scholarly journals What Predicts Stable Mental Health in the 18–29 Age Group Compared to Older Age Groups? Results from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort 2002–2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Winzer ◽  
Kimmo Sorjonen ◽  
Lene Lindberg
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Age Group

Mental health has decreased in young people since the 1990s, and mental health promotion is an urgent matter. A first step is to identify which social determinants could be of importance for intervention. We used the Stockholm Public Health Cohort, a longitudinal population-based health survey, completed by 31,000 inhabitants in the Stockholm County. We focused on the 18–29 age group, n = 3373 (60% females, 40% males) and aimed at assessing which social determinants predict stable mental health, measured as scoring <3 points on the General Health Questionnaire 12 at all time points: 2002, 2007, 2010, and 2014. Forty-six percent of males and 36% of females reported stable mental health. Among the 17 predictors on sociodemographics, socioeconomics, social capital, health behavior, and victimization, six predicted stable mental health in the following order: occupation and especially employment, emotional support, male gender, being born in Sweden, absence of financial strain, and consumption of fruit and berries. In the 30–84 age group, 66% males and 55% females reported stable mental health. Nine determinants in the following rank predicted stable mental health: absence of financial strain, occupation and especially being self-employed, emotional support, male gender, physical activity, instrumental support, interpersonal trust, community trust, and absence of hazardous alcohol consumption. Interaction analysis showed significant difference between the younger and older group regarding physical activity and absence of financial strain with importance being higher for the older group. Our findings indicate that the determinants of health differ across the life-course with fewer predictors related to social capital and health behavior in the younger group compared to the older. We conclude that health-promoting interventions should be lifespan-sensitive.

scholarly journals Impact of meditation and physical activity behaviors on the relationship between perceptions of COVID-19 and mental health in mobile app users in the United States: Cross-sectional survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Green ◽  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Megan Puzia ◽  
Chad Stecher
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been declared an international public health emergency with potentially long-lasting effects on mental health. There is a need to identify effective strategies to buffer the negative mental health impact of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE To examine the regional differences in mental health and perceptions of COVID-19 in light of the state-level prevalence of COVID-19 cases, estimate the associations between perceptions of COVID-19 and health behavior engagement (i.e., physical activity, mindfulness meditation) and mental health, and explore the mediating effect of health behavior engagement on the relationship between perceptions of COVID-19 and mental health. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a sample of US adult paying subscribers to the Calm app (data collection April 22 to June 3, 2020). The survey assessed perceptions of COVID-19, health behavior engagement, and mental health (i.e., perceived stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety and depression). Statistical analyses were performed using R software. Differences in perceptions of COVID-19 and mental health by location were assessed using t-tests and chi-square tests. Logistic and OLS models regressed mental health and health behavior on COVID-19 perceptions, and Causal Mediation Analysis was used to estimate the significance of mediation effects. RESULTS The median age (N=8392) was 47 (SD=13.8) years. Mid-Atlantic region (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) participants reported higher levels of stress, more severe depression symptoms, were more worried about COVID-19, paid more attention to COVID-19 news, and had more stress-related to social distancing recommendations than participants living in other regions. The relationship between worry about COVID-19 and perceived stress was significantly mediated by changes in physical activity (P<.001) and strength of meditation habit (P<.001). The relationship between worry about COVID-19 and PTSD symptoms was significantly mediated by changes in physical activity (P<.001) and strength of meditation habit (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings describe the mental health impact of COVID-19 and outline how continued participation in health behaviors such as physical activity and mindfulness meditation may buffer against worsening mental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These data have important implications for public health agencies and health organizations to promote the maintenance of health habits to reduce the residual mental health burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Does persistent meditation and physical activity mediate the relationship between perceptions of COVID-19 and mental health? A cross sectional survey of mobile app users in the United States.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeni Green ◽  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Megan Puzia ◽  
Chad Stecher
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been declared an international public health emergency with potential long-lasting effects on mental health. The purpose of this survey was to examine the regional differences in mental health and perceptions of COVID-19 in light of the state-level prevalence of COVID-19 cases, estimate the associations between perceptions of COVID-19 and health behavior engagement (i.e., physical activity, mindfulness meditation) and mental health, and explore the mediating effect of health behavior engagement on the relationship between perceptions of COVID-19 and mental health.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a sample of US adult paying subscribers to the Calm app (data collection April 22 to June 3, 2020). The survey assessed perceptions of COVID-19, health behavior engagement, and mental health (i.e., perceived stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety and depression). All statistical analyses were performed using R software. Differences in perceptions of COVID-19 and mental health by location were assessed using t-tests and chi-square tests. Logistic and OLS models regressed mental health and health behavior on COVID-19 perceptions, and Causal Mediation Analysis was used to estimate the significance of mediation effects. Results: Median age (N=8392) was 47 (SD=13.8) years. Mid-Atlantic region participants reported higher levels of stress, more severe depression symptoms, were more worried about COVID-19, paid more attention to COVID-19 news, and had more stress related to social distancing recommendations than participants living in other regions. The relationship between worry about COVID-19 and perceived stress was significantly mediated by changes in physical activity (p<.001) and strength of meditation habit (p<.001). The relationship between worry about COVID-19 and PTSD symptoms was significantly mediated by changes in physical activity (p<.001) and strength of meditation habit (p<.001). Conclusions: Our findings describe the mental health impact of COVID-19 and outline how continued participation in health behaviors such as physical activity and mindfulness meditation may buffer against worsening mental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These data have important implications for public health agencies and health organizations to promote the maintenance of health habits to reduce the residual mental health burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depression and Health Behavior of Adolescents

1987 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. McDermott ◽  
Wesley E. Hawkins ◽  
David F. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Canonical Correlation ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Canonical Variates ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the relationship between two sets of variables, symptoms of depression and health behaviors of adolescents. Analysis using canonical correlation produced two significant canonical variates. Results suggest that addressing symptoms of negative mental health in adolescents may be an important step toward facilitating positive health behaviors in this age group.

scholarly journals Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Meyer ◽  
Cillian McDowell ◽  
Jeni Lansing ◽  
Cassandra Brower ◽  
Lee Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic altered many facets of life. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19-related public health guidelines on physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, mental health, and their interrelations. Cross-sectional data were collected from 3052 US adults 3–8 April 2020 (from all 50 states). Participants self-reported pre- and post-COVID-19 levels of moderate and vigorous PA, sitting, and screen time. Currently-followed public health guidelines, stress, loneliness, positive mental health (PMH), social connectedness, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were self-reported. Participants were grouped by meeting US PA guidelines, reporting ≥8 h/day of sitting, or ≥8 h/day of screen time, pre- and post-COVID-19. Overall, 62% of participants were female, with age ranging from 18–24 (16.6% of sample) to 75+ (9.3%). Self-reported PA was lower post-COVID among participants reporting being previously active (mean change: −32.3% [95% CI: −36.3%, −28.1%]) but largely unchanged among previously inactive participants (+2.3% [−3.5%, +8.1%]). No longer meeting PA guidelines and increased screen time were associated with worse depression, loneliness, stress, and PMH (p < 0.001). Self-isolation/quarantine was associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to social distancing (p < 0.001). Maintaining and enhancing physical activity participation and limiting screen time increases during abrupt societal changes may mitigate the mental health consequences.

Social determinants of mental health and policy implications

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 574-574
Author(s):  
I. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
The Social

IntroductionWHO has defined the social determinants of mental health (2008) as “social justice is a matter of life or death. Affects how people live, their propensity for disease and risk of premature death”. Underlies that health is not only determined by biological, but by social factors that can be divided into: Economic, Gender and Cultural.ObjectivesThe author proposes to do a literature review focusing on a consensus on the social determinants of mental health, and the implications on the policies of various countries.Aims and methodsWe performed a literature review using textbooks and research papers (Medline, Pubmed, 1997–2010).ResultsTopics about Social Determinants of Mental Health often establish, the social gradient, situations of stress, childhood development, poverty, drug dependence, conditions at work, unemployment, social support, food, transportation policies, gender and cultural determinants.The Global Movement for Mental Health should play an important role in public health activities, focusing on global mental illness. To do this effectively, the mental health professionals need to confront global poverty, its relationship with the political and economic developments as well as the consequences for common mental illnesses.ConclusionsIn a public health perspective, evidence of the mechanisms of this relationship can be used to consider a variety of primary and secondary preventive strategies with regard to mental health.

Physical Activity and Public Health: Mental Health

Quest ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rod K. Dishman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity

scholarly journals Health behavior of school students in early adolescence in light of the Corona pandemic and its relationship to some variables: السلوك الصحي لدى طلبة المدارس في مرحلة المراهقة المبكرة في ظل جائحة كورونا وعلاقته ببعض المتغيرات

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (38) ◽  
pp. 156-140
Author(s):  
Hani M.S Al-Shudifat Hani M.S Al-Shudifat
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Average Level ◽  
School Students ◽  
Healthy Behavior

This study aimed to identify the level of health behavior among early adolescence students and to reveal differences in health behavior among early adolescence students according to the variables of sex and grade, and to achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive analytical approach was used, where a scale was developed to measure the level of healthy behavior, consisting of (21) A paragraph distributed on three dimensions: (public health care, body care, and mental health). The indicators of its validity and reliability were verified. It was applied to a stratified random sample of (305) students from grades (seventh, eighth and ninth). The study found that the level of healthy behavior among school students in early adolescence in light of the Corona pandemic was average with a mathematical average (3.36) and it came after (public health care) in the first place, with an average level, and an average of (3.43), while it came after (mental health) In the last place and at an average level, where his average was (3.27), and there were differences in the level of healthy behavior between the two sexes and in favor of females, and the existence of differences attributable to the grade class between the seventh and ninth grades and in favor of ninth grade students, while the results did not show differences attributable to the interaction between sex And the classroom. The study recommended the necessity of implementing counseling programs for parents about methods and strategies that help in developing healthy behavior for their children, and teaching healthy behavior skills to adolescent students because they are linked to disease prevention, social adjustment and success in life.

The Association of Social Support and Leisure Time Physical Activity With Mental Health Among Individuals With Cancer

2020 ◽  
pp. 089011712096132
Author(s):  
Jaehyun Kim ◽  
Junhyoung Kim ◽  
Ronald D. Williams ◽  
Areum Han
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tangible Support ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This study examined the relationship among social support, leisure time physical activity (LTPA), and mental health among people with cancer. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants: Using the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey, we extracted data of 504 respondents who had been diagnosed with any of the 22 types of cancer listed in the survey questionnaire. Measures: As independent variables, we assessed 3 different types of support: emotional, informational, and tangible support. As mediating and outcome variables, we measured LTPA and mental health, respectively. Analysis: Using AMOS version 22, a path analysis was conducted to measure model fit. A mediation test was then conducted using bootstrapping procedures. Results: The hypothesized model provided an acceptable fit to the data. Specifically, emotional support ( b = .15, p = .005), informational support ( b = .13, p = .008), tangible support ( b = .12, p = .010), and LTPA ( b = .14, p = .001) were significantly associated with mental health. We revealed a significant mediating effect of LPTA on the relationship between emotional support and mental health (Estimate = .037, 95% CI = .001–.098, p < .05). Conclusion: Social support and LTPA played a significant role in promoting mental health among people with cancer. In particular, the results confirmed that individuals with cancer who reported receiving emotional support tended to engage in LTPA and thus reported better mental health.

Student Pandemic Experience: Protocol and baseline characteristics for a mobile prospective cohort study of university student mental health (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Brogly ◽  
Michael A. Bauer ◽  
Daniel J. Lizotte ◽  
MacLean L. Press ◽  
Arlene MacDougall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Health Service Utilization ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Student Mental Health

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency that poses challenges for the mental health of approximately 1.4 million university students in Canada. Preliminary evidence has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on undergraduate student mental health and well-being, however existing data are predominantly limited to cross-sectional survey-based studies. Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, longer-term prospective surveillance efforts are needed to better anticipate risk and protective factors during a pandemic. OBJECTIVE The overarching aim of this research is to use a mobile surveillance system to identify risk and protective factors for undergraduate mental health. Factors will be identified from weekly self-report data (e.g., affect, living accommodation) and device sensor data (e.g., physical activity, device usage) to prospectively predict self-reported mental health and service utilization. METHODS Undergraduate students at Western University, Canada, will be recruited via e-mail to complete an internet baseline questionnaire with the option to participate in the study on a weekly basis using the Student Pandemic Experience (SPE) mobile application (app) for Android/iOS. The app collects sensor samples (e.g., GPS coordinates, steps) and self-reported weekly mental health and wellness surveys. Student participants can opt-in to link their mobile data with campus-based administrative data capturing health service utilization. Risk and protective factors that predict mental health outcomes are expected to be estimated by 1) cross-sectional associations between student characteristics (e.g., demographics) and key psychosocial factors (e.g., affect, stress, social connection) and behaviors (e.g., physical activity, device usage) and 2) longitudinal associations between psychosocial and behavioral factors and campus-based health service utilization. RESULTS Data collection began November 9th, 2020 and will be ongoing through to at least August 31st, 2021. Retention from the baseline survey (N=427) to app sign-up was 315/427 (74%), with approximately 175-215 (55-68%) of app participants actively responding to weekly surveys. From November 9th, 2020 to May 1st, 2021, 3363 responses to the app surveys and 18914 sensor samples (consisting of up to 68 individual data items each, e.g., GPS coordinates, steps) were collected from the 315 participants that signed up for the app. CONCLUSIONS Identifying risk and resilience factors for student mental health during this public health crisis is critical for informing optimal campus-based strategies and program development during the pandemic and beyond.

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