1461Neighbourhood disadvantage and early childhood mental health inequities across a population of children at school-entry

Abstract Background Mental health inequities are shaped by the environments where children develop, including neighbourhoods. Children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods tend to have poorer development outcomes, yet little evidence has examined positive mental health outcomes, like competence, in young children. Methods We examined associations between neighbourhood disadvantage and young children’s competence, as well as mental health difficulties (internalising and externalising), holding constant demographic characteristics and maternal education using multilevel logistic regression (Markov Chain Monte Carlo estimation). Data were from the 2018 Australian Early Development Census, including over 250,000 children entering their first year of school (age approximately 5 years). Results Children living in Australia’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods had higher odds of externalising difficulties (AOR: 1.34; 95% credible interval 1.29 to 1.38), internalising difficulties (AOR: 1.29; 95% credible interval 1.24 to 1.33), and lower odds of competence (AOR: 0.72; 95% credible interval 0.69 to 0.74) than children in the least disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Conclusions Across both mental health difficulties and competence, neighbourhood-level inequities were evident. Future research should identify specific neighbourhood features that could address these inequities. Availability of population linked geospatial and child development data in Australia offers opportunities to address these gaps and is prioritised as the next step in this research program. Key messages Children in disadvantaged neighbourhoods face lower likelihood of positive mental health (competence) and higher likelihood of mental health difficulties. Identifying specific neighbourhood features that could address these inequities is a priority.

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Mapping evidence from systematic reviews regarding adult attachment and mental health difficulties: a scoping review

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2017.27 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 207-229

Author(s):

G. Mullen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Attachment Style ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Adult Attachment ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Future Research ◽

Interpersonal Processes ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

Meta Analyses

ObjectiveThe aim of this scoping review was to map evidence gathered through systematic reviews regarding adult attachment and mental health difficulties. This review highlights established, emerging, and inconsistent findings, suggesting areas for future research, and implications for theory and practice.MethodsA systematic search for meta-analyses and systematic reviews measuring adult attachment and concerning mental health difficulties was conducted. In total, 17 studies met the selection criteria.ResultsFindings were presented according to four identified themes, (1) measurement of attachment; (2) measurement of mental health difficulty; (3) intrapersonal processes related to attachment and mental health difficulties; and (4) interpersonal processes related to attachment and mental health difficulties.ConclusionsThis review highlights the connection between attachment style and mental health difficulties, and suggests that relationships can facilitate both mental health and illheath. However, the mechanisms through which insecure attachment confers risk for mental health difficulties require further research.

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“I think I have a problem”. Disclosure of mental health difficulties by friends.

10.31237/osf.io/qt4fz ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Lampard-Scotford

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Young People ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Mental Health Issue ◽

Future Research ◽

Coping Responses ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

And Coping

Amidst concerns that the prevalence of young people experiencing a mental health issue is increasing, it is important to understand young people’s responses to mental illness disclosures. Drawing on data from one-on-one interviews with six participants aged between 19 and 22, this paper demonstrates how perceived barriers, age and context changes, and stress and coping responses effect a young person’s response to a mental illness disclosure from friends, and how these responses serve to either prevent or facilitate future help-seeking. Consequently, participants suggested stigma was the most significant impediment to help-seeking behaviours in young people with MHPs. Age and context differences were also highlighted, alongside their effect on the participants’ stress and coping responses to disclosures and perceptions of barriers in mental health. Implications for future research and practice are also outlined.

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It’s Time to Consider LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychology in Malaysia

Journal of Psychosexual Health ◽

10.1177/26318318211060484 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 263183182110604

Author(s):

Kyle K. H. Tan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Inequities ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Theoretical Research ◽

Victim Blaming ◽

International Studies ◽

Western Influence ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

The Common ◽

Common Misconceptions

International studies have revealed stark mental health inequities affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. While there is increasing awareness of higher prevalence of mental health difficulties among LGBTQ people in Malaysia, this issue has often been viewed through a cisheterosexist (cisgenderism and heterosexism) lens that criminalizes, pathologizes, marginalizes, and/or delegitimizes noncisgender and nonheterosexual forms of identities. Informed by LGBTQ-affirmative psychology, this viewpoint aims to scrutinize the common misconceptions surrounding the living experiences of Malaysian LGBTQ people; these include poor mental health among LGBTQ people, victim-blaming narrative of sexual violence, LGBTQ is a mental illness, and LGBTQ is a Western influence. This viewpoint draws on empirical and theoretical research, as well as international guidelines, to debunk these misconceptions. Recommendations are also provided for psychology practitioners and researchers to embark on the journey to supporting Malaysian LGBTQ people in a culturally safe manner.

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Mental health difficulties among professional jockeys: a narrative review

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001078 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e001078

Author(s):

Lewis King ◽

Sarah Jane Cullen ◽

Adrian McGoldrick ◽

Jennifer Pugh ◽

Giles Warrington ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Substance Misuse ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Future Research ◽

Mental Health Difficulties

IntroductionEmerging academic literature and high-profile disclosures of mental health difficulties and mental illness from current and former professional jockeys suggest that further exploration of the mental health of jockeys is required. To date, a comprehensive review of jockeys’ mental health has yet to be conducted.ObjectivesTo examine the existing literature related to jockeys’ mental health, including the prevalence of symptoms associated with mental health difficulties and help-seeking.DesignA narrative review of the literature was conducted with articles screened from inception until January 2021.ResultsSixteen studies were included in the narrative review. Studies covered a range of mental health difficulties which included mood (depression), anxiety, distress, disordered eating and substance misuse. Rates of help-seeking among jockeys were also explored. Results indicated that jockeys reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms compared with other elite athletes. Substance misuse, in particular adverse alcohol use, also appears greater among jockeys than other elite athletes. Distress symptoms appear comparable with other elite athletes. Risk factors for mental health difficulties included injury, perceived stress, athlete burnout, career dissatisfaction and the contemplation of retirement. Weight-making negatively impacts jockeys’ mood and attitudes towards eating, with lower competitive riding weights associated with more disordered eating attitudes. Moreover, help-seeking from mental health professionals appears low.ConclusionThe review identifies a high prevalence of symptoms of mental health difficulties among professional jockeys. Applied recommendations and future research considerations are proposed throughout the review article.

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Dimensionality of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ48)

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.654836 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

John L. Perry ◽

Doug Strycharczyk ◽

Neil Dagnall ◽

Andrew Denovan ◽

Kostas A. Papageorgiou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Factor Score ◽

Positive Mental Health ◽

Mental Toughness ◽

Future Research ◽

General Factor ◽

Multidimensional Construct ◽

Psychological Advantage

Currently there is debate as to whether mental toughness is a unidimensional or multidimensional construct. To investigate the dimensionality of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48-items (MTQ48), a widely used measure of mental toughness, we examined data from a sample of 78,947 participants. A series of exploratory structural equation models (ESEM) assessed unidimensional, multidimensional, and bifactor solutions. Overall, results supported a bifactor conceptualization of mental toughness. Bifactor analysis was consistent with the use of a general factor score. In conclusion, the authors argue that mental toughness should be considered as an umbrella term representing a general trait comprised of related constructs that provide a psychological advantage in performance and promote positive mental health. Finally, this article identifies limitations in the existing measurement of mental toughness and proposes necessary directions in future research.

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Exploring Mental Health Literacy Among Pre-Service Teachers

Exceptionality Education International ◽

10.5206/eei.v26i2.7741 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Whitley ◽

Suzanne Gooderham

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Future Research ◽

Research And Practice ◽

Home Life ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

Role Of Teachers ◽

Collaborative Efforts

Worldwide, prevalence rates of students experiencing mental health difficulties are growing, with only one in five receiving treatment. The role of teachers in collaborative efforts both to identify and to provide effective services for these students is an essential one. However, scant research has explored the mental health literacy of pre-service teachers. In the present study, 186 pre-service teachers completed a vignette-based measure (Child or Adolescent version based on each teacher’s experience) in order to assess their mental health literacy, comprised of beliefs and knowledge. Results indicate that participants expressed lower efficacy when teaching children or adolescents with externalizing as compared to internalizing behaviours but believed that a child or adolescent experiencing behaviours indicative of depression was of the greatest concern and in need of intervention. Pre-service teachers were able to correctly identify cases of anxiety and ADHD, but many attributed behaviours typical of depression to home life difficulties (Child version) or substance use/abuse (Adolescent version). Results are discussed in light of previous research in the field; recommendations for future research and practice are provided.

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Only human: Mental health difficulties among clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and trainees

10.31234/osf.io/xbfr6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah E. Victor ◽

Andrew Devendorf ◽

Stephen Lewis ◽

JONATHAN ROTTENBERG ◽

Jennifer J Muehlenkamp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

School Psychology ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychology Faculty ◽

Clinical Counseling ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

Internship Programs ◽

Health Diagnosis

How common is mental illness among applied psychologists? This question is paradoxically neglected, perhaps because disclosure and discussion of lived mental health difficulties remains taboo within the field. This study documented high rates of current and lifetime mental health difficulties and diagnoses (MHDD) among faculty, graduate students, and others affiliated with accredited doctoral and internship programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Over 80% of respondents (N = 1,395 of 1,692) reported lifetime mental health difficulties, and nearly half reported a formal mental health diagnosis. The most commonly reported lifetime MHDD were depression (over 55%), generalized anxiety disorder (over 50%), and suicidal thoughts or behaviors (over 40%), while bipolar (< 2%) and psychotic disorders (< 1%) were among the least reported. Most respondents with MHDD (90%) reported mild or no impairment in professional domains due to MHDD. Graduate students were more likely to endorse MHDD than faculty and were more likely to report professional impairment. Overall, lifetime rates of psychopathology within clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and trainees were similar to or greater than those observed in the general population. We discuss the implications of these results and suggest specific directions for future research on this heretofore neglected topic.

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Does Improving Sleep Lead to Better Mental Health? A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

10.31234/osf.io/t2efb ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander J Scott ◽

Thomas Llewelyn Webb ◽

Marrissa Martyn-St James ◽

Georgina Rowse ◽

Scott Weich

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Randomised Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Causal Link ◽

Future Research ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Response Relationship ◽

Dose Response Relationship ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

Randomised Controlled

The extent to which sleep is causally related to mental health difficulties is unclear. One way to test the causal link is to evaluate the extent to which interventions that improve sleep also improve mental health. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials that reported the effects of an intervention that improved sleep on composite mental health, as well as on seven specific mental health difficulties. 65 trials comprising 72 interventions and N = 8,608 participants were included. Improving sleep led to a significant medium-sized effect on composite mental health (g+ = -0.53), depression (g+ = -0.63), anxiety (g+ = -0.51), and rumination (g+ = -0.49), as well as significant small-to-medium sized effects on stress (g+ = -0.42), and finally small significant effects on positive psychosis symptoms (g+ = -0.26). We also found a dose response relationship, in that greater improvements in sleep led to greater improvements in mental health. Our findings suggest that sleep is causally related to the experience of mental health difficulties. Future research might consider how interventions that improve sleep could be better incorporated into mental health care, as well as the mechanisms of action that explain how sleep exerts an effect on mental health.

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Culturally Responsive Practices

Research Anthology on Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-9026-3.ch033 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 599-616

Author(s):

Tricia Crosby-Cooper ◽

Natasha Ferrell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

African American ◽

Culturally Responsive ◽

African American Youth ◽

Positive Mental Health ◽

Culturally Responsive Practices ◽

Behavioral Expectations ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

The Impact ◽

Support Students

Achieving positive mental health is a worthy desire as positive mental health leads to better success in all aspects of life. Unfortunately, for some youth, achieving positive mental health is a struggle. African Americans demonstrate mental health difficulties approximately 20% more than their White counterparts. To address mental health concerns, schools have increasingly implemented multi-tiered supports to better identify and support students. Unfortunately, interventions implemented in schools have largely ignored the impact that race, culture, and behavioral expectations have on the mental health of African American youth. African American youth exhibit symptoms and behaviors of mental health similar to youth of other cultures and races, yet they experience lower levels of mental health services. To help African American youth experiencing mental health difficulties, stakeholders must implement culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions.

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