scholarly journals Effects associated with the use of healthcare for eating disorders by women in the community: a longitudinal cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e033986
Author(s):  
Nicol Holtzhausen ◽  
Haider Mannan ◽  
Nasim Foroughi ◽  
Phillipa Hay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Over Time

ObjectivesThis study examined formal and informal healthcare use (HCU) in community women with disordered eating, and associations of HCU with mental health-related quality of life (MHRQoL), psychological distress, mental health literacy (MHL) and eating disorder (ED) symptoms over time.HypothesisWe hypothesised that HCU would lead to improvement in ED symptom severity, MHRQoL, MHL and psychological distress.Design, setting, participantsData were from years 2, 4 and 9 of a longitudinal cohort of 443 community women (mean age 30.6, SE 0.4 years) with a range of ED symptoms, randomly recruited from the Australian Capital Territory electoral role or via convenience sampling from tertiary education centres. Data were collected using posted/emailed self-report questionnaires; inclusion criteria were completion of the HCU questionnaire at time point of 2 years (baseline for this study). HCU was measured using a multiple-choice question on help seeking for an eating problem. To test the effect of HCU over time on MHRQoL (Short Form-12 score), psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score), ED symptom severity (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire score) and ED–MHL, linear or logistic mixed-effects regression analyses were used.Results20% of participants sought ED-specific help at baseline; more than half of participants sought help that was not evidence based. HCU at baseline was significantly associated with improved MHRQoL and ED symptom severity and decreased psychological distress over time (Cohen’s d all >0.3, ie, small). HCU was not significantly associated with MHL over time. The predictive ability of the fitted models ranged from 32.18% to 42.42% for psychological distress and MHL treatment, respectively.ConclusionsFormal and informal HCU were associated with small improvements in ED symptoms, MHRQoL and psychological distress but not with improved MHL. Informal services in ED management should be investigated further along with efforts to improve ED–MHL.

Predictors of healthcare use in community women with eating disorder symptoms: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110092
Author(s):  
Nicol Holtzhausen ◽  
Phillipa Hay ◽  
Nasim Foroughi ◽  
Haider Mannan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Healthcare Use ◽  
Defense Style ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Multiple Time Points ◽  
Over Time

Objectives This study aimed to investigate associations between eating disorder mental health literacy (EDMHL), defense style, eating disorder (ED) symptom severity, psychological distress and mental-health-related quality of life (MHRQoL) and the likelihood of formal and informal healthcare use (HCU) across multiple time points. Methods A community sample of 445 young women with ED symptoms were followed over 7 years. Questionnaires were distributed via email and postal mail across multiple time points; this study includes data from years 2 (baseline in this study), 4 and 9. The inclusion criteria was provision of HCU data at year 2. Results ED symptom severity at baseline was significantly associated with greater HCU two and seven years later. Accurate identification of an ED by participants (i.e. EDMHL) at baseline was associated with greater HCU seven years later. Defense style, psychological distress, MHRQoL and other aspects of EDMHL were not significantly associated with HCU over time. Conclusions Individuals with more severe ED symptoms, and with greater EDMHL, may be more likely to seek help over time. However, individuals with EDs may not seek help directly for poorer MHRQoL and higher levels of psychological distress. This reinforces the importance of ED screening, particularly in primary care settings.

scholarly journals Do Mental Health and Vitality Mediate the Relationship between Perceived Control over Time and Fear of COVID-19? A Survey in an Italian Sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3516
Author(s):  
Silvana Miceli ◽  
Barbara Caci ◽  
Michele Roccella ◽  
Luigi Vetri ◽  
Giuseppe Quatrosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Over Time

Several studies evidenced increased elevated symptomatology levels in anxiety, general stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress related to COVID-19. Real difficulties in the effective control of time that could be responsible for mental health issues and loss of vitality were also reported. Prior literature highlighted how perceived control over time significantly modulates anxiety disorders and promotes psychological well-being. To verify the hypothesis that perceived control over time predicts fear of COVID-19 and mental health and vitality mediate this relationship, we performed an online survey on a sample of 301 subjects (female = 68%; Mage = 22.12, SD = 6.29; age range = 18–57 years), testing a parallel mediation model using PROCESS macro (model 4). All participants responded to self-report measures of perceived control over time, COVID-19 fear, mental health, and vitality subscales of the Short-Form-36 Health Survey. Results corroborate the hypotheses of direct relationships between all the study variables and partially validate the mediation’s indirect effect. Indeed, mental health (a1b1 = −0.06; CI: LL = −0.11; UL = −0.01; p < 0.001) rather than vitality (a2b2 = −0.06; CI: LL = −0.09; UL = 0.03; n.s.) emerges as a significant mediator between perceived control over time and fear of COVID-19. Practical implications of the study about treatment programs based on perceived control over time and emotional coping to prevent fear and anxiety toward the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.

Social network factors as mediators of mental health and psychological distress

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Levula ◽  
Michael Harré ◽  
Andrew Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

Background: Although mental health (MH) is overall strongly associated with psychological distress (PD), this association is very weak for the sample with high PD. This relationship remains understudied. Aim: This study examines the association between MH and PD and whether this association is mediated by social network (SN) factors for individuals with high PD. Method: Data were taken from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia study ( N = 756). MH was measured using the MH sub-scale of the general health survey (Short Form (SF)-36) and PD was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The SN measures were derived from the self-completion questionnaire. Using bootstrap mediation analysis, we tested whether the association between MH and PD is mediated by SN factors. Result: The correlation between MH and PD was r = −.410 ( p < .001). The mediational analysis results show that social isolation mediates the association between MH and PD with an indirect effect of β = −0.0070 (confidence interval (CI) = −0.0133 to −0.0023). Moreover, social connections also mediated the association between MH and PD with an indirect effect of β = −0.0073 (CI = −0.0141 to −0.0028). Conclusion: This study has practical implications for the design of social policies that attempt to reduce social isolation and enhance social connectedness to protect MH.

scholarly journals Mental health screening questionnaire: A Study on reliability and correlation with perceived stress score

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
P. Sharma ◽  
G. Devkota
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
Mental Health Screening ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Screening Questionnaire ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

 Introduction: Screening of mental disorders and psychological distress is important in clinical as well as research setting. The objective of this study is to test the reliability of mental health screening questionnaire developed by authors and see its correlation with perceived stress scale scores. Material and Method: A self-report screening instrument was designed by the authors in consultation with experts and was tested for reliability among 162 participants from general population gathered for stress management program. The correlation of the designed scale was tested with the Perceived Stress Scale score. Results: Scale reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) for the designed psychological distress scale was found to be 0.7558 which is regarded as having acceptable internal consistency. The questions of the designed scale had weak to moderate positive correlation with the score on Perceived Stress Scale. Conclusion: Despite many shortcomings of the designed scale we may be able to use it for basic screening of psychological distress and mental health problems. We recommend the validity of scale be tested in larger sample size.

Longitudinal Evaluation of the Mental Health Continuum- Short Form (MHC-SF)

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne M. A. Lamers ◽  
Cees A. W. Glas ◽  
Gerben J. Westerhof ◽  
Ernst T. Bohlmeijer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Valid Instrument ◽  
Over Time

This study evaluated the measurement invariance of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), a 14-item self-report questionnaire for measuring emotional, social, and psychological well-being. The study draws on data of a representative panel (Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences of CentERdata). 1,932 Dutch adults filled out the MHC-SF at four timepoints over 9 months. We used item response theory analyses with two-parameter models to examine differential item functioning across demographics, health indicators, and timepoints. The results indicated differences in the performance of one item (social well-being) for educational level, one item (social well-being) for sex, and two items (psychological well-being) for age. The MHC-SF is highly reliable over time, as there was no differential item functioning across the four timepoints. Furthermore, the means and reliabilities of the subscales were consistent over time. The MHC-SF is a reliable and valid instrument to measure positive aspects of mental health.

scholarly journals Assessing outcomes for cost-utility analysis in depression: comparison of five multi-attribute utility instruments with two depression-specific outcome measures

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (5) ◽  
pp. 390-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathrine Mihalopoulos ◽  
Gang Chen ◽  
Angelo Iezzi ◽  
Munir A. Khan ◽  
Jeffrey Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Disease Specific

BackgroundMany mental health surveys and clinical studies do not include a multi-attribute utility instrument (MAUI) that produces quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). There is also some question about the sensitivity of the existing utility instruments to mental health.AimsTo compare the sensitivity of five commonly used MAUIs (Assessment of Quality of Life – Eight Dimension Scale (AQoL-8D), EuroQoL–five dimension (EQ-5D-5L), Short Form 6D (SF-6D), Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), 15D) with that of disease-specific depression outcome measures (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)) and develop ‘crosswalk’ transformation algorithms between the measures.MethodIndividual data from 917 people with self-report depression collected as part of the International Multi-Instrument Comparison Survey.ResultsAll the MAUIs discriminated between the levels of severity measured by the K10 and the DASS-21. The AQoL-8D had the highest correlation with the disease-specific measures and the best goodness-of-fit transformation properties.ConclusionsThe algorithms developed in this study can be used to determine cost-effectiveness of services or interventions where utility measures are not collected.

scholarly journals Association between the social support for mothers of patients with eating disorders, maternal mental health, and patient symptomatic severity: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsurou Yamada ◽  
Fujika Katsuki ◽  
Masaki Kondo ◽  
Hanayo Sawada ◽  
Norio Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
The Social ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background Although caregivers of patients with eating disorders usually experience a heavy caregiving burden, the effects of social support on caregivers of patients with eating disorders are unknown. This study aimed to investigate how social support for mothers who are caregivers of patients with an eating disorder improves the mothers’ mental status and, consequently, the symptoms and status of the patients. Methods Fifty-seven pairs of participants were recruited from four family self-help groups and one university hospital in Japan. Recruitment was conducted from July 2017 to August 2018. Mothers were evaluated for social support using the Japanese version of the Social Provisions Scale-10 item (SPS-10), self-efficacy using the General Self-Efficacy Scale, loneliness using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, listening attitude using the Active Listening Attitude Scale, family functioning using the Family Assessment Device, depression symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (Second Edition), and psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Patients were evaluated for self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, assertion using the Youth Assertion Scale, and their symptoms using the Eating Disorder Inventory. We divided the mothers and patients into two groups based on the mean score of the SPS-10 of mothers and compared the status of mothers and patients between the high- and low-scoring groups. Results High social support for mothers of patients with eating disorders was significantly associated with lower scores for loneliness and depression of these mothers. We found no significant differences in any patient scores based on mothers’ level of social support. Conclusions For patients with eating disorders, social support for a caregiver cannot be expected to improve their symptoms, but it may help prevent caregiver depression and loneliness.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Kessler Distress Scale (K10): an application of the rating scale model

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evandro Morais Peixoto ◽  
Daniela Sacramento Zanini ◽  
Josemberg Moura de Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Measurement Models ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Rating Scale Model

Abstract Background The Kessler Distress Scale (K10) is a self-report scale for the assessment of non-specific psychological distress in the general and clinical population. Because of its ease of application and good psychometric properties, the K10 has been adapted to several cultures. The present study seeks to adapt the K10 to Brazilian Portuguese and estimate its validity evidence and reliability. Methods A total of 1914 individuals from the general population participated in the study (age = 34.88, SD = 13.61, 77.7% female). The adjustment indices were compared among three different measurement models proposed for the K10 through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The items’ properties were analyzed by Andrich’s Rating Scale Model (RSM). Furthermore, evidence based on relations to other variables (depression, stress, anxiety, positive and negative affects, and satisfaction with life) was estimated. Results CFA indicated the adequacy of the bifactor model (CFI= 0.985; TLI= 0.973; SMR= 0.019; RMSEA= 0.050), composed of two specific factors (depression and anxiety) and one general factor (psychological distress), corresponding to the theoretical hypothesis. Additionally, it was observed multiple-group invariance by gender and age range. The RSM provided an understanding of the organization of the continuum represented by the psychological distress construct (items difficulty), which varied from −0.89 to 1.00; good adjustment indexes; infit between 0.67 and 1.32; outfit between 0.68 and 1.34; and desirable reliability, α= 0.87. Lastly, theoretically coherent associations with the external variables were observed. Conclusions It is concluded that the Brazilian version of the K10 is a suitable measure of psychological distress for the Brazilian population.

scholarly journals The development of a contextually appropriate measure of psychological distress in Sierra Leone

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Horn ◽  
Kanykey Jailobaeva ◽  
Stella Arakelyan ◽  
Alastair Ager
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background Studies of psychological distress in Sierra Leone have typically used measures which were developed for use in other contexts, and which often have not been adapted or validated for use in Sierra Leone. This has resulted in a lack of reliable information about the patterns of psychological distress within the population, which is a barrier to the development of effective and appropriate mental health services. The aim of the study was to develop a locally-appropriate measure of psychological distress for Sierra Leone. Methods The new measure consists of two instruments: the Sierra Leone Psychological Distress Scale (SLPDS) and a gendered measure of ability to carry out daily tasks—a Function scale—as an indication of the severity of distress. A three-phase mixed methods exploratory sequential study was conducted. Phase 1 was item generation and testing, leading to the development of a set of potential items for both instruments. Phase 2 was a small pilot study (N = 202) leading to the selection of the final set of items for both measures. Phase 3 was a validation phase where the SLPDS and the Function scale were administered with a larger sample of 904 respondents. Item analysis was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales, and Exploratory Factor Analysis to explore the properties of the SLPDS. Results Exploratory factor analysis using the principal axis factoring with an oblique rotation identified a three-factor structure for the 18-item SLPDS. Internal consistency for the SLPDS (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) and three subscales was good (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.73). The internal reliability of the male and female versions of the Function scale was also found to be acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90 for the female scale and 0.79 for the male scale). Conclusions Together the SLPD and Function scales provide a locally-validated tool which will enable government bodies and local and international non-governmental organisations in Sierra Leone to assess mental health and psychosocial needs. This will support both effective service provision and the evaluation of initiatives designed to improve mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

scholarly journals Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6700
Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
The Government ◽  
Distress Scale

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document