Missing and misdiagnosis on the autism spectrum: Potential consequences and implications for practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
Glenys Jones
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Genetic Test ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Autism Diagnosis ◽  
Potential Benefits

he aim of this paper is to explore the current criteria for giving a diagnosis of autism, the potential benefits of diagnosis and the reasons why this may be missed or misdiagnosed and the possible consequences. It considers whether diagnosis is always necessary and if so, for whom and when. If diagnosis is made to inform intervention, does this happen and from whose perspective and what is the research evidence for current approaches in autism? As there is no definitive medical or genetic test for diagnosing autism, then it is always subjective and diagnostic rates will vary across services and within and between local authorities. The case is made that professionals need to develop ways to ensure that autistic individuals who would benefit from an autism diagnosis are identified so that their needs are met in a timely and appropriate way to prevent the development of mental health problems and to enable a good quality of life. Finally, focusing on the positive aspects of autism and enhancing the wellbeing of parents, carers and the staff in schools and settings should have positive outcomes for all.

scholarly journals Quality of Life in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Problems: An Explorative Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Morisse ◽  
Eleonore Vandemaele ◽  
Claudia Claes ◽  
Lien Claes ◽  
Stijn Vandevelde
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
Universal Properties

The field of intellectual disability (ID) is strongly influenced by the Quality of Life paradigm (QOL). We aimed at investigating whether or not the QOL paradigm also applies to clients with ID and cooccurring mental health problems. This paper aims at stimulating a debate on this topic, by investigating whether or not QOL domains are universal. Focus groups with natural and professional network members were organized to gather qualitative data, in order to answer two questions: (1) Are the QOL dimensions conceptualized in the model of Schalock et al. applicable for persons with ID and mental health problems? (2) What are indicators relating to the above-mentioned dimensions in relation to persons with ID and mental health problems? The results offer some proof for the assumption that the QOL construct seems to have universal properties. With regard to the second question, the study revealed that the natural and professional network members are challenged to look for the most appropriate support strategies, taking specific indicators of QOL into account. When aspects of empowerment and regulation are used in an integrated manner, the application of the QOL paradigm could lead to positive outcomes concerning self-determination, interdependence, social inclusion, and emotional development.

scholarly journals The possible relation between stigma, parent psychiatric symptoms, quality of life and the disease burden in families of children with autism spectrum disorder in Egypt: a multicentre study

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romany H. Gabra ◽  
Doaa F. Hashem ◽  
Gellan K. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Health Organization Quality

Abstract Background Most autism spectrum disorder (ASD) interventions evaluated child outcomes and ignoring the role of parent and family factors on both the immediate- and long-term effects of therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stigma, parent mental health problems, and quality of life and burden in families of children with ASD in Egypt and its risk factors. Seventy parents of ASD children were recruited from two child intervention centers. Participants were divided into two groups based on burden scale: caregivers of moderate burden (n = 27) and caregivers of severe burden (n = 43). All parents were evaluated for demographic data, zarit Burden Interview, socioeconomic scale, symptom checklist–90 (SCL90), Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale (EMIC-CSS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results Half of the parents reported significant stigma, particularly caregivers with a severe burden. Caregivers with severe burden had more depression and about twice the frequency of sensitivity and somatization problems, lower QoL (20%) as compared with caregivers with moderate burden. Parents with ASD had many associate factors such as work, male autistic children and their caregiver, age of children and parents, the severity of the condition, and disease duration with burden, stigma, QoL, and mental health problems. Conclusions This study linked the interrelationships between increased burden and stigma, impaired quality of life, and parental mental health problems; the presence of one of these variables was found to increase the risk of other variables.

scholarly journals Exploring the quality of life and psychological symptoms of university students in Cyprus during the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 110-121
Author(s):  
Hadjicharalambous Demetris ◽  
Loucia Demetriou ◽  
Koulla Erotocritou
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Idioms Of Distress

The onset of the infectious disease Covid19 originating in Wuhan, China, took over the world in December 2019 and was declared a pandemic in January 2020.  Empirical evidence resulting from relevant research illustrated that the effects of the pandemic itself but also of the strict measures to contain the spread of the virus on the mental health and well-being of affected populations were just as unanticipated as the pandemic itself. Data led to the identification of six idioms of distress: (1) Demoralization and pessimism towards the future, (2) anguish and stress, (3) self-depreciation, (4) social withdrawal and isolation, (5) somatization, (6) withdrawal into oneself. Our research explores the psychological impact of the Covid19 pandemic on college students and their quality of life. The study took place in Cyprus with 356 young participants, whereas 256 were female (72%) and 100 were male (28%). They all completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 and the Life Satisfaction Inventory (LSI). The present study's findings revealed that six factors, including residence without family, the deterioration of the financial situation of the family, the loss of employment, the deterioration of social relationships, young age, and gender, have significantly affected in a negative way the mental health and quality of life of young people. Research findings revealed that the strict lockdown and physical/social isolation measures had a significant adverse effect on our sample, whereas participants showed increased symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and somatization. Young adults who lost their jobs during the pandemic or had a significant decrease in their family income, and students who stayed away from their families, experienced a negative impact on their quality of life and had to cope with more mental health problems.

Psychosocial concerns in a context of prolonged political oppression: Gaza mental health providers’ perceptions

2022 ◽  
pp. 136346152110629
Author(s):  
Marwan Diab ◽  
Guido Veronese ◽  
Yasser Abu Jamei ◽  
Rawia Hamam ◽  
Sally Saleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Psychosocial Conditions

In this qualitative exploratory study, we investigated the perspectives of mental health providers in Gaza, Palestine, regarding the primary concerns of their clients who are exposed to low-intensity warfare and structural violence. We conducted qualitative interviews with 30 psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists providing services to communities in Gaza. Participants were asked to discuss their clients’ most commonly occurring mental health problems, diagnoses, and psychosocial conditions. Thematic analysis identified one superordinate theme (Impact of the Blockade on Mental Health and Quality of Life) and four second-order themes (Concerns about Social Problems, General Concerns about Quality of Life, Concerns about the Mental Health of the Community, and Concerns Related to Children's Mental Health). Participants indicated that the social and political dimensions of mental health and the economic, educational, and health-related consequences of the ongoing blockade of Gaza were the main determinants of psychological burden among their clients. Findings demonstrated the importance of adopting an approach to mental health that includes understanding psychological indicators in a broader framework informed by human rights and social justice. Implications for research and clinical work are discussed, including the role of investments in social capital that may provide individuals with access to resources such as social support, which may in turn promote overall mental health.

Disclosure and Quality of Life Among Unemployed Individuals With Mental Health Problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 207 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Rüsch ◽  
Alexandra Malzer ◽  
Nathalie Oexle ◽  
Tamara Waldmann ◽  
Tobias Staiger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems

scholarly journals Burden of mental health problems: quality of life and cost-of-illness in youth consulting Dutch walk-in youth health centres

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
S. M. J. Leijdesdorff ◽  
C. E. M. Huijs ◽  
R. M. C. Klaassen ◽  
A. Popma ◽  
T. A. M. J. van Amelsvoort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Cost Of Illness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Youth Health ◽  
Health Centres

scholarly journals The transition from university to work: what happens to mental health? A longitudinal study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Østertun Geirdal ◽  
Per Nerdrum ◽  
Tore Bonsaksen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Young Professionals ◽  
Study Programs

Abstract Background When enrolled in university or college, students receive varying degrees of training in managing practical situations in the workplace. However, after graduation, the young professionals meet their responsibilities at work. The experience of the transition between education and work may connote a feeling of professional uncertainty and lack of coping, both of which are important factors related to young professionals’ mental health. The gap between the two areas of knowledge is frequently described as ‘practice shock’. Very few studies of mental health among students and young professional workers have used longitudinal designs. In the present study, we conducted a longitudinal investigation of change and stability in the levels of psychological distress among healthcare professionals, teachers, and social workers from the end of their study programs until 3 years into their subsequent professional lives. We also assessed the extent to which psychological distress at the end of the study program, sociodemographic characteristics, coping with the professional role, the psychosocial workplace environment, and experience of overall quality of life can predict psychological distress 3 years into their professional lives. Methods Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). A total of 773 students/young professionals participated at both the end of their study programs and 3 years into their professional lives. Group differences were examined by the chi-squared test, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. McNemar’s test were applied to identify changes in the proportion of cases at the two time points. Linear and logistic regressions were employed to identify factors associated with GHQ-12 Likert scores and GHQ-12 case scores, respectively. Results Psychological distress was significantly reduced at 3 years for health professionals. Among the social workers and teachers, the change in psychological distress was not significant during the same period. Higher current quality of life contributed to lower psychological distress. Conclusions Our findings support assumptions about higher levels of mental health problems as students, with mental health improving as health professionals and social workers move into professional work.

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