Childhood Behavioral and Mental Health Problems in Jordan

AbstractIntroductionPediatric behavioral and mental health disorders are a leading cause of childhood morbidity worldwide. International and regional data from Arab countries confirm the high prevalence and societal cost of these problems. No data exist that describe the range of childhood behavioral problems encountered by pediatricians in Arab countries.MethodsQualitative phenomenological methodology was used to collect information. We conducted 8 focus group interviews with physicians in different practice settings across the capital of Jordan. A total of 36 physicians participated in the interviews.ResultsThemes that emerged were organized in 4 categories:Specific behavioral disorders: A number of behavioral and mental health disorders were commonly encountered. Autism was reported to be the most commonly encountered severe neurodevelopmental disorder. The scarcity of effective and affordable management and referral options compounded the impact on families and physicians.System related themes: Physicians perceived deficiencies in training, detection and management of behavioral disorders, a lack of mental health services and quality referral options.Family related themes: Several factors were perceived to contribute to behavioral morbidity such as family structure and parenting practices.Sociocultural themes: Societal perceptions that childhood behavioral problems were a family responsibility resulting in reluctance of medicalization or discussion with physicians. Cultural differences in the interpretation and tolerance of certain childhood behaviors rendered ‘standard’ diagnostic criteria problematic.Discussion and conclusionsPediatricians frequently encounter childhood behavioral problems in clinical practice. Barriers to management of these issues include inadequate training and unique sociocultural, family and system factors. Tailored strategies will need to be developed to improve the detection and management of childhood mental health and behavioral problems in Jordan. Further research to explore, develop and test culturally grounded strategies to address these disorders in Arab countries is needed.What is already known?Pediatric behavioral problems are antecedents of adult mental health problems. Little is known about pediatric behavioral and mental health problems encountered by pediatricians in Arab countries or the specific barriers to addressing these problems from the perspective of practicing clinicians.What are the new findings?Jordanian pediatricians encountered a range of pediatric behavioral problems in their clinical practices. The specific factors that contributed to the prevalence of and perceived difficulty in the diagnosis and management of pediatric behavioral and mental health problems were identified. These related to medical systems, family factors and psychosocial factors.What do the new findings imply?A contextual and holistic understanding of specific problems encountered by pediatricians in practice as well as the barriers to addressing them is critical to the development of culturally informed interventions to detect and effectively manage pediatric behavioral and mental health problems in Arab countries.

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National child developmental and mental health disorders screening policy in Thailand

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.285 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S335-S335

Author(s):

A. Benjaponpitak

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Child Development ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Developmental Screening ◽

Annual Data ◽

Health Disorders

BackgroundDevelopmental disorders and mental health problems result in less optimal outcomes in children. Although awareness among the public had been improving, there was paucity of early identification frameworks, care pathways as well as the process of monitoring and evaluation in Thailand.ObjectiveTo develop appropriate National child mental health policy in Thailand.AimTo promote developmental and mental health outcomes of children.MethodCurrent child development and mental health research as well as policy development were reviewed. The framework of development together with major mental health disorders screening and intervention among children has been studied and established as a major policy in Thailand since 2014. The National developmental screening has been implemented in children aged 9, 18, 30 and 42 months. District level hospitals have been coached to facilitate Health promotion schools to screen and provide early intervention for grade 1 students with mental health problems. Annual data has been collected and analyzed to reflect the milestones of child development and mental health prevention-promotion policy in Thailand.ResultThe coverage of National developmental screening ranges from 70–80% of children. About 20% of preschoolers are at risk of language delay while nearly 20% of grade 1 children are at risk of emotional, behavioral and learning problems. Parental awareness is the major challenge for those with limited financial resources.ConclusionInvestments in early childhood development are needed. The pathways to develop the appropriate intervention requires further collaboration among stakeholders.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

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Coronavirus Disease-2019 and Mental Health

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2020.5304 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (T1) ◽

pp. 268-271

Author(s):

Darmadi Darmadi ◽

Riska Habriel Ruslie

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Problem ◽

Health Problem ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Care Personnel ◽

Health Disorders

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emerges in Wuhan, China and becomes a pandemic on March 2020. Its manifestations mainly cover respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. In fact, mental health disorders are common in patients with COVID-19 but receive minimum attention. AIM: We aimed to discuss mental health disturbances in relation to COVID-19 and its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We gathered literature regarding the topic from electronic sources, including PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS: There are several pathogeneses proposed regarding the incidence of mental health problems. The symptoms of mental health problems vary widely and also affect health-care personnel. Diagnosing mental health problem in COVID-19 patients is quite difficult because no examinations are specific enough. The management of mental health problems includes psychological and medical managements. CONCLUSION: Further study regarding mental health problem and its management in patients with COVID-19 is mandatory.

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Henkilöstöjohtajien asenteet ja mielenterveysongelmien vuoksi alentuneen työkyvyn tukemisen toimenpiteet suomalaisilla työpaikoilla

Kuntoutus ◽

10.37451/kuntoutus.111699 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 21-35

Author(s):

Päivi Rissanen ◽

Marjatta Martin ◽

Sari Jurvansuu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Personnel Management ◽

Work Ability ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Support Work

Mielenterveyshäiriöt aiheuttavat yhteiskunnalle kustannuksia terveydenhuollon, sairauspoissaolojen ja työn tuottavuuden alenemisen kautta. Työssä jatkamisen tukeminen on tarpeen inhimillisistä, poliittisista ja taloudellisista syistä. Artikkelissa tarkastellaan henkilöstöjohdon asenteita mielenterveysongelmia kohtaan sekä mielenterveyshäiriöiden vuoksi alentuneen työkyvyn tukemista työpaikoilla. Aineisto on kerätty työpaikkojen henkilöstöjohdolle osoitetulla kyselyllä (n = 300). Aineisto analysoitiin tilastollisin menetelmin hyödyntäen suoria jakaumia, ristiintaulukointia, logistista regressioanalyysiä ja tilastollisia testejä. Henkilöstöjohto suhtautui mielenterveysongelmiin myönteisesti ja toivoi työntekijöiltä avoimuutta niiden suhteen, vaikka puolet vastaajista uskoi tiedon yksilön mielenterveysongelmasta voivan johtaa kielteisiin seuraamuksiin työpaikalla. Yleisimpiä työkyvyn tukemisen toimenpiteitä olivat työajan joustomahdollisuudet ja työn uudelleen organisoiminen. Toimenpiteitä toteutettiin useimmiten julkisella sektorilla ja suurissa työpaikoissa. Teollisuuden alalla työn mukauttamista oli tehty vähiten ja siihen suhtauduttiin kielteisimmin. Toimenpiteitä käytettiin enemmän kaikille työntekijöille suunnattuina työkykyä ylläpitävinä toimina kuin mielenterveyskuntoutujille kohdennettuina. Vahvin selittävä tekijä työn mukauttamisen toimenpiteiden toteuttamiselle oli organisaation koko. Vaikka henkilöstöjohto piti työn mukauttamista mielenterveyssyistä lähes poikkeuksetta tarpeellisena, oli toimenpiteiden toteuttaminen edelleen vähäistä. Abstract Personnel management attitudes and measures to support work ability in Finnish workplaces in connection with mental health disorders Mental health disorders impose costs on society through health expenditure, increased sick leave and declining labor productivity. Support for work continuation is necessary for human, political and economic reasons. The article examines the attitudes of personnel management towards mental health problems and the measures to support reduced work ability in the workplace due to mental disorders. The article is based on a survey addressed to the personnel management of workplaces (n=300). The data was analyzed using statistical methods such as direct distributions, cross-tabulation, logistic regression analysis and statistical tests. Personnel managements’ attitudes towards mental health problems were mostly positive and they wanted transparency from employees, although half of the respondents believed that knowledge of a person’s mental health problem could lead to negative consequences in the workplace. The most common measures to support work ability were flexible working hours and reorganization of work. Work adaptation was more common in the public sector and in large workplaces. In the industrial sector, the measures were fewer and attitudes more negative. The measures were more often used to support all employees’ work ability rather than targeted at mental health rehabilitators. Although personnel management considered the adaptation of work for mental health reasons almost invariably necessary, the measures were still limited. Keywords: mental health problems, work ability, work adaptation, attitudes

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Screening for abuse and mental health problems among illiterate runaway adolescents in an Indian metropolis

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2011-301603 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 97 (11) ◽

pp. 947-951 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Deepti Pagare Bhat ◽

Meghachandra Singh ◽

Gajendra Singh Meena

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

Screening Tools ◽

New Delhi ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Physical And Sexual Abuse

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, and their relation to mental health problems among the illiterate/semiliterate runaway adolescents in New Delhi, India.DesignCross sectional.SettingNew Delhi, India.PatientsRunaway adolescent boys (n=119) aged 11 to 18 years at an observation home.MethodsStudy subjects were screened for physical and sexual abuse using the Child Maltreatment History Self Report and Finkelhor's sexual abuse scale. Mental health problems were identified using the Achenbach's Youth Self-Report scale. As the participants were illiterate or semiliterate with Hindi being their primary language, the screening tools were appropriately translated, read out to them and their responses recorded.ResultsA total of 72 (62%) boys experienced domestic violence, 70 (59%) had engaged in substance abuse and 103 (87%) boys had been employed as child labourers. Physical abuse was reported by 86 (72%) and sexual abuse by 42 (35%). Mental health problems were recognised in 83 (70%) boys, which included internalising syndromes (59%) and externalising syndromes (34%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that physical abuse was an independent predictor of internalising syndromes (OR: 3.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 9.1; p<0.01), while substance abuse and sexual abuse were independent predictors of externalising syndromes.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that childhood abuse and mental health disorders are widely prevalent among the runaway adolescents evaluated at an observation home in New Delhi. Appropriate modification of the standardised self-report screening tools may allow the identification of mental health disorders in this vulnerable illiterate/semiliterate population.

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Assessment of mental health in adults of the northern part of the city of Kosovska Mitrovica

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp1209747m ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 69 (9) ◽

pp. 747-752

Author(s):

Momcilo Mirkovic ◽

Snezana Simic ◽

Goran Trajkovic

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

High Risk ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Older Age ◽

Alpha Coefficient ◽

Financial Situation ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Political Security

Background/Aim. Mental health disorders lead to disorder of effective functioning of people and deterioration of quality of life. Early detection of individuals at risk of mental health disorders is extremely important from the aspect of mental health disorders prevention. The aim of the research was to determine the frequency of mental health problems among adult residents of northern Kosovska Mitrovica and to examine the association between frequency of mental health problems and socio-demographic and other characteristics of the population obtained by the questionnaire. Methods. The cross-sectional study on the representative sample of adult residents of northern Kosovska Mitrovica was performed in October 2009. To obtain information about the characteristics of mental health the Goldberg?s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used. For performing survey at site the method of rapid epidemiological assessment was chosen. Statistical analysis included the methods of descriptive statistics, multivariate regression analysis and calculation of the Cronbach?s alpha coefficient of internal consistency of the questionnaire. Results. Mental health problems (total score) were present in almost half of the respondents (49.2%). Psychosomatic problems were present in more than half of the respondents (55.4%), while anxiety and insomnia were present in almost half of the respondents (49.2%). Social dysfunction had more than three fifths of the respondents (63.1%) and depression more than a quarter of the respondents (28.5%). More positive responses in the questionnaire were statistically significantly associated with older age, poor financial situation, abuse and assessing of the current political-security situation as high risk. The value of Cronbach?s alpha coefficient was 0.705. Conclusions. Almost half of the respondents (49.2%) of North Kosovska Mitrovica had mental health problems. Mental health problems were associated with older age, poor financial situation, abuse and considering the current political security situation as high-risk factor.

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Principles of mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.54 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Martina Rojnic Kuzman ◽

Marko Curkovic ◽

Danuta Wasserman

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Professional Associations ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Provision Of Services ◽

Health Disorders

Abstract We describe the basic principles of mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic that should be endorsed by the mental health professional associations and incorporated in the health strategies for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main principle is that there should be no substantial differences in the provision of health care for COVID-19 between persons with pre-existing mental health disorders and the ones without previous disorders. Subsequently, the organization of the health care should reflect that as well. These principles should (a) prevent the possible effects of stigmatizing attitudes toward mental health issues, possibly leading to potentially deleterious situations, such as psychiatric patients being treated (even temporarily) separately from other patients, in psychiatric facilities, where the staff is not equipped and trained adequately for the management of COVID-19; (b) highlight the fact that patients with mental health disorders are at greater risk for developing serious complications of COVID-19 infection due to other factors—they often smoke and have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, all associated with higher morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection; (c) highlight that measures should be taken to minimize the risk of the spread of infection in psychiatric wards/institutions; (d) provide a general framework for the reorganization of mental health services toward the provision of services for persons in need, including frontline medical workers and patients with COVID-19 without previous mental health problems as well as for persons with pre-existing mental health problems under new circumstances of pandemic.

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A psychoeducational mental health promotion intervention in comprehensive school: Recognising problems and reducing stigma

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896921994134 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001789692199413

Author(s):

Anna Onnela ◽

Tuula Hurtig ◽

Hanna Ebeling

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Promotion ◽

Eighth Grade Students ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Health Promotion Interventions

Objective: Adolescence is a vulnerable age for emerging mental health problems, but also a time at which the foundations for a healthy lifestyle are established. Attitudes towards mental health problems and the ability to recognise them can be affected at this age. The aim of this study was to describe a psychoeducative intervention aimed at increasing knowledge of mental health problems and decreasing the stigma of mental health disorders among eighth-grade students in Finland. Design: Mixed-methods exploration of how a universal psychoeducation delivered in the classroom can affect attitudes towards, and recognition of, mental health disorders and how young people perceive the psychoeducation received. Setting: The study involved 162 eighth-grade students in two comprehensive schools in Finland. Method: The intervention consisted of four lessons on the topics of anxiety, eating disorders, conduct disorder, and depression and substance use. Results: Students in both the intervention and non-intervention groups recognised the symptoms of mental health disorders well before and after the intervention, and the intervention improved boys’ ability to recognise conduct disorder. Following the intervention, students saw mental health disorders as real medical conditions. Students experienced the intervention as beneficial, increasing their knowledge, understanding and open-mindedness with regards to mental health. Conclusion: Mental health promotion interventions have the goal of increasing the ability of individuals to understand mental health issues and engage in self-care of mental health. Providing mental health promotion interventions to young people has the potential to increase knowledge and skills in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in adulthood.

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Football does not improve mental health: a systematic review on football and mental health disorders

Global Psychiatry ◽

10.2478/gp-2018-0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 25-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Reinhard Heun ◽

Alan Pringle

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Football Players ◽

Severe Injuries ◽

Current Systematic Review ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Subjective Mental Health

AbstractObjectiveBoth football (also called association football or soccer) and mental health disorders have a global impact on the lives of billions of people. Football has been used to approach and support subjects with or at risk of mental health disorders. However, it is not clear if football itself has any beneficial effect on the mental health of players, fans or spectators. Consequently, the aim of the current systematic review was to examine if playing or watching football impacts on the frequency of mental health problems in people who are involved in playing or watching the game.MethodsWe performed a systematic review on the relationship between football and mental health disorders. A total of 662 abstracts were screened initially. We identified 17 relevant papers assessing the prevalence of mental health disorders in current and previous football players, referees or spectators.ResultsThe prevalence and 12 months incidence of mental health problems in active and retired professional players and referees were similar to or higher than those found in the general population, possibly as response to osteoarthritis, severe injuries, career dissatisfaction, low social support and poor employment status after retirement. Studies in adolescent amateurs and spectators indicate that playing and watching football games may negatively affect subjective mental health, even though qualitative studies indicate mental health benefits of playing or watching football.DiscussionPlayers, referees and spectators are unlikely to present with fewer mental health problems than other members of society as a result of their involvement with football. It appears that some of the infrastructure that supports resilience in mental health such as a sense of inclusion, shared purpose and positive peer identification might be developed by playing in or supporting a team. Strategies that may use the assumed positive aspects of football need to be validated before implementation of large projects.

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Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

ANALES RANM ◽

10.32440/ar.2020.137.03.rev03 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 137 (137(03)) ◽

pp. 276-280

Author(s):

María Inés López-Ibor Alcocer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Impact ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Principal Characteristics ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Healthy Persons

SRAS COV-19 pandemic will have an impact in mental health, for general population, for health professionals, and for those who had suffered infection and for people with previous mental health disorders. Mental health problems after in pandemic can be considered similar as those that happened in a disasters or catastrophes situations, natural or human being induce; one of the principal characteristics is that they affect healthy persons. Up to now, there are some studies that considered that the incidence of mental health problems will raised up to 30%, and therefore is very important identified risk population, and vulnerability and protection factors to give this people the attention needed.

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Development an app for monitoring stress level and early detection of mental disorders in Indonesia

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

I M Puspitasari ◽

R K Sinuraya ◽

W Witriani ◽

A Aridarma

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Early Detection ◽

Stress Level ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Android Os ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Bahasa Indonesia

Abstract Background Stress may contribute to physical and mental health problems. The number of people with mental-emotional disorders has reached up to be 19 million people in Indonesia in 2018. Monitoring stress levels and early detection are important to prevent serious mental health problems. Therefore, we are developing De-stres©, a mobile app for monitoring the stress level and early detection of mental health disorders in Bahasa Indonesia. Methods De-stres© was developed for android OS and web-based app by using the web2py framework and PostgreSQL database. The app used the PSS-10 and Beck Depression-II questionnaires that were available in Bahasa Indonesia. It had six main functions: creating an account, approving the informed consent, filling the questionnaire, generating test results automatically, advice from psychologists based on the test result and saving test history. Results A month since its launch, the six functions test ran well on the Android OS and the website. A preliminary result showed that the app was downloaded more than 100 times from Google Playstore. Among the 420 data records, 71.6% (301) app users were students, with 60.7% (255) using the app to measure only stress level, 25.5% (107) resulting in severe stress and 4% (17) severe depression. Conclusions De-stres© is successfully developed and a promising instrument that can be implemented for Indonesia, by providing preliminary self-administered questionnaire. Key messages De-stres© is an app for monitoring stress levels and early detection of mental health problems and successfully developed with preliminary self-administered questionnaires in Bahasa Indonesia. De-stres© is a promising app that can be implemented for preventing serious mental health disorders in Indonesia.

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