scholarly journals A pilot study on the impact of a first-time central heating intervention on resident mental wellbeing

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2097546
Author(s):  
Richard A Sharpe ◽  
Andrew J Williams ◽  
Ben Simpson ◽  
Gemma Finnegan ◽  
Tim Jones
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Central Heating ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Mental Well Being

Fuel poverty affects around 34% of European homes, representing a considerable burden to society and healthcare systems. This pilot study assesses the impact of an intervention to install a new first time central heating system in order to reduce fuel poverty on household satisfaction with indoor temperatures/environment, ability to pay bills and mental well-being. In Cornwall, 183 households received the intervention and a further 374 went onto a waiting list control. A post-intervention postal questionnaires and follow-up phone calls were undertaken ( n = 557) to collect data on household demographics, resident satisfaction with indoor environment, finances and mental well-being (using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale). We compared responses between the waiting list control and intervention group to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. A total of 31% of participants responded, 83 from the waiting list control and 71 from the intervention group. The intervention group reported improvements in the indoor environment, finances and mental well-being. However, these benefits were not expressed by all participants, which may result from diverse resident behaviours, lifestyles and housing characteristics. Future policies need to consider whole house approaches alongside resident training and other behaviour change techniques that can account for complex interactions between behaviours and the built environment.

scholarly journals Impact of Mental wellbeing and Quality of Life on Depression, Anxiety and Stress among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhavna Mukund ◽  
Rejani Thudalikunil Gopalan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) manifest a wide range of stress responses ranging from disbelief, denial, fear to extreme conditions of anxiety disorders, depression and even suicidal thoughts. These complications can have a significant impact on daily functioning and greatly diminish quality of life. Mental wellbeing and Quality of Life can help in better management of stress and facilitate adaptive coping among PLWHA. Aim: The research examined the impact of mental wellbeing and Quality of Life on Depression, Anxiety and Stress among people living with HIV/AIDS infection. Research Design: Cross sectional survey design was used. Sample: A sample of 60 people (males and females of equal number) over the age of 18 years and with the diagnosis for HIV/AIDS for more than six months participated in the study. Tools used: To assess the depression, anxiety and stress among PLWHA, DASS scale was used and to assess their psychological wellbeing, Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being scale was used. In order to assess their present status of QOL regarding the illness, WHO’s QOL HIV-BREF Scale was used. Results: Majority of the PLWHA had moderate level of anxiety and mild level of depression after being diagnosed. Most of the participants have positive mental well-being and had enhanced quality of life. Conclusion: A direct effect of mental wellbeing has been found on the depression, anxiety and stress among PLWHA indicating that higher the mental wellbeing of the PLWHA, the greater is the likelihood that they do not suffer from depression, exhibit less anxiety and are living a stress free life and vice versa. The study also found direct impact of QOL on psychological distress, depression and anxiety among PLWHA i.e. poor QOL of PLWHA makes them more prone to and vulnerable to stress, depression and anxiety and vice versa.

scholarly journals Mental health stigma on campus: the promotion of mental wellbeing to Ryerson students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Mihai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Management Communication ◽  
Stigma Management ◽  
Expert Interview ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

This MRP looks at the communication used in mental health campaigns for a post-secondary student audience, focusing on how language use and visual design choices impact the stigma associated with mental health. This MRP focuses specifically on the communications seen on Ryerson University’s campus in the 2016 – 2017 academic school year. A video available on Ryerson’s YouTube channel and a sample of posters available throughout campus were analyzed for language and visual design choices to determine how they fit within stigma management communication strategies and how those choices had the potential to influence perceived stigma in viewers." Goffman’s (1963) theory on stigma and an individual’s identity was used to analyze the content of the video and posters. Goffman’s theory outlines the various stages of stigma that an individual experiences, and the impact of each stage on how that individual chooses to interact with others. Miesenbach’s (2010) model for stigma management communication, along with information from an expert interview with a front-line worker will also be used to analyze content in the video and posters. By understanding the communications around mental health through the lens of Goffman (1963) and Miesenbach (2010), it will be possible to understand how the communications are increasing or reducing the stigma around mental health. The analysis of the rhetoric in the messages gives a hint as to how our culture reflects stigma in the messages created, and how this rhetoric may affect students in a culture. This research analyzes Ryerson’s mental well-being campaign for the purpose of identifying a list of best practices for communicating about mental health. The findings show that one of the campaigns accomplishes this better than the other. Effective mental well-being campaigns are those that incorporate elements that normalize discussion of mental health topics, offer strategies for dealing with mental health concerns and overall, promote a culture that prioritizes mental well-being.

Investigating the use of digital health technology to monitor Covid-19 and its effects: Protocol for Covid Collab, an observational study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callum Stewart ◽  
Yatharth Ranjan ◽  
Pauline Conde ◽  
Zulqarnain Rashid ◽  
Heet Sangkesara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Monitoring ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Mobile Phone Data ◽  
Being There ◽  
Monitoring Technologies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

BACKGROUND The ubiquity of mobile phones and increasing use of wearable fitness trackers offers a wide-ranging window into people’s health and well-being. There are clear advantages in using remote monitoring technologies to gain an insight into health, particularly under the shadow of the current COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE The Covid Collab study was set up to investigate the feasibility of identifying, monitoring, and understanding the stratification of COVID-19 infection and recovery through remote monitoring technologies. Additionally, we will assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social measures on people’s behaviour, physical health, and mental well-being. METHODS Participants remotely enrolled on the study through the Mass Science app to donate both historic and prospective mobile phone data, fitness tracking wearable data, and regular COVID-19 and mental health related surveys. Data is being recorded for the period of the pandemic, notably including pre, during and post acute infection phase. We plan to carry out analyses in several areas, covering symptomatology, risk factors, machine learning-based classification of illness, and trajectories of recovery, mental well-being, and activity. RESULTS Covid Collab is a crowdsourced study using remote monitoring technologies to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 2021 there are over 17000 participants, largely from the United Kingdom, with enrolment ongoing. CONCLUSIONS This paper introduces a remotely enrolled crowd-sourced study recording mobile health data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The data collected may help investigate a variety of areas, including COVID-19 disease progression, mental wellbeing during the pandemic, and adherence of remote, digitally enrolled participants.

scholarly journals Reducing Stress in Youth: A Pilot-Study on the Effects of a University-Based Intervention Program for University Students in Pune, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Emily De Wit ◽  
Adithy ◽  
Joske G. F. Bunders-Aelen ◽  
Barbara J. Regeer
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
P Value ◽  
Base Line ◽  
The Impact

<p>Mental health problems among youth have become important public health concern for many low &amp; middle- income countries. As part of a research program to improve mental wellbeing in Pune, India, a university-based intervention was developed for students of two educational institutes. In one month, 33 students (age 18-22) participated in a series of 2-hour sessions in which they were stimulated to learn better coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety. The interactive sessions were facilitated by a psychologist and volunteers of a suicide prevention NGO. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) approaches were used to help students identify stressors and find alternative thought patterns towards the stressor. Playful exercises, such as theatre, dance and poetry, were used to develop self-esteem, self-expression and a better sense of control in students. Throughout the program, relaxation methods, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), were practiced to help reduce stress in students. To study the impact of the intervention, data were collected, before- and after the intervention and in an eight month follow-up with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), in combination with open questionnaires and field notes. Preliminary results show a significant decrease in average stress scores in students after the program in comparison to before the intervention (p-value is 0.044 &lt; 0.05). Students reflect upon the program as helpful and specifically emphasize the role of poetry, dance &amp; EFT as main contributors. In follow-up tests perceived stress scores remained lower than at base-line, although not significant. Booster sessions are suggested to sustain the benefits. Overall, the results of this pilot study show that low threshold, university-based interventions, could be useful in stimulating psychosocial well-being in youth.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Mental Well-Being and Working Life among Faroese Employees

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4775
Author(s):  
Annika H. Davidsen ◽  
Maria S. Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Work Ability ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

The societal changes caused by COVID-19 have been far-reaching, causing challenges for employees around the world. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 restrictions on mental well-being, working life, family life and social life among Faroese employees within a broad range of professions. A total of 1328 Faroese employees answered an anonymous self-report survey from 13 April to 4 May 2020. Employee mental well-being was only modestly affected by the restrictions and the respondents had a mean score of 50.7 on the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale where a score between 41–44 is found to correspond with possible depression. Work commitment, work and family life, work satisfaction and work ability were all rated significantly worse after the COVID-19 outbreak than before (all p values < 0.005). Contrary to previous research, employees in health services assessed their work ability significantly higher than employees in teaching, and child and youth care (p < 0.05). Working parents had higher levels of stress and assessed their work ability significantly lower than employees without children (p < 0.05), and women tended to be more worried than men because of the pandemic. In conclusion, the overall mental well-being of Faroese employees was on an average level during lock-down in April and May 2020. Their working life seemed, however, to be worse than usual.

scholarly journals The Impact of Covid- 19 Pandemic on Mental Well-Being of Health Care Workers: A Multicenter Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1297-1306
Author(s):  
Nabila Hassan ◽  
Hina Akmal Memon ◽  
Noreen Hassan ◽  
Shobha Luxmi ◽  
Farhat Sultana
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

The study determines the effect of fear of being infected on anxiety and influence of anxiety on the disturbance of their mental well-being and to analyze the indirect effect of anxiety between fear of being infected and mental well-being. Cross-Sectional study carried out in the months of November –December 2020, by conducting a survey from health care workers (Doctors, Nurses and Trainees) covering hospitals from the region of Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Karachi. Analysis of the data done using two-step method of Structural Equation Model (SEM) approach. The findings of the study supported the positive and negative relationship fear of being infected to anxiety and anxiety to mental wellbeing respectively. In addition, the indirect relationship of anxiety also supported. Numerous unanswered queries pertinent to COVID-19 pandemic, and dubious situation leads towards huge size of disturbance in the lives of health care workers across the globe, therefore literature entails the necessity for researchers to study various factors that could have influence on mental well-being of an individual . The majority of relevant literature focused on mental well-being is from China, Europe, USA and other developed countries, however, fewer studies focused on South Asian region in general, and Pakistan in particular. So, present study fills the gap to unearth the factors of well-being for Pakistani health care workers. Pakistan have so far lost the lives of 58 healthcare providers to COVID-19 in the country and still counting while 240 healthcare providers are hospitalized. So there is intense need to study effect of mental well-being on health care workers as there is a need to save the survivors.

scholarly journals Developing Self-Compassion Online: Assessing the Efficacy and Feasibility of a Brief Online Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Clare Northover ◽  
◽  
Jack Deacon ◽  
John King ◽  
Chris Irons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Mind Training

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of a newly designed online self-compassion training programme for the general public. Two hundred and forty-nine participants were randomly assigned to have either immediate or delayed access to a four-week online self-compassion training programme. This programme was based on Compassionate Mind Training and was made up of psychoeducational sessions and in-between session practices and readings. Out of the 179 participants who completed the pre-intervention measures, 81 participants completed the waiting list control design (45.25%; 52 participants from the waiting list group and 29 from the intervention group) and 50 participants went on to complete the intervention (27.9%; i.e., combining the 21 participants from the waiting list group that completed the intervention with the 29 from the intervention group). Compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group showed statistically significant increases in self-compassion and well-being and significant decreases in uncompassionate attitude towards self, shame, self-criticism, depression, anxiety, stress, levels of fear of compassion and attachment avoidance and anxiety. These effects remained at a one month follow up (based on data from 31 participants who completed these measures). The number of sessions completed was significantly predicted by baseline levels of well-being. This study provides promising results for the use of online self-compassion interventions to improve the mental wellbeing of the general public. However, further research is now needed to help understand the barriers to engagement and to help tailor its format to better suit participants who disengaged.

scholarly journals Mental health stigma on campus: the promotion of mental wellbeing to Ryerson students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Mihai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Management Communication ◽  
Stigma Management ◽  
Expert Interview ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

This MRP looks at the communication used in mental health campaigns for a post-secondary student audience, focusing on how language use and visual design choices impact the stigma associated with mental health. This MRP focuses specifically on the communications seen on Ryerson University’s campus in the 2016 – 2017 academic school year. A video available on Ryerson’s YouTube channel and a sample of posters available throughout campus were analyzed for language and visual design choices to determine how they fit within stigma management communication strategies and how those choices had the potential to influence perceived stigma in viewers." Goffman’s (1963) theory on stigma and an individual’s identity was used to analyze the content of the video and posters. Goffman’s theory outlines the various stages of stigma that an individual experiences, and the impact of each stage on how that individual chooses to interact with others. Miesenbach’s (2010) model for stigma management communication, along with information from an expert interview with a front-line worker will also be used to analyze content in the video and posters. By understanding the communications around mental health through the lens of Goffman (1963) and Miesenbach (2010), it will be possible to understand how the communications are increasing or reducing the stigma around mental health. The analysis of the rhetoric in the messages gives a hint as to how our culture reflects stigma in the messages created, and how this rhetoric may affect students in a culture. This research analyzes Ryerson’s mental well-being campaign for the purpose of identifying a list of best practices for communicating about mental health. The findings show that one of the campaigns accomplishes this better than the other. Effective mental well-being campaigns are those that incorporate elements that normalize discussion of mental health topics, offer strategies for dealing with mental health concerns and overall, promote a culture that prioritizes mental well-being.

scholarly journals Assessing the impact of the European resilience curriculum in preschool, early and late primary school children

2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Prosocial Behaviours ◽  
The Impact

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.

scholarly journals COVID-19 restrictions and changing sexual behaviours in HIV-negative MSM at high risk of HIV infection in London, UK

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054768
Author(s):  
Iain Hyndman ◽  
Diarmuid Nugent ◽  
Gary George Whitlock ◽  
Alan McOwan ◽  
Nicolò Girometti
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Hiv Negative

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have affected attendance to and delivery of UK sexual healthcare services (SHS). We surveyed the impact on sexual behaviour of men having sex with men (MSM) to inform future SHS provision.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey among HIV-negative MSM at high risk of HIV infection who attended 56 Dean Street, a sexual health and HIV clinic. The survey was conducted over a 7-day period in August 2020. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and related mental well-being experienced during lockdown (defined as 23 March–30 June 2020) were extracted. Categorical and non-categorical variables were compared according to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use.Results814 MSM completed the questionnaire: 75% were PrEP users; 76% reported they have been sexually active, of which 76% reported sex outside their household. 75% reported fewer partners than prior to lockdown. Isolation/loneliness (48%) and anxiety/stress (27%) triggered sexual activity, and 73% had discussed COVID-19 transmission risks with their sexual partners. While 46% reported no change to emotions ordinarily experienced following sex, 20% reported guilt for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. 76% implemented one or more changes to their sexual behaviour, while 58% applied one or more steps to reduce COVID-19 transmission during sex. 36% accessed SHS and 30% reported difficulties in accessing testing/treatment. Of those who accessed SHS, 28% reported an STI diagnosis. PrEP users reported higher partner number, engagement in ‘chemsex’ and use of SHS than non-PrEP users.ConclusionsCOVID-19 restrictions had a considerable impact on sexual behaviour and mental well-being in our survey respondents. High rates of sexual activity and STI diagnoses were reported during lockdown. Changes to SHS provision for MSM must respond to high rates of psychological and STI-related morbidity and the challenges faced by this population in accessing services.

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