Psych, Volume 4, Issue 4 (December 2022) – 24 articles

The increased use of smartphones among adolescents has highlighted the need to distinguish between problematic and non-problematic smartphone use. To date, there are a lack of short, easy-to-use, and valid psychometric tools to assess smartphone addiction. The primary aim of the present study was to conduct the first psychometric assessment and evaluation of the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) among English-speaking adolescents. Participants were 1175 students recruited from across four different high schools in New Zealand, of which 1031 completed all questions and were used in the final analyses. Several psychometric tests were conducted to ascertain reliability and validity. The SABAS had high internal consistency. Consistent with earlier validation studies, the SABAS displayed weak-moderate, positive relationships with symptoms of depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), and sleep quality. Overall, the SABAS is a sound, unidimensional scale with robust psychometric properties and is a short and easy-to-use measure that can be used confidently among English-speaking adolescents. Full article

(1) Background: Nurses show higher psychological distress associated with physical difficulties during the COVID-19 outbreak. To compare burnout levels among nurses engaged in the front line of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave and the second wave of the pandemic. (2) Methods: Two cohort online surveys were conducted thanks to the Google Modules function: the first one was administered from March 2020 to April 2020 and the second survey, which included the same questionnaire, was administered from September 2020 to October 2020. (3) Results: There were significant differences in the emotional exhaustion sub dimension (p < 0.001): The first wave group recorded higher levels than the second wave one. While, as regards to the values of the dimension of the depersonalization, the second wave group reported significantly higher values than the first wave group (p = 0.006). No significant difference was recorded for the personal accomplishment sub dimension (p = 0.108). By considering the gender variable, significant difference was reported in personal accomplishment sub dimension, as during the second wave, females recorded lower levels in personal accomplishment while males reported significantly higher levels in the same sub dimension than the first wave (p = 0.012); while no statistically significant differences were reported in burnout sub dimensions during the first and the second waves according to years of work experience. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an important provocation for nurses all around the world and, at the same time, constitutes a learning lesson to improve better approaches for the subsequent waves. Several interventions could be introduced to moderate the mental health influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses. Full article

We investigated whether anxiety sensitivity (AS) is associated with increased distress and adherence to public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduates, and whether increased distress mediates the relationship between AS and increased adherence. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1318 first- and second-year undergraduates (mean age of 19.2 years; 79.5% females) from five Canadian universities. Relevant subscales of the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) and the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10) were used to assess AS and neuroticism. Three measures tapped distress: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms, and the Brief COVID-19 Stress Scales (CSS-B) for COVID-19-specific distress. The COVID-19 Adherence scale (CAD) assessed adherence to COVID-19 containment measures. AS was significantly independently associated with higher general distress (both anxiety and depressive symptoms) and higher COVID-19-specific distress, after controlling age, sex, study site, and neuroticism. Moreover, AS indirectly predicted greater adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures through higher COVID-19-specific distress. Interventions targeting higher AS might be helpful for decreasing both general and COVID-19-specific distress, whereas interventions targeting lower AS might be helpful for increasing adherence to public health containment strategies, in undergraduates. Full article

Increasing investments in incubators, accelerators, and academia coincide with current and historical perceptions of the United States as a world leader in creating new businesses, as well as an economic force dependent, in part, on entrepreneurship. Research identifies various personality characteristics related to entrepreneurship, however, entrepreneur-specific personality measures have rarely been studied. This study investigates relationships between the 11-factor Entrepreneur Core Characteristics Profile and entrepreneurial outcomes in a sample including students, working adults, and current entrepreneurs. Results expand our understanding of how entrepreneur-specific measures may be useful for predicting entrepreneurial outcomes, with implications for practitioners who work with entrepreneurs. Full article

In the present study, we explored the best regression models that explain the developmental path of dispositional empathy among Iranian participants using Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA). BMA, a data-driven analysis method, was employed to identify the most likely candidate regression models given the collected data. We reported the best regression model for each dependent variable and different components of applied questionnaires by evaluating and comparing multiple model fit indicators—Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, adjusted R², Bayes Factor model, and leave-one-out cross-validation root-mean-square error—among candidate regression models identified by BMA. We discussed the theoretical implications of the findings regarding factors associated with empathy development and the methodological implications of using data-driven analysis in the field. Full article

Rarely is a book published with a specific focus on ‘Female Psychology’—one of the three branches of the ‘Psychology of Women’ field of study. It is more common to see texts that focus on ‘Feminine Psychology’, and arguably the greatest number of texts in this area are in fact dedicated to ‘Feminist Psychology’. This makes the annotated psychoanalytic bibliography, edited by Eleanor Schuker and Nadine A. Levinson a rare, but important resource. This book review assesses the re-printed text for its content and novel contribution to the field, but does so framing it in the wider context of studies into the Psychology of Women, the changing times, and the current landscape of similar research. Furthermore, this review frames the text in a wider psycho-socio-cultural academic debate about the similarities, differences, and conceptual meanings of the three (distinct) branches of: Feminist, Feminine, and Female Psychology; concluding the difference in origin of these schools of thought has allowed for their individualization and continued utility as separate areas of study into the Psychology of Women. Full article

Objective: The current review sought to synthesise and evaluate ADHD guidelines to identify recommended procedures for co-occurring and differential diagnosis for ADHD assessments of school aged children. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted by searching PsycInfo, Medline, CINAHL and Web of Science. A grey literature search was also performed. ADHD guidelines that described a diagnostic process for school aged children, published between 2013 and 2021, by Government organisations or a national professional association, and written in English were included. Results: Each of the six included guidelines were produced by panels consisting primarily of paediatricians and psychiatrists. All guidelines recommended assessing for co-occurring conditions. Five of the guidelines recommended consideration of a differential diagnosis. Five guidelines also recommended referral to a specialist, mental health clinician or psychologist when diagnostic uncertainty exists. Conclusions: Guidelines to assist in the assessment of referred cases were not discovered. There is a need for recommendations to be developed to supplement existing guidelines to aid psychologists and mental health clinicians in a systematic ADHD assessment process, particularly in complex cases. Full article

Objective: The aim of this research is to analyze the socio-occupational and health conditions of Intensive Care Units (ICU) health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. In addition, with regard to the working conditions (availability of personal protective equipment—PPE, workload and patient/professional ratio), this research aims to analyze the possible differences depending on the Spanish region that was sampled and their professional category, as well as their relationship with the characteristic symptoms of COVID-19 (myalgias and respiratory distress). Method: A cross-sectional study performed with an online questionnaire, which was spread throughout all of the Spanish autonomous communities/regions. Results: The sample consisted of 461 ICU professionals in Spain, of whom, 94% reported an increase in their workload, and 43% reported a patient/professional ratio that was higher than it usually is. The median professional experience in the ICU was 9.73 years, with 47% of them having less than 5 years of experience in it. About 80% had undergone some diagnostic tests. There is a significant difference in ‘Serology (+)’ in terms of sex, with males having a serology (+) in 26% of the cases and females having it in 13% of the cases (p = 0.011). Most of the professionals (80%) were concerned about a possible infection, and up to 96% were worried about infecting their family members. The most common COVID-19 symptom was a headache, with there being a higher incidence of this in women. Significant differences were observed with respect to the availability of appropriate PPE depending on the Spanish region (i.e., Cataluña had best rate of PPE availability) (p = 0.005). The higher incidence of myalgias and respiratory distress were associated with a lower availability of PPE and a higher patient/professional ratio. Conclusions: The ICU staff reported an increase in their workload, with an increase in the amount of staff who had less experience. A high percentage of them have suffered symptoms, although the proportion of positive tests was low. The most characteristic symptoms of COVID-19 seem to be related to the working conditions. The results show the socio-occupational and health conditions of Spanish ICU professionals during the pandemic and point to the need to establish occupational risk-prevention measures. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic urged systematic restrictive measures in order to avoid the spread of the virus. Different countries applied different restrictive measures; however, their efficacy was vastly dependent on the willingness of the people to comply with them. How people perceived the pandemic yielded different adaptive behavior to preventative measures. In this direction, individual characteristics (i.e., personality) seem very important. The current study aimed to map a relationship between personality structure as postulated within the five-factor model of personality with the tendency to comply with preventive measures, as mediated by perceived stress and concerns over coronavirus. In a sample of 3252 adults, we found that the traits of openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness directly and positively predicted compliance. However, concerns over coronavirus partially but positively mediated the relationship between agreeableness and conscientiousness on compliance. Perceived stress, on the other hand, was not a significant mediator, although it was significantly and positively predicted by neuroticism but negatively by extraversion. These findings showed that different personality traits have different direct effects on compliance with preventative measures. Full article

This study explored and compared the psychological wellbeing, burnout, coping strategies and work-related quality of life amongst health and social care workers in older adults’ care homes and community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK) and Japan. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the UK (May–July 2021) and a postal survey conducted in Japan (September–October 2021). Participants recruited were health and social care professionals within nursing, social care and social work occupations working in care home or community settings in the UK and Japan during the pandemic. Data were analysed using SPSS. 1327 respondents across the UK and Japan completed the survey. Respondents’ psychological wellbeing was significantly lower in Japan compared to the UK (p ≤ 0.001). UK respondents had significantly higher personal burnout (p < 0.05) and work-related burnout (p < 0.05) while those in Japan had significantly higher client-related burnout (p < 0.001). The novelty of this study relates to exploring mental wellbeing and quality of working life in two culturally contrasting countries. The overall psychological wellbeing and work-related quality of life of staff who work with older adults in the UK and Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic were lower than the population norm. Greater support and flexible working conditions for this workforce are needed to reduce burnout by improving wellbeing and work-related quality of life. Full article

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has collectively increased stress levels, with individuals making difficult choices between protecting themselves and helping others. Previous research has shown that people engage in more prosocial, or helping, behavior as they age and in moments of acute stress, but it is unclear how c stress has influenced perceived changes in prosocial behavior in the later stages of the pandemic and whether this varies across the lifespan. (2) Methods: The current study explored how perceived stress, age, and gender impact participants’ reports of perceived changes in their prosocial behavior due to the pandemic using survey questions administered through an online subject pool (n = 201). (3) Results: Hierarchical linear regression results revealed results indicated a significant main effect of perceived stress (β = −0.166, p = 0.021) and age (β = −0.217, p = 0.003) but not gender (β = −0.062, p = 0.370) on perceptions of how one’s prosocial behavior was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) Conclusions: Study findings showed that older adults and individuals with higher levels of perceived stress reported a decrease in their prosocial behavior, which supported our hypotheses. These findings provide unique insight into the influence of a long-term health crisis on different groups of people’s participation in prosocial behavior, with implications for mental health and community engagement during a pandemic. Full article

Vector problem-solving abilities are fundamental to everyday life and higher education; thus, improving them is important in education and research. However, the role of cognitive and affective factors and learning engagement in vector problem-solving performance is still unclear. This study examines the processes associated with vector problem-solving performance, focusing on the problem-solving strategy as a cognitive factor and math anxiety and task-specific self-efficacy as affective factors. In addition, this study examines the impact of learning engagement as a moderator in this process. A total of 245 Japanese 11th-grade high school students completed questionnaires. A multiple-group structural equation modelling revealed that (1) task-specific self-efficacy, math anxiety, and problem-solving strategies contribute to vector problem-solving performance when learning engagement is above average; (2) task-specific self-efficacy contributes to math anxiety, whereas task-specific self-efficacy and math anxiety contribute to problem-solving strategies when learning engagement is above average and stable; (3) task-specific self-efficacy is a positive predictor of vector problem-solving performance regardless of learning engagement. The results suggest that learning engagement moderates the association between math anxiety, task-specific self-efficacy, problem-solving strategy, and vector problem-solving performance. In addition, task-specific self-efficacy is a strong predictor of vector problem-solving performance. Full article

(1) Background: Previous meta-analytic research found small to moderate relationships between the Big Five personality traits and different linguistic computational indicators. However, previous studies included multiple linguistic indicators to predict personality from an exploratory framework. The aim of this study was to conduct a cross-validation study analyzing the relationships between language indicators and personality traits to test the generalizability of previous results; (2) Methods: 643 Spanish undergraduate students were tasked to write a self-description in 500 words (which was evaluated with the LIWC) and to answer a standardized Big Five questionnaire. Two different analytical approaches using multiple linear regression were followed: first, using the complete data and, second, by conducting different cross-validation studies; (3) Results: The results showed medium effect sizes in the first analytical approach. On the contrary, it was found that language and personality relationships were not generalizable in the cross-validation studies; (4) Conclusions: We concluded that moderate effect sizes could be obtained when the language and personality relationships were analyzed in single samples, but it was not possible to generalize the model estimates to other samples. Thus, previous exploratory results found on this line of research appear to be incompatible with a nomothetic approach. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated tensions and tested the resiliency of many nursing leaders. Resilience enables head nurses to cope with their work environment challenges, and maintain healthy psychological activity. Moreover, their empowering behavior represents the vehicle to transform traumatic events such as the COVID-19 pandemic to create a high-quality work environment. Aim: To explore the relationship between nurse manager resilience and empowering leader behavior during COVID-19. Method: This is a descriptive correlational study. The study subjects consisted of two groups: head nurses (44) and staff nurses (284). The study was conducted at Benisuef University Hospital. Two tools were used for collecting data; nurse managers’ resilience scale, and staff nurses’ perceived empowering behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic via questionnaire. Results: In total, 50% of nurse managers had high resilience skills levels, about one-third of them (34.1%) had moderate levels and only 15.9% had low resilience skills levels. Furthermore, with regard to empowering leadership behavior levels as perceived by staff nurses during COVID-19; 66.9% of them perceived it high, 29.2% reported a moderate level of empowering behavior, and only 3.9% perceived low levels. Finally, there was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between nurse manager’s resilience skills levels and staff nurses’ perception of empowering behavior during COVID-19. Conclusions: Half of the nurse managers had high resilience skills, and only 15.9% had low levels. Two-thirds of staff nurses perceived high levels of their nurse manager’s empowering behavior during COVID-19, in comparison to only 3.9% who perceived low levels. There was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between nurse manager’s resilience skills levels and perceived empowering behavior during COVID-19. Full article

Objective: A growing body of literature suggests a relationship between personality traits and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after acute coronary events (ACS). However, specific personality profiles have not been examined in patients after ACS. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine personality profiles created from response patterns on the resilience, alexithymia and type D personality (TDP) scales and to examine associations with PTSD symptoms, symptom clusters and coping styles among a sample of ACS patients. Methods: A cluster analytic approach was utilized to identify risk profiles based on personality variables and a series of ANOVAs in 154 patients. Post hoc analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between each profile, and interviewer-rated PTSD symptoms and different coping styles. Results: The analyses indicated a three-cluster solution, including low- (high resilience, low alexithymia and non-TDP), medium- (average resilience, average alexithymia and non-TDP) and high-risk (low resilience, high alexithymia and TDP) profiles. Clusters differed significantly in all three coping subscales. At 3-month follow up, clusters differed significantly in all three PTSD subscales (re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal). At 12-month follow up, the differences remained significant for the hyperarousal subscale only. Conclusions: The personality profiles identified and the respective associations to PTSD symptoms and coping strategies highlight the potential impact for the psychological adjustment following ACS. Full article

Cognition includes all processes through which a person becomes aware of their situation, needs, goals, and necessary actions. Regular specialized cognitive and neuromotor simulation exercises have improved various cognitive processes, including memory, speed of reasoning, and problem-solving skills. This review focuses on understanding the efficacy of long-term multicomponent exercise interventions to mitigate and delay the effects on cognitive abilities in older adults with neurodegenerative disorders. The main criteria for final studies were randomised controlled trials with a minimum of a 24-week intervention. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, SCOPUS, B-On, Sport Discus, Scielo, APA PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Academic Search Complete, Medline (PubMed), ERIC, and Google Scholar databases were checked. The search occurred between April 2022 and July 2022. A total of 19 studies were used in this review. The initial search identified 6.835 studies. In the first screening, a total of 6474 studies were excluded. After this, 361 studies were analysed by co-authors and did not meet the specific final criteria and were excluded. In total, 19 studies were included in the final analysis, and 14 papers met all requirements previously defined. Full article

Human resource management could be defined as the set of policies which, if properly designed and developed, contribute to improving the performance of employers. The present study aimed to investigate how nurses directly involved in the care of COVID-19 patients perceived their working activities and environments during the pandemic and if there were any associations between their perceptions’ levels and sampling characteristics. An observational, multicenter, cross- sectional study was carried out from October 2021 to February 2022. Socio-demographic characteristics and a total of 10 items were collected in order to assess nurses’ perceptions on their working activities and environments during the pandemic. A total of 126 nurses were recruited in this study. Of these, 35 (27.8%) were males and 91 (72.2%) were females. The most part of participants (62.7%) aged between 20–30 years and were employed during their first decade of work experience (69.8%), were employed only during the morning (46%) and attended the basic nursing course (82.5%). Most of participants considered their nursing activities as very hard, in both the age and work experience groups. Additionally, further associations were reported between nurses who were employed during the three shifts par day, as they considered their activities very hard; however, data were higher in one/shift group than in the three-shift group, too. Younger nurses reported higher emotional levels in their nursing activities than their older collogues (11–20 years and 21–30 years), while the oldest group recorded higher levels of emotional involvement than the younger groups (11–20 years and 21–30 years), respectively. Finally, all groups of work experience nurses considered the nursing activities very hard. The perceived organization work environment was not favorable, explaining potential opportunities for intervention by also improving nurses’ well-being, particularly during this very hard period of the pandemic. Therefore, nursing leaders might influence the orientation and development of collaborators by involving them with respect to the choices and challenges of the administration, rather than traditional managers who interpreted their role through complicated command procedures and control. Full article

Cyberbullying behaviours can result in serious adverse mental health outcomes. We report evaluation findings from the Geelong Cyber Cats, a one-day community-based cyberbullying prevention intervention targeting Year 7 adolescents. The longitudinal, mixed-methods evaluation involved students completing surveys at baseline (N = 309), intervention completion (N = 316), and 3-month follow-up (N = 154). Controls (N = 58) who had not attended the intervention completed follow-up surveys. We measured behaviours, attitudes, and intentions regarding cyberbullying, and mental health. Positive attitudes towards cyberbullying significantly reduced from baseline to post intervention, with some rebound at follow-up. There was a significant reduction in experiences of cyberbullying victimisation, perpetration, and witnessing for participants at follow-up. Mental health improved from baseline to follow-up although not significantly. Confidence in responding to cyberbullying significantly improved post-intervention, with a loss of some gains at follow-up but remaining improvement compared to baseline. There were significant increases in post- intervention intentions, including being kind, careful and safe, and disengagement from problematic applications or social media platforms. Participants were positive about the intervention impact on understanding cyberbullying, and increased motivation and confidence to respond. Content about responding to cyberbullying, and helping others, was perceived the most helpful. The intervention demonstrates benefits to cyberbullying attitudes, behaviours and mental health. Full article

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being has been widely described. However, studies on how country-specific characteristics influenced the impacts of the pandemic experience on cognitive subjective well-being are still needed. This study examined the predictive role of sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathological dimensions on cognitive subjective well-being during the second lockdown period in Portugal. An online sample of 332 adults completed a series of self-report instruments between April and July 2021, covering the period from 15 January to 15 March 2021. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that being married or living in a civil union, not having/or living with children, not living with/or caring for an elderly person, and not being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 were significant and positive predictors of higher cognitive subjective well-being. In contrast, a non-heterosexual sexual orientation; isolation due to COVID-19; and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with repetitive negative thinking, were significant predictors of negative cognitive subjective well-being during the second lockdown in Portugal. The importance of developing promotional, preventive, and remedial interventions focused on specific country and individual characteristics for poor cognitive subjective well-being for promoting mental health and well-being during this critical period and similar future crisis events is discussed. Full article

This longitudinal study investigated changes in and risk factors for anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in a New Zealand cohort. Online surveys were distributed to 681 participants at three time-points: May 2020 (Time 1), August–September 2020 (Time 2), and March–April 2021 (Time 3). Participants completed measures of anxiety and depression, alongside measures of possible risk/protective factors. A total of 261 participants completed all three surveys and were included in analyses. Depression and anxiety reduced over time; however, levels were still significantly higher than pre-pandemic norms. Being younger, having a prior mental health disorder, experiencing negative life events due to COVID-19, and being a pet owner were risk factors for poorer depression and anxiety, whereas having higher positive mood was protective. This study demonstrates persisting negative effects of the pandemic on anxiety and depression in a context of low transmission and highlights the importance of providing psychological help to those most at risk. Full article

This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing and trust support of Tees Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS forensic staff using an online google survey during the second wave of the pandemic. Survey respondents were a voluntary cross-sectional sample of 246 TEWV staff working in the forensic directorate staff; this included males (n = 60, 24.5%); with the majority of staff aged between 36–50 years (n = 99, 40.2%) and 50 years or older (n = 80, 32.5%). The results showed that staff working at home and on the front line were both affected by depression, stress and anxiety. Those most at risk were younger staff members. We concluded that the mental health and well-being of staff working should be a priority. It is important to consider targeted support that should be aimed at younger staff members to provide an open culture enabling for those who want support to have readily available signposted resources. Staff working in different settings may have experienced a different impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and wellbeing, and whilst some interventions might be successfully applied across the service, it would be beneficial to understand the unique needs of staff working in specific settings. Full article

(1) Background: The pursuit of excellence is central to most development environments, and this is particularly the case in high-performance sport. Accordingly, we examined some mechanisms for development, focusing on the nature and impact of challenge in the experiences of more or less successful high-level rugby players. (2) Methods: Retrospective interviews were conducted with two groups of players. All had been successful on the development pathway (i.e., recruited to high level academies and selected as age group internationals). Only some had progressed to senior contracts and international selection, offering a basis for contrast. (3) Results: Data suggest the importance of negative experiences in the development of performers and performance. Importantly, however, the impact is dependent on both the skills of the individual and the style, timing and context of the challenge. (4) Conclusions: Negative experiences seemed to offer developmental opportunities wider than just learning to cope, at least for those who eventually succeeded. In short, progress was dependent on an interaction between individual skill, interpretation, context and social setting. The need for coaches and others to develop the appropriate attitudes and approach to challenge is a clear implication. Full article

Meta-analysis has started to take place among the most used methodologies in psychological research. Such a technique allows researchers to combine the data sets obtained from several individual studies on the same topic and thus is particularly useful for finding solutions to controversial issues that cannot be solved with individual studies. This paper presents a detailed tutorial of the IBM SPSS software, which enables one to implement the statistical analyses for meta-analysis. Examples are also provided to highlight the main analyses conducted in the meta-analysis. The tutorial ends by discussing the differences between IBM SPSS capabilities and those of other software packages. Full article

Numerous studies point to the acute distress associated with the experience of coping with severe mental illness and psychiatric hospitalization. Another strand of research notes the therapeutic benefits of psychodrama and its efficacy in increasing empathy and self-awareness, improving interpersonal relationships, reducing stress and anxiety, and in treating particularly vulnerable populations for whom traditional psychotherapy’s usefulness is limited. The goal of this paper is to provide a framework for understanding the potential of group sharing in dealing with the experience of loneliness and distress, and to serve as a space for relatedness and self-expression in psychodrama group therapy. A qualitative action research study following an open inpatients’ psychodrama group in a psychiatric hospital in Israel demonstrates the role of group sharing in creating an accommodating space of self-expression, relatedness, and mutual support, which offers relief for the distress of psychiatric inpatients. Within the inpatients’ group, the participants used sharing to distribute the burden among the group members along with the resources to cope with it. The paper seeks to illuminate the unique contribution of a therapeutic tool rarely dealt with by the existing literature–the group sharing—in dealing with situations of acute mental distress. Full article