scholarly journals Perception of Health Conditions and Test Availability as Predictors of Adults’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey Study of Adults in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyang Dai ◽  
Stephen X. Zhang ◽  
Kim Hoe Looi ◽  
Rui Su ◽  
Jizhen Li
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Curvilinear Relationships ◽  
Perception Of Health ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Research identifying adults’ mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic relies solely on demographic predictors without examining adults’ health condition as a potential predictor. This study aims to examine individuals’ perception of health conditions and test availability as potential predictors of mental health—insomnia, anxiety, depression, and distress—during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey of 669 adults in Malaysia was conducted during 2–8 May 2020, six weeks after the Movement Control Order (MCO) was issued. We found adults’ perception of health conditions had curvilinear relationships (horizontally reversed J-shaped) with insomnia, anxiety, depression, and distress. Perceived test availability for COVID-19 also had curvilinear relationships (horizontally reversed J-shaped) with anxiety and depression. Younger adults reported worse mental health, but people from various religions and ethnic groups did not differ significantly in reported mental health. The results indicated that adults with worse health conditions had more mental health problems, and the worse degree deepened for unhealthy people. Perceived test availability negatively predicted anxiety and depression, especially for adults perceiving COVID-19 test unavailability. The significant predictions of perceived health condition and perceived COVID-19 test availability suggest a new direction for the literature to identify the psychiatric risk factors directly from health-related variables during a pandemic.

scholarly journals Health Condition and Test Availability as Predictors of Adults’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyang Dai ◽  
Stephen X. Zhang ◽  
Kim Hoe Looi ◽  
Rui Su ◽  
Jizhen Li
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Development Fund ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Curvilinear Relationships

ABSTRACTBackgroundResearch identifying adults’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic relies solely on demographic predictors without examining adults’ health status during the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential predictor.MethodsAn online survey of 669 adults in Malaysia was conducted during May 2–8, 2020, six weeks after a Movement Control Order (MCO) was issued.FindingsAdults’ health condition had curvilinear relationships (horizontally reversed J-shaped) with insomnia, anxiety, depression and distress. Reported test availability for COVID-19 (from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”) also had curvilinear relationships (horizontally reversed J-shaped) with anxiety and depression. Younger adults reported worse mental health, but people from various religions and ethnic groups did not differ significantly in reported mental health.InterpretationAdults with worse health conditions had more mental health problems, especially adults at the lower end of the health spectrum. Test availability negatively predicted anxiety and depression, especially for adults experiencing poor COVID-19 test availability. The significant predictions of health condition and COVID-19 test availability suggest a new direction for the literature to identify psychiatric risk factors directly from health related variables during a pandemic.FundingTsinghua University-INDITEX Sustainable Development Fund (Project No. TISD201904).

scholarly journals Clinical efficacy of COMPASS, a digital cognitive-behavioural therapy programme for treating anxiety and depression in patients with long-term physical health conditions: a protocol for randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e053971
Author(s):  
Katrin Hulme ◽  
Joanna L Hudson ◽  
Federica Picariello ◽  
Natasha Seaton ◽  
Sam Norton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Treatment Allocation ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Anxiety Depression

IntroductionApproximately 30% of people with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) experience mental health problems, with negative consequences and costs for individuals and healthcare services. Access to psychological treatment is scarce and, when available, often focuses on treating primary mental health problems rather than illness-related anxiety/depression. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a newly developed, therapist-supported, digital cognitive-behavioural treatment (COMPASS) for reducing LTC-related psychological distress (anxiety/depression), compared with standard charity support (SCS).Methods and analysisA two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled trial (1:1 ratio) with nested qualitative study will be conducted. Two-hundred adults with LTC-related anxiety and depression will be recruited through national LTC charities. They will be randomly allocated to receive COMPASS or SCS only. An independent administrator will use Qualtrics randomiser for treatment allocation, to ensure allocation concealment. Participants will access treatment from home over 10 weeks. The COMPASS group will have access to the digital programme and six therapist contacts: one welcome message and five fortnightly phone calls. Data will be collected online at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-randomisation for primary outcome (Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale) and secondary outcomes (anxiety, depression, daily functioning, COVID-19-related distress, illness-related distress, quality of life, knowledge and confidence for illness self-management, symptom severity and improvement). Analyses will be conducted following the intention-to-treat principle by a data analyst blinded to treatment allocation. A purposively sampled group of COMPASS participants and therapists will be interviewed. Interviews will be thematically analysed.Ethics and disseminationThe study is approved by King’s College London’s Psychiatry, Nursing and Midwifery Research Ethics Subcommittee (reference: LRS-19/20–20347). All participants will provide informed consent to take part if eligible. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04535778.

Anxiety Depression and Burden among the Caregivers of Persons with Neurological Illness

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar Roy ◽  
Nilesh Maruti Gujar ◽  
Arif Ali ◽  
Utpal Borah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Hospital Anxiety ◽  
Care Burden ◽  
Neurological Illness ◽  
Rehabilitation Sciences ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: Studies have shown that caregivers of the persons with the neurological illness have high levels of psychological distress, depression and caregiver’s burden. The aim of the study was to find out anxiety, depression and caregiver’s burden among the caregivers of persons with neurological illness (PWNI). Method: Thirty caregivers of PWNI attending the Centre of Rehabilitation Sciences, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam were selected using purposive sampling technique for the present study. Socio-demographic and clinical data sheet, Zarit Burden Interview Scale and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. Results: The results shown that in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 26.6% of the caregivers' scores were in the abnormal range in the domain of depression. While in the domain of anxiety, 16.6% scored in the abnormal range. In Zarit Burden of Scale, 13.3% of the caregivers were having little or no burden, 26.6% of the caregivers were having mild to moderate level of burden, 20% were having moderate to severe burden and 30% were having a severe burden of care. Care burden has significant positive correlation with depression (r= .124, p≤ 0.01 and anxiety (r= .124, p≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Caregivers of PWNI have been found to be at higher risk of mental health problems and care burden. The importance of addressing the burden of caregivers involved in the care of PWNI need to be taken into consideration while providing treatment and rehabilitation of PWNI.     Keywords: Anxiety, depression, burden, neurological illness

scholarly journals Is social camouflaging associated with anxiety and depression in autistic adults?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Hull ◽  
Lily Levy ◽  
Meng-Chuan Lai ◽  
K. V. Petrides ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background There is inconsistent evidence for a clear pattern of association between ‘camouflaging’ (strategies used to mask and/or compensate for autism characteristics during social interactions) and mental health. Methods This study explored the relationship between self-reported camouflaging and generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety in a large sample of autistic adults and, for the first time, explored the moderating effect of gender, in an online survey. Results Overall, camouflaging was associated with greater symptoms of generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety, although only to a small extent beyond the contribution of autistic traits and age. Camouflaging more strongly predicted generalised and social anxiety than depression. No interaction between camouflaging and gender was found. Limitations These results cannot be generalised to autistic people with intellectual disability, or autistic children and young people. The sample did not include sufficient numbers of non-binary people to run separate analyses; therefore, it is possible that camouflaging impacts mental health differently in this population. Conclusions The findings suggest that camouflaging is a risk factor for mental health problems in autistic adults without intellectual disability, regardless of gender. We also identified levels of camouflaging at which risk of mental health problems is highest, suggesting clinicians should be particularly aware of mental health problems in those who score at or above these levels.

“Tell me what I’m doing wrong”: Criticism of parenting choices and mental health during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin P. Ward ◽  
Shawna J. Lee ◽  
Olivia Chang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Parental Anxiety ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Objective: To explore longitudinal associations between receiving criticism about parenting choices with parental anxiety, depression, and financial worries during COVID-19. Background: During COVID-19, parents have struggled with high levels of economic insecurity, parenting stress, and mental health difficulties. Parents were also forced to make difficult parenting decisions with little evidence-based guidance. Social cognitive theory suggests that receiving criticism (i.e., negative feedback) from others can contribute to psychological distress. Methods: Data were collected via an online survey at two time points during April 2020 from a national U.S. sample of 359 parents. Quantitative analyses were conducted using logistic and linear regression, and qualitative responses were coded to elucidate topics of criticism. Results: Mothers received more parenting criticism and reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and financial worries than fathers. The most common sources of criticism were from one’s spouse/child’s other parent (T1: 67.65%; T2: 73.86%), one’s parents (T1: 30.77%; T2: 33.33%), in-laws (T1: 23.60%; T2: 25.00%), and social media (T1: 19.54%; T2: 14.08%). Criticism about parenting choices at T1 was associated with increased parental anxiety, depression, and financial worries at T2, after controlling for these outcomes at T1. Parents were criticized for lenient parenting (20.63%) and being too strict when making decisions related to COVID-19, (18.13%), illustrating the paradox of parenting during a pandemic. Conclusion and Implications: Receiving criticism about parenting choices may exacerbate mental health problems. Parents may benefit from receiving positive feedback about their parenting, either through social media or in conversations with family members.

Mental health problems of Dutch young adult domestic adoptees compared to non-adopted peers and international adoptees

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1201-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle C Dekker ◽  
Wendy Tieman ◽  
Anneke G Vinke ◽  
Jan van der Ende ◽  
Frank C Verhulst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Adult Adoptees ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
International Adoptees ◽  
Anxiety Depression

We examined the mental health problems of Dutch young adult domestic adoptees ( N = 75) relative to Dutch non-adopted peers and Dutch international adoptees. We found small differences in favor of the non-adopted peers ( N = 2021), while a minority of male domestic adoptees were at risk of anxiety/depression problems. Domestic adoptees showed somewhat less problems behavior than international adoptees ( N = 1331). Domestic and international adoptees differed in search status (non-searcher, searcher, reunited), although this could not explain any differences in mental health problems. Social workers and clinicians should support (male) adult adoptees in coping with possible feelings of anxiety and depression. Future studies should pay attention to gender differences in adoptees.

scholarly journals Mental health impacts among health workers during COVID-19 in a low resource setting: a cross-sectional survey from Nepal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratik Khanal ◽  
Navin Devkota ◽  
Minakshi Dahal ◽  
Kiran Paudel ◽  
Devavrat Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Health care workers exposed to COVID-19 might be at increased risk of developing mental health problems. The study aimed to identify factors associated with anxiety, depression and insomnia among health workers involved in COVID-19 response in Nepal. Methods: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted between April 26 and May 12, 2020. A total of 475 health workers participated in the study. Anxiety and depression were measured using a 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS: 0- 21) and insomnia was measured by using a 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI: 0-28). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine the risk factors of mental health outcomes. Results: Overall, 41.9% of health workers had symptoms of anxiety, 37.5% had depression symptoms and 33.9% had symptoms of insomnia. Stigma faced by health workers was significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.62-3.76), depression (AOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.34-3.11) and insomnia (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.46-3.84). History of medication for mental health problems was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 3.40; 95% CI:1.31-8.81), depression (AOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.45-10.14) and insomnia (AOR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.52-9.62) while inadequate precautionary measures in the workplace was significantly associated with higher odds of exhibiting symptoms of anxiety (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.12-3.19) and depression (AOR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.16-3.37). Nurses (AOR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.21-4.47) were significantly more likely to experience anxiety symptoms than other health workers. Conclusion: The study findings revealed a considerate proportion of anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms among health workers during the early phase of the pandemic in Nepal. Health workers facing stigma, those with history of medication for mental health problems, and those reporting inadequate precautionary measures in their workplace were more at risk of developing mental health outcomes. A focus on improving mental wellbeing of health workers should be immediately initiated with attention to reduction of stigma, ensuring an adequate support system such as personal protective equipments, and family support for those with history of mental health problems.

scholarly journals Keep Calm and Study Abroad: The Effect of Learning Abroad on Student Mental Health

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Bathke ◽  
Yang-Hyang (Ryoka) Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
The University

This research set out to discover whether statistics would support the belief in the international education field that the stress of going abroad (adjusting to a new culture, missing home, being away from support network, etc.) can trigger mental health conditions in students participating in learning abroad programs. The study sought to glean on overall picture of student mental health abroad, as well as determine the percentage of students studying abroad who reported experiencing a diagnosed mental health condition while abroad, the nature of these diagnosed mental health conditions, the frequency of relapse/recurrence of existing conditions while abroad, the frequency and type of treatment received, and local attitude toward mental health conditions. The research was conducted by means of an online survey administered by the University of Minnesota’s Office of Measurement Services, which was sent by email to people who had participated in study abroad through the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center between Summer 2009 and Spring 2012, a total of 7,191 students. As the Learning Abroad Center, while serving University of Minnesota students first and foremost, also acts as a program provider recruiting students nationally, the participants’ home institutions were likely dozens of universities nationwide (though home institution information was not collected). We received 613 responses for a response rate of 8.52%. The data from the survey suggest, surprisingly, that in general, student mental health actually improves while abroad, an in fact, that skills learned during an international experience may contribute to improved mental health upon return.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Related Knowledge and Mental Health: Case of Croatia

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Galić ◽  
Luka Mustapić ◽  
Ana Šimunić ◽  
Leon Sić ◽  
Sabrina Cipolletta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Hospital Anxiety ◽  
Biological Features ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mediation Models

Background and Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to radical and unexpected changes in everyday life, and it is plausible that people’s psychophysical health has been affected. This study examined the relationship between COVID-19 related knowledge and mental health in a Croatian sample of participants.MethodsAn online survey was conducted from March 18 until March 23, 2020, and a total of 1244 participant responses were collected (85.5% were women and 58.4% completed secondary education). Measures included eight questions regarding biological features of the virus, symptoms, and prevention, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Optimism-Pessimism Scale. According to the answers given on the questions on COVID-19 related knowledge, participants were divided in two groups: (1) informed and (2) uninformed on each question. They were then compared in the expressed levels of anxiety, depression, pessimism, and optimism. Full vs. partial mediation models with optimism/pessimism as a mediator in the relationship between anxiety/depression and the accuracy of responses for questions about handwashing and ways of transmission were estimated.ResultsParticipants who responded correctly on the question about handwashing had higher levels of anxiety, depression, and pessimism than those participants whose answer was incorrect, while participants who answered correctly on the question about the percentage of patients who develop serious breathing problems had higher levels of depression than those who answered incorrectly. Lower levels of anxiety and pessimism were observed in the participants who answered correctly about ways of transmission. Higher levels of pessimism were found in participants who scored incorrectly on questions about the efficiency of antibiotics, most common symptoms, and the possibility of being infected by asymptomatic carriers. Higher levels of knowledge about handwashing were predicted by higher levels of anxiety and pessimism. Higher levels of knowledge about ways of transmission were predicted by lower levels of anxiety and lower levels of pessimism. The examined relationships between anxiety/depression and knowledge were mediated by pessimism.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that knowledge about COVID-19 may be useful to reduce anxiety and depression, but it must be directed to the promotion of health behaviors and to the recognition of fake news.

scholarly journals Maternal mental health and partner delivered massage: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hall ◽  
N Munk ◽  
B Carr ◽  
S Fogarty ◽  
S Holton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Management Program ◽  
The Self ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stress Management Program ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Mental health problems place a significant burden on the health system and are an important public health issue. Many pregnant women experience anxiety and depression, which can negatively impact health outcomes for both mother and baby. Partner-delivered massage may provide a cost effective and accessible approach to support the mental wellbeing of pregnant women. Methods A feasibility randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare partner-delivered relaxation massage (intervention) with a self-directed stress management program (control), for pregnant women with mild anxiety. Women attended an initial workshop at 28-32 weeks gestation, followed by the completion of either the self-directed massage or stress management program. Qualitative feasibility and acceptability data (primary outcomes) were collected via online participant diaries and post-birth interviews. Anxiety, depression and stress symptoms (secondary outcomes) were assessed using the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results 14 women/partner dyads attended the partner- delivered massage group and 13 women attended the self-directed stress management group. Participants from both groups reported the programs were feasible and acceptable. Mean scores on all DASS-21 subscales significantly decreased over time in both the intervention and the control group. Conclusions The partner-delivered massage program was feasible and acceptable. Both programs decreased women's symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, with no significant between-group differences identified. An adequately powered, experimental study is needed to determine the effectiveness of partner-delivered relaxation massage. Key messages Many women experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy and this can have a negative impact on both mother and baby. Partner-delivered relaxation massage, at least once a week in the third trimester, may help reduce women’s symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress.

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