An Introduction to Quantitative Methods Relevant for Public Mental Health

2019 ◽  
pp. 105-138
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Stuart ◽  
Jeannie-Marie Sheppard Leoutsakos ◽  
Rashelle Musci ◽  
Alden Gross ◽  
Ryan M. Andrews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
General Introduction ◽  
Factors Associated

This chapter provides a brief introduction to some of the epidemiologic and statistical methods for, and challenges to, gathering and analyzing the data that underlie the research presented in this volume and in the field of public mental health as a whole. The chapter is not intended as a general introduction to epidemiologic and statistical methods, but focuses more specifically on some of the data and methodological complexities particularly common in public mental health research. Three fundamental types of questions relevant to public mental health are discussed in particular: (1) estimating rates of disorders in a population across people, places, and time; (2) examining risk and protective factors associated with particular disorders; and (3) exploring and understanding the effects of interventions to prevent disorders or to treat them once they emerge.

scholarly journals Similarities and Differences of Mental Health in Women and Men: A Systematic Review of Findings in Three Large German Cohorts

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniëlle Otten ◽  
Ana N. Tibubos ◽  
Georg Schomerus ◽  
Elmar Brähler ◽  
Harald Binder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Externalizing Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Prevalence Rates

In Germany, large, population-based cohort studies have been implemented in order to identify risk and protective factors for maintaining health across the life span. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse findings from three large ongoing cohorts and to identify sex-specific prevalence rates, risk and protective factors for mental health. Published studies from the Cooperative Health Research in the Region Augsburg (KORA), the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) and the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS)), representing the southern, north-eastern and middle parts of Germany, were identified through searches of the databases PubMed and Web of Science. A total of 52 articles was identified from the start of each cohort until June 2019. Articles reporting prevalence rates of mental health [N = 22], explanatory factors for mental health [N = 25], or both [N = 5] were identified. Consistent across cohorts, higher prevalence rates of internalizing disorders were found for women and more externalizing disorders for men. Risk and protective factors for mental health included social factors, lifestyle, physical health, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, genetic and biological factors. In all areas, differences and similarities were found between women and men. The most evident were the sex-specific risk profiles for depression with mostly external risk factors for men and internal risk factors for women. Gender was not assessed directly, therefore we examined whether socioeconomic and family-related factors reflecting gender roles or institutionalized gender could be used as a proxy for gender. Overall, this systematic review shows differences and similarities in prevalence rates and determinants of mental health indicators between women and men. They underline the importance of focussing on sex specific approaches in mental health research and in the development of prevention measures. Current research on mental health still lacks focus on gender aspects. Therefore, an increased focus on sex and gender in mental health research is of great importance.

scholarly journals Calibrating well-being, quality of life and common mental disorder items: Psychometric epidemiology in public mental health research

2016 ◽  
Vol 209 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan R. Böhnke ◽  
Tim J. Croudace
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
General Health ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Health And Well Being

BackgroundThe assessment of ‘general health and well-being’ in public mental health research stimulates debates around relative merits of questionnaire instruments and their items. Little evidence regarding alignment or differential advantages of instruments or items has appeared to date.AimsPopulation-based psychometric study of items employed in public mental health narratives.MethodMultidimensional item response theory was applied to General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and EQ-5D items (Health Survey for England, 2010–2012; n = 19 290).ResultsA bifactor model provided the best account of the data and showed that the GHQ-12 and WEMWBS items assess mainly the same construct. Only one item of the EQ-5D showed relevant overlap with this dimension (anxiety/depression). Findings were corroborated by comparisons with alternative models and cross-validation analyses.ConclusionsThe consequences of this lack of differentiation (GHQ-12 v. WEMWBS) for mental health and well-being narratives deserves discussion to enrich debates on priorities in public mental health and its assessment.

scholarly journals Postpartum change in common mental disorders among rural Vietnamese women: Incidence, recovery and risk and protective factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 206 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trang Thu Nguyen ◽  
Thach Duc Tran ◽  
Tuan Tran ◽  
Buoi La ◽  
Hau Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Vietnamese Women

BackgroundIn low- and middle-income countries little is known about changes in women's mental health status from the perinatal period to 15 months postpartum or the factors associated with different trajectories.AimsTo determine the incidence and rates of recovery from common mental disorders (CMD) among rural Vietnamese women and the risk and protective factors associated with these outcomes from the perinatal period to 15 months after giving birth.MethodIn a population-based prospective study, a systematically recruited cohort of women completed baseline assessments in either the last trimester of pregnancy or 4–6 weeks after giving birth and were followed up 15 months later. The common mental disorders of major depression, generalised anxiety and panic disorder were assessed by psychiatrist-administered Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders at both baseline and follow-up.ResultsA total of 211 women provided complete data in this study. The incidence rate of CMD in the first postpartum year was 13% (95% CI 8–19), and 70% (95% CI 59–80) of women who had perinatal CMD recovered within the first postpartum year. Incidence was associated with having experienced childhood maltreatment, experiencing the intimate partner as providing little care, sensitivity, kindness or affection, and the chronic stress of household poverty. Recovery was associated with higher quality of a woman's relationships with her intimate partner and her own mother, longer period of mandated rest following birth, and sharing of domestic tasks and infant care.ConclusionsModifiable social factors, in particular the quality of a woman's closest relationships with her partner and her own mother, and participation by family members in domestic work and infant care, are closely related to women's mental health in the first year after giving birth in resource-constrained settings.

Evaluating Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidality and Self-Harm in Australian Adolescents With Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimizations

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110341
Author(s):  
Md Irteja Islam ◽  
Fakir Md Yunus ◽  
Enamul Kabir ◽  
Rasheda Khanam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Parental Distress ◽  
Traditional Bullying ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Bullying Victims

Purpose: To identify and compare important risk and protective factors associated with suicidality and self-harm among traditional bullying and cyberbullying victims aged 14-17-years in Australia. Design: Cross-sectional population-based study. Setting: Young Minds Matter, a nationwide survey in Australia. Subjects: Adolescents aged 14-17-years (n = 2125). Measures: Suicidality and self-harm were outcome variables, and explanatory variables included sociodemographic factors (age, gender, country of birth, household income, location, family type), risk factors (parental distress, family functioning, family history of substance use, child substance use, mental disorder, psychosis, eating disorders, sexual activity) and protective factors (high self-esteem, positive mental health or resilience, school connectedness, sleep) among 2 types of bullying victims—traditional and cyber. Traditional bullying includes physical (hit, kick, push) or verbal (tease, rumors, threat, ignorance), and cyberbullying includes teasing messages/pictures via email, social medial using the internet and/or mobile phones. Analysis: Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression models. Statistical metrics include Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit-test, VIF test, Linktest and ROC curve for model performance and fitness. Results: Overall, 25.6% of adolescents were traditional bullying victims and 12% were cyberbullying victims. The percentages of suicidality (34.4% vs 21.6%) and self-harm (32.8% vs 22.3%) were higher in cyberbullying victims than in traditional bullying victims. Girls were more often bullied and likely to experience suicidal and self-harming behavior than boys. Parental distress, mental disorder and psychosis were found to be significantly associated with the increase risk for self-harm and suicidality among both bullying victims (p < 0.05). While, eating disorder and sexual activity increased the risk of suicidality in traditional bullying victims and self-harm in cyberbullying victims, respectively. Positive mental health/resilience and adequate sleep were found be significantly associated with decreased suicidality and self-harm in both bullying victims. Conclusion: Suicidality and self-harm were common in bullying victims. The findings highlight that the risk and protective factors associated with suicidality and self-harm among adolescent who experienced traditional and cyberbullying victimization should be considered for the promotion of effective self-harm and suicide prevention and intervention programs.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of UK healthcare workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Gilleen ◽  
Aida Santaolalla ◽  
Lorena Valdearenas ◽  
Clara Salice ◽  
Montserrat Fusté
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Controllable Factors ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThere is an urgent need to understand the psychological impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on UK healthcare workers (HCW).AimsTo reveal risk and protective factors associated with poor mental wellbeing of HCW working during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.Method2773 UK HCWs completed a survey between 22ndApril and 10th May 2020 containing scales measuring anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress, and questions about roles and COVID-19-related factors including workplace preparation and risk management. Respondents were classified as high or low symptomatic on each mental health scale and logistic regression revealed risk and protective factors associated with each outcome. Change in wellbeing from pre to during COVID-19 was also quantified.ResultsA large proportion of UK HCW had high mental health symptoms. ‘Fixed’ risk factors of poor mental health included being female, being ‘frontline’, pre-existing mental health diagnoses, and experience of stressful/traumatic events. An additional set of ‘controllable’ factors also significantly increased risk: PPE availability, workload, lack of COVID-19 preparation and training, and insufficient communication of clinical procedures. Resilience and sharing stress reduced risk, as did ethical support for those making treatment decisions. Allied HCW and managers were at elevated risk of high symptoms particularly PTSD. Wellbeing, especially of frontline workers, had significantly worsened compared to before COVID-19.ConclusionsPoor mental wellbeing was prevalent in HCW during the UK COVID-19 response. A number of controllable factors should be targeted, and protective factors promoted, to reduce the detrimental effect of COVID-19 and other pandemics on HCW mental health.

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