scholarly journals The current pandemic, a complex emergency? Mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on highly vulnerable communities in Guatemala

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110272
Author(s):  
Dana Alonzo ◽  
Marciana Popescu ◽  
Pinar Zubaroglu-Ioannides
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Complex Emergency ◽  
The Impact

Background: On March 5th, Guatemala declared a ‘State of Calamity’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict lockdown measures were initiated. The psychological consequences of these measures are yet to be fully understood. There is limited research on the psychological impact of the virus in the general population, and even less focused on Latin America and high-risk communities characterized by poverty, limited mental health resources, and high rates of stigma around mental illness. The goal of this study is to examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 across several highly vulnerable districts in Guatemala. Methods: A semi-structured phone interview was conducted of 295 individuals in multiple districts in Guatemala City to assess self-perceived mental health consequences related to the pandemic. Sociodemographic, medical, and mental health data were collected. Chisquares and t-tests used for categorical and continuous variables, as appropriate, to describe the sample. Binary logistic regressions were estimated to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health symptoms (anxiety, stress, depression, burnout, escalation of pre-existing mental health symptoms, and a sense of safety). Results: The results indicate high levels of anxiety and stress in all target communities. Significant differences based on gender, age, and the number of children in the household were identified: women and older adults experience higher rates of stress and anxiety associated with the pandemic; while families with greater number of children experience higher levels of burnout. Conclusion: Contextualizing the current pandemic as a complex emergency can help inform further studies focusing on socioeconomic challenges and higher vulnerabilities as preconditions affecting the impact of the pandemic on mental health. Given the limited available resources for mental health care in Guatemala, informal networks of care may play an important role in meeting the needs of those individuals experiencing increased psychological distress resulting from the pandemic.

scholarly journals Mental health symptoms among the nurses of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saifur Rahman Chowdhury ◽  
Tachlima Chowdhury Sunna ◽  
Dipak Chandra Das ◽  
Humayun Kabir ◽  
Ahmed Hossain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has wreaked havoc on healthcare staff and caused serious psychological distress. We aimed to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Bangladeshi nurses, as well as the relationship between occupational factors and mental health symptoms. We conducted a cross-sectional study among registered nurses in Bangladesh. We used the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to assess mental health symptoms. Results Among the 547 nurses included in the study, the prevalence of mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress was 50.5%, 51.8%, and 41.7% respectively, and 61.9% of the respondents reported mild to severe psychological impact for COVID-19. Psychological symptoms were more prevalent among female nurses than male nurses (p <0.05). Linear regression revealed that having complete personal protective equipment (PPE) during working was significantly associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (p <0.05). Facing any emotional abuse working in the COVID-19 pandemic situation was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress and greater psychological impact of the outbreak (p <0.05). Conclusions A high prevalence of mental health symptoms was observed in nurses. We recommend the implementation of mental well-being interventions and ensuring a proper work environment for nurses during the pandemic.

The impact of reported direct and indirect killing on mental health symptoms in Iraq war veterans

2010 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Shira Maguen ◽  
Barbara A. Lucenko ◽  
Mark A. Reger ◽  
Gregory A. Gahm ◽  
Brett T. Litz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Iraq War ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
War Veterans ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Increase of internalized mental health symptoms among adolescents during the last three decades

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 925-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Blomqvist ◽  
Eva Henje Blom ◽  
Bruno Hägglöf ◽  
Anne Hammarström
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Conduct Problems ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Previous studies suggest an overall increase of adolescent mental health symptoms globally since the 1980s until today, especially an increase of internalizing symptoms in girls. Due to methodological limitations of these studies, further studies are warranted to obtain a more solid knowledgebase. Methods This study was cross-sectional and compared two separate but geographically identical groups of adolescents in a middle-sized industrial municipality in Northern Sweden at two time-points [(i) 1981, n = 1083, (505 girls, 577 boys), response rate 99.7%; (ii) 2014, n = 682, (338 girls, 344 boys), response rate 98.3%]. All students in their last year of compulsory school were included. The same self-report questionnaire, consisting of four sub-scales (functional somatic-, anxiety-, depressive symptoms and conduct problems), was used at both occasions. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA and general linear model. Results Symptoms of anxiety and depression and functional somatic symptoms, increased among both boys and girls from 1981 until 2014 (P < 0.001 for all subscales), and the increase of these symptoms was higher in girls. Conduct problems were significantly higher in boys in 1981 and decreased over time so that in 2014 there was no longer a significant difference between boys and girls regarding conduct problems (P = 0.286). Conclusion In this population-based study spanning over 30 years, both girls and boys showed increasing internalizing problems, while conduct problems decreased. To halt this trend, we need a deeper understanding of the impact of the major societal changes that have occurred during the last three decades.

The Impact of Lifetime Victimization and Polyvictimization on Adolescents in Québec: Mental Health Symptoms and Gender Differences

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Cyr ◽  
Claire Chamberland ◽  
Marie-Ève Clément ◽  
Jo-Anne Wemmers ◽  
Delphine Collin-Vézina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Witnessing Violence ◽  
Child Victimization ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

This study documents lifetime experiences of victimizations, polyvictimization, and trauma symptoms among 1,400 adolescents from the province of Québec. The vast majority (81%) of adolescents were victimized during their lifetime, with most victims (82%) being the target of more than one form of victimization. Polyvictimization accounted for most variability in scores of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anger/aggression compared to individual victimization categories. Sexual victimization and maltreatment still made an independent contribution in predicting all trauma scores once polyvictimization was considered. Gender differences were found in the victimization experiences contributing to the prediction of mental health symptoms. Sexual victimization was a significant predictor of PTSD and anger/aggression symptoms for girls, whereas witnessing violence predicted anger and PTSD symptoms for boys, and assault predicted their anger. This study outlines the importance of assessing various types of victimization among adolescents. Systematic data and observation of trends on child victimization are needed in Canada and elsewhere.

Recruit firefighters: a longitudinal investigation of mental health and work

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152
Author(s):  
Shannon Wagner ◽  
Romana Pasca
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Fire Department ◽  
Fire Service ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Workplace Exposure ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
In Fire ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of work to self-reported mental health symptoms in fire service members. Design/methodology/approach In 2004, the first wave of this data collection was completed with all members of a fire department in a small northern center in British Columbia. The members completed a series of questionnaires measuring mental health, personality and satisfaction. Since 2004, all recruit members entering the department have also completed the same set of questionnaires shortly after hiring. Subsequently, in 2016–2017, the full sample, including recruit members, were invited to complete the Wave 2 data collection cycle, which included a set of questionnaires very similar to that collected in Wave 1. Findings The recruit sample reported significantly fewer mental health symptoms, as compared to career firefighters, at Time 1 (prior to workplace exposure). However, at Time 2 (after workplace exposure), no difference between the groups was evident. Research limitations/implications It is possible that recruit firefighters reported more positive mental health because of social desirability bias upon beginning a new job. Practical implications These results suggest that service as a firefighter could potentially have an impact on mental health and efforts should be made to mitigate this impact. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, the current research is the first study that has followed recruit firefighters longitudinally in an effort to prospectively evaluate the impact of workplace exposure on mental health.

scholarly journals Longitudinal determinants of mental health treatment-seeking by US soldiers

2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy B. Adler ◽  
Thomas W. Britt ◽  
Lyndon A. Riviere ◽  
Paul Y. Kim ◽  
Jeffrey L. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundStudies with members of the armed forces have found a gap between reports of mental health symptoms and treatment-seeking.AimsTo assess the impact of attitudes on treatment-seeking behaviours in soldiers returning from a combat deployment.MethodA sample of 529 US soldiers were surveyed 4 months (time 1) and 12 months (time 2) post-deployment. Mental health symptoms and treatment-seeking attitudes were assessed at time 1; reported mental healthcare visits were assessed at time 2.ResultsFactor analysis of the total time 1 sample revealed four attitude factors: professional concerns, practical barriers, preference for self-management and positive attitudes about treatment. For the subset of 160 soldiers reporting a mental health problem at time 1, and controlling for mental health symptom severity, self-management inversely predicted treatment-seeking; positive attitudes were positively related.ConclusionsResults demonstrate the importance of broadening the conceptualisation of barriers and facilitators of mental healthcare beyond stigma. Techniques and delivery models emphasising self-care may help increase soldiers' interest in using mental health services.

scholarly journals A pilot study of the impact of an integrated individual- and family therapy model for self-harming adolescents on overall healthcare consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moa Bråthén Wijana ◽  
Inna Feldman ◽  
Richard Ssegonja ◽  
Pia Enebrink ◽  
Ata Ghaderi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Therapy ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Healthcare Consumption ◽  
General Mental Health ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Self-harming behaviors in adolescents cause great suffering and can lead to considerable costs to the healthcare system. The aim of the current study was to investigate the cost of an integrated individual and family therapy (Intensive Contextual Treatment: ICT) and to compare the adolescent’s healthcare consumption 1 year before and 1 year after treatment. Method The study had a within group design with repeated measures. The clinical outcomes and the cost of ICT treatment are based on a sample of 49 participants who were previously enrolled in an intervention trial. Participants with significantly improved clinical outcomes (self-harm behavior, or general mental health symptoms) were defined as treatment responders. Calculation of changes in healthcare consumption is based on 25 participants who gave their consent to participate in a retrospective collection of healthcare data from medical records, including inpatient and outpatient care, and prescribed medication. Results The average estimated cost of ICT per person was €5293. There were no significant differences between the cost of healthcare consumption 1 year before and after ICT, but the results suggested that the adolescents consumed less inpatient and specialized care after treatment. There was a significantly higher cost of psychotropic medication after treatment explained by a higher consumption of central stimulants. Treatment responders (general mental health problems) reduced their consumption of healthcare resources significantly more than non-responders, especially regarding hospital visits and total health care costs. Conclusions Good response to the ICT in terms of improved general mental health symptoms seems to be associated with reduced healthcare consumption during the post-treatment period. However, controlled studies with larger sample sizes are needed to draw causal conclusions. The results of this study should be interpreted with caution as it is based on a small sample and attrition rate was high. Trial registration This study has been registered with the ISRCTN: 15885573.

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