scholarly journals Protocol for a Qualitative Study: Exploring Loneliness and Social Isolation in Emerging Adulthood (ELSIE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110286
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Creaven ◽  
Emma Kirwan ◽  
Annette Burns ◽  
Páraic S. O’Súilleabháin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Study Materials ◽  
Methodological Considerations

Background: This article describes a protocol for a qualitative study to explore experiences and views and experiences of loneliness and social isolation in young adults, in Ireland. Methods: A youth Research Advisory Group will be consulted on the development of study materials. Our data collection methods will be guided by participant preferences, with potential participants choosing between virtual interviews, focus groups, and an online survey including the open-ended questions contained in the interview/focus group schedule. The data will be analyzed using framework analysis. Discussion: This protocol highlights methodological considerations relevant to a qualitative research study co-designed with young adults. Study findings will be relevant to mental health policy makers and other stakeholders involved in youth mental health.

scholarly journals How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043397
Author(s):  
Austen El-Osta ◽  
Aos Alaa ◽  
Iman Webber ◽  
Eva Riboli Sasco ◽  
Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

scholarly journals Physical activity and mental well-being under COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional multination study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Costas I. Karageorghis ◽  
Jonathan M. Bird ◽  
Jasmin C. Hutchinson ◽  
Mark Hamer ◽  
Yvonne N. Delevoye-Turrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Western Nations

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced opportunities for physical activity (PA) and encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. A concomitant of sedentariness is compromised mental health. We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations (USA, UK, France, and Australia). Methods An online survey was administered in the second quarter of 2020 (N = 2541). We measured planned and unplanned dimensions of PA using the Brunel Lifestyle Physical Activity Questionnaire and mental health using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Steps per day were recorded only from participants who used an electronic device for this purpose, and sedentary behavior was reported in hours per day (sitting and screen time). Results In the USA and Australia samples, there was a significant decline in planned PA from pre- to during lockdown. Among young adults, Australians exhibited the lowest planned PA scores, while in middle-aged groups, the UK recorded the highest. Young adults exhibited the largest reduction in unplanned PA. Across nations, there was a reduction of ~ 2000 steps per day. Large increases in sedentary behavior emerged during lockdown, which were most acute in young adults. Lockdown was associated with a decline in mental health that was more pronounced in women. Conclusions The findings illustrate the deleterious effects of lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations. Australian young and lower middle-aged adults appeared to fare particularly badly in terms of planned PA. The reduction in steps per day is equivalent to the non-expenditure of ~ 100 kcal. Declines in mental health show how harmful lockdowns can be for women in particular.

scholarly journals Personality disorder co-morbidity in primary care ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapy’ (IAPT) services: a qualitative study exploring patient perspectives on treatment experience

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Gary Lamph ◽  
John Baker ◽  
Tommy Dickinson ◽  
Karina Lovell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Co Morbidity

Abstract Background: High numbers of people present with common mental health disorders and co-morbid personality disorder traits in primary care ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) services in England and they receive sub-optimal treatments. No previous studies have explored the treatment experiences or needs of this patient population in England. Aims: This qualitative study explored the treatment experiences of patients (n = 22) with common mental health difficulties and co-morbid personality disorder as indicated by a score of 3 or more on the ‘Standardised Assessment of Personality – Abbreviated Scale’ (SAPAS) in receipt of primary care-based IAPT treatment. Method: A qualitative health research approach was used. Qualitative individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were audio recorded, data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework analysis approach. Results: Findings revealed a need to adapt away from prescriptive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment models towards more flexible, personalised and individualised treatment with this patient group. Time to emotionally offload, build a therapeutic relationship and link past experiences to presenting problems were highlighted as important. Conclusions: For the first time, the needs and treatment experiences of this patient group have been explored. This paper provides a unique patient experience insight that should be considered when exploring new approaches to working with and developing effective interventions via a stepped care approach.

scholarly journals Difficulties Encountered by People With Depression and Anxiety on the Web: Qualitative Study and Web-Based Expert Survey

10.2196/12514 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. e12514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaldo Bernard ◽  
Carla Sabariego ◽  
Alarcos Cieza
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Anxiety Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Group Experiences ◽  
The Web

Background Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions, and they were identified as leading contributors to global disability in 2016. People with these conditions rely on Web-based resources as a source of accurate health information, convenient and effective treatment, and essential social support. However, a recent systematic review revealed several potentially limiting difficulties that this group experiences online and also suggested that there is a partial understanding of these difficulties as only difficulties associated with neurocognitive, but not sociocognitive, deficits were identified. Therefore, this study fills this knowledge gap and contributes to a more robust and fuller understanding of the difficulties this group experiences online. Objective The objective of this study was to identify the difficulties people with depression and anxiety experience when using the Web and the Web activities that are most associated with the experience of difficulties. Methods The study employed data triangulation using face-to-face semistructured interviews with 21 participants affected by depression and anxiety and a comparison group (7 participants) without mental disorders (study 1) as well as a persona-based expert online survey with 21 mental health practitioners (MHPs) who treated people with depression and anxiety (study 2). Framework analysis for both studies proceeded through 5 stages: (1) familiarization, (2) identifying a thematic framework, (3) indexing, (4) charting, and (5) mapping and interpretation. Results In study 1, 167 difficulties were identified from the experiences of participants in the depression and anxiety group were discussed within the context of 81 Web activities, services, and features. From these, 4 themes and 12 subthemes describing the difficulties people with depression and anxiety experienced online were identified. Difficulties relating to the subtheme lack of control over access and usage were the most common difficulties experienced by participants in the depression and anxiety group (19/21). Sixteen difficulties identified from the experiences of participants in the comparison group were discussed within the context of 11 Web activities, services, and features. Most participants in the comparison group (6/7) contributed to the subtheme describing difficulties with unexpected and irrelevant content. In study 2, researchers identified 3 themes and 10 subthemes that described the perceived difficulties people with depression and anxiety might experience online as reported by MHPs. Practitioners linked these difficulties with 22 common impairments, limitations in activities of daily life, and diagnostic criteria associated with depression and anxiety. Conclusions People with depression and anxiety also experience difficulties when using the Web that are related to the sociocognitive deficits associated with their conditions. MHPs have a good awareness of the difficulties that people with depression and anxiety are likely to experience when using the Web. This investigation has contributed to a fuller understanding of these difficulties and provides innovative guidance on how to remove and reduce them for people with depression and anxiety when using the Web. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1007/978-3-319-21006-3_3

scholarly journals Short-term changes in behaviors resulting from COVID-19-related social isolation and their influences on mental health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nestor Asiamah ◽  
Frank Frimpong Opuni ◽  
Edwin Mends-Brew ◽  
Samuel Worlanyo Mensah ◽  
Henry Kofi Mensah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Social Distancing

Abstract Withdrawing from social activities abruptly can be associated with anxiety and mental health struggles, but this behavior is unavoidable when an infectious disease such as Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading. With many governments taking to social distancing protocols, short-term changes in behaviors and their influences on health are expected. This study adopted a correlational research approach to assess the behavioral outcomes of the social distancing protocols and its influences on mental health. An online survey hosted by Survey Monkey was utilized to collect data from residents of three cities under a COVID-19 mandatory lockdown. A total of 621 surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, with a sensitivity analysis utilized to select potential covariates for the final regression model. Findings indicate that reduced physical activity time, increased sedentary behavior time, and a change in sexual activity and smoking frequency are some short-term changes in behavior resulting from social isolation during the lockdown. An increase in sedentary behavior made a negative influence on mental health (β = -0.85; t = -46.76, p = 0.000). The only change in behavior that has a positive influence on mental health is substance use. For the most part, changes in behaviors in the short-term attributable to COVID-19 social isolation were associated with lower mental health scores. Our findings imply that COVID-19 social distancing measures should be rolled out alongside public education programs for discouraging unhealthy changes in behaviors.

scholarly journals Relationships among Early Adversity, Positive Human and Animal Interactions, and Mental Health in Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Kerri E. Rodriguez ◽  
Shelby E. McDonald ◽  
Samantha M. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor mental health. Emerging research demonstrates the protective role of positive childhood experiences, including a positive sense of self and relationships with both humans and animals, in mitigating the impacts of early life adversity on mental health outcomes. This study examined whether benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) or relationships and interactions with pets during childhood moderated the link between ACEs and current mental health symptoms in a sample of young adults. Students (N = 214) recruited from a public university in the U.S. completed an online survey. The results showed that ACEs were significantly associated with worse mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Neither emotional closeness to a childhood pet dog nor positive interactions with a childhood pet were significant moderators of the relationship between ACEs and mental health. In contrast, more BCEs were associated with better mental health, and their interaction with ACEs was significant such that adversity-exposed young adults with high BCEs reported fewer mental health symptoms than those with low BCEs. The results highlight the need for continued research on differential experiences that may be protective in the relationship between adversity exposures and mental health.

Neurodiverse Be the Policymakers! A Study Exploring News Text Informed Potential for Anxiety-Enhanced Policymaking and Guiding the Progressive Reporting of Mental Diversity

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-266
Author(s):  
Damian Mellifont
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Stakeholder Consultation ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Purposive Sample

The Australian government is challenged to address significant mental health policy issues. These problems include those of unemployment, incarceration, homelessness and suicide. It is therefore timely to consider inclusive and innovative approaches in which these issues might be better addressed. This is the first study to critically explore the potential of neurodiverse persons to co-produce a mental health policy as informed by the contemporary news reporting on the concept of high-functioning anxiety. Enabling such investigation, this research has applied the framework analysis technique to a purposive sample of nine news texts obtained from an Internet search enquiry. Exploratory findings reveal themes relating to prospective anxiety-related capabilities and constraints across the policy development dimensions of analysis, timeline management and stakeholder consultation. The study, while concluding that journalists within the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere should be encouraged to report on mental diversity in ethical, balanced and progressive ways, offers a practical guide to support this.

Associations between Suicide Behaviors and Religiosity in Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Gwin ◽  
Paul Branscum ◽  
E. Laurette Taylor ◽  
Marshall Cheney ◽  
Sarah B. Maness ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Parental Relationships ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Southwestern State ◽  
Suicide Behaviors

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between suicide ideation, parental relation- ships, and religiosity among young adults. An online survey was administered to students (n=775) from colleges and universities in a southwestern state measuring suicide ideation, protective assets of parental relationships, and religiosity beliefs. Odds ratios analysis revealed a significant inverse association between religiosity and suicide ideation. Overall, higher rates religiosity appears to be associated with lower bouts of suicide ideation in the last 12 months. Addition of religious/spirituality-oriented tools may be important to incorporate in mental health interventions for those young adults that report having greater religiosity.

Looking Back at Adolescent Depression: A Qualitative Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
John McCarthy ◽  
Edward Downes ◽  
Christine Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Adolescent Depression ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Professional Helpers ◽  
Looking Back

Adolescent depression is a serious disorder marked by a prevalence rate of approximately 5% along with significant rates of relapse and mortality (Brent & Birmaher, 2002). This qualitative study involved semistructured interviews of nine young adults who were diagnosed with and treated for major depressive disorder between the ages of 15 and 18. Five themes emerged from the interviews: (a) talking to a counselor about their depression was helpful; (b) participants obtained relief in their counseling and expressed respect for their professional helpers; (c) parental (and adult) partnerships are important; (d) friends of the adolescent clients were usually helpful to them; and (e) the adolescents possessed a realistic optimism concerning a possible subsequent depressive episode. Implications for mental health counselors are also discussed.

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