scholarly journals Poor mental health of livestock farmers in Africa: a mixed methods case study from Ghana

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Sena Nuvey ◽  
Katharina Kreppel ◽  
Priscilla Awo Nortey ◽  
Adolphina Addo-Lartey ◽  
Bismark Sarfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Veterinary Services ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Livestock Diseases

Abstract Background: Agriculture represents the mainstay of African economies and livestock products are essential to the human population’s nutritional needs. However, in many developing countries, including Ghana, livestock production fails to meet demand due to population growth and negative effects of climate change. One of the challenges to production is livestock loss affecting farmers. However, despite stressful events experienced, livestock farmers’ mental health is poorly documented. This study aims to identify the root causes of livestock losses and their influence on pastoralists’ mental health. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study in two districts in the Northern and Southern Belts of Ghana. Using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 and guided interviews, we collected quantitative and qualitative data from 287 livestock farmers and 24 key-informants respectively. Mental health scores were categorized using standard guidelines. We evaluated the factors that explained variations in mental wellbeing using linear regression models ( α =0.05). Results: About 85% (240/287) of the livestock farmers lost cattle within one year. Of these, 91% lost cattle to animal diseases, 50% to theft and 27% to pasture shortages. Findings showed that 60% of livestock farmers had poor mental health. Of those, 72% were depressed, 66% anxious and 59% stressed. Mental wellbeing was negatively associated with the number of adverse events experienced, proportion of livestock lost, emotional attachment to livestock and self-reported illnesses in farmers, but positively associated with increasing herd size [F (5,281) = 17.19, p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.23]. Qualitative findings reveal that due to poor access to veterinary services, farmers treat livestock diseases themselves with drugs from unregulated sources and often sell diseased cows for meat to recover losses. Conclusions: Livestock diseases are the leading cause of losses to livestock farmers, whose mental wellbeing is negatively affected by these losses. Although an adaptive strategy by farmers to compensate for poor veterinary services, the arbitrary use of veterinary drugs and sale of diseased cattle pose health risks to the public. Further research to evaluate the performance of veterinary services in Ghana, mental health problems and risk to human health due to potential high-risk meat entering the food chain, is needed.

scholarly journals Poor mental health of livestock farmers in Africa: a mixed methods case study from Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Sena Nuvey ◽  
Katharina Kreppel ◽  
Priscilla Awo Nortey ◽  
Adolphina Addo-Lartey ◽  
Bismark Sarfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Veterinary Services ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Livestock Diseases

Abstract Background Agriculture represents the mainstay of African economies and livestock products are essential to the human population’s nutritional needs. However, in many developing countries, including Ghana, livestock production fails to meet demand due to population growth and negative effects of climate change. One of the challenges to production is livestock loss affecting farmers. However, despite stressful events experienced, livestock farmers’ mental health is poorly documented. This study aims to identify the root causes of livestock losses and their influence on pastoralists’ mental health. Methods We conducted a mixed methods study in two districts in the Northern and Southern Belts of Ghana. Using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 and guided interviews, we collected quantitative and qualitative data from 287 livestock farmers and 24 key-informants respectively. Mental health scores were categorized using standard guidelines. We evaluated the factors that explained variations in mental wellbeing using general linear models (α=0.05). Results About 85% (240/287) of the livestock farmers lost cattle within one year. Of these, 91% lost cattle to animal diseases, 50% to theft and 27% to pasture shortages. Qualitative findings reveal that due to poor access to veterinary services, farmers treat livestock diseases themselves with drugs from unregulated sources and often sell diseased cows for meat to recover losses. Findings showed that 60% of livestock farmers had poor mental health. Of those, 72% were depressed, 66% anxious and 59% stressed. Mental wellbeing was negatively associated with the number of adverse events experienced, proportion of livestock lost to most of the major loss factors, emotional attachment to livestock and self-reported physical illnesses in farmers, but positively associated with increasing herd size [F(8,278)=14.18,p<0.001,R2=0.29]. Conclusions Livestock diseases are the leading cause of losses to livestock farmers, whose mental wellbeing is negatively affected by these losses. Although an adaptive strategy by farmers to compensate for poor veterinary services, the arbitrary use of veterinary drugs and sale of diseased cattle pose health risks to the public. Further research to evaluate the performance of veterinary services in Ghana, mental health problems and risk to human health due to potential high-risk meat entering the food chain, is needed.

scholarly journals Poor mental health of livestock farmers in Africa: a mixed methods case study from Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Sena Nuvey ◽  
Katharina Kreppel ◽  
Priscilla Awo Nortey ◽  
Adolphina Addo-Lartey ◽  
Bismark Sarfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods Case Study ◽  
Livestock Farmers

African American Women and Depression: Promoting the Need for Culturally Competent Treatment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernice Kennedy ◽  
Chalice Jenkins ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
African American ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
American Woman ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
American Women

Abstract Depression is gradually increasing in African American women. These women are experiencing role changes and additional life stressors. Depressed African American women may perceive themselves as being devalued by society with fewer support systems to buffer stressful events. Depressive symptoms may develop into clinical depression and a further decrease in the quality of life for the African American woman. The assumption that all women share similar experiences does not allow for differences to emerge regarding the diagnostic process, measuring tools, and successful treatment strategies for various cultures. The authors developed a Multifaceted Model of Depression in African American Women for improving treatment of African American women with depression and future research needs. Cultural background plays a vital role in how the symptoms of mental illnesses are developed, reported, interpreted, and how women are treated. African Americans who subscribed to the Strong Black Women Archetype (SBWA) are naturally strong, resilient, self-contained, and self-sacrificing. This self-reliance prevents them from reaching out for social support. This, in turn, can contribute to depressive symptoms with negative health outcomes. The African American women are more apt to have less access to routine medical care where early diagnosis and interventions can be done, so their mental health problems (e.g., depression, stress, etc.) are often more developed, complicated, and their social supports more depleted when they do access treatment. When African American women do have access to mental health care, they receive poor quality care compared to Whites.

scholarly journals COMmunity PARticipation through Education (COMPARE): effectiveness of supported education for students with mental health problems, a mixed methods study – study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacomijn Hofstra ◽  
Jorien van der Velde ◽  
Petra Jannette Havinga ◽  
Lies Korevaar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Study Success ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Supported Education

Abstract Background The onset of mental health problems generally occurs between the ages of 16 and 23 – the years in which young people follow post-secondary education, which is a major channel in our society to prepare for a career and enhance life goals. Several studies have shown that students with mental health problems have a higher chance of early school leaving. Supported Education services have been developed to support students with mental health problems to remain at school. The current project aims to study the effect of an individually tailored Supported Education intervention on remaining at school, study success, and satisfaction of students with mental health problems studying at an institute for intermediate vocational education and a university of applied sciences in the Netherlands. Methods/design The design combines quantitative research (Randomized Controlled Trial; RCT) with qualitative research (monitoring, interviews, focus groups). One hundred students with mental health problems recruited from the two educational institutes will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or control condition. The students in the intervention condition receive the Supported Education intervention given by a Supported Education specialist, the students in the active control condition receive support as usual plus advice from a trained staff member on potential supportive resources regarding studying with mental health problems. The primary outcome ‘remaining at school’, and the secondary outcome ‘study success’ will be determined using data from the school’s administration. The secondary outcome ‘student satisfaction’ and other variables that will be studied in a more exploratory way, such as self-efficacy and study skills, will be determined through online questionnaires at baseline, at 6 and at 12 months follow-up. Focus groups and interviews with the students and Supported Education specialists will be carried out to complement the trial. Discussion This RCT is the first to assess the effect of Supported Education on remaining at school, next to study success and student satisfaction among students with mental health problems. The use of a mixed-methods design will result in a thorough evaluation of the effect of the intervention. Issues regarding the influx and possible attrition of students in the follow-up are discussed. Trial registration The study was registered with Trialregister.nl, no. NL8349, date registered: February 4th 2020. Register name: Community participation through education. Effectiveness of Supported Education for youth with mental health problems, a mixed methods study – Study protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Protocol Version: 3, date: May 28th, 2021.

scholarly journals Positive Psychology for Mental Wellbeing of UK Therapeutic Students: Relationships with Engagement, Motivation, Resilience and Self-Compassion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Pauline Green ◽  
David Sheffield
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Psychological Constructs ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the relationships between mental wellbeing and positive psychological constructs in therapeutic students (psychotherapy and occupational therapy students). The number of therapeutic students has increased recently; however, they suffer from poor mental health, which may be improved by potentiating their positive psychological constructs, bypassing mental health shame. Therapeutic students (n = 145) completed measures regarding positive psychological constructs, namely mental wellbeing, engagement, motivation, resilience, and self-compassion. Resilience and self-compassion predicted mental wellbeing, explaining a large effect. Self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing. This study highlights the importance of positive psychological constructs, especially resilience and self-compassion, for mental wellbeing of therapeutic students.

Transgender and Gender Diverse Community Connection, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Among Black Transgender Women Who Have Survived Violence: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110138
Author(s):  
Athena D. F. Sherman ◽  
Sarah Allgood ◽  
Kamila A. Alexander ◽  
Meredith Klepper ◽  
Monique S. Balthazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Diverse Community ◽  
And Gender

Black transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence and poor care-delivery, contributing to poor mental health. Little is known regarding the effect of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community connection (TCC) on health. This analysis (a) explores relationships between TCC, polyvictimization, and mental health and (b) analyzes how TCC influenced help-seeking following violent experiences among Black transgender women. Mixed-methods data from 19 Black transgender women were analyzed using correlational and thematic content analyses. Findings suggest that TCC is associated with improved help-seeking and mental health among Black transgender women, highlighting a need for longitudinal research to identify approaches for leveraging TCC.

scholarly journals Emotional and Cognitive Empathy in Caregivers of People With Neurodegenerative Disease: Relationships With Caregiver Mental Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262097436
Author(s):  
Alice Y. Hua ◽  
Jenna L. Wells ◽  
Casey L. Brown ◽  
Robert W. Levenson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Emotional Empathy ◽  
People With Dementia

Caregiving for a person with dementia or neurodegenerative disease is associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety. As the population ages and dementia prevalence increases worldwide, mental health problems related to dementia caregiving will become an even more pressing public health concern. In the present study, we assessed emotional empathy (physiological, behavioral, and self-reported emotional responses to a film depicting others suffering) and two measures of cognitive empathy (identifying the primary emotion experienced by another person and providing continuous ratings of the valence of another person’s changing emotions) in relation to mental health (standard questionnaires) in 78 caregivers of people with dementia or neurodegenerative disease. Greater emotional empathy (self-reported emotional responses) was associated with worse mental health even after accounting for known risk factors. Neither measure of cognitive empathy was associated with mental health. A relationship between high levels of emotional empathy and poor mental health in caregivers suggests possible risk indicators and intervention targets.

scholarly journals Mental health and caregiving experiences of family carers supporting people with psychosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sin ◽  
J. Elkes ◽  
R. Batchelor ◽  
C. Henderson ◽  
S. Gillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
General Population ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
Negative Experience

Abstract Aims Family carers supporting an individual with psychosis often experience poorer mental health, however, little is known about specific risk factors among these carers. We investigated the associations between demographic, caregiving characteristics and mental health outcomes in family carers supporting an individual with psychosis and compared carers' outcomes with general population norms. Methods We analysed baseline data from the COPe-support randomised controlled trial of online psychoeducation and peer support for adult carers supporting an individual with psychosis between 2018 and 2020. We collected carers' demographic and health outcome data, including wellbeing using Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS as primary outcome), quality of life using EQ-5D-5L and caregiving experience assessed with Experience of Caregiving Inventory. We tested associations between carers' demographic and caregiving characteristics for each outcome in turn and meta-analysed carers' WEMWBS and EQ-5D-5L with Health Survey England (HSE) general population data from 2016 and 2017, respectively. Results The 407 carers of people with psychosis had a mean WEMWBS score of 42.2 (s.d. 9.21) and their overall weighted pooled WEMWBS score was 7.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) −8.6 to −6.0, p < 0.01) lower than the HSE general population sample, indicating carers have poorer mental wellbeing by more than double the minimum clinically important difference of 3 points on WEMWBS. Among all caring relationships, partners had poorer wellbeing compared to parents with lower WEMWBS score (−6.8, −16.9 to 3.3, p = 0.03). Single carers had significantly poorer wellbeing (−3.6, −5.6 to −1.5, p < 0.01) and a more negative caregiving experience than those who were cohabiting. Spending more than 35 h per week caregiving increased carers' negative experience significantly (p = 0.01). Conclusion Carers of people with psychosis have poorer mental health than non-carers. Partners, lone carers and those spending more than 35 h per week on caring were found to be most at risk of poor mental health. Based on the results, we advocate that the details of carers for individuals with psychosis should be added to the existing carers or severe mental illness registers at all general practitioner surgeries and for their wellbeing screened routinely. Future large-scale prospective studies are needed to develop a predictive model to determine risk factors, hence to aid early identification of carers' support needs. Such understandings are also useful to inform tailored intervention development.

scholarly journals Is there an association between diet and depression in children and adolescents? A systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (12) ◽  
pp. 2097-2108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundus Khalid ◽  
Claire M. Williams ◽  
Shirley A. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
Unhealthy Diet

AbstractThis review critically evaluates previous studies investigating the association between dietary intake of children and young people and depression and related mental health problems. A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane. A total of twenty studies were identified that met inclusion criteria and were subsequently rated for quality. The studies used a range of methods to measure dietary intake and mental health. Important potential confounding variables (e.g. socio-economic status) were often not included or controlled. There were also inconsistencies in the use of key constructs, which made comparisons between studies difficult. Despite some contradictory results, overall there was support for an association between healthy dietary patterns or consumption of a high-quality diet and lower levels of depression or better mental health. Similarly, there was a relationship between unhealthy diet and consumption of low-quality diet and depression or poor mental health. However, where significant relationships were reported, effect sizes were small. Future research on the relationship between diet and mental health in young people should use more clearly defined constructs to define diet and include or control for important confounders.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences of diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a mixed-methods study in general practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (694) ◽  
pp. e322-e329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C Hillman ◽  
Carol Bryce ◽  
Rachel Caleychetty ◽  
Jeremy Dale
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common lifelong metabolic condition with serious associated comorbidities. Evidence points to a delay in diagnosis and inconsistency in the information provided to women with PCOS.AimTo capture women’s experiences of how PCOS is diagnosed and managed in UK general practice.Design and settingThis was a mixed-methods study with an online questionnaire survey and semi-structured telephone interviews with a subset of responders.MethodAn online survey to elicit women’s experiences of general practice PCOS care was promoted by charities and BBC Radio Leicester. The survey was accessible online between January 2018 and November 2018. A subset of responders undertook a semi-structured telephone interview to provide more in-depth data.ResultsA total of 323 women completed the survey (average age 35.4 years) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 women. There were five key themes identified through the survey responses. Participants described a variable lag time from presentation to PCOS diagnosis, with a median of 6–12 months. Many had experienced mental health problems associated with their PCOS symptoms, but had not discussed these with the GP. Many were unable to recall any discussion about associated comorbidities with the GP. Some differences were identified between the experiences of women from white British backgrounds and those from other ethnic backgrounds.ConclusionFrom the experiences of the women in this study, it appears that PCOS in general practice is not viewed as a long-term condition with an increased risk of comorbidities including mental health problems. Further research should explore GPs’ awareness of comorbidities and the differences in PCOS care experienced by women from different ethnic backgrounds.

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