scholarly journals UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH IN MALAYSIAN ELITE SPORTS: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Chun Foong Lew ◽  
Rebecca Sook Kwan Wong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Performance Expectation ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
The Status ◽  
Elite Sports

The attention in the society and rapid expansion of interest on the status and challenges of mental health among sporting athletes, especially in the elite sports setting, had increased exponentially. The present study was aimed to explore and gain a better understanding of mental health and psychological well-being of Malaysian elite athletes. It also provides insights into a broader aspect based on participants’ personal experiences.  A semi-structured interview was conducted for all 32 athletes (male, n=16; female, n=16) from a variety of sport: individual, team-sports; able-bodied, and Paralympic. Participants were aged between 19-38 years old (mean 25.69 years) from various ethnicity and religions. Six (6) themes (Personal understanding on mental health; Stigma of mental health; Symptoms, effects and sources of mental health; Coping strategies; Mental health and well-being support; Advice of athletes) and 19 subthemes were derived based on qualitative thematic analysis. Based on the analysis, subthemes, i.e. Presentation in mass media; Transition; Personal life-related issues; Performance expectation; Sporting environment are significant stressors causing mental health issues. The influence of spirituality and religion on the topic of mental health was also being highlighted. In conclusion, it is hopeful that the present study will stimulate interest and discussion in identifying methods and direction for both researchers and practitioners in bridging the theoretical-applied gap and offer effective supports to Malaysian athletes.

Social Class, Diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Child Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-152
Author(s):  
Jayanti Owens
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Testing Time ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Positive Effects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder among U.S. children. Diagnosis can bring positives, like proper treatment, extra testing time, and social support, but may also trigger negatives, like stigmatization. Although rates of diagnosis are high across socioeconomic status (SES) groups, the balance of positive and negative consequences of diagnosis may differ by SES. In high-SES communities, mental health diagnoses are less stigmatized and parents have greater ability to connect children to support resources, suggesting greater positive effects of diagnosis for high-SES children. Alternatively, the greater academic pressure present in high-SES communities may amplify the negative effects of mental health stigma, suggesting larger negative diagnostic effects. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort of 1998–1999, I found that diagnosed and medicated high-SES but not low-SES children exhibit significantly poorer future self-competence and teacher-rated school behaviors than undiagnosed matches. Findings suggest that diagnosis may not always be a net positive.

scholarly journals Yoga, Dance, Team Sports, or Individual Sports: Does the Type of Exercise Matter? An Online Study Investigating the Relationships Between Different Types of Exercise, Body Image, and Well-Being in Regular Exercise Practitioners

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Marschin ◽  
Cornelia Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Regular Exercise ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Ballroom Dance ◽  
Type Of Exercise ◽  
Individual Sports ◽  
The Relationship

Physical activity, specifically exercising, has been suggested to improve body image, mental health, and well-being. With respect to body image, previous findings highlight a general benefit of exercise. This study investigates whether the relationship between exercising and body image varies with the type of exercise that individuals preferentially and regularly engage in. In addition, physical efficacy was explored as a potential psychological mediator between type of exercise and body image. Using a cross-sectional design, healthy regular exercise practitioners of yoga, ballroom dance, team sports, or individual sports as well as healthy adults reporting no regular exercising were surveyed. Body image and its different facets were assessed by a set of standardized self-report questionnaires, covering perceptual, cognitive, and affective body image dimensions particularly related to negative body image. In addition, participants were questioned with regard to mental health. Participants were 270 healthy adults. Descriptive statistics, measures of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression analysis with orthogonal contrasts were performed to investigate differences between the different exercise and non-exercise groups in the variables of interest. In line with the hypotheses and previous findings, the statistic comparisons revealed that body dissatisfaction (as one important factor of negative body image) was most pronounced in the non-exercise group compared to all exercise groups [contrast: no exercise versus exercise (all groups taken together)]. Physical efficacy, as assessed with a standardized questionnaire, mediated the difference between type of exercise (using contrasts) and body image including perceptual, cognitive, and affective body image dimensions. The findings shed light on so far less systematically investigated questions regarding the relationship between types of exercise, like yoga and ballroom dance, and body image. The results underscore the relevance of considering possible influencing factors in exercise research, such as the perception of one’s physical efficacy as a mediator of this relationship.

scholarly journals A Thematic Analysis of Multiple Pathways Between Nature Engagement Activities and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anam Iqbal ◽  
Warren Mansell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Community Relations ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Perceptual Control Theory ◽  
Perceptual Control ◽  
Efficiency And Productivity

Research studies have identified various different mechanisms in the effects of nature engagement on well-being and mental health. However, rarely are multiple pathways examined in the same study and little use has been made of first-hand, experiential accounts through interviews. Therefore, a semi-structured interview was conducted with seven female students who identified the role of nature engagement in their well-being and mental health. After applying thematic analysis, 11 themes were extracted from the data set, which were: “enjoying the different sensory input,” “calm nature facilitates a calm mood,” “enhancing decision making and forming action plans,” “enhancing efficiency and productivity,” “alleviating pressure from society's expectations regarding education,” “formation of community relations,” “nature puts things into perspective,” “liking the contrast from the urban environment,” “feel freedom,” “coping mechanism,” and “anxious if prevented or restricted.” The results indicate complementary mechanisms for how nature-related activities benefit mental health and well-being that may occupy different levels of experience within a hierarchical framework informed by perceptual control theory.

scholarly journals Study of correlation between social determinants on mental health status of adolescent school students of Patna, Bihar, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1561
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar Tiwari ◽  
Anil Kumar Jaiswal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Status ◽  
Teachers And Parents ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background: The status of mental well-being is a function of emotional well-being, psychological well-being and social well-being, and includes aspects like cognitive and social skills, emotional capacity, empathy, ability to cope with adverse events, and capability to function within a society. Various studies have found strong correlations between a person’s immediate surroundings to how they perceive their well-being as well as their actual status of mental health. On one hand, social determinants affect the causation, severity and outcome of mental well-being, on the other hand the state of mental well-being affects the social determinants by affecting personal freedom, ability to make healthy life choices etc. This makes the study of social determinants of mental health very significant.Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory study of qualitative nature was undertaken in Patna among School going students between the ages 13-17. A self-administered peer reviewed questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: Of 400 participants 19% have features of depression and other mental health problems. Females were more affected. Students of low socioeconomic group (41.6%) and of single parent family (40%) were affected.Conclusions: Mental health problems are very common in adolescent school students. Active steps must be taken to increase awareness about depression among teachers and parents. Early intervention can help prevent worsening of depression and its impact on life.

scholarly journals Sports Psychiatry. Women’s mental health in elite sports – we are missing the complexity

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Competitive Sports ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Elite Sports

In competitive sports, mental health and well-being is of great significance [1]. This applies to the active phase, as well as the time after the career. Mental disorders are common in competitive sports [2]. Physical and psychological well-being and performance in sports relate to each other [2]: Emotional strains and illnesses in sport may have an influence on the performance, may increase the risk for injuries and may lengthen rehabilitation. Injuries have an influence on the performance, too, and are strains and risks for mental health. The requirements in elite sports call for a safe and sound judgement and handling with strains and risks for mental health, as well as in diagnosis and treatment on illness [1].

scholarly journals Time for mentally healthy engineering students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikkie Korsten ◽  
Karin Wolff ◽  
MJ Booysen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Academic Stress ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Educational Support ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
The Status ◽  
Systemic Factors

Mental health issues related to academic stress are experienced amongst undergraduates from different disciplines, with key factors being workload, study skills, resource access and socioeconomic conditions. The status of mental health and well-being of engineering students, globally, has become of increasing concern, but is relatively poorly researched. This paper presents the findings of a faculty initiative at a research-intensive institution in South Africa to determine engineering students’ experience of academic stress. Drawing on a holistic educational model, quantitative and qualitative survey results are presented. Key systemic factors are the volume, intensity and distribution of workload, as well as the experience of “information overload” during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the affective front, students provide detailed accounts of the negative emotional impact, which, in turn, contributes to loss of productivity and confidence. The cohort-comparison analysis reveals clear trends across years of study, as well as problem- versus emotion-focused coping strategies. This faculty case study on engineering student experience of academic-related stresses hopes to demonstrate the synergistic relationship between the systemic, affective and, ultimately, cognitive educational support domains for which engineering faculties are responsible. Suggestions are included for ways in which to facilitate improved mental health in our engineering students.

Mindful Masculinity: Positive Psychology, McMindfulness and Gender

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-150
Author(s):  
Dave Smallen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Theoretical Argument ◽  
The Status ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
And Gender

In recent years, positive psychology and mindfulness practices have increasingly been integrated in neo-liberal organisations to promote individuals’ well-being. Critics have argued that these practices actually function as management techniques, encouraging individuals’ self-governance and acceptance of the status quo despite adverse contexts. This article extends this argument by unpacking ways in which such ‘well-being’ programmes are also gendered, having been formulated around neo-liberal hegemonic masculine values of rationality, individualism and competition, and further masculinised through integration into gendered organisations. The argument is presented that this process produces a neo-liberal version of hegemonic masculinity that the author calls ‘mindful masculinity’. This theoretical argument is illustrated through examples of specific ways in which ‘well-being’ practices have been reworked in strongly masculine settings to promote neo-liberal hegemonic masculine goals under a symbolic veneer of spirituality and mental health.

scholarly journals INTRODUCING A FALL “WELLBEING” WEEK AT UBCO

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Elnaggar ◽  
Megan Lochhead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
The Status ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Student mental health and well-being are increasingly a focus of post-secondary institutions across Canada. Many academic institutions have opted to offer a fall reading week as a means of reducing student stress and improving their mental health. This paper presents a review of the academic research that has been done to study the impact of a fall reading week on students’ mental health and wellbeing. The paper also presents the status of the fall reading break in the top 30 Canadian Universities. Based on the results of this research, the authors have developed a proposal of introducing a fall reading week at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus (UBCO). The proposal has been accepted in concept by the Provost’s Office as well as by the Senate’s Academic Policy Committee for possible implementation.  

scholarly journals Impact of Five Days Spiritual Practice in Himalayan Ashram of Sahaj Marg on Well-Being Related Parameters and Selected Physiological Indicators

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narendra Kumar Arya ◽  
Kamlesh Singh ◽  
Anushree Malik
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Spiritual Practice ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Age Range

Impact of five days spiritual practice in Himalayan Ashram of Sahaj Marg on well-being related parameters and selected physiological indicators has been studied on 55 participants (25 male, 30 female; age range 18-65 years; mean age = 49 years & SD = 12.5 years). It was found that mental health and its dimensions like emotional well- being and social well-being; positive experience and negative experience; Sat-Chit-Ananda; depression anxiety and stress had significant change towards improved well-being. However, psychological well-being, flourishing Scale and mindfulness did not show significant improvement after the sessions. Observations during the Semi-structured interview corroborated with the above results.

scholarly journals Indigenous Mental Health: Imagining a Future Where Action Follows Obligations and Promises

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance MacIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Status ◽  
State Obligations ◽  
Indigenous Mental Health ◽  
Inuit Peoples ◽  
Mental Well Being

This article considers what it would mean if Canada fulfilled select existing commitments and obligations concerning the mental health needs of Indigenous peoples, as identified through current programs and recent jurisprudence: that is, where would we be if Canada carried through on existing commitments? After identifying the role of law in perpetuating poor mental well-being, it assesses programs for First Nations and Inuit peoples and determines they are unlikely to be effective without operational changes and responsive funding. The article then turns to the situation of Metis and non-status First Nations and the implications of Daniels v. Canada for changing the status quo – both by requiring appropriate mental health supports, and by dismantling the racist legal logic that has long undermined the mental well-being of non-status First Nations and Metis persons, by positioning them as not counting as true Indigenous peoples. The article concludes that merely fulfilling current state obligations could bring considerable short-term gains, and some long-term gains, for the mental well-being of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document