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Authors:Jolynn Pek, Daniel J. Bauer Pages: 3 - 10 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 3-10, March 2023. Methodology serves an essential role in advancing psychological science. However, meta-science research points to a leaky translational pipeline in which substantive research often fails to utilize recommended methodological practices. Various explanations for this problem include valuing the development of methods over methodology (making tools over using tools), incentives for methodological research, incentives for promoting pedagogy in methodology, an insufficient number of quantitative methodologists in the discipline, and scarcity of resources for substantive researchers seeking more advanced methodological training. Policy makers might consider several recommendations that could mitigate extant leaks in the translational pipeline. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:31Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144649 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Maxwell Hong, Matthew Carter, Casey Kim, Ying Cheng Pages: 11 - 17 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 11-17, March 2023. Data preprocessing is an integral step prior to analyzing data in psychological science, with implications for its potentially guiding policy. This article reports how psychological researchers address data preprocessing or quality concerns, with a focus on aberrant responses and missing data in self-report measures. 240 articles were sampled from four journals: Psychological Science, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology from 2012 to 2018. Nearly half of the studies did not report any missing data treatment (111/240; 46.25%), and if they did, the most common approach was listwise deletion (71/240; 29.6%). Studies that remove data due to missingness removed, on average, 12% of the sample. Likewise, most studies do not report any aberrant responses (194/240; 80%), but if they did, they classified 4% of the sample as suspect. Most studies are either not transparent enough about their data preprocessing steps or may be leveraging suboptimal procedures. Recommendations can improve transparency and data quality. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:29Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144650 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Douglas L. Robertson, Martha Pelaez Pages: 18 - 24 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 18-24, March 2023. Behavior analysis often operates at the level of individual behavior depending on reinforcement contingencies. Here, a behavior analytic perspective addresses the challenge of connecting research to organizations’ policy and practice in order to improve performance regarding the organizations’ strategic objectives. In colleges and universities, three potentially overlapping approaches are plausible: (a) applying published scholarly research literature, (b) contracting external vendors of predictive analytics, and (c) integrating internal researchers/practitioners. This article discusses a model that emphasizes the third approach—internal researcher/practitioners—and that focuses on fundamental concepts related to contingencies (consequences) and rule-governed behavior. The model's use is illustrated in a case study: Florida International University, a large, public, metropolitan, Research I university, located in Miami, Florida. The application of the model appears to relate to significant and rapid improvement in the university's targeted performance metrics (e.g., student success as measured by variables such as students’ retention and on-time graduation). Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:29Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221147321 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Aric A. Prather Pages: 25 - 32 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 25-32, March 2023. Insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk for a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes. Causes of insufficient sleep involve many factors, and the consequences are not evenly distributed across populations. Indeed, stark sleep disparities disadvantage racial and ethnic minorities and those low in socioeconomic status, who are more readily affected by poor sleep than their White and high socioeconomic status comparators. Sleep is situated in the context of a socioecological model that recognizes societal, community, and individual factors that shape poor sleep and drive sleep-related outcomes. Policy opportunities address each level of the presented model and addressing these barriers should promote better sleep for those affected and potentially reduce sleep disparities. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:28Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144651 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Emily J. Jones, Kieran Ayling, Cameron R. Wiley,
Adam W.A. Geraghty, Amy L. Greer, Julianne Holt-Lunstad,
Aric A. Prather, Hannah M.C. Schreier, Roxane Cohen Silver, Rodlescia S. Sneed, Anna L. Marsland, Sarah D. Pressman, Kavita Vedhara Pages: 33 - 40 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 33-40, March 2023. Psychosocial factors are related to immune, viral, and vaccination outcomes. Yet, this knowledge has been poorly represented in public health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review provides an overview of biopsychosocial links relevant to COVID-19 outcomes by describing seminal evidence about these associations known prepandemic as well as contemporary research conducted during the pandemic. This focuses on the negative impact of the pandemic on psychosocial health and how this in turn has likely consequences for critically relevant viral and vaccination outcomes. We end by looking forward, highlighting the potential of psychosocial interventions that could be leveraged to support all people in navigating a postpandemic world and how a biopsychosocial approach to health could be incorporated into public health responses to future pandemics. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:25Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221145308 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Julianne Holt-Lunstad Pages: 41 - 50 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 41-50, March 2023. National health guidelines provide policy makers and the public with recommendations for various behavioral factors known to promote health and reduce disease risk, such as diet and physical activity. Given public health concerns about social isolation, loneliness, and other forms of lacking social connection, the evidence supports establishing national health guidelines for “social connection.” The aggregate body of scientific evidence demonstrates social connection protects health and reduces health risks, pointing to clear relevance for public health. Taken together with national trends suggesting greater social disconnection, there is a compelling case for national preventative efforts. This article summarizes evidence on the health relevance of social connections, potential opportunities, and challenges in establishing and implementing guidelines, the process of establishing guidelines, and provides illustrative evidence-based examples of potential recommendations. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:24Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221150204 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Jesse Dallery, Anthony Defulio, Bethany R. Raiff Pages: 51 - 58 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 51-58, March 2023. Contingency management (CM) provides incentives based on drug abstinence or other treatment goals; it is one of the most efficacious and cost-effective psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders. However, CM remains severely underused in clinical care. Digital methods to deliver CM could dramatically expand access. These methods include information and drug sensing technologies to obtain objective evidence of drug abstinence, authenticate the end-user's identity, and deliver incentives immediately. Digital CM has been applied successfully to cigarette smoking, alcohol misuse, and more recently illicit drug use. Policies should continue to evolve to promote the delivery of digital CM based on decades of research. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:31Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144648 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Franchesca S. Kuhney, David J. Miklowitz, Jason Schiffman, Vijay A. Mittal Pages: 59 - 67 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 59-67, March 2023. Severe mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder are prevalent, debilitating, and chronic conditions that come with significant costs to families, public health systems, and communities. Research indicates that emotional qualities within the family environment of the person with SMI (e.g., whether members are highly supportive, critical, or emotionally overinvolved) can either protect against or increase the risk for psychiatric relapse. Dovetailing this work is research indicating that family-based psychosocial interventions, which can increase family functioning through psychoeducation and skill building, can promote positive outcomes for individuals with SMI. Unfortunately, social barriers such as financial strain, inaccessibility of specialized care, stigma, and social marginalization may impede a patient's or family's ability to initiate and/or continue family services. We propose that improving treatment engagement requires a combination of state and federal policy initiatives supporting community resources, integrated health care, and partnerships with national organizations. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:25Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221128251 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Brian D. Greer Pages: 68 - 74 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 68-74, March 2023. The field of applied behavior analysis has developed and refined a comprehensive methodology for the assessment and successful treatment of destructive behavior. This individualized approach emphasizes (a) function of responding (or its cause) over its form; (b) objective and reliable measurement of behavior; (c) systematic procedures and their application; (d) rigorous, single-case experimental designs; and (e) determinations of successful intervention judged by improvements in the same individual's performance. Outcomes of this approach are often dramatic and reliably surpass those obtained by alternative means. However, significant barriers limit the accessibility of this proven therapy. Too few intensive behavioral intervention units, diagnosis- and age-dependent insurance authorization and reimbursement practices, long waitlists and slow approval processes, and the possibility of treatment relapse represent a few such barriers. This article describes these barriers and suggests some potential solutions. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:27Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144653 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:June Gruber, Stephen P. Hinshaw, Lee Anna Clark, Jonathan Rottenberg, Mitchell J. Prinstein Pages: 75 - 82 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 75-82, March 2023. The status of mental health for adolescents and young adults has aptly been termed a “crisis” across research, clinical, and policy quarters. Arguably, the status quo provision of mental health services for adolescents and young adults is neither acceptable nor salvageable in its current form. Instead, only a wholesale policy transformation of mental health sciences can address crises of this scope. Pandemic-related impacts on mental health, particularly among young adults, have clearly exposed the need for the mental healthcare field to develop a set of transformative priorities to achieve long overdue, systemic changes: (1) frequent mental health tracking, (2) increased access to mental health care, (3) working with and within communities, (4) collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders, (5) prevention-focused emphasis, (6) use of dimensional descriptions over categorical pronouncements, and (7) addressing systemic inequities. The pandemic required changes in mental healthcare that can and should be the beginning of long-needed reform, calling upon all mental health care disciplines to embrace innovation and relinquish outdated traditions. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:26Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221150199 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Paul Lehrer, Gali Moritz Pages: 83 - 89 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 83-89, March 2023. Asthma is a common disorder leading to significant disability and healthcare cost throughout the world. Although medical treatment is usually highly effective in controlling it, asthma medicines often have high costs and attendant side effects. Biofeedback is an inexpensive noninvasive alternative with minimal side effects. This paper reviews evidence for two validated biofeedback treatments for treating asthma, heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB), and muscle relaxation with surface electromyographic biofeedback. In multiple studies, although most of them are of modest size, both methods have clinically meaningful results, often allowing decreases in the use of steroid medication. Further research is needed to prove which specific components of HRVB are responsible for clinical effects, and to determine asthma populations that can best benefit from these methods. Despite demonstrated effectiveness, few insurance schemes reimburse for biofeedback, and national guidelines consider it only as worthy of further investigation. Funding for the requisite large-scale clinical trials remains lacking, creating a limbo-like status quo for these useful methods. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:26Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221145306 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Sonya Kim Pages: 90 - 95 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 90-95, March 2023. The WHO argues that a pharmacy-first approach should no longer be the reflexive treatment for mental health diagnoses. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) demonstrably treats various conditions—especially effective at regulating emotion, particularly managing and alleviating anger, stress, anxiety, and depression, common co-morbid diagnoses for rehabilitation medicine patients. HRVB trains users to study their biofeedback data in real time, alter bodily functions previously believed to be automatic, and garner health benefits. Despite convenience, relatively low cost, and empowering patients to manage their own symptoms, the current lack of reimbursability, and the lack of Phase III RCTs limit HRVB application. Ideally, the confidence of practitioners, patients, and insurers would follow the known efficacy of HRVB for the treatment of mental health conditions. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:32Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144647 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:William S. Doyle, Sally L. Huskinson Pages: 96 - 103 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 96-103, March 2023. Substance use disorder (SUD) and drug overdose deaths represent major economic, health, and safety issues in the United States. The psychology of uncertainty provides a mechanism for understanding, reducing, and controlling the damage from substance misuse. Illicit drugs (such as heroin or cocaine) are uncertain in their availability, quality, and acquisition (the time and effort required to obtain them) compared with nondrug-related alternatives (such as consumable goods, hobbies, or paychecks). Furthermore, the severity and likelihood of negative outcomes associated with drug use likewise are uncertain. Such uncertainties worsen substance use outcomes. The current review conveys what is known about the impact of uncertainty on substance use: laboratory investigations of uncertain time and effort required to obtain a substance and uncertain drug quality show uncertainty exacerbates harm. Furthermore, uncertain negative outcomes are not likely to deter substance use in individuals with a SUD. Finally, several policy implications include access to agonist medications; creating a safer drug supply; access to clean syringes/needles, naloxone, and safe-injection sites; and ending incarceration for substance use. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:27Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322231152451 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Justin D. Lane, Jennifer A. Brown Pages: 104 - 112 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 104-112, March 2023. Young children's social communication is key to their development and well-being. Naturalistic interventions can promote social communication in young children. Anyone concerned about children's social communication—families, professionals, planning teams, referral sources, funders, and policymakers—should understand the complementary roles of behavior analysts (BCBAs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who both utilize naturalistic interventions. Resistance to collaboration may be rooted in broader conversations about differing theories of language development. BCBAs and SLPs likely have similar overarching goals and expectations, but collaboration has been unfortunately rare, due to field-specific training and recommendations. BCBAs and SLPs who adopt a unified theory of practice will place children, families, and educators at the center of all decisions. An interdisciplinary model rooted in research about naturalistic interventions, collaboration, and equitable practices that incorporates feedback from providers and researchers in each field, could address challenges. This model highlights (a) understanding key tenets from each respective field, (b) developing interdisciplinary teams, (c) measuring and evaluating collaborative planning, and (d) promoting mutual respect and equity. Children benefit when professionals collaborate. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:28Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221144652 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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Authors:Mikhail N. Koffarnus Pages: 113 - 120 Abstract: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Volume 10, Issue 1, Page 113-120, March 2023. Before being marketed in the United States, novel drugs must undergo evaluation for abuse liability. Drugs with higher abuse liability are assigned a schedule associated with stricter regulatory controls. Behavioral economic demand techniques hold great potential for use as an abuse liability assessment in the scheduling of novel drugs. Advantages of demand analyses include (1) quantitative abuse liability results that allow for relative comparisons and ranking among drugs by abuse liability, (2) the ability to collect analogous measures of abuse liability in both preclinical and human clinical models, and (3) minimal extra work to add demand analyses to those analyses that are already recommended in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance. Challenges primarily arise with the standardization of experimental protocols for such assessments, but these challenges may be resolvable with directed work to compare different methodological techniques. If successful, incorporation of these methods could help avoid scheduling errors that are costly to society. Citation: Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences PubDate: 2023-03-15T04:35:27Z DOI: 10.1177/23727322221150197 Issue No:Vol. 10, No. 1 (2023)
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