Cause and effect in studies on unemployment, mental health and suicide: a meta-analytic and conceptual review

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 909-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Milner ◽  
A. Page ◽  
A. D. LaMontagne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Temporal Relationships ◽  
Causal Assumptions ◽  
Confounder Adjustment ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundThere are ongoing questions about whether unemployment has causal effects on suicide as this relationship may be confounded by past experiences of mental illness. The present review quantified the effects of adjustment for mental health on the relationship between unemployment and suicide. Findings were used to develop and interpret likely causal models of unemployment, mental health and suicide.MethodA random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on five population-based cohort studies where temporal relationships could be clearly ascertained.ResultsResults of the meta-analysis showed that unemployment was associated with a significantly higher relative risk (RR) of suicide before adjustment for prior mental health [RR 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–1.83]. After controlling for mental health, the RR of suicide following unemployment was reduced by approximately 37% (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00–1.30). Greater exposure to unemployment was associated with higher RR of suicide, and the pooled RR was higher for males than for females.ConclusionsPlausible interpretations of likely pathways between unemployment and suicide are complex and difficult to validate given the poor delineation of associations over time and analytic rationale for confounder adjustment evident in the revised literature. Future research would be strengthened by explicit articulation of temporal relationships and causal assumptions. This would be complemented by longitudinal study designs suitable to assess potential confounders, mediators and effect modifiers influencing the relationship between unemployment and suicide.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Colagiuri ◽  
Caroline A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Placebo Acupuncture ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Treatment Responses ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Relevant Outcome

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture often find equivalent responses to real and placebo acupuncture despite both appearing superior to no treatment. This raises questions regarding the mechanisms of acupuncture, especially the contribution of patient expectancies. We systematically reviewed previous research assessing the relationship between expectancy and treatment responses following acupuncture, whether real or placebo. To be included, studies needed to assess and/or manipulate expectancies about acupuncture and relate these to at least one health-relevant outcome. Nine such independent studies were identified through systematic searches of Medline, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register. The methodology and reporting of these studies were quite heterogeneous, meaning that meta-analysis was not possible. A descriptive review revealed that five studies found statistically significant effects of expectancy on a least one outcome, with three also finding evidence suggestive of an interaction between expectancy and type of acupuncture (real or placebo). While there were some trends in significant effects in terms of study characteristics, their generality is limited by the heterogeneity of study designs. The differences in design across studies highlight some important methodological considerations for future research in this area, particularly regarding whether to assess or manipulate expectancies and how best to assess expectancies.

Childhood atopy and mental health: a prospective, longitudinal investigation

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Goodwin ◽  
M. Robinson ◽  
P. D. Sly ◽  
P. G. Holt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundPrior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between early-life atopy and vulnerability to mental health problems among youth in the community.MethodData were drawn from the Raine Study (N = 2868), a population-based birth cohort study in Western Australia. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between atopy at ages 1–5 years [using parent report and objective biological confirmation (sera IgE)], and the range of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at ages 5–17 years.ResultsAtopy appears to be associated with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems, compared to youth without atopy. These associations remained significant after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. No relationship was evident between atopy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or externalizing problems.ConclusionsFindings are the first linking atopy (measured by both parent report and objective verification) with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems. Therefore, replication is required. If replicated, future research aimed at understanding the possible biological and/or social and environmental pathways underlying these links is needed. Such information could shed light on shared pathways that could lead to more effective treatments for both atopy and internalizing mental health problems.

Computer-Mediated Communication and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-110
Author(s):  
Adrian Meier ◽  
Emese Domahidi ◽  
Elisabeth Günther
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Systematic Database

The relationship between computer-mediated communication (e.g., Internet or social media use) and mental health has been a long-standing issue of debate. Various disciplines (e.g., communication, psychology, sociology, medicine) investigate computer-mediated communication in relation to a great variety of negative (i.e., psychopathology) and positive (i.e., well-being) markers of mental health. We aim at charting this vast, highly fragmented, and fast growing literature by means of a scoping review. Using methods of computational content analysis in conjunction with qualitative analyses, we map 20 years of research based on 1,780 study abstracts retrieved through a systematic database search. Results reveal the most common topics investigated in the field, as well as its disciplinary boundaries. Our review further highlights emerging trends in the literature and points to unique implications for how future research should address the various relationships between computer-mediated communication and mental health.

A Meta-Analytic Review of the Relationship Between Learning Organization and Organizational Performance and Employee Attitudes: Using the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire

2021 ◽  
pp. 153448432098736
Author(s):  
Boreum Ju ◽  
Yunsoo Lee ◽  
Sunyoung Park ◽  
Seung Won Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Employee Attitudes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Dimensions Of Learning ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this meta-analysis study is to examine the correlations between the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) and frequently examined outcomes including organizational performance and employee attitudes. Positive relationships were found between the DLOQ and organizational performance (e.g., financial, knowledge, and innovative performance) and employee attitudes (e.g., organizational commitment and job satisfaction) and the sub-dimensions (e.g., affective, continuance, and normative commitment), with a notable exception of a negative relationship between the DLOQ and turnover. Because the DLOQ has been used in many countries over the years, this study also examined the influence of national culture on the outcomes. Power distance moderated the relationship between the learning organization and overall organizational performance. Our meta-analytic review makes substantive contributions to the literature on the learning organization concept and the study of national culture as a significant moderator. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Living with Psychosis without Mental Health Services: A Narrative Interview Study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e045661
Author(s):  
Rose McGranahan ◽  
Zivile Jakaite ◽  
Alice Edwards ◽  
Stefan Rennick-Egglestone ◽  
Mike Slade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Narrative Interview ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Past Experiences

ObjectivesLittle research has looked at how people who do not use mental health services experience psychosis. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the experiences and views of people with psychosis who have neither sought nor received support from mental health services for at least 5 years.DesignA narrative interview study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.SettingEngland.ParticipantsTwenty-eight participants with self-defined psychotic experiences were asked to provide a free narrative about their experiences.ResultsFive themes were identified: (1) Perceiving psychosis as positive; (2) Making sense of psychotic experiences as a more active psychological process to find explanations and meaning; (3) Finding sources of strength, mainly in relationships and the environment, but outside of services; (4) Negative past experiences of mental health services, leading to disengagement and (5) Positive past experiences with individual clinicians, as an appreciation of individuals despite negative views of services as a whole.ConclusionsPerceiving psychosis as something positive, a process of making sense of psychotic experiences and the ability to find external sources of strength all underpin—in addition to negative experiences with services—a choice to live with psychosis outside of services. Future research may explore to what extent these perceptions, psychological processes and abilities can be facilitated and strengthened, in order to support those people with psychosis who do not seek treatment and possibly also some of those who are in treatment.

scholarly journals Specificity of Future Thinking in Depression: A Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beau Gamble ◽  
David Moreau ◽  
Lynette J. Tippett ◽  
Donna Rose Addis
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Thinking ◽  
Moderator Variables ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
The Relationship

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memory has been well established in depression, but whether this ‘overgenerality’ extends to future thinking has not been the focus of a meta-analysis. Following a preregistered protocol, we searched six electronic databases, Google Scholar, personal libraries, and contacted authors in the field for studies matching search terms related to depression, future thinking, and specificity. We reduced an initial 7,332 results to 46 included studies, with 89 effect sizes and 4,813 total participants. Random effects meta-analytic modelling revealed a small but robust correlation between reduced future specificity and higher levels of depression (r = .13, p < .001). Of the 11 moderator variables examined, the most striking effects related to the emotional valence of future thinking (p < .001) and the sex of participants (p = .025). Namely, depression was linked to reduced specificity for positive (but not negative or neutral) future thinking, and the relationship was stronger in samples with a higher proportion of males. This meta-analysis contributes to our understanding of how prospection is altered in depression and dysphoria and, by revealing areas where current evidence is inconclusive, highlights key avenues for future research.

scholarly journals Shame Mediates the Relationship Between Pain Invalidation and Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon L. Boring ◽  
Kaitlyn T. Walsh ◽  
Namrata Nanavaty ◽  
Vani A. Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Internalized Shame ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The experience of pain is subjective, yet many people have their pain invalidated or not believed. Pain invalidation is associated with poor mental health, including depression and lower well-being. Qualitative investigations of invalidating experiences identify themes of depression, but also social withdrawal, self-criticism, and lower self-worth, all of which are core components of shame. Despite this, no studies have quantitatively assessed the interrelationship between pain invalidation, shame, and depression. To explore this relationship, participants recounted the frequency of experienced pain invalidation from family, friends, and medical professionals, as well as their feelings of internalized shame and depressive symptoms. As shame has been shown to be a precursor for depression, we further explored the role of shame as a mediator between pain invalidation and depressive symptoms. All sources of pain invalidation were positively associated with shame and depressive symptoms, and shame fully mediated the relationship between each source of pain invalidation and depression. Relative to other sources, pain invalidation from family was most closely tied to shame and depression. Overall, findings indicate that one mechanism by which pain invalidation may facilitate depression is via the experience of shame. Future research may explore shame as a potential upstream precursor to depression in the context of pain. Findings provide more insight into the harmful influence of pain invalidation on mental health and highlight the impact of interpersonal treatment on the experiences of people in pain.

The relationship between work engagement and workaholism: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunsoo Lee ◽  
Jae Young Lee ◽  
Jin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
Heavy Work ◽  
Person Centered Approach ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between two sub-constructs of heavy work investment: work engagement and workaholism. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize and critically assess existing research on the relationship between these concepts. Findings The review revealed three major shortcomings of the extant literature: a dichotomous perspective, variations in measurements and the unaddressed complexity of the relationship. Originality/value Based on these findings, this study provides a discussion on the limitations and suggestions for future research on work engagement and workaholism, including using a person-centered approach.

scholarly journals A meta-analysis of natural resources and conflict

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 205316801881823 ◽  
Author(s):  
William O’Brochta
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Aggregate Effect ◽  
Resource Wealth ◽  
Natural Resource Wealth ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Variable Measurement

The relationship between natural resource wealth and civil conflict remains unclear, despite prolonged scholarly attention. Conducting a meta-analysis—a quantitative literature review—can help synthesize this broad and disparate field to provide clearer directions for future research. Meta-analysis tools determine both the aggregate effect of natural resources on conflict and whether any particular ways in which variables are measured systematically bias the estimated effect. I conduct a meta-analysis using sixty-nine studies from sixty-two authors. I find that there is no aggregate relationship between natural resources and conflict. Most variation in variable measurement does not alter the estimated effect. However, measuring natural resource wealth using Primary Commodity Exports and including controls for mountainous terrain and ethnic fractionalization all do significantly impact the results. These findings suggest that it may be worth exploring more nuanced connections between natural resources and conflict instead of continuing to study the overall relationship.

Active and Passive Social Networking Sites Usage and Negative Emotions: A Reciprocal Relationship?

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-213
Author(s):  
Xin-Xue Zhang ◽  
Detlef H. Rost ◽  
Jin-Liang Wang ◽  
Katherine J Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Variable Cross ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: The increasing popularity of social networking sites (SNS) has stimulated research on the relationship between SNS usage and users' mental health. The current study aims to shed light on the possible reciprocal relationship between type of SNS usage and subsequent mental health among Chinese college students. Method: A latent variable cross-lagged panel analysis (two waves) was conducted (N = 266). Results showed that negative emotions (loneliness, depression) at Time 1 (T1) was positively related to both active SNS usage and passive SNS usage at Time 2 (T2). However, neither active nor passive SNS usage at T1 was found to be associated with negative emotions at T2. Discussion: In this current research, the key finding is that type of usage did not impact on users' mental health. Future research might investigate the role of individual and social factors (e.g., self-esteem and life satisfaction) in moderating the relationship between SNS use and mental health.

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