scholarly journals Utilizing Rapid Research Implementation and Collaborations to Assess the Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Community and Clinical Cohorts

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Samantha S. Corley ◽  
Christina Gillezeau ◽  
Lucero Molina ◽  
Naomi Alpert ◽  
Adriana Eugene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Research Implementation ◽  
York Metropolitan Area ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Initial Survey

Abstract A research initiative was launched during the initial COVID-19 outbreak by three New York metropolitan area institutions. Collaborators recruited community members and patients from previous research studies to examine COVID-19 experiences and mental health symptoms through self-report surveys. The current report descriptively presents findings from the initial survey characterized by both community and clinical cohorts, and discusses challenges encountered with rapid implementation. The clinical cohort exhibited higher rates of symptoms of mental health difficulties (depression, anxiety, and PTSD) as compared to the community cohort. COVID-19 positivity rates were similar among both groups and lower than the national average. While both groups reported low rates of job loss, community members reported higher rates of financial difficulty resulting from the pandemic. Findings indicate the need for further collaborative research on the mental health impact of COVID-19.

scholarly journals What Family Circumstances, During COVID-19, Impact on Parental Mental Health in an Inner City Community in London?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Whitaker ◽  
Claire Cameron ◽  
Hanan Hauari ◽  
Katie Hollingworth ◽  
Margaret O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
City Community ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

The introduction of lockdown due to a public health emergency in March 2020 marked the beginning of substantial changes to daily life for all families with young children. Here we report the experience of families from London Borough of Tower Hamlets with high rates of poverty and ethnic and linguistic diversity. This inner city community, like communities worldwide, has experienced a reduction or closure in access to education, support services, and in some cases, a change in or loss of income, job, and food security. Using quantitative survey items (N = 992), we examined what differences in family circumstances, for mothers and fathers of young children aged 0–5 living in Tower Hamlets, during March 2020 to November 2020, were associated with their mental health status. We measure parental mental health using symptoms of depression (self-report: Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale: PHQ-8), symptoms of anxiety levels (self-report: General Anxiety Disorder: GAD-7), and perceptions of direct loneliness. We find parental mental health difficulties are associated with low material assets (financial security, food security, and children having access to outside space), familial assets (parents time for themselves and parent status: lone vs. cohabiting), and community assets (receiving support from friends and family outside the household). South Asian parents and fathers across ethnicities were significantly more likely to experience mental health difficulties, once all other predictors were accounted for. These contributing factors should be considered for future pandemics, where restrictions on people's lives are put in place, and speak to the importance of reducing financial insecurity and food insecurity as a means of improving the mental health of parents.

scholarly journals Converging evidence for enduring perceptions of low social status in individuals in remission from depression.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Gillard ◽  
Siobhan Gormley ◽  
Kirsty Griffiths ◽  
Caitlin Hitchcock ◽  
Jason Stretton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Depressive Episodes

BackgroundThe risk of depressive relapse and recurrence is amplified by social risk factors including the perception of low social status. MethodsWe aimed to identify enduring difficulties with the perception of social status in a community sample with a self-reported history of mental health difficulties (Study 1) and, more specifically, in individuals in clinical remission from depression, relative to a never-depressed control group, and relative to a group experiencing a current depressive episode (Study 2). ResultsIn Study 1, elevated depressive symptoms were associated with perceptions of low social status which significantly differed between individuals with and without a self-reported history of mental health difficulties. Study 2 found enduring deficits in perceptions of social status in remitted depressed individuals, in the absence of current symptoms. LimitationsWe were unable to discern between historical or current clinical diagnosis in the community sample of Study 1, as we were reliant on self-report. We were unable to explore the effects of medication or causal relationships between depressive symptoms and social status as the studies were cross-sectional in nature. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that disrupted socio-cognitive profiles across a range of affiliative processes may confer increased vulnerability to future depressive episodes in those in remission.

scholarly journals Emotional self-awareness in autism: A meta-analysis of group differences and developmental effects

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132096430
Author(s):  
Charlotte F Huggins ◽  
Gemma Donnan ◽  
Isobel M Cameron ◽  
Justin HG Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Autistic Adults

Emotional self-awareness is increasingly suggested to be an area of difficulty in autism that may predict socioemotional outcomes for this population. However, whether emotional self-awareness is consistently diminished in autism across age and methodology remains unclear. We systematically reviewed 47 papers measuring emotional self-awareness in autistic ( n = 1387) and non-autistic ( n = 1433) participants. Most studies relied on self-report. Of studies testing for group differences, the majority (32/41) found significantly poorer emotional self-awareness in autism. Meta-analyses of self-report measures found that emotional self-awareness was significantly poorer in autism ( d = 1.16). However, when examining age groups individually, autistic children of age 12 years and under were not significantly different from their peers ( d = 0.03). Instead, difficulties emerged during adolescence ( d = 0.63) and increased with age ( d = 1.16 – 1.58). The pattern of emotional self-awareness difficulties being more common in autism, and worsening with age is similar to the development of mental health difficulties in autism. However, findings rely on self-perception and so may reflect poor self-beliefs of socioemotional competence. We propose that negative self-beliefs in autistic populations may account for findings of low emotional self-awareness. Lay abstract Autistic people are thought to have difficulties with identifying and understanding their own emotions. This is referred to as emotional self-awareness. It is important to study emotional self-awareness as people who are more able to understand their own emotions, whether they are autistic or not, are more able to respond to them appropriately, as well as to identify them in other people. It has not yet been confirmed whether autistic people have difficulties with emotional self-awareness, or if any reported difficulties are actually due to the way in which emotional self-awareness is measured in autistic people. If these difficulties do exist, it is also not known when these difficulties emerge. In this research, we reviewed 47 existing studies that measured emotional self-awareness in autistic and non-autistic adults and children. We also compared studies that measured emotional self-awareness in different ways. We found that autistic adults did seem to have poorer emotional self-awareness compared to their neurotypical peers. However, this was not the case with autistic children of age 12 years and below. Instead, differences in emotional self-awareness only seemed to emerge during adolescence. Moreover, these difficulties seemed to increase with age. These results suggest that difficulties with emotional self-awareness may not be inherent in autism. Instead, they may emerge alongside the greater social and mental health difficulties that are experienced by many autistic people during adolescence. We therefore suggest that it is important to find out more about, and subsequently support, the emotional self-awareness difficulties that autistic adolescents may encounter.

Do adolescents in care systematically under-report their mental health difficulties in population studies? A narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-272
Author(s):  
Michael Tarren-Sweeney
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Clinical Level ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Family Based

The present article reports findings of a narrative review of self- and carer-report mental health data that addressed the research question: Do adolescents who reside in statutory out-of-home care (OOHC) systematically underreport their mental health difficulties in population studies? A literature search was conducted to identify population studies of the mental health of older children and adolescents in OOHC that obtained self-report data. Studies were selected for review if mental health data were gathered in population studies (i.e., not clinical or treatment studies); data were collected while participants were in care; and participants were not selected on the basis of their clinical status. With few exceptions, adolescents in family-based (foster and kinship) care report less informant-standardized mental health difficulties than do their carers in population studies, with substantially lower rates of clinical-level scores. Conversely, self- and carer-report mean scores obtained for adolescents in residential care are more closely aligned. Foster carer-reported rates of clinical-level difficulties concord with rates estimated from clinician-administered semi-structured psychiatric interviews, suggesting carer-report data are accurate. The reviewed studies collectively suggest that adolescents in family-based care systematically underreport their mental health difficulties in population studies. Several hypotheses for why this phenomenon occurs are discussed in relation to available evidence and theory. Epidemiological investigations of this population’s mental health should not solely employ self-report measures. The findings have no relevance or implications for clinical assessments.

scholarly journals Eclectic approach to anxiety disorders among rural children

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atefeh Ahmadi ◽  
Mohamed Sharif Mustaffa ◽  
Ali Akbar Haghdoost ◽  
Syed Mohamed Shafeq Mansor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Children’S Mental Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Children's Mental Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Group Guidance

Abstract Introduction Anxiety disorders in primary school-aged children negatively affect their mental health and psychological development. Available non-medical treatments for these conditions are time-consuming and expensive. In this context, eclectic therapy is a therapeutic approach that incorporates some therapeutic techniques and philosophies to create the ideal treatment. In this study, eclectic therapy consisted of art therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy designed for children suffering from high level of anxiety in their middle childhood years. The therapy also included group guidance sessions for their mothers. The effectiveness of this intervention was examined in the study. Methods 61 students aged 9-12 years with high levels of anxiety participated in the study. Intervention A (n = 20) consisted of 9-hour eclectic therapy for children with 3-hour group guidance sessions for their mothers. Intervention B (n = 20) consisted of 9-hour eclectic therapy for children. There was also a control group (n = 21). Results Teacher ratings of children’s mental health difficulties and self-report ratings of anxiety disorders indicated a significant difference from pretest to posttest, revealing a large effect size between the two interventions. Higher levels of pretest scores significantly predicted higher posttest scores for all domains of anxiety and mental health difficulties. Furthermore, age, gender, mothers working a 15-hour day, mother’s educational level, parental divorce rates, parental death, and family monthly income predicted therapy outcomes. Conclusion Results provide support for the effectiveness of eclectic art and CBT to improve children’s mental health and reduce anxiety through changing thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that may cause fear and anxiety.

scholarly journals Anger and Aggression in UK Treatment-Seeking Veterans with PTSD

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Turgoose ◽  
Dominic Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Prevalence rates of anger and aggression are often higher in military personnel, so it is important to understand more about why this is and factors with which they are associated. Despite this, there is little evidence relating to anger and aggression in UK veterans who are seeking treatment for mental health difficulties such as PTSD. This study investigated the prevalence rates of anger and aggression in this population, as well as the associations between anger and aggression, and various sociodemographic, functioning and mental health variables. A cross-sectional design was used, with participants completing a battery of self-report questionnaires. Prevalence rates for significant anger and aggression were 74% and 28% respectively. Both women and those over 55 were less likely to report difficulties. Those with high levels of PTSD and other mental health difficulties were more likely to report anger and aggression. Other factors related to anger and aggression included childhood adversity; unemployment due to ill health; and a perceived lack of family support. Findings show that veterans who are seeking support for mental health are likely to experiencing significant difficulties with anger and aggression, especially if they have co-morbid mental health difficulties. The associations between anger and aggression and other variables has implications for the assessment and treatment of military veterans.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19-like symptoms on occurrence of anxiety/depression during lockdown among the French general population

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255158
Author(s):  
Murielle Mary-Krause ◽  
Joel José Herranz Bustamante ◽  
Mégane Héron ◽  
Astrid Juhl Andersen ◽  
Tarik El Aarbaoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Generalized Estimation Equation ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic lead to high levels of morbidity and mortality around the globe. Consequences of this outbreak and possible associated infection are an increase in mental health disorders and an increased likelihood of internalizing problems, particularly depression. However, to date few studies have tested this hypothesis while taking into account individuals’ preexisting mental health difficulties. Methods We used longitudinal data collected among 729 persons in the context of the French TEMPO cohort between March and June 2020 (7 waves of data collection). COVID-19-like symptoms as well as anxiety/depression (assessed by the Adult Self Report), were reported at each wave of data collection. To study the relationship between COVID-19-like symptoms and anxiety/depression, we used generalized estimation equation (GEE) models controlled for socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, including anxiety/depression prior to 2020. Results Overall, 27.2% of study participants reported anxiety/depression during lockdown. 17.1% of participants reported COVID-19-like symptoms during the course of follow-up, 7.3% after the beginning of lockdown, with an average number of 2.7 symptoms, and 3.6% reported respiratory distress. In multivariate analyses, nearly all the considered indicators of COVID-19-like symptoms were associated with higher odds of symptoms of anxiety/depression (symptoms Yes/No: OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.08–2.55; symptoms after the beginning of lockdown: OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.03–3.52; number of symptoms: OR for each additional symptom = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02–1.39. This relationship exists after taking into account prior symptoms of anxiety/depression, which are associated with a 5-fold increased likelihood of psychological distress. And this impact is stronger among men than women. Conclusions Our study shows higher risk of anxiety/depression among persons who experienced COVID-19-like symptoms, even after accounting for prior mental health difficulties. COVID-19 infection could have both a direct and indirect impact on the occurrence of psychological difficulties, and this association should be studied in greater detail.

The mental health impact of bushfires on community members missing in the Final Report of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry recommendations

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110423
Author(s):  
Kim Usher ◽  
Myfanwy Maple ◽  
Navjot Bhullar ◽  
Joanne Durkin ◽  
Geetha Ranmuthugala
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Community Members

Cyberbullying and its effects on young adolescents: a community-based survey

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Healy ◽  
F. Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Students First ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Girls School

ObjectivesTo conduct a study looking at the prevalence and nature of Internet and mobile phone use in young people, focusing particularly on cyberbullying and its potential effects on young people's mental health.MethodThree secondary schools in an area of North Dublin were randomly selected, which included one all boys school, one all girls school and one co-educational school. Written information about the study was given to each school principal and to parents/carers of all first and second year students. First and second year students in each school from whom consent had been received were asked to complete two questionnaires, which included a questionnaire on cyberbullying and a self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A total of 130 students completed the study.ResultsA total of 24 (18.46%) pupils were cyberbullied. Of these, 13 (65% of those cyberbullied) pupils who were cyberbullied said that it had a negative effect on their mood, and 9 (45% of those cyberbullied) said that cyberbullying had a negative effect on their overall mental health. A statistically significant higher proportion of pupils who were cyberbullied scored in the Abnormal/Borderline range of the SDQ, compared with those who were not cyberbullied.ConclusionThis is the first study in Ireland, which looks at the potential mental health difficulties associated with cyberbullying. It is hoped that the information from this study will help to increase awareness of the effects of cyberbullying and help look at ways of managing cyberbullying.

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