scholarly journals HUBUNGAN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS DAN KARAKTERISTIK INDIVIDU, KELUARGA DAN LINGKUNGAN KERJA PADA TENAGA KERJA WANITA (TKW) INDONESIA DI TAIWAN

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 298
Author(s):  
Bianca Marella
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Women Workers ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Hypothesis Test ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Family Activity

Belum banyak upaya dilakukan untuk mengetahui kesehatan mental tenaga kerja wanita yang berada di luar negeri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat gambaran dan faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan kesehatan kesehatan mental pada Tenaga Kerja Indonesia yang bekerja di Taiwan. Data diambil menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan alat ukur the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) untuk mengetahui tingkat distres psikologis dan pertanyaan mengenai karakteristik sosiodemografik. Partisipan penelitian ini adalah 181 tenaga kerja wanita Indonesia yang sudah bekerja di Taiwan selama minimal enam bulan, dikumpulkan dengan teknik convenience sampling dan snowball sampling. Berdasarkan penghitungan statistik, sebanyak 17% dari total partisipan mengalami gejala depresi dan kecemasan. Dari uji hipotesis, diketahui terdapat hubungan positif signifikan antara distres psikologis dan komunikasi rutin dengan keluarga, keaktifan di komunitas, dan alasan kerja untuk mencari kesempatan lebih baik. Little effort has been made to find out the mental health of women workers who are abroad. This study aims to look at the picture and factors related to mental health health in Indonesian Workers who work in Taiwan. Data were collected using quantitative methods using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) to determine the level of psychological distress and questions about sociodemographic characteristics. The participants of this study were 181 Indonesian female workers who had worked in Taiwan for a minimum of six months, collected using convenience sampling and snowball sampling techniques. Based on statistical calculations, as many as 17% of the total participants experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety. From the hypothesis test, it is known that there is a significant positive relationship between psychological distress and routine communication with family, activity in the community, and the reasons for work to look for better opportunities.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Symptoms of Depression and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Yuqi Guo ◽  
Omar T. Sims ◽  
Weidi Qin ◽  
Fan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Convenience Sampling

The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with symptoms of depression and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Convenience sampling and snowball sampling were used to recruit a sample of adults in China (n = 2130) from 14 February 2020 to 3 March 2020 to complete an online survey. Linear regression was used to examine the predictors of symptoms of depression and psychological distress. Living in a non-urban area and the number of confirmed cases in their city of residence were positively associated with symptoms of depression. Female gender, not being married, practicing social distancing, the amount of time spent daily on social media searching for and reading information on COVID-19, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in their city of residence, and having confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in personal networks were positively associated with psychological distress. Social distancing is a widely used public health approach for population-wide virus-containment of COVID-19. However, reductions in population-wide psychological well-being are inadvertent consequences of social distancing. There is an emerging need to negate factors that increase adverse mental health vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Mental health and psychosocial problems in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes: findings from a representative cluster sample survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Kane ◽  
N. P. Luitel ◽  
M. J. D. Jordans ◽  
B. A. Kohrt ◽  
I. Weissbecker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol

Aims.Two large earthquakes in 2015 caused widespread destruction in Nepal. This study aimed to examine frequency of common mental health and psychosocial problems and their correlates following the earthquakes.Methods.A stratified multi-stage cluster sampling design was employed to randomly select 513 participants (aged 16 and above) from three earthquake-affected districts in Nepal: Kathmandu, Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk, 4 months after the second earthquake. Outcomes were selected based on qualitative preparatory research and included symptoms of depression and anxiety (Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25); post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Checklist-Civilian); hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT-C); symptoms indicating severe psychological distress (WHO-UNHCR Assessment Schedule of Serious Symptoms in Humanitarian Settings (WASSS)); suicidal ideation (Composite International Diagnostic Interview); perceived needs (Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale (HESPER)); and functional impairment (locally developed scale).Results.A substantial percentage of participants scored above validated cut-off scores for depression (34.3%, 95% CI 28.4–40.4) and anxiety (33.8%, 95% CI 27.6–40.6). Hazardous alcohol use was reported by 20.4% (95% CI 17.1–24.3) and 10.9% (95% CI 8.8–13.5) reported suicidal ideation. Forty-two percent reported that ‘distress’ was a serious problem in their community. Anger that was out of control (symptom from the WASSS) was reported by 33.7% (95% CI 29.5–38.2). Fewer people had elevated rates of PTSD symptoms above a validated cut-off score (5.2%, 95% CI 3.9–6.8), and levels of functional impairment were also relatively low. Correlates of elevated symptom scores were female gender, lower caste and greater number of perceived needs. Residing in Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk districts and lower caste were also associated with greater perceived needs. Higher levels of impaired functioning were associated with greater odds of depression and anxiety symptoms; impaired functioning was less strongly associated with PTSD symptoms.Conclusions.Four months after the earthquakes in Nepal, one out of three adults experienced symptoms of depression and distressing levels of anger, one out of five engaged in hazardous drinking, and one out of ten had suicidal thoughts. However, posttraumatic stress symptoms and functional impairment were comparatively less frequent. Taken together, the findings suggest that there were significant levels of psychological distress but likely low levels of disorder. The findings highlight the importance of indicated prevention strategies to reduce the risk of distress progressing to disorder within post-disaster mental health systems of care.

A fully automated conversational agent with artificial intelligence capabilities (Youper) for treating depression and anxiety: A nonrandomized feasibility trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Hamilton Vargas ◽  
Thiago Antonio Marafon ◽  
Diego Fernando Couto ◽  
Ricardo Giglio ◽  
Marvin Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Viable Solution

BACKGROUND Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders, are significant global concerns. Many people with these conditions don't get the help they need because of the high costs of medical treatment and the stigma attached to seeking help. Digital technologies represent a viable solution to these challenges. However, these technologies are often characterized by relatively low adherence and their effectiveness largely remains empirical unverified. While digital technologies may represent a viable solution for this persisting problem, they often lack empirical support for their effectiveness and are characterized by relatively low adherence. Conversational agents using artificial intelligence capabilities have the potential to offer a cost-effective, low-stigma and engaging way of getting mental health care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Youper, a mobile application that utilizes a conversational interface and artificial intelligence capabilities to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults. METHODS 1,012 adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety participated in a real-world setting study, entirely remotely, unguided and with no financial incentives, over an 8-week period. Participants completed digital versions of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. RESULTS After the eight-week study period, depression (PHQ-9) scores of participants decreased by 48% while anxiety (GAD-7) scores decreased by 43%. The RCI was outside 2 standard deviations for 93.0% of the individuals in the PHQ-9 assessment and 90.7% in the GAD-7 assessment. Participants were on average 24.79 years old (SD 7.61) and 77% female. On average, participants interacted with Youper 0.9 (SD 1.56) times per week. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that Youper is a feasible, acceptable, and effective intervention for adults with depression and anxiety. CLINICALTRIAL Since this study involved a nonclinical population, it wasn't registered in a public trials registry.

scholarly journals Depression and anxiety at time of implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and the biological link with cardiovascular disease

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
ACJ Van Der Lingen ◽  
MT Rijnierse ◽  
AM Hooghiemstra ◽  
S Elshout ◽  
VP Van Halm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Autonomic Function ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Functional Class ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Icd Implantation ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Nyha Functional Class ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Cardiac Status

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Psychological distress, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression, are frequently present in patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and they are associated with adverse outcomes. Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms may explain the link between psychological distress and cardiovascular disease, such as autonomic dysfunction, neuro-endocrine alterations and chronic inflammation. Purpose The present study aims to examine the prevalence of psychological distress at time of ICD implantation and evaluates the complex interplay between psychological distress, autonomic function, neuro-endocrine alterations and inflammatory status in ICD patients. Methods We conducted a prospective study that included ICD patients receiving an ICD for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Prior to implantation, patients underwent extensive psychological evaluation, including validated questionnaires for depression, anxiety and personality traits. Cardiac status was evaluated by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class evaluation, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and 24-hour Holter monitoring for heart rate variability (HRV). Thyroid function, catecholamine levels and inflammatory status were also evaluated. Results Of 178 patients included (age 64 ± 12, 79% male, LVEF 35 ± 13%), 35% had symptoms of depression and 32% had symptoms of anxiety. Symptoms of depression and anxiety increased significantly with higher NYHA functional class (P < 0.001). Depressive symptoms were associated with a reduced 6MWT (411 ± 128 m versus 488 ± 89 m, P < 0.001), lower LVEF (29 ± 9% versus 36 ± 13%, P = 0.03), higher heart rate (74 ± 13 bpm versus 70 ± 13 bpm, P = 0.02), higher thyroid stimulating hormone levels (1.8 [1.3-2.8] mU/L versus 1.5 [1.0-2.2] mU/L, P = 0.04) and multiple HRV parameters, indicating reduced HRV. Anxiety symptoms were only associated with a reduced 6MWT (433 ± 112 m versus 477 ± 102, P = 0.02). Symptoms of depression or anxiety were not correlated with c-reactive protein, NT-proBNP or catecholamine levels. Conclusion A substantial part of ICD patients has symptoms of depression and anxiety at time of ICD implantation. Depression was correlated with a higher NYHA class, reduced exercise capacity,  reduced LV-function and alterations in autonomic function, suggesting a biological link between depression and cardiac status. Whether depression and anxiety leads to an increase in ventricular arrhythmias will be determined during further follow-up. Abstract Figure. NYHA class and psychological distress

scholarly journals Improving Mental Health in Pregnancy for Refugee Women: Protocol for the Implementation and Evaluation of a Screening Program in Melbourne, Australia (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Anne Boyle ◽  
Suzanne Willey ◽  
Rebecca Blackmore ◽  
Christine East ◽  
Jacqueline McBride ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Refugee Women ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
In Pregnancy

BACKGROUND Identifying mental health disorders in migrant and refugee women during pregnancy provides an opportunity for interventions that may benefit women and their families. Evidence suggests that perinatal mental health disorders impact mother-infant attachment at critical times, which can affect child development. Postnatal depression resulting in suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality postpartum. Routine screening of perinatal mental health is recommended to improve the identification of depression and anxiety and to facilitate early management. However, screening is poorly implemented into routine practice. This study is the first to investigate routine screening for perinatal mental health in a maternity setting designed for refugee women. This study will determine whether symptoms of depression and anxiety are more likely to be detected by the screening program compared with routine care and will evaluate the screening program’s feasibility and acceptability to women and health care providers (HCPs). OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study are (1) to assess if refugee women are more likely to screen risk-positive for depression and anxiety than nonrefugee women, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); (2) to assess if screening in pregnancy using the EPDS enables better detection of symptoms of depression and anxiety in refugee women than current routine care; (3) to determine if a screening program for perinatal mental health in a maternity setting designed for refugee women is acceptable to women; and (4) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the perinatal mental health screening program from the perspective of HCPs (including the barriers and enablers to implementation). METHODS This study uses an internationally recommended screening measure, the EPDS, and a locally developed psychosocial questionnaire, both administered in early pregnancy and again in the third trimester. These measures have been translated into the most common languages used by the women attending the clinic and are administered via an electronic platform (iCOPE). This platform automatically calculates the EPDS score and generates reports for the HCP and woman. A total of 119 refugee women and 155 nonrefugee women have been recruited to evaluate the screening program’s ability to detect depression and anxiety symptoms and will be compared with 34 refugee women receiving routine care. A subsample of women will participate in a qualitative assessment of the screening program’s acceptability and feasibility. Health service staff have been recruited to evaluate the integration of screening into maternity care. RESULTS The recruitment is complete, and data collection and analysis are underway. CONCLUSIONS It is anticipated that screening will increase the identification and management of depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnancy. New information will be generated on how to implement such a program in feasible and acceptable ways that will improve health outcomes for refugee women. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13271

Effectiveness of Prompt Mental Health Care: Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Knapstad ◽  
L V Lervik ◽  
S M M Saether ◽  
L E Aaroe ◽  
O R F Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Prompt Mental Health Care (PMHC) service is a Norwegian initiative, adapted from the English ‘Improved Access to Psychological Therapy’ (IAPT), aimed at improving access to primary care treatment for anxiety and depression. Thus far, both PMHC and IAPT have been evaluated by cohort studies only. Albeit yielding promising results, the extent to which these are attributable to the treatment thus remains unsettled. This study investigates the effectiveness of PMHC compared to treatment as usual (TAU) at six months follow-up. Methods Randomized controlled trial with parallel assignment in two PMHC sites from November 2015 to March 2018. Participants were 681 adults (aged ≥18 years) considered for admission to PMHC due to anxiety and/or mild to moderate depression. These were randomly assigned on a 70:30 ratio. Main outcomes were recovery rates and changes in symptoms of depression and anxiety between baseline and follow-up. Primary outcome data were available for 73%/67% in the PMHC/TAU group. Sensitivity analyses based on observed patterns of missingness were conducted. Results A reliable recovery rate of 58.5% was observed in the PMHC group and 31.9% in the TAU group, yielding a between-group effect size (ES) of 0.61 [95% CI 0.37-0.85, p<.001]. The differences in degree of improvement between PMHC and TAU yielded an ES of -0.88 [95% CI -1.23-0.43, p < 0.001] for symptoms of depression and -0.60 [95% CI -0.90-0.30, p < 0.001] for symptoms of anxiety in favour of PMHC. All sensitivity analyses pointed in the same direction with small variations in point estimates. Findings were slightly more robust for depressive than anxiety symptoms. Conclusions The PMHC treatment was substantially more effective than TAU in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. This adaptation of IAPT is considered a viable supplement to existing health services to increase access of effective treatment for adults who suffer from anxiety and mild to moderate depression. Key messages This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of an IAPT-like treatment model in terms of a randomized controlled trial. Prompt Mental Health Care was substantially more effective than TAU in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety at 6-months follow-up.

scholarly journals Psychological correlates and binge drinking behaviours among Canadian youth: a cross-sectional analysis of the mental health pilot data from the COMPASS study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e028558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Butler ◽  
Isabella Romano ◽  
Karen Patte ◽  
Mark A Ferro ◽  
Margaret de Groh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Canadian Youth

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine associations between depression, anxiety and binge drinking among a large sample of Canadian youth, while testing the moderating effect of flourishing. This research uses data from the Cannabis, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol, Smoking, Sedentary Behaviour (COMPASS) study (2012–2021) with a large sample size collecting data on youth health behaviours within Canadian secondary schools.DesignCross-sectionalSetting14 secondary schools across Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.ParticipantsA sample of grade 9–12 students (n=6570) who participated in the Mental Health pilot of the COMPASS studyPrimary and secondary outcome measuresSelf-reported questionnaires assessed student binge drinking behaviours (5≥drinks), symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Revised)−10 scores≥10) and anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale scores≥10), and flourishing (Diener’s Flourishing Scale: 8–40).ResultsIn our sample of 6570 students, 37.0% of students reported binge drinking in the last year, and 41.4% and 31.7% of students report clinically-relevant symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Anxiety (adjusted OR (AOR): 0.57, (99% CI 0.15 to 2.22)) and depression (AOR: 1.98, (99% CI 0.76 to 5.13)) symptoms were not found to be associated with binge drinking and we did not detect any moderating role of flourishing. Rather, factors that were associated with increased odds of binge drinking included sports team participation (AOR: 1.67, (99% CI 1.37 to 2.03)) and use of other substances (tobacco (AOR: 3.00, (99% CI 2.12 to 4.25)) and cannabis (AOR: 7.76, (99% CI 6.36 to 9.46))). Similar associations were found for frequency of binge drinking.ConclusionsConsistent with existing literature, binge drinking behaviours were problematic, as well as clinically-relevant symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, mental health problems and well-being may not be responsible for explaining patterns of binge drinking in youth. Targeted intervention efforts towards student athletes and concurrent substance users are necessary for addressing binge drinking in youth populations.

scholarly journals Association of dietary phytochemical index and mental health in women: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (09) ◽  
pp. 1049-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manije Darooghegi Mofrad ◽  
Fereydoun Siassi ◽  
Bijan Guilani ◽  
Nick Bellissimo ◽  
Leila Azadbakht
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Study Participants

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that unhealthy dietary patterns are among the most important modifiable risk factors in the development of mental health disorders. We examined the association of dietary phytochemical index (DPI) with symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress in Iranian women. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 488 women aged 20–50 years old attending health centres in the south of Tehran in 2018 were included. A validated and reliable FFQ was used for dietary assessment. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress were assessed using a validated depression, anxiety, stress scales questionnaires with twenty-one-items. DPI was estimated using the following formula: (daily energy derived from phytochemical-rich foods (kJ)/total daily energy intake (kJ))×100. The mean age of the study participants was 31·9 (sd7·7) years. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and psychological distress among study participants was 34·6, 40·6 and 42·4 %, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, women in the highest tertile of DPI had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (OR 0·22; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·38) and anxiety (OR 0·33; 95 % CI 0·20, 0·55), as well as psychological distress (OR 0·30; 95 % CI 0·18, 0·49) compared with those in the lowest tertile. In conclusion, we found a significant association between DPI and mental health in women. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Maintaining contact with blue-green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with positive mental health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarai Pouso ◽  
Angel Borja ◽  
Lora E. Fleming ◽  
Erik Gómez-Baggethun ◽  
Mathew White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Negative Impacts

There is growing evidence that exposure to the natural world (blue-green spaces) has potential benefits for mental health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures adopted to control it provide a natural experiment to investigate the links between nature exposure and mental health under extreme conditions. Using a survey distributed online and based on 6,080 responses, we tested three hypotheses: (1) people will show different levels of symptoms of depression and anxiety depending on the level of lockdown (severity) and ability to maintain contact with outdoor spaces; and (2) where access to outdoor public spaces was restricted, those with access to private outdoor spaces (2a) or even a green-blue nature view (2b) will show fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety and a more positive mood. Lockdown severity significantly affected mental health, while contact with nature helped people to cope with these impacts. The buffering effect of nature was especially relevant for those under strict lockdowns. People perceived that nature helped them to cope with lockdown measures; and emotions were more positive among individuals with accessible outdoor spaces and blue-green elements in their views. These findings can help decision-makers in developing potential future lockdown measures to mitigate the negative impacts, helping people to be more resilient and maintain better mental health.

scholarly journals Effects of a School-Based Intervention On Levels of Anxiety and Depression: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of The MindPower Program in Ten High Schools in Norway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gry Anette Sælid ◽  
Nikolai Czajkowski ◽  
Leif Edvard Aarø ◽  
John Roger Andersen ◽  
Thormod Idsøe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
School Based

Abstract BackgroundThe previous decade has shown increased symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents. To promote mental health and reduce mental illness, the government of Norway has, as in other countries, pledged that all schools must incorporate life-skills education. We report results from an evaluation of MindPower, a modification of the Coping With Depression (CWD) course, delivered universally in the classroom to secondary high school students, aged 15-16 years, in one county in Norway. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of MindPower on symptoms of depression and anxiety.MethodsWe utilized a two-groups` delayed intervention design where 110 first year high school classes were randomized into one of two intervention groups (IG1 and IG2). IG1 participated in MindPower while IG2 served as a control group for four months until the intervention started also in this group. IG1 and IG2 responded to questionnaires before and after the eight weeks course, at the start of the first and the second booster session, and at the five months follow up. Questionnaires, including online versions of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-8) and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS-2:SF), were administered to 1673 out of a total of 2384 students. SCL-levels were also compared with those from a large population study (UngData).ResultsAccording to mixed model analyses, SCL-8 and RADS-2:SF showed significant baseline differences between IG1 and IG2. In IG1 and IG2, both SCL-8 and RADS-2:SF showed a small but significant increase in mean scores throughout the study period, with markedly lower mean scores among boys. The SCL-levels were first lower for both girls and boys and then after the completion of MindPower the SCL-levels, equal to the SCL-levels in UngData.ConclusionsNo effects of the intervention were found. This large universal school-based trial suffered from considerable drop-out of participants. Experiences from implementation and evaluation of universal mental health promotion and preventive school interventions are thoroughly discussed, including, preparation, resources, support, time, realistic expectations, teacher selection and training, implementation, and research designs and more. Several empirically based, practical advices are presented. Clinical Trial registration 27/08/2018. Registration number NCT03647826.

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