scholarly journals Cross-cultural comparison of mental health between Japanese and Dutch workers: relationships with mental health shame, self-compassion, work engagement and motivation

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Michelle Van Laethem ◽  
Remi Ohshima
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Compassion

PurposeThe primary purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the levels of, and relationships among mental health problems, mental health shame, self-compassion, work engagement and work motivation between workers in Japan (collectivistic and success-driven culture) and the Netherlands (individualistic and quality-oriented culture).Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional design, where convenience samples of 165 Japanese and 160 Dutch workers completed self-report measures about mental health problems, shame, self-compassion, engagement and motivation, was used. Welch t-tests, correlation and regression analyses were conducted to compare (1) the levels of these variables, (2) relationships among these variables and (3) predictors of mental health problems, between the two groups.FindingsDutch workers had higher levels of mental health problems, work engagement and intrinsic motivation, and lower levels of shame and amotivation than Japanese workers. Mental health problems were associated with shame in both samples. Mental health problems were negatively predicted by self-compassion in Japanese, and by work engagement in Dutch employees.Originality/valueThe novelty of this study relates to exploring differences in work mental health between those two culturally contrasting countries. Our findings highlight potential cultural differences such as survey responding (Japanese acquiescent responding vs Dutch self-enhancement) and cultural emphases (Japanese shame vs Dutch quality of life). Job crafting, mindfulness and enhancing ikigai (meaningfulness in life) may be helpful to protect mental health in these workers, relating to self-compassion and work engagement. Findings from this study would be particularly useful to employers, managers and staff in human resources who work with cross-cultural workforce.

scholarly journals Cross-Cultural Comparison of Mental Health Between German and South African Employees: Shame, Self-Compassion, Work Engagement, and Work Motivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Claude-Hélène Mayer ◽  
Elisabeth Vanderheiden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South African ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Compassion

The negative impact of the coronavirus disease outbreak 2019 (COVID-19) on work mental health is reported in many countries including Germany and South Africa: two culturally distinct countries. This study aims to compare mental health between the two workforces to appraise how cultural characteristics may impact their mental health status. A cross-sectional study was used with self-report measures regarding (i) mental health problems, (ii) mental health shame, (iii) self-compassion, (iv) work engagement and (v) work motivation. 257 German employees and 225 South African employees have completed those scales. This study reports results following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. T-tests, correlation and regression analyses were performed. German employees had lower mental health problems and mental health shame, and higher self-compassion than South Africans. Mental health problems were positively associated with mental health shame and amotivation, and negatively associated with work engagement and intrinsic motivation in both groups. Lastly, self-compassion, a PP 2.0 construct, was the strongest predictor for mental health problems in both countries. Our results suggest (i) that German culture’s long-term orientation, uncertainty avoidance and restraint may help explain these differences, and (ii) that self-compassion was important to mental health in both countries. While the levels of mental health differed between the two countries, cultivating self-compassion may be an effective way to protect mental health of employees in those countries. Findings can help inform managers and HR staff to refine their wellbeing strategies to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic, especially in German-South African organizations.

scholarly journals Mental Health of Medical Workers in Japan during COVID-19: Relationships with Loneliness, Hope and Self-Compassion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Akihoko Ozaki ◽  
Hirotomo Miyatake ◽  
Chie Tsunetoshi ◽  
Yoshitaka Nishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
General Population ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Self Compassion

Abstract The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has negatively impacted medical workers’ mental health in many countries including Japan. Although research identified poor mental health of medical workers in COVID-19, protective factors for their mental health remain to be appraised. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate relationships between mental health problems, loneliness, hope and self-compassion among Japanese medical workers, and compare with the general population. Online self-report measures regarding those four constructs were completed by 142 medical workers and 138 individuals in the general population. T-tests and multiple regression analysis were performed. Medical workers had higher levels of mental health problems and loneliness, and lower levels of hope and self-compassion than the general population. Loneliness was the strongest predictor of mental health problems in the medical workers. Findings suggest that Japanese medical workplaces may benefit from targeting workplace loneliness to protect staff mental health from the current crisis.

Still worlds apart: flourishing in people with mental health problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Elizabeth Allen ◽  
Jerome Carson ◽  
Bethany Merrifield ◽  
Stacey Bush
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Elements ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare a group of service users with mental health problems with a community comparison group of gym attenders. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional questionnaire surveys were conducted at a large gym (n = 181) and two community mental health facilities (n = 127) in the Greater Manchester area using a convenience sample approach. All participants completed the PERMA Scale, a measure of flourishing. Findings Gym attenders scored significantly higher on the five elements of PERMA. Their physical health ratings were almost double. They also had significantly lower levels of negative emotions and loneliness and higher levels of overall happiness. Research limitations/implications This study only considered levels of flourishing. Previous studies of quality of life have shown similar disparities between people with mental health problems and others. Practical implications Professor Seligman has claimed that improving levels of flourishing is the main aim of positive psychology. The present study suggests this may be especially challenging for people with mental health problems. Social implications The concept of flourishing could provide a more positive non-medical focus for mental health services, in the development of what some have called positive psychiatry. This complements the current recovery model. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to compare flourishing levels between individuals with mental health problems and a community comparison group using the PERMA Scale.

The potential for violence in arrests of persons with mental illness

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Mulvey ◽  
Michael White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Maricopa County ◽  
Police Use Of Force ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether police use of force and suspect resistance are more likely to occur in arrest encounters involving suspects with mental health problems. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses data from interviews with 942 individuals recently arrested by officers in more than a dozen different police departments in Maricopa County, Arizona in 2010. Both logistic and ordinal regression analyses are used to predict two models of suspect resistance (resistance in the current arrest, resistance in a previous police contact) and three models of police use of force (any force in the current arrest, ordinal measure of force in the current arrest, and any force in a previous contact). Findings – The results provide empirical support for a link between mental illness and increased resistance against the police. With regard to arrestee mental illness and use of force, the results are mostly consistent with prior research suggesting a null relationship, with an important caveat involving greater use of higher level, weapon force. Research limitations/implications – The study suffers from the traditional limitations associated with self-report data, and the generalizability of the findings beyond arrest encounters in Maricopa County is not known. The explanatory power of the multivariate models was relatively weak, suggesting a good degree of unexplained variance. Practical implications – The non-significant relationship between arrestee mental illness and use of force is consistent with efforts by police to improve their response in these complex encounters. The significant weapon-force finding may suggest that police respond to the affronts of mentally ill suspects differently than affronts from other suspects. The non-significance of key extra-legal factors suggests that police decisions to use force were not influenced by arrestee race/ethnicity, age, or social standing. Originality/value – Unlike previous studies, the current research uses self-reported measures of mental health problems. The current study also examines arrests from more than a dozen different police departments.

scholarly journals Severe physical punishment and mental health problems in an economically disadvantaged population of children and adolescents

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Altenfelder Santos Bordin ◽  
Cristiane Silvestre Paula ◽  
Rosimeire do Nascimento ◽  
Cristiane Seixas Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Physical Punishment ◽  
Marital Violence ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of severe physical punishment of children/adolescents in a low-income community, and to examine child mental health problems as a potential correlate. METHOD: This study is a Brazilian cross-sectional pilot study of the World Studies of Abuse in Family Environments. A probabilistic sample of clusters including all eligible households (women aged 15-49 years, son/daughter < 18 years) was evaluated. One mother-child pair was randomly selected per household (n = 89; attrition = 11%). Outcome (severe physical punishment of children/adolescents by mother/father) was defined as shaking (if age < 2 years), kicking, choking, smothering, burning/scalding/branding, beating, or threatening with weapon. Three groups of potential correlates were examined: child/adolescent (age, gender, physical/mental health); mother (education, unemployment, physical/mental health, harsh physical punishment in childhood, marital violence); father (unemployment, drunkenness). Severe marital violence was defined as kicking, hitting, beating or use of /threat to use a weapon. The following standardized questionnaires were applied by trained interviewers: World Studies of Abuse in Family Environments Core Questionnaire, Child Behavior Checklist, Self-Report Questionnaire. RESULTS: Outcome prevalence was 10.1%. Final logistic regression models identified two correlates: maternal harsh physical punishment in childhood (total sample, OR = 5.3, p = 0.047), and child/adolescent mental health problems (sub-sample aged 4-17 years, n = 67, OR = 9.1, p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Severe physical punishment of children/adolescents is frequent in the studied community. The victims have a higher probability of becoming future perpetrators. When intrafamilial violence occurs, child/adolescent mental health may be compromised.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Health Problems among Chinese Adolescents with Frequent Peer Victimization Experiences

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 403
Author(s):  
Liuyue Huang ◽  
Kaixin Liang ◽  
Weiwei Jiang ◽  
Qiaomin Huang ◽  
Na Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Victimization ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Self Compassion

This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of mental health outcomes, particularly depression, anxiety, and insomnia, in adolescents with frequent peer victimization experiences (FPVEs). In this cross-sectional study, 490 adolescents reported having FPVEs (prevalence, 4.2%; mean age, 13.40 ± 1.38 years old; 52.2% male) completed a series of surveys to evaluate their demographic factors and mental health status. The results showed that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia were 50.3%, 33.8%, and 40.2%, respectively. Older age, being female, being left behind, and more adverse childhood experiences were correlated with more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among adolescents with FPVEs. At the same time, social support and self-compassion were good for ameliorating these mental health problems. Implications for intervention programs designed to improve the mental health of adolescents with FPVEs were also discussed.

Mental health problems among youth in India and its correlates

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirti Gaur ◽  
Usha Ram
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of common mental disorders among youth in India. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes data from “Youth in India: Situation and Needs 2006-2007”. One-way analysis of variance is used to compare different groups. Poisson regression models are used to test the relationship of household, parental, and individual factors with mental health problems. Findings – An estimated 11-31 million youth suffer from reported mental health problems in India. Results suggest that the household and individual factors like place of residence, wealth quintile, age, education, and occupation are the most important determinants of mental health problems among Indian youth. Parental factors lose their statistical significance once individual factors are controlled. Research limitations/implications – Little is known about correlates of mental health among youth. Strengthening on-going programmes and creating awareness about mental health issues through various programmes may help improve scenario. The two limitations of the study are: first, data covering all the states would have given a broader and clear picture of the issue; and second, due to cross-sectional nature of the data the study is not able to look into the cause-effect relationship. Originality/value – There are few studies which have explored mental health problems covering smaller areas in India. This is the first and the largest study conducted on a representative population of Indian youth to determine the correlates of reported mental health problems using General Health Questionnaire-12.

scholarly journals The influence of illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders on students mental health during COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan: a Web-based cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aqeel ◽  
Jaffar Abbas ◽  
Kanwar Hamza Shuja ◽  
Tasnim Rehna ◽  
Arash Ziapour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depression Disorders

Purpose Since the emergence of a coronavirus disease (2019-nCoV) in December 2019, the whole world is in a state of chaos. Isolation strategy with quarantine is a useful model in controlling transmission and rapid spread. As a result, people remained at home and disrupted their outside daily activities. It led to the closure of educational institutes, which is a source of many students to cope with numerous personal and familial issues. This study aims to focus on exploring the relationships and potential mediational pathways between mental health problems, illness perception, anxiety and depression disorders. Design/methodology/approach The study incorporated snowball sampling techniques through a cross-sectional, Web-based survey and recruited 500 students from different universities of twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March 23 to April 15, 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak lockdown. The study used four instruments, Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for assessing depression, anxiety, illness perception and mental health disorders. Findings The findings indicated normal (43.2%), mild (20.5%), moderate (13.6%) and severe (22.7%) levels of anxiety prevalence in students. Results specified a normal (65.9%), mild (9.10%), moderate (9.12%) and severe (15.90%) depression prevalence and findings stipulated that anxiety disorder prevalence was higher than depression disorder. The correlational results specified a negative and significant relationship between mental health, illness perception, anxiety and depression symptoms. The multiple regression analysis stated that anxiety and depression disorders mediated the relationship between mental health and present illness perception. The perception of illness exhibited a relation to depression and anxiety disorders. Originality/value The study proposed a model to address mental health problems during the lockdown. The (2019-nCoV) illness perception developed mental disorders, including anxiety and depression, which has declined individuals’ mental health. There is an urgent need for ongoing clinical examination and management to address psychological disorders and findings suggest assessing mental health to combatting the pandemic worldwide. Findings recommend developing strategies to promote mental health-care facilities during COVID-19 wide-ranging disasters. These results highlight the impending importance of devising strategies to treat mental health problems.

scholarly journals Mental health of medical workers in Japan during COVID-19: Relationships with loneliness, hope and self-compassion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Akihiko Ozaki ◽  
Hirotomo Miyatake ◽  
Chie Tsunetoshi ◽  
Yoshitaka Nishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
General Population ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Compassion

AbstractThe current pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has negatively impacted medical workers’ mental health in many countries including Japan. Although research identified poor mental health of medical workers in COVID-19, protective factors for their mental health remain to be appraised. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate relationships between mental health problems, loneliness, hope and self-compassion among Japanese medical workers, and compare with the general population. Online self-report measures regarding those four constructs were completed by 142 medical workers and 138 individuals in the general population. T-tests and multiple regression analysis were performed. Medical workers had higher levels of mental health problems and loneliness, and lower levels of hope and self-compassion than the general population. Loneliness was the strongest predictor of mental health problems in the medical workers. Findings suggest that Japanese medical workplaces may benefit from targeting workplace loneliness to prevent mental health problems among the medical staff.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents in Sweden from 1995 to 2011: The Role of Immigrant Status and the Proportions of Immigrant Adolescents in Their Surrounding Community

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-239
Author(s):  
Yunhwan Kim ◽  
Brittany E. Evans ◽  
Curt Hagquist
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Immigrant Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Immigrant Adolescents ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Self Report Data

AbstractWe compared the mental health of native and immigrant adolescents in Sweden from 1995 to 2011 and examined whether the municipality-level proportion of immigrant adolescents moderated the association between individual-level immigrant status and mental health. The sample (14,189 adolescents aged 15–16) was obtained from a repeated cross-sectional study conducted from 1995 to 2011. Adolescent self-report data (gender, immigrant status, economic situation, and mental health) and municipality-level data (proportion of immigrant adolescents) were used in multilevel linear regression analyses. Immigrant adolescents reported more mental health problems than their native Swedish peers. The long-term trend in mental health problems did not differ between the two groups. The association between individual immigrant status and mental health did not differ according to the municipality-level rate of immigrant adolescents. These findings highlight the need for public health attention to and efforts to address immigrant adolescents’ mental health problems in Sweden.

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