scholarly journals The quality of research on mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: A note of caution after a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Nieto ◽  
JUAN FRANCISCO NAVAS ◽  
Carmelo Vazquez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Mental Health Effects ◽  
A Priori Power Analysis

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has spurred scientific production in diverse fieldsof knowledge, including mental health. Yet, the quality of current research may bechallenged by the urgent need to provide immediate results to understand and alleviatethe consequences of the pandemic. This systematic review aims to examine compliancewith basic methodological quality criteria and open science practices on the mental healtheffects of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A systematic search was performed using PubMed and Scopus databases onthe 13th of May. Empirical studies, published in peer-reviewed journals in English,between February and May 2020, were included. The dependent variable(s) required tobe quantitative and related to mental health. Exclusion criteria included clinicalpharmacological trials, and studies using psychophysiological or biological recordings.The study protocol was previously pre-registered in https://osf.io/bk3gw/.Findings: Twenty-eight studies were identified. More than 75% met the requirementsrelated to reporting key methodological and statistical information. However, 89.3% usedconvenience samples and 92.86% lacked of a priori power analysis. There was lowcompliance with open science recommendations, such as pre-registration of studies (0%)and availability of databases (3.57%), which raise concerns about the validity,generalisability, and reproducibility of the findings.Interpretation: While the importance of offering rapid evidence-based responses tomitigate mental health problems stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic is undeniable,it should not be done at the expense of sacrificing scientific rigor. The results of this studymay stimulate researchers and funding agencies to try to orchestrate efforts and resourcesand follow standard codes of good science.

scholarly journals Bibliotherapy as a Non-pharmaceutical Intervention to Enhance Mental Health in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review and Bioethical Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Monroy-Fraustro ◽  
Isaac Maldonado-Castellanos ◽  
Mónica Aboites-Molina ◽  
Susana Rodríguez ◽  
Perla Sueiras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Road Maps

Background: A non-pharmaceutical treatment offered as psychological support is bibliotherapy, which can be described as the process of reading, reflecting, and discussing literature to further a cognitive shift. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demands a response to prevent a peak in the prevalence of mental health problems and to avoid the collapse of mental health services, which are scarce and inaccessible due to the pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to review articles on the effectiveness of bibliotherapy on different mental health problems.Methods: A systematic review was conducted to examine relevant studies that assess the effectiveness of bibliotherapy in different clinical settings as a treatment capable of enhancing a sense of purpose and its surrounding values. To achieve this, a systematic review, including a bioethical meta-analysis, was performed. A variant of the PICO (Participants, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) model was used for the search strategy, and the systematic review was conducted in three databases: PubMed, Bireme, and OVID. Inclusion criteria were relevant studies that included the keywords, excluding documents with irrelevant topics, studies on subjects 15 years or younger, and in languages besides Spanish or English. Starting with 707 studies, after three rounds of different quality criteria, 13 articles were selected for analysis, including a hermeneutic analysis, which was followed by a fourth and final recovery round assessing bibliotherapy articles concerning healthcare workers.Results: Our findings showed that through bibliotherapy, patients developed several capacities, including the re-signification of their own activities through a new outlook of their moral horizon. There are no research road maps serving as guides to conduct research on the use of bibliotherapy to enhance mental health. Additionally, values such as autonomy and justice were closely linked with positive results in bibliotherapy. This implies that bibliotherapy has the potential to have a positive impact in different settings.Conclusions: Our contribution is to offer a road map that presents state-of-the-art bibliotherapy research, which will assist institutions and healthcare professionals to plan clinical and specific interventions with positive outcomes.

scholarly journals Instruments to assess quality of life in people with mental health problems: a systematic review and dimension analysis of generic, domain- and disease-specific instruments

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. W. van Krugten ◽  
K. Feskens ◽  
J. J. V. Busschbach ◽  
L. Hakkaart-van Roijen ◽  
W. B. F. Brouwer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Quality Of Life Instruments

Abstract Objectives The importance of economic evaluations of mental healthcare interventions is increasingly recognized. Despite the multitude of available quality of life instruments, concerns have been raised regarding the content validity of these instruments, and hence suitability for use in mental health. The aim of this paper, therefore, was to assess the content validity and the suitability of existing quality of life instruments for use in economic evaluations in mental health problems. Methods In order to identify available quality of life instruments used in people with mental health problems, a systematic review was performed using the Embase, Medline and PsycINFO databases (time period January 2012 to January 2018). Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and executed data extraction. The evaluation framework of Connell and colleagues was used to assess whether the identified quality of life instruments cover the dimensions valued highly by people with mental health problems. Two reviewers independently mapped the content of each identified instrument onto the evaluation framework and indicated the extent to which the instrument covered each of the dimensions of the evaluation framework. Results Searches of databases yielded a total of 5727 references. Following duplicate removal and double-independent screening, 949 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. A total of 44 unique quality of life instruments were identified, of which 12 were adapted versions of original instruments. The best coverage of the dimensions of the evaluation framework of Connell and colleagues was by the WHOQOL-100, S-QoL, SQLS, EDQoL, QLI and the IMHQOL, but none fully covered all dimensions of the evaluation framework. Conclusions The results of this study highlight the multitude of available quality of life instruments used in people with mental health problems and indicate that none of the available quality of life instruments fully cover the dimensions previously found to be important in people with mental health problems. Future research should explore the possibilities of refining or expanding existing instruments as well as the development and testing of new quality of life instruments to ensure that all relevant quality of life dimensions for people with mental health problems are covered in evaluations.

scholarly journals Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (14) ◽  
pp. 2393-2400 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Freeman ◽  
S. Reeve ◽  
A. Robinson ◽  
A. Ehlers ◽  
D. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Substance Related Disorders ◽  
Problematic Situations

Mental health problems are inseparable from the environment. With virtual reality (VR), computer-generated interactive environments, individuals can repeatedly experience their problematic situations and be taught, via evidence-based psychological treatments, how to overcome difficulties. VR is moving out of specialist laboratories. Our central aim was to describe the potential of VR in mental health, including a consideration of the first 20 years of applications. A systematic review of empirical studies was conducted. In all, 285 studies were identified, with 86 concerning assessment, 45 theory development, and 154 treatment. The main disorders researched were anxiety (n = 192), schizophrenia (n = 44), substance-related disorders (n = 22) and eating disorders (n = 18). There are pioneering early studies, but the methodological quality of studies was generally low. The gaps in meaningful applications to mental health are extensive. The most established finding is that VR exposure-based treatments can reduce anxiety disorders, but there are numerous research and treatment avenues of promise. VR was found to be a much-misused term, often applied to non-interactive and non-immersive technologies. We conclude that VR has the potential to transform the assessment, understanding and treatment of mental health problems. The treatment possibilities will only be realized if – with the user experience at the heart of design – the best immersive VR technology is combined with targeted translational interventions. The capability of VR to simulate reality could greatly increase access to psychological therapies, while treatment outcomes could be enhanced by the technology's ability to create new realities. VR may merit the level of attention given to neuroimaging.

scholarly journals The impact of childhood psychological maltreatment on mental health outcomes in adulthood: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuoni Xiao ◽  
Mina Murat Baldwin ◽  
Franziska Meinck ◽  
Ingrid Obsuth ◽  
Aja Louise Murray
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Maltreatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Research suggests that childhood psychological maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse and emotional neglect) is associated with mental health problems that persist into adulthood, for example anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and aggression; however, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature would help clarify the magnitude and moderators of these associations, and the extent to which they may be affected by publication bias, as well as the methodological strengths and weakness of studies in this area. Method The reporting of this protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) Statement. Searches will be carried out via several databases, including Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Applied Social Science Index and Abstract, ERIC and EMBASE. Empirical peer-reviewed research articles that fit pre-specified eligibility criteria will be included in the review. Studies will be eligible if they include participants age 18 or over at time of mental health assessment, include information on childhood psychological maltreatment (emotional abuse and/or neglect) perpetrated by a primary caregiver or adult in the same household, and provide quantitative information on the association between these factors. Studies using prospective and retrospective designs and written in either English or Chinese will be eligible. Two independent reviewers will screen and assess studies for inclusion in the review as well as extract the data, with consensus reached through discussion in cases of discrepancy. A third reviewer will be consulted to resolve any discrepancies that remain. The relevant Newcastle–Ottawa scales will be used for assessing the quality of studies. If a sufficient number of comparable studies are retrieved, a meta-analysis will be conducted using a random effects model. Study-level moderators (i.e., year of publication, quality of the study and study geographical location) will be examined in the meta-analyses. Discussion This systematic review will provide an understanding of the long-term effects of childhood psychological maltreatment on adult mental health, which adds to previous reviews focusing primarily on the effects of physical and sexual abuse. The results of the review will help inform clinical practice in approaches to treating those with a history of psychological maltreatment in childhood. The gaps and weaknesses in the evidence identified will also inform recommendations for future research.

Mental health and the settings of housing support – a systematic review and conceptual model

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Burgoyne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Housing ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Main Determinants

Purpose – The purpose of this qualitative systematic review is to examine how the nature and quality of housing affect adults receiving support for mental health problems, focusing on the less considered structural aspects of housing. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic search identified relevant research. Data consisting exclusively of service-user testimony was taken from seven studies based in varied types of accommodation in England. A synthesis was carried out using thematic analysis, and a conceptual model developed based on the themes identified from the data. A literature review examines the context, with relevant material drawn from a variety of disciplines and professions. Findings – There were three main determinants of whether housing was a setting that enabled users to benefit from support and enjoy a good quality of life – “autonomy”, “domain”, and “facilitation”. Secondary themes influenced these primary themes, or described respondents’ condition or feelings in relation to their housing situation. The “Tripod Model” illustrates the relationships between these themes. Research limitations/implications – Applying systematic review methods to qualitative material proved contentious and challenging. The model produced is a hypothesis based on limited data and requiring further investigation. Practical implications – The findings suggest that a balance is required to increase the chances of successful and sustainable housing outcomes for service-users. Originality/value – The model enables a holistic understanding of issues affecting service-users, and the interdependent nature of these. It offers a new typology based on a synthesis of data drawn from a spectrum of accommodation, which gives it a breadth a single piece of research could not encompass.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Individual Mental Health Interventions for Depressive, Anxiety and Conduct Disorder Symptoms in School Environment for Adolescents Aged 12–18—A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Karukivi ◽  
Outi Herrala ◽  
Elina Säteri ◽  
Anna Tornivuori ◽  
Sanna Salanterä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Background: Mental health problems are a major health issue for children and adolescents around the world. The school environment allows adolescents to be reached comprehensively and on a low threshold, making it a potential environment for mental health interventions. The aim of this review was to describe interventions delivered by health-care workers in school environment for individual adolescents aged 12–18 with mental health problems and to assess the effectiveness of these interventions.Methods: This systematic review was conducted in adherence with the PRISMA guidelines. Altogether 349 studies were screened and 24 of them were included in full text assessment. Eight studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Only in three studies the intervention was compared to another intervention or the study setting included a control group. Five of the interventions were based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and three on other approaches. In seven studies, one of the main response variables was based on assessment of depressive symptoms and/or a depressive disorder. The quality of the studies was limited with notable risk for bias for some studies.Results: Based on reported symptom reductions, for most of the interventions, the results were good. Symptom reductions were also typically achieved in a rather low number of sessions (12 or less) supporting the feasibility of these type of interventions in school environment. However, the lack of use of control groups and actual comparisons between the interventions, limit the possibility to draw firm conclusions regarding their effectiveness and thus, the results should be interpreted with caution. Confirming the effectiveness of the studied interventions requires more robust evidence and thus, improving the quality of studies in the school environment is encouraged.

scholarly journals Content and quality of workplace guidelines developed to prevent mental health problems: results from a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Andersen Nexø ◽  
Josefine Vejlby Kristensen ◽  
Majbritt Thorhauge Grønvad ◽  
Jesper Kristiansen ◽  
Otto Melchior Poulsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems
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