scholarly journals Bullying in Schools and LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health: Relations with Voting for Trump

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Hobaica ◽  
Paul Kwon ◽  
Shari Reiter ◽  
Aaron Aguilar-Bonnette ◽  
Walter Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
School District ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Teacher Intervention ◽  
Youth Survey ◽  
Lgbtq Students ◽  
Bullying Experiences

The current study utilized the 2018 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey to explore the relations among school district political attitudes, bullying experiences, and mental health outcomes, particularly for LGBTQ+ students. Although bullying was associated with greater psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, and suicidality) for all students, LGBTQ+ students experienced more bullying and psychological distress. Bullying experiences mediated the relation between LGBTQ+ identity and psychological distress. However, school district voting record moderated the relation between LGBTQ+ identity and bullying, such that LGBTQ+ students in more conservative districts, or districts with more votes for Donald Trump in the 2016 election, experienced more bullying, which was associated with greater psychological distress. Additionally, increased teacher intervention during instances of bullying was related to less bullying for LGBTQ+ students. Finally, in more conservative-leaning districts, LGBTQ+ students reported less teacher intervention, which was associated with more bullying and psychological distress. Given that political conservatism was related to higher rates of bullying and poorer mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ students, we recommend improving school-based LGBTQ+ bullying policies to prioritize the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Correlates of Loneliness and Psychological Distress During the Lockdown Situation due to COVID-19. Effects of Age and Self-Perceptions of Aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Losada-Baltar ◽  
José Ángel Martínez-Huertas ◽  
Lucía Jiménez-Gonzalo ◽  
María del Sequeros Pedroso-Chaparro ◽  
Laura Gallego-Alberto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Personal Variables ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging

Abstract Objectives To longitudinally analyze the correlates of loneliness and psychological distress in people exposed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, exploring the effects of age and self-perceptions of aging (SPA). Methods A longitudinal follow-up of 1,549 participants was carried out at four different time points during the lockdown in Spain. Questions about the risk of COVID-19, age, SPA, family and personal resources, loneliness, and psychological distress were measured. Results Changes in loneliness showed a linear longitudinal trajectory through time, but changes in psychological distress showed a U-shaped relationship with time. Age was a relevant predictor of differences in distress, with older people reporting less psychological distress. Change in both dependent variables was related to change in different predictors like family and personal variables and also to negative SPA. Discussion In a stressful situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults may be more resilient to adverse mental health outcomes by using more adaptive resources that strengthen their resilience. Support is provided for the importance of stereotyped views of the aging process that, independently of chronological age, may put people at risk of suffering adverse mental health outcomes such as loneliness and psychological distress in times of crisis.

scholarly journals 3278 Gendered racism, psychological distress, and the strong Black woman

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 107-107
Author(s):  
Maha Baalbaki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Gendered Racism ◽  
Cultural Construct

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Black women experience discrimination that targets their intersecting gender and ethnic identities, termed gendered racism (Essed, 1991). The gendered racism Black women experience has been linked to negative mental health outcomes (Thomas etal., 2008). The ‘strong Black woman’ is a cultural symbol of strength depicting the Black woman as unwavered by hardships, such as gendered racism (Shorter-Gooden & Washington, 1996). However, recent research suggests that belief in the strong Black woman cultural construct is associated with negative mental health outcomes (Watson & Hunter, 2015). The goals of the current study were to (1) replicate previous findings suggesting that experiences with gendered racism is positively correlated with psychological distress, (2) replicate previous findings suggesting that belief in the strong Black woman construct is positively correlated with psychological distress, and (3) explore how experiences with gendered racism and belief in the strong Black woman construct might interact to predict distress. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A national sample of 112 Black women completed an online survey via MTurk. Survey measures included the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale, Strong Black Woman Cultural Construct Scale, and Psychological Distress Scale. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Pearson correlation revealed that experiences with gendered racism was positively correlated with psychological distress, r = 0.23, p = .02. Pearson correlation also revealed that belief in the strong Black woman cultural construct was positively correlated with psychological distress, r = 0.39, p < .001. Multiple linear regression revealed an interaction between experiences with gendered racism and belief in the strong Black woman construct (β = -0.18, p = .04) that predicted psychological distress, R2 = .20, F(3,108) = 8.63, p < .01. Namely, for those with high belief in the strong Black woman construct, experiences with gendered racism did not predict distress, β = -0.31, t = -0.29, p = .78. However, for those with low belief in the construct, experiences with gendered racism positively predicted distress, β = -2.57, t = 2.31, p = .02. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The results underscore the harmful effects of gendered racism and gendered racial stereotypes on Black women’s mental health outcomes. Striving to appear as the strong Black woman is not likely to help Black women overcome daily hardships. In fact, belief in the strong Black woman construct is likely to add extra difficulties.

scholarly journals Association between psychological distress trajectories from adolescence to midlife and mental health during the pandemic: Evidence from two British birth cohorts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Moulton ◽  
Alice Sullivan ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
Emla Fitzsimons ◽  
Morag Henderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Poisson Model ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Birth Cohorts

Abstract Background Some studies suggest worsening mental health in the early stages of the pandemic, for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions the evidence is mixed. We examined whether different life-course trajectories of psychological distress from adolescence to midlife were associated with psychological distress, lower life satisfaction and feelings of loneliness at different stages during the pandemic. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of two nationally representative British Birth cohorts, the National Child Development Study (1958) and 1970 British Cohort Study, from birth to later mid-life. We used latent variable mixture models to identify pre-pandemic longitudinal trajectories of psychological distress and a modified poisson model with robust standard errors to estimate associations with mental health outcomes during the pandemic from May 2020 to March 2021. Findings Our analysis identified five distinct pre-pandemic trajectories of psychological distress in both cohorts. All trajectories with prior symptoms of psychological distress were associated with a greater relative risk of mental health outcomes during the pandemic. This was the case irrespective of age of onset, severity, longevity and proximal occurrence. Those who had experienced more than one prior episode of high psychological distress, and more recent occurrences, faced the greatest risk of poor mental health during the pandemic. Interpretation Whilst any prior episode of poor mental health put individuals at greater risk of severe mental health symptoms, those with chronic and more recent occurrence are likely to require greater mental health support.

scholarly journals The Psychological Distress of Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Low-Income Parents and Their Coping Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 224-224
Author(s):  
Cindy Leung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Abstract Objectives Food insecurity increases the risks of numerous chronic disease and mental health outcomes in low-income adults; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations have not been clearly identified. Chronic, psychological stress may represent an important pathway between food insecurity and health. Using in-depth interviews, the objective of this qualitative study was to obtain a better understanding of psychological distress specific to food insecurity among adults. Methods We conducted one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with 48 parents recruited from the San Francisco Bay Area. Eligibility criteria included any experience of household food insecurity over the past 12 months, having a child in the family, and the ability to speak English fluently. An interview guide was developed by an interdisciplinary research team to specifically delve into the psychological experience of adult food insecurity. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for thematic content using the constant comparative method. Results Parents discussed six themes related to the psychological distress of food insecurity: 1) anxiety about not having enough food to meet the needs of all family members, 2) frustration over the high costs of healthful foods (e.g., fruits and vegetables), 3) embarrassment about using community food assistance, 4) fear of running out of money for food and other necessities, 5) sadness about their cyclical and chronic food situation, and 6) guilt over the inability to adequately provide for their children. Strategies that parents used to cope with food insecurity included seeking help from family and friends, relying on their faith, distracting themselves from their current situation (e.g., sleeping, cleaning, drinking), and becoming increasingly tolerant of their food situation. Conclusions Food insecurity is a source of psychological distress among parents. Psychological distress may represent a pathway by which food insecurity influences physical and mental health outcomes. Funding Sources This study was supported by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Child Health and Human Development.

scholarly journals Objective and Subjective Cognitive Function, and Relations With Quality of Life and Psychological Distress

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 306-307
Author(s):  
Hallie Nuzum ◽  
Katherine Dorociak ◽  
Shirit Kamil-Rosenberg ◽  
Peter Louras ◽  
Mandana Mostofi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function

Abstract Objective and subjective cognitive function have been associated with decreased quality of life and increased psychological distress in older adults. The present study examined relations of objective and subjective cognition with quality-of-life and mental-health outcomes in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The sample included 98 older adults with aMCI (92.5% male, age = 70.9±9.2 years). Measures included objective cognition (i.e., attention, memory, language, visuospatial abilities, processing speed, executive function, and overall), subjective memory (Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire [MMQ]), quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life [DQoL]), and mental health (Geriatric Depression Scale, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and Penn State Worry Questionnaire). Objective and subjective cognition were weakly correlated (range |r| = .00–.23). Objective cognitive measures were largely uncorrelated with quality of life or mental health, with only two significant (p &lt; .05) correlations between Processing Speed and Worry (r = -.24), and Overall Cognition and DQoL Aesthetics (r = .20). Subjective cognition was more strongly correlated with quality of life, including significant (p &lt; .01) correlations between MMQ Abilities and DQoL Negative Affect (r = -.38), and MMQ Contentment and DQoL Positive Affect (r = .28). Additionally, MMQ Contentment and Abilities were significantly (p &lt; .01) negatively correlated with all three mental-health outcomes (range |r| = .28–.43). This study demonstrated that subjective memory, particularly affect and self-appraisal regarding one’s memory capabilities, is more closely related to quality-of-life and mental-health outcomes than objective cognitive performance in an aMCI sample, and, therefore, may represent important targets for intervention.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Association with Mental Health in an Indigenous Population in Panamá

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Rebekah J. Walker ◽  
Aprill Z. Dawson ◽  
Jennifer A. Campbell ◽  
Leonard E. Egede
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Indigenous Population ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Serious Psychological Distress ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Objective: Understanding food insecurity and its health consequences is important for identifying strategies to best target support for individuals and communities. Given the limited information that exists for Indigenous groups in Latin America, this study aimed to understand the association between food insecurity and mental health in an Indigenous population in Panama. Design: Cross-sectional data were collected using a survey conducted with Kuna Indians residing off the coast of Panama. Data sources included measures from the Panamanian Prevalence of Risk Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Survey, and validated measures for psychosocial factors and standardized health outcome measures. Regression models with each of the mental health outcomes (depression, serious psychological distress, perceived stress) were used to examine the association between food insecurity and mental health outcomes. Setting: Indigenous Kuna community residing on the San Blas Islands of Panama Participants: 209 adults Results: Food insecurity was reported by 83% of the participants. Across demographic categories, the only significant difference was by age with higher prevalence in younger ages. After adjusting for demographics, higher food insecurity was significantly associated with higher number of depressive symptoms and more serious psychological distress, but not with levels of perceived stress. Conclusions: Based on these findings, treatment for mental health in the Kuna community may need to account for social determinants of health and be tailored to meet the needs of younger age groups in this population. In addition, interventions designed to decrease food insecurity should be considered as a possible means for improving mental health.

Changes in Mental Health and Treatment, 1997–2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 002214652098413
Author(s):  
Amy L. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Period Effect ◽  
The Past ◽  
Over Time

Mental health outcomes have shown dramatic changes over the past half-century, yet these trends are still underexplored. I utilize an age-period-cohort analysis of the National Health Interview Survey from 1997 to 2017 (N = 627,058) to disentangle trends in mental health outcomes in the United States over time. Specifically, I leverage the contrast between reported psychological distress and rates of mental health treatment to isolate which has changed, how, and for whom. There is little evidence that psychological distress is worsening over time. Yet, treatment seeking has increased over the past 20 years. The increase in treatment seeking is best modeled as a period effect, providing initial evidence that the historical context has influenced responses to mental health over time for Americans of all ages and birth cohorts. I conclude with potential mechanisms and implications for future mental health research.

scholarly journals A longitudinal model for psychological distress in the COVID-19 crisis among brazilian graduate students

Psico ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. e41332
Author(s):  
Marcela Mansur-Alves ◽  
Cristiano Mauro Assis Gomes ◽  
Camila Batista Peixoto ◽  
Matheus Bortolosso Bocardi ◽  
Marina Luiza Nunes Diniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Suffering

As most evidence for mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis is cross-sectional, the present study aimed to analyze the longitudinal development of psychological suffering among 619 Brazilian adults by assessing mental health outcomes and individual factors in two periods: a year before and a month after the break of the pandemic. As major findings, pandemic psychological suffering was directly explained by previous-year suffering, conscientiousness, and pandemic perceived stress, and correlated with pandemic suicidal ideation. Pandemic perceived stress correlated with pandemic psychological distress, and was explained by previous-year suffering, neuroticism, and conscientiousness, as well as by pandemic life satisfaction and perceived pandemic impact. Finally, pandemic suicidal ideation variance was explained by prior ideation and pandemic life satisfaction. These findings are in line with current models of mental health and highlight the importance of integrating both more stable individual factors and more transient variables towards and explanation for mental health outcomes.

Social Support and Positive Coping Skills as Mediators Buffering the Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Psychological Distress and Positive Mental Health in Adulthood: Analysis of a National Population-Based Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (5) ◽  
pp. 394-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Su ◽  
Carl D’Arcy ◽  
Xiangfei Meng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
National Population ◽  
Positive Coping

Abstract There is little research on how childhood maltreatment influences the use of resilience mechanisms that are key to mental health outcomes in the face of adversity. We assessed the mediating roles of social support and positive coping skills in the relationships between childhood maltreatment and both psychological distress and positive mental health. We analyzed data from a national population survey, the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey—Mental Health (CCHS-MH 2012, n = 25,113). Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to model the relationships between childhood maltreatment, social support, and positive coping skills and their direct and mediated effect on psychological distress and positive mental health. Childhood maltreatment was found to be negatively associated with social support, positive coping skills, and positive mental health but positively associated with psychological distress. Social support and positive coping skills predicted higher rates of positive mental health but lower rates of psychological distress. Social support and positive coping skills partially mediated the negative consequences of childhood maltreatment on mental health outcomes. Surprisingly, no sex differences were observed among these associations. This research clearly demonstrates that social support and positive coping skills can mediate the negative impact of childhood maltreatment on mental health.

Sexual Assault, Campus Resource Use, and Psychological Distress in Undergraduate Women

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988468
Author(s):  
Amy C. Graham ◽  
R. Kevin Mallinson ◽  
Jenna R. Krall ◽  
Sandra L. Annan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Undergraduate Women

Undergraduate women are at high risk of experiencing sexual assault during their college years. Research has established a strong link between sexual victimization and psychological distress. Although the relationship between sexual victimization and distress has been established, little is known about how the use of university-affiliated sexual assault resources influences mental health outcomes for survivors. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to describe the characteristics of women who used campus survivor resources following a sexual assault during college, examine correlates of campus resource use, and examine correlates and predictors of mental health of women who have been sexually assaulted during college. An online anonymous survey was sent to undergraduate women at two public universities in a mid-Atlantic state. Participants were female, undergraduate students ( N = 362) who had been sexually assaulted during their time at college. Few women ( n = 98, 27.1%) used campus resources following a sexual assault. We found significant relationships between participants’ use of campus survivor resources and experiencing a sexual assault prior to entering college, experiencing more severe sexual assaults, acknowledging the assault as a rape, feeling more self-blame, and experiencing more psychological distress. Campus resource use was significantly associated with poorer mental health outcomes. The cross-sectional nature of this study limited our ability to explore the reason for this. Further research is needed to explore the role campus resources play in supporting survivors during the recovery process. Given the high rate of sexual assaults on college campuses and the known negative psychological impact of sexual assault, it is imperative that campuses offer resources that are effective in meeting the needs of survivors.

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