Misuse of pharmaceuticals by regular psychostimulant users is linked to mental health problems

Introduction. Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, particularly by young people, is an issue of rising concern. Poly-substance use is common among regular psychostimulant users (RPU), and mental health problems are associated with pharmaceutical misuse, but RPU do not generally acknowledge their use as problematic. Objective. To examine links between mental health and misuse of non-prescription pharmaceuticals in a group of regular users of illicit psychostimulants. Method. Face to face structured interviews were conducted in April 2015 with 763 regular users of illicit psychostimulants as part of the Annual Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System study in Australia. Results. At least half of the RPU in this study reported extra-medical or misuse of pharmaceuticals in the last six months in addition to regular use of illicit psychostimulants. Higher levels of psychological distress were recorded for RPU who also reported recent illicit use of opioids, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or over-the-counter (OTC) codeine. Recent misuse of benzodiazepines or OTC codeine was associated with self-reported mental health problems and having attended a mental health professional. Those reporting recent misuse of opioids were at increased risk of mental health problems and more likely to record high levels of psychological distress, but less likely to have received prescription medications for their mental health problem. Discussion and conclusion. Regular users of illicit psychostimulants who also misuse pharmaceuticals are at increased risk of mental health problems, even after accounting for their use of illicit psychostimulants. Screening of this group for mental health problems is recommended.

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Psychological distress among Vietnamese adults attending Vietnamese-speaking general practices in South Western Sydney: prevalence and associations

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py14145 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 354 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Thi Nguyen ◽

Sarah Dennis ◽

Huy An ◽

Sanjyot Vagholkar ◽

Siaw Teng Liaw

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Past History ◽

Health Problems ◽

High Exposure ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

General Practices ◽

Exposure To Trauma

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of psychological distress among Vietnamese adults attending Vietnamese-speaking general practices and explore possible risk factors in this population. Methods A cross-sectional survey of Vietnamese adult patients was conducted at 25 general practices with Vietnamese-speaking general practitioners (GPs) in south-western Sydney between October 2012 and February 2013. Patients completed the Kessler (K10) scale and a demographic questionnaire, available in Vietnamese or English. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Results Of the 350 patients invited to participate, 247 completed surveys (response rate 71%). One-quarter (25%) of participants had a very high K10 score for psychological distress, nearly twice that reported in the NSW Health Survey. Participants with high exposure to trauma were at increased risk of psychological distress (odds ratio 5.9, 95% confidence interval 2.4–14.4; P < 0.0001) compared with those with mild or no trauma exposure. Similarly, risk was increased if there was a past history of mental health problems and a lack of personal and social support. Conclusion The high prevalence of mental health problems in adult Vietnamese people attending Vietnamese-speaking general practices is associated with exposure to trauma. This highlights the importance of personal, social and professional support in effective management. Vietnamese-speaking GPs who see Vietnamese or similar refugee groups should actively seek out a history of exposure to trauma, a past history of mental illness and the existence of support systems.

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Low Physical Activity in Adolescence is Associated with Increased Risk for Mental Health Problems

Medicina Sportiva ◽

10.2478/v10036-009-0013-6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 74-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karin Monshouwer ◽

Margreet ten Have ◽

Mireille Van Poppel ◽

Han Kemper ◽

Wilma Vollebergh

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Increased Risk

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Family Type Predicts Mental Health Problems in Young Adults: A Survey of Students at a University in Botswana

SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ◽

10.25159/2415-5829/6823 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Kennedy Amone-P'Olak ◽

Boniface Kealeboga Ramotuana

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Single Mother ◽

Health Problems ◽

Family Type ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intact Family ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Family Types

In Africa, the structure of the family is changing rapidly. The effects of this change on mental health remain unknown. This study investigated the extent to which different family types (intact, single-mother, and multiple) predict mental health problems in young adults in Botswana (N = 264, mean age = 21.31, SD = 2.40). In a cross-sectional design, the study sampled students registered at various faculties at the University of Botswana. The revised symptoms checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to assess symptoms of mental health problems (depression, anxiety and hostility). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health problems for mother-only and multiple family types relative to the intact family type. Compared to the intact family type, single-mother (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.51) and multiple family types (OR = 1.56; CI: 0.88, 2.78) were associated with an increased risk of depression. For anxiety, the ORs were 2.27 (CI: 1.18, 4.38) and 1.10 (CI: 0.56, 1.82) for single-mother and multiple family types respectively. For hostility, the ORs were 2.60 (CI: 1.34, 5.04), and 0.79 (CI: 0.44, 1.42) for single-mother and multiple family types, respectively. Family types predict mental health problems in young adults and therefore the interventions to mitigate the effects should consider family backgrounds and the ramifications of family types for treatment and care.

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Predictors of clinical deterioration in patients with suspected COVID-19 managed in a ‘virtual hospital’ setting: a cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045356 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e045356

Author(s):

Nick A Francis ◽

Beth Stuart ◽

Matthew Knight ◽

Rama Vancheeswaran ◽

Charles Oliver ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Health Problems ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Care Services ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Remote Assessment ◽

History Of

ObjectiveIdentify predictors of clinical deterioration in a virtual hospital (VH) setting for COVID-19.DesignReal-world prospective observational study.SettingVH remote assessment service in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.ParticipantsPatients with suspected COVID-19 illness enrolled directly from the community (postaccident and emergency (A&E) or medical intake assessment) or postinpatient admission.Main outcome measureDeath or (re-)admission to inpatient hospital care during VH follow-up and for 2 weeks post-VH discharge.Results900 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 (455 referred from A&E or medical intake and 445 postinpatient) were included in the analysis. 76 (8.4%) of these experienced clinical deterioration (15 deaths in admitted patients, 3 deaths in patients not admitted and 58 additional inpatient admissions). Predictors of clinical deterioration were increase in age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) per year of age), history of cancer (OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.82)), history of mental health problems (OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.04)), severely impaired renal function (OR for eGFR <30=9.09 (95% CI 2.01 to 41.09)) and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result (OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.60)).ConclusionsThese predictors may help direct intensity of monitoring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who are being remotely monitored by primary or secondary care services. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and identify the reasons for increased risk of clinical deterioration associated with cancer and mental health problems.

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Changes in psychological distress and psychosocial functioning in young people visiting headspace centres for mental health problems

The Medical Journal of Australia ◽

10.5694/mja14.01696 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 202 (10) ◽

pp. 537-542 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Debra J Rickwood ◽

Kelly R Mazzer ◽

Nic R Telford ◽

Alexandra G Parker ◽

Chris J Tanti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Young People ◽

Psychosocial Functioning ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems

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Living in Uncertain Times: Pre-existing Mental Health Symptoms, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perceived COVID-19 Threat as Predictors of Psychological Distress During the Pandemic

10.31234/osf.io/fs3ny ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn M Bell ◽

Diane Holmberg

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽

Health Problems ◽

Trauma Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Distress Intolerance ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Threat Levels

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people are facing heightened uncertainty about the future and increasing rates of psychological distress. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and perceived COVID-19 threat may be contributing to mental health problems. This study investigated changes in mental health problems prior to and during the first two pandemic waves in the U.S., and the extent to which IU and perceived COVID-19 threat predicted these problems. MTurk participants (n=192; 50% women) were recruited from a pre-pandemic study in December 2019/January 2020 for a follow-up study on COVID-19 experiences, across five timepoints between April and August 2020. IU, perceived COVID-19 threat, and mental health problems (i.e., worry, COVID-19 fear, and trauma symptoms) were assessed. On average, mental health problems were not elevated, relative to pre-pandemic levels, and remained stable across time. Heightened IU and perceived COVID-19 threat were associated with more mental health problems. Surprisingly, objective measures of COVID-19 threat (e.g., state case rates) showed no associations with IU, and were slightly negatively correlated with psychological distress and perceived threat. Pre-existing mental health symptoms, IU and perceived COVID-19 threat may foster vulnerability to mental health problems during the pandemic, more so than objective threat levels.

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Psychological Distress in Iranian Military Personnel: A Qualitative Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-95007/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Azizeh Alizadeh1 ◽

Behnaz Dowran ◽

maryam azizi ◽

Seyed -Hossein Salimi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Military Organization ◽

Military Members ◽

Data Saturation ◽

The Military

Abstract Background: Military personnel are likely to encounter mental health problems due to High-risk occupations associated with significant levels of psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to explore psychological distress experienced by Iranian military personnel. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted on 15 Iranian military personnel. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants and continued until data saturation was reached. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and then the qualitative data were analyzed through direct content analysis. Results: By analyzing show 395 primary codes, 2 main categories, including demands and resources were extracted from the experiences of military members. The categories included several sub-categories, which were classified according to their significant characteristics. Findings of this study ascertain that different factors affect the military member’s psychological distress.Conclusions: Military organization and leaders should consider the factors of psychological distress that raised by specialists, and assign policies to improve their mental health. According to the present results, it is recommended that the process of psychological distress in military members be investigated further.

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Safe but isolated – an interview study with Iraqi refugees in Sweden about social networks, social support, and mental health

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020954257 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002076402095425 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Sundvall ◽

David Titelman ◽

Valerie DeMarinis ◽

Liubov Borisova ◽

Önver Çetrez

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Social Networks ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Assessment ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Traumatic Experiences ◽

Iraqi Refugees ◽

Structured Interviews

Background: Problems with social networks and social support are known to be associated with mental ill-health in refugees. Social support after migration promotes resilience. Aim: To study how Iraqi refugees who arrived in Sweden after the year 2000 perceived their social networks and social support, and to relate the observed network characteristics and changes to the refugees’ mental health and well-being. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 31 refugees, including questions on background and migration experiences, a biographical network map, and three health assessment scales. The findings were analysed with descriptive statistics and content thematic analysis. Results: The respondents’ networks were diminished. Social support was continued to be provided mainly by family members and supplemented by support from authorities. The main themes of the refugee experience of post-migration challenges were weakened social networks, barriers to integration and challenges to cultural and religious belonging. Failed reunion and worrying about relatives was described as particularly painful. Negative contacts with authority persons were often seen as humiliating or discriminating. Acquiring a new cultural belonging was described as challenging. At the same time, changing family and gender roles made it more difficult to preserve and develop the culture of origin. Traumatic experiences and mental health problems were common in this group. Family issues were more often than integration difficulties associated with mental health problems. Conclusion: In order to strengthen post-migration well-being and adaptation, authorities should support the refugees’ social networks. Clinicians need to address post-migration problems and challenges, including the meaning and function of social networks.

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A repeated cross-sectional survey assessing university students' stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329172000392x ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Agata Debowska ◽

Beata Horeczy ◽

Daniel Boduszek ◽

Dariusz Dolinski

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Adult Students ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Medical Psychology ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Early Stages ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background The time of widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases can lead to elevated stress and mental health problems among all persons affected, and in particular those sub-groups of the population that are at an increased risk of mental health problems. One such vulnerable group constitutes university students. The aim of this study is to assess stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality among different groups of university students (medical, psychology, and other). Methods Using a repeated cross-sectional study design, we collected survey data among a large sample of 7228 university students from Poland (mean age = 22.78, s.d. = 4.40; 81% female). Data were collected in five waves, during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe (March and April 2020). Results The results demonstrate a significant increase in depression levels as the pandemic was progressing. We also found that female students scored significantly higher than male students on depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychology students recorded the lowest scores on depression and anxiety. Young adult students (aged 18–24 years) had more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality than adult students (⩾25 years). Conclusions These results provide insights into stress and mental health among university students during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can be used for a more effective identification of students who may struggle during next stages of the pandemic and future crises.

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The effect of the 2008 recession on well-being and employment status of people with and without mental health problems

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz192 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 761-766 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Unnur Jónsdóttir ◽

Edda Björk þórðardóttir ◽

Thor Aspelund ◽

þórarinn Jónmundsson ◽

Kristjana Einarsdóttir

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Employment Status ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background The world was hit hard by the 2008 recession which led to increased unemployment and financial strain. However, how the recession affected people with pre-existing mental health problems has been understudied. This study investigates the effect of the 2008 recession in Iceland on stress, well-being and employment status of people with regard to whether they are suffering from mental health problems. Methods The study cohort included participants (18–69 years old) of the ‘Health and Wellbeing of Icelanders’, a 3-wave survey conducted before (in 2007) and after (in 2009 and 2012) the recession in 2008. Self-assessed well-being was measured with the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale. Logistic regression was used to assess the effect of the 2008 recession on self-assessed well-being and employment status in 2009 and 2012, using 2007 as a reference year. Results Participants with no pre-recession mental health problems were at increased risk of both poor well-being, (with adjusted odds ratio at 1.66, in 2009 and 1.64 in 2012) and higher perceived stress, (with adjusted odds ratio at 1.48 in 2009 and 1.53 in 2012), after the recession. Interestingly, no significant change in well-being and perceived stress was observed among participants suffering from pre-recession mental health problems. Both groups had increased risk of unemployment after the recession. Conclusion Results indicate that after recessions, the risk of stress and poor well-being increases only among those who do not suffer from pre-recession mental health problems.

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