scholarly journals Can Positive Mindsets Be Protective against Stress and Isolation Experienced during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding Emotional Health and Wellbeing Needs of Perinatal Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6958
Author(s):  
Jacqueline A. Davis ◽  
Lisa Y. Gibson ◽  
Natasha L. Bear ◽  
Amy L. Finlay-Jones ◽  
Jeneva L. Ohan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Birth Mothers ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perinatal Women

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and wellbeing and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants. A mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that provided a robust insight into their unique needs. A total of 174 women who were either pregnant or post-birth participated. The main findings demonstrated that women in this cohort experienced varying levels of stress and isolation but also positive experiences. Exploring the relationship between mental health (perceived stress and wellbeing) and resilience (mindfulness and self-compassion) revealed an association between positive mental health and higher levels of mindfulness and self-compassion. Positive mindsets may be protective against psychological distress for the mother and her child, suggesting that meditation-based or similar training might help support expectant and post-birth mothers during times of crisis, such as a pandemic. This information could be used to make recommendations for future planning for practitioners and policymakers in preparing for prospective infection waves, pandemics, or natural disasters, and could be used to develop targeted tools, support, and care.

scholarly journals Positive Psychology for Mental Wellbeing of UK Therapeutic Students: Relationships with Engagement, Motivation, Resilience and Self-Compassion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Pauline Green ◽  
David Sheffield
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Psychological Constructs ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the relationships between mental wellbeing and positive psychological constructs in therapeutic students (psychotherapy and occupational therapy students). The number of therapeutic students has increased recently; however, they suffer from poor mental health, which may be improved by potentiating their positive psychological constructs, bypassing mental health shame. Therapeutic students (n = 145) completed measures regarding positive psychological constructs, namely mental wellbeing, engagement, motivation, resilience, and self-compassion. Resilience and self-compassion predicted mental wellbeing, explaining a large effect. Self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between resilience and mental wellbeing. This study highlights the importance of positive psychological constructs, especially resilience and self-compassion, for mental wellbeing of therapeutic students.

scholarly journals Accelerometry-assessed sleep duration and timing in late childhood and adolescence in Scottish schoolchildren: a feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Lyall ◽  
Natasha Sangha ◽  
Cathy Wyse ◽  
Elaine Hindle ◽  
Dawn Haughton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Sleep Timing ◽  
Primary School Pupils

AbstractChildren and adolescents commonly suffer from sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances, which may contribute to poorer mental health and wellbeing during this critical developmental phase. Many studies however rely on self-reported sleep measures. This study assessed whether accelerometry data collection was feasible within the school setting as a method for investigating the extent of sleep and circadian disruption, and associations with subjective wellbeing, in Scotland. Fourteen days of wrist-worn accelerometry data were collected from 69 pupils, aged 10-14 years. Objective measures of sleep timing, sleep duration and circadian rest-activity patterns were derived. Questionnaires assessed subjective sleep timing, depressive symptoms, and experiences of wearing the accelerometer. Pupils slept on average less than 8 hours per night, failing to meet standard age-specific recommendations. Sleep timing was later and duration longer on weekends compared to weekdays (B = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70, 1.04; B = 0.49, 95% CI 0.29, 0.69), indicating social jetlag. Lower daytime activity was correlated with higher depressive symptoms (r = -0.84, p = 0.008). Compared to primary school pupils, secondary pupils had shorter sleep window duration and lower circadian relative amplitude. Over half of participants reported some discomfort/inconvenience wearing the accelerometer. These data highlight that inadequate sleep is prevalent in this sample of schoolchildren. Future, larger scale investigations will examine in more detail the associations between sleep, circadian function and physical activity with mental health and wellbeing.

scholarly journals Accelerometry-assessed sleep duration and timing in late childhood and adolescence in Scottish schoolchildren: A feasibility study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0242080
Author(s):  
Laura M. Lyall ◽  
Natasha Sangha ◽  
Cathy Wyse ◽  
Elaine Hindle ◽  
Dawn Haughton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Sleep Timing ◽  
Primary School Pupils

Children and adolescents commonly suffer from sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances, which may contribute to poorer mental health and wellbeing during this critical developmental phase. Many studies however rely on self-reported sleep measures. This study assessed whether accelerometry data collection was feasible within the school setting as a method for investigating the extent of sleep and circadian disruption, and associations with subjective wellbeing, in Scotland. Fourteen days of wrist-worn accelerometry data were collected from 69 pupils, aged 10–14 years. Objective measures of sleep timing, sleep duration and circadian rest-activity patterns were derived. Questionnaires assessed subjective sleep timing, depressive symptoms, and experiences of wearing the accelerometer. Pupils slept on average less than 8 hours per night, failing to meet standard age-specific recommendations. Sleep timing was later and duration longer on weekends compared to weekdays (B = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70, 1.04; B = 0.49, 95% CI 0.29, 0.69), indicating social jetlag. Lower daytime activity was correlated with higher depressive symptoms (r = -0.84, p = 0.008). Compared to primary school pupils, secondary pupils had shorter sleep window duration and lower circadian relative amplitude. Over half of participants reported some discomfort/inconvenience wearing the accelerometer. These data highlight that inadequate sleep is prevalent in this sample of schoolchildren. Future, larger scale investigations will examine in more detail the associations between sleep, circadian function and physical activity with mental health and wellbeing.

scholarly journals Investigating the effect of sports participation on the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia McGifford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Conformity To Masculine Norms ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Relationship

<p>The physical health benefits of sports participation have been well-established, however, the influences on mental health and wellbeing may still be unclear (Slater & Tiggemann, 2011; Steiner et al., 2000). The argument currently stands that sports participation has positive influences on mental health and wellbeing for adolescents, however, there are movements towards the concept that the sporting environment may foster negative experiences for adolescents. Two studies were conducted in order to assess the relationship between sports participation and wellbeing. Study One firstly examined sex differences and effect of sports participation on wellbeing. Consistent with previous research, females demonstrated higher levels of depression and anxiety, while males exhibited higher levels of self-esteem. Sports participation only influenced levels of depression, and not anxiety or self-esteem. Self-esteem mediated the relationship between gender and wellbeing, while sports participation did not. Study Two investigated the effect of sports participation on the wellbeing of adolescent males in New Zealand. A particular focus was taken on the possible negative influence New Zealand rugby culture may have on wellbeing. Contrary to previous research, sports participation did not have an effect on depression, anxiety, stress, conformity to masculine norms or sporting identity. Those who played an individual sport had higher levels of self-esteem and sports orientation compared to those who did not play sports, but not team sports or rugby. This research is one of the first to look at male adolescents and more specifically rugby culture and its effects on wellbeing. Mixed results from Study One and Two indicate that there are possibly gaps in the theory about sports participation and its effect of wellbeing, suggesting that further research is needed to expand the knowledge around this relationship.</p>

Acceptability, Engagement and Exploratory Outcomes of an Emotional Wellbeing App: Mixed Methods Preliminary Evaluation and Descriptive Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Eisenstadt ◽  
Shaun Liverpool ◽  
Athina- Marina Metaxa ◽  
Courtney Carlsson ◽  
Roberta Maria Ciuvat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
User Testing ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence highlighting a significant gap between mental health and wellbeing needs and available support. Digital interventions, such as mental health apps, have been identified as an appropriate medium for addressing the problem. However, a number of apps are being developed and made available without the relevant evidence base. Thus, there is a need to conduct user testing and early evaluations of new apps to provide sufficient information for users and prescribers. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this feasibility study is to describe the acceptability, engagement, and preliminary outcomes of using an app (Paradym) designed to promote emotional wellbeing and positive mental health. METHODS This is a mixed methods single-arm study with a pre- and post- design, aggregate with digital analytics data. We anonymously collected real world data on demographics, mental health and wellbeing, and usability and acceptance using validated questionnaires and open ended-questions. Participants were asked to download the app and use the intervention for a minimum of 2 weeks before completing follow up measures. Google Analytics was used to record levels of engagement with the app. Chi Square and t-tests were conducted to analyze quantitative data, and a thematic analysis approach was adopted for qualitative data. RESULTS A total of 116 participants accessed the study, of which 91 users downloaded the app. The sample was diverse in terms of ethnicity (43.5% belonging to minority ethnic groups) and included majority females (67.24%) between the ages 18-25 from the USA. Participants who completed the study (n=34) provided favorable feedback in terms of the app’s content, functionality and underlying principles. Although usability feedback varied across items, a high percentage of participants found that the app was easy to use. Based on descriptive data, the mean mental health and wellbeing scores improved. Post hoc analyses indicated that the reduction in PHQ-9 depression scores (t33 = -2.16) and the change in scores on one of the wellbeing measures (WHO-5) (t33 = 2.87) were statistically significant. No adverse events were reported and anxiety levels of the participants were found to be mild during the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study are encouraging and potentially show preliminary evidence of effectiveness. The findings also suggest scope for further research with underrepresented groups, such as ethnic minority populations. Furthermore, the research provides valuable information for future app upgrades and further evaluations of the intervention. CLINICALTRIAL Eisenstadt A, Liverpool S. User Testing Service Evaluation. doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/TVJBA.

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