The impact of forced displacement in World War II on mental health disorders and health-related quality of life in late life – a German population-based study

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Freitag ◽  
Elmar Braehler ◽  
Silke Schmidt ◽  
Heide Glaesmer

ABSTRACTBackground: Long-term effects of World War II experiences affect psychological and physical health in aged adults. Forced displacement as a traumatic event is associated with increased psychological burden even after several decades. This study investigates the contribution of forced displacement as a predictor for mental health disorders and adds the aspect of health-related quality of life (QoL).Method: A sample of 1,659 German older adults aged 60–85 years was drawn from a representative survey. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), somatoform symptoms, depressive syndromes, and health-related QoL were assessed as outcome variables. Chi-square and t-test statistics examined differences between displaced and non-displaced people. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of forced displacement on mental health disorders and QoL.Results: Displaced people reported higher levels of PTSD, depressive and somatoform symptoms, and lower levels of health-related QoL. Displacement significantly predicted PTSD and somatoform symptoms in late life, but not depressive disorders. Health-related QoL was predicted by forced displacement and socio-demographic variables.Conclusion: Forced displacement is associated with an elevated risk for PTSD and somatoform symptoms and lowered health-related QoL in aged adults. Its unique impact declines after including socio-demographic variables. Long-term consequences of forced displacement need further investigations and should include positive aspects in terms of resilience and protective coping strategies.

2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Mangan ◽  
Madeline Tadley ◽  
Srikanth N. Divi ◽  
Justin D. Stull ◽  
Dhruv K.C. Goyal ◽  
...  

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A143-A144
Author(s):  
Kelly Showen ◽  
Kathleen O’Hora ◽  
Beatriz Hernandez ◽  
Laura Lazzeroni ◽  
Jamie Zeitzer ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Insomnia affects 30–48% of older adults and impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Numerous studies report Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) as an effective non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia symptoms, with few examining the impact of CBT-I on mental and physical aspects of HRQoL. While limited research suggests that CBT-I leads to improvements in HRQoL, the impact of the cognitive versus behavioral components of CBT-I on HRQoL is unknown. Methods 128 older adults with insomnia (mean age=69, 66% female, 19% minority) were randomized to receive cognitive therapy (CT), behavior therapy (BT), or CBT-I. The Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) was collected at baseline, post-treatment and six-month follow-up. Split-plot linear mixed models with age and sex as covariates to assess within and between subject changes were used to test intervention, time, and interaction effects on the mental health and physical well-being domains of HRQoL. Significance for all effects was defined as p < 0.05. The effect size (d) was calculated by dividing the difference between means by the root-mean-squared error of the mixed effects model. Results The mental health-related QoL improved over time independent of treatment (Main effect of time: F(2, 202) = 6.51, p < 0.002). The interaction failed to reach significance (Interaction: F(4, 202) = 1.19, p = .31). Simple effects revealed significant improvements among CBT-I participants at six months (p = .02, d = .53) and CT participants at post-treatment (p = .00, d = .79) and six months (p = .03, d = .66), but not among BT participants for either time point (p = .32, d = .24; p = .16, d = .35). Treatment did not improve physical health-related QoL over time (F(2, 202) = 1.01, p = .37) nor was there a significant interaction (F(4, 202) = .46, p = .76). Conclusion These findings suggest that CBT-I, particularly the CT component, may be effective in improving mental health-related QoL outcomes for older adults with insomnia. In contrast, neither CBT-I nor its component treatments were effective in improving physical health-related QoL. Support (if any) NIMHR01MH101468-01; Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) at the VAPAHCS


2021 ◽  
pp. 0272989X2110271
Author(s):  
Donghoon Lee ◽  
Yeonil Kim ◽  
Beth Devine

Objectives This study aims to characterize the spillover effects of selected mental health disorders (episodic mood disorder (EMD), anxiety, substance use disorder (SUD), schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dementia) on family members’ health-related quality of life and to compare the magnitude of spillover effects across these types. Methods Using the 2000–2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, households having individuals with mental health disorders were identified. The SF-12 and EQ-5D surveys were used to acquire utility and health status scores for household members. The outcomes in households including an individual with a mental health disorder were compared to those of the control group (absence of individuals with mental health disorders in the household). We also compared a total of 15 pairs of diseases based on the SF-6D scores. A beta generalized estimating equation model was employed. Results Average scores of utility and health status among individuals living with a member with a mental health disorder in the household were statistically lower than those of the control group and; for the SF-6D, met the minimally important difference for SUD, schizophrenia, and dementia. Differences in the SF-6D scores were statistically significant for 5 pairs of the mental health disorders: EMD–anxiety, EMD–ADHD, dementia–anxiety, dementia–ADHD, and schizophrenia–ADHD. Conclusions This study provides evidence of family spillover effects in mental illness using both utility and health status measures from a US representative sample. Integrating this evidence into clinical and policy decision making as well as economic evaluations would allow for a more comprehensive valuation of the societal benefits of mental and behavioral health interventions.


AIDS Care ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1137-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khem N. Pokhrel ◽  
Vidya D. Sharma ◽  
Akira Shibanuma ◽  
Kalpana G. Pokhrel ◽  
Linda B. Mlunde ◽  
...  

Spine ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (21) ◽  
pp. 1455-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bassel G. Diebo ◽  
Joshua D. Lavian ◽  
Shian Liu ◽  
Neil V. Shah ◽  
Daniel P. Murray ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Costa ◽  
M Cunha ◽  
C Ferreira ◽  
A Gama ◽  
A M N Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To measure the impact of the economic crisis on the mental health correlates of Portuguese children attending primary school during 2016. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of primary school-aged children and their parents (n = 1157), conducted in public and private schools of three Portuguese districts. Parent reports of children mental health symptoms (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ) and children self-reports of health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27) and depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, Children version - DASS-C), were compared according to a set of yes/no questions on how the economic crisis changed the normal aspects of routine life (e.g. During the financial crisis did you had to use savings? Started buying cheaper food?). Linear regression models were fitted for the SDQ, the KIDSCREEN-27 and the DASS-C as dependent variables adjusted for children sex, socioeconomic status and district of residence. Results Affirmative answers to the crisis impact questions were associated with more frequent psychosocial functioning problems in children, with poorer self-reported health-related quality of life and with more frequent symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusions Portuguese children mental health correlates show significant worse scores for those whose parents declared having to change daily routine habits as a result of the recent macroeconomic financial crisis, compared to those who did not change habits. Public Health programs should be developed to mitigate the potential negative impact of the financial crisis to the mental health of children. Key messages A negative impact on children mental health was observed as a result of the economic crisis. Public health programs designed to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis should include primary-school aged children.


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