The Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadian Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Women Abused by Intimate Partners

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (12-13) ◽  
pp. 1574-1597
Author(s):  
Leslie M. Tutty ◽  
H. Lorraine Radtke ◽  
Wilfreda E. (Billie) Thurston ◽  
Kendra L. Nixon ◽  
E. Jane Ursel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Ptsd Checklist ◽  
Health And Well Being

Intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health, disabilities, and child abuse history were examined for 292 Indigenous compared with 295 non-Indigenous Canadian women. IPV was assessed by the Composite Abuse Scale and mental health by the Symptom Checklist-10, Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression 10, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist, and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Scores did not differ nor were they in the clinical ranges for the two groups. In a MANCOVA on the mental health/well-being scales, with IPV severity as a covariate, only disability was significantly associated with more severe mental health symptoms. Suggestions for service providers are presented.

How does video interaction guidance contribute to infant and parental mental health and well-being?

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Kennedy ◽  
Kevin Ball ◽  
Jane Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Mediated Learning ◽  
Infant Attachment ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Feedback Techniques ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
The Way

This article describes the contribution of video interaction guidance (VIG) to the development of infant and parental and VIG practitioners’ mental health and well-being. The theoretical core of VIG was depicted in terms of concepts such as intersubjectivity, attunement and mediated learning. The way the VIG principles alongside the underpinning values and beliefs promote a process of attunement between parent and infant, the VIG practitioner and parent, and the VIG practitioner and supervisor is described. This article also describes some of the evidence about the effectiveness of video feedback techniques more generally and the way in which the underpinning theory of change enables VIG to target key ports of entry in terms of areas that have been highlighted by numerous epidemiological studies as being important in terms of supporting or derailing infant attachment security. A case study is used to demonstrate the way in which VIG can be integrated within broader therapeutic approaches such as parent–infant psychotherapy to support the interaction of parents who have been deeply traumatised in childhood. It also demonstrates how the parallel process of practitioner ‘attunement’ to mother is key to the mother’s recovery and her new ability to form attuned relationships herself with her children and other adults.

Assessment of yoga as an adjuvant treatment for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda McCarthy ◽  
Judith Fuller ◽  
Georgina Davidson ◽  
Alicia Crump ◽  
Sandro Positano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Waiting Period ◽  
Ptsd Checklist ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
History Of

Objectives: This study assessed yoga as an adjuvant strategy for symptoms of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Subjects had significant, combat-related PTSD. Control data were collected during an eight-week waiting period. Trauma-sensitive yoga sessions of 90 minutes duration were provided every seven days for eight weeks. Assessments included the PTSD checklist (PCL); the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS); the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP); the SF36 Quality of Life instrument; and a brief, structured pre-enrolment assessment of attitudes towards yoga. Biomarkers were also assessed. Results: Thirty participants were recruited, with 28 completing the protocol ( Mage=63.5 years). For most variables, there was no significant change in results after the waiting period. Comparing measurements obtained immediately prior to the commencement of the intervention to those taken after completion of eight yoga sessions, significant changes included an increase in the serum dehydroepiandrosterone concentration, decreased total PCL score (and all PCL sub-scales), decreases in all DASS sub-scale scores and significant improvements in PSQI and SF36 scores. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: A range of benefits were observed after yoga, consistent with the theoretical construct for the long history of yoga as a strategy to reduce stress and promote well-being.

scholarly journals The Experiences and Views of Service Providers on the Mental Health and Well-Being Services for Syrian Refugees in Coventry and Warwickshire

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Anastasiou ◽  
Helen Liebling ◽  
Michelle Webster ◽  
Fiona MacCallum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Views And Perceptions ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract. Objectives: Previous literature demonstrated that, even when mental health and psychological support services are available for refugees, there may still be obstacles in accessing services. This is the first known study to explore the experiences of mental-health and well-being services for Syrian refugees in Coventry and Warwickshire, United Kingdom. The research investigates the views and perceptions of service providers on the current mental-health and well-being services provided for this population. Methods: Eight service providers participated in semistructured interviews and focus groups, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged from an analysis of the data: “positive aspects of service delivery,” “service challenges,” and “recommendations for service improvements and quality.” Conclusion: The findings bring to the fore specific gaps in current provision and interpreting services. Recommendations for proposed improvements in service provision and policy as well as clinical implications are included in this article.

scholarly journals Window View and the Brain: Effects of Floor Level and Green Cover on the Alpha and Beta Rhythms in a Passive Exposure EEG Experiment

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo ◽  
Nicolas Escoffier ◽  
Jane Chan ◽  
Tan Puay Yok
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Floor Level ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Green Cover ◽  
Important Interaction ◽  
Health And Well Being

With the growing interest among researchers, practitioners, and urban decision makers in the influence of the built environment on peoples’ health, there is increasing emphasis on using scientific knowledge to inform urban design, including methods of neuroscience. As window views are the most immediate medium of visual connection with one’s neighbourhood, we surmised that the quality of this view would have an impact on the mental health and well-being of urban dwellers. Accordingly, we investigated how window views taken from different floors of a high-rise block with varying extents of green cover affected 29 healthy residents in an exploratory electroencephalography (EEG) experiment. The results showed that the amount of green cover within the view captured at different floor levels can cause an important interaction effect on the frontal alpha and temporal beta brain oscillations while participants view photographs. These results suggest that the brainwave patterns commonly associated with positive emotional states, motivation, and visual attention mechanisms may be increased by the extent of green cover within the view. This phenomenon seems more pronounced on the higher than lower floors. The observed findings at this stage cannot confirm major effects between floor level, green cover, and brainwaves, however, they emphasize the importance of considering the quality of window views in the planning and design of urban high-rise neighbourhoods. Having a green window view can potentially contribute to the mental health and well-being of urban dwellers.

An ethnography exploring the quality of life of people living with schizophrenia in Zimbabwe: Implications for health service policy and practice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherphard Chidarikire ◽  
Merylin Cross ◽  
Isabelle Skinner ◽  
Michelle Cleary
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Short Form ◽  
World Health ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
World Health Organization Quality

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder affecting more than 20 million people worldwide. Although understanding peoples’ experiences of living with an illness is core to assessment, planning and delivering culture specific health care, little is known about the experiences of people living with schizophrenia in resource-poor countries. This article reports on a study that explored the everyday lives of eighteen people living with schizophrenia in Zimbabwe and its impact on their quality of life. Methods This focused ethnography was conducted over a three-month period in 2015. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, non-participant observational fieldwork, and the short form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Interview data were digitally recorded, transcribed and translated from Shona (local language) to English. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to analyse questionnaire data. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using an established framework. Results Survey data indicate internal consistency in the psychological and social relationships domains and poor quality of life for people aged 20-40. The major factors related to quality of life were: age, gender, family dislocation: living with stigma and discrimination; and limited and variable access to treatment and support. Obtaining and paying for antipsychotic medications were challenging and female participants recounted experiencing gender-based stigma. Conclusions Findings from our study suggest that age, gender, family dislocation, stigma, discrimination, and variable limited access to affordable medications and support undermine quality of life by disrupting participants’ ability to function in socially acceptable ways, their sense of belonging and self-worth, and family, work and social relations. Strengthening access to mental health services, addressing the affordability and availability of medications and initiatives to alleviate stigma and promote a sense of belonging, especially for younger adults and women should be a priority for government and health service providers. Further research on managing mental health issues such as schizophrenia in Zimbabwe, should focus on initiatives to strengthen quality of life.

scholarly journals Arah Kebijakan Kesehatan Mental: Tren Global dan Nasional Serta Tantangan Aktual

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Ilham Akhsanu Ridlo ◽  
Rizqy Amelia Zein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
National Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Treatment Gap

AbstractGlobally, during the last three decades, mental health has played significant role in regards to thediscourse of global health policy. Since two decades ago, WHO has firmly defined health as a roundedstate of condition where an individual reach “...not merely the absence of the illness, but also achievementof physical, mental and social well-being.” WHO’s definition of health implies a significant impact onglobal health policy – all members of states should adhere their health policy to this definition. TheGlobal Burden of Disease study carried out by IHME (The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation)in 2012 that mapped out the burden of disease around the world revealed an appalling fact namelyworsened mental health condition. Years lost due to disability (YLD) study mentioned that 6 out to 20diseases that were most responsible in causing disability were mental illnesses. Therefore, this articleaimed to describe the mental illness prevalence in global and national level by reviewing several mentalillness epidemiological studies. Additionally, this article highlighted some of important challenges thatshould be considered by healthcare service providers and policymakers in tackling mental health issues,which are treatment gap and mental health stigma.Keywords: Mental Health Policy, Global and National Prevalence, Treatment Gap AbstrakSecara global, dalam kurun waktu 30 tahun terakhir, isu mengenai kesehatan mental memainkanperan penting dalam perumusan kebijakan kesehatan global. Sejak dua dekade yang lalu, WHOmengeluarkan definisi sehat sebagai suatu kondisi dimana seorang indvidu mencapai “...tak sekedarbebas dari penyakit, melainkan mampu mencapai kesejahteraan fisik, mental dan sosial.” Definisidari WHO tersebut berkonsekuensi besar dalam perumusan kebijakan kesehatan mental, dimanaseluruh negara anggotanya harus menyandarkan garis besar kebijakan kesehatannya pada definisi ini.Studi mengenai Global Burden of Disease yang diselenggarakan oleh IHME (The Institute for HealthMetrics and Evaluation) mengungkapkan bahwa ada tren yang menunjukkan bahwa kondisi kesehatanmental menjadi ancaman serius. Studi mengenai jumlah tahun yang hilang akibat disabilitas (YLD)menyebutkan bahwa 6 dari 20 penyakit yang paling bertanggung jawab menyebabkan disabilitasadalah penyakit mental. Oleh karena itu, artikel ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan prevalensigangguan mental dalam skup global dan nasional dengan cara meninjau beberapa riset epidemiologisyang berfokus pada gangguan mental. Selain itu, artikel ini akan membahas mengenai isu-isu pentingyang merupakan tantangan bagi pelayanan kesehatan mental di Indonesia yang harus ditanggapi seriusoleh penyedia layanan kesehatan mental dan pembuat kebijakan, yaitu kesenjangan perawatan danstigma.Kata kunci: Kebijakan Kesehatan Mental, Prevalensi Global dan Nasional, Kesenjangan

Life Expectancy of Kibbutz Members

1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Leviatan ◽  
Jiska Cohen ◽  
Amanda Jaffe-Katz
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Jewish Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Health And Well Being

Data are presented demonstrating that the life expectancy (LE) of kibbutz members—both men and women—is higher than that of the overall Jewish population in Israel. Closer inspection of the death rates at various ages reveals that, from age thirty, those of kibbutz women are lower than those of the Jewish population. Although those of kibbutz men are actually higher until age forty-nine, nevertheless the LE of kibbutz members (based on death rates) surpasses that of Jews in Israel. These data add to and support other research findings illustrating the more positive mental health and well-being found among kibbutz members than among other comparative populations. Similarly, the factors contributing to kibbutz members' life expectancy evolve from this quality of life, especially as this quality of life affects old age.

scholarly journals Visual Quality Assessment of Urban Scenes with the Contemplative Landscape Model: Evidence from a Compact City Downtown Core

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 3517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hou Yanru ◽  
Mahyar Masoudi ◽  
Agnieszka Chadala ◽  
Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Visual Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Landscape Model ◽  
Rater Agreement ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Kappa Agreement ◽  
Health And Well Being

In the face of rapid urbanization and the growing burden of mental health disease, there is a need to design cities with consideration for human mental health and well-being. There is an emerging body of evidence on the importance of everyday environmental exposures regarding the mental health of city inhabitants. For example, contemplative landscapes, through a series of neuroscience experiments, were shown to trigger improved mood and restoration of attention. While the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) for scoring landscape views was applied to single images, its suitability was never tested for walking paths and areas with a diversity of viewpoints. This study aims to fill this gap using the high-density downtown of Singapore, also known as a “City in a Garden” for its advanced urban greening strategies, as a case study. In this study, 68 360° photos were taken along four popular walking paths every 20 m. A photo set of 204 items was created by extracting three view angles from each photo. Each of them was independently scored by three experts and average CLM scores for each view and path were obtained. The results were then fed into an open-source Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) for visualization. Cohen’s kappa agreement between experts’ scores was computed. The outcomes were mapped to facilitate the identification of the most contemplative viewpoints and paths. Moreover, specific contemplative landscape patterns have been distinguished and assessed allowing the recommendation of design strategies to improve the quality of viewpoints and paths. The inter-rater agreement reached substantial to perfect values. CLM is a reliable and suitable tool that enables the fine-grained assessment and improvement of the visual quality of the urban living environments with consideration of the mental health and well-being of urbanites. It can be used at a larger scale owing to 360° photos taken from the pedestrian’s point of view. Utilizing spatially explicit maps in QGIS platforms enables a wider range of visualizations and allows for spatial patterns to be revealed that otherwise would have remained hidden. Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of our semi-automated method. Furthermore, given the high inter-rater agreement observed, we suggest that there is potential in developing fully automated methods.

scholarly journals Overview of “Systematic Reviews” of the Built Environment’s Effects on Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Núñez-González ◽  
J. Andrés Delgado-Ron ◽  
Christopher Gault ◽  
Adriana Lara-Vinueza ◽  
Denisse Calle-Celi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health And Well Being

Good mental health is related to mental and psychological well-being, and there is growing interest in the potential role of the built environment on mental health, yet the evidence base underpinning the direct or indirect effects of the built environment is not fully clear. The aim of this overview is to assess the effect of the built environment on mental health-related outcomes. Methods. This study provides an overview of published systematic reviews (SRs) that assess the effect of the built environment on mental health. We reported the overview according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases searched until November 2019 included the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE (OVID 1946 to present), LILACS, and PsycINFO. Two authors independently selected reviews, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included reviews using the Assessing Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2). Results. In total, 357 records were identified from a structured search of five databases combined with the references of the included studies, and eleven SRs were included in the narrative synthesis. Outcomes included mental health and well-being, depression and stress, and psychological distress. According to AMSTAR-2 scores, the quality assessment of the included SRs was categorized as “high” in two SRs and as “critically low” in nine SRs. According to the conclusions of the SRs reported by the authors, only one SR reported a “beneficial” effect on mental health and well-being outcomes. Conclusion. There was insufficient evidence to make firm conclusions on the effects of built environment interventions on mental health outcomes (well-being, depression and stress, and psychological distress). The evidence collected reported high heterogeneity (outcomes and measures) and a moderate- to low-quality assessment among the included SRs.

Scared behind the wheel: what impact does driving anxiety have on the health and well-being of young older adults?

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1027-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E. Hempel ◽  
Joanne E. Taylor ◽  
Martin J. Connolly ◽  
Fiona M. Alpass ◽  
Christine V. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Driving Cessation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTBackground:Driving anxiety can range from driving reluctance to driving phobia, and 20% of young older adults experience mild driving anxiety, whereas 6% report moderate to severe driving anxiety. However, we do not know what impact driving anxiety has on health and well-being, especially among older drivers. This is problematic because there is a growing proportion of older adult drivers and a potential for driving anxiety to result in premature driving cessation that can impact on health and mortality. The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of driving anxiety on young older adults’ health and well-being.Method:Data were taken from a longitudinal study of health and aging that included 2,473 young older adults aged 55–70 years. The outcome measures were mental and physical health (SF-12) and quality of life (WHOQOL-8).Results:Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that driving anxiety was associated with poorer mental health, physical health, and quality of life, over and above the effect of socio-demographic variables. Sex moderated the effect of driving anxiety on mental health and quality of life in that, as driving anxiety increased, men and women were more likely to have lower mental health and quality of life, but women were more likely to have higher scores compared to men.Conclusion:Further research is needed to investigate whether driving anxiety contributes to premature driving cessation. If so, self-regulation of driving and treating driving anxiety could be important in preventing or reducing the declines in health and quality of life associated with driving cessation for older adults affected by driving anxiety.

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