When Post-Incarcerated Individuals Return to High-Risk Neighborhoods: Staying Out of Trouble, Social Withdrawal, and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 001112872110647
Author(s):  
Lin Liu ◽  
Christy A. Visher ◽  
Daniel J. O’Connell ◽  
Dayu Sun
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Financial Difficulty ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Returning Citizens ◽  
Health Deterioration ◽  
Positive Effect

Studies show that residents from urban, high-risk neighborhoods fair worse on multiple behavioral and health outcomes than their counterparts from more socially and economically advantaged neighborhoods. However, few research efforts have been devoted to examining how formerly incarcerated individuals’ concerns over neighborhood environment are associated with reentry outcomes. Using longitudinal data that captured the reentry experiences of individuals released from prison, the present study quantifies how returning citizens’ concerns over neighborhood environment predict their social withdrawal and mental health deterioration. Findings suggest that when respondents’ post-release family bonds, financial difficulty, drug use, and past mental health histories are all taken into account, their concerns over neighborhood environment exert a significant and positive effect on social withdrawal, depression, and hostility. Returning citizens who believe it is hard to stay out of trouble and prison in their neighborhoods tend to avoid social interactions with others and experience depression and increased hostility and vigilance. Implications for reentry programing and interventions are discussed.

scholarly journals Practical Report of Disaster-Related Mental Health Interventions Following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential for Suicide Prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10424
Author(s):  
Masatsugu Orui ◽  
Suzuka Saeki ◽  
Shuichiro Harada ◽  
Mizuho Hayashi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Telephone Counseling ◽  
National Average ◽  
Great East Japan Earthquake ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Financial Difficulty ◽  
High Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Background: This practical report aims to publicize the ongoing disaster-related mental health interventions following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Disaster-related mental health interventions consisted of: (1) screening high-risk evacuees with high psychological distress (Kessler 6 score ≥ 13) or binge drinking; and (2) visiting selected high-risk individuals and providing them counseling through outreach in evacuee housing. These activity records were compiled from existing material in the Sendai City Office; therefore, no new interviews or questionnaire surveys were conducted. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced telephone counseling and shortened the time of support as a result of the restrictions. Counselors addressed issues of “loneliness” or “isolation” among evacuees, who had little connection with society due to the pandemic. Moreover, the procedure for obtaining COVID-19 special financial aid was explained to evacuees in financial difficulty. During this period, the suicide rates in the affected area did not increase significantly as compared to the national average. Conclusions: Our report may be instructive in terms of preventing suicide during the pandemic using high-risk approaches and counselors trained in disaster-related mental health interventions.

Characteristics of socially withdrawn youth in France: A retrospective study

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Chauliac ◽  
Audrey Couillet ◽  
Sophie Faivre ◽  
Nassima Brochard ◽  
Jean-Louis Terra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Single Parent ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Large Families ◽  
The Mean

Background: Poor social interactions have been recognized as a symptom since the beginnings of psychiatry. As far as socially withdrawn youth (SWY) are concerned, studies were mostly conducted on patients seeking care. Our psychiatric outreach team called Psymobile was able to reach SWY patients who were not seeking mental health care. Aims: To identify the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of SWY patients referred to our Psymobile unit. Method: We carried out a retrospective study on the records of patients aged 18–34 years, who were referred to Psymobile for ‘withdrawal’, between April 2012 and December 2015. Results: In total, 66 patients were included in the study. SWY are predominantly male (80%) from large families or single-parent ones. About 42% had no prior contact with a mental health professional before being referred to Psymobile. The mean duration of withdrawal is 29 months. In all, 42% of SWY use cannabis and 73% present disorders of the sleep–wake schedule. About 71% maintain relations with their families and 73% go out occasionally. They are mostly diagnosed with schizophrenia (37%) or mood disorders (23%). Conclusion: Over one-third of Psymobile patients aged 18–34 years were referred on grounds of social withdrawal. Our data may illustrate more accurately the situation of youth social withdrawal amid the general population than data from help-seeking patients or online questionnaires.

Polygenic scores differently predict developmental trajectories of subtypes of social withdrawal in middle childhood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geneviève Morneau-Vaillancourt ◽  
Till F. M. Andlauer ◽  
Isabelle Ouellet-Morin ◽  
Stéphane Paquin ◽  
Mara Brendgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Genetic Risk Score ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
General Mental Health ◽  
Polygenic Scores

Background. Children who consistently withdraw from social situations face increased risk for later socioemotional difficulties. Twin studies indicate that genetic factors account for a substantial share in the persistence of social withdrawal over time. However, the molecular genetic etiology of chronic courses of social wariness and preference for solitude, two dimensions of social withdrawal, remain unexplored. The objectives were 1) to identify high-risk trajectories for social wariness and preference for solitude in the childhood years, and 2) to examine whether the assignment to these high-risk trajectories can be predicted by polygenic scores for mostly adult mental health traits and disorders and by a general polygenic predisposition to these traits. Methods. Teachers evaluated 1133 genotyped children at five occasions (age 6 to 12 years) from two prospective longitudinal studies, the Quebec Newborn Twin Study and the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Developmental trajectories for social wariness and preference for solitude were identified. We tested whether polygenic scores for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, depression, loneliness and subjective well-being, as well as a general mental health genetic risk score derived across these traits were associated with the developmental trajectories. Results. Polygenic scores differently predicted social wariness and preference for solitude. Only the loneliness polygenic score significantly predicted the elevated trajectory for social wariness. By contrast, the general mental health genetic risk score factor was associated with the trajectory depicting high and chronic preference for solitude. Conclusion. Distinct associations were uncovered between the polygenic scores, social wariness, and preference for solitude. These results point to multiple genetic processes underlying the development of social withdrawal, as well as the potential value of preference for solitude as an endophenotype for the later onset and persistence of mental health difficulties in adulthood.

Cross-sectional assessment of mental health and service disparities in a high-risk community.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-373
Author(s):  
Brendan H. Pulsifer ◽  
Casey L. Evans ◽  
Leila Capel ◽  
Mary Lyons-Hunter ◽  
Julie A. Grieco
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional

Correlation between attachment style and mental health with high risk behaviors in adolescences

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-121
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Asadi ◽  
Zeinab Saeediaee ◽  
Mehdi Mohammadi ◽  
Mahdi Kheradmand
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
High Risk Behaviors

Behavioral Emergencies and Crises

2010 ◽  
pp. 739-762
Author(s):  
Phillip M. Kleespies ◽  
Justin M. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Behavioral Emergencies ◽  
And Training

This chapter illustrates the mental health clinician’s relationship with behavioral emergencies. The chapter begins by distinguishing the terms behavioral emergency and behavioral crisis, and underlying themes among all behavioral emergencies are identified. Given that most clinicians will face a behavioral emergency in their careers, the importance of enhancing the process of educating and training practitioners for such situations far beyond the minimal training that currently exists is highlighted. The chapter continues by exploring various aspects of evaluating and managing high-risk patients (i.e., those who exhibit violent tendencies toward themselves or others, and those at risk for victimization). It includes a discussion of the benefits and limitations to estimating life-threatening risk factors and specific protective factors. The chapter concludes by discussing the emotional impact that working with high-risk patients has on clinicians, and an emphasis is placed on the importance of creating a supportive work environment.

scholarly journals The Effect of Neighborhood Experiences on Positive Mental Health Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 436-436
Author(s):  
Daniel R Y Gan ◽  
Grand H-L Cheng ◽  
Tze Pin Ng ◽  
John Chye Fung ◽  
Im Sik Cho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Psychosocial Wellbeing

Abstract Given reduced life spaces, the neighborhood often functions as a social venue for older adults. Yet how these everyday social spaces affect older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing remains largely unknown. Drawing on the GRP-CARE Survey data, this paper examined the relation between neighborhood experiences and positive mental health. Participants were 601 community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 50+ who lived in public housing neighborhoods. Neighborhood experiences were measured using the four-factorial, 16-item OpenX scale (Gan, Fung, Cho, 2019); positive mental health was measured using a six-factorial, 19-item scale (Vaingankar et al., 2011). Both scales have good psychometric properties and had been validated. Path analysis between relevant factors of both scales was conducted using Stata, within a theorized model of causation from neighborhood environment to social factors to psychosocial health. Age, education, ethnicity and sex were controlled for. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a strong, positive association between neighborhood experiences and mental health (p=0.000) even after controlling for personal traits (operationalized as depressive symptoms, GDS) in addition to sociodemographic variables. Path analysis showed that two distinct neighborhood health processes mediated this association. These were (1) the potential for a sense of community in the neighborhood improved emotional support, and (2) having better neighborly friendships improved interpersonal skills. These neighborhood health processes provide us with new lenses to understand older adults’ everyday experiences of their neighborhoods. Community-based interventions to improve older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing may be developed to facilitate these processes. Spatial and programmatic implications will be discussed in relation to age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC).

scholarly journals Treating sleep problems in young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis: study protocol for a single-blind parallel group randomised controlled feasibility trial (SleepWell)

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e045235
Author(s):  
Felicity Waite ◽  
Thomas Kabir ◽  
Louise Johns ◽  
Jill Mollison ◽  
Apostolos Tsiachristas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Ultra High Risk ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundEffective interventions, targeting key contributory causal factors, are needed to prevent the emergence of severe mental health problems in young people. Insomnia is a common clinical issue that is problematic in its own right but that also leads to the development and persistence of psychotic experiences. The implication is that treating sleep problems may prevent the onset of psychosis. We collected initial case series data with 12 young people at ultra-high-risk of psychosis. Post-intervention, there were improvements in sleep, depression and psychotic experiences. Now we test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial, with a clinical aim to treat sleep problems and hence reduce depression, psychotic experiences, and prevent transition to psychosis.Methods and analysisA randomised controlled feasibility trial will be conducted. Forty patients aged 14 to 25 years who are at ultra-high-risk of psychosis and have sleep disturbance will be recruited from National Health Service (NHS) mental health services. Participants will be randomised to receive either a novel, targeted, youth-focussed sleep intervention in addition to usual care or usual care alone. Assessor-blinded assessments will be conducted at baseline, 3 months (post-intervention) and 9 months (follow-up). The eight-session psychological intervention will target the key mechanisms which disrupt sleep: circadian rhythm irregularities, low sleep pressure, and hyperarousal. To gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ views on the acceptability of the intervention and study procedures, 16 participants (n=10 intervention, n=6 control) will take part in qualitative interviews. Analyses will focus on feasibility outcomes (recruitment, retention, and treatment uptake rates) and provide initial CI estimates of intervention effects. Thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews will assess the acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures.Ethics and disseminationThe trial has received ethical approval from the NHS Health Research Authority. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and lay networks.Trial registration numberISRCTN85601537.

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