scholarly journals Psycho-social factors associated with mental resilience in the Corona lockdown

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya M Veer ◽  
Antje Riepenhausen ◽  
Matthias Zerban ◽  
Carolin Wackerhagen ◽  
Lara Puhlmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Resilience Factors

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is not only a threat to physical health but is also having severe impacts on mental health. While increases in stress-related symptomatology and other adverse psycho-social outcomes as well as their most important risk factors have been described, hardly anything is known about potential protective factors. Resilience refers to the maintenance of mental health despite adversity. In order to gain mechanistic insights about the relationship between described psycho-social resilience factors and resilience specifically in the current crisis, we assessed resilience factors, exposure to Corona crisis-specific and general stressors, as well as internalizing symptoms in a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 24 languages during the most intense phase of the lockdown in Europe (March 22nd to April 19th) in a convenience sample of N=15,970 adults. Resilience, as an outcome, was conceptualized as good mental health despite stressor exposure and measured as the inverse residual between actual and predicted symptom total score. Preregistered hypotheses (osf.io/r6btn) were tested with multiple regression models and mediation analyses. Results confirmed our primary hypothesis that positive appraisal style (PAS) is positively associated with resilience (p<0.0001). The resilience factor PAS also partly mediated the positive association between perceived social support and resilience, and its association with resilience was in turn partly mediated by the ability to easily recover from stress (both p<0.0001). In comparison with other resilience factors, good stress response recovery and positive appraisal specifically of the consequences of the Corona crisis were the strongest factors. Preregistered exploratory subgroup analyses (osf.io/thka9) showed that all tested resilience factors generalize across major socio-demographic categories. This research identifies modifiable protective factors that can be targeted by public mental health efforts in this and in future pandemics.

scholarly journals Psycho-social factors associated with mental resilience in the Corona lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya M. Veer ◽  
Antje Riepenhausen ◽  
Matthias Zerban ◽  
Carolin Wackerhagen ◽  
Lara M. C. Puhlmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Resilience Factors

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is not only a threat to physical health but is also having severe impacts on mental health. Although increases in stress-related symptomatology and other adverse psycho-social outcomes, as well as their most important risk factors have been described, hardly anything is known about potential protective factors. Resilience refers to the maintenance of mental health despite adversity. To gain mechanistic insights about the relationship between described psycho-social resilience factors and resilience specifically in the current crisis, we assessed resilience factors, exposure to Corona crisis-specific and general stressors, as well as internalizing symptoms in a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 24 languages during the most intense phase of the lockdown in Europe (22 March to 19 April) in a convenience sample of N = 15,970 adults. Resilience, as an outcome, was conceptualized as good mental health despite stressor exposure and measured as the inverse residual between actual and predicted symptom total score. Preregistered hypotheses (osf.io/r6btn) were tested with multiple regression models and mediation analyses. Results confirmed our primary hypothesis that positive appraisal style (PAS) is positively associated with resilience (p < 0.0001). The resilience factor PAS also partly mediated the positive association between perceived social support and resilience, and its association with resilience was in turn partly mediated by the ability to easily recover from stress (both p < 0.0001). In comparison with other resilience factors, good stress response recovery and positive appraisal specifically of the consequences of the Corona crisis were the strongest factors. Preregistered exploratory subgroup analyses (osf.io/thka9) showed that all tested resilience factors generalize across major socio-demographic categories. This research identifies modifiable protective factors that can be targeted by public mental health efforts in this and in future pandemics.

scholarly journals Medical cannabis use in the Australian community following introduction of legal access: The 2018-2019 Online Cross-Sectional Cannabis as Medicine Survey (CAMS-18)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Lintzeris ◽  
Llewellyn Mills ◽  
Anastasia Suraev ◽  
Maria Bravo ◽  
Thomas Arkell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Plant Matter

Abstract Background: In 2016 the Australian federal government passed legislation enabling a range of cannabis-based products to be prescribed to patients by registered healthcare professionals. An online survey conducted immediately prior to these legislative changes found that the vast majority of respondents at the time were illicitly sourcing cannabis plant matter, smoking was the preferred route of administration, and mental health, chronic pain, and sleep conditions were the most frequently cited reasons for medical cannabis use. This manuscript reports the results of a follow-up survey conducted in 2018-2019, the Cannabis As Medicine Survey (CAMS-18). The goal of this second questionnaire was to examine patterns of use and consumer perspectives regarding medical cannabis use in Australia, two years after the introduction of legal access pathways. Methods: Anonymous online cross-sectional survey with convenience sample, recruited mainly through online media between September 2018 and March 2019. Participants were adults (18 years or over) residing in Australia who reported using a cannabis product for self-identified therapeutic reasons during the preceding 12 months. The survey measured consumer characteristics; indications and patterns of medical cannabis use; routes and frequency of administration; perceived benefits and harms; experiences and preferred models of access to medical cannabis. Results: Data were available for 1388 respondents. The main categories of condition being treated with medical cannabis were pain (36.4%), mental health (32.8%), sleep (9.2%), neurological (5.2%) and cancer (3.8%). Respondents reported using medical cannabis on 15.8 (11.2) days in the past 28, by inhaled (71.4%) or oral (26.5%) routes and spending AUD$82.27 ($101.27) per week. There were high levels of self-reported effectiveness, but also high rates of side effects. There was uncertainty regarding the composition of illicit cannabinoid products and concerns regarding their possible contamination. Few respondents (2.7%) had accessed legally prescribed medical cannabis, with the main perceived barriers being cost, disinterest from the medical profession, and stigma regarding cannabis use. Conclusions: Chronic pain, mental health and sleep remain the main clinical conditions for which consumers report using medical cannabis. Despite two years of legal availability, most consumers in Australia reported accessing illicit cannabis products, with uncertainty regarding the quality or composition of cannabis products.

scholarly journals Smartphone addiction and associated factors among postgraduate students in an Arabic sample: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asem A. Alageel ◽  
Rayyan A. Alyahya ◽  
Yasser A. Bahatheq ◽  
Norah A. Alzunaydi ◽  
Raed A. Alghamdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Smartphone Addiction ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Postgraduate Students

Abstract Background Smartphone addiction, as with other behavioral addictions, is associated with social, physical, and mental health issues. In this article, we investigated the prevalence of smartphone addiction among postgraduate students and evaluated its correlation with social demographics, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and nicotine dependence. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of smartphone addiction among Middle Eastern postgraduate students, determine the factors associated with smartphone addiction, and estimate the incidence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD), ADHD, insomnia, and nicotine addiction among postgraduate students with smartphone addiction. Methods As part of a cross-sectional online survey, participants were given a self-questionnaire divided into six sections: Socio-demographics, Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) for Depression, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire (FTCd), and the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1). Results Of the 506 patients, 51.0% of the participants demonstrated smartphone addiction. A significant association was also observed between extensive smartphone use and MDD (P = 0.001). Of the smokers in this study, 41.5% were addicted to smartphones (P = 0.039). Smartphone addicts had approximately two times the chance of having insomnia (OR = 2.113) (P = 0.013). In addition, they showcased more ADHD symptoms (OR = 2.712) (P < 0.001). Conclusions We found a positive association among insomnia, depression, adult ADHD, and smartphone addiction, which confirms the findings reported in the previous studies. Therefore, we encourage the scientific community to further study the impacts of smartphone addiction on the mental health of postgraduate students.

scholarly journals Preprint

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Schlosser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Repetitive Negative Thinking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Thinking

So far, the large and expanding body of research on meditation has mostly focussed on the putative benefits of meditation on health and well-being. However, a growing number of reports indicate that psychologically distressing and difficult experiences can occur in the context of meditation practice. Very little is known about the prevalence and potential causes of these experiences. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of distressing meditation-related experiences in a large international sample of regular meditators, and to explore the association of distressing meditation-related experiences with demographic characteristics, meditation practice, and mental health variables (here measured by repetitive negative thinking, mindfulness, and self-compassion). Using a cross-sectional online survey, 1,264 regular meditators (mean age = 44.7 years, SD = 13.9, 53.8% female) responded to one question about distressing meditation-related experiences (98.7% of the total sample). A total of 321 participants (25.4%, 95% CI: 23.0 to 27.8) reported distressing meditation-related experiences. Logistic regression models indicated a positive association between distressing meditation-related experiences and having meditation retreat experience (odds ratio = 1.65, p &lt; 0.001) and higher levels of repetitive negative thinking (OR = 1.17, p = 0.015). A negative association was found between distressing meditation-related experiences and identifying as religious (OR = 0.64, p = 0.001) and being female (OR) = 0.77, p = 0.045). The high prevalence of distressing meditation-related experiences reported here points to the importance of expanding the scientific conception of meditation beyond that of a (mental) health-promoting and self-regulating technique. We conclude with an overview of methodological and conceptual considerations that could be used to inform future research on distressing meditation-related experiences.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and initial period of lockdown on the mental health and well-being of adults in the UK

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross G. White ◽  
Catharina Van Der Boor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Summary The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being were assessed in a convenience sample of 600 UK adults, using a cross-sectional design. Recruited over 2 weeks during the initial phase of lockdown, participants completed an online survey that included COVID-19-related questions, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the World Health Organization (Five) Well-Being Index and the Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health. Self-isolating before lockdown, increased feelings of isolation since lockdown and having COVID-19-related livelihood concerns were associated with poorer mental health, well-being and quality of life. Perceiving increased kindness, community connectedness and being an essential worker were associated with better mental health and well-being outcomes.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID19 pandemic and initial period of lockdown on the mental health and wellbeing of UK adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross G. White ◽  
Carine Van der Boor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Community Connectedness ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

SummaryMental health and wellbeing impacts of COVID19 were assessed in a convenience sample of 600 UK adults using a cross-sectional design. Recruited over a two-week period during the initial phase of the government lockdown, participants completed an online survey that included COVID19-related questions, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the WHO-5 and the OXCAP-MH. Self-isolating prior to lockdown, increased feelings of isolation since the lockdown, and having COVID19-related livelihood concerns, were associated with poorer mental health, wellbeing and quality of life. Perceiving increased kindness, community connectedness, and being an essential worker were associated with better mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

scholarly journals Medical cannabis use in the Australian community following introduction of legal access: The 2018-2019 Online Cross-Sectional Cannabis as Medicine Survey (CAMS-18)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Lintzeris ◽  
Llewellyn Mills ◽  
Anastasia Suraev ◽  
Maria Bravo ◽  
Thomas Arkell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Plant Matter

Abstract Background : In 2016 the Australian federal government passed legislation enabling a range of cannabis-based products to be prescribed to patients by registered healthcare professionals. An online survey conducted immediately prior to these legislative changes found that the vast majority of respondents at the time were illicitly sourcing cannabis plant matter, smoking was the preferred route of administration, and mental health, chronic pain, and sleep conditions were the most frequently cited reasons for medical cannabis use. This manuscript reports the results of a follow-up survey conducted in 2018-2019, the Cannabis As Medicine Survey (CAMS-18). The goal of this second questionnaire was to examine patterns of use and consumer perspectives regarding medical cannabis use in Australia, two years after the introduction of legal access pathways. Methods : Anonymous online cross-sectional survey with convenience sample, recruited mainly through online media between September 2018 and March 2019. Participants were adults (18 years or over) residing in Australia who reported using a cannabis product for self-identified therapeutic reasons during the preceding 12 months. The survey measured consumer characteristics; indications and patterns of medical cannabis use; routes and frequency of administration; perceived benefits and harms; experiences and preferred models of access to medical cannabis. Results : Data were available for 1388 respondents. The main categories of condition being treated with medical cannabis were pain (36.4%), mental health (32.8%), sleep (9.2%), neurological (5.2%) and cancer (3.8%). Respondents reported using medical cannabis on 15.8 (11.2) days in the past 28, by inhaled (71.4%) or oral (26.5%) routes and spending AUD$82.27 ($101.27) per week. There were high levels of self-reported effectiveness, but also high rates of side effects. There was uncertainty regarding the composition of illicit cannabinoid products and concerns regarding their possible contamination. Few respondents (2.7%) had accessed legally prescribed medical cannabis, with the main perceived barriers being cost, dis-interest from the medical profession, and stigma regarding cannabis use. Conclusions : Chronic pain, mental health and sleep remain the main clinical conditions for which consumers report using medical cannabis. Despite two years of legal availability, most consumers in Australia reported accessing illicit cannabis products, with uncertainty regarding the quality or composition of cannabis products.

Addressing Mental Health Literacy in a UK university campus population: Positive replication of a Canadian intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-544
Author(s):  
Sarah Hunt ◽  
Yifeng Wei ◽  
Stan Kutcher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Mental health concerns on university campuses are increasing in the UK. Improving mental health literacy (MHL) for students may be a useful part of an integrated approach to effectively address these concerns. This study evaluated a previously demonstrated effective Canadian campus MHL resource in a UK student sample. Design: This cross-sectional study conducted on one UK campus reports on student’s opinions about the impact of the Transitions (2nd edition) resource as well as applying a standard measure of MHL. Methods: Online survey using a convenience sample of students during semester 1 conducted over a 1-week period at a large UK university. Results: Use of Transitions (2nd edition) improved student self-reported mental health knowledge, decreased stigma and increased help-seeking intent. Significant ( p < .05) improvement in a standard MHL assessment was also found. Conclusions: These results suggest that the Transitions resource may be a helpful intervention in addressing student mental health in a UK university campus setting.

Suicide Attempters, Suicide Ideators, and Non-Ideators

Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Teismann ◽  
Laura Paashaus ◽  
Paula Siegmann ◽  
Peter Nyhuis ◽  
Marcus Wolter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reasons For Living ◽  
Suicide Attempters

Abstract. Background: Suicide ideation is a prerequisite for suicide attempts. However, the majority of ideators will never act on their thoughts. It is therefore crucial to understand factors that differentiate those who consider suicide from those who make suicide attempts. Aim: Our aim was to investigate the role of protective factors in differentiating non-ideators, suicide ideators, and suicide attempters. Method: Inpatients without suicide ideation ( n = 32) were compared with inpatients with current suicide ideation ( n = 37) and with inpatients with current suicide ideation and a lifetime history of suicide attempts ( n = 26) regarding positive mental health, self-esteem, trust in higher guidance, social support, and reasons for living. Results: Non-ideators reported more positive mental health, social support, reasons for living, and self-esteem than suicide ideators and suicide attempters did. No group differences were found regarding trust in higher guidance. Suicide ideators and suicide attempters did not differ regarding any of the study variables. Limitations: Results stem from a cross-sectional study of suicide attempts; thus, neither directionality nor generalizability to fatal suicide attempts can be determined. Conclusion: Various protective factors are best characterized to distinguish ideators from nonsuicidal inpatients. However, the same variables seem to offer no information about the difference between ideators and attempters.

scholarly journals Beyond the high: Mapping patterns of use and motives for use of cannabis as medicine

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252098596
Author(s):  
Sinikka L. Kvamme ◽  
Michael M. Pedersen ◽  
Sagi Alagem-Iversen ◽  
Birgitte Thylstrup
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Patient Organisations ◽  
Patterns Of Use

Background: In Denmark the boundaries between cannabis as an illicit drug and licit medicine have shifted rapidly in recent years, affecting also policy. However, the vast majority of Danes, who use cannabis as medicine (CaM) continue to rely on the unregulated market for supply. This study explores patterns of use and motives for use of CaM in Denmark. Methods: An anonymous online survey was made available to a convenience sample of users of CaM from July 14, 2018 to November 1, 2018. Participants were recruited through patient organisations, social and public media, and the illegal open cannabis market. Results: Of the final sample ( n = 3,021), a majority were women (62.6%) and the mean age was 49 years. Most had no prescription for CaM (90.9%), a majority had no or limited previous experience with recreational cannabis use (63.9%), and had used CaM for two years or less (65.0%). The most common form of intake was oil (56.8%) followed by smoke (24.0%). CBD oil (65.0%) was used more than hash, pot or skunk (36.2%). Most frequent conditions treated were chronic pain (32.0%), sleep disturbances (27.5%), stress (23.7%), osteoarthritis (22.7%), anxiety (19.6%), and depression (19.6%). Overall, users experienced CaM to be effective in managing somatic and mental health conditions and reported relatively few side-effects. CBD oil only users were more likely to be women, older, have limited recreational experience and have initiated use recently. Conclusions: A new user group has emerged in Denmark that, for the most part, use illegally sourced CaM to treat a broad range of somatic and mental health conditions, often with experienced effect and relatively low level of side-effects. The prevalent use of low-potency CBD oil indicates an interest in effects beyond the high normally associated with cannabis use. More clinical research into the effects and side-effects of CaM is needed to draw the boundaries of the medical utility of cannabis.

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