scholarly journals Distressing psychotic-like experiences, cognitive functioning and early developmental markers in clinically referred young people aged 8–18 years

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Barnes ◽  
C. Stewart ◽  
S. Browning ◽  
K. Bracegirdle ◽  
K. R. Laurens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Developmental Delays ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Receptive Language ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Clinically Referred

Abstract Purpose Neurocognitive difficulties and early childhood speech/motor delays are well documented amongst older adolescents and young adults considered at risk for psychosis-spectrum diagnoses. We aimed to test associations between unusual or psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), co-occurring distress/emotional symptoms, current cognitive functioning and developmental delays/difficulties in young people (aged 8–18 years) referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in South London, UK. Methods Study 1 examined receptive language, verbal learning and caregiver-reported speech and motor delays/difficulties in a sample of 101 clinically-referred children aged 8–14 years, comparing those reporting no PLEs (n = 19), PLEs without distress (n = 16), and PLEs with distress (n = 66). Study 2 tested associations of severity of distressing PLEs with vocabulary, perceptual reasoning, word reading and developmental delays/difficulties in a second sample of 122 adolescents aged 12–18 years with distressing PLEs. Results In Study 1, children with distressing PLEs had lower receptive language and delayed recall and higher rates of developmental delays/difficulties than the no-PLE and non-distressing PLE groups (F values: 2.3–2.8; p values: < 0.005). Receptive language (β = 0.24, p = 0.03) and delayed recall (β = − 0.17, p = 0.02) predicted PLE distress severity. In Study 2, the cognitive-developmental variables did not significantly predict PLE distress severity (β values = 0.01–0.22, p values: > 0.05). Conclusion Findings may be consistent with a cognitive-developmental model relating distressing PLEs in youth with difficulties in cognitive functioning. This highlights the potential utility of adjunctive cognitive strategies which target mechanisms associated with PLE distress. These could be included in cognitive-behavioural interventions offered prior to the development of an at-risk mental state in mental health, educational or public health settings.

scholarly journals Medium-term health and social outcomes in adolescents following sexual assault: a prospective mixed-methods cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venetia Clarke ◽  
Andrea Goddard ◽  
Kaye Wellings ◽  
Raeena Hirve ◽  
Marta Casanovas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Young People ◽  
Stress Disorders ◽  
Social Outcomes ◽  
Study Entry ◽  
Medium Term

Abstract Purpose To describe medium-term physical and mental health and social outcomes following adolescent sexual assault, and examine users’ perceived needs and experiences. Method Longitudinal, mixed methods cohort study of adolescents aged 13–17 years recruited within 6 weeks of sexual assault (study entry) and followed to study end, 13–15 months post-assault. Results 75/141 participants were followed to study end (53% retention; 71 females) and 19 completed an in-depth qualitative interview. Despite many participants accessing support services, 54%, 59% and 72% remained at risk for depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders 13–15 months post-assault. Physical symptoms were reported more frequently. Persistent (> 30 days) absence from school doubled between study entry and end, from 22 to 47%. Enduring mental ill-health and disengagement from education/employment were associated with psychosocial risk factors rather than assault characteristics. Qualitative data suggested inter-relationships between mental ill-health, physical health problems and disengagement from school, and poor understanding from schools regarding how to support young people post-assault. Baseline levels of smoking, alcohol and ever drug use were high and increased during the study period (only significantly for alcohol use). Conclusion Adolescents presenting after sexual assault have high levels of vulnerability over a year post-assault. Many remain at risk for mental health disorders, highlighting the need for specialist intervention and ongoing support. A key concern for young people is disruption to their education. Multi-faceted support is needed to prevent social exclusion and further widening of health inequalities in this population, and to support young people in their immediate and long-term recovery.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah De Pue ◽  
Céline Gillebert ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt ◽  
Rudi De Raedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCOVID-19 took a heavy toll on older adults. In Belgium, by the end of August, 93% of deaths due to COVID-19 were aged 65 or older. Similar trends were observed in other countries. As a consequence, older adults were identified as a group at risk, and strict governmental restrictions were imposed on them. This has caused concerns about their mental health. Using an online survey, this study established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults aged 65 years or older, and which factors moderate this impact. Participants reported a significant decrease in activity level, sleep quality and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was strongly related to reported declines in activity level, sleep quality, wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of older adults. This implies that this group at risk requires attention of governments and healthcare.

EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON ECONOMIC AND MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH

2021 ◽  
pp. 7-8
Author(s):  
Megha Gakhar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Corona Virus

The purpose of the present study was to assess the economic and mental health of youth after the corona virus disease-19 occurred in India. 120 participants (males- females, graduate- post graduate having age between 24-25 years) were selected with the help of snow-ball sampling technique. Responses of the participants were taken with the help of questionnaire which was developed by investigator herself. Results revealed that COVID-19 had severe impact on employment, income, job and family life of majority of young people. Participant’s mental health become worse, they developed anxiety, received no mental support, their well being lowered. COVID-19 has created disharmony and youths educational and professional career are at risk.

scholarly journals Working in old age in Mexico: implications for cognitive functioning

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Francisca S. Rodriguez ◽  
Joseph Saenz
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Visual Scanning ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

Abstract Previous studies indicate that occupation might affect cognitive functioning in late life. As people in low- and middle-income countries often have to work until late life, we sought to investigate if there are cognitive benefits to working later into life and whether cognitive function deteriorates after exiting the labour force. We analysed longitudinal data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), a nationally representative sample of Mexican adults age 50+ (N = 7,375), that assessed cognitive functioning by verbal learning, delayed recall and visual scanning. Analyses were carried out using mixed-effects modelling corrected for the influence of gender, instrumental activities of daily living, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, depression, income and marital status. Results suggest that working actively, compared to exiting the workforce, was associated with cognitive performance only in context with occupation. Domestic workers had a faster decline in verbal learning (b = −0.02, p = 0.020) and delayed recall (b = −0.02, p = 0.036) if they continued working actively and people working in administration (b = 0.03, p = 0.007), sales (b = 0.02, p = 0.044) and educators (b = 0.03, p = 0.049) had a slower decline in visual scanning if they continued working in old age. Our findings indicate that continued participation in the labour force in old age does not necessarily come with cognitive benefits. Whether or not working actively in later life protects or even harms cognitive functioning is likely to depend on the type of job.

scholarly journals Insufficient sleep during adolescence might pose a risk for later depression and anxiety

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Child Psychology ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality

A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has found that young people who have poor sleep quality and quantity might be at risk of poor mental health later in adolescence and early adulthood.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah De Pue ◽  
Celine Gillebert ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt ◽  
Rudi De Raedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 took a heavy toll on older adults. In Belgium, by the end of August, 93% of deaths due to COVID-19 were aged 65 or older. Similar trends were observed in other countries. As a consequence, older adults were identified as a group at risk, and strict governmental restrictions were imposed on them. This has caused concerns about their mental health. Using an online survey, this study established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults aged 65 years or older, and which factors moderate this impact. Participants reported a significant decrease in activity level, sleep quality and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was strongly related to reported declines in activity level, sleep quality, wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of older adults. This implies that this group at risk requires attention of governments and healthcare.

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