scholarly journals An Empathy-Driven, Conversational Artificial Intelligence Agent (Wysa) for Digital Mental Well-Being: Real-World Data Evaluation Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Inkster ◽  
Shubhankar Sarda ◽  
Vinod Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Real World ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Data Evaluation ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
World Data ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Average Improvement ◽  
Mental Well Being

BACKGROUND A World Health Organization 2017 report stated that major depression affects almost 5% of the human population. Major depression is associated with impaired psychosocial functioning and reduced quality of life. Challenges such as shortage of mental health personnel, long waiting times, perceived stigma, and lower government spends pose barriers to the alleviation of mental health problems. Face-to-face psychotherapy alone provides only point-in-time support and cannot scale quickly enough to address this growing global public health challenge. Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled, empathetic, and evidence-driven conversational mobile app technologies could play an active role in filling this gap by increasing adoption and enabling reach. Although such a technology can help manage these barriers, they should never replace time with a health care professional for more severe mental health problems. However, app technologies could act as a supplementary or intermediate support system. Mobile mental well-being apps need to uphold privacy and foster both short- and long-term positive outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to present a preliminary real-world data evaluation of the effectiveness and engagement levels of an AI-enabled, empathetic, text-based conversational mobile mental well-being app, Wysa, on users with self-reported symptoms of depression. METHODS In the study, a group of anonymous global users were observed who voluntarily installed the Wysa app, engaged in text-based messaging, and self-reported symptoms of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. On the basis of the extent of app usage on and between 2 consecutive screening time points, 2 distinct groups of users (high users and low users) emerged. The study used mixed-methods approach to evaluate the impact and engagement levels among these users. The quantitative analysis measured the app impact by comparing the average improvement in symptoms of depression between high and low users. The qualitative analysis measured the app engagement and experience by analyzing in-app user feedback and evaluated the performance of a machine learning classifier to detect user objections during conversations. RESULTS The average mood improvement (ie, difference in pre- and post-self-reported depression scores) between the groups (ie, high vs low users; n=108 and n=21, respectively) revealed that the high users group had significantly higher average improvement (mean 5.84 [SD 6.66]) compared with the low users group (mean 3.52 [SD 6.15]); Mann-Whitney P=.03 and with a moderate effect size of 0.63. Moreover, 67.7% of user-provided feedback responses found the app experience helpful and encouraging. CONCLUSIONS The real-world data evaluation findings on the effectiveness and engagement levels of Wysa app on users with self-reported symptoms of depression show promise. However, further work is required to validate these initial findings in much larger samples and across longer periods.

scholarly journals Mental well-being of patients from ethnic minority groups during critical care: a qualitative ethnographic study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e014075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose Lima Van Keer ◽  
Reginald Deschepper ◽  
Luc Huyghens ◽  
Johan Bilsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ethnic Minority Groups ◽  
Mental Well Being

ObjectivesTo investigate the state of the mental well-being of patients from ethnic minority groups and possible related risk factors for the development of mental health problems among these patients during critical medical situations in hospital.DesignQualitative ethnographic design.SettingOneintensive care unit (ICU) of a multiethnic urban hospital in Belgium.Participants84 ICU staff members, 10 patients from ethnic-minority groups and their visiting family members.ResultsPatients had several human basic needs for which they could not sufficiently turn to anybody, neither to their healthcare professionals, nor to their relatives nor to other patients. These needs included the need for social contact, the need to increase comfort and alleviate pain, the need to express desperation and participate in end-of-life decision making. Three interrelated risk factors for the development of mental health problems among the patients included were identified: First, healthcare professionals’ mainly biomedical care approach (eg, focus on curing the patient, limited psychosocial support), second, the ICU context (eg, time pressure, uncertainty, regulatory frameworks) and third, patients’ different ethnocultural background (eg, religious and phenotypical differences).ConclusionsThe mental state of patients from ethnic minority groups during critical care is characterised by extreme emotional loneliness. It is important that staff should identify and meet patients’ unique basic needs in good time with regard to their mental well-being, taking into account important threats related to their own mainly biomedical approach to care, the ICU’s structural context as well as the patients’ different ethnocultural background.

scholarly journals Relationship of Perceived Social Support with Mental Health in Older Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Muñoz-Bermejo ◽  
José Carmelo Adsuar ◽  
Salvador Postigo-Mota ◽  
Inés Casado-Verdejo ◽  
Claudia Mara de Melo-Tavares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health State ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Older Caregivers ◽  
Elderly Caregivers ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background: Elderly caregivers present increased physical and mental health problems. These factors can lead to a lack of autonomy and a need for social support. This study aims to analyse the relationships between perceived social support and mental health status in elderly caregivers aged 65 and older. Methods: a cross-sectional study based on data from the Spanish National Health Survey (ENSE-17) carried out on 7023 people. The study population was restricted to 431 caregivers aged ≥65 years. A study of the correlation between the mental health state and the perceived social support was carried out. Both variables were related to the sex of the caregiver. Results: Perceived social support by older caregivers is significantly related to mental health (p = 0.001), and stress (p < 0.001). Also, there is a significant relationship between perceived social support and mental well-being (p = 0.001), self-esteem (p = 0.005) and stress (p = 0.001) in older women caregivers. Conclusions: Older caregivers have adequate mental well-being and perceive high social support. Perceived social support can contribute to improving the mental well-being of older caregivers.

scholarly journals Sporting memories & the social inclusion of older people experiencing mental health problems

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Clark ◽  
Charlie Murphy ◽  
Tony Jameson-Allen ◽  
Chris Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Well Being

Purpose – Social exclusion and isolation of older people and their mental health are likely to be more significant, interlinked issues for society as countries experience an ageing demographic profile. The authors urgently need to identify effective ways of addressing these challenges that can be easily mobilised to meet diverse needs in different settings. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of sporting memories (SM) work as one approach to help meet this need. This SM work entails the use of sports-based reminiscence to engage with older people experiencing mental health problems. To date this has especially focused on people living with dementia in institutional and in community settings. Design/methodology/approach – The paper sets out the SM idea and discusses lessons learnt from case studies of its application to meet the inclusion and mental health needs of different older people in institutional and community settings. Findings – The evidence from the application of SM work to date is that it is an effective and flexible means of engaging people to improve their social inclusion and mental well-being. It can be readily deployed in various care and community settings. Research limitations/implications – The evidence to date is of case studies of the use of SM work, and, although these are now extensive case studies, further research is needed on the costs and impacts of SM work. Practical implications – SM work is a flexible and readily adoptable intervention to engage older people and help improve their social inclusion and mental well-being. Social implications – SM work can be an important part of meeting some of the challenges society faces with an ageing population profile. Originality/value – This is the first paper to set out the SM work.

scholarly journals Study of correlation between social determinants on mental health status of adolescent school students of Patna, Bihar, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 1561
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar Tiwari ◽  
Anil Kumar Jaiswal
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Status ◽  
Teachers And Parents ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background: The status of mental well-being is a function of emotional well-being, psychological well-being and social well-being, and includes aspects like cognitive and social skills, emotional capacity, empathy, ability to cope with adverse events, and capability to function within a society. Various studies have found strong correlations between a person’s immediate surroundings to how they perceive their well-being as well as their actual status of mental health. On one hand, social determinants affect the causation, severity and outcome of mental well-being, on the other hand the state of mental well-being affects the social determinants by affecting personal freedom, ability to make healthy life choices etc. This makes the study of social determinants of mental health very significant.Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory study of qualitative nature was undertaken in Patna among School going students between the ages 13-17. A self-administered peer reviewed questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: Of 400 participants 19% have features of depression and other mental health problems. Females were more affected. Students of low socioeconomic group (41.6%) and of single parent family (40%) were affected.Conclusions: Mental health problems are very common in adolescent school students. Active steps must be taken to increase awareness about depression among teachers and parents. Early intervention can help prevent worsening of depression and its impact on life.

scholarly journals The profile of quality of life and mental health of university students in the healthcare field

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e35011125095
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Batista de Freitas ◽  
Adriana Lúcia Meireles ◽  
Sabrina Martins Barroso ◽  
Marina de Bittencourt Bandeira ◽  
Mery Natali Silva Abreu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Environment Domain

Objective: to present the profile of quality of life and symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in university students in the healthcare area. Method: a descriptive study with a quantitative approach to data, carried out with university students in the healthcare field of three Federal Institutions of Higher Education in Minas Gerais. Variables such as sociodemographic, lifestyle, presence of depression symptoms, anxiety and stress, and quality of life (QoL) were measured. The QoL was assessed using the WHOQUOL-bref scale and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress using the DASS-21 scale. A descriptive data analysis was performed. Results: 321 students participated in the study, mostly female (71.0%). More than 50% of the students had symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, regardless of the level of severity, while severe/very severe symptoms were present in more than 20% of them, presenting a higher proportion in the nursing course. The psychological domain had the lowest overall QoL score (58.33), and the best was observed in the social relationships domain (66.67). Nursing students had the lowest scores while physical education students had the best scores in most domains. Medical students had the best score in the environment domain (68.75). Conclusion: Suggest the planning of policies and strategies that promote the physical and mental well-being of students, as well as screening and monitoring of most vulnerable ones, as well as those with mental health problems; such strategies can positively impact QoL.

scholarly journals Self-esteem and mental health in adolescents – level and stability during a school year

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Unni Karin Moksnes ◽  
Randi Johansen Reidunsdatter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Health Development ◽  
Hopkins Symptom Checklist ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
School Year ◽  
Mental Well Being

Aim: Adolescence represent an important period for positive mental health development. The aim of the present paper was to investigate gender differences as well as the level, stability and predictive role of mental health (symptoms of depression/anxiety and mental well-being) and self-esteem in adolescents during a school year.Methods: The study sample consisted of a cohort of 351 students aged 15–21 years in Mid-Norway. In a survey administrated at the beginning and end of the 2016/2017 school year, mental well-being was assessed with Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, depression/anxiety with Hopkins Symptom Checklist and self-esteem with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Two models were tested for prediction; self-esteem on mental health (vulnerability model) and mental health on self-esteem (scar model).Results: Girls reported significantly higher depression/anxiety than boys and showed a slightly significant increase in depression/anxiety, stress and self-esteem during the two assessments. Boys scored significantly higher on mental well-being and self-esteem and reported stable mental health during the school year. Selfesteem significantly predicted depression/anxiety and mental well-being. Mental well-being and depression/ anxiety also significantly predicted self-esteem.Conclusion: The results suggest that self-esteem and mental health are reciprocally associated. The results underline the gender differences in overall mental health in adolescents and thus the potential importance of acknowledging gender when working on universal strategies for positive mental health development.

Moderation Effects of Substance Use on Physical and Mental Well-Being in Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 107839032110520
Author(s):  
Mercy Ngosa Mumba ◽  
Alexandria Nancarrow ◽  
Jessica L. Jaiswal ◽  
Erika Hocchaus ◽  
Madelyn H. Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Each year about one in five adults experiences mental illness. Although the independent physical and mental health consequences of alcohol misuse and cigarette smoking are well documented, little is known on how substance use moderates the relationship between physical and mental well-being. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether substance use moderates the relationship between physical activity and mental health in adults. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data provided by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). RESULTS: Participants ( N = 450,016) were adults who completed the BRFSS in 2017. Those who did not drink alcohol had fewer mental health problems when they indicated greater amounts of time spent doing physical activities each week. Last, smokers’ number of mental health problems decreased as they engaged in more physical activity, whereas nonsmokers’ number of mental health problems increased as they engaged in more physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes is well established and cannot be overemphasized. Nonetheless, substance abuse can moderate this relationship and should be routinely screened for by health care providers regardless of treatment setting.

scholarly journals The Association between Parental Support and Adolescents’ Psychological Complaints: The Mediating Role of a Good School Climate

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Joacim Ramberg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Climate ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Good School ◽  
Mental Well Being

Parental support is an important factor affecting young people’s mental well-being, but the school climate also plays an important role. However, few studies have previously examined whether the school climate serves as a mediator for adolescents’ mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the association between parental support and students’ psychological complaints, while also examining the possible mediating role that a good school climate may have. Data derives from 5783 senior-level students (age 15–16) distributed over 152 school units in Stockholm municipality. Regression linear analysis was used for the analysis and Baron and Kenny’s four-step mediation model has been applied. Sobel’s test was conducted in order to test the significance of the mediation effect. The results show that there is a significant negative association between parental support and students’ psychological complaints, and that school climate has a mediating role in this association. It can be concluded that school climate has a partly mediating role in the association between parental support and students’ psychological complaints. Therefore, it seems important to develop the school climate in order to strengthen this source of support to reduce mental health problems among adolescents.

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