Neighborhood Ties Reduced Depressive Symptoms in Older Disaster Survivors: Iwanuma Study, a Natural Experiment

Objective: As most studies relating to mental health and disasters have employed cross-sectional or follow-up assessments about psychological health with post-disaster information, the association between changes in social ties and mental health remains unclear. We examined the relationship between the changes in survivor neighborhood ties and depressive symptoms before and after a natural disaster. Methods: Participants were 3567 individuals aged ≥65 years living in Iwanuma city who had responded to questionnaires by the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study both predating the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and 2.5 years afterward. Changes in the depressive symptoms were assessed using the geriatric depression scale (GDS) at the baseline and follow-up survey. Changes in the neighborhood ties were assessed by asking the participants about their interactions with people in their neighborhood. Possible confounders were adjusted in a linear regression model. Results: Among the 3111 participants in this analysis, 1073 (34.5%) had increased GDS score after the disaster. There were 336 (10.8%) individuals who had neighborhood ties before the disaster, but had no ties afterward; their mean GDS score increased from 2.93 points in 2010 to 3.19 points in 2013. Among those who had not had ties before and after the disaster the mean GDS score remained almost stable, from 2.19 points in 2010 to 2.12 points in 2013. The participants with post-disaster ties were significantly less likely to have an increased GDS score compared with those who had not had ties before and after the disaster (β = −0.39; 95% confidence interval: −0.72, −0.06). Conclusions: Increased neighborhood ties after the disaster reduced the risk of depressive symptoms even when survivors suffered disaster damages. The study reinforces the importance of social capital in disaster recovery and suggests to local governments and local communities that fostering horizontal, neighborhood ties may improve disaster preparedness and mental health resilience.

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Watching sports and depressive symptoms among older adults: a cross-sectional study from the JAGES 2019 survey

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89994-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Taishi Tsuji ◽

Satoru Kanamori ◽

Ryota Watanabe ◽

Meiko Yokoyama ◽

Yasuhiro Miyaguni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Mail Survey ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Average Frequency ◽

Evaluation Study ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractThe current study investigated the relationship between the frequency of watching sports and depressive symptoms among older adults. This study used cross-sectional data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a nationwide mail survey of 21,317 older adults. Depressive symptoms were defined as a Geriatric Depression Scale score of ≥ 5. Participants were queried regarding the average frequency at which they watched sports on-site and via TV/Internet over the past year. Among the 21,317 participants, 4559 (21.4%) had depressive symptoms, while 4808 (22.6%) and 16,576 (77.8%) watched sports on-site and via TV/Internet at least once a year, respectively. Older adults who watched sports on-site a few times/year (prevalence ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.74) or 1–3 times/month (0.66, 0.53–0.82) were less likely to have depressive symptoms compared to non-spectators after adjusting for frequency of playing sports, exercise activities, and other potential confounders. Meanwhile, a dose–response relationship was confirmed for watching via TV/Internet (prevalence ratio of 0.86, 0.79, and 0.71 for a few times/year, 1–3 times/month, and ≥ 1 time/week, respectively). This study suggested that watching sports on-site or via TV/Internet, regardless of whether they regularly engage in sports, may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms among older adults.

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The association between physical complications following female genital cutting and the mental health of 12-year-old Gambian girls: A community-based cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0245723 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0245723

Author(s):

Bothild Bendiksen ◽

Trond Heir ◽

Fabakary Minteh ◽

Mai Mahgoub Ziyada ◽

Rex A. Kuye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Female Genital Cutting ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Genital Cutting ◽

Female Genital

Background Female genital cutting (FGC) involve an acute physical trauma that hold a potential risk for immediate and long-term complications and mental health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the prediction of depressive symptoms and psychological distress by the immediate and current physical complications following FGC. Further, to examine whether the age at which 12-year-old Gambian girls had undergone the procedure affected mental health outcomes. Method This cross-sectional study recruited 134 12-year-old girls from 23 public primary schools in The Gambia. We used a structured clinical interview to assess mental health and life satisfaction, including the Short Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (SMFQ), the Symptom check list (SCL-5) and Cantril’s Ladder of Life Satisfaction. Each interview included questions about the cutting procedure, immediate- and current physical complications and the kind of help and care girls received following FGC. Results Depressive symptoms were associated with immediate physical health complications in a multivariate regression model [RR = 1.08 (1.03, 1.12), p = .001], and with present urogenital problems [RR = 1.19 (1.09, 1.31), p < .001]. The girls that received medical help following immediate complications had a lower risk for depressive symptoms [RR = .73 (.55, .98), p = .04]. Psychological distress was only associated with immediate complications [RR = 1.04 (1.01, 1.07), p = .004]. No significant differences in mental health outcomes were found between girls who underwent FGC before the age of four in comparison to girls who underwent FGC after the age of four. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the immediate and long-term complications following FGC have implications for psychological health. Only a minimal number of girls received medical care when needed, and the dissemination of health education seems crucial in order to prevent adverse long-term physical and psychological health consequences.

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The mental health and experiences of discrimination of LGBTQ+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic: Initial findings from the Queerantine Study

10.1101/2020.08.03.20167403 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dylan Kneale ◽

Laia Becares

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Explanatory Variable ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Average Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Depressive Symptomology ◽

Gender Diverse ◽

And Gender

Objective: To assess mental health status and experiences of discrimination among a sample of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer people (LGBTQ+, the + including those who don't identify with any such label) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Cross-sectional web-based survey. Setting: Responses were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic between April 27th and July 13th. Participants: 398 LGBTQ+ respondents forming an analytical sample of 310 in the main models. Methods: We used a combined measure of gender identity or expression and sexual orientation as the main explanatory variable. We assessed mental health with the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and with the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D-10). We measured experiences of discrimination with a battery of questions that asked respondents whether they had experienced a set of discriminatory experiences because of their LGBTQ+ identity during the coronavirus pandemic. Experiences of discrimination was considered a mediating factor and examined both as an outcome as well as an explanatory variable. Models were adjusted for a range of demographic and socioeconomic variables. Results: The prevalence of depression and stress were both high, with the majority of the sample exhibiting significant depressive symptomology (69%). Around one-in-six respondents reported some form of discrimination since the start of the pandemic because they were LGBTQ+ (16.7%). In regression models, the average score for perceived stress increased by 1.44 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.517-2.354) for those who had experienced an instance of homophobic or transphobic harassment, compared to respondents who had not. Similarly, the odds of exhibiting significant depressive symptomology (CES-D-10 scores of 10 or more) increased three-fold among those who had experienced harassment based on their gender or sexuality compared to those who had not (OR: 3.251; 95% CI: 1.168-9.052). These marked associations remained after adjustment for a number of socioeconomic and demographic covariates. Cis-female respondents who identify as gay or lesbian had the lowest scores for perceived social or depressive symptoms; conversely transgender and gender diverse individuals had the highest scores. Conclusions: We found high levels of stress and depressive symptoms, particularly among younger and transgender and gender diverse respondents. These associations were partially explained by experiences of discrimination which had a large, consistent and pernicious impact on stress and mental health.

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Factors related to depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in two coastal regions of Peru: An analytical cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.70655.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 958

Author(s):

Elena de Jesús Quispe Sáenz ◽

José Fernando Salvador-Carrillo ◽

ORIANA RIVERA-LOZADA ◽

CESAR ANTONIO BONILLA ASALDE

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Exclusion Criterion ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Coastal Regions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Recreational Activities

Background: Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and their aggravation have been studied extensively in the general population. However, there are few studies on depression in older adults and the few existing results may be contradictory, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with depression in older adults in two coastal regions of Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study uses an analytical cross-sectional design in a population of older adults, who participated in a non-governmental ambulatory social support program in Callao and Ica, two coastal regions of Peru. We administered an on-site structured questionnaire to record sociodemographic data, the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage to measure depression, and the Barthel Index to assess physical function. In order to determine cognitive impairment as an exclusion criterion, the MEC-30 was used. The association between variables was assessed through contingency tables, using the odds ratio (OR) with its corresponding confidence interval (95% CI) and the X2 test. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Out of the 244 older adults surveyed, 39% had depressive symptoms, of which 28.3% (n=69) and 10.7% (n=26) were moderately and severely depressive, respectively. The findings significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms were being 76 years old or older [p=0.005, OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.29-4.20], not participating in weekly recreational activities [p=0.004, OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31-3.99] and the presence of comorbidities [p=0.026, OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.07-3.29]. Conclusion: There are few studies exploring depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic; this research shows the importance of mental health care in this population and, particularly, of those who are 76 or older because they suffer from comorbid conditions and have interrupted recreational activities.

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Low-grade inflammation differentiates between symptoms of apathy and depression in community-dwelling older individuals

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610214002683 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 639-647 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Lisa S. M. Eurelings ◽

Edo Richard ◽

Piet Eikelenboom ◽

Willem A. van Gool ◽

Eric P. Moll van Charante

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Population Based ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Low Grade ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Grade Inflammation

ABSTRACTBackground:Systemic low-grade inflammation has repeatedly been associated with depression in old age, but the relationship with apathy is less clear. The present study assessed whether C-reactive protein (CRP) is differentially associated with symptoms of apathy and depression.Methods:A population-based cohort study was carried-out. At baseline and after two and four years of follow-up, CRP levels were assessed and symptoms of apathy and depression were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of CRP with symptoms of apathy and depression.Results:Two thousand forty-seven community-dwelling participants (70–78 years) without a history of cardiovascular disease or stroke were studied. A cross-sectional association was found between CRP and apathy symptoms at three time points (odds ratio (OR) per natural log unit increase in CRP: baseline visit = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.12–1.75; two-year follow-up visit = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.17–2.25; four-year follow-up visit = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.03–2.21). This did not change after adjustment for demographics and depressive symptoms, and was slightly attenuated after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. No cross-sectional association was found with depressive symptoms. Baseline CRP did not predict incident apathy or depressive symptoms during four years of follow-up.Conclusions:Increased CRP levels are associated with apathy symptoms but not with depressive symptoms. This suggests a differential effect of inflammation on apathy and depression. In older persons, symptoms of apathy may be a behavioral manifestation of concurrent low-grade inflammation.

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Subjective status comparisons and depressive symptoms among migrants and refugees to Germany

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz187.017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

A Polizzi ◽

C Santos-Hövener ◽

E Mauz ◽

T Lampert ◽

J Hoebel

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Status ◽

Socioeconomic Position ◽

Country Of Origin ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reference Models ◽

Patient Health ◽

Diagonal Reference Models

Abstract Background Prior research has identified perceptions of relative social status to affect mental health. We investigated whether migrants to Germany who perceive that they would have a higher relative social status if they were still in their country of origin experience more depressive symptoms than those who perceive no such status discrepancy. Methods Cross-sectional data were derived from a random sample of residents in the Berlin-Brandenburg region with a Croatian, Polish, Romanian, Syrian and/or Turkish citizenship (n = 728). Participants’ perception of their relative social status in Germany was measured using the MacArthur Scale of subjective social status (SSS). An adapted version of this scale was used to assess respondents’ hypothetical SSS in their country of origin if they had not migrated. Depressive symptoms were measured with the eight-item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. Diagonal reference models were used to examine whether discrepancies between the two status ratings were associated with depressive symptom severity. Results Most respondents reported a higher (35.6%) or similar (49.0%) hypothetical SSS in their country of origin compared to their SSS in Germany. Respondents whose SSS in Germany was lower than their hypothetical SSS in their country of origin experienced the most severe depressive symptoms. In the diagonal reference models, this association remained statistically significant (p < 0.05), even after adjusting for objective socioeconomic position and other covariates. The pattern was similar for both refugees and non-refugees. Conclusions Our findings indicate that perceptions of having a lower social status in Germany than hypothetically in one’s country of origin are concomitant with poorer mental health among migrants. Prospective data are needed to address questions of causation and the direction of effects. Key messages Migrants who perceived that they would have a higher social status if they had not left their country of origin reported higher depressive symptoms than those with no such status discrepancy. This association persisted after adjusting for objective socioeconomic position in Germany.

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Social support and depressive symptoms among physicians in tertiary hospitals in China: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03219-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chang Fu ◽

Guowen Wang ◽

Xiuxin Shi ◽

Fenglin Cao

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Female Physicians ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Hospitals

Abstract Background Social support is an important factor for individual’s mental health. However, the association between social support and depressive symptoms among physicians in China’ tertiary hospitals has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate its association among physicians stratifying by sex. Methods Six hundred fifty-six physicians were enrolled from 12 tertiary hospitals of Shandong Province, China. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Social support was evaluated using the Social Support Rating Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms among physicians. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 42.3% and the average social support score was 38.82 ± 7.53 among physicians. Lower subjective social support scores (male: β = − 0.317, p < 0.001; female: β = − 0.241, p < 0.001) and lower objective social support scores (male: β = − 0.218, p = 0.038; female: β = − 0.277, p = 0.035) were associated with high depressive symptoms among physicians. Lower support utilization scores (β = − 0.472, p < 0.001) were associated with high depressive symptoms among male physicians. Conclusions Chinese physicians had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and lower social support than the Chinese general population. Objective and subjective social support were inversely associated with depressive symptoms among male and female physicians while support utilization was inversely associated with depressive symptoms among male rather than female physicians. It is critical to improve physicians’ mental health through strengthening social support in China.

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Assessment of Anxiety and Depression among Caregivers of Mentally Ill Patients Attending Mental Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal

Journal of Nepal Health Research Council ◽

10.33314/jnhrc.v18i4.3006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 702-708

Author(s):

Durga Khadka Mishra ◽

Urusha Shakya

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Mental Hospital ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Educational Status ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Results

Background: Family take the role of caregivers and provide the mentally ill member with help, care and support. Caregivers are at the high risk to anxiety and depression. The main objective of the research was to assess anxiety and depressive status among caregivers of mentally ill patients attending Mental Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal.Methods: A cross sectional study based on clinical setting was conducted among 184 caregivers of mentally ill patients attending outpatient department of Mental Hospital, Lagankhel, Lalitpur, Nepal. Purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and validated Nepali translated version of hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to assess anxiety and depressive status among caregivers. The collected data was entered in Microsoft Excel 2013 and data analysis was done in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) international business machine version 25. Ethical consideration was maintained during the study. Results: Anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers of mentally ill patients was 24.5% and 19.6% respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in caregivers were sex of caregiver, socio-economic status and sex of patient. Types of mental illness of patient was also significantly associated with anxiety while educational status was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in caregivers.Conclusions: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were found among caregivers of mentally ill patients. It is high time to consider mental health of caregiver and mental health promotion programs and policies for caregivers should be implemented.Keywords: Anxiety; caregiver; depression; mentally ill patient; Nepal

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Effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on the Sleep Quality and the Depressive Symptom Levels of University Students in Jordan During the Spring of 2020

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.605676 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Heba Saadeh ◽

Maha Saadeh ◽

Wesam Almobaideen ◽

Assem Al Refaei ◽

Nour Shewaikani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

University Students ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Poor Sleep Quality ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of COVID-19 home quarantine and its lifestyle challenges on the sleep quality and mental health of a large sample of undergraduate University students in Jordan. It is the first study applied to the Jordanian population. The aim was to investigate how quarantine for several weeks changed the students' habits and affected their mental health.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random representative sample of 6,157 undergraduate students (mean age 19.79 ± 1.67 years, males 28.7%) from the University of Jordan through voluntarily filling an online questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to assess sleep quality and depressive symptoms, respectively.Results: The PSQI mean score for the study participants was 8.1 ± 3.6. The sleep quality of three-quarters of the participants was negatively affected by the extended quarantine. Nearly half of the participants reported poor sleep quality. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among participants was 76% (males: 71.5% and females: 77.8%). Similarly, the prevalence of the depressive symptoms was 71% (34% for moderate and 37% for high depressive symptoms), with females showing higher prevalence than males. The overall mean CES-D score for the group with low depressive symptoms is 9.3, for the moderate group is 19.8, while it is 34.3 for the high depressive symptoms group. More than half of the students (62.5%) reported that the quarantine had a negative effect on their mental health. Finally, females, smokers, and students with decreased income levels during the extended quarantine were the common exposures that are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: Mass and extended quarantine succeeded in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus; however, it comes with a high cost of potential psychological impacts. Most of the students reported that they suffer from sleeping disorders and had a degree of depressive symptoms. Officials should provide psychological support and clear guidance to help the general public to reduce these potential effects and overcome the quarantine period with minimum negative impacts.

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Assessment of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 during the second wave of epidemic in Myanmar: A cross-sectional single-center study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0252189 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0252189

Author(s):

Ye Minn Htun ◽

Kyaw Thiha ◽

Aung Aung ◽

Nay Myo Aung ◽

Thet Wai Oo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Family Income ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Social Contact ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Treatment Center ◽

Cross Sectional

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a great impact on every aspect of society. All countries launched preventive measures such as quarantine, lockdown, and physical distancing to control the disease spread. These restrictions might effect on daily life and mental health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 at the Treatment Center. Methods A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out at Hmawbi COVID-19 Treatment Center, Myanmar from December 2020 to January 2021. A total of 142 patients with COVID-19 who met the criteria were invited to participate in the study. A pre-tested Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used as a tool for depressive symptoms assessment. Data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression to identify associated factors of depressive symptoms. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to determine the level of significance with a p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 was 38.7%, with the means (± standard deviation, SD) subscale of somatic symptom, negative effect, and anhedonia were 4.64 (±2.53), 2.51 (± 2.12), and 5.01 (± 3.26), respectively. The patients with 40 years and older (AOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.36–6.59), < 4 of household size (AOR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.46–8.15), ≤ 400,000 kyats of monthly family income (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.02–5.54) and infection to family members (AOR: 4.18, 95% CI: 1.74–10.07) were significant associated factors of depressive symptoms. Conclusion The high prevalence of depressive symptoms, approximately 40%, was found in patients with COVID-19 in the Treatment Center. Establishments of psychosocial supports, providing psychoeducation, enhancing the social contact with family and friends, and using credible source of information related COVID-19 would be integral parts of mental health services in COVID-19 pandemic situation.

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