scholarly journals Youth in a pandemic: a longitudinal examination of youth mental health and substance use concerns during COVID-19

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e049209
Author(s):  
Lisa D Hawke ◽  
Peter Szatmari ◽  
Kristin Cleverley ◽  
Darren Courtney ◽  
Amy Cheung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Mood Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

ObjectiveThis study analyses longitudinal data to understand how youth mental health and substance use are evolving over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is critical to adjusting mental health response strategies.SettingParticipants were recruited from among existing participants in studies conducted in an urban academic hospital in Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsA total of 619 youth aged 14–28 years participated in the study (62.7% girls/young women; 61.4% Caucasian).MeasuresData on mood, substance use and COVID-19-related worries were collected over four time points, that is, every 2 months beginning in the early stages of the pandemic in April 2020. Latent class analyses were conducted on the longitudinal data to identify distinct groups of youth who have different trajectory profiles of pandemic impact on their mood, substance use and COVID-19-related worries.ResultsFor the majority of participants, mood concerns increased early in the pandemic, declined over Canada’s summer months and subsequently increased in autumn. Among the youth with the highest level of mood symptoms at the beginning of the pandemic, increases in mental health concerns were sustained. Substance use remained relatively stable over the course of the pandemic. COVID-19-related worries, however, followed a trajectory similar to that of mood symptoms. Girls/young women, youth living in urban or suburban areas, in larger households, and with poorer baseline mental and physical health are the most vulnerable to mental health concerns and worries during the pandemic.ConclusionsYouth mental health symptom levels and concerns are evolving over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the evolution of the pandemic itself, and longitudinal monitoring is therefore required. It is also essential that we engage directly with youth to cocreate pandemic response strategies and mental health service adaptations to best meet the needs of young people.

Subtypes of Girls Who Engage in Serious Delinquency and Their Young Adult Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-416
Author(s):  
Danielle M. Smith ◽  
Jamilia J. Blake ◽  
Wen Luo ◽  
Verna M. Keith ◽  
Tameka Gilreath
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Delinquent Behaviors ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Young Adult Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

Girls are increasingly becoming involved with the juvenile justice system; however, what brings girls to engage in delinquency or what obstacles these girls face later in life resulting from adolescent criminal behavior is understudied. In the present study, we used latent class analysis to identify subtypes of risks among adolescent girls ( N = 1,174) who have engaged in delinquent behaviors and mixture modeling to determine what distal psychological, social, educational, and economic outcomes in young adulthood are associated with each subtype. Four adolescent subtypes were identified, which were distinguished primarily based on the severity of their self-reported victimization experiences and mental health concerns. Classes with higher levels of victimization experiences tended to report more engagement with delinquent behavior in adolescence and had a larger proportion of Black and Hispanic girls than lower-victimization classes. Identified classes differed from each other on distal (i.e., young adulthood) measures of economic instability, educational attainment, drug use, depression, and adult arrests. Generally, latent classes which were characterized by higher rates of victimization and mental health concerns and lower educational performance in adolescence fared worse in young adulthood. Implications for those who care for girls who engage in delinquency, including suggestions for using trauma and culture informed screening, prevention, and intervention services, and directions for future research are discussed. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/0361684320918243 .

scholarly journals Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Dunn ◽  
Timothy Piatkowski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Exercise Habits ◽  
Mental Health Concerns ◽  
Image Enhancing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Emerging research has suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic has had some impact on substance use patterns. The aim of the study was to conduct a rapid survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on performance and image enhancing drug (PIED) use and training, and any subsequent negative physical or mental health outcomes. Methods During 2020, a convenience sample of 60 PIED consumers (mean age = 26.69; 68.3% located outside Australia) completed a quantitative anonymous online survey exploring how the coronavirus pandemic impacted patterns of PIED use and associated exercise habits. The survey was administered via the Qualtrics platform and distributed online through PIED forums as well as through the investigator's networks. Participants were asked about their PIED use and exercise habits prior to and during restricted movement ‘lockdowns’. Results Pre-COVID, the majority of the sample opted to ‘blast-cruise’ (an initial high dose, followed by a lower maintenance dose; 71.7%, n = 43). During lockdown, (45%, n = 27) reported a change in PIED use as a result of the restrictions. In light of health concerns during COVID-19, a majority of men (60%, n = 36) did not take any extra precautions relating to their PIED use. A subgroup of men ceased using PIEDs completely (16.7%, n = 10) with the majority (80%, n = 8) of that subgroup following post-cycle therapy (PCT) of some kind. Conclusions This study contributes to the emerging literature of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use, specifically PIED use among men. The results suggest that the pandemic did influence the choice of PIEDs that participants consumed, although there was little disruption to patterns of exercise, an important aspect of PIED use. Of the men who did cease use completely, the majority reported little issue with PCT access; those who reported difficulty accessing PCT compounds indicated experience some mental health concerns related to ceasing their PIED use. Clinicians and those who come into contact with this group should be alert for any negative physical or mental health concerns resulting from disrupted or ceased PIED use.

scholarly journals Genesis of change: Substance use treatment for forensic patients with mental health concerns

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel McFadden ◽  
Katrina Prior ◽  
Helen Miles ◽  
Sunny Hemraj ◽  
Emma L. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Treatment ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Forensic Patients ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

scholarly journals Depictions of psychopathology and mental health issues in music: themes and musical genres

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabián Pavez ◽  
Erika Saura ◽  
Gemma Pérez ◽  
Pedro Marset
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Concerns ◽  
Musical Genres

Introduction. In previous communications we have proposed that the analysis of cultural products related to art, and music in particular, can inform us about the social representations of psychiatry and mental illness. This topic is not irrelevant to our clinical practice, since it favors a better understanding about what are the meanings of our profession and its scope of practice for our patients and general population. In this work, we focused on portrayals of psychopathology in music and the musical genres associated. Objectives. By exploring studies addressing depictions of mental disorders or mental health concerns in music, we intend: - to assess the distribution of psychopathological themes alluded; and - to characterize the most studied musical genres that are associated to portrayals of mental disorders or mental health concerns. Methods. Starting from a previous systematic review of studies addressing depictions of mental disorders or mental health issues in music, thirty-seven articles are examined. Frequency of portrayed themes and musical genres associated are presented. Results/Conclusion. As we can expect, references to substance use in music are the most frequently studied. Studies addressing references to 'madness' in music are frequent too, but in a lesser extent. Other mental health issues depicted are: affective disorders; suicide; sexuality and gender; personality disorders; self-destructive behavior; resilience; as well as general links between music and mental illness/psychiatry. Studies addressing substance use are mostly focused on multiple genres (based in popularity rankings). With regards substance use, Rap and Rock are two genres specifically studied. Links between country music, alcohol use and suicide have been described in literature. Rock and Opera are the genres more frequently associated with references to 'madness'.

A Review of Treatments of Substance Use Disorder for Transitional Age Adults

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Trepka ◽  
Fatima Fairfax ◽  
Jeffrey He ◽  
Eun Jae Kim ◽  
Mingu Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Motivational Enhancement Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Alliances ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Treatment Research ◽  
Mental Health Concerns ◽  
Transitional Age

Mental health concerns often develop during the "transitional age" (between 18-24 years old), a time during which young adults often begin to experience the stressors and responsibilities of emerging adulthood. Yet, treatment complications and limitations that uniquely affect this age group have frequently been unaddressed, both in academia and in practice. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is one of the most common, costly, and intractable mental health concerns that affects this demographic. Here, we perform a literature review of 35 publications and find that traditional methods of treatments such as medications, family therapies, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are not only underutilized, but also poorly applied within the transitional age demographic. Emerging treatment research suggests that devising treatment plans for transitional age youth using modified traditional practices and new evidence-based practices should improve the outcomes of SUD treatments. To improve treatment efficacy and adherence, we suggest promising areas of research surrounding therapeutic alliances, community engagement, continuity, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Multisystemic Therapy.

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