Factors influencing mock parole board members: the impact of an incarcerated person's race/ethnicity, conversion while in prison, and mental health status

Author(s):  
Amanda ElBassiouny ◽  
Rachel Ayala ◽  
Kayla Sircy
2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-39
Author(s):  
Kazi Mahbubul Haque ◽  
Md Shafiqul Islam ◽  
Saida Sharmin

Mental health status is often ignored in our country. Even many health care professionals commonly ignore the impact of mental illness on both daily and professional lives, which may lead to dire consequences. The purpose of this study was to find the mental health status of physicians working in medical college hospitals of Dhaka city. A cross sectional study was conducted from January to December 2015 for this purpose among 215 number of respondents selected conveniently. Data were collected from 210 physicians by face-to face interview using a semi structured questionnaire containing 4DSQ (Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire), socio economic and other variables. The prevalence of mental illness was calculated according to the scoring system of the scale. Mental illness prevalence was as follows: distress 20%, Anxiety 15.7%, Depression 15.2% and Somatization 8.6%. Majority of the respondents were interns and below 30 years of age. However, in light of current pandemic situation, regular assessment of health personnel’s mental health is needed more than ever. Bang J Psychiatry 2018;32(2): 37-39


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim R. Wind ◽  
Pooran C. Joshi ◽  
Rolf J. Kleber ◽  
Ivan H. Komproe

AbstractIntroductionVery little is known on the impact of recurrent disasters on mental health.AimThe present study examines the immediate impact of a recurrent flood on mental health and functioning among an affected population in the rural district of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, India, compared with a population in the same region that is not affected by floods.MethodsThe study compared 318 affected respondents with 308 individuals who were not affected by floods. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). Psychological and physical functioning was assessed by using the Short Form-12 (SF-12).ResultsThe affected group showed large to very large differences with the comparison group on symptoms of anxiety (D = .92) and depression (D = 1.22). The affected group scored significantly lower on psychological and physical functioning than the comparison group (respectively D = .33 and D = .80). However, hierarchical linear regressions showed no significant relationship between mental health and the domains of functioning in the affected group, whereas mental health and the domains of functioning were significantly related in the comparison group.ConclusionThis study found a large negative impact of the recurrent floods on mental health outcomes and psychological and physical functioning. However, in a context with recurrent floods, disaster mental health status is not a relevant predictor of functioning. The findings suggest that the observed mental health status and impaired functioning in this context are also outcomes of another mechanism: Both outcomes are likely to be related to the erosion of the social and environmental and material context. As such, the findings refer to a need to implement psychosocial context-oriented interventions to address the erosion of the context rather than specific mental health interventions.WindTR, JoshiPC, KleberRJ, KomproeIH. The impact of recurrent disasters on mental health: a study on seasonal floods in northern India. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(3):1-7.


2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
TERRY L. MILLS ◽  
CARLA D. A. EDWARDS

This paper summarises current research on the mental health status of older African-Americans with a specific focus on late-life depression, one of the most common forms of mental disorder among older persons. Social gerontologists have brought to the forefront the need to consider the impact of historical eras, cohort location, and lifecourse development when studying various dimensions of the ageing process. Unfortunately, this type of theorising is still in its infancy, and has not been widely applied to the general population and all dimensions of health, let alone investigations into the mental health status of older African-Americans. Virtually none of the empirical studies we reviewed adequately address the historical, biographical, or structural factors related to the mental health status of older African-Americans. We suggest that to understand contemporary manifestations of racial presumptions, there must be an appreciation of the historical antecedents. African-Americans live with the corrosive effects of a legacy of slavery that presumed black inferiority. The identification of salient factors of risk and resilience among this population is critical to developing effective intervention and mental health maintenance programmes. By emphasising the socio-historical influences on the mental health of older African-Americans, we can develop a greater understanding of this population's mental health needs; thus paving the way for improved mental health services and a reduction in mental health disparities.


Author(s):  
Zahra Alsairafi ◽  
Abdallah Y. Naser ◽  
Fatemah M. Alsaleh ◽  
Abdelmoneim Awad ◽  
Zahraa Jalal

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and undergraduate students in the health sciences center (HSCUs). In addition, it explored the factors associated with the increased levels of mental health burden among the study population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using two online-administered questionnaires: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), which were distributed in parallel to HCPs and HSCUs in Kuwait. These instruments are validated assessment scales to assess mental health status: depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS- version 25. Results: A total of 857 individuals (559 HCPs and 298 HSCUs) participated in this study. The prevalence of moderately severe depression or severe depression (PHQ-9 total score of ≥15) among respondents was 66.6%. The median (interquartile range, IQR) PHQ-9 score was significantly higher among HSCUs (20 {11.5}) compared to HCPs (17 {8}). The prevalence of severe anxiety (GAD-7 total score of ≥15) among respondents was 36.7%. There were no significant differences between the median (IQR) GAD-7 scores among the HCPs (14 {7}) and HSCUs (13 {8}). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that three variables were significantly and independently associated with severe depression among HCPs. The prevalence of severe depression was found to be greater among females compared to males. In addition, it was significantly lower among those who were aged ≥50 years, and those who reported that they were not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Among HSCUs, females showed greater depression than males. In contrast, those aged >29 years and who had no history of chronic disease showed lower depression compared to their counterparts in the 18–29 years age group and who had a chronic disease history. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the mental health of HCPs and HSCUs in Kuwait. This highlights the need for proactive efforts to support their mental health and well-being through educational campaigns and psychological support programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 294-300
Author(s):  
Lalli Singh ◽  
Devangi Desai

Background:- Lockdown in India happened due to COVID-19 pandemic. In this lockdown, government urged people to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Prolonged homestay for longer duration leads to sedentary behavior which affects physical as well as mental health of the individuals. Aim:- This study aimed at determining the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity and mental health of physiotherapy college students. Also to know the correlation between physical activity and mental health in physiotherapy students keeping pandemic COVID-19 in between them. Method:- A web-based survey was undertaken. 250 physiotherapy students were approached out of which 214 had successfully filled up the entire form. The questionnaire of IPAQ(SF) for physical activity level and DASS-21 for mental health were used. Data Analysis:- Prevalence for physical activity and prevalence of mental health status for physiotherapy students was calculated and presented in form of frequency distribution and spearman’s correlation was used to find the any relation between them. Results:- Prevalence of 79% was obtained for mild physical activity. 17% for moderate physical activity and 4% severe physical activity was obtained. Prevalence of mental health status were noted it showed 29.90% mild, 32.71% moderate and 10.73% severe level of affection in physiotherapy students. Also, there is a weak positive co relation between physical activity and mental health of physiotherapy students considering pandemic. Conclusion:- With the present study it can be concluded that there is a significant reduction in the physical activity and also prevalence for mental health status shows deterioration level among physiotherapy students. Looking at the current scenario early intervention are needed to improve the mental health status and physical activity of physiotherapy students. Key words: Covid 19, lockdown, stress, physical activity and health status.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schützwohl ◽  
Eduard Mergel

Objectives: In Germany, as in many other countries, several lockdown restrictions were put in place with the aim of curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the related lockdown restrictions on opportunities for social participation, social inclusion and psychological well-being for adults with and without mental disorders within a follow-up study based on pre- and post-lockdown assessments. Methods: Study participants (n=132) were assigned to one of three groups, depending on the mental health status at the initial survey. Parameters of interest were assessed using the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK), the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18).Results: The impact on opportunities for social participation and social participation considerably differed depending on the participants’ mental health status at the first assessment. Independent of this, we found no detrimental effects on the psychological well-being of participants four weeks after the implementation of lockdown restrictions.Conclusion: Findings imply a general resilience in well-being during the preliminary stages of the coronavirus pandemic. This result adds to the growing number of existing studies which show a heterogeneous pattern overall and especially in international comparison. Further follow-up studies with larger samples should address the divergent effects. Besides, efforts are needed to improve social participation and inclusion opportunities that are severely impaired for individuals with chronic mental disorders regardless of lockdown or physical distancing restrictions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Junhua Zhang ◽  
Siyuan Wang ◽  
Yuan Lu

Previous studies have shown that quality and the quantity of father involvement in education play an important rolein children’s development. The influence of father involvement in education on Chinese children's mental healthstatus still needs further study. To understand the present situation of father involvement in education and its impacton children's mental health, this study will concentrate on the impact of father involvement on the mental healthstatus of primary school students, This study surveyed 1669 primary school students in Yancheng, China. It waspointed out that 45.1% of fathers were not active in children's education, and 25.8% of fathers have not beensufficient time to accompany their children. Children's sex and grade were not associated with father involvement ineducation, which was linked to their father's occupation and education level. Father involvement dramaticallyaffected primary school students' sensitive tendency and impulsive tendency. Father involvement can make childrenmore optimistic and less focus on trifles and suspicious. More father involvement in education leads to better mentalhealth status. These results suggest the importance of increasing father involvement in education in promoting mentalhealth status in primary school students.  


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