scholarly journals Suffering, Mental Health, and Psychological Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study of U.S. Adults with Chronic Health Conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 100048
Author(s):  
Richard G. Cowden ◽  
Edward B. Davis ◽  
Victor Counted ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
Sandra Y. Rueger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Chronic Health

scholarly journals Mediating Effects of Emotional Support Reception and Provision on the Relationship between Group Interaction and Psychological Well-Being: A Study of Young Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12110
Author(s):  
Steven Sek-yum Ngai ◽  
Chau-Kiu Cheung ◽  
Jianhong Mo ◽  
Spencer Yu-hong Chau ◽  
Elly Nga-hin Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Support ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
The Relationship

While it is well-established that mutual aid groups are effective in the psychological rehabilitation of vulnerable individuals, few studies have thoroughly investigated the dynamic mechanism of how psychological well-being improves through mutual aid groups of young patients with chronic health conditions. In connection with several existing theories (i.e., the helper therapy principle, equity theory, the norm of reciprocity, and the concept of communal relationships), this study aims to: (1) evaluate whether emotional support exchanges (i.e., emotional support reception and provision) mediate the relationship between group interaction and psychological well-being; and (2) compare three potential underlying mechanisms—the mediating role of emotional support provision, equitable reciprocity (i.e., a balance of receiving and providing emotional support, where no party over-benefits or under-benefits), and sequential reciprocity (i.e., repaying the helper or a third party in the future after receiving help)—through a path analysis model. A stratified random sampling procedure with chronic health conditions as the stratifying criterion was used to recruit 391 individuals aged 12–45 years from mutual aid groups in Hong Kong, who completed both the baseline and follow-up surveys over a 12-month interval. The results of the path model revealed significant mediating roles of emotional support provision and sequential reciprocity, not equitable reciprocity. The present study offers theoretical and practical implications for promoting the psychological well-being of young patients with chronic health conditions.

Children and Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions

2017 ◽  
pp. 145-155
Author(s):  
Alina Morawska
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Triple P ◽  
Childhood Health ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Parenting Support ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Impact

Chronic childhood health conditions are common and significantly affect the child and family. This chapter begins by describing the central role parents play in children’s health outcomes and illness management and the impact the child’s health condition has on parents and the family. Few parenting interventions have been evaluated, and most focus on medical aspects rather than psychosocial factors related to child and family well-being. Existing approaches to parenting support are described, followed by an exploration of the evidence for Triple P interventions. Recent research using Positive Parenting for Healthy Living, a brief parenting intervention for parents with children with chronic health conditions, is showing promising outcomes. Policy and service implications of recent research are summarized.

Psychometric evaluation of the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in young adults with chronic health conditions

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
F. Nearchou ◽  
A. Davies ◽  
E. Hennessy
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health

Introduction. The Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is one of the most widely employed tools for measuring perceived social support from three sources: family, friends and a significant other. This study aimed to establish the factor structure of the MSPSS in young adults living with chronic health conditions (CHCs). It also aimed to examine the reliability and convergent validity of the tool. Methods. A cross-sectional quantitative design was applied. Participants (n = 123, 90 females) were students aged 18–25 years recruited from Colleges of Further Education in Ireland (mean age of 20.1 years, s.d. = 2.43). Participants completed the MSPSS and two subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey that assessed social functioning and emotional well-being. Results. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution of the MSPSS in young adults living with CHCs. The three factors together explained 83% of the variance in MSPSS scores. All the items had high loadings on the factors (0.72–0.94). The MSPSS showed satisfactory reliability and convergent validity. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the MSPSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring perceived social support from three sources in young adults living with CHCs. Social support has been associated with positive outcomes in young adults living with CHCs, thus it is imperative for researchers and clinicians to have access to psychometrically sound instruments to evaluate the construct.

Chronic health conditions, mental health and the school: A narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-483
Author(s):  
Kevin C Runions ◽  
Rena Vithiatharan ◽  
Kirsten Hancock ◽  
Ashleigh Lin ◽  
Christopher G Brennan-Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Risk Processes

Objectives: Children and adolescents with chronic physical health conditions are also at elevated risk of poor mental health; the mechanisms to account for this relationship remain unclear. In this narrative review, we used the socio-ecological model to examine research on experiences of school for children with chronic health conditions and how socio-ecology might be involved in mental health problems. Design: We conducted a scoping review of the existing literature, focused on hearing loss, cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes, which examined child and/or adolescent mental health and aspects of the school social setting. Method: PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched for the three target conditions; from 353 abstracts, 38 articles were reviewed in detail. Results: Relevant articles that examined social aspects of the experience of school for students with chronic health conditions, including absenteeism due to illness or healthcare, self-perceived difference from peers, stigmatisation and discrimination, bullying and victimisation, and positive aspects of peer support at school were reviewed. Teacher–child aspects including teacher knowledge and/or attitudes about the condition and the possibility of overdependence in the relationship were examined. Each of these processes was considered for its impact on the young person’s mental health. Conclusion: School-based social risk processes in the lives of young people with chronic health conditions, in particular in the peer microsystem, are likely to contribute to risk of psychological problems. These risks cannot be disentangled from mesosystemic, exosystemic and macrosystemic influences. Further research is required on the role of teachers and parents in the school social functioning of children with chronic health conditions.

scholarly journals IS BEING A PREMATURE OR HAVING ABNORMAL BIRTH WEIGHT ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSION AMONG 6 - 17 YEARS OLD U.S. CHILDREN?

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e51-e51
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Bahassan ◽  
Colin Depp
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
History Of

Abstract BACKGROUND Reports in 2015 showed that premature birth rate in the United States increased when compared to 2014 data, and this was the first increment since 2007. Major complications of prematurity and birth weight abnormalities are well known, but other complications including mental health abnormalities require more investigation to understand their association well. OBJECTIVES We aimed in this study to determine if prematurity and birth weight abnormalities including very low birth weight (VLBW) and low birth weight (LBW) are associated with depression among United States children aged between six and seventeen years old. ​ DESIGN/METHODS This is a cross sectional study using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) 2011–2012. When we applied our selection criteria, 84,182 children out of the total 95,677 NSCH population were selected. Our exclusion criteria were: age less than six years, child’s history of cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. Multivariable logistic regression was done to control for confounding effects when studying the association of prematurity, birth weight abnormalities and depression. ​ RESULTS Our results reveal that 3.6% of our population had history of depression, 11% were born prematurely, 7.4% had low birth weight, and 1.5% had very low birth weight. Depression was more frequent in children who were born prematurely (prevalence 4.3%) when compared to children born at term. Different models were built to analyze the association between prematurity, birth weight abnormalities and depression. There was no detectable statistically significant association when controlling for demographic data (age, gender, race, family structure) and mental health risk factors (parental poor mental health, chronic health conditions) as well as other factors. Results reveal that children who had chronic health conditions or had adverse family experiences have greater odds of having depression. On the other hand, African-American, male, and younger (6–11 years old) children have lower odds of depression. ​ CONCLUSION Further longitudinal studies are required to establish a causal relationship of behavioral and psychological complications, and to determine the biological mechanisms of brain development that could be associated with depression among premature infants or those who have birth weight abnormalities.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Challenges and Opportunities for Youth With Chronic Health Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Serlachius ◽  
Sherif M Badawy ◽  
Hiran Thabrew
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Stress ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

UNSTRUCTURED School closures, altered access to health services, and economic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic have likely had an impact on the mental and physical well-being of youth worldwide, particularly among those with chronic health conditions (CHCs). A number of challenges and opportunities have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic for youth with CHCs. Challenges include heightened anxiety, disrupted routines, academic and social stresses associated with school closure, increased risk of domestic violence and abuse, and reduced access to physical and psychosocial support. On the other hand, opportunities include reduced academic and social stress, increased time with families, reduced access to substances, easier access to health care using technology, and opportunities to build resilience. This viewpoint paper highlights both challenges and opportunities for youth with CHCs during the pandemic and offers recommendations for further research and clinical care.

scholarly journals Can Vitamin D Positively Impact COVID-19 Risk and Severity Among Older Adults: A Review of the Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ray Marks
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Health Status ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Vitamin D Levels

Background The coronavirus Covid-19 strain that emerged in December 2019, continues to produce a widespread and seemingly intractable negative impact on health and longevity in all parts of the world, especially, among older adults, and those with chronic health conditions. Aim The first aim of this review article was to examine, summarize, synthesize, and report on the research base concerning the possible use of vitamin-D supplementation for reducing both Covid-19 risk and severity, especially among older adults at high risk for Covid-19 infections. A second was to provide directives for researchers or professionals who work or are likely to work in this realm in the future. Methods All English language relevant publications detailing the possible efficacy of vitamin D as an intervention strategy for minimizing Covid-19 infection risk published in 2020 were systematically sought. Key words used were: Vitamin D, Covid-19, and Coronavirus. Databases used were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. All relevant articles were carefully examined and those meeting the review criteria were carefully read, and described in narrative form. Results Collectively, these data reveal vitamin D is a powerful steroid like compound that is required by the body to help many life affirming physiological functions, including immune processes, but its deficiency may seriously impact the health status and well being of the older adult and others. Since vitamin D is not manufactured by the body directly, ensuring those who are deficient in vitamin D may prove a helpful overall preventive measure as well as a helpful treatment measure among older adults at high risk for severe Covid-19 disease outcomes. Conclusions Older individuals with chronic health conditions, as well as healthy older adults at risk for vitamin D deficiency are likely to benefit physically as well as mentally, from efforts to foster adequate vitamin D levels. Geriatric clinicians can expect this form of intervention to reduce infection severity in the presence of Covid-19 infection, regardless of health status, and subject to careful study, researchers can make a highly notable impact in this regard.

Association Between Food Allergy, Psychological Stress, and Allostatic Load

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110190
Author(s):  
Anne L. Ersig ◽  
Roger L. Brown ◽  
Kristen Malecki
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Chronic Health

Allostatic load (AL), the cumulative biological burden of persistently high stress exposure, influences adult health and well-being across the lifespan, and can be measured with clinical indicators, such as BMI, blood pressure (BP), and waist–hip ratio. Adverse childhood events and other stressors contribute to AL, but stress from other sources, such as previously diagnosed chronic health conditions, has been overlooked. We hypothesized that adults with these conditions would have more stress exposures, higher perceived stress, worse mental health, and higher AL, compared to controls. A secondary analysis of deidentified data from cases with self-reported food allergies and controls found that individuals with chronic health conditions reported more stress exposures, higher levels of perceived stress, and had higher AL, compared to controls. However, other results did not support the study hypotheses. Future studies should examine additional AL measures, such as biomarkers of stress response, in individuals with existing chronic health conditions.

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