scholarly journals Working Conditions as Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms among Spanish-Speaking Au Pairs Living in Germany—Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6940
Author(s):  
Bernarda Espinoza-Castro ◽  
Tobias Weinmann ◽  
Rossana Mendoza López ◽  
Katja Radon
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Au Pairs ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Host Families

Previous studies have shown poor working conditions and poor mental health among au pairs. However, there are limited longitudinal approaches to these conditions. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence of depressive symptoms longitudinally and to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics, working conditions and violence at work with depressive symptoms over time among Spanish-speaking au pairs living in Germany. A prospective cohort study was performed with three measurement intervals, which included 189 participants. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were implemented to estimate the association between predictors and depressive symptoms. Au pairs who worked >40 h per week were more than three times more likely to experience depression than those who did not (OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.46–8.28). In addition, those exposed to physical violence were almost five times more likely to suffer from depression (OR: 4.95; 95% CI: 2.16–9.75), and au pairs who had bad schedule adaptation to social and family commitments had twice the risk of depression than those who did not (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 0.95–5.28). This knowledge could be of interest for future au pairs, host families, au pair agencies and policy makers. Together, they could improve awareness and monitoring of au pair working conditions.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms, Help-Seeking, and Barriers to Mental Healthcare Among Healthcare Professionals in Lithuania

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Daniel Rogoža ◽  
Robertas Strumila ◽  
Eglė Klivickaitė ◽  
Edgaras Diržius ◽  
Neringa Čėnaitė
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Patient Health

Background: Previous research suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience high levels of work-related psychological distress, including depressive symptoms. Due to the stigma of mental health problems and other barriers, HCPs are likely to be hesitant to seek appropriate mental healthcare. We aimed to explore these phenomena among HCPs in Lithuania.Methods: A web survey inquiring about depressive symptoms, help-seeking, and barriers to mental healthcare was conducted. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). 601 complete questionnaires were included in the analyses. The barriers to help-seeking were identified using the inductive content analysis approach. Descriptive, non-parametric, and robust statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results: Most of the respondents have reported depression-like symptoms over the lifetime, although only about a third of them sought professional help. Of those, roughly half preferred a private specialist. The stigma and neglect of mental health problems were the most common barriers to help-seeking. Around half of the HCPs believed that seeking mental healthcare can imperil their occupational license. About a quarter of the HCPs screened positive for clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Statistically significant differences in the PHQ-9 score were found between categories of healthcare specialty, marital status, religious beliefs, workplace, and years of work as a HCP. Fewer years of work and younger age were associated with the higher PHQ-9 score.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HCPs in Lithuania may be inclined not to seek appropriate mental healthcare and experience poor mental health, although stronger evidence is needed to verify these findings. 

scholarly journals Major Depressive Syndrome (MDS) and its Association with Time of Residence among Spanish Speaking Au-Pairs Living in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernarda Espinoza-Castro ◽  
Tobias Weinmann ◽  
Rossana Mendoza López ◽  
Katja Radon
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Depressive Syndrome ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Au Pairs ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Mental Symptoms ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

The number of au-pairs in Germany is on the rise. In 2017, about 13,500 au-pairs were living in German families, almost half of them originating from non-European Union (EU) countries and many of them from Spanish speaking countries. Knowledge about mental health among au-pairs in Germany is limited. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Major Depressive Syndrome (MDS) and its potential association with time of residence among Spanish speaking au-pairs living in Germany via an exploratory analysis. This study included a sample of 409 Spanish speaking au-pairs living in Germany. We classified the au-pairs into those who lived less than three weeks in Germany (newcomer au-pairs) and those who lived more than three weeks (experienced au-pairs). The participants were recruited by an online survey (Facebook and Instagram) from August 2018 to June 2019. Socio-demographic characteristics, time of residence in Germany and the level of education were assessed. MDS was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9). Poisson regression models were calculated to evaluate the association between time of residence in Germany and prevalence of MDS. Most of the participants were female (91%). Almost half of them came from Colombia (48%) and were in the age range between 22–24 years (40%). Prevalence of MDS was 8% among newcomers and 19% among experienced au-pairs (p = 0.002). Differences remained statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounders (age, level of education and time of residence in Germany) (prevalence ratio 2.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.22–4.14). In conclusion, au-pairs may develop mental symptoms during their time abroad. Future prospective studies should aim at identifying potential risk factors and preventive measures.

Perfectionism in the transition to university: Comparing diathesis-stress and downward spiral models of depressive symptoms

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby L. Levine ◽  
Marina Milyavskaya
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Personal Standards ◽  
Downward Spiral ◽  
Personal Standards Perfectionism ◽  
Spiral Model ◽  
Diathesis Stress Model

Transitioning to university may be especially difficult for students who expect perfection from themselves. Self-critical perfectionism has consistently been linked to poor mental health. The current study compares a diathesis-stress and a downward spiral model, to determine why self-critical perfectionism is detrimental for mental health during this transition. First-year students (N=658) were recruited prior to beginning university in August and contacted again in October, January, and April. Participants completed measures on perfectionism, stress and depressive symptoms. Evidence was found for a downward spiral model with self-critical perfectionism, but not a diathesis-stress model. Students higher in self-critical perfectionism were more likely to experience increased stress and depressive symptoms in a circular and additive manner. Conversely, students higher in personal standards perfectionism experienced less stress and subsequent depressive symptoms. This research provides a theoretical model for why self-critical perfectionism is related to poor mental health outcomes which become sustained over time.

scholarly journals Toll-like receptor 4-mediated cytokine synthesis and post-stroke depressive symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Korostynski ◽  
Dzesika Hoinkis ◽  
Marcin Piechota ◽  
Slawomir Golda ◽  
Joanna Pera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Post Stroke Depression ◽  
Cytokine Synthesis

AbstractAltered cytokine synthesis thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of post-stroke depression (PSD). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a master regulator of innate immunity. The aim of this study was to explore the putative association between TLR4-mediated cytokine synthesis and subsequent symptoms of PSD. In total, 262 patients with ischemic stroke and without a history of PSD were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in 170 patients on Day 8 and in 146 at 3 months after stroke. Blood samples taken on Day 3 after stroke were stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ex vivo synthesized cytokines (TNFα, IP-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70) and circulating cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, sIL-6R, and IL-1ra) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoassay or cytometric method. RNA sequencing was used to determine the gene expression profile of LPS-induced cytokines and chemokines. LPS-induced cytokine synthesis and the gene expression of TLR4-dependent cytokines and chemokines did not differ between patients with and without greater depressive symptoms. The plasma level of IL-6, but not TNFα, sIL-6R, and IL-1ra, was higher in patients who developed depressive symptoms at 3 months after stroke (median: 4.7 vs 3.4 pg/mL, P = 0.06). Plasma IL-6 predicted the severity of depressive symptoms at 3 months after stroke (β = 0.42, P = 0.03). In conclusion, TLR4-dependent cytokine synthesis was not associated with greater post-stroke depressive symptoms in this study. Circulating IL-6 might be associated with depressive symptoms occurring at 3 months after stroke.

scholarly journals Associations of Dietary Patterns with Incident Depression: The Maastricht Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1034
Author(s):  
Vincenza Gianfredi ◽  
Annemarie Koster ◽  
Anna Odone ◽  
Andrea Amerio ◽  
Carlo Signorelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Patient Health

Our aim was to assess the association between a priori defined dietary patterns and incident depressive symptoms. We used data from The Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort study (n = 2646, mean (SD) age 59.9 (8.0) years, 49.5% women; 15,188 person-years of follow-up). Level of adherence to the Dutch Healthy Diet (DHD), Mediterranean Diet, and Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension (DASH) were derived from a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and annually over seven-year-follow-up (using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire). We used Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to assess the association between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms. One standard deviation (SD) higher adherence in the DHD and DASH was associated with a lower hazard ratio (HR) of depressive symptoms with HRs (95%CI) of 0.78 (0.69–0.89) and 0.87 (0.77–0.98), respectively, after adjustment for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. After further adjustment for lifestyle factors, the HR per one SD higher DHD was 0.83 (0.73–0.96), whereas adherence to Mediterranean and DASH diets was not associated with incident depressive symptoms. Higher adherence to the DHD lowered risk of incident depressive symptoms. Adherence to healthy diet could be an effective non-pharmacological preventive measure to reduce the incidence of depression.

Family Interaction and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Emerging Adults: A Mediation Model of Gratitude

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110006
Author(s):  
Kelly Ka Lai Lam ◽  
Wei-Wen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Family Interaction ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Healthy Family

In this study, we investigated the relations between family interaction, gratitude, and depressive symptoms among Chinese emerging adults. It also investigated gratitude as a mediator in the relation between family interaction and depression. Data were obtained from 321 college students who completed the online questionnaire about the Family Assessment Instrument, Gratitude Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, and demographic information. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test hypotheses and bootstrapping with 5,000 resamplings (95% confidence interval) was used to confirm the mediation model. Results showed that gratitude partially mediated the relation between family interaction and depression. In other words, students with healthy family interaction, as indicated by perceived better family communication, mutuality, and harmony with family members, tended to report higher general gratitude, and subsequently diminished depressive symptoms. The practical implications were discussed.

Associations Between Workplace Violence, Mental Health, and Physical Health among Korean Workers: The Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 216507992110238
Author(s):  
Hae Ran Kim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Shift Work ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Verbal Abuse ◽  
Safety Education ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) is a global public health problem and a threat to the health of Korean workers. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of WPV and its association with mental and physical health among Korean workers. Methods: Data obtained for 50,205 respondents to the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey were utilized for this study. Verbal abuse, threats, physical violence, and sexual harassment were assessed individually and as a composite for “any WPV.” Workers were characterized by education, income, shift work status, access to a health and safety education program, work sector and overall health. Descriptive analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of WPV and its association with mental and physical health. Findings: Overall, 5.6% of workers reported experiencing one of four forms of WPV. The prevalence of verbal abuse, threats, physical violence, and sexual harassment were 4.9%, 0.7%, 0.2%, and 1.1%, respectively. Most perpetrators were customers. Prevalence of WPV was associated with lower education level, poor health status, long working hours, shift work, and no experience of health and safety education; 9.0% of service workers experienced violence. Workers who had experienced WPV were more likely to experience anxiety, sleep-related problems, depressive symptoms, back pain, headache/eye strain, and overall fatigue. Conclusions/Applications to Practice: Workplace violence is a serious occupational and public health concern in Korea. These results suggest managing WPV may improve workers’ well-being and that violence-prevention strategies, policies, and regulations should be implemented across most industries.

Attitudes that determine willingness to seek psychiatric help for depression: a representative population survey applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1855-1865 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Schomerus ◽  
H. Matschinger ◽  
M. C. Angermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Analogous Model

BackgroundMany people suffering from mental disorders do not seek appropriate help. We have examined attitudes that further or hinder help-seeking for depression with an established socio-psychological model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), comparing models for respondents with and without depressive symptoms.MethodA qualitative preparatory study (n=29) elicited salient behavioural (BB), normative (NB) and control beliefs (CB) that were later included in the TPB questionnaire. Telephone interviews with a representative population sample in Germany (n=2303) started with a labelled vignette describing symptoms of a major depression, followed by items covering the components of the TPB. Intention to see a psychiatrist for the problem described was elicited at the beginning and at the end of the interview. We screened participants for current depressive symptoms using the mood subscale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsIn non-depressed respondents (n=2167), a TPB path model predicted 42% of the variance for the first and 51% for the second question on intention. In an analogous model for depressed respondents (n=136), these values increased to 50% and 61% respectively. Path coefficients in both models were similar. In both depressed and non-depressed persons, attitude towards the behaviour was more important than the subjective norm, whereas perceived behavioural control was of minor influence.ConclusionsWillingness to seek psychiatric help for depression can largely be explained by a set of attitudes and beliefs as conceptualized by the TPB. Our findings suggest that changing attitudes in the general population are likely to effect help-seeking when people experience depressive symptoms.

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