scholarly journals The Association between Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Distress: A Within and Between Twin Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 312-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine R. Lam ◽  
Jessica Tyler ◽  
Katrina J. Scurrah ◽  
Nicola J. Reavley ◽  
Gillian S. Dite
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Twin Design ◽  
Lifestyle Questionnaire ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

AbstractLow socioeconomic status (SES) has been established as a risk factor for poor mental health; however, the relationship between SES and mental health problems can be confounded by genetic and environmental factors in standard regression analyses and observational studies of unrelated individuals. In this study, we used a within-pair twin design to control for unmeasured genetic and environmental confounders in investigating the association between SES and psychological distress. We also employed within–between pair regression analysis to assess whether the association was consistent with causality. SES was measured using the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD), income and the Australian Socioeconomic Index 2006 (AUSEI06); psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Data were obtained from Twins Research Australia’s Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire (2014–2017), providing a maximum sample size of 1395 pairs. Twins with higher AUSEI06 scores had significantly lower K6 scores than their co-twins after controlling for shared genetic and environmental traits (βW [within-pair regression coefficient] = −0.012 units, p = .006). Twins with higher income had significantly lower K6 scores than their co-twins after controlling for familial confounders (βW = −0.182 units, p = .002). There was no evidence of an association between the IRSD and K6 scores within pairs (βW, p = .6). Using a twin design to eliminate the effect of potential confounders, these findings further support the association between low SES and poor mental health, reinforcing the need to address social determinants of poor mental health, in addition to interventions targeted to individuals.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Are you ready to seek psychological help during home quarantine?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Hong Su ◽  
Dongxue Wang ◽  
Lining Wang ◽  
Yunjiang Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background: Since December 2019, an increasing number of cases named Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been identified in Wuhan, China. It has widely and rapidly spread in China and several other countries. The public experienced mental health problems during home quarantine.Methods：From Feb 17 to 20, 2020, a questionnaire star survey was used to evaluate the psychological distress / psychological help-seeking attitudes and behavior of 3,248 people over 18 years old who were quarantined at home, all the subjects filled out the questionnaires, including general information questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10),Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health and Psychological help-seeking behavior items.Results:3,248 individuals were enrolled, and the score of psychological distress scale was 15·93±6·99, the score of psychological help seeking was 82·34 ±13·04. Among the socio-economic factors, age was positively associated with the psychological distress(t=5·60,P<0·05) and attitudes toward seeking mental health(t=-3·380,P<0·05); the level of income were negatively associated with psychological distress(t=-2·609,P<0·05) and attitudes toward seeking mental health(t=-2·762,P<0·05); occupation were negatively associated with the level of psychological distress(t=-2·842,P<0·05); gender and the level of education were positively associated with the level of attitudes toward seeking mental health(t=6·355,P<0·05;t=3·780,P<0·05); marital status were negatively associated with the level of attitudes toward seeking mental health(t=-3·455,P<0·05).Conclusions: Widowed, rural residents, people with low level of education and economic income should be the focus of COVID-19’s mental health maintenance, and making good use of media and internet tools to strengthen publicity is one of the key points of current prevention and control.

scholarly journals Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6700
Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
The Government ◽  
Distress Scale

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.

Socioeconomic disparities in psychological distress in a nationally representative sample of Japanese adolescents: A time trend study

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Kachi ◽  
Aya Abe ◽  
Emiko Ando ◽  
Tomoyuki Kawada
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Japanese Adolescents ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: Socioeconomic status as a determinant of mental health problems has received scant attention in Japan, which has long been considered an egalitarian society. This study examined the association between socioeconomic status and psychological distress and its trends over 6 years among Japanese adolescents. Methods: We used data from a nationally representative sample of 9491 adolescents aged 12–18 years who participated in three repeated cross-sectional surveys between 2007 and 2013. The K6 scale was used to assess psychological distress. Socioeconomic status indicators included household income, parental education, parental working status and household structure. Results: Psychological distress prevalence decreased significantly from 2007 (10.7%) to 2013 (7.6%). However, the socioeconomic status patterns of psychological distress were consistent through the study period. Adolescents living in both lower (odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval = [1.27, 2.05]) and higher income households (odds ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = [1.03, 1.62]) were more likely to report psychological distress than their middle-income counterparts. Adolescents with low household income were more likely to feel stress from interpersonal relationships and less likely to have help-seeking behaviors, while those with high household income were more likely to feel stress about school achievement. Psychological distress was also associated with parental poor education and single parenthood. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status disparities in adolescent psychological distress were evident and consistent during the 6-year period. There is a unique U-shaped relationship between household income and psychological distress among adolescents in Japan, unlike those from other countries. However, the underlying mechanisms may differ by income status. Future prevention efforts should consider socioeconomic status as a determinant of adolescent mental health problems.

scholarly journals Evaluating How Mental Health Changed in Australia through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the ‘Taking the Pulse of the Nation’ (TTPN) Survey

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
Ferdi Botha ◽  
Peter Butterworth ◽  
Roger Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Single Item ◽  
Unadjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Kessler Psychological Distress Scale

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health at the level of the population. The current study adds to the evidence base by examining how the prevalence of psychological distress changed in Australia during the pandemic. The study also assesses the psychometric properties of a new single-item measure of mental distress included in a survey program conducted regularly throughout the pandemic. Data are from 1158 respondents in wave 13 (early July 2020) of the nationally representative Taking the Pulse of the Nation (TTPN) Survey. The questionnaire included the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and a new single-item measure of distress. Results show a significant increase in the prevalence of psychological distress in Australia, from 6.3% pre-pandemic to 17.7% in early July 2020 (unadjusted odds ratio = 3.19; 95% CI (confidence interval) = 2.51 to 4.05). The new single-item measure of distress is highly correlated with the K6. This study provides a snapshot at one point in time about how mental health worsened in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by demonstrating the accuracy of the new single-item measure of distress, this analysis also provides a basis for further research examining the trajectories and correlates of distress in Australia across the pandemic.

Social network factors as mediators of mental health and psychological distress

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Levula ◽  
Michael Harré ◽  
Andrew Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

Background: Although mental health (MH) is overall strongly associated with psychological distress (PD), this association is very weak for the sample with high PD. This relationship remains understudied. Aim: This study examines the association between MH and PD and whether this association is mediated by social network (SN) factors for individuals with high PD. Method: Data were taken from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia study ( N = 756). MH was measured using the MH sub-scale of the general health survey (Short Form (SF)-36) and PD was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The SN measures were derived from the self-completion questionnaire. Using bootstrap mediation analysis, we tested whether the association between MH and PD is mediated by SN factors. Result: The correlation between MH and PD was r = −.410 ( p < .001). The mediational analysis results show that social isolation mediates the association between MH and PD with an indirect effect of β = −0.0070 (confidence interval (CI) = −0.0133 to −0.0023). Moreover, social connections also mediated the association between MH and PD with an indirect effect of β = −0.0073 (CI = −0.0141 to −0.0028). Conclusion: This study has practical implications for the design of social policies that attempt to reduce social isolation and enhance social connectedness to protect MH.

scholarly journals Postpartum mood among universally screened high and low socioeconomic status patients during COVID-19 social restrictions in New York City

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Silverman ◽  
Laudy Burgos ◽  
Zoe I. Rodriguez ◽  
Omara Afzal ◽  
Alyssa Kalishman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Future Health

AbstractThe mental health effects of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on postpartum women are of increasing concern among mental health practitioners. To date, only a handful of studies have explored the emotional impact of the pandemic surrounding pregnancy and none have investigated the consequence of pandemic-related social restrictions on the postpartum mood of those living among different socioeconomic status (SES). All postpartum patients appearing to the Mount Sinai Health System for their postpartum appointment between January 2, 2020 and June 30, 2020, corresponding to before and during pandemic imposed social restrictions, were screened for mood symptomatology using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Each patient’s socioeconomic status (high/low) was determined by their location of clinical service. A total of 516 postpartum patients were screened. While no differences in EPDS scores were observed by SES prior to social restrictions (U = 7956.0, z = − 1.05, p = .293), a significant change in mood symptomatology was observed following COVID-19 restrictions (U = 4895.0, z = − 3.48, p < .001), with patients living in lower SES reporting significantly less depression symptomatology (U = 9209.0, z = − 4.56, p < .001). There was no change in symptomatology among patients of higher SES (U = 4045.5, z = − 1.06, p = .288). Postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbearing, is a prevalent, cross-cultural disorder with significant morbidity. The observed differences in postpartum mood between patients of different SES in the context of temporarily imposed COVID-19-related social restrictions present a unique opportunity to better understand the specific health and social support needs of postpartum patients living in urban economic poverty. Given that maternal mental illness has negative long-term developmental implications for the offspring and that poor mental health reinforces the poverty cycle, future health policy specifically directed towards supporting postpartum women living in low SES by ameliorating some of the early maternal burdens associated with balancing employment-family-childcare demands may assist in interrupting this cycle while simultaneously improving the long-term outcomes of their offspring.

teen Mental Health First Aid as a school-based intervention for improving peer support of adolescents at risk of suicide: Outcomes from a cluster randomised crossover trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M Hart ◽  
Penny Cropper ◽  
Amy J Morgan ◽  
Claire M Kelly ◽  
Anthony F Jorm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
School Based ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Kessler Psychological Distress Scale

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess evidence for a novel, universal mental health literacy programme in the school setting (teen Mental Health First Aid) as an intervention to improve peer support towards adolescents at risk of suicide and to examine whether participation in a school-based programme dealing with suicide was distressing to participants. Method: In a cluster randomised crossover trial, Australian high school students aged 15–17 years ( N = 1605, 44.74% female, Mage = 15.87) received either teen Mental Health First Aid or a matched control physical first aid course. Data were collected before, immediately after and 12 months after training through online surveys assessing correct recognition of suicidality and intentions to help a fictional peer (John) who was depicted as experiencing depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in a vignette. Students were also asked whether any information in the training or surveys was found distressing and completed a validated measure of psychological distress (the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale). Results: Students receiving teen Mental Health First Aid training were much more likely to report an increase from pre- to post-training in recognition of suicidality (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = [1.14, 3.39], p = 0.02) and appropriate first aid intentions towards a peer at risk of suicide than students receiving physical first aid (OR = 35.40, 95% CI = [19.86, 63.14], p < 0.001). Twelve months after training, most effects were still significant. Although a greater proportion of teen Mental Health First Aid participants self-reported feeling briefly distressed after the training, there was no evidence of greater distress at 12 months on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Conclusion: teen Mental Health First Aid is effective in increasing recognition of and intentions to assist a suicidal peer. Although the open discussion of mental health first aid for a suicidal peer was distressing for some students, results suggest this was transient and not associated with harm. Future studies are required to ascertain whether these increases are indeed associated with better provision of support and prevention of youth suicide.

scholarly journals Risk of psychological distress, pervasiveness of stigma and utilisation of support services: Exploring paramedic perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Mackinnon ◽  
Timothy Everett ◽  
Lisa Holmes ◽  
Erin Smith ◽  
Brennen Mills
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Distress Scale

IntroductionParamedics are exposed to significant and cumulative stressors that contribute to poor mental health. The provision of effective and engaging mental health support is essential in improving overall wellbeing. Many ambulance services have adapted their available support services to reflect this need. However, there remains limited research into the perceived efficacy of these services and barriers that limit uptake from paramedics.MethodsParamedics and ambulance volunteers from Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete an online survey consisting of a series of Likert-scale and open-ended response questions. The well-validated Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was also incorporated into the online survey.ResultsA total of 184 participants completed the survey. A total of 50 (27%) participants reported high/very high levels of psychological distress. Participants exposed to at least one adverse event while working reported higher psychological distress scores than those that had not. Just over half (51%) of all participants disagreed/strongly disagreed there was no stigma associated with seeking mental health support from paramedic colleagues and 54% of participants disagreed/strongly disagreed there was no stigma from managerial staff.ConclusionThese findings suggest paramedics are at a greater risk of psychological distress than the general population. This is particularly problematic given there is a clear perception of ongoing stigma among paramedics associated with the utilisation of mental health support services. Future research should explore methods for reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviours in this vulnerable population throughout all phases of an emergency service workers career.

scholarly journals The unmet support needs of carers of older Australians: prevalence and mental health

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1849-1860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeromey B. Temple ◽  
Briony Dow
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
Distress Scale

ABSTRACTBackground:Population aging places greater demands on the supply of informal carers. The aims of this study were to examine (1) the types of unmet support needs of carers of older Australians and (2) the association of unmet needs with mental health.Methods:Utilizing new data from the 2015 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, we calculated the prevalence of carers experiencing specific and multiple unmet needs for support, using single and multiple item measures. Logistic regression models were fitted to examine the association between unmet needs and psychological distress (using the Kessler psychological distress scale), once demographic and health factors were controlled for.Results:In 2015, 35% of carers of older Australians cited at least one unmet need for support. Among this group, almost two-thirds cited multiple unmet support needs (64.7%). The most prevalent types of unmet needs included financial (18%), physical (13%), and emotional support (12%), as well as additional respite care and support to improve carer health (12%). After controlling for demographic and health characteristics of the carer, having any unmet need for support increased the odds of psychological distress by twofold (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.65, 2.94). With each successive unmet need for support, the odds of psychological distress increased 1.37 times (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.54). Those who had received assistance with care, but required further support were 1.95 times more likely (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.17, 3.24) to be in distress and those who had not received care assistance were about 2.4 times more likely (OR = 2.38 95% OR = 1.56, 3.62) to be in distress relative to those with no unmet need.Conclusions:Addressing unmet support needs of carers is important, not only for the planning of services for carers in an aging population, but also because of the association between unmet support needs and carers mental health.

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