Prevalence, Detection and Management of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Unemployed Patients Attending General Practitioners

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Comino ◽  
Elizabeth Harris ◽  
Derrick Silove ◽  
Vijaya Manicavasagar ◽  
Mark F. Harris
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unemployed People ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Use Of Services

Introduction: This study examined the detection and management of anxiety and depressive symptoms among unemployed patients attending general practitioners (GPs). Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken of anxiety and depressive symptoms in general practice using measures completed by patients and GPs. Eligible patients were adults aged 18 to 64 years either working (n = 2273) or unemployed (n = 392). Results: Eighty per cent of patients were attending their regular GP at the time of the study. Unemployed patients were found to have a higher mean general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) score than employed patients (3.8 compared with 2.4, p < 0.001); were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression which required medical treatment during the previous 4 weeks (30.9% compared with 14.6%, p < 0.001); and were more likely to have been treated for anxiety and depression by the GP (27.8% compared with 15.7%, p < 0.001). Among patients who the GPs reported treating for anxiety and depression, unemployed patients were 3.3 times (95% CI: 2.0–5.4) more likely to be prescribed medication than employed patients when severity was controlled but were no more likely to be referred to other health services. Unemployed patients identified increased use of services and were less satisfied with the care that they had received. Conclusions: Unemployed patients attending GPs have an increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Increased prescription of medication as opposed to referral suggests that GPs may treat their unemployed patients differently to employed patients. GPs need to be aware of the higher risk and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among unemployed patients and their desire to be more actively involved in their treatment. General practice is an important setting for addressing the health needs of unemployed people.

scholarly journals Comorbid insomnia, psychological symptoms and widespread pain among patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain in general practice: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e031971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Sørensen ◽  
Morten Sig Ager Jensen ◽  
Michael Skovdal Rathleff ◽  
Sinead Holden
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Comorbid Insomnia ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the association between musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, insomnia, anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients from general practice.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study.SettingThis study was conducted in general practice in Denmark.ParticipantsA consecutive sample of 390 general practice patients (aged 12 years or older) were included; 183 patients with MSK pain and 207 patients without MSK pain. To be included in the MSK pain group, participants with MSK pain were required to report MSK pain at least weekly during the preceding month, which had a negative impact on daily activities.Primary and secondary outcomes measuresThe primary outcome was insomnia evaluated by the Athens Insomnia Scale. The secondary outcomes were psychological symptoms assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.ResultsPatients with MSK pain had a significantly higher prevalence of insomnia (difference 25.5%, p<0.0001), anxiety (difference 24.3%, p<0.0001) and depressive symptoms (difference 11%, p<0.0001) compared with patients without MSK pain. Furthermore, patients with MSK pain and comorbid insomnia had significantly higher levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression compared with patients with MSK pain without insomnia (p<0.0001). These relationships remained robust when controlling for age, sex and body mass index in linear regression.ConclusionOne in two patients in general practice report MSK pain. Comorbid MSK pain and insomnia are common and are associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression. This highlights the importance of establishing the presence of insomnia and affective disorders as potentially modifiable factors during treatment of MSK pain in general practice.

scholarly journals Psychological Coping with Job Loss. Empirical Study to Contribute to the Development of Unemployed People

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Navarro-Abal ◽  
José Climent-Rodríguez ◽  
María López-López ◽  
Juan Gómez-Salgado
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unemployed People ◽  
Service Centre ◽  
Public Employment Service ◽  
Career Service ◽  
And Coping

Having a job is an essential part of people’s development. Unemployment, on the contrary, is one of the most frustrating experiences of life with greater psychological consequences for people’s lives. In this sense, psychology has contributed to an increase in knowledge about the personal and social experience of unemployment. This article discusses indicators of anxiety and depression in unemployed people, modulating socio-demographic variables, and coping strategies involved in the higher and lower levels of anxiety and depression. For this, a sample of 244 unemployed people who are users of the Career Service Centre of the Andalusian Public Employment Service of the city of Huelva is used for a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The results show that only 5.7% of the participants do not have depressive symptoms. With regards to anxiety levels, 41.3% of participants have no anxiety. Unemployed people with high anxiety and depression scores have developed maladaptive coping strategies such as substance use, self-blaming, or denial. It is necessary to assess the importance of the unemployment process and the incorporation of appropriate coping strategies that facilitate new integration in the labour market, such as planification, emotional or social support and self-distraction between others.

Employment Attitudes and Mental Health of Long-term Unemployed People with Disabilities: Implications for Rehabilitation Counselors

1997 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Pernice
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unemployed People ◽  
High Distress

Employment attitudes and mental health of long-term unemployed people with disabilities were investigated in a cross sectional study. During an interview, people selected themselves into four employment attitude groups, those who wanted employment (28%), those who were not able to work (35%), those who had alternatives to employment (30%) and those who were interested in training (7%). Mental health was assessed by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). The results indicated that mental health was low with high distress and low self-esteem scores evident in the four groups. Implications for rehabilitation counselors are discussed.

scholarly journals Role of Alexithymia, Anxiety, and Depression in Predicting Self-Efficacy in Academic Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbobeh Faramarzi ◽  
Soraya Khafri
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objective. Little research is available on the predictive factors of self-efficacy in college students. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of alexithymia, anxiety, and depression in predicting self-efficacy in academic students. Design. In a cross-sectional study, a total of 133 students at Babol University of Medical Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, and Paramedicine) participated in the study between 2014 and 2015. All participants completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES), and 14 items on anxiety and depression derived from the 28 items of the General Health Questionnaire (28-GHQ). Results. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed negative significant relationships between alexithymia and the three subscales with student self-efficacy. There was no significant correlation between anxiety/depression symptoms and student self-efficacy. A backward multiple regression analysis revealed that alexithymia was a negative significant predictor of self-efficacy in academic students (B=-0.512, P<0.001). The prevalence of alexithymia was 21.8% in students. Multiple backward logistic analysis regression revealed that number of passed semesters, gender, mother’s education, father’s education, and doctoral level did not accurately predict alexithymia in college students. Conclusion. As alexithymia is prevalent in college students and affects self-efficacy and academic functioning, we suggest it should be routinely evaluated by mental physicians at universities.

scholarly journals Factors related to rural general practitioners supervising general practice registrars in Australia: A national cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda O'Sullivan ◽  
Deborah Russell ◽  
Matthew McGrail ◽  
Marisa Sampson ◽  
Allyson Warrington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

The Advisory Brought to Practice Routine Screening on Depression (and Anxiety) in Coronary Heart Disease; Consequences and Implications

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L.A. Luttik ◽  
T. Jaarsma ◽  
R. Sanderman ◽  
J. Fleer
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Routine Screening ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional

Introduction: Following the evidence, the American Heart Association recently published a Science Advisory with the recommendation that patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) should be screened for depressive symptoms and depression. Also the Heart Failure Guidelines recommend routine screening for depressive symptoms. Screening for anxiety was not included in these recommendations, despite findings in literature suggesting that cardiac patients are at risk for high levels of anxiety. Objective: The aim of the current study is to obtain a realistic estimation of the consequences and implications of this advice for clinical practice. Method: Data on anxiety, and depression, need for help, demographics and disease related variables were collected in a cross-sectional study within a 2-month period (July–August 2008) at the cardiac outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center Groningen (The Netherlands). Patients: Data of 217 patients were analyzed, mean age was 58 years (±16) and 62% of the respondents were male. Results: Of 217 patients, 26% indicated to have depressive symptoms and 42% indicated elevated levels of anxiety. About 35–50% of these patients indicated a moderate to high need for help. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was mainly associated with demographic factors and the occurrence of stressful life events. Conclusion: Routine screening will put an increased demand on psychosocial diagnostics and treatment, therefore the availability of professionals should be guaranteed in advance.

scholarly journals Depression and anxiety among Grade 11 and 12 learners attending schools in central Bloemfontein

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A A Strydom ◽  
P J Pretorius ◽  
G Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
South African ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Academic Workload ◽  
Grade 11

<p><strong>Objectives.</strong> Anxiety disorders are the most common childhood psychiatric disorders. Previous research suggests that South African rates may be high. Our study examined the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression among Grade 11 and 12 learners attending schools in central Bloemfontein. Learners’ perception of the important stressors as well as the most relevant coping strategies were investigated.<strong></strong></p><p><strong> Methods.</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted by using self-assessment rating scales and questionnaires. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to screen for anxiety and depressive symptoms. Participants were provided with an additional list of possible stressors and coping skills, from which they identified those applicable to themselves. All students enrolled in Grades 11 and 12 at the selected schools during August 2009 were eligible for inclusion.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Five hundred and fifteen learners participated in the study, of whom 32.0% presented with moderate or severe anxiety and 5.3% with moderate or severe depressive symptoms. Mild symptoms were reported by an additional 29.0% on the anxiety subscale and 14% on the depression subscale of the HADS. Academic workload was reported as the main source of stress (81.4%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Although the study has limitations in terms of methodology and size, resulting in undetermined validity, it indicates possible higher prevalence rates for anxiety and depression than in previous South African studies and worldwide prevalence rates for adolescents. Pupils were generally hesitant to seek help from formal assistance structures provided by the schools, and preferred discussing problems with parents or friends.</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document