Predictors of Interest in Participation in an Animal-Assisted Activity Program among Elderly Citizens

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriel J. Strickland ◽  
Stacie Davidson

Animal-Assisted Activity Programs have been shown to improve physiological and mental health outcomes among program participants. The purpose of this study was to assess the significance of gender, depression, and companion animal attitudes as predictors of interest in participation in an animal-assisted activity program. The participants were 62 residents (average age 82 years) at assisted-living centers who responded to survey measures including the Pet Attitude Scale (pas), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (ces-d), and a newly developed scale to measure interest in an animal assisted activity program. Pet attitudes and gender significantly predicted willingness to participate in the program. These results provide a contribution to the literature, which has not yet documented predictors of interest in participation in such a program among elderly citizens.

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Cramer ◽  
Martha Shumway ◽  
Amanda M. Amacker ◽  
Dale E. McNiel ◽  
Sarah Holley ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Rachel Hennein ◽  
Jessica Bonumwezi ◽  
Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako ◽  
Petty Tineo ◽  
Sarah Lowe

Racial and gender discrimination are risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes in the general population; however, the effects of discrimination on the mental health of healthcare workers needs to be further explored, especially in relation to competing stressors. Thus, we administered a survey to healthcare workers to investigate the associations between perceived racial and gender discrimination and symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and burnout during a period of substantial stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a national racial reckoning. We used multivariable linear regression models, which controlled for demographics and pandemic-related stressors. Of the 997 participants (Mean Age = 38.22 years, SD = 11.77), 688 (69.01%) were White, 148 (14.84%) Asian, 86 (8.63%) Black, 73 (7.32%) Latinx, and 21 (2.11%) identified as another race. In multivariable models, racial discrimination predicted symptoms of depression (B = 0.04; SE: 0.02; p = .009), anxiety (B = 0.05; SE: 0.02; p = .004), and posttraumatic stress (B = 0.01; SE: 0.01; p = .006) and gender discrimination predicted posttraumatic stress (B = 0.11; SE: 0.05; p = .013) and burnout (B = 0.24; SE: 0.07; p = .001). Discrimination had indirect effects on mental health outcomes via inadequate social support. Hospital-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives are warranted to mitigate the adverse mental health effects of discrimination.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-37
Author(s):  
Jennifer Dunn ◽  
Colleen Best ◽  
David L. Pearl ◽  
Andria Jones-Bitton

AbstractDespite numerous benefits, a dark side exists in human and veterinary caregiving professions that can negatively impact caregiver mental health. It was postulated that other nonhuman animal caregivers, animal welfare employees, might experience mental health outcomes similar to those in analogous caregiving occupations. This study investigated employee mental health at a Canadian animal welfare organization using five validated mental health instruments: Perceived Stress Scale (stress), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (anxiety and depression), Professional Quality of Life Scale (compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue), Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (burnout), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (resilience). Front-line and support staff tended to have poorer mental health outcomes relative to the study population mean, potential for burnout was a notable concern, and resilience was below normal for most employees. These results shed light on the mental health of an animal caregiving occupation that has largely been ignored. Strategies for building employee resilience are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 452-470
Author(s):  
Anne J Maheux ◽  
Sophia Choukas-Bradley

Sexual experience is considered an important developmental milestone for emerging adults. Whereas some sexual experiences incur benefits, others are associated with negative mental health outcomes. This chapter first describes the cultural context in which emerging adults experience their sexuality, including sexualized media, sexual scripts, hookup culture, and technology, and the impact of these contextual forces on emerging adults’ psychological well-being. The mental health effects of sexual behaviors are also discussed as they relate to various relational contexts, including committed romantic relationships, casual “hookups,” and ongoing casual relationships (e.g., “friends with benefits”), with an emphasis on the disproportionate negative outcomes for women and the limited empirical research on the impact of these experiences on racial and sexual minority individuals. The chapter further discusses the mental health outcomes affecting emerging adults with sexual and gender minority identities. The chapter concludes with important directions for future work, including longitudinal studies and greater attention to intersectionality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 808-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope Strauss ◽  
Angus Cook ◽  
Sam Winter ◽  
Vanessa Watson ◽  
Dani Wright Toussaint ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundTrans and gender diverse (TGD) young people worldwide experience high rates of poor mental health; however, these rates were unknown in Australia. In addition, how negative life events affect the mental health of TGD young people has been largely unexplored.MethodsThis paper reports on novel mental health findings of Trans Pathways, the largest study ever conducted in Australia with trans (transgender) and gender diverse young people (N = 859; aged 14–25 years). The study was an anonymous online cross-sectional survey undertaken in 2016. Logistic and linear regression models were used to test associations between mental health outcomes and negative life experiences.ResultsTGD young people in Australia experience high levels of mental distress, including self-harming (79.7%), suicidal thoughts (82.4%), and attempting suicide (48.1%). Three in four participants had been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety (74.6% and 72.2%, respectively). Many TGD young people had been exposed to negative experiences such as peer rejection (89.0%), precarious accommodation (22.0%), bullying (74.0%), and discrimination (68.9%). Most poor mental health outcomes were associated with negative experiences. The strongest associations were found for precarious accommodation and issues within educational settings. For example, participants with a prior suicide attempt were almost six times more likely to have experienced issues with accommodation, including homelessness.ConclusionsThe current results highlight the urgent need for better mental health care and provide insight into areas for targeted mental health interventions. These findings are pertinent for clinicians working with trans young people and wider society.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Sumner ◽  
Jan R Böhnke ◽  
Patrick Doherty

Background The presence of mental health conditions in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients such as anxiety and depression can lead to reduced programme adherence, increased mortality and increased re-occurrence of cardiovascular events undermining the aims and benefit of CR. Earlier research has identified a relationship between delayed commencement of CR and poorer physical activity outcomes. This study wished to explore whether a similar relationship between CR wait time and mental health outcomes can be found and to what degree participation in CR varies by mental health status. Methods Data from the UK National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation, a dataset that captures information on routine CR practice and patient outcomes, was extracted between 2012 and 2016. Logistic and multinomial regression models were used to explore the relationship between timing of CR and mental health outcomes measured on the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results The results of this study showed participation in CR varied by mental health status, particularly in relation to completion of CR, with a higher proportion of non-completers with symptoms of anxiety (5% higher) and symptoms of depression (8% higher). Regression analyses also revealed that delays to CR commencement significantly impact mental health outcomes post-CR. Conclusion In these analyses CR wait time has been shown to predict the outcome of anxiety and depression status to the extent that delays in starting CR are detrimental. Programmes falling outside the 4-week window for commencement of CR following referral must strive to reduce wait times to avoid negative impacts to patient outcome.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek A. Giannone ◽  
Daniel Kaplin

This study investigates a recently developed model of spiritual intelligence in relation to the common mental health concerns of depression, anxiety, and substance use. Three-hundred and fifty-three undergraduate psychology students responded to the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale–Revised, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Drug, Alcohol, and Nicotine scale. We hypothesized spiritual intelligence would be negatively associated with the study’s mental health outcomes. A secondary aim was to examine the contributions of spiritual intelligence model components to mental health. Overall spiritual intelligence was not associated with anxiety, depression, or substance use. Examination of the relationships between spiritual intelligence components and mental health suggested this model lacks cohesiveness in relation to mental health. While the capacity to critically examine existential issues was associated with increased depression and anxiety, the ability to draw meaning and purpose from experience was associated with improvements in all mental health outcomes. These findings cast doubt on the construct of spiritual intelligence and suggest that existential thinking and the production of meaning may be closely related to mental health. Future research should explore differences in spiritual intelligence components and their associations with mental health among varying religious affiliations.


Trauma Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-74
Author(s):  
Nicola Magnavita ◽  
Ilaria Capitanelli ◽  
Gabriele Arnesano ◽  
Angela Iuliano ◽  
Igor Mauro ◽  
...  

Exposure to major trauma can have significant consequences for workers’ mental health, but common trauma may also result in poor mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional study retrospectively investigated the occurrence of common physical or psychological workplace trauma in 901 health, social service, and trading company workers and studied these experiences in relation to occupational stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress was measured with the effort/reward imbalance (ERI) model while anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS). Healthcare workers reported a high frequency of trauma and significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than other workers. Even in the entire population of workers of the various professional categories, verbal violence (harassment and threats), traffic accidents, home injuries, and family bereavement were significantly associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Major trauma survivors are known to be at increased risk of mental disorders and require support in the workplace, however, even minor repeated emotional trauma and injuries can affect mental health. During mandatory health surveillance, the occupational physician should systematically collect information on minor trauma and mental health outcomes when assessing the occupational fitness of the workers assigned to him.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Maria Butauski

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, or people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, genderqueer, nonbinary, or any other self-identified sexual orientation or gender identity, deal with chronic minority stress, which is associated with negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Medley et al., 2016; Meyer, 2003). Part of the chronic minority stressed faced by this population stems from a lack of support in their parent-child relationships (Heatherington and Lavner, 2008; Savin-Williams, 2001, 2005). The present dissertation brought attention to the inherently intergroup nature of SGM offspring's parent-child relationships by examining how SGM adult children's parent-child communication relates to their mental health, assessed by their rates of depression and anxiety, respectively. Guided by intergroup theorizing and communication accommodation theory, the present study investigated how SGM adult children's perceptions of their parents' accommodative communication behaviors "respect for divergent values and SGM identity support" related to SGM adult children's experiences of child-parent communication apprehension (CPCA), and in turn, their mental health. Parents' accommodative communication promoted more supportive, open communication environments characterized by lower levels of CPCA, which in turn promoted more positive mental health outcomes. Results demonstrated that higher levels of CPCA were associated with higher rates of epression among SGM adult children. Results highlighted the importance of respect for divergent values and identity support in creating healthy communication environments in close intergroup family relationships and fostering individual mental health outcomes. Findings shed light on how SGM adult children's parent-child communication relates to their mental health and contribute to a growing body of research examining close intergroup family relationships.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document