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 ◽  

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.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanto Araki ◽  
Keita Kiuchi ◽  
Katsumasa Kishi

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks will likely threaten mental health globally. This study aimed to explore outbreaks’ effects on the general Japanese population’s overall health, focusing on identifying factors related to needing mental health treatment. Japanese residents aged 18 and older were surveyed online. Of the 1,500 responses included for analysis, 14% reported severe psychological distress and 8.9% rated high for suicidal ideation. A multiple regression analysis showed that “insufficient exercise” significantly predicted physical health (β = -0.23, SE = 0.03). The “neuroticism” personality trait (β = -0.16, SE = 0.03), the “outbreak-related mental health problems” (β = -0.22, SE = 0.03), and “uncertainty about the future” (β = -0.12, SE = 0.03) life event stressors significantly predicted mental health. The personality traits of “agreeableness” (β = -0.08, SE = 0.02), “neuroticism” (β = 0.22, SE = 0.02), “social support” (β = -0.12, SE = 0.02), “outbreak-related mental health problems” (β = 0.21, SE = 0.02), “uncertainty about the future” (β = 0.14, SE = 0.02) and “declining duration and quality of sleep” (β = 0.10, SE = 0.02) predicted psychological distress. “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) predicted suicidal ideation. Results suggested that due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, much of the Japanese public could need psychiatric care. People rating high for these risk factors but low for the protective factors might specifically need proactive support.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
Xing-Jie Yang ◽  
Li-Gang Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-264
Author(s):  
Jiraporn SONPAVEERAWONG ◽  
Wanida LIMMUN ◽  
Nidarat CHUWICHIAN

Significant evidence has shown that southern Thailand is prone to the highest risk of repeated flooding. However, psychological distress and mental health problems caused by the flash floods and landslides have been under-researched among Thai survivors. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore characteristics and factors associated with the prevalence of psychological distress, probable post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), probable depression, suicide risk, and alcohol problems 4 to 6 months after the flooding. The research examined 326 survivors from households in flooded communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat province during 2011. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and a binary logistic regression model were applied to the data representing demographics, household damage, perceived mental health impact, social support and mental health problems. The results showed that the prevalence rate of probable PTSD, probable depression, psychological distress, suicide risk, and alcohol problems were 44.48, 31.29, 29.45, 17.18 and 4.60 %, respectively. Risk factors that variously affected those mental health problems were age, gender, prior physical condition, perception of mental health impacts, skin infection, and injury incurred during the flood. On the other hand, a significant protective factor was the degree of social support. Results suggest that rapid actions should be taken immediately after flooding, especially management with the risk survivor group and promotion of social support to minimize the mental health impacts associated with the flooding.


2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110399
Author(s):  
Yvonne H. M. van den Berg ◽  
William J. Burk ◽  
Antonius H. N. Cillessen ◽  
Karin Roelofs

The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate emerging adults’ mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether social support from mothers, fathers, and best friends moderated the change in mental health. Participants were 98 emerging adults (46% men) who were assessed prior to COVID-19 ( Mage = 20.60 years) and during the first lockdown ( Mage = 22.67 years). Results indicated that the pandemic did not uniformly lead to elevated levels of mental health problems, but instead depended on level of mental health problems prior to COVID-19 and the source of support. For emerging adults who already experienced more problems prior to COVID-19, more maternal support was related to decreases in general psychological distress and depressive symptoms, whereas more paternal support was related to increases in general psychological distress and depressive symptoms. Support from best friends were not associated with (changes in) mental health.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
Xing-Jie Yang ◽  
Lan Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Sampasa-Kanyinga ◽  
H.A. Hamilton

AbstractBackgroundPrevious research has suggested an association between the use of social networking sites (SNSs) and mental health problems such as psychological distress, suicidal ideation and attempts in adolescents. However, little is known about the factors that might mediate these relationships. The present study examined the link between the use of social networking sites and psychological distress, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, and tested the mediating role of cyberbullying victimization on these associations in adolescents.MethodsThe sample consisted of a group of 11-to-20-year-old individuals (n = 5126, 48% females; mean ± SD age: 15.2 ± 1.9 years) who completed the mental health portion of the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) in 2013. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to test the mediation models.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, subjective socioeconomic status (SES), and parental education, use of SNSs was associated with psychological distress (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 2.03, 1.22–3.37), suicidal ideation (3.44, 1.54–7.66) and attempts (5.10, 1.45–17.88). Cyberbullying victimization was found to fully mediate the relationships between the use of SNSs with psychological distress and attempts; whereas, it partially mediated the link between the use of SNSs and suicidal ideation.ConclusionFindings provide supporting evidence that addressing cyberbullying victimization and the use of SNSs among adolescents may help reduce the risk of mental health problems.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1073-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zumin Shi ◽  
Anne W Taylor ◽  
Gary Wittert ◽  
Robert Goldney ◽  
Tiffany K Gill

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between soft drink consumption and mental health problems, including self-reported doctor-diagnosed anxiety, stress-related problem and depression, suicidal ideation and psychological distress, among adults in South Australia.DesignData were collected using a risk factor surveillance system. Each month a representative random sample of South Australians was selected from the Electronic White Pages with interviews conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing.SettingSouth Australia.SubjectsParticipants were aged 16 years and above.ResultsAmong 4741 participants, 12·5 % reported daily soft drink consumption of more than half a litre. High levels of soft drink consumption were positively associated with depression, stress-related problem, suicidal ideation, psychological distress and a current mental health condition, but not anxiety. Overall, 24·0 % of those having suicidal ideation reported consuming more than half a litre of soft drink per day. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, those who consumed more than half a litre of soft drink per day had approximately 60 % greater risk of having depression, stress-related problem, suicidal ideation, psychological distress or a current mental health condition, compared with those not consuming soft drinks. The soft drink to total fluid consumption ratio had similar associations with mental health problems.ConclusionsThere is a positive association between consumption of soft drinks and mental health problems among adults in South Australia.


2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 2277-2288 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. DeAndrea ◽  
J. C. Anthony

BackgroundHelp seeking for online peer and other social support in response to depression and other mental health problems offers an electronic technology alternative to traditional mental health care. Here, with nationally representative samples of adult community residents in the USA, we study online peer support help seeking, estimate its occurrence, and investigate depression and other suspected predictors and correlates, some of which might prove to be causal influences.MethodThe data are from nationally representative probability sample surveys of the non-institutionalized US adult population, with a new independent sample assessed via confidential computerized self-assessment modules each year from 2004 to 2010, yielding estimates about online peer support. A total of 264 431 adults participated in these years.ResultsAn estimated three per 1000 adults (0.3%) seek online peer support for mental health problems each year (95% confidence interval 0.0022–0.0036). Individuals with depression and/or serious psychological distress are strongly over-represented among these adult online peer support help seekers (odds ratio >7,p < 0.001). Associations with college education, being non-Hispanic white, being female, and age are also noteworthy (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOnline help seeking for mental health social support is becoming frequent enough for study in large sample national surveys, and might well be fostered by active neuropsychiatric ailments such as depression or other serious psychological distress. Open questions remain about whether the result is beneficial, or conditions required for efficacious online peer support, as might be disclosed in definitive evidence from randomized controlled trials.


Trauma Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-161
Author(s):  
Richard S. Henry ◽  
Cosima Hoetger ◽  
Annie E. Rabinovitch ◽  
Adriana Aguayo Arelis ◽  
Brenda Viridiana Rabago Barajas ◽  
...  

Despite the high rates of discrimination and mental health issues experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults at an international level, very little research has focused on this population in Latin America. As a result, the purpose of this study was to explore relationships among discrimination experiences, mental health (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms), suicidal ideation, religiosity, and social support in LGBT adults in Latin America. A sample of 99 participants from the region completed an online survey assessing these constructs. Results suggested that 51.5% of the sample reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Experiences with harassment/rejection-type discrimination predicted suicidal ideation, while work/school-type discrimination predicted mental health problems (anxiety and depression). Depressive symptoms predicted suicidal ideation, while anxiety symptoms alone did not. Further, depressive symptoms mediated relationships between work/school discrimination and suicidal ideation, as well as between harassment/rejection discrimination and suicidal ideation. Moderated mediation analyses suggested that high, but not low or moderate levels of social support and religiosity buffered LGBT adults in Latin America against discrimination, specifically by weakening links among discrimination, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Clinical intervention research with LGBT adults in Latin America should focus on increasing social support networks for this population and on helping LGBT adults reconcile conflicts between religious identities and sexual or gender minority identities, as healthy religiosity may serve as a protective factor against mental health problems generally, and suicidal ideation specifically.


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