Investigating the Ways By Which a Global Entertainment Program Impacts the Mental Wellness of Adolescent Viewers: A Randomized Controlled Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yalda Tehranian-Uhls ◽  
Laurel Felt ◽  
Ellen Wartella ◽  
Andrew Sanders

BACKGROUND A conflicting corpus suggests that more research is needed to understand how globally watched television shows like 13 Reasons Why could affect the majority and minority of adolescent viewers. OBJECTIVE The current study was designed to investigate adolescents’ viewership of and show-related content engagement with 13RW, Season 3 (13RW-3), paying special attention to mental health outcomes and conversational partners. METHODS AmeriSpeak, a panel-based research platform operated by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, recruited 157 adolescents aged 13 to 17 from its nationally representative pool of participants. After participants completed a survey, they were directed to either watch 13RW-3 as it aired for the first time (intervention group) or NOT to watch 13RW-3 (control group). Approximately one month later, all participants were asked to complete a second survey. RESULTS We found a significant main effect with respect to increased conversations about social and mental health issues that appeared on the show (t(151)=-2.191, P=0.03). From pre- to post-test, the intervention group spoke more frequently about these issues (M=1.28) than the control group (M=.28). In the intervention group only, when asked with whom they discussed 13RW-3 and issues related to the show, friends were the most commonly cited conversational partner, selected by 68.3% of the respondents, followed by parents (50.8%). Viewers also reported significantly higher rates of depression from T1 to T2 (P=0.001, F(1, 66.715)=12.678, B=-0.292, SE=0.082). Depressed youth spoke significantly more to parents (F(3)=3.287, 0=.027), school counselors (F(8)=3.707, p=.002) and mental health professionals than viewers who reported less depression (F(8)=6.536, p<.001). Finally, approximately one-third of viewers sought additional information about bullying and mental health after watching the show. CONCLUSIONS Conversation was the most definitive outcome of watching this show, and we saw that youth are most likely to talk to friends but parents do not trail very far behind. We also discovered that viewers who may have been viscerally impacted by the content reached out for help in unique and powerful ways. Depressed youth spoke to parents and mental health professionals more. Non-heterosexual youth spoke to school counselors, sought information about sexuality, and watched the documentary Beyond the Reasons more. The potential wellness implications are considerable since conversation -- especially story-driven conversation -- can raise awareness, reduce stigma, shift attitudes, normalize/valorize certain behaviors, and strengthen supportive relationships.

Author(s):  
Beth Broussard ◽  
Michael T. Compton

For a young person with psychosis, the evaluation process can provide the start of a path toward effective treatment and recovery. Although the initial evaluation can be done in inpatient or outpatient settings, treatment of early psychosis often begins with a short stay in the hospital or related inpatient setting. In some instances, mental health professionals may be able to start treatment in the outpatient setting if there are no immediate safety concerns. The evaluation may include gathering additional information from sources other than the young person experiencing psychosis. Individuals experiencing psychosis often receive a physical exam, labs, and other tests to look for any medical problems that can cause symptoms. Understanding the evaluation process and providing mental health professionals with all available information can help in making a diagnosis and planning for the best treatment that will help the young person move toward recovery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Swanson ◽  
Milica McDowell ◽  
Melanie Shaw ◽  
Eileen Paniagua

Abstract Introduction: Depression has become an epidemic worldwide, with numbers of diagnosis rising each year alongside numbers of those on antidepressant medication. Exercise therapy has been long studied and tested to prove its’ efficacy in the treatment of depression, but there are no known studies to indicate how frequently it is used in practice or in what capacity it is used. Methods: A qualitative mailed interview questionnaire was completed by 21 mental health professionals to answer questions pertaining to their knowledge of exercise therapy as a treatment method. It also assessed the value they placed on exercise, personal application of exercise and exercise therapy, and their willingness to receiving training or additional education. Results: Many participants were applying exercise therapy in treatment of individuals with depression; however very few were truly prescriptive with their treatment plans. All participants of the study found value in exercise therapy. Many felt that in order to feel confident to use the method; they would need additional information and education about how to individualize and apply it. Conclusions: Despite its’ perceived and well researched value, very few mental health professionals are able to use exercise therapy in a structured or formalized way to achieve the best results. Trainings need to be created to aide in knowledge, growth and individualization of exercise therapy as well as community development. More research needs to be done to better understand what dose is most appropriate for the treatment of depression. Keywords: Exercise; Exercise therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Pharmacotherapy


Mindfulness ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Laundy ◽  
Peter Friberg ◽  
Walter Osika ◽  
Yun Chen

Abstract Objectives Moderate mental health problems are highly prevalent and increasing in Swedish schoolchildren, elevating risk for future mental and somatic disability. The aim of this study was to determine whether an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention, Training for Mindfulness and Resilience (TMR), mitigates mental health symptoms and increases resilience during a 2-year follow-up. Methods Schoolchildren (aged 9–14 years) reporting moderate mental health problems were randomized into either TMR intervention group (N = 22) or control group, receiving best current practice (N = 12). We used validated questionnaires to measure anxiety, depression, anger, disruptive behavior, self-concept, resilience, stress, and mindfulness before treatment with either TMR or control, as well as at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years follow-up. Results We found a statistically significant effect of TMR intervention vs control, on resilience, anxiety, anger, and disruptive behavior. Compared to baseline, TMR increased the level of resilience at 6 months (p < .001); anxiety at 1 (p <  = .033) and 2 years (p = .04); anger at 6 months (p = .004) and 2 years (p = .039); disruptive behavior at 6 months (p = .006). In the control group, a decrease in resilience between 6 months and 2 years (p = .05) was observed. No other significant effects were found in the control group. Conclusions This study suggested that TMR improved mental health in schoolchildren with effects on anxiety and anger lasting for 2 years, and on resilience and disruptive behavior lasting for 6 months. Trial Registration Number NCT04806542, date of registration 18th of March 2021, retrospectively registered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayebe Abazarnejad ◽  
Atefeh Ahmadi ◽  
Esmat Nouhi ◽  
Moghaddameh Mirzaee ◽  
Monavare Atghai

Abstract Introduction Preeclampsia is a serious complication during pregnancy that not only influences maternal and fetal physical health, but also has maternal mental health outcomes such as anxiety. Prenatal anxiety has negative short- and long-term effects on pre- and postpartum maternal mental health, delivery, and mental health in subsequent pregnancies. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of individual psycho-educational counseling on anxiety in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Methods This was a randomized, intervention-controlled study involving two governmental hospitals in the municipality of Sirjan, Kerman, from January 30 2017 to March 31 2017. A total of 44 pregnant women with preeclampsia were assessed. The women were randomized into two groups: control (n=22) and intervention (n=22). The intervention consisted of two sessions of individual psycho-educational counseling. The level of anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) as pretest before the first session and as posttest after the second session during the hospitalization period. Results There was a significant reduction in the anxiety level after the counselling sessions in the intervention group (p<0.005). In addition, there was a slight increase in the anxiety level in the control group after the study. Conclusion According to the results, psycho-educational counseling can significantly reduce the anxiety level in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare providers provide this type of therapeutic intervention for pregnant women after hospitalization, in order to reduce their anxiety level and its subsequent negative outcomes. Clinical trial registration: IRCT2017082029817N3.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X0001800
Author(s):  
Jamilia J. Blake ◽  
Courtney S. Banks ◽  
Brenda A. Patience ◽  
Emily M. Lund

A sample of 483 school-based mental health professionals completed a survey about the training they have received related to conducting bullying assessments in schools, competence in conducting an assessment of bullying, and the bullying assessment methods they used. Results indicate that school counselors were usually informed about incidents of bullying more frequently than school psychologists. Whereas the majority of school-based mental health professionals surveyed reported some level of competence in using assessment tools for bullying, few reported using empirically based instruments to assess for bullying. This article discusses results and implications, namely, the need to identify clinically meaningful tools for the assessment of bullying and the need to adopt more formal and empirically based methods of assessment in schools.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2156759X0500900
Author(s):  
Chris Brown ◽  
David T. Dahlbeck ◽  
Lynette Sparkman-Barnes

Fifty-three school counselors and administrators employed in middle and high school settings were surveyed regarding their thoughts about school districts working collaboratively with non-school mental health professionals to respond to the mental health needs of students. In addition, the survey sought to understand what school counselors and their hiring principals/vice principals regard as the roles and responsibilities of school counselors and the scope of school counselor training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-188
Author(s):  
Emily Sweet

Up to 80% of schizophrenic patients use religion to cope with their illness. These positive spiritual coping strategies are the primary predictor of mental wellness in patients with schizophrenia. Yet, most medical professionals have no religious training and are often ill-equipped to guide their schizophrenic patients in spiritual matters. Typically, religious institutions and modern medicine are not associated together, but what happens when mental health professionals lack the training to assist 80% of their schizophrenic patients who use religion as a coping strategy? Schizophrenic patients whose beliefs are not respected have a higher rate of suicide, face increased stigma and report a lower overall quality of life. Such patients are more likely to decline mentally and drop out of treatment. Some scholars, psychologists and philosophers are now arguing that ignoring the connection between religion and mental wellness is unethical because practitioners are failing to take patient diversity into account. This paper will attempt to answer the following questions: In an increasingly diverse world, is it the responsibility of mental health professionals to learn about their patients’ religious beliefs, especially when their beliefs are so closely intertwined with their chances at successfully managing their illness, such as the case with schizophrenics? Why is it a good idea to consider combining religion and healthcare? Should the increase in diverse patients require additional training for mental health professionals? Is it unethical for a mental health care professional to be ignorant of diverse cultures and religions? What are the dangers of allowing medical professionals, who largely have no training in religious affairs, to guide mentally ill patients? What are the potential solutions for this problem? Which solutions are more effective and why? Are the current practiced healthcare models, which combine medicine and religion, effective? Keywords: schizophrenia, religion, treatment, therapy, psychosis, stigma


Salud Mental ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen García ◽  
◽  
Felipe Vázquez ◽  
Fabián Avalos ◽  
Leslie Viridiana Robles ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Depression is associated with an increased use of medical resources and reduced quality of life, cognitive functions, functionality and general health. The treatment of depression is limited by the scarcity of mental health professionals, as reflected in the mental health atlas of the World Health Organization. Method. A randomised controlled trial that was not blinded was conducted. Family doctors referred patients older than 60 years who were suspected to have depression to the screening module. The PHQ-9 questionnaire, the Six-Item Screener, and previous diagnosis for psychiatric disorders were collected. Major depression was excluded. Those with a score from two to six on the PHQ-9 and with no comorbidities were referred to the Baseline Phase. A simple random process without blocking was applied. Groups of 7-10 participants engaged in weekly sessions over the course of three months. The control group was referred to their family physician. Reduction in depression score of the PHQ-9 was the main outcome. Results and discussion. There were 40 patients in the control group (CG) and 41 in the intervention group (IG). 84% were women, 41% married and 41% reported at least primary education. The mean age for the GC was 69.7 years vs. 71.3 in the GI. The baseline mean MMSE score was 23.7 in the GC and 24.1 in the IG. No significant baseline differences between groups were reported. In the IG, 56% of the participants (n=23) displayed a decrease that was greater than or equal to 5 points on the PHQ-9 compared with 30% (n=12) in the control group. The CT group evidenced a marginal improvement.


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