Alcohol use disorder and its association with personal well-being and life satisfaction

AimsThis study aims to find out how alcohol use disorder (AUD) correlates to personal well-being and life satisfaction.BackgroundAUD is prevalent and leads to significant physical, physiological, and social-occupational impairment. Mental well-being involves the overall positive psychological state of a person – being well adjusted, socially engaged, and emotionally healthy. Despite the paradigm shift from purely treating mental illness to promoting positive mental health, there is limited literature describing the relationship between alcohol use disorder and mental well-being.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a general hospital in Singapore. Patients admitted across a span of two years were screened for possible alcohol use disorder. Patients were included if they were male, aged 21 years and above, and had the mental capacity to give consent. They were excluded if they had illicit drug use, acute mental illness, inability or refusal to give consent, or if they were already receiving intervention for addiction issues. Participants were administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Those who scored 8 or above were classified as being at risk for AUD, while those who scored 7 or less were classified as at low risk. They were also administered the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) and the “Satisfaction with Life as a Whole” question. The PWI measures individuals’ subjective well-being across seven domains. The “Satisfaction with Life as a Whole” question measures, on an eleven-point Likert scale, how satisfied the respondent feels with life in general. Demographic data were also collected and STATA v. 12.1 was used for statistical analysis.ResultAmong a total of 134 participants, 25 of them scored ≥8 on the AUDIT and 109 scored 7 or less. On the PWI, the group at risk scored significantly lower at 71.3 (95% CI: 66.0–76.7) compared to the group not at risk at 77.9 (95% CI: 75.8–79.9), p < 0.01. The results were similar on the “Satisfaction with Life as a Whole” item. The group at risk had a mean of 6.72 (95% CI: 6.03–7.41) while the group not at risk had a mean of 7.67 (95% CI: 7.41–7.93), both p < 0.01. The differences between the high risk and low risk groups remained statistically significant even after adjusting for differences in age, race, education level, and employment status.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a statistically significant association between AUD and personal well-being as well as satisfaction with life among males.

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Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the satisfaction with life scale in a sample of individuals with mental illness

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11432 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11432

Author(s):

Danilo Garcia ◽

Ali Al Nima ◽

Maryam Kazemitabar ◽

Clara Amato ◽

Franco Lucchese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Good Information ◽

Swedish Version ◽

Good Reliability ◽

Life Scale

Background Health assessment among individuals with mental health problems often involves measures of ill-being (e.g., anxiety, depression). Health is, however, defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease (WHO, 1948, 2001). Hence, in order to address mental illness during the 21st century, we need to develop methods for the prevention, identification and treatment of mental illness; but also, for the promotion, identification, and maintenance of well-being. In this context, over three decades of subjective well-being research have resulted in the development of measures of positive aspects of human life, such as the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). Our aim was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Swedish population of individuals with mental illness using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT). Method A total of 264 participants (age mean = 43.46, SD = 13.31) diagnosed with different types of mental illness answered to the Swedish version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (five items, 7-point scale: 1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree). Results We found positive and significant relationships between the five items of the scale (r ranging from 0.37 to 0.75), good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86), and that the one-factor solution had best goodness of fit (loadings between 0.52–0.88, p < 0.001). Additionally, there were no significant differences in comparative fit indexes regarding gender and occupation status. All items had high discrimination values (between 1.95–3.81), but item 5 (“If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing”); which had a moderate discrimination value (1.17) and the highest estimated difficulty on response 7 (3.06). Moreover, item 2 (“The conditions of my life are excellent”) had less discrimination and redundant difficulty with both item 1 (“In most ways my life is close to my ideal”; 2.03) on response 7 and with item 3 (“I am satisfied with my life”; –1.21) on response 1. The five items together provided good information, with especial good reliability and small standard error within −1.00 up to about 2.00 and the highest amount of test information at 0.00 of the level of life satisfaction within this population. Conclusions Consistent with previous research, the scale had good reliability and provided good information across most of the latent trait range. In addition, within this population, sociodemographic factors such as gender and occupation status do not influence how individuals respond to the items in the scale. However, the items couldn’t measure extreme levels of low/high life satisfaction. We suggest replication of these findings, the test of additional items, and the modification of items 2 and 5 in order to use the scale among individuals with mental illness.

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Interagency Collaboration to Improve School Outcomes for Students With Mental Health Challenges

Global Ideologies Surrounding Children's Rights and Social Justice - Advances in Religious and Cultural Studies ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-2578-3.ch009 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 140-155

Author(s):

Kristina Bixler ◽

Jeffrey Alvin Anderson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Agencies ◽

Failing School ◽

Practical Guidelines ◽

Behavioral Concerns ◽

Mental Health Challenges ◽

Mental Well Being

Students with significant emotional-behavioral concerns and mental illness tend to experience poor educational and social outcomes. This chapter describes some of the challenges facing schools that are responsible for educating students with and at-risk for mental health challenges. Although some students encounter numerous risks, thereby increasing the chances of developing mental illness and failing school, there are also protective factors that can be identified and harnessed to counterbalance such risks and promote higher levels of resilience. By examining relationships among factors such as poverty, mental well-being, family engagement, resiliency, and school performance, a school-focused, community-based framework is suggested for responding to and overcoming these challenges. This chapter provides practical guidelines for schools, community agencies, and families to work together to support and engage young people who are at-risk for school failure due to emotional-behavioral concerns and mental health challenges.

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First study of safety and tolerability of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in patients with alcohol use disorder

Journal of Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/0269881121991792 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026988112199179

Author(s):

Ben Sessa ◽

Laurie Higbed ◽

Steve O’Brien ◽

Claire Durant ◽

Chloe Sakal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Psychosocial Functioning ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Well Being ◽

Drinking Behaviour ◽

Open Label ◽

Alcohol Detoxification ◽

Mental Well Being

Background: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) therapy has qualities that make it potentially well suited for patients with addictions, but this has never been explored in a research study. We present data from the Bristol Imperial MDMA in Alcoholism (BIMA) study. This is the first MDMA addiction study, an open-label safety and tolerability proof-of-concept study investigating the potential role for MDMA therapy in treating patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Aims: This study aimed to assess if MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can be delivered safely and can be tolerated by patients with AUD post detoxification. Outcomes regarding drinking behaviour, quality of life and psychosocial functioning were evaluated. Methods: Fourteen patients with AUD completed a community alcohol detoxification and received an eight-week course of recovery-based therapy. Participants received two sessions with MDMA (187.5 mg each session). Psychological support was provided before, during and after each session. Safety and tolerability were assessed alongside psychological and physiological outcome measures. Alcohol use behaviour, mental well-being and functioning data were collected for nine months after alcohol detoxification. Results: MDMA treatment was well tolerated by all participants. No unexpected adverse events were observed. Psychosocial functioning improved across the cohort. Regarding alcohol use, at nine months post detox, the average units of alcohol consumption by participants was 18.7 units per week compared to 130.6 units per week before the detox. This compares favourably to a previous observational study (the ‘Outcomes’ study) by the same team with a similar population of people with AUD. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary support for the safety and tolerability of a novel intervention for AUD post detox. Further trials to examine better the therapeutic potential of this approach are now indicated.

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Practicing Other-Focused Kindness and Self-Focused Kindness Among Those at Risk for Mental Illness: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.741546 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

S. Katherine Nelson-Coffey ◽

Ernst T. Bohlmeijer ◽

Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Added Value ◽

Waitlist Control ◽

Dutch Sample ◽

Mental Well Being

People with reduced levels of mental well-being might be at risk for developing future mental illness. Although several positive psychology interventions successfully improve mental well-being and psychological distress, less is known about their efficacy in a sample at risk for mental disorders. A Dutch sample of 289 participants with low or moderate levels of well-being were randomly assigned to other-focused kindness with reflection, other-focused kindness without reflection, self-focused kindness, or waitlist control (Trial register: NTR6786). Results of multilevel growth curve analyses revealed that other-focused kindness, but not self-focused kindness, led to improvements in the primary outcome mental well-being relative to waitlist control up to 6-week follow-up. By contrast, only other-focused kindness without reflection led to improvements in psychological distress. The three kindness conditions mainly did not differ from one another, and mainly no differences were found up to 6-months follow-up. An exception was that perceived stress was significantly more reduced up to 6-week and 6-months follow-up when people practiced other-focused kindness without reflection then when participants had practiced self-focused kindness. These findings point to the benefits of practicing kindness for others when people might be at risk for future mental illness. The study also indicates that reflecting about practicing kindness does not seem to have added value.

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After Over a Year of Pandemic: Mental Well-being and Life Satisfaction of Filipino College Students

Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities ◽

10.47836/pjssh.29.4.17 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 2401-2416

Author(s):

Renante Adrogado Egcas ◽

Ryan Michael Flores Oducado ◽

Jerome Visperas Cleofas ◽

Judith Solasco Rabacal ◽

Samson Mahidlawon Lausa

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Health Status ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Well Being ◽

The Philippines ◽

Reported Health ◽

Self Reported Health Status ◽

Mental Well Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has been there for over a year and may substantially negatively impact student’s mental well-being. This study aimed to assess the subjective mental well-being and satisfaction with life of Filipino college students. This cross-sectional study involved the analysis of 1,141 college students in the Philippines. The data were collected using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results indicated that while 52.8% reported high satisfaction with life, 40.2% had poor mental well-being. Self-reported health status (β=1.899, p=.000), age (β=0.179, p=.000), and year level (β=0.306, p=.000) predicted mental well-being. On the other hand, subjective mental well-being (β=0.736, p=.000), self-reported health status (β=0.967, p=.000), and age (β=0.691, p=.025) predicted life satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic has likely affected students’ mental health and well-being. Interventions should be initiated to address the mental health needs of the students during this pandemic and even beyond the health crisis.

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Interagency Collaboration to Improve School Outcomes for Students With Mental Health Challenges

Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-8544-3.ch038 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 644-660

Author(s):

Kristina Bixler ◽

Jeffrey Alvin Anderson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Agencies ◽

Failing School ◽

Practical Guidelines ◽

Behavioral Concerns ◽

Mental Health Challenges ◽

Mental Well Being

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Personal growth and life satisfaction during COVID-19: Self-forgiveness and compassion as correlates

Escritos de Psicología / Psychological Writings ◽

10.24310/espsiescpsi.v14i2.13519 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 107-119

Author(s):

Ana María Beltrán-Morillas ◽

Francisca Expósito

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Physical Health ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Correlational Study ◽

Therapeutic Practice ◽

Self Forgiveness ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Complicated Situation

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that affects not only physical health, but also mental well-being. Two variables, which have been observed significantly in people facing difficult and complex situations that are also related to greater personal growth and satisfaction with life, are self-forgiveness and compassion for others. Thus, through a correlational study, we set out to examine how self-forgiveness and compassion are associated with personal growth and life satisfaction in this complicated situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a sample of Spanish participants (N = 329, range from 18 to 83 years), the main results showed that self-forgiveness and compassion were positively related to personal growth and life satisfaction and that self-forgiveness was associated with increased personal growth and life satisfaction through compassion. Ultimately, these findings and their possible implications for therapeutic practice are discussed.

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Mental well‐being of staff in long‐term care facilities at risk

Geriatrics and Gerontology International ◽

10.1111/ggi.14260 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chiaki Ura ◽

Tsuyoshi Okamura ◽

Akinori Takase ◽

Masaya Shimmei ◽

Yukan Ogawa

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Mental Well Being

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Economics of mental well-being: a prospective study estimating associated health care costs and sickness benefit transfers in Denmark

The European Journal of Health Economics ◽

10.1007/s10198-021-01305-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ziggi Ivan Santini ◽

Hannah Becher ◽

Maja Bæksgaard Jørgensen ◽

Michael Davidsen ◽

Line Nielsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Healthcare Costs ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Government Expenditure ◽

Well Being ◽

Population Based ◽

Sickness Benefit ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background Previous literature has examined the societal costs of mental illness, but few studies have estimated the costs associated with mental well-being. In this study, a prospective analysis was conducted on Danish data to determine 1) the association between mental well-being (measured in 2016) and government expenditure in 2017, specifially healthcare costs and sickness benefit transfers. Methods Data stem from a Danish population-based survey of 3,508 adults (aged 16 + years) in 2016, which was linked to Danish registry data. A validated scale (WEMWBS) was used for the assessment of mental well-being. Costs are expressed in USD PPP. A two-part model was applied to predict costs in 2017, adjusting for sociodemographics, health status (including psychiatric morbidity and health behaviour), as well as costs in the previous year (2016). Results Each point increase in mental well-being (measured in 2016) was associated with lower healthcare costs ($− 42.5, 95% CI = $− 78.7, $− 6.3) and lower costs in terms of sickness benefit transfers ($− 23.1, 95% CI = $− 41.9, $− 4.3) per person in 2017. Conclusions Estimated reductions in costs related to mental well-being add to what is already known about potential savings related to the prevention of mental illness. It does so by illustrating the savings that could be made by moving from lower to higher levels of mental well-being both within and beyond the clinical range. Our estimates pertain to costs associated with those health-related outcomes that were included in the study, but excluding other social and economic outcomes and benefits. They cover immediate cost estimates (costs generated the year following mental well-being measurement) and not those that could follow improved mental well-being over the longer term. They may therefore be considered conservative from a societal perspective. Population approaches to mental health promotion are necessary, not only to potentiate disease prevention strategies, but also to reduce costs related to lower levels of mental well-being in the non-mental illness population. Our results suggest that useful reductions in both health care resource use and costs, as well as in costs due to sick leave from the workplace, could be achieved from investment in mental well-being promotion within a year.

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Demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in autistic adults

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361321992668 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 1469-1480

Author(s):

Maya Bowri ◽

Laura Hull ◽

Carrie Allison ◽

Paula Smith ◽

Simon Baron-Cohen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Anxiety ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Online Survey ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Predictors ◽

Autistic Adults ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Shaped Pattern ◽

Significant Factors

This study explored demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in a high-functioning, community sample of 237 autistic adults aged 18–75 (mean = 41.92 and standard deviation = 13.3) recruited in the United Kingdom. An online survey measured demographic information, autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, mental well-being, social camouflaging and alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The sample was divided into three groups (non-drinkers, non-hazardous drinkers and hazardous drinkers) and multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between alcohol use and demographic factors, autistic traits, mental health variables and social camouflaging. Our results demonstrated a U-shaped pattern among autistic adults, with non-drinkers and hazardous drinkers scoring significantly higher than non-hazardous drinkers on levels of autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety and social anxiety. In multivariate analysis, autistic non-drinkers were less likely to be male (odds ratio = 0.44; 95% confidence interval = 0.22–0.87) and had more autistic traits (odds ratio = 2.50; 95% confidence interval = 1.19–5.28). Gender and level of autistic traits may be the most significant factors in predicting alcohol use in the autistic community. Lay abstract Alcohol use and misuse are associated with a variety of negative physical, psychological and social consequences. The limited existing research on substance use including alcohol use in autistic adults has yielded mixed findings, with some studies concluding that autism reduces the likelihood of substance use and others suggesting that autism may increase an individual’s risk for substance misuse. This study investigated demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in a sample of 237 autistic adults. An online survey was used to obtain data on demographic information, autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, mental well-being, social camouflaging and alcohol use. The sample was divided into three groups (non-drinkers, non-hazardous drinkers and hazardous drinkers) in order to investigate associations between alcohol use and demographic factors, autistic traits, mental health variables and social camouflaging. Our results demonstrated a U-shaped pattern among autistic adults, with non-drinkers and hazardous drinkers scoring higher than non-hazardous drinkers on levels of autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety and social anxiety. Autistic non-drinkers were less likely to be male and had more autistic traits. Gender and level of autistic traits may be the most significant factors in predicting alcohol use in the autistic community.

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