Snapshot of a social movement: mental health and protest classes in Hong Kong

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.31234/osf.io/hkf3p ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adrienne Wing Yee Li ◽

Wai Ho CHAK ◽

Kenneth S.L. Yuen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Latent Class ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Class Differences ◽

Potentially Traumatic Events ◽

Political Views ◽

Tear Gas

Background: Popular protests have broken out in worldwide, particularly in the last few years. In 2019, numerous demonstrations against an extradition bill occurred in Hong Kong until pandemic restrictions were imposed. The policing response relied heavily on methods such as batons, tear gas and rubber bullets. Given the relevance for other geographical contexts, the current study investigated the mental health impacts on protest participants and spillover to community members.Methods: Surveys were disseminated on social media in August and October 2019 to collect demographics, political views, protest participation, exposure to (protest-related) potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and mental health symptoms. A latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted using demographic data and inter-class differences in PTEs and mental health symptoms were examined.Results: There were 37,541 (59.8% female) and 40,703 (50.0% female) responses in August and October. Respondents, even those with low participation, reported significant levels of depression, anxiety, and symptoms of traumatic stress (STS). The LCA suggested a 5-class solution (youth, allies, supporters, sympathizers, and frontliners). Mental health symptoms and PTEs varied with class membership, with 50.8% of frontliners reporting severe STS.Limitations: The non-random sampling and self-reported measures may over-estimate the prevalence of mental distress in the wider population.Conclusions: Large numbers of pro-democracy supporters in Hong Kong reported high rates of depression, anxiety and STS during mass protests. Younger and more heavily involved respondents faced the highest mental health risks, however elevated rates were also observed for respondents with low participation.

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The 12-month prevalence of psychotic experiences and their association with clinical outcomes in Hong Kong: an epidemiological and a 2-year follow up studies

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291720001452 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sherry Kit Wa Chan ◽

Kaspar Kit Wai Lee ◽

Veronica Hei Yan Chan ◽

Herbert H. Pang ◽

Corine Sau Man Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Chinese Population ◽

Latent Class ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Psychotic Experiences ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background The relationship between the subtypes of psychotic experiences (PEs) and common mental health symptoms remains unclear. The current study aims to establish the 12-month prevalence of PEs in a representative sample of community-dwelling Chinese population in Hong Kong and explore the relationship of types of PEs and common mental health symptoms. Method This is a population-based two-phase household survey of Chinese population in Hong Kong aged 16–75 (N = 5719) conducted between 2010 and 2013 and a 2-year follow-up study of PEs positive subjects (N = 152). PEs were measured with Psychosis Screening Questionnaire (PSQ) and subjects who endorsed any item on the PSQ without a clinical diagnosis of psychotic disorder were considered as PE-positive. Types of PEs were characterized using a number of PEs (single v. multiple) and latent class analysis. All PE-positive subjects were assessed with common mental health symptoms and suicidal ideations at baseline and 2-year follow-up. PE status was also assessed at 2-year follow-up. Results The 12-month prevalence of PEs in Hong Kong was 2.7% with 21.1% had multiple PEs. Three latent classes of PEs were identified: hallucination, paranoia and mixed. Multiple PEs and hallucination latent class of PEs were associated with higher levels of common mental health symptoms. PE persistent rate at 2-year follow-up was 15.1%. Multiple PEs was associated with poorer mental health at 2-year follow-up. Conclusions Results highlighted the transient and heterogeneous nature of PEs, and that multiple PEs and hallucination subtype of PEs may be specific indices of poorer common mental health.

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Patterns of Trauma Exposure, Emotion Dysregulation, and Mental Health Symptoms: A Latent Class Analysis

Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma ◽

10.1080/10926771.2021.1970673 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Zoe Bridges-Curry ◽

Tamara L. Newton

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Latent Class ◽

Trauma Exposure ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms

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“Dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events” “A cross-sectional study based on the Tromsø Study: Tromsø 7”

10.21203/rs.3.rs-426613/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hege Nermo ◽

Tiril Willumsen ◽

Kamilla Rognmo ◽

Jens Thimm ◽

Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Anxiety ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Potentially Traumatic Events ◽

Traumatic Life Events

Abstract Background The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of high dental anxiety and the possible associations between dental anxiety and potentially traumatic life events in an adult population.Method The study is based on cross-sectional questionnaire data from the 7th wave of the Tromsø Study, a study of the adult general population in the municipality of Tromsø carried out in 2015–2016. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety across potentially traumatic events, oral health, dental attendance (avoidance) and current mental health symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist). Individuals with high and low dental anxiety scores were compared to investigate differences in the distribution of potentially traumatic events, current mental health symptoms, avoidance, sex and oral health, and hierarchical multivariable regression was used to study the influence of traumatic events on dental anxiety.Results High dental anxiety was reported by 2.9% of the sample and was most prevalent among women and in the youngest age groups. Individuals with high dental anxiety reported more current mental health symptoms, and they were more likely to report poorer oral health and more irregular dental visits compared to individuals with no or lower dental anxiety scores. Concerning traumatic life events, the reporting of painful or frightening dental treatment showed the biggest difference between those with high dental anxiety and low dental anxiety scores (a moderate effect). The hierarchical regression model indicated that reporting sexual abuse, traumatic medical treatment in hospital and childhood neglect significantly predicted dental anxiety in the step they were entered in, but only sexual abuse remained a significant individual contributor after controlling for current mental health symptoms.Conclusions The prevalence of high dental anxiety was lower than expected (2.9%), but dentally anxious individuals expressed a high burden of mental health symptoms, poor oral health and the avoidance of dental care. The regression analysis indicated that experiences with sexual abuse can also affect dental anxiety levels in the absence of generalised symptoms of anxiety and depression.

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Factors Associated With Mental Health Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.617397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sheng Zhi Zhao ◽

Tzu Tsun Luk ◽

Yongda Wu ◽

Xue Weng ◽

Janet Yuen Ha Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Population Distribution ◽

Drinking Behavior ◽

Dual Frame ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Negative Perceptions

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing mental health burden. We examined the factors associated with mental health symptoms in Chinese general adults in Hong Kong.Methods: We conducted a dual-frame (landline and mobile) survey on Chinese adults aged 18 years or older in April 2020. Shortage of preventive materials, perceptions of the outbreak (each item range 1–5), and reduction in income were assessed. Mental health symptoms measured included stress (Perceived Stress Scale-4, range 0–16), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2, range 0–6, cutoff >2), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, range 0–6, cutoff >2). Results were weighted by the general population distribution. Associations were analyzed by multivariable linear (for stress) and logistic (for anxiety and depressive symptoms) regression adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, including confirmed or in close contacts of confirmed cases, chronic disease, self-rated health, and smoking and alcohol drinking behavior.Results: Of the 1,501 participants (52.5% female, 55.0 aged 30–59 years), the average stress score was 7.20 (SD 2.12). 218 (15.8%) and 206 (14.8%) participants had anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Shortage in facemasks (20.8%), alcohol-based hand sanitizers (13.9%), and cleaning products (7.3%) was reported. Participants generally disagree with the perception of at risk of getting infected in the coming 6 months (mean 2.2, SD 1.1), but tended to agree with the perception of worry that the people around pose a threat to them (mean 3.6, SD 0.9) and the outbreak has greatly affected their daily life (mean 3.7, SD 0.9). 59.3% employed participants had income reduction and 6.2% had become unemployed since the outbreak. Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were more prevalent in those with shortages of preventive materials and negative perceptions of the outbreak (all P < 0.05). Reduction in income and unemployment were associated with more mental health symptoms (all P < 0.05).Conclusions: Shortage of preventive materials, negative perceptions, financial loss, and unemployment were prevalent during the outbreak and found in association with higher stress and more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Further research and urgent actions are warranted to relieve stress and promote mental health, targeting the many risk factors identified by our study.

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Dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events: a cross-sectional study based on the Tromsø Study—Tromsø 7

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01968-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hege Nermo ◽

Tiril Willumsen ◽

Kamilla Rognmo ◽

Jens C. Thimm ◽

Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Dental Anxiety ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Potentially Traumatic Events

Abstract Objective The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of dental anxiety and the possible associations between dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events in an adult population. Method The study is based on cross-sectional questionnaire data from the 7th wave of the Tromsø Study, a study of the adult general population in the municipality of Tromsø carried out in 2015–2016. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety across potentially traumatic events, oral health, dental attendance (avoidance) and current mental health symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist). Individuals with high and low dental anxiety scores were compared to investigate differences in the distribution of potentially traumatic events, current mental health symptoms, avoidance, sex and oral health, and hierarchical multivariable regression was used to study the influence of traumatic events on dental anxiety. Results High dental anxiety was reported by 2.9% of the sample and was most prevalent among females and in the youngest age groups. Individuals with high dental anxiety reported more current mental health symptoms, and they were more likely to report poorer oral health and more irregular dental visits compared to individuals with no or lower dental anxiety scores. Concerning traumatic events, the reporting of painful or frightening dental treatment showed the biggest difference between those with high dental anxiety and low dental anxiety scores (a moderate effect). The hierarchical regression model indicated that reporting sexual abuse, traumatic medical treatment in hospital and childhood neglect significantly predicted dental anxiety in the step they were entered in, but only sexual abuse remained a significant individual contributor after controlling for current mental health symptoms. Conclusions The prevalence of high dental anxiety was lower than expected (2.9%), but dentally anxious individuals expressed a high burden of mental health symptoms, poor oral health and the avoidance of dental care. The regression analysis indicated that experiences with sexual abuse could affect dental anxiety levels in the absence of generalised symptoms of anxiety and depression.

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Childhood adversities and mental health outcomes: Does the perception or age of the event matter?

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579420000048 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Sonya Negriff

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Latent Class ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Childhood Adversities ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Adverse Experiences ◽

Sum Score ◽

The Individual

Abstract The current study extends knowledge regarding the individual contribution of different adverse experiences to mental health symptoms in late adolescence by including the perception of how upsetting each experience was to the adolescent and the age at the first occurrence. We also sought to move beyond sum scores of adverse experiences by using a person-centered approach to classifying individuals with similar co-occurrence of adversities. The data came from a longitudinal study of maltreatment on adolescent development (N = 454). Self-reported childhood adversities were assessed at Wave 4 (average of 7 years postbaseline) and examined with respect to current mental health symptoms (depression, PTSD, anxiety, and externalizing). Although the adversity sum score was a potent predictor of all mental health outcomes, the results indicated that the use of a sum score obscures information about the importance of individual adversities. Additionally, the influence of age of occurrence varied based on the adversity and outcome, while the perception of the event did not add much unique variance. Finally, the latent class analyses provided unique information about the patterns of co-occurring adversity in this sample, and that membership in either of the multiple-adversity classes was associated with more mental health symptoms.

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