scholarly journals New Insights Into the Relationship Between Drought and Mental Health Emerging From the Australian Rural Mental Health Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuyen T. Luong ◽  
Tonelle Handley ◽  
Emma K. Austin ◽  
Anthony S. Kiem ◽  
Jane L. Rich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Rural Mental Health ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Effects Of Drought ◽  
Mental Health Study

While it is recognized that drought affects mental health, few population-based longitudinal studies quantify this relationship. In this study, we investigate the effects of drought on mental health in a rural population, and how these effects change with continued exposure to drought conditions. Using a panel dataset consisting of 6,519 observations from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study, we found a non-linear (inverted U-shape) relationship between drought exposure and mental health. Specifically, people experienced an increase of psychological distress for the first 2.5–3 years of drought, after which time this distress dissipates. These effects were maintained after controlling for demographic, social, and environmental factors. We also found that while psychological distress decreases in the later stages of drought, this does not necessarily mean people have good mental health because, for example, factors such as life satisfaction decreased as drought persisted. This is important as it highlights the need for sustained support to mitigate the long-term effects of drought on mental health that persist after the drought has apparently finished.

scholarly journals Effect of workplace infection control practices on workers' psychological distress: a large-scale cohort study during the COVID-19 second state of emergency in Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyohiko Kodama ◽  
Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
Ayako Hino ◽  
Mayumi Tsuji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Leave Of Absence ◽  
Employee Mental Health

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically transformed the work environment and work practices worldwide. Long-term infection control practices may increase the psychological stress on workers, and conversely, inadequate infection control practices at the working place may increase the fear of infection. This study aimed to determine the relationship between infection control practices at the workplace and employee mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Methods: This study was conducted in December 2020 and February 2021. The participants had undergone a preliminary survey, which revealed that they were in good mental health. Their psychological distress was investigated via a second survey, and the factors associated with distress were studied using a logistic model. Results: The results of the second survey indicated that 15.1% of participants demonstrated psychological distress. This was associated with leave-of-absence instructions, instructions for shortening business hours, and requests to avoid the workplace in case of any symptoms. Conclusion: The study found that while some infection control practices reduce workers' distress, others worsen it. Employers need to consider infection control practices as well as the worsening mental health of employees following a decrease in income caused by such measures. Follow-up studies may be necessary to clarify the long-term effects on workers' mental health.

Mental health and well-being within rural communities: The Australian Rural Mental Health Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Kelly ◽  
Helen J. Stain ◽  
Clare Coleman ◽  
David Perkins ◽  
Lyn Fragar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rural Mental Health ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Mental Health Study ◽  
Health And Well Being

Drought‐related stress among farmers: findings from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 209 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma K Austin ◽  
Tonelle Handley ◽  
Anthony S Kiem ◽  
Jane L Rich ◽  
Terry J Lewin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Mental Health ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Mental Health Study

scholarly journals The Relationship between Suicidality and Socio-Demographic Variables, Physical Disorders, and Psychiatric Disorders: Results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4365
Author(s):  
Kundadak Ganesh Kudva ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽  
Boon Yiang Chua ◽  
Saleha Shafie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Physical Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Study ◽  
The Relationship

Suicidality encompasses suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. This paper aims to establish associations between suicidality and sociodemographic variables, physical disorders, and psychiatric disorders. The Singapore Mental Health Study 2016 was a population-level epidemiological survey, which determined the prevalence of physical disorders, psychiatric disorders, and suicidality. Questionnaires were used to determine socio-demographic information. A total of 6216 respondents were interviewed. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts were 7.8%, 1.6%, and 1.6%, respectively. All components of suicidality were more likely in those with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and chronic pain. Suicidal ideation and attempts were more likely in those with diabetes. Age above 65, being male, and a monthly household income of ≥ SGD 10,000 were associated with a lower likelihood of suicidal ideation. These findings indicate that there are high-risk groups for whom suicidality is a concern, and for whom interventions may be needed.

scholarly journals 685 Sleep Latency, Pre and Peri-COVID-19 Experiences and PTSD Symptoms: Results from the NYU COVID-19 Mental Health Study

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A267-A268
Author(s):  
April Rogers ◽  
Judite Blanc ◽  
Azizi Seixas ◽  
Joao Nunes ◽  
Georges Casimir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Sleep Onset Latency ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Mental Health Study

Abstract Introduction An effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been the decision to subject individuals residing in New York City to quarantine rules in order to reduce the spread of the virus. As might have been expected, restriction of usual daily activities would affect individuals’ sleep-wake patterns. It is also known that exposure to traumatic experiences can also engender sleep disturbances, most notably in their ability to initiate sleep. This study investigated the associations between sleep onset latency (SOL), pre and peri-COVID-19 exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among New Yorkers. Methods 541 individuals (female = 373(69%); mean age=40.9) were recruited during the summer and fall of 2020 in New York City to participate in the NYU-COVID-19 Mental Health Study. Participants provided sociodemographic data and were also asked to respond to the COVID-19 quarantine experiences, comprised of seven binary questions, the PTSD Checklist-PCL-5, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Descriptive and linear regression analysis were performed to explore associations of scores on the COVID-19 quarantine experience with PTSD and sleep data. All analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0 Results Regression analyses revealed that SOL emerged as the strongest independent predictor of PTSD symptoms [B(t) = −.630(12.7); p < .001]; factors adjusted in the model included pre and peri-covid-19 factors such as age, sex, job type, and quarantine experience. Analyses assessing potential interaction effect revealed that quarantine experience did not affect the relationship between SOL and PTSD [B(t) = .086(.831); p = >.005]. The other sleep factors in the model did not yield significance. sleep duration had a weak correlation with quarantine, it was not found to be a predictor of PTSD. Conclusion We observed that SOL was the most important determinant of PTSD symptoms among individuals exposed to COVID-19. This is consistent with other findings suggesting that a sizable proportion of individuals exposed to pandemics are likely to experience sleep disturbances. It is plausible that quarantine might lead to increased daytime naps, which may impact SOL. Further research is needed to better understand the association of SOL and PTSD as a result of Covid-19. Support (if any) K07AG052685, R01MD007716, R01HL142066, T32HL129953, K01HL135452, R01HL152453

scholarly journals Long-term prevalence and predictors of prolonged grief disorder amongst bereaved cancer caregivers: A cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 507-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Zordan ◽  
Melanie L. Bell ◽  
Melanie Price ◽  
Cheryl Remedios ◽  
Elizabeth Lobb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Anticipatory Grief ◽  
Prolonged Grief Disorder ◽  
Prolonged Grief ◽  
Cancer Caregivers

AbstractContextThe short-term impact of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) following bereavement is well documented. The longer term sequelae of PGD however are poorly understood, possibly unrecognized, and may be incorrectly attributed to other mental health disorders and hence undertreated.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to prospectively evaluate the prevalence of PGD three years post bereavement and to examine the predictors of long-term PGD in a population-based cohort of bereaved cancer caregivers.MethodsA cohort of primary family caregivers of patients admitted to one of three palliative care services in Melbourne, Australia, participated in the study (n= 301). Sociodemographic, mental health, and bereavement-related data were collected from the caregiver upon the patient's admission to palliative care (T1). Further data addressing circumstances around the death and psychological health were collected at six (T2,n= 167), 13 (T3,n= 143), and 37 months (T4,n= 85) after bereavement.ResultsAt T4, 5% and 14% of bereaved caregivers met criteria for PGD and subthreshold PGD, respectively. Applying the total PGD score at T4, linear regression analysis found preloss anticipatory grief measured at T1 and self-reported coping measured at T2 were highly statistically significant predictors (bothp< 0.0001) of PGD in the longer term.ConclusionFor almost 20% of caregivers, the symptoms of PGD appear to persist at least three years post bereavement. These findings support the importance of screening caregivers upon the patient's admission to palliative care and at six months after bereavement to ascertain their current mental health. Ideally, caregivers at risk of developing PGD can be identified and treated before PGD becomes entrenched.

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