Well-Being and Mental Health of Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in well-being and an increase in mental health problems were registered in medical and psychotherapeutic practices, counseling centers, and clinics. According to previous studies, younger people and women seemed to be particularly affected. The aim of this study was to describe mental health problems of students and to draw consequences for the further handling of pandemics and other crises. Method: Students at the University of Heidelberg, a typical German “full university,” were surveyed online using internationally comparable screening instruments like the Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). In addition, the students had the opportunity to describe in a narrative form their well-being and to make suggestions how to improve their situation. Results: Out of a population of 27,162 students who were contacted by email, 2,137 students completed the questionnaire. The salient finding is that according to the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, 72.2% of the respondents feel seriously impaired in their well-being. This corresponds to the finding that 75.8% of the respondents in the PHQ-D show indications of at least one syndrome diagnosis. Depression was found in 41.8% of the respondents in the PHQ-D. Indications of moderate to severe and severe depressive syndromes were present in 31.8%. Signs of somatoform syndromes are found in 25.4% and of anxiety syndromes in 20.0%. 1,089 students gave narrative reports on how they were feeling and made suggestions for improvement. About 75% reported severely reduced well-being. Their main complaints were loneliness and depression and lack of recognition for their specific academic and life situation during the pandemic. By far, the largest proportion of students supposed that their mental health issues were caused and/or intensified by the pandemic-related social contact restrictions. The vast majority of them made reasonable suggestions for controlled relaxation of contact restrictions. Conclusions: Students suffer severely from the pandemic-related social restriction. In respect to future pandemic outbreaks or other crises leading to social isolation, the dramatic consequences of social lockdowns should be taken into account. Under pandemic conditions, we especially should support persons lacking social networks.

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Effectiveness of Strengths-Based Case Management for People with Mental Health Problems in Hong Kong

Advances in Social Work ◽

10.18060/18428 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 323-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kevin Y. C. Hui ◽

Cressida W. C. Leung ◽

Morgan C. K. Ng ◽

Wing Ching Yu ◽

Edison K. L. Lau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Case Management ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Management Intervention ◽

Case Management Intervention ◽

The University

This study examined the effectiveness of a 6-month strengths-based case management intervention with 45 Chinese participants with mental health problems in Hong Kong. Social workers provided service according to the strengths-based case management (SCM) model developed at the University of Kansas. Changes in participants’ recovery components (Stage of Recovery Scale), mental health symptoms (GHQ), and satisfaction with life were assessed using a single group pretest and posttest design. Results suggest that participants had some improvement in their autonomy, hope, and overall well-being as well as satisfaction with life after receiving services. No significant improvements in the other recovery components and GHQ score were found. Significantly, a number of participants progressed from stages of being overwhelmed or struggling with disability to stages of living with or beyond disability. Strengths-based practice helped participants develop a transformed self which sees hope and possibility despite the vulnerabilities caused by their illness. Though further refinement and testing are vital, adoption of SCM in Hong Kong mental health services is promising.

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Comparing the social networks of service users with long term mental health needs living in community with those in a general adult in-patient unit

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211017590 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110175

Author(s):

Roberto Rusca ◽

Ike-Foster Onwuchekwa ◽

Catherine Kinane ◽

Douglas MacInnes

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Networks ◽

Social Network ◽

Patient Group ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Practical Support ◽

The Social

Background: Relationships are vital to recovery however, there is uncertainty whether users have different types of social networks in different mental health settings and how these networks may impact on users’ wellbeing. Aims: To compare the social networks of people with long-term mental illness in the community with those of people in a general adult in-patient unit. Method: A sample of general adult in-patients with enduring mental health problems, aged between 18 and 65, was compared with a similar sample attending a general adult psychiatric clinic. A cross-sectional survey collected demographic data and information about participants’ social networks. Participants also completed the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to examine well-being and the Significant Others Scale to explore their social network support. Results: The study recruited 53 participants (25 living in the community and 28 current in-patients) with 339 named as important members of their social networks. Both groups recorded low numbers in their social networks though the community sample had a significantly greater number of social contacts (7.4 vs. 5.4), more monthly contacts with members of their network and significantly higher levels of social media use. The in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Conclusions: People with serious and enduring mental health problems living in the community had a significantly greater number of people in their social network than those who were in-patients while the in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Recommendations for future work have been made.

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POS1321 MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING IN PATIENTS WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 943.1-943

Author(s):

S. Eulert ◽

M. Niewerth ◽

J. Hörstermann ◽

C. Sengler ◽

D. Windschall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Screening ◽

Mental Health Screening ◽

Psychological Support ◽

Web Based ◽

Patient Health

Background:Mental disorders often begin in the vulnerable phase of adolescence and young adulthood. Young people with chronic diseases are particularly at risk. Early recognition of mental health problems is necessary in order to be able to support those affected in a timely and adequate manner. By implementing a web-based generic screening tool for mental health in routine care, patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and mental health conditions can be identified and provided with targeted treatment.Objectives:To investigate the prevalence of mental health conditions in young people with JIA in routine rheumatology care.Methods:Mental health screening is implemented as an add-on module to the National Paediatric Rheumatology Database (NPRD). The current data was gathered over a period of 24 months. Patients complete the screening tool which includes the Patient Health Questionnaire1 (PHQ-9, score 0-27) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale2 (GAD-7, score 0-21) via a web-based questionnaire. The cut-off for critical values in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were defined as values ≥ 10. Simultaneously, other data, such as sociodemographic data, disease activity (cJADAS10, score 0-30), functional status (CHAQ, score 0-3) were collected as well.Results:The analysis included 245 patients (75% female) with a mean age of 15.7 years and a mean disease duration of 8.8 years. 38.8% of the patients had oligoarthritis (18.0% OA, persistent/20.8% OA, extended) and 23.3% RF negative polyarthritis. At the time of documentation 49 patients (30.6%) had an inactive disease (cJADAS10 ≤ 1) and 120 (49.4%) no functional limitations (CHAQ = 0). In total, 53 patients (21.6%) had screening values in either GAD-7 or PHD-9 ≥10. Patients with critical mental health screening values showed higher disease activity and more frequent functional limitations than inconspicuous patients (cJADAS10 (mean ± SD): 9.3 ± 6 vs. 4.9 ± 4.9; CHAQ: 0.66 ± 0.6 vs. 0.21 ± 0.42). When compared to males, females were significantly more likely to report either depression or anxiety symptoms (11.7% vs. 24.9%, p = 0.031).17.6% of all patients with valid items for these data reported to receive psychological support, meaning psychotherapeutic support (14.5%) and/or drug therapy (8.6%). Among those with a critical mental health screening score, 38.7% received psychological support (psychotherapeutic support (35.5%) and/or drug therapy (16.1%)).Conclusion:Every fifth young person with JIA reported mental health problems, however, not even every second of them stated to receive psychological support. The results show that screening for mental health problems during routine adolescent rheumatology care is necessary to provide appropriate and targeted support services to young people with a high burden of illness.References:[1]Löwe B, Unützer J, Callahan CM, Perkins AJ, Kroenke K. Monitoring depression treatment outcomes with the patient health questionnaire-9. Med Care. 2004 Dec;42(12):1194-201.[2]Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 22; 166(10):1092-7.[3]The screening data were collected as part of COACH (Conditions in Adolescents: Implementation and Evaluation of Patient-centred Collaborative Healthcare), a project supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ: 01GL1740F).Disclosure of Interests:Sascha Eulert: None declared, Martina Niewerth: None declared, Jana Hörstermann: None declared, Claudia Sengler: None declared, Daniel Windschall: None declared, Tilmann Kallinich: None declared, Jürgen Grulich-Henn: None declared, Frank Weller-Heinemann Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Sobi, Roche, Novartis, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Gilead, Novartis, Pfizer, Hexal, BMS, Sanofi, MEDAC, Sandra Hansmann: None declared, Harald Baumeister: None declared, Reinhard Holl: None declared, Doris Staab: None declared, Kirsten Minden: None declared

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Embitterment as a Specific Mental Health Reaction during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Psychopathology ◽

10.1159/000517447 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Beate Muschalla ◽

Clio Vollborn ◽

Anke Sondhof

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Affective State ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Social Consequences ◽

High Rate ◽

Perceived Injustice

Introduction: Embitterment can occur as a reaction to perceived injustice. During the pandemic and restrictions in daily living due to infection risk management, a range of many smaller or severe injustices have occurred. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate what characterizes persons with high embitterment, mental illness, embitterment and mental illness, and those without embitterment or mental health problems. Methods: We conducted an online survey including persons from the general population in November 2020 and December 2020, the phase during which a second lockdown took place, with closed shops, restaurants, cultural and activity sites. 3,208 participants (mean age 47 years) gave self-ratings on their present well-being, burdens experienced during the pandemic, embitterment, wisdom, and resilience. Results: Embitterment occurred among 16% of the sample, which is a high rate in comparison with 4% during pre-pandemic times. Embitterment was weakly correlated with unspecific mental well-being. There were more persons with embitterment than those with embitterment and a mental health problem. Persons with embitterment reported less coronavirus-related anxiety than persons without embitterment. However, embittered persons reported more social and economic burdens and more frequent experiences of losses (job loss and canceling of medical treatments). Embittered persons perceive their own wisdom competencies on a similar level as persons with mental health problems or persons without mental health problems. Conclusion: Embitterment is a specific potentially alone-standing affective state, which is distinguishable from general mental health and coping capacities (here: wisdom). The economic and social consequences of pandemic management should be carefully recognized and prevented by policy.

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Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health ◽

10.1186/s13034-021-00373-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Herbert E. Ainamani ◽

Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽

Timothy Nduhukire ◽

Eunice Ndyareba ◽

Tobias Hecker

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Working Memory ◽

Child Maltreatment ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.

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Student mental health and the general practitioner

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin ◽

10.1136/dtb.13.25.99 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 13 (25) ◽

pp. 99-100

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Higher Education ◽

General Practitioner ◽

Health Service ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Student Health ◽

Student Health Services ◽

The University

Although most universities run a health service, students with important mental health problems are often seen by their general practitioner. There are a number of reasons for this; first, health services in the colleges of higher education outside universities are still patchy and incomplete. Second, students are on vacation for up to 24 weeks a year. Third, a student may choose to consult anyone, and may prefer someone unconnected with the university. Last, many students live at home and continue to see their general practitioner. This underlines the need for close liason between the general practitioner and student health services.

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Online Mental Health Assessments of COVID-19 Patients in South Korea

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.685445 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jung Hyun Lee ◽

Dayoung Lee ◽

Soyoen Hyun ◽

Ji Sun Hong ◽

Chang-Hoon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

High Risk ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

Patient Health Questionnaire ◽

Health Questionnaire ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Patient Health ◽

Post Traumatic

Experiences of infectious diseases cause stressful and traumatic life events, hence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients could suffer from various mental health problems requiring psychological support services. This study investigates the severity of mental health problems among confirmed COVID-19 patients. From March to November 2020, we collected the data from 118 COVID-19 patients who voluntarily participated in the National Center for Disaster Trauma's online mental health assessment consisting of self-report scales like Primary Care of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder screen (PC-PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and P4 Suicidality Screener. For control, 116 other disaster-experienced and 386 non-COVID-19-experienced participants were recruited. The COVID-19 patients showed more severe symptoms including post-traumatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms than control groups across all four screening scales (p < 0.001). Regarding high-risk, COVID-19 patients had an increased association with high-risk compared to the comparison groups (PC-PTSD: OR = 24.16, 95% CI = 13.52–43.16 p < 0.001; PHQ-9: OR = 14.45, 95% CI = 8.29–25.19, p < 0.001; GAD-7: OR=20.71, 95% CI = 10.74–39.96, p < 0.001; PHQ-15: OR = 5.65, 95% CI = 3.44–9.25, p < 0.001; P4: OR = 14.67, 95% CI = 8.95–25.07, p < 0.001). This study's results imply that there is a high-risk of overall mental health problems, especially stronger associations of post-traumatic stress symptoms, in COVID-19 patients. These findings help inform practitioners about the psychological responses to COVID-19 experiences and to prepare appropriate interventions and services for the incremental number of confirmed cases.

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Iraq: children's and adolescents' mental health under conditions of continuous turmoil

International Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/s1749367600006135 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 4-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

AbdulKareem AlObaidi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Health Systems ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Family Members ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Civil Unrest ◽

Education And Health

Children and adolescents constitute half of Iraq's population of over 30 million. Mental health problems experienced by Iraqi children and adolescents are a hidden problem. Many factors contribute to the mental health problems of young Iraqis, including being victims and witnesses to violence, seeing family members become victims, being displaced from their homes, and experiencing the instability that still plagues their nation. Iraqis have experienced severe deprivation caused by many years of war, economic embargoes and civil unrest. Violence, poverty and the failure of the education and health systems have severely undermined the well-being of Iraqis, especially children (AlObaidi et al, 2009).

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Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda

10.21203/rs.3.rs-75462/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Herbert E Ainamani ◽

Godfrey Z Rukundo ◽

Timothy Nduhukire ◽

Eunice Ndyareba ◽

Tobias Hecker

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Working Memory ◽

Child Maltreatment ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems

Abstract Background: Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods: A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure – Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC).Results: In total, 232(100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime ranging from having been intentionally pushed by an authority figure (89.7%, n = 208) to entering an object in the participant’s body (2.6%, n =6). We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = -0.487, p < .001) and working memory (β = -0.242, p = .001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship.Conclusions: Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.

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Mediating Effect of Personal Meaning in the Prediction of Life Satisfaction and Mental Health Problems Based on Coronavirus Suffering

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.638379 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Gökmen Arslan ◽

Murat Yıldırım ◽

Mega M. Leung

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Personal Meaning ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Health And Well Being

Research Problem: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a multi-faceted crisis worldwide. Researchers and health authorities in various parts of the world echoed the dire condition of the public's mental health. This study sought to examine the mediating effect of personal meaning on the association between coronavirus (COVID-19)-related suffering, mental health problems, and life satisfaction. Participants included 231 adults (mean age = 46.65 ± 13.98; 68% female) and completed measures of suffering related to COVID-19, meaning, life satisfaction, and mental health problems online.Results: Findings from mediation analysis showed that suffering had significant associations with personal meaning, mental health, and well-being. Furthermore, personal meaning was significantly associated with adults' mental health and well-being and mediated the negative effect of suffering on mental health and well-being.Discussion: Overall, results from this study indicate that personal meaning is an important promotive factor that may help to understand the negative effect of coronavirus-related suffering on mental health and well-being amid the public health crisis.

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