The Mental Health of U.S. Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-335
Author(s):  
Margaret R. Lamar ◽  
Megan Speciale ◽  
Lisa K. Forbes ◽  
Courtney Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
Problem Alcohol Use ◽  
History Of ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact

Evidence suggests parents experience unique pandemic-related stressors related to isolation, food insecurity, school closures, and unemployment. This study examined 1,048 U.S. parents’ depression, anxiety, stress, and alcohol and substance use behaviors during March and April 2020 to better understand the impact of pandemic-related conditions on parents’ mental health. Mean scores indicated severe levels of depression and stress and extremely severe anxiety. Nearly two thirds (74.7%) indicated alcohol use in the past month, with 26.5% scoring in the range for problem alcohol use. Almost half of the sample reported using at least one substance in the previous 2 weeks. Men had significantly higher alcohol consumption and substance use than women. Depression, anxiety, and stress were higher for parents who consumed alcohol or substances and had a history of depression or anxiety. The long-term impact of COVID-19 is unknown, and mental health care is likely to be in high demand moving forward.

scholarly journals Leveraging the Prolific Platform for Substance Use Research: Recommendations for Repeated Assessment and Psychometric Studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey Stanton ◽  
Ryan Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
History Of ◽  
Psychometric Studies

We present data from multiple samples demonstrating the Prolific platform’s potential for efficiently collecting data for substance use research involving repeated assessments, including for psychometric research requiring large samples. First, we present data from a 5-day daily diary protocol. We recruited a large sample (N = 321 at Day 1) screened for a history of self-identified mental health issues and weekly alcohol use. Participant adherence was good (82%) even without in-person contact. Alcohol use patterns conformed to theoretical expectations: Participants were more likely to drink on Fridays and Saturdays than other days, men drank more than women, and higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; Saunders et al., 1993) scores were associated with an increased likelihood of use and more overall drinking. Second, we present data from 429 Prolific participants screened for a history of mental health issues who completed assessments 2 weeks apart with strong retention (N = 377; 88%). We compare these data with data from undergraduates (N = 529) to demonstrate Prolific’s utility for conducting psychometrically-oriented substance use research. Internal consistency estimates for measures from the Prolific data matched or exceeded those from the undergraduate data. Furthermore, measure scores showed strong temporal stability, and factor structures (e.g., AUDIT item level structures) conformed to theoretical expectations. Collectively, findings indicate that Prolific can be used successfully for repeated measures data collection. We also provide recommendations for using Prolific to target participant recruitment for repeated measures studies, especially in the areas of psychometric and substance use research.

Five-year Psychosocial Impact of Living in Post-Disaster Prefabricated Temporary Housing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Akaishi ◽  
Tomomi Suzuki ◽  
Harumi Nemoto ◽  
Yusuke Utsumi ◽  
Moe Seto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Psychiatric Status ◽  
History Of ◽  
Psychosocial Conditions ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Post Disaster

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of living in post-disaster prefabricated temporary housing on social interaction activities and mental health status. Methods: A total of 917 adult residents in a coastal town, whose residences were destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), were enrolled for the assessment held five years after the disaster. They answered questions about their experience and consequence of living in prefabricated temporary housing after the disaster. Their present scores on five types of self-reported measures regarding the psychosocial or psychiatric status and their present and recalled social interaction activities were cross-sectionally collected. Results: A total of 587 (64.0%) participants had a history of living in prefabricated temporary housing, while the other 330 (36.0%) had not. The prevalence of social interaction activities significantly decreased after the GEJE. However, the experience of living in prefabricated temporary housing did not adversely affect the subsequent social interaction activities or mental conditions of the participants five years after the disaster. Conclusions: Living in post-disaster prefabricated temporary housing may not negatively impact subsequent psychosocial conditions or social interaction activities five years later.

Improving lives not just saying no to substances: Evaluating outcomes for a young people’s substance use team trained in the AMBIT approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 490-504
Author(s):  
Peter Fuggle ◽  
Laura Talbot ◽  
James Wheeler ◽  
Jessica Rees ◽  
Emily Ventre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Integrative Therapy ◽  
The Impact

Adaptive Mentalization Based Integrative Therapy (AMBIT) is a systemic, mentalization based intervention designed for young people with multiple problems including mental health problems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of this approach both on clinical and functional outcomes for young people seen by a specialist young people’s substance use service between 2015 and 2018. About 499 cases were seen by the service during this period. Substance use outcomes were obtained for 383 cases using the Treatment Outcome Profile (TOP). Cannabis and alcohol use were the key substance use problems for 81% and 63% respectively. Functional outcomes using the AMBIT Integrative Measure (AIM) were obtained for 100 cases covering domains of daily living, socio-economic context, peer relationships and mental health. At treatment end, cannabis use reduced significantly ( t = 10.78; df = 311; p = .00; Cohen’s d ES.61 as did alcohol use ( t = 6.938; df = 242; p = .000; ES 0.44). Functional improvements were shown in five out of seven domains with highly significant total functional improvements on key problems selected by the client ( t = 14.01; df = 99; p = .000; ES1.34). Measuring functional as well as clinical outcomes appears to reflect more accurately the overall benefit of the service to clients.

scholarly journals Understanding the interplay of individual and social–developmental factors in the progression of substance use and mental health from childhood to adulthood

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany M. Jones ◽  
Karl G. Hill ◽  
Marina Epstein ◽  
Jungeun Olivia Lee ◽  
J. David Hawkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Developmental Factors ◽  
Substance Use Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
Individual Functioning ◽  
Family History Of Depression ◽  
History Of Depression

AbstractThis study examines the interplay between individual and social–developmental factors in the development of positive functioning, substance use problems, and mental health problems. This interplay is nested within positive and negative developmental cascades that span childhood, adolescence, the transition to adulthood, and adulthood. Data are drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a gender-balanced, ethnically diverse community sample of 808 participants interviewed 12 times from ages 10 to 33. Path modeling showed short- and long-term cascading effects of positive social environments, family history of depression, and substance-using social environments throughout development. Positive family social environments set a template for future partner social environment interaction and had positive influences on proximal individual functioning, both in the next developmental period and long term. Family history of depression adversely affected mental health functioning throughout adulthood. Family substance use began a cascade of substance-specific social environments across development, which was the pathway through which increasing severity of substance use problems flowed. The model also indicated that adolescent, but not adult, individual functioning influenced selection into positive social environments, and significant cross-domain effects were found in which substance-using social environments affected subsequent mental health.

Impact of Child Sexual Abuse on Females: Toward a Developmental, Psychobiological Integration

1993 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope K. Trickett ◽  
Frank W. Putnam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Average Duration ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Basic Theme ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact

In the last decade, it has become clear that the sexual abuse of children is much more prevalent than previously realized and that such abuse has extensive mental health sequelae. Females are reported victims of sexual abuse much more often than males. The peak age of onset of sexual abuse for females is prepubertal—7 or 8 years of age—and the average duration fends to be about 2 years. The basic theme of this article is that there may be directly traceable mechanistic relationships between the impact of sexual abuse on specific psychological and biological developmental processes for females and some of the adult outcomes of that abuse. Specifically, it is proposed that, to understand the long-term impact of sexual abuse, it is necessary to investigate how it may interfere with both the psychological and the biological processes of pubertal development.

scholarly journals Hidden scars: the impact of violence and the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najat Maalla M’jid
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hidden Scars ◽  
Do So

Abstract More than 1 billion children are exposed to violence every year. The devastating immediate and long-term impact of violence on the mental health of children is well established. Despite commitments made by the international community to end violence against children and support their mental health, there has been a serious lack of investment and capacity to provide quality, rights-based, culturally appropriate mental health care globally. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these challenges. This article outlines how the risk of children experiencing violence has increased and how the pandemic has weakened the capacity of child protection and mental health services to respond. The article argues for child protection, mental health and other core services to be prioritized during and after the pandemic. A failure to do so will undermine the international community’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and to fulfil its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Five-Year Psychosocial Impact of Living in Postdisaster Prefabricated Temporary Housing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Akaishi ◽  
Tomomi Suzuki ◽  
Harumi Nemoto ◽  
Yusuke Utsumi ◽  
Moe Seto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Psychiatric Status ◽  
History Of ◽  
Psychosocial Conditions ◽  
Long Term Impact

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of living in postdisaster prefabricated temporary housing on social interaction activities and mental health status. Methods: A total of 917 adult residents in a coastal town, whose residences were destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), were enrolled for the assessment held 5 y after the disaster. They answered questions about their experience and consequence of living in prefabricated temporary housing after the disaster. Their present scores on 5 types of self-reported measures regarding the psychosocial or psychiatric status and their present and recalled social interaction activities were cross-sectionally collected. Results: A total of 587 (64.0%) participants had a history of living in prefabricated temporary housing, while the other 330 (36.0%) had not. The prevalence of social interaction activities significantly decreased after the GEJE. However, the experience of living in prefabricated temporary housing did not adversely affect the subsequent social interaction activities or mental conditions of the participants 5 y after the disaster. Conclusions: Living in postdisaster prefabricated temporary housing may not negatively impact subsequent psychosocial conditions or social interaction activities 5 y later.

scholarly journals Correlates of self-reported history of mental health help-seeking: a cross-sectional study among individuals with symptoms of a mental or substance use disorder initiating care for HIV in Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Filiatreau ◽  
Peter Vanes Ebasone ◽  
Anastase Dzudie ◽  
Rogers Ajeh ◽  
Brian Pence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Mental health and substance use disorders (MSDs) increase the risk of poor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH). Receipt of mental health care may improve these adverse outcomes. We aimed to identify correlates of prior mental health help-seeking among PLWH with symptoms of an MSD in Cameroon. Methods We characterize prior mental health help-seeking from formal (mental health specialist/general medical provider) and informal (traditional healer/religious leader) sources among 161 people with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores> 9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores> 9), probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores> 30), or possible alcohol use disorder (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores≥16) who were newly entering HIV care at three healthcare facilities in Cameroon between June 2019 and March 2020. Help-seeking was defined as ever speaking to a formal or informal source about emotional problems, sadness, or the way they were feeling or behaving. We estimated the association between sociodemographic and psychosocial measures and lifetime mental health help-seeking from each type of source using log-binomial regression. Results Overall, 55.3% of 161 PLWH with MSD symptoms reported prior mental health help-seeking, with 24.2% and 46.0% seeking help from formal and informal sources, respectively. Religious leaders were the most common source of help (40.4%), followed by general medical professionals (22.4%), traditional healers (16.8%), and mental health specialists (7.4%). Individuals with higher depressive, anxiety, and trauma symptom severity scores were more likely to have sought help than those with lower scores. Individuals with possible alcohol use disorder were the least likely to have sought help. Prior help-seeking was more common among those reporting a higher number of lifetime traumatic events (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.11) and those with a history of emotional intimate partner violence (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.80). Conclusions Prior mental health help-seeking was associated with psychosocial stressors. Help-seeking from informal networks was more common than formal help-seeking. Training in the provision of evidence-based mental health support for informal networks could improve access to mental health care for PLWH with MSDs in Cameroon.

scholarly journals Increased Internet Searches for Insomnia as an Indicator of Global Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multinational Longitudinal Study

10.2196/22181 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. e22181
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Ting-Wei Chiang ◽  
Yu-Lun Lin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
The United States ◽  
Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average ◽  
Internet Searches ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact

Background Real-time global mental health surveillance is urgently needed for tracking the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective This study aimed to use Google Trends data to investigate the impact of the pandemic on global mental health by analyzing three keywords indicative of mental distress: “insomnia,” “depression,” and “suicide.” Methods We examined increases in search queries for 19 countries. Significant increases were defined as the actual daily search value (from March 20 to April 19, 2020) being higher than the 95% CIs of the forecast from the 3-month baseline via ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) modeling. We examined the correlation between increases in COVID-19–related deaths and the number of days with significant increases in search volumes for insomnia, depression, and suicide across multiple nations. Results The countries with the greatest increases in searches for insomnia were Iran, Spain, the United States, and Italy; these countries exhibited a significant increase in insomnia searches on more than 10 of the 31 days observed. The number of COVID-19–related deaths was positively correlated to the number of days with an increase in searches for insomnia in the 19 countries (ρ=0.64, P=.003). By contrast, there was no significant correlation between the number of deaths and increases in searches for depression (ρ=–0.12, P=.63) or suicide (ρ=–0.07, P=.79). Conclusions Our analysis suggests that insomnia could be a part of routine mental health screening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Brain Stress Mapping in COVID-19 Survivors Using MR Spectroscopy: New Avenue of Mental Health Status Monitoring

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Avantika Samkaria ◽  
Khushboo Punjabi ◽  
Shallu Sharma ◽  
Shallu Joon ◽  
Kanika Sandal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Stress Mapping ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has emerged as a human catastrophe worldwide, and it has impacted human life more detrimentally than the combined effect of World Wars I and II. Various research studies reported that the disease is not confined to the respiratory system but also leads to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders suggesting that the virus is potent to affect the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, the damage to CNS may continue to rise even after the COVID-19 infection subsides which may further induce a long-term impact on the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment. Neuroimaging techniques provide the ability to detect and quantify pathological manifestations in the brain of COVID-19 survivors. In this context, a scheme based on structural, spectroscopic, and behavioral studies could be executed to monitor the gradual changes in the brain non-invasively due to COVID-19 which may further help in quantifying the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the survivors. Extensive research is required in this direction for identifying the mechanism and implications of COVID-19 in the brain. Additionally, longitudinal follow-up studies are also needed to perform for monitoring the effects of this pandemic on individuals over a prolonged period.

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