Understanding Client Empowerment: An Online Survey of Social Workers Serving People with Mental Health Issues

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialiang Cui ◽  
Limin Mao ◽  
Grenville Rose ◽  
Christy E Newman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract This study explored how social workers located in Sydney and Hong Kong conceptualised client empowerment. Further, it investigated these professionals’ perceived facilitators and barriers to their empowerment practices, based on an ecological framework. A cross-sectional online survey was used, where the original Empowerment Scale for clients with mental health issues was adapted to measure conceptualisation of client empowerment from social workers’ perspectives. Eighty-three social workers serving people with mental health issues (MHIs) in Sydney and eighty in Hong Kong responded. A two-factor model was generated suggesting that practitioners tend to conceptualise client empowerment into two aspects: a relation-based dimension and a resource-oriented one. Compared with their Sydney counterparts, the Hong Kong practitioners considered resource-oriented empowerment as more integral to client empowerment (t(161) = 4.17, p < 0.001). Several key factors were found to be independently associated with endorsement of the two-factor client-empowerment model by practitioners: perceived less support from medical specialists but more support from teams serving the same client, perceived benefits of social work training and, finally, beliefs in the importance of social workers’ role in client empowerment. The study highlights the multiple dimensions of client empowerment and a wide range of inter-professional and sociostructural factors enabling social workers’ practices that support empowerment. Our paper highlights the role of professional empowerment as a stepping stone to enable their client-empowerment practices through policy support and inter-professional collaboration.

Assessing the knowledge, perceptions, and mental health impact of COVID-19 among students in Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hawa Iye Obaje ◽  
Grace Chinelo Okengwu ◽  
Jolly Josiah Kenan ◽  
Aimable Uwimana ◽  
Andre Ndayambaje ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Offline Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms

Purpose This paper aims to assess the knowledge, perceptions and mental health impact of COVID-19 among students in Rwanda. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a cross-sectional online survey questionnaire. Findings The mean knowledge score among the 375 respondents was 75.14% (SD ± 19.1), with 195 (55.1%) of the respondents scoring below 80%. Students who believed that COVID-19 education was sufficient were more likely to have lower knowledge levels (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.15; 2.94). While most respondents were aware of their vulnerability to the virus, they did not see themselves at risk of becoming infected. The percentage of respondents reported to have some form of mental health issues was 49.7%. The three most important factors in influencing mental health were age, history of mental health issues, and the way news was reported. Education quality was less affected for those who received online schooling (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.33, 0.94). Practical implications Education about COVID-19 should be strengthened by capitalizing on existing online and offline learning platforms to frequently update new or changing information. Originality/value This paper was the first study assessing the knowledge, perception and mental health impact of COVID-19 among Rwanda students.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on loneliness among older adults in Austria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Phase

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.

scholarly journals Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Sol Lee ◽  
Vin Ryu ◽  
Ji Hyun Lee ◽  
Hyeon Hong ◽  
Hyeree Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Stress Scale

Background: Job stress of mental health professionals can have a negative impact on them, particularly their psychological health and mortality, and may also affect organizations' and institutions' ability to provide quality mental health services to patients.Aim: This study aimed to: (1) investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale (K-MHPSS), (2) develop K-MHPSS cut-off points to measure clinical depression and anxiety, and (3) examine whether specific stressors vary by area of expertise.Methodology: Data were collected via an online survey over 3 months, from August to October 2020. An online survey using a survey website was administered to volunteers who accessed the link and consented to participate. Data from 558 participants (200 clinical psychologists, 157 nurses, and 201 social workers) were included in the final analysis. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted to examine the factor structure of the K-MHPSS; concurrent validity of the scale was determined by analyzing correlation; internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In addition, ROC curve analysis and Youden's index were used to estimate optimal cut-off points for K-MHPSS; one-way ANOVA was performed to investigate the difference among the three groups.Results: The seven-factor model of the original scale did not be replicated by Korean mental health professionals. The K-MHPSS had the best fit with the six-factor model, which consists of 34 items. Concurrent validity was confirmed, and overall reliability was found to be good. The K-MHPSS cut-off points for depression and anxiety appeared to slightly different by professional groups. Furthermore, nurses and social workers showed significantly higher total scores compared to clinical psychologists, and there are significant differences in subscale scores among professionals.Conclusion: The Korean version of the MHPSS has appropriate psychometric properties and can be used to assess the occupational stress of mental health professionals. It can also serve as a reference point for screening clinical level of depression and anxiety in mental health professionals.

scholarly journals Cross sectional analysis of depression and stress in medical students

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler S. Jones ◽  
Deborah Rupert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Medical student wellbeing is a topic of growing concern. Medical students experience high levels of stress and burnout and are at increased risk for depression and suicidal ideation compared to the general population. Even more concerning, medical students are disproportionately less likely to seek help for their mental health issues. Identifying and preventing these problems early can have lasting positive consequences over the course of a physician’s lifetime. We implemented a wellness program at our medical school in the spring of 2016 with the goals of decreasing burnout and depression, heightening awareness of mental health issues, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors. To analyze the impact of our program, we have implemented a quality assurance survey. Here we report lifestyle factors associated with positive screens for depression from that data and propose institutional initiatives that can be spearheaded by medical students for medical students to impact positive change.

scholarly journals Attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S288-S289
Author(s):  
Brishti Sengupta ◽  
Pritha Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Attitude Shift

AimsTo survey the effect of COVID-19 on mental health of both medical professionals and the general population, as well as attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness.MethodAn online survey comprised of two questionnaires, one for medical professionals and one for the general population, were conducted via social media. Both questionnaires asked respondents of the effect of COVID-19 on their mental health, and the former asked respondents about the effect of COVID-19 on their patient group's mental health. The questionnaires went on to ask respondents about their attitudes to mental health disclosure in various scenarios, to varying groups of people. The general population group was also asked how they would react if someone else disclosed their mental illness to them.ResultThe questionnaire for the medical professionals gained 62 respondents and the one for the general population had 122 respondents, with responses from multiple nations. Overall, COVID-19 has affected everyone's mental health to a degree, and all groups had reservations about disclosing their mental health issues to others. The medical professionals were especially reluctant to disclose mental illness to their patients, but were more comfortable when it came to disclosing mental illness to colleagues. The general population, however, was much more reluctant to disclose mental health issues to their colleagues. The general population were, on the whole, willing to listen to and help anyone who came to them with mental health concerns. Both groups surveyed showed reluctance toward disclosure to the wider community.ConclusionCOVID-19 appears to significantly affect not only physical health, but mental health as well. There is at least some degree of stigma surrounding the disclosure of mental health issues. While most would be happy to help anyone who came to them with their mental health problems, there seems to be an attitude shift when people must contend with mental health issues of their own.

The Continuing Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Well-Being and Mental Health of ICU Healthcare Workers in Turkey: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Later-Phase Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 088506662110707
Author(s):  
Huseyin Duru
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Heavy Workload ◽  
Median Change

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on physical well-being and mental health of ICU healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods A total of 51 ICU HCWs working at a tertiary care hospital were included in this cross-sectional study conducted before (January 2019-January 2020) and during (January 2021-April 2021) COVID-19 pandemic. Data on sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, COVID 19 history and current mental health issues via Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were recorded. Results Overall, 62.7% of participants were nurses, heavy workload (working ≥200 h/month) was reported by 76.5% of participants and previous history of COVID-19 was confirmed by 62.7%. Current mental health issues involved poor sleep quality in majority (96.1%) of participants, anxiety (51.0%), depression (51.0%) in at least half of them and a moderate degree of emotional exhaustion Heavy workload was associated with more remarkable decrease in sleep duration (median change: −0.5 vs. −1.0 h/day, P = .020), Vit B12 (median change: 60[−48-293] vs. −65[−371-262] pg/mL, P < .001) and Vit D (median change: −1.6[−13.1-20] vs. −9.7[−39.7-21.8] ng/mL, P = .004) during pandemic, while working hours per month were also significantly higher in those with versus without anxiety (264[150-390] vs. 240[150-264] h, P = .003) and with versus without depression (264[150-390] vs. 240[150-264] h, P = .037). Conclusion Our findings indicate high prevalence of mental health issues including anxiety and depression as well as poor sleep quality and emotional burnout among ICU HCWs, particularly those with heavy workload.

scholarly journals Hubungan Penggunaan Platform Instagram dengan Masalah Kesehatan Mental Remaja

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 872-883
Author(s):  
Nur Irene Siswandari ◽  
Rara Warih Gayatri ◽  
Windi Chusniah Rachmawati
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cyber Bullying ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract: The instagram platform is one of the most used social media by adolescents nowadays. The number of active Instagram users is also followed by several side effects such as addiction to cyber bullying. In this case, it certainly raises questions regarding the correlation between the use of Instagram platform and mental health issues in adolescents. Thus, this study aims to see whether there is a correlation between the use of Instagram platform and mental health issues in adolescents. The literature search used two database, Google Scholar and Springelink with eleven keywords including “mental health”, “use of instagram”, “adolescent”, “teenager”, “juvenile”, “kesehatan mental”, “penggunaan Instagram”, “Instagram”, “remaja”, “pemuda”, and “taruna”. There were 1253 articles found and selected using Prisma. The assessment of the quality of articles used Strobe checklist and assessment tool Risk of Bias Instrument for Cross-Sectional Surveys of Attitudes And Practices. The result of the assessment was that there were fourteen articles could be reviewed. The findings of this study show that there was no correlation between the use of Instagram platform and mental health issue in adolescents. However, the use of a problematic Instagram platform had a correlation with the mental health issue in adolescents. The correlation between the two could be in the form of direct relationship and indirect relationship. Abstrak: Platform Instagram merupakan salah satu sosial media yang paling banyak digunakan oleh remaja saat ini. Banyaknya pengguna Instagram yang aktif juga diikuti oleh beberapa efek samping, seperti kecanduan hingga perilaku cyber bullying yang marak terjadi. Hal ini tentu menimbulkan pertanyaan mengenai hubungan penggunaan platform Instagram dengan masalah kesehatan mental pada remaja. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat apakah terdapat hubungan antara penggunaan platform Instagram dengan masalah kesehatan mental pada remaja. Sementara pencarian literatur menggunakan dua database, yaitu Google Scholar dan Springerlink dengan menggunakan sebelas kata kunci yang meliputi “mental health”, “use of instagram”, “adolescent”, “teenager”, “juvenile”, “kesehatan mental”, “penggunaan Instagram”, “Instagram”, “remaja”, “pemuda”, dan “taruna”. Terdapat 1253 artikel yang ditemukan dan diseleksi menggunakan diagram PRISMA. Penilaian kualitas artikel menggunakan checklist Strobe dan assessment tool Risk of Bias Instrument for Cross-Sectional Surveys of Attitudes and Practices. Hingga akhirnya terdapat empat belas artikel yang ditinjau. Hasil dari studi ini menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada hubungan antara penggunaan platform Instagram oleh remaja pada masalah kesehatan mental. Namun, penggunaan platform Instagram yang bermasalah (Problematic Instagram Use) memiliki hubungan dengan masalah kesehatan mental pada remaja. Hubungan antara keduanya dapat berupa hubungan langsung dan hubungan tak langsung.

scholarly journals Migrants in Austria and their understanding of mental health issues

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Weigl ◽  
S Gaiswinkler ◽  
H Wolf ◽  
H Haider
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Migrant Communities ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Psychosocial needs are common among migrants but their use of mental health services is not. Little is known about the understanding of mental health issues by migrants and their perception of mental health services. The study aims to provide a basis for further developments of the mental health system to contribute to health equity in the long term. Qualitative research: literature review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups. 54 migrants from Afghanistan, Somalia, arabic-speaking countries and Turkey and 16 experts were involved. Access was gained through cooperating with an institution offering various health services in different languages and well-known by migrant communities. Migrants from Turkey with long residence in Austria and linked to psychosocial services were chosen as reference group. There are many similarities among socio-economically disadvantaged people in terms of their understanding of mental health and their willingness to seek and accept support. However, differences can also be observed which are related to country of origin or gender, but also to acculturation status, current life situation or previous experiences within the home or the receiving country. The Turkish reference group shows, that mental health issues are given higher priority in the course of time. To quicken this process, targeted measures for the promotion of health literacy are decisive, but also integration possibilities and the social climate. With a wide range of access and psychosocial support options, attitudes like openness, impartiality and flexibility among health professionals, it is possible to reach migrants with psychosocial needs. A stronger exchange on how people with a migration background and psychosocial needs are perceived and reached is needed. But also activities to increase the diversity of support services and to carry information about mental health issues as well as the existing services into the migrant communities Key messages Specific activities can improve the knowledge about mental health issues within migrant communities. A wide range of access and psychosocial support services is needed to address the diversity.

Compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout during a pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 436-443
Author(s):  
L Beetham ◽  
KE Cameron ◽  
LC Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Global Catastrophe

Background: Work-related mental health issues in New Zealand are increasing yearly and impact on how employees are able to cope with day-to-day pressures and work productivity. Work-related mental health issues are especially prevalent during times of great stress such as the coronavirus pandemic. Aim: In this study, the prevalence of compassion fatigue, burnout and compassion satisfaction were assessed using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale and a range of demographic and descriptive questions. Methods: The ProQOL is a Likert-style survey for those in human- or animal care roles, such as veterinary nurses. It measures compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction, rating the scores as low, moderate, or high risk. The survey was hosted via an online survey website for 6 weeks. Results: The survey received 166 usable responses. The average scores indicated moderate risk for most respondents for compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Conclusion: This research indicates that New Zealand's veterinary nurses show similar levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction to international results in veterinary nurses assessed prior to the coronavirus pandemic, indicating that New Zealand veterinary nurses coped remarkably well during the global catastrophe.

Social media use for supporting mental health (SMILE)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Brown ◽  
Amy Leigh Rathbone ◽  
Julie Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Purpose The SMILE study (social media as informal support for people with mental illness: an exploratory study) aimed to explore how people with mental health issues use and value social media as a support mechanism. Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of Facebook and Twitter identified groups and pages relating to mental health issues. In total, 203 users over the age of 18 were recruited via Facebook and Twitter. Any user who considered themselves to experience mental health problems could opt to participate and no exclusion criteria were applied. A mixed-methods online survey retrieved demographic and qualitative data by asking users to describe their personal experiences when using social media for mental health support. Findings Users perceive Facebook and Twitter as useful online resources to gain informational and emotional support and to share experiences. The benefits were; ease of access, anonymity and personal control over engagement levels. Users had subjective experiences of engagement, however, overall these were deemed positive. Using Facebook and Twitter for mental health provided users with a sense of connectedness and reduced feelings of isolation. Originality/value The qualitative methodology allowed participants to share their experiences and views, with positive implications for services. Social media was discussed as a prospective tool for raising awareness and reducing stigma. The study highlights the scope for mental health service providers to tap into the social media consumer market and provide quality online support provision.

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