinese living in Russia (N = 363), and a sample of Chinese living in China (N = 421). We used latent class analysis and correlation analyses to test the study hypotheses. The study found that, unlike Russians, the Chinese participants demonstrated a positive correlation between incremental implicit theories of emotions and empathy. We also established significant group and gender differences. Russian women reported higher affective empathy than men, whereas Chinese women demonstrated higher affective empathy and cognitive empathy, as well as incremental implicit theories of emotion.

Biography:

Qiuqi Zhou became a PhD student 3 years ago. During the three years of her doctoral studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, she has published 3 papers in reputed journals and participated in 4 conferences.

Title: Scoping review of 30 years of suicide prevention in university students around the world: efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness

Abstract:

A scoping review of systematic reviews was carried out to identify evidence of efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of universal and selective suicide prevention programs among university students worldwide. Five databases were reviewed using terms in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The following were the inclusion criteria: systematic review or meta-analysis or meta-synthesis, suicide prevention in college students; evaluation of the efficacy, effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness of interventions; peer-reviewed studies. The quality of reviews was assessed. The field of study features three decades of publication in high-income countries. The strategy used, the components of the program and the target audience to which they are delivered interfere with efficacy. In the psychoeducation strategy, the experiential and didactic components are more efficacious in the knowledge about suicide. And the motivational enhancement component promotes greater self-efficacy in suicide prevention. Programs that take a multimodal approach are effective in increasing short-term attitudes related to suicide and reducing rates of completed suicide. The gatekeeper strategy delivered to peer counselors is the most effective one in the outcomes, including short-term and long-term knowledge about suicide and its prevention, self-efficacy in suicide prevention. A greater number of evaluated studies of gatekeeper interventions was identified, indicating a trend in this research field. No review addressed the effects on subgroups that were classified. Only one study addressed cost-effectiveness, pointing out that the psychoeducation and gatekeeper strategies have relevant net benefit rates. The findings indicate that components of the intervention and the target audience to which it is delivered influence efficacy.

Biography:

Hareli Cecchin is a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology and Culture Department in University of Brasília (UnB), Master in Regional Development, specialist in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis and graduated in Psychology. She has been a psychologist at the Federal University of Tocantins since 2014. She is a member of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). She has experience in the field of Psychology, with an emphasis on School and Educational Psychology, working mainly on the following topics: suicide prevention, mental health of young people, social vulnerability, and gender.

Title: Video Interaction Guidance (V.I.G.) in perinatal period: Promoting maternal role and enhancing mother –infant attuned interactions.

Abstract:

Transition to motherhood is one of the most challenging periods in one woman’s life. Baby’s needs in conjuction with mother’s ambivalent feelings about matrescense excuse maternal anxiety and cause doubts about her sufficiency as a mother. This situation afflicts mother-child relationship and attachment. Especially, in cases where the mother has mental difficulties or/and an unsupportive environment. Early intervention is required, due to the fundamental stage of their relationship and the critical period on child’s development. Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) is a brief, strenghs-based, effective intervention focuses on the exceptional moments in parent-child interaction. Moments of interaction are captured and microanalyzed. During a “shared review” mother and VIG practitioner reflect on selected clips. Through a scaffolding, non-judgmental discussion, mother feels empowered and sufficient in her maternal role. Shortly, mother and baby achieve an attuned interaction which “magically” reinforce good changes. VIG is recognized from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and from the Cross Party Manifesto “The 1001 Critical Days” in UK. Working with mothers and babies more than 15 years in different settings and for various issues, I sustain that the majority of mothers need practical and/or emotional help during perinatal period in order to feel confidence in their new role. VIG method gives me the opportunity to combine my occupations (midwifery and psychology) in an tailored and personalized way for each family. In this conference, I have the intention to present my experience as a VIG practitoner in my country.

Biography:

Chryssa Ekizoglou is working as a freelancer Midwife, M.Sc, Psychologist, B.Sc. and Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) Practitioner. Last decade, she is working for the National Initiative for Breastfeeding Promotion. She is a Ph.D candidate at the Medical School of Athens under the guidance of Prof. Zervas Ioannis (Director of the Women’s Mental Health Clinic). For her dissertation she is working on the applicability of VIG method for parents and children in Greece. In 2022, she published at the Infant Mental Health Journal.