Self- and group-focused internalized racism, anxiety, and depression symptoms among African American adults: A core self-evaluation mediated pathway

2020 ◽  
pp. 136843022094284
Author(s):  
Drexler James
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Internalized Racism ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
African American Adults ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Core Self ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Internalized racism (IR) is a form of racism that leads people to internalize stereotypes about their racial/ethnic group (i.e., group-focused IR) and/or about themselves because of their racial/ethnic group membership (i.e., self-focused IR). However, although IR is associated with poor mental health, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of these associations. To address this limitation, this research investigates the core self-evaluation (CSE; a person’s fundamental evaluations about themselves, their own abilities, and their own control) mediated pathway as one potential pathway. CSE consists of four traits: self-esteem (SE), locus of control (LoC), emotional stability (ES), and generalized self-efficacy (GSE). With a sample of 780 Black/African American adults ( Mage = 37.68 years, % Female = 57.6), this study investigated the independent direct and indirect effects of group- and self-focused IR on depression and anxiety symptoms via CSE using structural equation modeling. Confirming predictions, self- and group-focused IR predicted greater anxiety and depression symptoms and lower SE and ES. However, against predictions, both forms of IR were associated with increased internal LoC and were not associated with GSE. Last, results show partial support for the CSE mediated pathway, such that SE and ES (but not LoC or GSE) mediated the relationship between both self- and group-focused IR and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results suggest that IR is indirectly related to mental health via the more affective (SE, ES) relative to motivational (LoC, GSE) components of CSE, which has implications for understanding underlying mechanisms associating IR with poor mental health among racial/ethnic minorities.

scholarly journals Anxiety and Depression among Medical Doctors in Catalonia, Italy, and the UK during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Climent Quintana-Domeque ◽  
Ines Lee ◽  
Anwen Zhang ◽  
Eugenio Proto ◽  
Michele Battisti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Country Analysis ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
The Uk

Healthcare workers have had the longest and most direct exposure to COVID-19 and consequently may suffer from poor mental health. We conducted one of the first repeated multi-country analysis of the mental wellbeing of medical doctors (n=5,275) at two timepoints during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 and November/December 2020) to understand the prevalence of anxiety and depression, as well as associated risk factors. Rates of anxiety and depression were highest in Italy (24.6% and 20.1%, June 2020), second highest in Catalonia (24.6% and 17.4%, June 2020), and lowest in the UK (11.7% and 13.7%, June 2020). Across all countries, higher risk of anxiety and depression symptoms are found among women, individuals below 60 years old, those feeling vulnerable/exposed at work, and those in poor health. We did not find systematic differences in mental health measures between the two rounds of data collection, hence we cannot discard that the mental health repercussions of the pandemic are persistent.

Childhood Material Hardship and Adolescent Mental Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 0044118X2110018
Author(s):  
Chrisse Edmunds ◽  
Melissa Alcaraz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Adolescent Depression ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Fragile Families ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Material Hardship ◽  
Critical Age ◽  
The Relationship

Adolescent mental health has implications for current and future wellbeing. While a link exists between poverty and mental health, little is known about how experiencing material hardship, such as insecurity of food, housing, utilities, and medical care, throughout early childhood affects adolescent mental health. We examine the relationship between material hardship in childhood and adolescent mental health. We use Poisson regression to examine the effect of material hardship experienced at different stages of childhood on adolescent depression and anxiety outcomes at age 15. We use longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( N = 3,222). We find that recently experiencing material hardship during childhood is positively and significantly associated with anxiety and depression symptoms at age 15, even when controlling for material hardship at age 15. Additionally, we find that insecurity during mid-childhood and the stress of lacking basic needs during a critical age may influence mental health in adolescence.

scholarly journals Nationwide assessment of the mental health of UK Doctoral Researchers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie M Hazell ◽  
Jeremy Niven ◽  
Laura Chapman ◽  
Paul Roberts ◽  
Sam Cartwright-Hatton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Doctoral Researchers (DRs) are an important part of the academic community and, after graduating, make substantial social and economic contributions. Despite this importance, DR wellbeing has long been of concern. Recent studies have concluded that DRs may be particularly vulnerable to poor mental health problems, but direct comparisons of the prevalence of mental health problems between them and a control group is lacking. Here, by comparing DRs with educated working controls, we show that DRs report significantly greater anxiety and depression, and that this difference is not explained by a higher rate of pre-existing mental health problems. Moreover, most DRs perceive poor mental health as a ‘normal’ part of the PhD process. Thus, our findings suggest a hazardous impact of PhD study on mental health, with DRs being particularly at risk of developing common mental health problems. This provides an evidence-based mandate for universities and funders to reflect upon practices related to DR training and mental health. Our attention should now be directed towards understanding what factors may explain heightened anxiety and depression among DRs so as to inform preventative measures and interventions.

scholarly journals Mental health in relation to changes in sleep, exercise, alcohol and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic: examination of four UK cohort studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aase Villadsen ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
David Bann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Anxiety Depression

AbstractBackgroundResponses to the COVID-19 pandemic have included lockdowns and social distancing with considerable disruptions to people’s lives. These changes may have particularly impacted on those with mental health problems, leading to a worsening of inequalities in the behaviours which influence health.MethodsWe used data from four national longitudinal British cohort studies (N=10,666). Respondents reported mental health (psychological distress and anxiety/depression symptoms) and health behaviours (alcohol, diet, physical activity, and sleep) before and during the pandemic. Associations between pre-pandemic mental ill-health and pandemic mental ill-health and health behaviours were examined using logistic regression; pooled effects were estimated using meta-analysis.ResultsWorse mental health was related to adverse health behaviours; effect sizes were largest for sleep, exercise and diet, and weaker for alcohol. The associations between poor mental health and adverse health behaviours were larger during the May lockdown than pre-pandemic. In September, when restrictions had eased, inequalities had largely reverted to pre-pandemic levels. A notable exception was for sleep, where differences by mental health status remained high. Risk differences for adverse sleep for those with the highest level of prior mental ill-health compared to those with the lowest, were 21.2% (95% CI: 16.2, 26.2) before lockdown, 25.5% (20.0, 30.3) in May, and 28.2% (21.2, 35.2) in September.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings suggest that mental health is an increasingly important factor in health behaviour inequality in the COVID era. The promotion of mental health may thus be an important component of improving post-COVID population health.

scholarly journals Risk of depression in family caregivers: unintended consequence of COVID-19

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gallagher ◽  
Mark A. Wetherell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Data Set

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is likely to exacerbate the symptoms of poor mental health in family caregivers. Aims To investigate whether rates of depressive symptomatology increased in caregivers during COVID-19 and whether the unintended consequences of health protective measures, i.e., social isolation, exacerbated this risk. Another aim was to see if caregivers accessed any online/phone psychological support during COVID. Method Data (1349 caregivers; 6178 non-caregivers) was extracted from Understanding Society, a UK population-level data-set. The General Health Questionnaire cut-off scores identified those who are likely to have depression. Results After adjustment for confounding caregivers had a higher risk of having depressive symptoms compared with non-caregivers, odds ratio (OR) = 1.22 (95% CI 1.05–1.40, P = 0.008) evidenced by higher levels of depression pre-COVID-19 (16.7% caregivers v. 12.1% non-caregivers) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (21.6% caregivers v. 17.9% non-caregivers), respectively. Further, higher levels of loneliness increased the risk of depression symptoms almost four-fold in caregivers, OR = 3.85 (95% 95% CI 3.08–4.85, P < 0.001), whereas accessing therapy attenuated the risk of depression (43%). A total of 60% of caregivers with depression symptoms reported not accessing any therapeutic support (for example online or face to face) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions COVID-19 has had a negative impact on family caregivers’ mental health with loneliness a significant contributor to depressive symptomatology. However, despite these detriments in mental health, the majority of caregivers do not access any online or phone psychiatric support. Finally, psychiatric services and healthcare professionals should aim to focus on reducing feelings of loneliness to support at-risk caregivers.

scholarly journals Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Polish Primary Parental Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy Compared to a Control Group, as well as Identification of Selected Predictors

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 4173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Gugała ◽  
Beata Penar-Zadarko ◽  
Danuta Pięciak-Kotlarz ◽  
Katarzyna Wardak ◽  
Aneta Lewicka-Chomont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Taking Care

Background: Taking care of a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) may be linked with adverse effects in the parents’ physical and mental health. The causes of anxiety and depression symptoms associated with childcare are still not fully understood. Aim: To assess the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with CP compared to a control group and to identify selected mental health predictors. Design and Methods: Data were collected from 301 respondents, including 190 parents of children with CP (study group) and 111 parents taking care of children developing normally (control group). Intensity of anxiety and depression was rated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scale. Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), Berlin Support Social Scales (BSSS) scales and a specially designed questionnaire were used to assess the predictors. The investigated variables included the children’s and the parents’ characteristics, as well as environmental factors. The analyses applied Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, M(SD) as well as multiple regression. Results: The level of anxiety and depression was clearly higher in the parents of children with CP–the mean levels of anxiety and depression in the study group and the controls amounted to 8.1 vs. 4.7 and 6.8 vs. 3.7, respectively. The factors associated with intensity of anxiety and depression in the parents of children with CP included lack of social support, mainly perceived and received support, unsatisfying parental health status, poor economic status of the family, as well as difficult living conditions, sense of coherence, loneliness, the parent’s gender, and the child’s intellectual disability. Conclusions: Identification of significant anxiety and depression predictors, understood as modifiable factors, should be considered in determining and planning comprehensive support for a child with CP and his/her primary parental caregiver.

Core self-evaluation and depression among caregivers of Alzheimer disease patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S544-S544
Author(s):  
E. Wojtyna ◽  
A. Pyszkowska ◽  
M. Cembrzyńska ◽  
A. Wiszniewicz
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Modifying Factors ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Therapy Interventions ◽  
Core Self

IntroductionCaregivers of Alzheimer Disease (AD) patients suffer from chronic stress and psychophysical burden, which often lead to depression symptoms. It seems that core self-evaluation (CSE), coping with stress and social support might be modifying factors in coping with situation of caregiving.AimsThe aims of the study were to examine: (1) level of depression; (2) relationships between CSE, style of coping with stress, social functioning and depression severity among caregivers.MethodsThe study involved 60 caregivers of AD patients who were children of the sick and have been caring for at least one year. It was cross-sectional and assessed by questionnaires. Following tools were used: Core Self-Evaluation, Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Inventory for Stress Situations, Distress Thermometer and an original questionnaire assessing the situation of caregiving.ResultsA total of 51.7% of responders demonstrated severity of depression symptoms, associated to at least one mild clinical depression episode. The factors introduced to the model explained 65% variance of depression symptoms. Predictors of greater depression symptoms proved to be: low CSE (ΔR2 = 0.32; β = −0.12), low social support (ΔR2 = 0.08; β = −0.27), low life satisfaction (ΔR2 = 0.02, β = −0.26), high levels of distress (ΔR2 = 0.12, β = 0.31), coping style focused on emotions (ΔR2 = 0.12, β = 0.17).ConclusionsIn the area of caregivers’ psychological assistance and depression therapy, interventions leading to increase of CSE and providing adequate social support that contributes to better care provision and maintaining proper self-image, should be taken into consideration.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Anxiety and Depression Among Adult Tobacco Users During the COVID-19 Restrictions in India.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Bassi ◽  
Gaurang P. Nazar ◽  
Nishigandha Joshi ◽  
Nitika Sharma ◽  
Aishwarya Pandian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Indian Cities

Abstract Background The world witnessed a highly contagious and deadly disease, COVID-19, towards the end of 2019. India is one of the worst affected countries. We aimed to assess anxiety and depression levels among adult tobacco users and people who recently quit tobacco during COVID − 19 lockdown in India. Methods The study was conducted across two Indian cities, Delhi and Chennai (July-August, 2020) among adult tobacco users (n = 801). Telephonic interviews were conducted using validated mental health tools (Patient Health Questionnaire-PHQ-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-GAD-7) to assess the anxiety and depression levels of the participants. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to study the prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety. Results We found that 20.6% of tobacco users had depression symptoms (3.9% moderate to severe); 20.7% had anxiety symptoms (3.8% moderate to severe). Risk factors associated with depression and anxiety included food, housing, and financial insecurity. Conclusion During COVID-19 lockdown, mental health of tobacco users (primarily women) was associated with food, housing and financial insecurity. The Indian Government rightly initiated several health, social and economic measures to shield the most vulnerable from COVID-19, including a ban on the sale of tobacco products. It is also necessary to prioritize easy access to tobacco cessation and mental health services to such vulnerable populations during pandemic situations.

scholarly journals Does Mind-Wandering Relate to Mood and Stress in Young Adults? A Narrative Review

Spectrum ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Sina ◽  
Vickie Plourde
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Mind Wandering ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Independent Screening ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Mind-wandering (MW) is ubiquitous and has been extensively studied in young adults. Studies have shown that MW, daydreaming, and sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms (SCT; e.g., staring, mental fogginess, confusion, hypoactivity, sluggishness, lethargy, and drowsiness) are interrelated constructs and all relate to mood and stress-related symptoms. The aims of the current review are to a) document the associations between MW (and related constructs: daydreaming, and SCT) and mood/stress-related symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms) in young adults and b) identify potential mechanisms underlying these relationships. We conducted a narrative review of the literature on the subject. We searched MEDLINE (Ovid) and PsycINFO® (Ovid) databases and performed duplicate and independent screening. A total of 559 unique records were identified, and 22 records (published between 1978 and 2017) were included. We confirmed existing evidence of the associations between MW, daydreaming, SCT and mood/stress-related symptoms in young adults (aged 18 - 30 years). Although these associations are reported, our understanding of its directionality and underlying mechanisms remains incomplete. These findings highlight the need for further research combining experimental and correlational designs and including possible mechanisms of these associations in this population.

scholarly journals Condition openness is associated with better mental health in individuals with an intersex/differences of sex development condition: structural equation modeling of European multicenter data

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Tim C. van de Grift ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
Differences Of Sex Development

Abstract Background Openness on one's health condition or (stigmatized) identity generally improves mental health. Intersex or differences of sex development (DSD) conditions have long been kept concealed and high levels of (internalizing) mental health problems are reported. This study examines the effects of condition openness on anxiety and depression and the role of mediating concepts in this population. Methods Cross-sectional data of individuals of 16 years and older with an intersex/DSD condition was collected in 14 specialized European clinics as part of the dsd-LIFE study. Patient-reported measures were taken on openness and shame (Coping with DSD), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), satisfaction with care (CSQ4), anxiety and depression (HADS). Scores were compared per clinical group and data were analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM) to calculate prediction and mediation models. Results Data of 903 individuals were included in this study (Turner syndrome (n = 284), 46, XY DSD (n = 233), CAH (n = 206) and Klinefelter syndrome (n = 180)). Participants were moderately open on their condition. High levels of both anxiety and depression were observed across the sample. In SEM analysis, the tested models predicted 25% of openness, 31% of anxiety and 48% of depression. More condition openness directly predicted lower anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as indirectly through increased self-esteem, self-satisfaction and satisfaction with social support. Conclusions Condition openness is associated with lower anxiety and depression in individuals with an intersex/DSD condition. Healthcare may provide the necessary knowledge and skills to employ one's optimal level of self-disclosure in order to improve mental health.

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