scholarly journals Mental Health Among School-Going Adolescents in Greater London: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmaa Al-Zawaadi ◽  
Iman Hesso ◽  
Reem Kayyali

Objectives: Mental health problems are among the leading causes of health-related disability among children and adolescents worldwide. However, there is still a global challenge in terms of gathering consistent epidemiological information about the issue. The present study was designed to describe various mental health issues and factors associated with negative feelings among adolescents in Greater London.Methods: This is a cross sectional study, using a self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = 0.742). A convenience sampling strategy was used to recruit participants who were school/college-attending adolescents, aged 11–19. A minimum sample size of 199 was required (95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error, and 15.3% population proportion). The study was conducted between February and April 2016 in Greater London. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including chi square, Spearman correlation, and binary logistic regression were used to identify the key findings. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v21.Results: A total of 526 out of 1,920 surveys were collected across 18 secondary schools and two colleges, giving a response rate of 27.4%. More than half of the adolescents reported to be either neutral (41.4%), sad (7.8%), or very sad (2.8%), whereas 48% reported to be either happy (35%) or very happy (13%). Difficulties in relationships and hectic schedules were among the most stressful situations affecting adolescents' mental health. Discrimination was identified as the main predicting factor with five-fold increase in odds of having negative mental health symptomatology. Other significant risk factors identified were age, gender, smoking, and health comorbidities.Conclusion: Discrimination was identified as the most predictive factor influencing negative symptomatology among the study cohort. The study had several limitations, most notably the use of a non-validated surrogate measure for mental health, in addition to the exclusion of adolescents aged 10–11 years, school/college dropouts and non-school-going adolescents. A similar study on a national scale is highly recommended to determine the real magnitude of the problem, which would be the starting point toward proper tackling of mental health issues and associated complexities among the adolescent population across England.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Akour ◽  
Shiraz Halloush ◽  
Mohammad Nusair ◽  
Muna Barakat ◽  
Fatima Abdulla ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are usually underdiagnosed and undertreated. Medications are one primary modality in the management of mental health problems. Hence, pharmacists have a vital role in supporting patients regarding medications’ efficacy and safety. However, the potential role of pharmacists in managing mental health issues in Jordan has not been well established. Aim This study aimed at assessing attitudes and actual practices of Jordanian pharmacists regarding providing mental health services. Method: This was a cross-sectional study that used a convenience sample of 347 pharmacists using a self-reported-based questionnaire, which took place in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Results Participating pharmacists had a positive attitude towards providing care for patients with mental health problems. However, their actual practice did not resonate with their enthusiasm, especially when it comes to long-term follow-up of disease symptom, medications’ side effects and adherence. Pharmacists were eager to collaborate with their colleagues, but the level of actual cooperation was less than desired. The most commonly reported barrier was the lack of education on mental health issues (71.5%), followed by lack of privacy in the pharmacy settings (53.9%). To effectively involve pharmacist in the care of mental health patients, pharmacists should receive adequate education/training in the mental health topics, and pharmacies should be redesigned to provide a private area for patient counseling. Conclusion To effectively involve pharmacist in the care of mental health patients, pharmacists should receive adequate education/training in the mental health topics, and pharmacies should be redesigned to provide a private area for patient counseling.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo Mountjoy ◽  
Astrid Junge ◽  
Christer Magnusson ◽  
Farhad Moradi Shahpar ◽  
Edgar Ivan Ortiz Lizcano ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the mental health and experience of sport-related harassment and abuse of athletes participating in the FINA World Championships 2019, and to analyse it in relation to gender and the aquatic disciplines. Design: Cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire. Methods: During the Championships, registered athletes (swimmers, divers, high divers, water polo players, artistic swimmers, open-water swimmers) completed a survey including the main outcome measures of depression (CES-D-10), eating disorders (BEDA-Q), the subjective need for psychotherapeutic support, and the experience of harassment and/or abuse in their sports environment. Results: A quarter of the athletes (n=62, 24.6%) were classified as depressed and more than a third (n=111, 35.0%) as having an eating disorder. More than 40% of the athletes stated that they wanted or needed psychotherapeutic support for mental health problems. Fifty-one athletes (14.9%) had experienced harassment/abuse in sport themselves, and 31 (9%) had witnessed it in another athlete. The experiences of harassment and abuse ranged from unwanted comments about body or appearance (40.2%) to rewards in sport for sexual favours (2.5%) and rape (0.3%). Athletes who had experienced harassment/abuse in sport themselves had higher average scores for depression and eating disorders, and more of them needed psychotherapeutic support. Up to a third would not talk to anybody if they saw or experienced harassment/abuse, and less than 20% would talk to an official for help. Conclusion: Targeted initiatives are required to address the burden of mental health issues and harassment and abuse in sport in the FINA aquatic disciplines.


2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412098444
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Bert ◽  
Maria Ferrara ◽  
Edoardo Boietti ◽  
Elisa Langiano ◽  
Armando Savatteri ◽  
...  

Mental health issues are common among university students. Nevertheless, few studies focused on Italian students. This study aimed to assess prevalence and associated factors of perceived stress (PS), depressive symptoms (DS) and suicidal ideation (SI) in an Italian sample. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst a convenience sample of students in humanities field (2018). Questionnaires were self-administered. Outcomes were assessed through Beck Depression Inventory-II (DS, SI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PS). Multivariable regressions were performed (p-value < 0.05 significant; sample size = 203). DS and SI prevalence was 30.6% and 8.8%. PS median score was 20 (IQR = 11), 87.7% reported moderate/severe PS. DS likelihood was increased by psychiatric disorders family history and not attending first year of course and decreased by not thinking that university hinders personal activities. Chronic disease and higher stress score increased SI probability; good/excellent family cohesion reduced it. Being female, thinking that university hinders resting/relaxing, seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist were positively associated with PS; having no worries about future was negatively associated. A high prevalence of mental health issues was reported, with miscellaneous associated factors that were linked to both private and social aspects. Universities must be aware of this to provide efficient preventive measures.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258105
Author(s):  
Hubert Amu ◽  
Eric Osei ◽  
Philip Kofie ◽  
Richard Owusu ◽  
Samuel Adolf Bosoka ◽  
...  

Introduction Over the past two decades, there have been several global interventions including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at improving health outcomes. Despite efforts by countries to achieve the SDG targets, mental health challenges remain major public health concerns globally. We examined the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress as well as the comorbidities of these mental health issues among adults. Materials and methods This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 2456 adults in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana using data from the UHAS-Yonsei University Partnership Project. We analysed the data using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation, and binary logistic regression. Results Overall, 51.8% of the participants had at least one of the mental health issues examined. The prevalence of a mental health issue was 25.2%, 53.3%, and 9.7% for depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. Participants constituting 8.3% experienced all three mental health issues as comorbidities. Participants’ level of formal education and income significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and stress respectively at the multivariable level. Adults with a tertiary level of education were, for instance, 68% (AOR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.15–0.66), 65% (AOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.17–0.73), and 50% (AOR = 0.50, 95%CI = 0.33–0.76) less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively compared with those who had no formal education. Conclusion The majority of our study participants either experienced depression, anxiety, or stress. There were quite high comorbidities of the mental health issues among the adult population. To accelerate progress towards the achievement of SDG 3.4 target of promoting mental health and wellbeing for all by the year 2030, there is a need for effective implementation of the country’s 2012 Mental Health Act which makes provisions for the establishment of a Mental Health Fund. This could improve the financial circumstances of indigenes as income has been realised in the present study as an important factor influencing depression, anxiety, and stress among the adult population.


Author(s):  
Ruth D Neill ◽  
Carolyn Blair ◽  
Paul Best ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Cherie Armour

Abstract Aim As individuals adjust to new ‘norms’ and ways of living during the COVID-19 lockdown, there is a continuing need for up-to-date information and guidance. Evidence suggests that frequent media exposure is related to a higher prevalence of mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to determine whether COVID-19 related media consumption is associated with changes in mental health outcomes. Methods This paper presents baseline data from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study. The cross-sectional study data was collected using an online survey following the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with some other basic information collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of socio-demographic and media specific factors on anxiety and depression. Results The study suggested that media usage is statistically significantly associated with anxiety and depression on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales with excessive media exposure related to higher anxiety and depression scores. Conclusion This study indicated that higher media consumption was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Worldwide it should be acknowledged that excessive media consumption, particularly social media relating to COVID-19, can have an effect on mental health. However, as this was a cross-sectional study we cannot infer any directionality as we cannot infer cause and effect; therefore, future research involving longitudinal data collection and analyses of variables over time is warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Mehreen Zahid

BACKGROUND AND AIM Smartphones have become an essential tool now days that impact psychologically as well as physically to the user. This study rules out smartphone excess usage and its addiction amongst pupil from Colleges of Rehabilitation Sciences METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted on 260 medical students out of which 50 dropped out later. Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) was used to assess the level of smartphone addiction amongst these individuals. RESULTS The statistical value of mean is 1.48 for both the genders whereas the statistical value of mean for age ranging from 20-25 years is 21.7 and the standard deviation is 0.50 for gender and 1.38 for the included age group. Only 7 participants (3.3%) were found to have low smartphone addiction level, 108 participants (51.4%) to be moderately addicted and 95 participants (45.2%) to have higher addiction. CONCLUSION The excessive use of smartphone was significant among the individuals aged 22 years and more specifically the more males than the females were found to be more addicted by smartphone. Our findings may help in the development of policies and guidelines which should be followed by the students to improve their quality of life and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.


Author(s):  
Hari Krishnan R. ◽  
Hanitha Rajasekar ◽  
Suganthi S.

Background: The whole world became still, when a major pandemic COVID-19 started its toll across all developed and developing countries. It has caused both physical and emotional disturbances among all age groups. This study was done to evaluate the parental mental health in COVID-19 as this group is not given much importance. The major mental health problems associated with COVID-19 among parents are due to online classes which has caused depression, anxiety and stress.Methods: A cross-sectional study done among all parents, especially those of whose children are attending online class were included in the study. Convenient sampling was used to select 204 participants, GHQ 12 questionnaire was used for data collection on mental health status among parents.Results: Overall prevalence of parents with better mental health <19 was 108 (52.9%) and prevalence of parents with poor mental health >19 was 96 (47.1%).Conclusions: This study concluded that parental age of 31 to 40 years who are employed and have children studying in primary school to have a poor mental health status. The most important contributing factors for poor parental health were online classes for children and work place stress.


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