A comparison of a single genetic factor, two stress factors, and one psychosocial coping factor as predictors of depression in an Australian community sample.

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent bushfires and flash floods, have resulted in significant and unprecedented mental health impacts in Australia. Despite the known impacts, there is a paucity of research directly asking Australian community members about their mental health experiences and what they perceive to be the most important mental health issues in the context of the pandemic. This study utilises qualitative data from Alone Together, a longitudinal mixed-methods study investigating the effects of COVID-19 on mental health in an Australian community sample (N = 2,056). Of the 1,350 participants who completed the first follow-up survey, a total of 1,037 participants, who ranged in sex (69.9% female), age (M = 40-49 years), state/territory of residence, and socioeconomic status, shared responses to two open-ended questions regarding the most important issues for mental health in Australia and the impact of COVID-19 on their individual mental health. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants described COVID-19 as primarily impacting their mental health through the disruption it posed to their social world and financial stability. A key concern for participants who reported having poor mental health was the existence of multiple competing barriers to accessing good mental health care. According to participant responses, the pandemic had pressurized an already over-burdened mental health service system, leaving many without timely, appropriate support. Further absent or stigmatising rhetoric around mental health, at both a political and community level, also prevented participants from seeking help. Insights gained from the present research provide opportunities for policymakers and health practitioners to draw on the expertise of Australians’ lived experience and address priority issues through targeted policy planning. This could ultimately support a more responsive, integrated and effective mental health system, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Use of prescribed medications in a South Australian community sample

The Medical Journal of Australia ◽

10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00140.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 184 (2) ◽

pp. 96-96

Author(s):

Robert D Goldney ◽

Laura J Fisher

Keyword(s):

Community Sample ◽

Australian Community

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Defining nicotine dependence for genetic research: evidence from Australian twins

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291703001582 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 865-879 ◽

Cited By ~ 137

Author(s):

CHRISTINA N. LESSOV ◽

NICHOLAS G. MARTIN ◽

DIXIE J. STATHAM ◽

ALEXANDRE A. TODOROV ◽

WENDY S. SLUTSKE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nicotine Dependence ◽

Genetic Factor ◽

Substance Dependence ◽

Community Sample ◽

Genetic Research ◽

Factor Loadings ◽

Two Factors ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Genetic Factor Analysis ◽

Smoking Index

Background. Whether current criteria used to define nicotine dependence are informative for genetic research is an important empirical question. The authors used items of the DSM-IV and of the Heaviness of Smoking Index to characterize the nicotine dependence phenotype and to identify salient symptoms in a genetically informative community sample of Australian young adult female and male twins.Method. Phenotypic and genetic factor analyses were performed on nine dependence symptoms (the seven DSM-IV substance dependence criteria and the two Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) items derived from the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire, time to first cigarette in the morning and number of cigarettes smoked per day). Phenotypic and genetic analyses were restricted to ever smokers.Results. Phenotypic nicotine dependence symptom covariation was best captured by two factors with a similar pattern of factor loadings for women and men. In genetic factor analysis item covariation was best captured by two genetic but one shared environmental factor for both women and men; however, item factor loadings differed by gender. All nicotine dependence symptoms were substantially heritable, except for the DSM-IV criterion of ‘giving up or reducing important activities in order to smoke’, which was weakly familial.Conclusions. The salient behavioral indices of nicotine dependence are similar for women and men. DSM-IV criteria of tolerance, withdrawal, and experiencing difficulty quitting and HSI items time to first cigarette in the morning and number of cigarettes smoked per day may represent the most highly heritable symptoms of nicotine dependence for both women and men.

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Contributions to the study of young adult's depression: Studying the gender differences in the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in a portuguese young adults community sample

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72357-4 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 651-651

Author(s):

M.S. Mendes ◽

M.T. Fagulha

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Young Women ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Community Sample ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Young Men ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Sexual Pleasure ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Depressive Episodes

This study aims to describe the prevalence of depressive symptomatology among young men and woman in a Portuguese non-clinical representative community sample, with ages between 18 and 29. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Scale - CES-D (Radloff, 1977), and a Questionnaire including questions concerning sociodemographic variables, general health variables and women health variables, as well as interpersonal stress factors were mailed to a sample of 1480 subjects. A phone line was available and local papers asked for collaboration. 83 young adults aged between 18 and 29 (M = 28, 33,7%; F = 55, 66,3%) answered the CES-D and the Questionnaire.A gender difference in the intensity of depressive symptomatology was founded and it was higher in young women (18,56 ± 13.7) in comparison with young men (13, 43 ± 7.5) (t = −3,455; p = 0.001). Logistic regression has shown that young women have a double risk of being depressed in comparison with young men and has also shown significant risk increments in depressive symptomatology among rural, non-college and recent unemployed respondents in comparison to urban residents, students and employed young adults. Significant risk increments in depressive symptomatology was also found among young adults with previous depressive episodes and among subjects who report feelings of loneliness, lack of sexual pleasure or interest and high concerns about body appearance and weight (both young men and woman). Some other risk factors for depression in young adulthood are discussed as well as the need of preventive focused programs in specific risk groups such as young women and recent unemployed young adults.

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The long-term mental health impact of peacekeeping: prevalence and predictors of psychiatric disorder

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.001321 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 32-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

David Forbes ◽

Meaghan O'Donnell ◽

Rachel M. Brand ◽

Sam Korn ◽

Mark Creamer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Community Sample ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Health Impact ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Potentially Traumatic Events ◽

Military Mental Health ◽

Health Initiatives ◽

Australian Community ◽

Peacekeeping Missions

BackgroundThe mental health outcomes of military personnel deployed on peacekeeping missions have been relatively neglected in the military mental health literature.AimsTo assess the mental health impacts of peacekeeping deployments.MethodIn total, 1025 Australian peacekeepers were assessed for current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, service history and exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). A matched Australian community sample was used as a comparator. Univariate and regression analyses were conducted to explore predictors of psychiatric diagnosis.ResultsPeacekeepers had significantly higher 12-month prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (16.8%), major depressive episode (7%), generalised anxiety disorder (4.7%), alcohol misuse (12%), alcohol dependence (11.3%) and suicidal ideation (10.7%) when compared with the civilian comparator. The presence of these psychiatric disorders was most strongly and consistently associated with exposure to PTEs.ConclusionsVeteran peacekeepers had significant levels of psychiatric morbidity. Their needs, alongside those of combat veterans, should be recognised within military mental health initiatives.

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Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Program for Suicidal Thinking in an Australian Community Sample: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/jmir.8595 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. e15 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Bregje AJ van Spijker ◽

Aliza Werner-Seidler ◽

Philip J Batterham ◽

Andrew Mackinnon ◽

Alison L Calear ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Community Sample ◽

Web Based ◽

Suicidal Thinking ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Self Help ◽

Australian Community

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“Our Country Needs a Strong Leader Right Now”: Economic Inequality Enhances the Wish for a Strong Leader

Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/0956797619875472 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (11) ◽

pp. 1625-1637 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Stefanie Sprong ◽

Jolanda Jetten ◽

Zhechen Wang ◽

Kim Peters ◽

Frank Mols ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Health ◽

Social Cohesion ◽

Community Sample ◽

Economic Inequality ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Democratic Values ◽

Australian Community ◽

Societal Inequality ◽

Mental And Physical Health

Societal inequality has been found to harm the mental and physical health of its members and undermine overall social cohesion. Here, we tested the hypothesis that economic inequality is associated with a wish for a strong leader in a study involving 28 countries from five continents (Study 1, N = 6,112), a study involving an Australian community sample (Study 2, N = 515), and two experiments (Study 3a, N = 96; Study 3b, N = 296). We found correlational (Studies 1 and 2) and experimental (Studies 3a and 3b) evidence for our prediction that higher inequality enhances the wish for a strong leader. We also found that this relationship is mediated by perceptions of anomie, except in the case of objective inequality in Study 1. This suggests that societal inequality enhances the perception that society is breaking down (anomie) and that a strong leader is needed to restore order (even when that leader is willing to challenge democratic values).

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