scholarly journals The Influence of Gender and Age on the Outcomes of and Adherence to a Digital Interdisciplinary Mental Health Promotion Intervention in an Australasian Nonclinical Setting: Cohort Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Przybylko ◽  
Darren Morton ◽  
Jason Morton ◽  
Melanie Renfrew
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND The global prevalence of mental health disorders is at a crisis point, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, prompting calls for the development of digital interdisciplinary mental health promotion interventions (MHPIs) for nonclinical cohorts. However, the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to MHPIs is not well understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to a 10-week digital interdisciplinary MHPI that integrates strategies from positive psychology and lifestyle medicine and utilizes persuasive systems design (PSD) principles in a nonclinical setting. METHODS This study involved 488 participants who completed the digital interdisciplinary MHPI. Participants completed a pre and postintervention questionnaire that used: (1) the “mental health” and “vitality” subscales from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey; (2) the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and (3) Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWL). Adherence to the digital interdisciplinary MHPI was measured by the number of educational videos the participants viewed and the extent to which they engaged in experiential challenge activities offered as part of the program. RESULTS On average, the participants (N=488; mean age 47.1 years, SD 14.1; 77.5% women) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all mental health and well-being outcome measures, and a significant gender and age interaction was observed. Women tended to experience greater improvements than men in the mental health and well-being measures, and older men experienced greater improvements than younger men in the mental health and vitality subscales. Multiple analysis of variance results of the adherence measures indicated a significant difference for age but not gender. No statistically significant interaction between gender and age was observed for adherence measures. CONCLUSIONS Digital interdisciplinary MHPIs that utilize PSD principles can improve the mental health and well-being of nonclinical cohorts, regardless of gender or age. Hence, there may be a benefit in utilizing PSD principles to develop universal MHPIs such as that employed in this study, which can be used across gender and age groups. Future research should examine which PSD principles optimize universal digital interdisciplinary MHPIs. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000993190; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377889 and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001009101; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619001009101.aspx

scholarly journals The Influence of Gender and Age on the Outcomes of and Adherence to a Digital Interdisciplinary Mental Health Promotion Intervention in an Australasian Nonclinical Setting: Cohort Study

10.2196/29866 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e29866
Author(s):  
Geraldine Przybylko ◽  
Darren Morton ◽  
Jason Morton ◽  
Melanie Renfrew
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background The global prevalence of mental health disorders is at a crisis point, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, prompting calls for the development of digital interdisciplinary mental health promotion interventions (MHPIs) for nonclinical cohorts. However, the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to MHPIs is not well understood. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to a 10-week digital interdisciplinary MHPI that integrates strategies from positive psychology and lifestyle medicine and utilizes persuasive systems design (PSD) principles in a nonclinical setting. Methods This study involved 488 participants who completed the digital interdisciplinary MHPI. Participants completed a pre and postintervention questionnaire that used: (1) the “mental health” and “vitality” subscales from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey; (2) the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and (3) Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWL). Adherence to the digital interdisciplinary MHPI was measured by the number of educational videos the participants viewed and the extent to which they engaged in experiential challenge activities offered as part of the program. Results On average, the participants (N=488; mean age 47.1 years, SD 14.1; 77.5% women) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all mental health and well-being outcome measures, and a significant gender and age interaction was observed. Women tended to experience greater improvements than men in the mental health and well-being measures, and older men experienced greater improvements than younger men in the mental health and vitality subscales. Multiple analysis of variance results of the adherence measures indicated a significant difference for age but not gender. No statistically significant interaction between gender and age was observed for adherence measures. Conclusions Digital interdisciplinary MHPIs that utilize PSD principles can improve the mental health and well-being of nonclinical cohorts, regardless of gender or age. Hence, there may be a benefit in utilizing PSD principles to develop universal MHPIs such as that employed in this study, which can be used across gender and age groups. Future research should examine which PSD principles optimize universal digital interdisciplinary MHPIs. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000993190; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377889 and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001009101; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619001009101.aspx

scholarly journals Increasing momentum in prevention of mental illness and mental health promotion across Europe

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-23
Author(s):  
Chiara Samele
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Fundamental Part ◽  
Illness Prevention ◽  
Health And Well Being

Prevention of mental illness and mental health promotion activities across Europe have gathered some pace since the launch of the European Union's Pact for Mental Health and Well-Being in 2008. Within the context of a large treatment gap in mental health and limited resources to meet the high demand for mental healthcare, a concerted effort is now needed to ensure that initiatives in both mental illness prevention and mental health promotion become a fundamental part of where we are educated, work and live. Cost-effective, evidence-based approaches in prevention and promotion make these initiatives more accessible.

Challenges to Mental Health Promotion Among Working Women in Canada

1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Susan A. McDaniel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Women Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Working Women ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Psychological Benefits

Health promotion efforts have concentrated on promoting physical well-being with psychological benefits perhaps most often among men. With greater proportions of women now working, the workplace provides excellent opportunities for health promotion and education for women. Given increasing recognition that stress, multiple roles, and inadequate job rewards result in loss of productivity, absenteeism, illness, addiction, and premature death, it seems time to explore workplace programs of mental health promotion aimed specifically toward women workers. In this paper, current knowledge about the mental health problems experienced by working women is outlined. Some principles on which mental health promotion programs for women in the workplace might build are specified.

scholarly journals Personal and Job Factors Associated with Teachers’ Active Listening and Active Empathic Listening

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Ntina Kourmousi ◽  
Kalliope Kounenou ◽  
Vasiliki Yotsidi ◽  
Vasiliki Xythali ◽  
Kyriakoula Merakou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Empathic Listening

Active listening is important for effective interpersonal communication, a prerequisite for successful teaching. The presented cross-sectional study examined personal and work factors associated to active listening in 3.995 Greek schools’ educators of all teaching levels and specialties. The study questionnaire posted on official and main teachers’ portals included personal and working data items, the Active Empathic Listening Scale (AELS), and the Active Listening Attitude Scale (ALAS). Multiple linear regression was used to identify independently associated factors with AELS and ALAS dimensions, and standardized regression coefficients were performed to measure the effect of independent variables. Regarding AELS, gender had the greatest effect on the Sensing subscale, followed by age and mental health promotion training. Years of teaching had the greatest effect on Processing subscale, followed by higher studies. Gender had the greatest effect on Responding subscale, followed by age, higher studies, and mental health promotion training. Concerning ALAS, mental health promotion training and support from colleagues had the greatest effect on Listening attitude subscale, gender and mental health promotion training had the greatest effect on Listening skill subscale, and gender, age, and years of teaching had the greatest effect on Conversation opportunity subscale. The identification of enhancing factors like training in mental health promotion could significantly contribute in designing training that can simultaneously benefit teachers’ skills and students’ psychosocial well-being.

Mental health promotion: Guidance and strategies

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kalra ◽  
G. Christodoulou ◽  
R. Jenkins ◽  
V. Tsipas ◽  
N. Christodoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Population Mental Health

AbstractPublic mental health incorporates a number of strategies from mental well-being promotion to primary prevention and other forms of prevention. There is considerable evidence in the literature to suggest that early interventions and public education can work well for reducing psychiatric morbidity and resulting burden of disease. Educational strategies need to focus on individual, societal and environmental aspects. Targeted interventions at individuals will also need to focus on the whole population. A nested approach with the individual at the heart of it surrounded by family surrounded by society at large is the most suitable way to approach this. This Guidance should be read along with the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Guidance on Prevention. Those at risk of developing psychiatric disorders also require adequate interventions as well as those who may have already developed illness. However, on the model of triage, mental health and well-being promotion need to be prioritized to ensure that, with the limited resources available, these activities do not get forgotten. One possibility is to have separate programmes for addressing concerns of a particular population group, another that is relevant for the broader general population. Mental health promotion as a concept is important and this will allow prevention of some psychiatric disorders and, by improving coping strategies, is likely to reduce the burden and stress induced by mental illness.

scholarly journals Becoming Resilient: Promoting the Mental Health and Well-Being of Immigrant Women in a Canadian Context

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. MacDonnell ◽  
Mahdieh Dastjerdi ◽  
Nimo Bokore ◽  
Nazilla Khanlou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Educational Backgrounds ◽  
Theoretical Sampling ◽  
Study Process ◽  
Health And Well Being

This paper reports on grounded theory findings that are relevant to promoting the mental health and well-being of immigrant women in Canada. The findings illustrate how relationships among settlement factors and dynamics of empowerment had implications for “becoming resilient” as immigrant women and how various health promotion approaches enhanced their well-being. Dimensions of empowerment were embedded in the content and process of the feminist health promotion approach used in this study. Four focus groups were completed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 35 racialized immigrant women who represented diverse countries of origin: 25 were from Africa; others were equally represented from South Asia (5), Asia (5), and Central or South America and the Caribbean (5). Participants represented diverse languages, family dynamics, and educational backgrounds. One focus group was conducted in Somali; three were conducted in English. Constructivist grounded theory, theoretical sampling, and a critical feminist approach were chosen to be congruent with health promotion research that fostered women’s empowerment. Findings foreground women’s agency in the study process, the ways that immigrant women name and frame issues relevant to their lives, and the interplay among individual, family, community, and structural dynamics shaping their well-being. Implications for mental health promotion are discussed.

scholarly journals Beyond Workers’ Compensation

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Oliffe ◽  
Christina S. E. Han
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Workplace Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion Programs

The mental health of men is an important issue with significant direct and indirect costs emerging from work-related depression and suicide. Although the merits of men’s community-based and workplace mental health promotion initiatives have been endorsed, few programs are mandated or formally evaluated and reported on. Conspicuously absent also are gender analyses detailing connections between masculinities and men’s work-related depression and suicide on which to build men-centered mental health promotion programs. This article provides an overview of four interconnected issues, (a) masculinities and men’s health, (b) men and work, (c) men’s work-related depression and suicide, and (d) men’s mental health promotion, in the context of men’s diverse relationships to work (including job insecurity and unemployment). Based on the review, recommendations are made for advancing the well-being of men who are in as well as of those out of work.

Mental Health Promotion in a School Community by Using the Results From the Well-Being Profile

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristiina Puolakka ◽  
Kirsi-Maria Haapasalo-Pesu ◽  
Anne Konu ◽  
Päivi Åstedt-Kurki ◽  
Eija Paavilainen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Community ◽  
Mental Health Promotion

scholarly journals Coping strategies and distress reduction in psychological well-being? A structural equation modelling analysis using a national population sample

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Meng ◽  
C. D'Arcy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
General Population ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Positive Coping ◽  
Negative Coping

Background.Little is understood about of the role of coping strategies in psychological well-being (PWB) and distress for the general population and different physical and psychiatric disease groups. A thorough examination of these relationships may provide evidence for the implementation of public mental health promotion and psychiatric disease prevention strategies aimed at improving the use of positive coping approaches or addressing the causes and maintainers of distress. The present study using a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach and nationally representative data on the Canadian population investigates the relationships among PWB, distress and coping strategies and identifies major factors related to PWB for both the general population and diverse-specific disease groups.Methods.Data examined were from the Canadian Community Health Survey of Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2), a large national survey (n = 36 984). We applied exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis and SEM to build structural relationships among PWB, distress and coping strategies in the general population.Results.Both SEM measurement and structure models provided a good fit. Distress was positively related to negative coping and negatively related to positive coping. Positive coping indicated a higher level of PWB, whereas negative coping was associated with a lower level of PWB. PWB was negatively related to distress. These same relationships were also found in the population subgroups. For the population with diseases (both physical and psychiatric diseases, except agoraphobia), distress was the more important factor determining subjective PWB than the person's coping strategies, whereas, negative coping had a major impact on distress in the general population. Strengths and limitations were also discussed.Conclusions.Our findings have practical implications for public psychiatric disease intervention and mental health promotion. As previously noted positive/adaptive coping increased the level of PWB, whereas negative/maladaptive coping was positively related to distress and negatively related to PWB. Distress decreased the level of PWB. Our findings identified major correlates of PWB in both the general population and population subgroups. Our results provide evidence for the differential use of intervention tactics among different target audiences. In order to improve the mental health of the general population public mental health promotion should focus on strategies that reduce negative coping at a population level, whereas clinicians treating individual clients should make the reduction of distress their primary target to maintain or improve patients’ PWB.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of an online multimodal intervention for mental health promotion: A randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Przybylko ◽  
Darren Morton ◽  
Lillian Kent ◽  
Jason Morton ◽  
Jason Hinze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Multimodal Intervention ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Emotional Wellness

Abstract Introduction There is an urgent need for efficacious interventions to combat the global mental health crisis, and mental health promotion and primary preventive approaches are paramount. Objective This study examined whether an online multimodal intervention that incorporates evidence-based strategies from the disciplines of Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology improved measures of mental health and emotional wellness. Methods 425 adults (68.8% females, aged 46.5 ± 15.6) from Australia and New Zealand were randomised to an intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in a ten-week online multimodal intervention. Measures of mental health and emotional wellness were taken at baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 12), and 12 weeks post-intervention (Week 24). The control group completed the same assessments. Results The intervention group experienced significant improvements from Week 1 to 12 in: mental health (10%, p<0.001, d=0.50) and vitality (22%, p<0.001, d=0.54) subscales of the Short Form Survey (SF-36); depression (-42%, p<0.001, d=0.48), anxiety (-38%, p<0.001, d=0.39) and stress (-31%, p<0.001, d=0.52) subscales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and life satisfaction (8%, p<0.001, d=0.48) as measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).The control group experienced significant improvements only in the mental health (3%, p=0.028, d=0.16) subscale of the SF-36, and the stress subscale (-9%, p=0.038, d=0.15) of the DASS-21. The changes in the intervention group were significantly greater (p<0.001) than the control group for all measures. Improvements in the outcome measures were generally sustained for the intervention group at 12 weeks post-intervention. Conclusion The online multimodal intervention improved measures of mental health and emotional wellness suggesting that such interventions may be useful for mental health promotion and prevention.

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