scholarly journals Researching the Researchers: Psychological Distress and Psychosocial Stressors According to Career Stage in Mental Health Researchers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole TM Hill ◽  
Eleanor Bailey ◽  
Ruth Benson ◽  
Grace Cully ◽  
Olivia Kirtley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Career Stages ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Career Stage ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Mental Health Diagnoses

Abstract Background Although there are many benefits and privileges associated with working in academia, this career path often involves a range of structural and organisational stressors that can be detrimental to wellbeing and increase susceptibility to mental ill health among academic staff and students. This exploratory study examines experiences of work-related stressors, psychological distress, and mental health diagnoses among mental health researchers. Differences in outcomes were compared across career stages including postgraduate students, research support staff, early-middle career researchers, and senior researchers. MethodsThis international cross-sectional study involved 207 mental health researchers who were post-graduate students or employed in research institutes or university settings. Work-related psychosocial stressors were measured by the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III (COPSOQ-III). Psychological distress was assessed using Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Thoughts of suicide was assessed using three questions adapted from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). History of mental-health diagnoses was assessed through a custom questionnaire. Pearson’s chi-square test of independence was used to compare mental health diagnoses and suicidal ideation across career stages (research support staff, students, early-middle career researchers, and senior researchers). Group comparisons of work-related psychosocial exposures and DASS-21 general distress and related sub-scores were conducted across career stages. Results Differences in ‘demands at work’ and the ‘work-life balance’ domain were observed across career stages, with scores lowest among support staff (p=0.01). In contrast, scores in ‘social capital’ and ‘health and wellbeing domains’ were highest among research support staff (P= 0.01). Overall, 13.4% of respondents met the threshold for severe psychological distress, which was significantly higher in students compared to participants from other career stages (p=0.01). Among the subgroup of participants who responded to the question on mental health diagnoses and suicidal ideation (n=152), 54% reported a life-time mental health diagnosis and 23.7% reported suicidal ideation since academic career commencement. ConclusionsDespite working in the same environment, research support staff report experiencing significantly less psychosocial stressors compared to postgraduate students, early-middle career researchers and senior researchers. Future research that targets the modifiable stressors at each career stage could improve the overall mental health and wellbeing of mental health researchers.

scholarly journals Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6700
Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
The Government ◽  
Distress Scale

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.

Life, lifestyle and location: examining the complexities of psychological distress in young adult Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Davison ◽  
T. Nagel ◽  
G. R. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Harm

Mental health is fundamental to an individual’s health and well-being. Mental health disorders affect a substantial portion of the Australian population, with the most vulnerable time in adolescence and young adulthood. Indigenous Australians fare worse than other Australians on almost every measure of physical and mental health. Cross-sectional data from young adults (21–27 years) participating in the Life Course Program, Northern Territory, Australia, is presented. Rates of psychological distress were high in remote and urban residing Indigenous and urban non-Indigenous young adults. This rate was more pronounced in young women, particularly in Indigenous remote and urban residing women. Young adults with high psychological distress also had lower levels of positive well-being, higher perceived stress levels, experienced a higher number of major life events and were at an increased risk of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm. This study supports the need for a continued focus on early screening and treatment at this vulnerable age. The significant association seen between psychological distress and other markers of emotional well-being, particularly risk of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, highlights the need for a holistic approach to mental health assessment and treatment. A concerted focus on improving the environs of young adults by lowering levels of stress, improving access to adequate housing, educational and employment opportunity, will assist in improving the emotional health of young adults.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study of mental health and suicidality among trans women in São Paulo, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianne Reis ◽  
Sandro Sperandei ◽  
Paula Galdino Cardin de Carvalho ◽  
Thiago Félix Pinheiro ◽  
Ferdinando Diniz de Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Trans Women

Abstract Background Trans women have been shown to experience disproportionately poor outcomes in physical and mental health. Although it is common to talk about the violence against trans people, little is still known about mental health outcomes and experiences of suicidality among trans women, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to investigate risk factors and associations with mental health, suicide ideation and suicide attempts among trans women in the largest metropolitan area in Brazil. Methods Trans women living in São Paulo were recruited between May 2017 and July 2019 using the long-chain peer referral method Respondent-Driven Sampling. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the associations with K10 score classification (logistic) and suicidal ideation/suicide attempt (ordinal logistic). Results A total of 763 trans women were included in the study. Over one quarter (26.5%) of trans women had been diagnosed with anxiety in the past, and close to one in five (19.1%) trans women had received a diagnosis of depression. More than two in five (41.9%) trans women had moderate to severe psychological distress. More than half of all participating trans women reported having previously either experienced suicidal ideation or attempted to take their own lives (25.0 and 31.2% respectively). In multivariate regression, moderate to severe psychological distress was associated with homelessness, income, current sex work, use of stimulant drugs, history of physical abuse, depression diagnosis and access to mental health treatment. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were associated with race/skin color, living arrangements, marital status, current sex work, history of sexual violence, depression and PTSD diagnoses, access to mental health treatment and psychological distress. Conclusions This study showed that there is a significant association between mental health conditions, lack of treatment for these conditions and suicidality among trans gender women. Findings point to the need for a structural transformation in Brazil that enables a reduction in the social inequality and violence that impact the mental health of trans women. A number of recommendations to achieve this are provided.

scholarly journals Personal And Work-Related Correlates Of Mental Health In Slovak Women In Higher Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Krawczyk ◽  
Jon Kalinowski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Role Conflict ◽  
Women In Higher Education ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Mental Health Symptomatology

Two samples of Slovak women in higher education were surveyed in order to determine the extent to which the personal attributes of locus of control and life satisfaction and work-related attributes of role conflict and ambiguity are related to mental health symptomatology. The personal attribute of external locus of control correlated positively with symptoms of psychological distress. Life satisfaction correlated negatively with mental health. Role conflict and ambiguity each correlated positively with all symptoms of psychological distress. Moderating effects of locus of control and life satisfaction were not found. Results are discussed in relation to findings from similar surveys of U.S. women in higher education and with respect to changes in higher education in post-communist Central and Eastern European countries.

scholarly journals Impact of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on physical and mental health, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation, and the mediating role of stressors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Kiuchi ◽  
Katsumasa Kishi ◽  
Kanto Araki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mediating Role

COVID-19, mental health, psychological distress, suicidal ideation, mediation

Associations Between Interpersonal Violence, Psychological Distress, and Suicidal Ideation Among Formerly Incarcerated Men and Women

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093304
Author(s):  
Madeleine Newman ◽  
Lisa Fedina ◽  
Boyoung Nam ◽  
Jordan DeVylder ◽  
Binta Alleyne-Green
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Violence Exposure ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Incarcerated Men

Survivors of interpersonal violence are at increased risk of negative mental health outcomes; however, scant research has explored the relationship between violence exposure and mental health symptoms among formerly incarcerated individuals. This cross-sectional survey study investigates the demographic characteristics and mental health symptoms (i.e., psychological distress and suicidal ideation) associated with interpersonal violence exposure, including physical and sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, and sexual violence perpetrated by prison employees in a sample of formerly incarcerated men and women, with the aim that the findings both deepen the understanding of the effects of sexual violence exposure and help inform prison and jail policies. Surveys were administered to English-speaking adults ages 18 and older to recruit a sample of adults who were formerly incarcerated ( N = 201). Questions on the survey included questions regarding demographic details, sexual violence exposure, mental health symptoms, and time incarcerated. Findings show that higher levels of sexual violence exposure were significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress and reporting of suicidal ideation. Results also suggest that higher levels of income and education and younger age were significantly associated with sexual violence perpetrated by prison employees. In addition, most forms of interpersonal violence were independently associated with psychological distress and suicidal ideation in this population. The findings make recommendations for prison and jail policies to include targeted treatment for individuals with sexual victimization histories, to mitigate the risk of revictimization and appropriately treat adverse mental health outcomes from sexual victimization within and outside the confines of incarceration.

scholarly journals Physical multimorbidity and lifetime suicidal ideation and plans among rural older adults: the mediating role of psychological distress

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengyue Jing ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Pei Pei Fu ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Yemin Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Rural Elderly ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Effect Of Pd

Abstract Background Previous studies have revealed that single physical chronic condition was associated with suicidal ideation/plans, but few studies have examined the relationship between multimorbidity and suicidal ideation/plans, and no studies have explored the underlying potential mechanism on this relationship in China. This study aimed to explore association between physical multimorbidity and suicidal ideation as well as plans, and further examine the mediating role of psychological distress (PD) on this relationship. Methods This study was based on the data from a survey about the health service of rural elderly household in Shandong, China. A total of 3242 adults aged 60 years and older were included in this study. PD was measured by Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the association between physical multimorbidity, PD and suicide ideation/plans. Bootstrapping analysis was further used to examine the mediation effect of PD on the association of multimorbidity and suicidal ideations/plans. Results The prevalence of multimorbidity, lifetime suicidal ideation, and suicidal plan in rural older adults was 35.2, 10.6 and 2.2%, respectively. Older adults living in rural areas with two or more chronic physical conditions experienced significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation and suicidal plans. The association between multimorbidity and suicidal ideations/plans was partially mediated by PD, of which, the mediating effect of PD accounted for 31.7 and 25.5% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion This study demonstrated the associations between physical multimorbidity and suicidal ideation/plans, and the mediating role of PD on this relationship among Chinese rural elderly. Healthcare providers in rural community should provide regular surveillance for the mental health status among the rural elderly with multimorbidity, and carry out various effective intervention measures to improve the mental health status, so as to reduce the risk of suicide.

scholarly journals Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on Physical and Mental Health, Psychological Distress, and Suicidal Ideation, and the Mediating Role of Stressors

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Kiuchi ◽  
◽  
Katsumasa Kishi ◽  
Kanto Araki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mediating Role

This study investigated the physical and psychological impacts of elements related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and demographic data in Japan both directly and as mediated by stressors, immediately following the rescinding of the state of emergency declaration accompanying the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreak. An online survey was administered to 1,500 Japanese registered with an online outsourcing service. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling using Mplus. Relatively large total effects were observed for “insufficient exercise” on physical health (β = –0.24, SE = 0.03), “mental health issues related to COVID-19” on mental health (β= –0.25, SE = 0.03) and psychological distress (β= 0.24, SE = 0.03), neuroticism on mental health (β= –0.30, SE = 0.02) and psychological distress (β= 0.36, SE = 0.02), and social support on suicidal ideation (β= –0.32, SE = 0.03). Thus, mitigating the harm resulting from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 infection outbreak by raising awareness of risk factors and promoting social support is feasible.

scholarly journals Risk and Protective Factors for Poorer Overall Health, Increased Psychological Distress, and Suicidal Ideation Due to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the General Japanese Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanto Araki ◽  
Keita Kiuchi ◽  
Katsumasa Kishi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Japanese Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
General Japanese Population ◽  
The Future

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak is expected to have harmed the mental health of numerous people worldwide. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on the overall health of the general Japanese population, with a particular focus on identifying the factors associated with a requirement for mental health treatment. Japanese residents aged 18 years and above were surveyed online, and among the 1,500 obtained responses included for analysis, 14% reported severe psychological distress, and 8.9% indicated high suicidal ideation. A multiple regression analysis of the collected data revealed that “insufficient exercise” could significantly predict physical health (β = -0.23, SE = 0.03), while the life event stressors that could significantly predict mental health were the personality trait “neuroticism” (β = -0.16, SE = 0.03), and the life stressors of “outbreak-related mental health problems” (β = -0.22, SE = 0.03) and “uncertainty regarding the future” (β = -0.12, SE = 0.03). The personality traits of “agreeableness” (β = -0.08, SE = 0.02) and “neuroticism” (β = 0.22, SE = 0.02), and the factors “social support” (β = -0.12, SE = 0.02), “outbreak-related mental health problems” (β = 0.21, SE = 0.02), “uncertainty regarding the future” (β = 0.14, SE = 0.02), and “declining duration and quality of sleep” (β = 0.10, SE = 0.02) could predict psychological distress. Suicidal ideation was predicted by “neuroticism” (β = 0.11, SE = 0.03), “social support” (β = -0.27, SE = 0.03), and “having a psychiatric disorder” (β = 0.18, SE = 0.03). The results of the present study suggest that due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, much of the Japanese population could be in requirement of psychiatric care. In particular, the individuals who rated high for the risk factors and low for the protective factors might require proactive support.

Co-Occurring Cyberbullying and School Bullying Victimization and Associations With Mental Health Problems Among Canadian Middle and High School Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High School ◽  
Middle School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
School Bullying ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
School Students

This study examined the associations between co-occurring cyberbullying and school bullying victimization with poor self-rated mental health, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation and attempts among 4,886 Canadian students in Grades 7–12 and tested whether these associations differed between middle and high school students. There are 12.2% of students who were victims of both cyberbullying and school bullying. After adjusting for covariates, victims of both cyberbullying and school bullying presented the highest odds of poor self-rated mental health (odds ratio [OR] = 5.02; 95% CI [3.75, 6.74]), psychological distress (OR = 5.91; 95% CI [4.38, 7.96]), and suicidal ideation (OR = 6.17; 95% CI [4.44, 8.56]) and attempts (OR = 7.68; 95% CI [3.95, 14.93]). These associations were stronger among middle-school youth than their high school counterparts. Results suggest that victims of both cyberbullying and school bullying may constitute the most vulnerable group and that there is a need for intervention programs addressing both forms of bullying simultaneously, particularly among middle school students.

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