Multi-informant perspective on psychological distress among Ghanaian orphans and vulnerable children within the context of HIV/AIDS

BackgroundThere is little knowledge about the psychosocial distress of children affected by human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Ghana, to aid the planning of services. This study investigated mental health problems among children affected by HIV/AIDS, compared with control groups of children orphaned by other causes, and non-orphans.MethodThe study employed a cross-sectional survey that interviewed 291 children and their caregivers. Both children and caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire that measured children's psychosocial wellbeing. Verbal autopsy was used to identify whether children lost one or both parents from AIDS.ResultsThe results indicated that controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors, both children's self-reports and caregivers’ reports indicate that both children living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers and children orphaned by AIDS were at heightened risk for mental health problems than both children orphaned by other causes and non-orphans. The findings further indicated that a significant proportion of orphaned and vulnerable children exhibited symptoms for depression and other psychiatric disorders (approximately 63%) compared with 7% among the non-orphaned group. Caregivers gave higher ratings for children on externalizing problems and lower on internalizing problems, and vice versa when the children's self-reports were analysed.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that both children and their informants have diverse yet complementary perspectives on psychological outcomes. The study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and urgently calls for necessary intervention programmes that target all children affected by HIV/AIDS to effectively alleviate psychological distress and enhance the mental health of these children.

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A repeated cross-sectional survey assessing university students' stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329172000392x ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Agata Debowska ◽

Beata Horeczy ◽

Daniel Boduszek ◽

Dariusz Dolinski

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Adult Students ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Medical Psychology ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Early Stages ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background The time of widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases can lead to elevated stress and mental health problems among all persons affected, and in particular those sub-groups of the population that are at an increased risk of mental health problems. One such vulnerable group constitutes university students. The aim of this study is to assess stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality among different groups of university students (medical, psychology, and other). Methods Using a repeated cross-sectional study design, we collected survey data among a large sample of 7228 university students from Poland (mean age = 22.78, s.d. = 4.40; 81% female). Data were collected in five waves, during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe (March and April 2020). Results The results demonstrate a significant increase in depression levels as the pandemic was progressing. We also found that female students scored significantly higher than male students on depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychology students recorded the lowest scores on depression and anxiety. Young adult students (aged 18–24 years) had more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality than adult students (⩾25 years). Conclusions These results provide insights into stress and mental health among university students during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can be used for a more effective identification of students who may struggle during next stages of the pandemic and future crises.

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Using the TIDieR checklist to describe health visitor support for mothers with mental health problems: Analysis of a cross‐sectional survey

Health & Social Care in the Community ◽

10.1111/hsc.12790 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Catherine Lowenhoff ◽

Jan Davison‐Fischer ◽

Nick Pike ◽

Jane V. Appleton

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Visitor ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

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An Assessment of Magnitudes and Patterns of Socioeconomic Inequalities across Various Health Problems: A Large National Cross-Sectional Survey in Korea

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122868 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2868 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ji-Yeon Shin ◽

Jiseun Lim ◽

Myung Ki ◽

Yeong-Jun Song ◽

Heeran Chun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Inequalities ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Subjective Health ◽

Health Problems ◽

Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽

Mental Illnesses ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Magnitudes of health inequalities present consequences of socioeconomic impact on each health problem. To provide knowledge on the size of health problems in terms of socioeconomic burden, we examined the magnitudes and patterns of health inequalities across 12 health problems. A total of 17,292 participants older than 30 years were drawn from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2010–2012). The age-adjusted prevalence ratios were compared across socioeconomic positions (SEPs) based on income, education, and occupation. The magnitudes of socioeconomic inequalities varied across 12 health problems and, in general, the patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems (i.e., non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and subjective health states). Significant health inequalities across NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and arthritis, were observed mainly in women. Socioeconomic inequalities in mental health problems, such as depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, were profound for both genders and across SEP measures. Significant socioeconomic inequalities were also observed for subjective health. No or weak associations were observed for injury and HBV infection. The patterns of socioeconomic inequalities were similar among groups of health problems. Mental illnesses appeared to require prioritization of socioeconomic approaches for improvement in terms of absolute prevalence and relative socioeconomic distribution.

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Coping with stigma and discrimination: evidence from mental health service users in England

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s204579601700021x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 577-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

A. Isaksson ◽

E. Corker ◽

J. Cotney ◽

S. Hamilton ◽

V. Pinfold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Stigma ◽

Service Users ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stigma And Discrimination

Aims.Mental health stigma and discrimination are significant problems. Common coping orientations include: concealing mental health problems, challenging others and educating others. We describe the use of common stigma coping orientations and explain variations within a sample of English mental health service users.Methods.Cross-sectional survey data were collected as part of the Viewpoint survey of mental health service users’ experiences of discrimination (n = 3005). Linear regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with the three stigma coping orientations.Results.The most common coping orientation was to conceal mental health problems (73%), which was strongly associated with anticipated discrimination. Only 51% ever challenged others because of discriminating behaviour, this being related to experienced discrimination, but also to higher confidence to tackle stigma.Conclusions.Although stigma coping orientations vary by context, individuals often choose to conceal problems, which is associated with greater anticipated and experienced discrimination and less confidence to challenge stigma. The direction of this association requires further investigation.

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Characteristics and rates of mental health problems among Indian and White adolescents in two English cities

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126409 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 203 (1) ◽

pp. 44-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nisha Dogra ◽

Nadzeya Svirydzenka ◽

Pat Dugard ◽

Swaran P. Singh ◽

Panos Vostanis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Statistical Power ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

White Adolescents ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Indian Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Indian Adolescents

BackgroundSampling techniques for national surveys have constrained the statistical power in estimating prevalence rates of child mental health problems in minority ethnic groups.AimsTo establish the prevalence rates of mental health problems in ethnic Indian adolescents in England and compare these with matched White adolescents living in the same areas.MethodA cross-sectional survey with oversampling of Indian adolescents aged 13–15 years of age.ResultsThe sample size was 2900 (71% response rate) with 1087 (37%) Indian and 414 (14%) White adolescents. Ethnically Indian adolescents had lower rates of all types of mentalhealth problems (5% v. 13% and 21% v. 30% for abnormal Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire scores, respectively) and substance misuse (18% v. 57%, 5% v. 15% and 6% v. 9% for regular alcohol, smoking and drug use, respectively), with the exception of eating disorders, compared with their White counterparts. The odds of an abnormal score on the mental health questionnaires were worse for White compared with Indian children irrespective of sociodemographic variables.ConclusionsFactors relating to how Indian adolescents are parented or their social support networks may be influencing their mental health and may warrant further investigation.

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Study on the correlation between mental health and socio-demographics of patients in five designated treatment hospitals in China during the COVID-19 outbreak : a cross-sectional survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-443751/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhonghuan Liang ◽

Xiuli Ou ◽

Jieming Li ◽

Gang He ◽

Qingdong Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Health Problems ◽

Occurrence Rate ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Peak Period ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Purpose The global epidemic of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) has caused many psychological problems. At present, there are few studies on the mental health status and correlation of COVID-19 patients. Methods During the peak period of COVID-19 outbreak in China, COVID-19 patients from 5 designated hospitals with new coronary pneumonia were selected by convenient sampling method. Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were investigated by either a convenient online questionnaire at: WJX.cn as a data collecting platform or an equivalent paper questionnaire. Results It showed that the positive detection rate of SCL-90 in the COVID-19 patients was 29.83%. The most common mental health problem was anxiety (28.3%), and the top three prominent mental health problems are depression (9.4%), interpersonal sensitivity (9.4%), paranoia ideation (7.7%). Compared with the Chinese adult norm, there were significant differences in the SCL-90 total score and somatization, depression, anxiety, and phobic anxiety dimension (P < 0.05). The main influencing factors of mental health of COVID-19 patients are the number of confirmed cases nationwide, sex, marital status and psychological intervention. Conclusion The mental state of some groups is relatively low, which leads to depression and anxiety more easily. In particular, the most vulnerable group was found to be unmarried women who have a high occurrence rate of mental health problems. We need to pay particular attention to high risk groups, and support patients with increased susceptibility, which will require timely assessment by mental health care professionals.

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Psychological impact of COVID-19 in the Swedish population: Depression, anxiety, and insomnia and their associations to risk and vulnerability factors

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.81 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lance M. McCracken ◽

Farzaneh Badinlou ◽

Monica Buhrman ◽

Karin C. Brocki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Vulnerability Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Swedish Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Wellbeing

Abstract Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with its associated restrictions on daily life, is like a perfect storm for poor mental health and wellbeing. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing during the ongoing pandemic in Sweden. Method: Standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and insomnia as well as measures of risk and vulnerability factors known to be associated with poor mental health outcomes were administered through a national, online, cross-sectional survey (n = 1,212; mean age 36.1 years; 73% women). Result: Our findings show significant levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in Sweden, at rates of 30%, 24.2%, and 38%, respectively. The strongest predictors of these outcomes included poor self-rated overall health and a history of mental health problems. The presence of COVID-19 symptoms and specific health and financial worries related to the pandemic also appeared important. Conclusions: The impacts of COVID-19 on mental health in Sweden are comparable to impacts shown in previous studies in Italy and China. Importantly, the pandemic seems to impose most on the mental health of those already burdened with the impacts of mental health problems. These results provide a basis for providing more support for vulnerable groups, and for developing psychological interventions suited to the ongoing pandemic and for similar events in the future.

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