scholarly journals Trauma Exposures, Resilience Factors, and Mental Health Outcomes in Persons Granted Asylum in the U.S. for Claims Related to Domestic Violence and Persecution by Organized Gangs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor H. Emery ◽  
Mehar Maju ◽  
Kate Coursey ◽  
Cameron Brandt ◽  
Jamie S. Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Asylum Law ◽  
Resilience Factors ◽  
Mental Health Policies ◽  
The U.S

AbstractSurvivors of domestic violence (DV) and of violence perpetrated by organized gangs (GV) face barriers to legal protection under U.S. asylum law. We abstracted data from 132 affidavits based on forensic medical evaluations of asylum seekers granted legal protection in the U.S. on the basis of DV and/or GV. We described claimants’ trauma exposures and resilience factors and used multiple logistic regression to quantify associations with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5) diagnoses and improvement in mental health. People seeking asylum based on DV and/or GV have endured multiple types of trauma with significant impacts on their mental health. New experiences of trauma following migration to the U.S. were common and associated with DSM-5 diagnoses. Conversely, resilience factors were associated with improved mental health. Policies that aim to reduce ongoing trauma in the U.S. and to bolster resilience factors may promote asylee mental health and well-being.

scholarly journals Mental health policy issues and development in Lithuania

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I R Rubikas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Mental Health Policies ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background Lithuanian has experienced rapid and relatively successful transition to capitalism and transatlantic-Western values and practices in recent decades. Suicide and legal alcohol consumption rates remain the highest in the EU and OECD, and Lithuania's Positive emotions index score has been consistently amongst the 10 lowest in the world in recent years. Emigration rate is the highest in the EU and OECD, social inequality is amongst the highest in the same groups. Despite a relatively strong economy these changes are not automatically transferred to better social and emotional well-being. Methods This unconventional situation calls for strong and unconventional policy responses in the area of mental health, amongst others. Health impact assessment using theory-based approach and desk research. Results Recent attempts include strategic reorientation towards social and emotional well-being, stronger focus on prevention and promotion and primary care, intensifying efforts to reduce suicide rates, and implementation of strong regulatory measures to reduce alcohol use. Suicide rates have been declining since 2013 but remain high. Effort is made to implement best practices in media reporting, recognition and providing appropriate help for those in suicide crisis, expanding prevention efforts. Conclusions Finally, WHOs “best buys” in alcohol control were implemented since 2017, including steep increases in excise taxes, ban on alcohol advertisement, increase of allowed age, reducing alcohol trading hours and others. This resulted in the steepest decline of legal alcohol consumption in decades. The chosen policy route may be called iterative policy-making, whereby improvements are made along the way, which allows for quicker policy decisions and results. Key messages Mental health policies need to be based on the socio-political context of the specific country. Smaller countries such as Lithuania might benefit form flexible approaches to mental health policies.

scholarly journals Social media and mental health: Reviewing effects on eudaimonic well-being

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Meier ◽  
Leonard Reinecke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Self Actualization ◽  
Resilience Factors ◽  
Omission Bias ◽  
Health And Well Being

Do social media affect users’ mental health and well-being? By now, considerable research has addressed this highly contested question. Prior studies have investigated the effects of social media use on hedonic well-being (e.g., affect and life satisfaction), psychopathology (e.g., depressive or anxiety symptoms), or psychosocial risk/resilience factors (e.g., loneliness, stress, self-esteem). Yet, public concern over social media effects often centers on more long-term negative outcomes, which may be better captured by indicators of eudaimonic well-being. Indeed, neglecting the eudaimonic side of well-being may have introduced outcome omission bias, since eudaimonia is both conceptually and empirically distinct from other dimensions of mental health and may be uniquely affected by social media use. Specifically, psychology currently theorizes eudaimonic well-being to be best represented by the experiences of (a) meaningfulness, (b) authenticity, and (c) self-actualization. A research synthesis of how social media use relates to these core indicators of eudaimonia is currently missing, however. We thus present a first narrative review that synthesizes both theoretical and empirical links between three key social media uses (i.e., active, passive, and “screen time”) and eudaimonic well-being. The synthesis shows that while there are indeed several plausible theoretical links, the evidence is too scarce and inconsistent to allow definitive conclusions at this time. We instead give recommendations for how the field can close important gaps by investigating whether social media afford or constrain opportunities to find meaning, live authentically, and grow as a person.

Mental Health Scenario of Asian Americans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susheelabai R. Srinivasa ◽  
Sudershan Pasupuleti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asian Americans ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Utilization Patterns ◽  
Imminent Risk ◽  
The U.S

This chapter discusses the mental health of Asian Americans, highlighting their growing needs as well as policy-making challenges. There is a stereotypical view of this segment of the U.S. population as being a ‘model minority’. However, they are under-represented in mental-health service utilization due to fear of stigmatization, and, when provided, these services are often culturally insensitive. This paper argues for a more comprehensive approach to Asian Americans’ health issues so that concerns and challenges can be addressed. It also presents sociocultural, institutional, and environmental factors that affect the under-reporting and under-utilization patterns of mental-health services among Asian Americans. The growing incidence of mental-health problems and underutilization are imminent risk factors for the psychological well-being of Asian Americans in the United States.

scholarly journals Mental health and domestic violence in LGB+ persons during lockdown measures in Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-160
Author(s):  
Lotte De Schrijver ◽  
Stefanie De Buyser ◽  
Kasia Uzieblo ◽  
Christophe Vandeviver ◽  
Ines Keygnaert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Abuse

Abstract Background: To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide restricted social and physical contact by issuing lockdown and social-distancing measures. Yet, lockdown measures may induce mental health problems and increase the occurrence of domestic violence (DV). We examine mental health and DV in lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (LGB+) persons under lockdown. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire on relationships, stress, and aggression was administered to a non-probabilistic sample of participants living in Belgium. Participants were sampled through national media, social media, and snowballing procedures. Occurrence of DV including psychological, physical, and sexual violence, stress, alcohol and drug use, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harming behaviour, and help-seeking behaviour in LGB+ persons during the first four to six weeks of the hygiene and lockdown measures in Belgium were assessed. Results: 383 LGB+ participants were included in the analysis. In addition to high levels of stress, alcohol and drug abuse, suicidal ideation, and self-harming behaviour, a third of LGB+ participants reported at least one incident of DV under lockdown. Conclusion: LGB+ persons have been exposed to DV and experienced lower mental health and well-being during the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the possible need for public health measures and sociocultural changes preventing DV and improving mental health during lockdown in LGB+ persons.

Depression in the Workplace

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Bogg ◽  
Sarah Green
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Working People ◽  
Labour Standards ◽  
Being There

This chapter discusses depression in the workplace from the perspective of employment law. Despite the myth that people with mental illness are unable to work, it is almost certain most working people will be working alongside someone who has experienced mental illness. The idea that mental health at work is a marginal concern is no longer sustainable, and reflects ingrained fears and prejudices about the ‘otherness’ of mental illness. The legal framework regulating employment is important in ensuring that work and employment have a constructive part to play in public health strategies to promote mental health and well-being. There are several avenues of legal protection available to those with mental illness such as depression. This chapter explores three regulatory approaches to depression at work that should be regarded as complementary, each with a distinctive contribution to achieving the so-called ‘inclusive workplace’ for those with mental health problems such as depression: the private law approach, the equality law approach, and the labour standards approach.

Criminal Protection Orders: Implications of Requested Versus Issued Orders on Domestic Violence Revictimiztion and Mental Health Among Women

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110358
Author(s):  
Tami P. Sullivan ◽  
Nicole H. Weiss ◽  
Jacqueline Woerner ◽  
Diana Belliveau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Therapeutic Jurisprudence ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Court System ◽  
Protection Orders ◽  
Criminal Protection ◽  
Over Time

Criminal protection orders (POs), with varying degrees of restrictions on offenders’ behavior, are issued by the criminal justice (CJ) system to enhance the safety and well-being of victims of domestic violence (DV). Yet, little research exists to elucidate outcomes associated with their issuance, and no research has examined outcomes of POs that are issued with greater restrictions than what victims requested. Among 187 women who were victims in a criminal DV case with a male intimate partner and who voiced their preference about a PO in the court system, this study examined if women’s DV revictimization by their partner and mental health (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptom severity, perceived stress, and fear) are differentially impacted by whether criminal POs issued by the court were more restrictive than what was requested by victims. Results showed that regardless of whether the level of criminal PO issued was more restrictive or not, victims reported significant decreases in victimization and improvement in mental health over time. However, there was greater benefit regarding victimization and mental health outcomes in the degree of change over time for victims with POs that were not more restrictive than those whose POs were more restrictive. Findings are discussed in the context of Therapeutic Jurisprudence and survivor-defined practice, which underscore the importance of victims’ input and requests in criminal PO proceedings.

scholarly journals Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Psychology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Widiger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Public ◽  
Common Language ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Dsm 5

Mental health professionals and scientists must have a common language to communicate with their colleagues, with professional agencies, and with patients and the general public. The primary purpose of an official, authoritative diagnostic nomenclature is to provide this common language that minimizes the use of idiosyncratic and invalid concepts. The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA’s) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides this common language for the description of psychopathology. DSM-5 is the current edition of the APA’s diagnostic manual.

scholarly journals Assessment of Population Well-Being With the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ): Development and Usability Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Jane Newson ◽  
Tara C Thiagarajan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
General Population ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND Existing mental health assessment tools provide an incomplete picture of symptom experience and create ambiguity, bias, and inconsistency in mental health outcomes. Furthermore, by focusing on disorders and dysfunction, they do not allow a view of mental health and well-being across a general population. OBJECTIVE This study aims to demonstrate the outcomes and validity of a new web-based assessment tool called the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ), which is designed for the general population. The MHQ covers the complete breadth of clinical mental health symptoms and also captures healthy mental functioning to provide a complete profile of an individual’s mental health from clinical to thriving. METHODS The MHQ was developed based on the coding of symptoms assessed in 126 existing Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)–based psychiatric assessment tools as well as neuroscientific criteria laid out by Research Domain Criteria to arrive at a comprehensive set of semantically distinct mental health symptoms and attributes. These were formulated into questions on a 9-point scale with both positive and negative dimensions and developed into a web-based tool that takes approximately 14 min to complete. As its output, the assessment provides overall MHQ scores as well as subscores for 6 categories of mental health that distinguish clinical and at-risk groups from healthy populations based on a nonlinear scoring algorithm. MHQ items were also mapped to the DSM fifth edition (DSM-5), and clinical diagnostic criteria for 10 disorders were applied to the MHQ outcomes to cross-validate scores labeled at-risk and clinical. Initial data were collected from 1665 adult respondents to test the tool. RESULTS Scores in the normal healthy range spanned from 0 to 200 for the overall MHQ, with an average score of approximately 100 (SD 45), and from 0 to 100 with average scores between 48 (SD 21) and 55 (SD 22) for subscores in each of the 6 mental health subcategories. Overall, 2.46% (41/1665) and 13.09% (218/1665) of respondents were classified as clinical and at-risk, respectively, with negative scores. Validation against DSM-5 diagnostic criteria showed that 95% (39/41) of those designated clinical were positive for at least one DSM-5–based disorder, whereas only 1.14% (16/1406) of those with a positive MHQ score met the diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder. CONCLUSIONS The MHQ provides a fast, easy, and comprehensive way to assess population mental health and well-being; identify at-risk individuals and subgroups; and provide diagnosis-relevant information across 10 disorders.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet B. W. Williams ◽  
Michael First
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
American Psychiatric Association ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Dsm 5

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association is referred to as DSM-5™. DSM-5’s early predecessor, DSM-III, differed considerably from the first two editions. Its innovative incorporation of specified diagnostic criteria had a major impact on the field of mental health. In DSM-5, these criteria have been further updated to reflect the important gains in our understanding of mental disorders.

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