Living in Uncertain Times: Pre-existing Mental Health Symptoms, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perceived COVID-19 Threat as Predictors of Psychological Distress During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M Bell ◽  
Diane Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Distress Intolerance ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Threat Levels

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people are facing heightened uncertainty about the future and increasing rates of psychological distress. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and perceived COVID-19 threat may be contributing to mental health problems. This study investigated changes in mental health problems prior to and during the first two pandemic waves in the U.S., and the extent to which IU and perceived COVID-19 threat predicted these problems. MTurk participants (n=192; 50% women) were recruited from a pre-pandemic study in December 2019/January 2020 for a follow-up study on COVID-19 experiences, across five timepoints between April and August 2020. IU, perceived COVID-19 threat, and mental health problems (i.e., worry, COVID-19 fear, and trauma symptoms) were assessed. On average, mental health problems were not elevated, relative to pre-pandemic levels, and remained stable across time. Heightened IU and perceived COVID-19 threat were associated with more mental health problems. Surprisingly, objective measures of COVID-19 threat (e.g., state case rates) showed no associations with IU, and were slightly negatively correlated with psychological distress and perceived threat. Pre-existing mental health symptoms, IU and perceived COVID-19 threat may foster vulnerability to mental health problems during the pandemic, more so than objective threat levels.

scholarly journals Personal, social and relational predictors of UK postgraduate researcher mental health problems

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clio Berry ◽  
Jeremy E. Niven ◽  
Cassie M. Hazell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Supervisory Relationship ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Uk

Background Emerging evidence demonstrates that postgraduate researchers have high rates of mental health problems. These problems are distressing, affect PhD studies, and have longer-term potential effects beyond the duration of the PhD. Yet large-scale studies of multiple risk and protective factors are rare. Aims We aimed to test the predictive validity of a comprehensive set of potential determinants of mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety and suicidality) among postgraduate researchers in the UK, including personal, study-related, and supervision characteristics. Method We used regression models applied to data obtained from a national online survey of UK postgraduate researchers (Understanding DOCtoral researcher mental health; U-DOC, 2018–2019) to test predictors of mental health symptoms. Results These models show that postgraduate researchers' mental health symptoms are predicted by demographic, occupational, psychological, social and supervisory relationship factors. Greater perfectionism, more impostor thoughts and reduced supervisory communion most strongly and consistently predict mental health symptoms. Conclusions Institutions training postgraduate researchers should focus interventions intended to improve depression, anxiety, suicidality, on self-beliefs and social connectedness. Moreover, supervisors should be provided with training that improves the degree of agency, and especially communion, in the relationships they form with postgraduate researchers.

scholarly journals Are Fathering Interventions Acceptable to Veterans? A Needs and Preferences Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 185 (3-4) ◽  
pp. e410-e413
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Primack ◽  
Matthew Thompson ◽  
Rachel Doyle ◽  
Cynthia L Battle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Male Veterans

Abstract Introduction Military deployments cause stress for both service members and their families. Returning Veterans often report significant trauma exposure, and experience increased stress and mental health problems following deployment. These factors can in turn increase family problems and parenting strain among Veterans who are parents, exacerbating mental health symptoms. Men are generally less likely to seek treatment for mental health problems, and male Veterans, in particular, report lower rates of mental health treatment use. Interventions that target fathering or parenting skills may be more acceptable and less stigmatizing to male Veterans while serving the dual function of improving parental relationships and reducing mental health symptoms. However, it is unclear whether Veteran fathers will engage in these services. Materials and Methods As a preliminary evaluation of the acceptability of fathering interventions, 50 returning Veteran fathers completed an anonymous survey designed to assess their needs and preferences regarding this type of service. All procedures were approved by the local Institutional Review Board and Research and Development Committee. Results Ninety-eight percent of participants reported experiencing at least one parenting issue either that started postdeployment or that got noticeably worse following postdeployment. The majority (86%) stated that they would be open to participating in a fathering program if offered. Conclusions Returning Veteran fathers demonstrate interest in and willingness to participate in fathering programs suggesting that parenting programs may be a way to engage Veterans in mental health care following deployment.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for common adolescent mental health problems in New Delhi, India: protocol for a school-based, individually randomized controlled treatment trial with an embedded stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled recruitment trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachana Parikh ◽  
Daniel Michelson ◽  
Kanika Malik ◽  
Sachin Shinde ◽  
Helen A. Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
School Based

Abstract Background Conduct, anxiety and depressive disorders account for over 75% of the adolescent mental health burden globally. The current protocol will test a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for school-going adolescents with common mental health problems in India. The protocol also tests the effects of a classroom-based sensitization intervention on the demand for counselling services in an embedded recruitment trial. Methods We will conduct a two-arm individually randomized controlled trial in six Government-run secondary schools in New Delhi. The targeted sample is 240 adolescents in grades 9-12 with persistent, elevated mental health symptoms and associated impact. Participants will receive either a brief problem-solving intervention delivered over 3 weeks by lay counsellors (intervention), or enhanced usual care comprised of problem-solving booklets (control). Self-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and idiographic problems will be assessed at 6 weeks (co-primary outcomes) and again at 12 weeks post-randomization. In addition, adolescent-reported impact of mental health difficulties, perceived stress, mental wellbeing and clinical remission, as well as parent-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and impact scores, will be assessed at 6 and 12 weeks post-randomization. We will also complete a parallel process evaluation, including estimations of the costs of delivering the interventions. An embedded recruitment trial will apply a stepped-wedge, cluster (class)-randomized controlled design in 70 classes across the six schools. This will evaluate the added impact of a classroom-based sensitization intervention over school-level recruitment sensitization activities on the primary outcome of referral rate into the host trial (i.e. the proportion of adolescents referred as a function of the total sampling frame in each condition of the embedded recruitment trial). Other outcomes will be the proportion of referrals eligible to participate in the host trial, proportion of self-generated referrals, and severity and pattern of symptoms among referred adolescents in each condition. Power calculations were undertaken separately for each trial. A detailed statistical analysis plan will be developed separately for each trial prior to unblinding. Discussion Both trials were initiated on 20 August 2018. A single research protocol for both trials offers a resource-efficient methodology for testing the effectiveness of linked procedures to enhance uptake and outcomes of a school-based psychological intervention for common adolescent mental health problems.

scholarly journals A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies comparing mental health before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Robinson ◽  
Angelina R. Sutin ◽  
Michael Daly ◽  
Andrew Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Mental Health Condition ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Over Time

AbstractBackgroundIncreases in mental health problems have been observed in some studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear whether changes have been large and experienced by most population sub-groups, persisted over time or been symptom specific.MethodsWe systematically reviewed and meta-analysed longitudinal cohort studies that examined changes in mental health among the same group of participants before and during the pandemic (PROSPERO: CRD42021231256). Searches for published and unpublished studies were conducted in January 2021. Changes in mental health (standardised mean change; SMC) were examined using meta-analyses.FindingsSixty-five studies were included. There was an overall increase in mental health symptoms that was most pronounced during March-April 2020 (SMC = .102 [95% CI: .026 to .192], p = 0.03) before significantly declining over time (May-July SMC = .067 [95% CI: -.022 to .157], p = .141). Compared to measures of anxiety (SMC = 0.13, p = 0.02) and general mental health (SMC = -.03, p = 0.65), increases in depression and mood disorder symptoms tended to be larger (SMC = 0.22, p < .001) and reductions over time appeared less pronounced. Increased mental health symptoms were observed across most population subgroups examined but there was no evidence of any change in symptoms among samples with a pre-existing mental health condition.InterpretationThere was a small increase in mental health symptoms soon after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that decreased and was comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020 among most population sub-groups and symptom types.FundingN/AResearch in contextEvidence before this studyThere have been reported increases in mental health problems during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear whether changes in mental health problems have been symptom specific, how changes have differed across populations and whether increased mental health problems have persisted over time. We systematically reviewed and meta-analysed longitudinal cohort studies that examined mental health among the same participants prior to and during the pandemic in 2020. This approach allowed us to quantify the mental health burden associated with the outbreak of the pandemic and how it has changed over time. We searched Pubmed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and PsychInfo from January 2020 to January 11, 2021 and identified eligible unpublished articles available on pre-print servers.Added value of this studyWe identified 65 eligible articles that reported 201 comparisons of mental health pre vs. post pandemic outbreak. Meta-analysis indicated that longitudinal cohort studies that examined mental health prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 showed a significant but statistically small increase in mental health symptoms. The overall increase in mental health symptoms was most pronounced during the early stages of the pandemic (March-April), before decreasing and being generally comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020.Compared to anxiety and general measures of mental health functioning, increases tended to be larger in depressive symptoms and although statistically small, remained elevated past the early stages of the pandemic. Increases in mental health symptoms were observed across most population sub-groups, but there was no evidence of a change in mental health symptoms among samples of participants with a pre-existing mental health condition.Implications of all the available evidenceFindings confirm that the initial outbreak of the pandemic was associated with a significant but statistically small increase in mental health symptoms. Given that small effects may have meaningful cumulative consequences at the population level, there is a need for continued mental health provision and monitoring particularly during periods of the pandemic when infection rates and deaths are high. Further into the pandemic, mental health problems decreased significantly, which indicated recovery and resilience in overall mental health. Contrary to predictions made early in the pandemic, there was also no evidence of a worsening of mental health symptoms among samples of participants with a pre-existing mental health condition. Overall the results of the present analyses suggest that the pandemic may not have caused an unprecedented and long lasting mental health crisis, instead there appears to have been resilience in mental health.

scholarly journals Young Adolescents’ Digital Technology Use and Mental Health Symptoms: Little Evidence of Longitudinal or Daily Linkages

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1416-1433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaeline Jensen ◽  
Madeleine J. George ◽  
Michael R. Russell ◽  
Candice L. Odgers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Initial Time ◽  
Young Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Increased Risk

This study examines whether 388 adolescents’ digital technology use is associated with mental-health symptoms during early adolescence to midadolescence. Adolescents completed an initial Time 1 (T1) assessment in 2015, followed by a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) via mobile phone in 2016–2017 that yielded 13,017 total observations over 5,270 study days. Adolescents’ T1 technology use did not predict later mental-health symptoms. Adolescents’ reported mental health was also not worse on days when they reported spending more versus less time on technology. Little was found to support daily quadratic associations (whereby adolescent mental health was worse on days with little or excessive use). Adolescents at higher risk for mental-health problems also exhibited no signs of increased risk for mental-health problems on higher technology use days. Findings from this EMA study do not support the narrative that young adolescents’ digital technology usage is associated with elevated mental-health symptoms.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for common adolescent mental health problems in New Delhi, India: protocol for a school-based, individually randomized controlled trial with an embedded stepped-wedge, cluster randomized controlled recruitment trial

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachana Parikh ◽  
Daniel Michelson ◽  
Kanika Malik ◽  
Sachin Shinde ◽  
Helen A. Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type

Abstract Background Conduct, anxiety, and depressive disorders account for over 75% of the adolescent mental health burden globally. The current protocol will test a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for school-going adolescents with common mental health problems in India. The protocol also tests the effects of a classroom-based sensitization intervention on the demand for counselling services in an embedded recruitment trial. Methods/design We will conduct a two-arm, individually randomized controlled trial in six Government-run secondary schools in New Delhi. The targeted sample is 240 adolescents in grades 9–12 with persistent, elevated mental health symptoms and associated distress/impairment. Participants will receive either a brief problem-solving intervention delivered over 3 weeks by lay counsellors (intervention) or enhanced usual care comprised of problem-solving booklets (control). Self-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and idiographic problems will be assessed at 6 weeks (co-primary outcomes) and again at 12 weeks post-randomization. In addition, adolescent-reported distress/impairment, perceived stress, mental wellbeing, and clinical remission, as well as parent-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and impact scores, will be assessed at 6 and 12 weeks post-randomization. We will also complete a parallel process evaluation, including estimations of the costs of delivering the interventions. An embedded recruitment trial will apply a stepped-wedge, cluster (class)-randomized controlled design in 70 classes across the six schools. This will evaluate the added effect of a classroom-based sensitization intervention over and above school-level sensitization activities on the primary outcome of referral rate into the host trial. Other outcomes will be the proportion of referrals eligible to participate in the host trial, proportion of self-generated referrals, and severity and pattern of symptoms among referred adolescents in each condition. Power calculations were undertaken separately for each trial. A detailed statistical analysis plan will be developed separately for each trial prior to unblinding. Discussion Both trials were initiated on 20 August 2018. A single research protocol for both trials offers a resource-efficient methodology for testing the effectiveness of linked procedures to enhance uptake and outcomes of a school-based psychological intervention for common adolescent mental health problems. Trial registration Both trials are registered prospectively with the National Institute of Health registry (www.clinicaltrials.gov), registration numbers NCT03633916 and NCT03630471, registered on 16th August, 2018 and 14th August, 2018 respectively).

Predictors of Mental Health Symptoms, Automatic Thoughts, and Self-Esteem Among University Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duygu Hiçdurmaz ◽  
Figen İnci ◽  
Sevilay Karahan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Automatic Thoughts ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

University youth is a risk group regarding mental health, and many mental health problems are frequent in this group. Sociodemographic factors such as level of income and familial factors such as relationship with father are reported to be associated with mental health symptoms, automatic thoughts, and self-esteem. Also, there are interrelations between mental health problems, automatic thoughts, and self-esteem. The extent of predictive effect of each of these variables on automatic thoughts, self-esteem, and mental health symptoms is not known. We aimed to determine the predictive factors of mental health symptoms, automatic thoughts, and self-esteem in university students. Participants were 530 students enrolled at a university in Turkey, during 2014–2015 academic year. Data were collected using the student information form, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Mental health symptoms, self-esteem, perception of the relationship with the father, and level of income as a student significantly predicted automatic thoughts. Automatic thoughts, mental health symptoms, participation in family decisions, and age had significant predictive effects on self-esteem. Finally, automatic thoughts, self-esteem, age, and perception of the relationship with the father had significant predictive effects on mental health symptoms. The predictive factors revealed in our study provide important information to practitioners and researchers by showing the elements that need to be screened for mental health of university students and issues that need to be included in counseling activities.

scholarly journals Postnatal Mental Health, Hand Washing Practices, and Infant Illness in Rural China

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Jiang ◽  
Nourya Cohen ◽  
Mika Ohtori ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
Qingzhi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Western China ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Stress Symptoms

Background: Maternal mental health problems play an important role in infant well-being. Although western countries have extensively studied the associations between maternal mental disorders, hygiene practices and infant health, little is known in developing settings. This study investigates the correlations between postnatal mental health problems, hand washing practices and infant illness in rural western China.Methods: A total of 720 mothers of infants aged 0–6 months from four poor counties in rural western China were included in the survey. Mental health symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Questions about infant illness and hand washing practices followed evaluative surveys from prior studies. Adjusted ordinary least squares regressions were used to examine correlations between postnatal mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) symptoms, hand washing practices, and infant illness outcomes.Results: Maternal depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were significantly associated with reduced hand washing overall and less frequent hand washing after cleaning the infant's bottom. Mental health symptoms were also associated with a higher probability of infants showing two or more illness symptoms and visiting a doctor for illness symptoms. Individual hand washing practices were not significantly associated with infant illness; however, a composite measure of hand washing practices was significantly associated with reduced probability of infant illness.Conclusion: Postnatal mental health problems are prevalent in rural China and significantly associated with infant illness. Policy makers and practitioners should investigate possible interventions to improve maternal and infant well-being.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Recidivism Among Incarcerated Youth: The Relationship Between Exposure to Childhood Trauma, Mental Health Status, and the Protective Effect of Mental Health Services in Juvenile Justice Settings

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie R. Yoder ◽  
Kelly Whitaker ◽  
Camille R. Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
Mental Health Screening ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms

Research suggests that youth involved the juvenile justice system have trauma histories that are two times higher than the general youth population. Juvenile justice-involved youth also have high rates of mental health symptoms. Fewer studies have examined how trauma links to mental health symptoms among youth offenders, and even less research focuses on how mental health status and service delivery can impact their perceived likelihood for success. This study examines the effects of mental health screening and service delivery on perceived future criminal justice interactions— arrest and incarceration—among adjudicated youth (n=7,073) housed in correctional facilities. Secondary data were used to examine trauma histories, mental health needs, and mental health screening and service delivery. Significant relationships between traumatic events and mental health problems were found, along with relationships between mental health problems and mental health screening and service delivery. Most interestingly, results pointed to the strong inverse relationship between mental health service delivery and youth’s perceived likelihood for recidivism. These findings show the promise of juvenile justice systems appropriately responding to the mental health concerns of youth. 

scholarly journals Mental health and its association with coping strategies and intolerance of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic among the general population in Saudi Arabia: cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad N. AlHadi ◽  
Mohammed A. Alarabi ◽  
Khulood M. AlMansoor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Symptoms

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s lives globally. The outbreak in Saudi Arabia worsened when the number of cases and deaths rose in March and April of 2020, leading to a national lockdown. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with mental health symptoms in a sample of people residing in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey distributed via social media, completed by 3032 respondents from all Saudi regions. We collected demographic data, illness history, and scores of validated self-report scales to assess mental health symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping strategies. Results In total, respondents indicated moderate to very severe symptoms during the pandemic as follows: 20.9% for depression, 17.5% for anxiety, and 12.6% for stress. Younger age, female gender, and history of mental illness were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Intolerance of uncertainty and certain coping strategies (such as denial or self-blame) were associated with more severe symptoms. Conclusions Mental health is a key concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for the identified vulnerable groups. Agencies concerned with mental health during crises may use the studied associated factors of mental health symptoms to generate targeted policies or interventions.

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