Psychology: Volume 4

This survey of research on psychology in five volumes is a part of a series undertaken by the ICSSR since 1969, which covers various disciplines under social science. Volume Four of this survey, Themes in Contemporary Mental Health Research, deals with mental health, which constitutes one of the fascinating and important areas of psychological applications. With the rise in incidence and complexity of health-related challenges in the contemporary period, there is a growing need to understand the pattern of disorders and ways to improve health and well-being of the people. Psychological research in this area has moved beyond a medical model and has embraced a bio-psycho-social perspective on health, which suggests that the biological mechanisms alone are insufficient to maintain or promote health. Additionally, there is growing evidence that psychological knowledge can contribute substantially to health promotion. The emerging subfield of health psychology encompasses the strategies for health promotion and making preventive health measures more effective. Against this backdrop, the contributors focus on a set of psychological disorders, their treatment, and a critical analysis of the development of the field of health psychology. The six chapters of this volume look at the most recent perspectives in the fields of mental health and psychotherapy in India. They offer up-to-date assessment of the status of practice, training, and research in psychotherapy as well as examine the shift to critical and interpretive approaches in the disciplines of health and community psychology. Additionally, it evaluates some concepts of preventive mental health as applicable to children in India.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 247-255
Author(s):  
Quenette L Walton ◽  
Rosalyn Denise Campbell ◽  
Joan M Blakey

COVID-19 has significantly impacted a substantial number of Black Americans. Black women, in particular, are facing challenges financially, physically, and mentally during this unprecedented time. Between serving as frontline workers, being concerned about contracting the virus, contributing to their families financially, and worrying about their loved ones’ health, Black women are experiencing great strain on their mental health and well-being. These stressors illustrate the need for social work researchers and practitioners to address Black women’s mental health. This paper presents our reflections, experiences, and response to COVID-19 as Black women and scholars. Guided by our reflections and personal experiences, we put forth suggestions and reflexive thoughts for social work researchers and practitioners to prioritize Black women’s mental health during and after these unprecedented times.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilon van Doorn ◽  
Laurens A. Nijhuis ◽  
Mees D. Egeler ◽  
Joost G. Daams ◽  
Arne Popma ◽  
...  

Objective: Between the ages of 12 and 25 the onset of mental disorders typically occurs, and the burden of mental health problems is greatest for this group. Indicated preventive interventions to target individuals with subclinical symptoms to prevent the transition to clinical levels of disorders have gained considerable traction. However, the threshold to seek help appears to be high even when help is needed. Online interventions could offer a solution, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review will present an overview of the recent research of indicated online preventive interventions for youth (12–25 years) experiencing the early stages of mental health complaints with the aim of identifying the nature and extent of the research evidence.Methods: The 5-stage framework by Arksey and O'Malley was used. Academic literature published from 2013 onwards in printed or electronic format was included from Scopus, PsychINFO, and Ovid MEDLINE(R) ALL.Results: The search yielded 11,122 results, with the final selection resulting in inclusion of 30 articles for this review. In total, the articles included 4,950 participants. 26.7% of the selected articles focused on youth between 12 and 25 years. Of the articles 60% did not screen for, nor exclude participants with clinical levels of symptoms. Most studies used a common evidence-based therapy for the disorder-category targeted. More than half of the online interventions included some form of human support. Adherence levels ranged between 27.9 and 98%. The results indicate general effectiveness, usability and acceptability of online indicated preventive interventions. The most commonly used approach was CBT (n = 12 studies). Studies varied in their size, rigor of study, effectiveness and outcome measures. Online interventions with a combination of clinical and peer moderation (n = 3 studies) appear to result in the most stable and highest effect sizes.Conclusion: Online indicated preventive mental health interventions for youth with emerging mental health issues show promise in reducing various mental health complaints, and increasing positive mental health indicators such as well-being and resilience. Additionally, high levels of usability and acceptability were found. However, the included studies show important methodological shortcomings. Also, the research has mainly focused on specific diagnostic categories, meaning there is a lack of transdiagnostic approaches. Finally, clear definitions of- as well as instruments to measure- emerging or subclinical mental health symptoms in youth remain are missing.


Author(s):  
Mansour Abdulshafea ◽  
Abdul Hakim Rhouma ◽  
Nadeem Gire ◽  
Ali AlMadhoob ◽  
Usman Arshad ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction There has been a global increase in the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD), particularly in conflict hotspots. The limited amount of resources is one of the key barriers to effective treatment within Low- and Middle-income countries (LAMICs). The lack of service provision for mental health disorders in LAMICs has resulted in limited opportunities to conduct mental health research. Libya is a North African country that has suffered from ongoing conflict with the current political unrest in Libya further impacting the mental health of the population. Main text The aim of this review is to conduct a synthesis of evidence regarding the estimated prevalence and associated risk factors of CMD in Libya. A search was completed in the academic databases; PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and the Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC) from inception to March 2020. Only studies that investigated prevalence and associated risk factors of CMD in Libya were included. A total of 219 studies were identified of which 15 met the inclusion criteria for the review. There were (n = 3) papers investigated the prevalence of depression, (n = 4) studies were focused on stress-related disorders and the remaining papers looked at both anxiety and depression. Statistically, sample sizes of the included studies ranged from (n = 41–13,031) for the prevalence studies (mean = 1188.6, median = 233). Conclusion The status of Libya as a conflict hotspot has led to a reduced level of epidemiological data on mental health, with a vital need to conduct research in CMD. Libya requires better clinical governance which can allow for more scientific research into CMD and enabling the Libyan government to develop evidence-based policy initiatives for CMD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Beam ◽  
Nawari O. Nawari ◽  
Bill Tilson

Sustainable design trends have historically wended down a road that supports the idea of densely populated urban planning as a strategy for mitigating sprawl. Creation of dense urban areas aims at the reduction of carbon emissions. However, studies show that densely populated areas often come with a panacea of mental health, resiliency, and quality of life ails for a community.The following research explores the possibility of combining densely populated design approaches with ancient community planning methods that encourage relationship building: close contact with natural environments and social interchange. Community planning that also creates a day to day contact with nature could be a crucial strategy for both sustaining healthy ecosystems and the development of sustainable communities. The potential for integrating dependence upon nature within built urban environments, as well as the possibility of positive place-making by harvesting nature dependent cultural and social assets in communities and neighborhoods, is, therefore, a wealthy area worthy of exploration.To explore these areas, mental health research on the effects of nature on the brain, as well as the three leading determinants of social, environmental and economic well-being, worldwide, and the founding cultures of these determinants were reviewed. Resilient indigenous groups and case studies of the happiest nation, of Norway and two leading environmentally sustainable and resilient countries, Costa Rica, Cuba, and New Mexico are examined. The paper provides recommendations for improving mental health and resilience by integrating strategies for nature and community needs in urban planning and built environments design.


1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Susan A. McDaniel

Health promotion efforts have concentrated on promoting physical well-being with psychological benefits perhaps most often among men. With greater proportions of women now working, the workplace provides excellent opportunities for health promotion and education for women. Given increasing recognition that stress, multiple roles, and inadequate job rewards result in loss of productivity, absenteeism, illness, addiction, and premature death, it seems time to explore workplace programs of mental health promotion aimed specifically toward women workers. In this paper, current knowledge about the mental health problems experienced by working women is outlined. Some principles on which mental health promotion programs for women in the workplace might build are specified.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 337-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. DeJoy ◽  
Mark G. Wilson

This article argues that efforts to improve the health and well-being of the workforce should begin with the organization itself. The term organizational health promotion is introduced to expand the scope of worksite health promotion. Organizational health promotion delves into the basic structural and organizational fabric of the enterprise—to how work is organized. The core themes of healthy work organization are introduced, and the status of our ability to identify organizational risk factors is discussed. A conceptual model of healthy work organization is presented, along with a process for expanding the health promotive capacity of the organization. The final section addresses challenges related to adopting an organizational health promotion perspective.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-249
Author(s):  
Joseph P Gone ◽  
Laurence J Kirmayer

The articles in this issue of Transcultural Psychiatry point the way toward meaningful advances in mental health research pertaining to Indigenous peoples, illuminating the distinctive problems and predicaments that confront these communities as well as unrecognized or neglected sources of well-being and resilience. As we observe in this introductory essay, future research will benefit from ethical awareness, conceptual clarity, and methodological refinement. Such efforts will enable additional insight into that which is common to Indigenous mental health across settler societies, and that which is specific to local histories, cultures and contexts. Research of this kind can contribute to nuanced understandings of developmental pathways, intergenerational effects, and community resilience, and inform policy and practice to better meet the needs of Indigenous individuals, communities and populations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Mokarami ◽  
Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani ◽  
Ali Mohammadzadeh Ebrahimi ◽  
Fariba Kiani ◽  
Mohammad Faridan

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle is one factor that forms the nurses’ health, particularly those who work in shiftwork schedules. AIMS: The aim of this study was to design and test a model for health promotion of Iranian nurses. In this model, nurses’ lifestyle was considered as the precedent, physical and mental health as the outcomes, and sleep disturbance and chronic fatigue as the mediators. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling was conducted among 240 shiftworker nurses in Iran. The data collection was performed using the Persian versions of the Survey of Shiftworkers Questionnaire and Life Style Questionnaire. Bootstrap in Preacher and Hayes’ Macro program was used for testing mediation. RESULTS: Lifestyle had a weak significant direct effect on physical (β = 0.13, p < .04) and mental health (β = 0.12, p < .02), and it had a significant indirect effect on physical health via chronic fatigue (β = −0.11, p < .001) and sleep disturbance (β = −0.05, p < .01). This variable only had a significant indirect effect on mental health via chronic fatigue (β = −0.19, p < .001). The final model proposed a new significant path between sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue (β = 0.22, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the hospital officials can enhance the nurses’ physical and mental well-being by providing interventions and training courses on aspects of healthy lifestyles, such as physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and maintenance of body weight.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Ntina Kourmousi ◽  
Kalliope Kounenou ◽  
Vasiliki Yotsidi ◽  
Vasiliki Xythali ◽  
Kyriakoula Merakou ◽  
...  

Active listening is important for effective interpersonal communication, a prerequisite for successful teaching. The presented cross-sectional study examined personal and work factors associated to active listening in 3.995 Greek schools’ educators of all teaching levels and specialties. The study questionnaire posted on official and main teachers’ portals included personal and working data items, the Active Empathic Listening Scale (AELS), and the Active Listening Attitude Scale (ALAS). Multiple linear regression was used to identify independently associated factors with AELS and ALAS dimensions, and standardized regression coefficients were performed to measure the effect of independent variables. Regarding AELS, gender had the greatest effect on the Sensing subscale, followed by age and mental health promotion training. Years of teaching had the greatest effect on Processing subscale, followed by higher studies. Gender had the greatest effect on Responding subscale, followed by age, higher studies, and mental health promotion training. Concerning ALAS, mental health promotion training and support from colleagues had the greatest effect on Listening attitude subscale, gender and mental health promotion training had the greatest effect on Listening skill subscale, and gender, age, and years of teaching had the greatest effect on Conversation opportunity subscale. The identification of enhancing factors like training in mental health promotion could significantly contribute in designing training that can simultaneously benefit teachers’ skills and students’ psychosocial well-being.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kalra ◽  
G. Christodoulou ◽  
R. Jenkins ◽  
V. Tsipas ◽  
N. Christodoulou ◽  
...  

AbstractPublic mental health incorporates a number of strategies from mental well-being promotion to primary prevention and other forms of prevention. There is considerable evidence in the literature to suggest that early interventions and public education can work well for reducing psychiatric morbidity and resulting burden of disease. Educational strategies need to focus on individual, societal and environmental aspects. Targeted interventions at individuals will also need to focus on the whole population. A nested approach with the individual at the heart of it surrounded by family surrounded by society at large is the most suitable way to approach this. This Guidance should be read along with the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Guidance on Prevention. Those at risk of developing psychiatric disorders also require adequate interventions as well as those who may have already developed illness. However, on the model of triage, mental health and well-being promotion need to be prioritized to ensure that, with the limited resources available, these activities do not get forgotten. One possibility is to have separate programmes for addressing concerns of a particular population group, another that is relevant for the broader general population. Mental health promotion as a concept is important and this will allow prevention of some psychiatric disorders and, by improving coping strategies, is likely to reduce the burden and stress induced by mental illness.


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