scholarly journals Digital Mental Health Resources for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Immigrants: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Herdiyan Maulana ◽  
Timothy Howarth ◽  
Karen Gardner ◽  
Tricia Nagel

BACKGROUND Asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants experience a number of risk factors for mental health problems. However, in comparison to the host population, these populations are less likely to use mental health services. Digital mental health approaches have been shown to be effective in improving well-being for the general population. Thus, they may provide an effective and culturally appropriate strategy to bridge the treatment gap for these populations vulnerable to mental health risks. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to provide the background and rationale for conducting a scoping review on digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. It also provides an outline of the methods and analyses, which will be used to answer the following questions. What are the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants? Are they effective, feasible, appropriate, and accepted by the population? What are the knowledge gaps in the field? METHODS The scoping review methodology will follow 5 phases: identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. Searches will be conducted in the following databases: EBSCOhost databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE with Full Text, APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and APA PsycInfo), PubMed, and Scopus. Additionally, OpenGrey, Mednar, and Eldis will be searched for gray literature. All primary studies and gray literature in English concerning the use of information and communication technology to deliver services addressing mental health issues for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants will be included. RESULTS This scoping review will provide an overview of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants and describe the implementation outcomes of feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of such approaches for those populations. Potential gaps in the field will also be identified. CONCLUSIONS As of February 2020, there were no scoping reviews, which assessed the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. This review will provide an extensive coverage on a promising and innovative intervention for such populations. It will give insight into the range of approaches, their effectiveness, and progress in their implementation. It will also provide valuable information for health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers working with the population. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/19031

10.2196/19031 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e19031
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Herdiyan Maulana ◽  
Timothy Howarth ◽  
Karen Gardner ◽  
Tricia Nagel

Background Asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants experience a number of risk factors for mental health problems. However, in comparison to the host population, these populations are less likely to use mental health services. Digital mental health approaches have been shown to be effective in improving well-being for the general population. Thus, they may provide an effective and culturally appropriate strategy to bridge the treatment gap for these populations vulnerable to mental health risks. Objective This paper aims to provide the background and rationale for conducting a scoping review on digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. It also provides an outline of the methods and analyses, which will be used to answer the following questions. What are the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants? Are they effective, feasible, appropriate, and accepted by the population? What are the knowledge gaps in the field? Methods The scoping review methodology will follow 5 phases: identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. Searches will be conducted in the following databases: EBSCOhost databases (CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE with Full Text, APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and APA PsycInfo), PubMed, and Scopus. Additionally, OpenGrey, Mednar, and Eldis will be searched for gray literature. All primary studies and gray literature in English concerning the use of information and communication technology to deliver services addressing mental health issues for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants will be included. Results This scoping review will provide an overview of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants and describe the implementation outcomes of feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of such approaches for those populations. Potential gaps in the field will also be identified. Conclusions As of February 2020, there were no scoping reviews, which assessed the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the available digital mental health resources for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. This review will provide an extensive coverage on a promising and innovative intervention for such populations. It will give insight into the range of approaches, their effectiveness, and progress in their implementation. It will also provide valuable information for health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers working with the population. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/19031


Author(s):  
Won Ju Hwang ◽  
Ji Sun Ha ◽  
Mi Jeong Kim

Background: Scoping reviews of the literature on the development and application of mental health apps based on theoretical suggestions are lacking. This study systematically examines studies on the effects and results of mental health mobile apps for the general adult population. Methods: Following PICOs (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design), a general form of scoping review was adopted. From January 2010 to December 2019, we selected the effects of mental health-related apps and intervention programs provided by mobile to the general adult population over the age of 18. Additionally, evaluation of methodological quality was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) checklist. Results: Fourteen studies were analyzed of 1205 that were identified; duplicate and matching studies were excluded. One was a descriptive study and 13 were experimental, of which randomized control trials (RCTs) accounted for 71.4%. Four of the mobile apps were developed based on cognitive behavior theory, one based on stress theory, and one on ecological instant intervention theory. These apps included breathing training, meditation, and music therapy. Stress, depression, and anxiety decreased using these apps, and some were effective for well-being. Conclusion: With the rapid development of technology related to mental health, many mobile apps are developed, but apps based on theoretical knowledge and well-designed research are lacking. Further research and practices should be conducted to develop, test, and disseminate evidence-based mHealth for mental health promotion. RCT studies are needed to expand the application to mental health services to various populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilon van Doorn ◽  
Laurens A. Nijhuis ◽  
Mees D. Egeler ◽  
Joost G. Daams ◽  
Arne Popma ◽  
...  

Objective: Between the ages of 12 and 25 the onset of mental disorders typically occurs, and the burden of mental health problems is greatest for this group. Indicated preventive interventions to target individuals with subclinical symptoms to prevent the transition to clinical levels of disorders have gained considerable traction. However, the threshold to seek help appears to be high even when help is needed. Online interventions could offer a solution, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review will present an overview of the recent research of indicated online preventive interventions for youth (12–25 years) experiencing the early stages of mental health complaints with the aim of identifying the nature and extent of the research evidence.Methods: The 5-stage framework by Arksey and O'Malley was used. Academic literature published from 2013 onwards in printed or electronic format was included from Scopus, PsychINFO, and Ovid MEDLINE(R) ALL.Results: The search yielded 11,122 results, with the final selection resulting in inclusion of 30 articles for this review. In total, the articles included 4,950 participants. 26.7% of the selected articles focused on youth between 12 and 25 years. Of the articles 60% did not screen for, nor exclude participants with clinical levels of symptoms. Most studies used a common evidence-based therapy for the disorder-category targeted. More than half of the online interventions included some form of human support. Adherence levels ranged between 27.9 and 98%. The results indicate general effectiveness, usability and acceptability of online indicated preventive interventions. The most commonly used approach was CBT (n = 12 studies). Studies varied in their size, rigor of study, effectiveness and outcome measures. Online interventions with a combination of clinical and peer moderation (n = 3 studies) appear to result in the most stable and highest effect sizes.Conclusion: Online indicated preventive mental health interventions for youth with emerging mental health issues show promise in reducing various mental health complaints, and increasing positive mental health indicators such as well-being and resilience. Additionally, high levels of usability and acceptability were found. However, the included studies show important methodological shortcomings. Also, the research has mainly focused on specific diagnostic categories, meaning there is a lack of transdiagnostic approaches. Finally, clear definitions of- as well as instruments to measure- emerging or subclinical mental health symptoms in youth remain are missing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viswa Chaitanya Chandu ◽  
Yamuna Marella ◽  
Gnana Sarita Panga ◽  
Srinivas Pachava ◽  
Viswanath Vadapalli

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, associated with the economic consequences of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown, has led to mental health consequences among people worldwide. Protecting the mental well-being of populations is an imperative component of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review attempts to present an overview of the existing tools to measure COVID-19-related mental health problems. Methods: Literature search was conducted in the PubMed electronic database using developed key search terms. Reference lists of the identified eligible articles were reviewed to locate relevant articles missed from the electronic database search. Fifteen scales measuring COVID-19-associated mental health problems, validated among diverse populations across the world, were included in this review. Results: The majority of these scales were validated among middle-aged adults in Turkey. Only a few validated scales encompass the negative socioeconomic consequences of COVID-19. None of the available scales focused on the aspects of suicidal ideation or behavioral responses/coping strategies, neither were they inclusive of participants from diverse age, geographic, and COVID-19 exposure groups. Conclusion: This scoping review highlights the need for future research to develop and validate comprehensive psychometric tools to assess COVID-19-associated mental health problems. Also, in view of the vulnerable nature of healthcare professionals for developing mental health concerns in the course of providing services for COVID-19-affected individuals, future psychometric research needs to concentrate on the development of measures specific for these professionals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Simona Karpaviciute ◽  
Alison Sweeney ◽  
Aimee O‘Neill ◽  
Sandra McNulty ◽  
Thilo Kroll ◽  
...  

Background: Interest in the application of music in the health, social care and community contexts is growing worldwide. There is an emerging body of literature about the positive effects of music on the well-being and social relationships of children and adult populations. Music has also been found to promote social interaction, communication skills, and social-emotional behaviours of children with medically complex care needs. Despite significant advancements in the area, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first scoping review to investigate the evidence for using music therapy and music-based interventions for children living with rare diseases in the healthcare setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to conduct a scoping review of the literature to map out the existing studies about the use of music therapy and music-based interventions with children who have rare diseases in the healthcare setting. This review will also identify gaps in current knowledge and use of these interventions. Method: This study follows the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology for scoping reviews, utilising Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage scoping review framework: 1) identifying the research question; 2) identifying relevant studies; 3) study selection; 4) charting the data; 5) collating, summarising and reporting results; and 6) consulting with relevant stakeholders step. A comprehensive search will be conducted in CINAHL Complete; MEDLINE Complete; Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; and PubMed Central databases. A search strategy with selected inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used to reveal a wide range of evidence. This study will include quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods studies published in English from 2010 to 2020.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia Tasnim ◽  
Mariya Rahman ◽  
Priyanka Pawar ◽  
Liye Zou ◽  
Abida Sultana ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is impacting human health globally. In addition to physical health problems, a growing burden of mental health problems has become a global concern amid this pandemic. Sleep disorders are major mental health problems associated with increased psychosocial stressors; however, no research synthesis is available on the epidemiology of sleep disorders. In this systematic scoping review, we aim to assess the current evidence on the epidemiological burden, associated factors, and interventions from the existing literature on sleep disorders. Methods: We will search seven major health databases and additional sources to identify, evaluate, and synthesize empirical studies on the prevalence and correlates of sleep disorders and available interventions addressing the same. We will use the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology for Scoping Review and report the findings using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Conclusion: This review will identify the epidemiological burden of and interventions for sleep disorders. The findings of this review will be widely communicated with the research and professional community to facilitate future research and practice.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e034032
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Maina ◽  
Taryn Phaneuf ◽  
Megan Kennedy ◽  
Maeve Mclean ◽  
Ann Gakumo ◽  
...  

IntroductionThroughout the world, indigenous peoples share traumatic colonial experiences that have caused gross inequalities for them and continue to impact every aspect of their lives. The effect of intergenerational trauma and other health disparities have been remarkable for Indigenous children and adolescents, who are at a greater risk of adverse mental health and addiction outcomes compared with non-indigenous people of the same age. Most indigenous children are exposed to addictive substances at an early age, which often leads to early initiation of substance use and is associated with subsequent physical and mental health issues, poor social and relational functioning, and occupational and legal problems. The aim of this paper is to report the protocol for the scoping review of school-based interventions for substance use prevention in Indigenous children ages 7–13 living in Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. This scoping review seeks to answer the following questions: (1) What is known about indigenous school-based interventions for preventing substance use and (2) What are the characteristics and outcomes of school-based interventions for preventing substance use?Methods and analysisThis scoping review will use steps described by Arksey and O’Malley and Levac: (1) identifying the research question(s); (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting the studies; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results and (6) consulting with experts. Our findings will be reported according to the guidelines set by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.Ethics and disseminationEthics review approval is not required for this project. Findings from this study will be presented to lay public, at scientific conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabra Melamed ◽  
Afona Chernet ◽  
Niklaus D. Labhardt ◽  
Nicole Probst-Hensch ◽  
Constanze Pfeiffer

Eritreans comprise the largest group of asylum-seekers in Switzerland. Gaining recognized refugee status can take up to 36 months, during which time asylum-seekers live in a state of legal limbo, intensifying threats to their well-being. Resilience and mental health among this population is poorly understood. We interviewed 10 asylum-seekers residing in Switzerland using qualitative, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Results indicated that mental health was understood as a binary state rather than a continuum and that trusted friends and family were responsible for recognizing and attempting to treat mental health problems. Pathways to care were potentially interrupted for asylum-seekers. Capital building, considered through the lens of social resilience, consisted of language learning, establishing of new individual- and community-level social networks, and proactive symbolic capital building through volunteering. We contextualize the asylum-seekers’ experience into a resilience framework and offer practical recommendations for improving mental health care access.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A E Castaneda ◽  
E Lilja ◽  
F Garoff ◽  
K L Mustonen ◽  
A Ahmed ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Asylum seekers have major health and well-being burdens, including mental health. However, there is a lack of population-based survey data on the health status and service needs of asylum seekers in Europe. The TERTTU-project was launched to fill these information gaps and to develop the current health examination protocol for assessing the health, well-being and need for health care services, including mental health, of newly arrived asylum seekers. Methods As part of the TERTTU-project, systematic, nationally representative data was collected in 2018 by conducting a health examination and a face-to-face interview survey in reception centers in Finland (n = 1087). The sample was drawn from the Finnish Immigration Services electronic asylum database. Mental health was assessed with the HSCL and PROTECT questionnaires (SDQ among the children), along with questions of potentially traumatic experiences. Results 39% (95% CI 35,6-42,6) of the adults had current severe depressive and anxiety symptoms, 50% (95% CI 46,9-53,9) had an increased risk for PTSD, and 83% (95% CI 80,0-85,3) had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event before arriving to Finland. The most common psychosocial symptoms among 2-6 year-olds were behavioral symptoms (49%) and difficulties in peer relationships (37%). Difficulties in peer relationships were also common among 7-17 year-olds (49%), followed by challenges in the emotional domain (42%). Conclusions Potentially traumatic experiences and mental health problems are common among asylum seekers in Finland. Based on the survey-data, a national health examination protocol will be developed in 2019 to improve assessment and identification and to enable systematic health monitoring and evidence-based development of services for asylum seekers. A common health examination protocol will also unify practices across reception centers all over the country. Key messages Potentially traumatic experiences and mental health problems are common among asylum seekers in Finland. A national health examination protocol allows for the early identification of vulnerable groups and individuals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitra Javanmard ◽  
Mary Steen ◽  
Rachael Vernon

BACKGROUND It is recognised that having self-compassion can have a positive effect upon a person’s health and well-being. However, the influence of self-compassion upon nurses and midwives’ health and wellbeing is less well recognised. Nurses and midwives often work in highly demanding environments and situations and are exposed to multiple work-base stressors simultaneously. Stressors such as, workload, high acuity, missing breaks, working more than their contracted hours, insufficient resources and staff, poor patient outcomes, can lead to nurses and midwives feeling mentally exhausted and at increased risk of poor mental health. Self-compassion may act as a protective factor and assist nurses and midwives to remain mentally healthy. OBJECTIVE This review will provide an overview of the evidence-base relating to the influence of self-compassion upon nurses and midwives’ mental health status. METHODS The purpose of a scoping review is to comprehensively and systematically review the literature and identify key evidence, or gaps in the literature. The search strategy for this protocol will include electronic databases including Medline, Embase, Emcare, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, Scopus. Grey literature sources will be also searched including Internet search engines (Google and Google Scholar), ProQuest Theses/Dissertations, Web of Science and include hand searched key journals and reference lists of relevant articles. This scoping review will be undertaken in seven stages: (1) identifying the research questions, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) selecting the studies, (4) charting the data, (5) collating, summarizing and reporting the results, (6) consulting and (7) dissemination of knowledge. Data will be abstracted and presented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and explanation by three independent researchers. RESULTS Preliminary searches conducted in Medline, Embase and PsycInfo retrieved 194, 221 and 154 results, respectively. Completion of review is expected in September 2020. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge this will be the first scoping review of evidence-based literature relating to the influence of self-compassion on nurses and midwives. It is anticipated that this analysis of literature will contribute to understanding how nurses and midwives may use self-compassion in a proactive way to reduce work-base stressors such as burnout and compassion fatigue. Furthermore, the findings may inform educational needs and implications for clinical practice. CLINICALTRIAL -


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