Flourishing: Factors associated with positive mental health among young adults with neuropsychiatric disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S732-S733 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Appelqvist-Schmidlechner ◽  
R. Lämsä ◽  
T.H. Annamari
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Competence ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Asperger's Syndrome ◽  
Asperger’S Syndrome ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Mental Health

Young people with Asperger's syndrome and/or ADHD face major challenges in their lives affecting their quality of life and general well-being.The aim of this study was to investigate factors that associate with positive mental health (flourishing) among young adults with neuropsychiatric disorders.The sample consisted of 188 young adults with diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome (AS) (F84.5) and/or ADHD/ADD (F90). They participated in the one-year “My Way” rehabilitation programme organized and funded by the social insurance institution of Finland. Baseline questionnaires included measures on positive mental health (SWEMWBS), provisions of social relationships (SPS), social competence (MASC) and questions about functional capacity and leisure time activities. Information on diagnosis was received from doctors’ statements.Of the study participants, 35% had a comorbid mood, anxiety or stress-related disorder (F30-F40). Among those, 14% had low, 79% moderate and 7% high positive mental health (flourishing). Higher rate of physical activity was associated with flourishing. Furthermore, flourishing was associated with high level of provisions of social relationships, social competence as well as good general functional capacity. No association was found with engagement in employment or education, or having the diagnosis of AS, ADHD/ADD or a comorbid psychiatric disorder (F30–F40).People with psychiatric disorders experience high positive mental health, too. Social relations, social competence and general functional capacity play an important role in mental well-being of young adults with neuropsychiatric disorders. Supporting them may help in reaching also other goals set for the rehabilitation, such as capacity to work or study.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Mental health transition plans for older adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders – clinical profile of patients from a metropolitan Borough, North West of England

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S133-S133
Author(s):  
S. Olety
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Asperger's Syndrome ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Asperger’S Syndrome ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Autistic Spectrum ◽  
Severe Intellectual Disability

IntroductionThe needs of people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are varied and complex. In order to improve outcomes for Adults with Autism, it is important to understand and evaluate the transition planning process and current services for adolescents/young Adults with ASC.Aims and objectivesAim was to undertake the needs assessment audit of all young people (ages 16–19) open to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Objectives was to ensure that transition/discharge plan was in place for all the open cases and also identify any gaps in service provision.MethodsA retrospective case-note review of all open cases (n = 41) aged 16–19 was undertaken. Data was obtained on diagnosis, co morbid problems, educational status, and transition/discharge plans.ResultsTwenty-two percent of the cases had co morbid moderate to severe Intellectual Disability. Transition was not an issue for this group, with entitlement of support from secondary-care-teams. Seventy-eight percent of the cases had diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (AS)/high functioning autism (HFA). Seventy-five percent had co-morbid depressive/anxiety disorders, 12% had ADHD and 10% presented with repeated self-harm/suicidal behaviour. Nature of the co-morbid problems/risks did not meet thresholds for Community Adult Secondary Mental Health Services resulting in discharge to Primary Health Care Services.ConclusionsBetter training to equip primary care staff, such as General Practitioners is needed to support the growing numbers of young adults with HFA/Asperger's syndrome being discharged to their care. Costs/benefits of providing specialist adult services for people with HFA and AS to be considered in order to improve outcomes for adults with autism.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Social relationships and their connection to mental health for young people who have been in the care system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maritta Törrönen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensitive Information

Abstract The mental health of young people is a pressing concern in global development. However, there is little research on how young adults report their own mental health. The interview data gathered in this study (n = 74) explored young adults’ well-being during the transition period from care to independent living under an English local authority and in Finland. Participatory action research methods were employed. The interview schedule included 71 open and closed questions, and was analysed by content and summarised using the SPSS software application and Excel tables. The themes concerning mental health and social relationships were divided into three categories: ‘They have been there for me’, ‘My friends are the only ones’ and ‘They just guided me’. Participants who felt they had supportive social networks also felt their mental well-being and security to be better than those who did not. Overall, the findings demonstrated that good, significant social relations provided a sense of security but did not guarantee a positive mental outlook. Exploring young adults’ own evaluations of their social networks provides social work practitioners with sensitive information with which to find ways for young people to support their mental health in their own terms.

scholarly journals Is mental health literacy related to different types of coping? Comparing adolescents, young-adults and adults correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-290
Author(s):  
Mariana Maia de Carvalho ◽  
Maria da Luz Vale-Dias
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Questionnaire ◽  
Mental Well Being

Introduction: Mental health literacy is associated with better mental health outcomes and believed to improve the way people cope with life challenges and manage mental health issues. Nevertheless, no study has yet empirically examined the relationships between mental health literacy and the use of coping strategies. Aims: This study aims to describe the levels of mental health literacy (literacy about mental illness and literacy about positive mental health) and the use of coping (coping styles) in adolescents, young-adults and adults; To explore the relationship between coping and mental health literacy in each age group; To compare if patterns of significant correlations vary across groups. Methods: This is a cross-sectional / exploratory design study. We have collected online and through paper-pencil method three developmental samples: adolescents aged between 15-18 years old (N=240), young-adults aged between 19-36 (74) and adults aged between 37-75 (N=105). Measures used were: Positive Mental Health Questionnaire PosMHLitq (Maia de Carvalho et al., in preparation) to evaluate literacy about positive mental health; the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire MHLq (Campos et al., 2016; Dias et al., 2018) and the Portuguese adaptation of the Brief Cope by Pais Ribeiro and Tavares (2004) to control coping styles. Results: Across the three developmental groups, most coping styles are associated with both literacy about mental illness and literacy about mental well-being, but with different patterns of correlation between coping/literacy about mental well-being/coping/literacy about mental illness and between groups. The Use of Emotional Support is the only coping style significantly associated with both mental health literacy about mental illness and literacy about mental well-being in adolescents, young-adults and adults. Conclusions: Future research should examine this findings with longitudinal design.

Facilitating Functional Social-Communication Skills in Adolescents With Asperger’s Syndrome

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine S. Retherford ◽  
Angela J. Sterling-Orth
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Asperger's Syndrome ◽  
Asperger’S Syndrome ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Service Delivery Model ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Social Communication Skills

Abstract The demands of initiating and maintaining social relationships and securing and holding employment commensurate with their level of education can be a life-long struggle for many adolescents and young adults with Asperger’s syndrome (AS). The purpose of the project described in this article was to pilot a service delivery model for adolescents and young adults with AS and their families that would bridge various agencies to address social-communication skills and executive functions that predict success in life settings.

scholarly journals Physical activity and mental well-being under COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional multination study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Costas I. Karageorghis ◽  
Jonathan M. Bird ◽  
Jasmin C. Hutchinson ◽  
Mark Hamer ◽  
Yvonne N. Delevoye-Turrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Western Nations

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced opportunities for physical activity (PA) and encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. A concomitant of sedentariness is compromised mental health. We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations (USA, UK, France, and Australia). Methods An online survey was administered in the second quarter of 2020 (N = 2541). We measured planned and unplanned dimensions of PA using the Brunel Lifestyle Physical Activity Questionnaire and mental health using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Steps per day were recorded only from participants who used an electronic device for this purpose, and sedentary behavior was reported in hours per day (sitting and screen time). Results In the USA and Australia samples, there was a significant decline in planned PA from pre- to during lockdown. Among young adults, Australians exhibited the lowest planned PA scores, while in middle-aged groups, the UK recorded the highest. Young adults exhibited the largest reduction in unplanned PA. Across nations, there was a reduction of ~ 2000 steps per day. Large increases in sedentary behavior emerged during lockdown, which were most acute in young adults. Lockdown was associated with a decline in mental health that was more pronounced in women. Conclusions The findings illustrate the deleterious effects of lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations. Australian young and lower middle-aged adults appeared to fare particularly badly in terms of planned PA. The reduction in steps per day is equivalent to the non-expenditure of ~ 100 kcal. Declines in mental health show how harmful lockdowns can be for women in particular.

scholarly journals Erratum to: From well-being to positive mental health: conceptualization and qualitative development of an instrument in Singapore

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1795-1795
Author(s):  
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽  
Mythily Subramaniam ◽  
Yee Wei Lim ◽  
Cathy Sherbourne ◽  
Nan Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Mental Health
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