Religiosity is a protective factor against self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in Jewish adolescents: Findings from a nationally representative survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 509-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.H. Amit ◽  
A. Krivoy ◽  
I. Mansbach-Kleinfeld ◽  
G. Zalsman ◽  
A.M. Ponizovsky ◽  
...  

AbstractPurposeFew studies have investigated the association between religiosity and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors specifically in adolescents, yielding inconsistent results. To date, no study has examined this relationship in a Jewish adolescent cohort.MethodsSelf-injurious thoughts and behaviors, as well as depression, were assessed in a nationally representative sample of Jewish adolescents (n = 620) and their mothers, using the Development and Well-Being Assessment Inventory (DAWBA) structured interview. Degree of religiosity was obtained by a self-report measure.ResultsUsing multivariate analysis, level of religiosity was inversely associated with self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (Wald χ2 = 3.95, P = 0.047), decreasing the likelihood of occurrence by 55% (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.2–0.99), after adjusting for depression and socio-demographic factors. This model (adjusted R2 = 0.164; likelihood ratio χ2 = 7.59; df = 1; P < 0.047) was able to correctly classify 95.6% of the patients as belonging either to the high or low risk groups.ConclusionThis is the first study demonstrating religiosity to have a direct independent protective effect against self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in Jewish adolescents. This finding has clinical implications regarding risk assessment and suicide prevention. Further research can potentially elucidate the complex relationship between religiosity, self-injury and suicide in this population.

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Gatz ◽  
Boo Johansson ◽  
Nancy Pedersen ◽  
Stig Berg ◽  
Chandra Reynolds

The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) was administered in Swedish to two representative samples, one aged 84 to 90 (mean = 87), the second aged 29 to 95 (mean = 61). There were both linear and quadratic differences with age: the oldest individuals were highest on depressive symptoms, but younger adults were higher than middle-aged. Dimensions or subscales identified by previous studies were generally replicated, including a sadness and depressed mood factor, a psychomotor retardation and loss of energy factor, and a well-being factor (on which items are reverse-scored to indicate depression). The findings support cross-national use of the CES-D to assess self-reported symptoms of depression in adults and older adults.


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-91
Author(s):  
Natius Oelofsen ◽  
Josua P.P. Fullard ◽  
Cheryl D. Foxcroft

This study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of South African coronary artery bypass graft recipients. The sample consisted of 31 participants (22 males and 9 females) with an average age of 58 years six months (SD = 5 years 9 months). Participants were assessed in their homes an average of 14.25 weeks after surgery (SD = 3.99 weeks). The assessment consisted of a structured interview, a self-report questionnaire, and a psychometric test battery that measured cognitive functioning. Data were analysed by computing descriptive statistics (percentages, means) and multivariate statistics to identify subgroups of the sample. Participants' HRQOL was described along the dimensions of symptoms, functional status and perceptions. Key findings included the following: All participants experienced relief from cardiac chest pain symptoms; subgroups were identified that experienced cognitive impairment and low levels of psychological well-being; the majority of participants (84%) believed that their health was good and 80% felt that the coronary bypass surgery had fulfilled their expectations; and overall, the findings emphasised the individualised nature of reactions to cardiac surgery and the importance of psychological variables in cardiac care.


2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Zwi ◽  
Lisa Woodland ◽  
Katrina Williams ◽  
Pamela Palasanthiran ◽  
Santuri Rungan ◽  
...  

AimThis longitudinal study investigated protective factors for social-emotional well-being in refugee children in Australia.MethodsNewly arrived refugee children aged 4–15 years were recruited between 2009 and 2013 and assessments were conducted at two points, at years 2 and 3 postarrival. Social-emotional well-being was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Protective factors were assessed by structured interview and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS); scores <150 reflect fewer stressful life events in the previous year.ResultsForty-three eligible refugee children were recruited. The SDQ was completed by parents in 90% and protective factor data in 80% at years 2 and 3 of follow-up. Protective factors for normal SDQ scores were: originating from Africa (p=0.01), father present on arrival (p=0.019) and family SRRS scores <150 at year 2 (p=0.045). The median number of protective factors was 4 (range 1–8). Better SDQ scores were associated with ≥4 protective factors (p<0.006). Furthermore, more protective factors increased the child’s likelihood of a stable or improved SDQ score over time (p<0.04). Modifiable protective factors likely to promote social-emotional well-being include stability in the child’s school and residence, parental employment, financial and marital stability, proximity to one’s own ethnic community and external community support.ConclusionsCumulative protective factors, some of which are potentially modifiable, can predict social-emotional well-being in newly arrived refugee children. Children with four or more protective factors are at low risk of poor social-emotional well-being.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Vescovelli ◽  
Daniele Sarti ◽  
Chiara Ruini

ABSTRACTBackground:Psychological resources, such as psychological well-being (PWB) and life satisfaction (LS) can aid individuals suffering from chronic illnesses to cope with their illness. The aim of this study was to investigate PWB, LS, quality of life (QoL), and distress in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare them with healthy controls.Methods:One hundred and thirteen individuals were recruited. Fifty of the participants suffered from PD, while 53 individuals reported other non-neurological diseases. PD patients were assessed through medical routine examinations. All participants had to be devoid of severe cognitive impairment. They were administered self-report questionnaires to measure PWB, LS, QoL, and distress. A cross-sectional comparative design was applied.Results:PD patients reported higher general PWB than controls with the exception of the autonomy subscale where the PD patients scored lower. However, they also reported higher distress (anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and hostility-irritability), lower LS, and poorer QoL compared to controls. In regressive models, general PWB and LS were significantly correlated to the presence of PD, to its functional impairments, and not to other socio-demographic variables.Conclusions:Findings confirmed previous literature on other neurological conditions, showing that PD may be associated with greater psychological distress, lower levels of LS and QoL. At the same time, PD patients may preserve their PWB, which is a protective factor for mental and physical health. The presence of these psychological resources is inversely related to functional impairments. Future studies should better investigate the pattern of PWB in PD.


2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Crowe ◽  
Vaishali V. Raval ◽  
Shwetang S. Trivedi ◽  
Suchi S. Daga ◽  
Pratiksha H. Raval

Emotional expression and experience are dynamic processes that vary within and between individuals of different cultural groups ( Kitayama, Mesquita, & Karasawa, 2006 ). The present study sought to compare self-reports of processes related to emotion communication and control in India and the United States. A total of 268 participants (United States: n = 160 and India: n = 108) completed a self-report measure depicting hypothetical vignettes and a series of questions assessing likely emotions elicited, likelihood of expression, motives guiding expression and control, and method of expression. Results showed that US participants primarily reported more self-focused emotions (i.e., happiness) and self- and other-focused motives for expressing or controlling felt emotion, while Indian participants primarily reported emotions that focused on others’ well-being as well as other- and relationship-focused motives. US participants more commonly reported direct verbal communication of the emotion, while Indian participants more frequently reported implicit and contextual methods of communication.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e013228 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Von Cheong ◽  
Carol Sinnott ◽  
Darren Dahly ◽  
Patricia M Kearney

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later-life depressive symptoms; and to explore whether perceived social support (PSS) moderates these.MethodWe analysed baseline data from the Mitchelstown (Ireland) 2010–2011 cohort of 2047 men and women aged 50–69 years. Self-reported measures included ACEs (Centre for Disease Control ACE questionnaire), PSS (Oslo Social Support Scale) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). The primary exposure was self-report of at least one ACE. We also investigated the effects of ACE exposure by ACE scores and ACE subtypes abuse, neglect and household dysfunction. Associations between each of these exposures and depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression, adjusted for socio-demographic factors. We tested whether the estimated associations varied across levels of PSS (poor, moderate and strong).Results23.7% of participants reported at least one ACE (95% CI 21.9% to 25.6%). ACE exposures (overall, subtype or ACE scores) were associated with a higher odds of depressive symptoms, but only among individuals with poor PSS. Exposure to any ACE (vs none) was associated with almost three times the odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.64 to 4.95) among individuals reporting poor PSS, while among those reporting moderate and strong PSS, the adjusted ORs were 2.21 (95% CI 1.52 to 3.22) and 1.39 (95% CI 0.85 to 2.29), respectively. This pattern of results was similar when exposures were based on ACE subtype and ACE scores, though the interaction was clearly strongest among those reporting abuse.ConclusionsACEs are common among older adults in Ireland and are associated with higher odds of later-life depressive symptoms, particularly among those with poor PSS. Interventions that enhance social support, or possibly perceptions of social support, may help reduce the burden of depression in older populations with ACE exposure, particularly in those reporting abuse.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-181
Author(s):  
Mark Hoelterhoff ◽  
Man Cheung Chung

AbstractPTSD has profound personal, social and economic impact. Understanding factors that influence strong recovery is a priority for informing the use of limited treatment resources. This study follows up a preliminary finding from Hoelterhoff and Cheung Chung, Psychiatr Q, 88, 635-651, [30] which found that death anxiety is related to PTSD and suggested that self-efficacy may mediate this relationship. Specifically, this study examined self-efficacy as a protective factor in the context of people who have experienced a life-threatening event. 109 undergraduate university students completed self-report questionnaires on, self-efficacy, death anxiety, trauma and well-being as well as a number of demographic factors. Self-efficacy was found that to be significantly and inversely related to death anxiety and psychiatric co-morbidity, but not PTSD. Results were discussed in light of literature regarding death anxiety. It seems that self-efficacy is related to death anxiety and well-being; however, it interacts with these processes independently and not as a mediating factor. More research is needed to understand coping mechanisms that help develop resilience against the negative effects of death anxiety against PTSD and minimize its detrimental impact on mental health.


Author(s):  
Alessia Raffagnato ◽  
Sara Iannattone ◽  
Benedetta Tascini ◽  
Martina Venchiarutti ◽  
Alessia Broggio ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the immediate and short-term impact of the pandemic on the psychological well-being of Italian children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their families. Overall, 56 patients aged 6–18 (M = 13.4 years, SD = 2.77) and their parents were evaluated during the COVID-19 lockdown (T0) and after 4 months (T1). An ad hoc data sheet, Youth Self-Report 11–18 (YSR), Child Behavior Checklist 6–18 (CBCL), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were administered. Patients, mainly suffering from internalizing disorders, overall demonstrated a good adaptation to the pandemic context. Moreover, patients with behavioral disorders showed a greater psychological discomfort at both T0 and T1 compared to patients with internalizing disorders. Over time, patients presented an improvement on the emotional side, as proven by a significant decrease in internalizing and post-traumatic stress problems. Finally, no significant differences were found in the emotional-behavioral profile of patients according to the means of conducting neuropsychiatric interventions during the lockdown (i.e., in person/remotely/interrupted), thus allowing us to exclude important negative effects caused by the transition to remote therapy. Concerning parents, an inverse relationship emerged between the DASS-21 scores and the level of resilience, which therefore represents a protective factor against psychological maladjustment. Over time, an improvement in the psychological well-being of parents was observed, as shown by a significant decrease in mothers’ anxiety and fathers’ stress.


RISORSA UOMO ◽  
2009 ◽  
pp. 323-336
Author(s):  
Guido Alessandri ◽  
Ramona Di Domenicantonio ◽  
Sherilyn Boccianti

- The aim of the study is to investigate the psychometric properties of the positive orientation scale, in an organizational setting. This study involves 360 individuals working for a national organization. Results from confirmative factor analysis demonstrated the structural stability of the scale, composed by three first order factors (orientation toward self, the others and the future) and one second-order factor (positive orientation). Criterion validity was further corroborated with regard to self-report measure (such as perceived work self-efficacy and job satisfaction) as well as with regard to other evaluated (colleagues) organizational citizenship behaviors.Keywords: positive orientation, organizational citizenship behaviours, optimal functioning, well-being.Parole chiave: orientamento positivo, comportamenti di cittadinanza organizzativa, funzionamento ottimale, benessere.


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