The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chinese Postgraduate Students’ Mental Health

To understand the mental health status of Chinese postgraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used three online questionnaires: self-rating anxiety (SAS) scale, self-rating depression (SDS) scale, and social avoidance and distress (SAD) scale. A total of 3137 postgraduate students from different regions of China participated in our study. We explored the relationship between participant characteristics and mental health using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found that the proportions of respondents with severe, mild, and moderate depression were 1.4%, 10.48%, and 21.99%, respectively, and the corresponding proportions of respondents with anxiety were 1.56%, 4.65%, and 14.69%, respectively. A one-way ANOVA revealed that the mental health statuses of the participants were different between the subgroups based on majors, classes, degree types, and the method of communication with advisors and students. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects on interaction and the method of communication with advisors and peers. These findings suggest that the mental health of postgraduate students should be monitored during the pandemic, especially when they are unable to communicate directly with their advisors or peers, and targeted psychological counselling must be focused on anxiety and depression.

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The impact of resilience on anxiety and depression among grass-roots civil servants in China

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10710-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huiling Song ◽

Mengjie Zhang ◽

Yanjie Wang ◽

Liying Yang ◽

Yanyu Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Civil Servants ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

The Self ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Grass Roots ◽

Self Rating ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background The grass-roots civil servants are the final implementers and executors of a series of government policies and the fundamental force for social stability and harmonious development. However, the mental health problems of grass-roots civil servants have not got full attention. This study aimed to assess the impact of resilience on anxiety and depression among grass-roots civil servants in China. Method From Oct to Dec 2019, 302 civil servants completed a series of questionnaires. The Civil Servants Stress Scale (CSSS) was used to assess the stress of civil servants. The Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used to evaluate the depression and anxiety of participants, respectively. The resilience of civil servants evaluates by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RSCI). We conducted the moderating and mediating analysis on the impact of resilience on depression and anxiety in grass-roots civil servants. Results There were significant differences in gender, education, position, relationship with coworkers, physical exercise, and monthly income for stress in grass-roots civil servants (P < 0.05). Resilience can negatively regulate the stress of grass-roots civil servants, and an effective mediator and moderator in the relationship between stress and anxiety and depression and the mediating effect ratios of 7.77 and 22.79%. Conclusion Resilience has moderating and mediating effects on the relationship between stress and depression, and anxiety. The negative effects of stress on depression and anxiety of grass-roots civil servants can be buffered by resilience as a dynamic moderator directly and indirectly. These findings contribute to society and government better understand the mental health status of grass-roots civil servants and provide references and guidance for the formulation of corresponding management and prevention measures.

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Social comparison orientation and mental health: The mediating role of psychological capital

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.9767 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Guoliang Yang ◽

Zhihua Wang ◽

Weijiong Wu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Comparison ◽

Psychological Capital ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Mediating Role ◽

The Social ◽

Social Comparison Orientation ◽

Using Data ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Little is known about the relationship between social comparison orientation and mental health, especially in the psychological capital context. We proposed a theoretical model to examine the impact of ability- and opinion-based social comparison orientation on mental health using data from 304 undergraduates. We also examined the mediating effect of the four psychological capital components of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism in the relationship between social comparison orientation and mental health. Results show that an ability (vs. opinion) social comparison orientation was negatively (vs. positively) related to the psychological capital components. Further, the resilience and optimism components of psychological capital fully mediated the social comparison orientation–mental health relationship. Our findings indicate that psychological capital should be considered in the promotion of mental health, and that the two social comparison orientation types have opposite effects on psychological capital.

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Childhood Material Hardship and Adolescent Mental Health

Youth & Society ◽

10.1177/0044118x211001896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0044118X2110018

Author(s):

Chrisse Edmunds ◽

Melissa Alcaraz

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Adolescent Depression ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Fragile Families ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Material Hardship ◽

Critical Age ◽

The Relationship

Adolescent mental health has implications for current and future wellbeing. While a link exists between poverty and mental health, little is known about how experiencing material hardship, such as insecurity of food, housing, utilities, and medical care, throughout early childhood affects adolescent mental health. We examine the relationship between material hardship in childhood and adolescent mental health. We use Poisson regression to examine the effect of material hardship experienced at different stages of childhood on adolescent depression and anxiety outcomes at age 15. We use longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( N = 3,222). We find that recently experiencing material hardship during childhood is positively and significantly associated with anxiety and depression symptoms at age 15, even when controlling for material hardship at age 15. Additionally, we find that insecurity during mid-childhood and the stress of lacking basic needs during a critical age may influence mental health in adolescence.

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Family Physicians’ Standpoint and Mental Health Assessment in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2093

Author(s):

Tina Vilovic ◽

Josko Bozic ◽

Marino Vilovic ◽

Doris Rusic ◽

Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, family physicians (FPs) are the backbone of the healthcare system with considerable impact on the general population, and their well-being is of great importance. The aim of this investigation was to assess FPs mental health, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding the pandemic, and opinions on non-communicable disease (NCD) health care provided to patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 613 FPs. Anxiety and depression levels were estimated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, subjective perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale, while trauma-related symptoms were assessed using the Impact on Event Scale-COVID19. KAPs toward the pandemic and opinions regarding NCD patients were evaluated with questionnaires accordingly. Results have shown that age (β = −0.02, p = 0.013) and personal risk of COVID‑19 (β = 1.05, p < 0.001) were significant independent correlates of the knowledge score. A total of 87.7% FPs expressed moderate/high perceived stress, 45.2% moderate/severe trauma-related symptoms, 60.4% borderline/abnormal anxiety levels, and 52.4% borderline/abnormal depression levels. Knowledge score was an independent predictor of perceived stress (β = −0.33, p = 0.023) and anxiety (β = −0.31, p = 0.006) levels. Limited accessibility to healthcare services and decreased number of newly-diagnosed NCD cases were mostly agreed on. The pandemic puts a considerable strain on FPs mental health, as well as on public health measures, due to the decreased overall quality of NCD patient health care. Educational programs may bridge the gaps between FPs’ knowledge. Thus lowering anxiety and improving patient care.

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Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041947 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041947

Author(s):

Pamela G Mckay ◽

Helen Walker ◽

Colin R Martin ◽

Mick Fleming

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Symptom Experience ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM). The hypothesis predicated that there would be no significant differences between the group’s symptom experience.DesignA quasiexperimental design. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and invariance testing.ParticipantsMales (M) and females (F) >16 with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME or FM by a general practitioner or specialist. CFS/ME (n=101, F: n=86, M: n=15, mean (M) age M=45.5 years). FM (n=107, F: n=95, M: n=12, M=47.2 years).Outcome measuresDiagnostic criteria: the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for CFS/ME and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for FM. Additional symptom questionnaires measuring: pain, sleep quality, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety and depression, locus of control and self-esteem.ResultsInvariance was confirmed with the exception of the American CDC Symptom Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p<0.05) based on five questions. Consequently, it was erroneous to conclude differences. Therefore, the Syndrome Model was created. SEM could not have tested the ACR previously, as it comprised a single data point. Thus, it was combined with these three questionnaires, increasing the data points, to create this new measurable model. Results confirmed no significant differences between groups (p=0.07 (p<0.05)).ConclusionParticipants responded in a similar manner to the questionnaire, confirming the same symptom experience. It is important to consider this in context with differing criteria and management guidelines, as this may influence diagnosis and the trajectory of patient’s management. With the biomedical cause currently unclear, it is the symptom experience and the impact on quality of life that is important. These findings are meaningful for patients, clinicians and policy development and support the requirement for future research.

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Impact of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) on mental health

Medico-Legal Journal ◽

10.1177/0025817220981817 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002581722098181

Author(s):

Shweta Sunil ◽

Manoj Kumar Sharma ◽

Nitin Anand

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Gaming ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Self Harm ◽

Aggressive Behaviours ◽

Causal Patterns ◽

The Impact

Online gaming has become a concern for health professionals due to its dysfunctional effects. This study aimed to conceptualise and summarise the impact that gaming platforms like PUBG can have on an individual’s mental health. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA model. A total of five papers were shortlisted and reviewed for the purpose of this study. The results indicated the use of gaming platforms like PUBG by players to address and cope with anxiety and depression, and it also highly influences the presence of other concerns like ADHD and suicidality, self-harm and aggressive behaviours. While the literature points to the detrimental effects of PUBG, this study highlights the importance of undertaking more research to establish the causal patterns in PUBG use and how to address the issues posed from both psychological and legal perspectives.

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ECP02-01 - Globalisation and the impact of economic factors on psychiatric disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)73499-x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 1795-1795

Author(s):

D. Bhugra

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cultural Identity ◽

Economic Status ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Economic Factors ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Level Of Economic Development ◽

Migration Experiences ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

IntroductionWith the process of globalisation in full flow, the movement of people and products across the globe has brought a series of difficulties. With migration the socio-economic status of the individuals may change with the likelihood that this status will be lower rather than higher, although depending upon the reasons for migration this may change too.ObjectivesLiterature shows that low socio-economic status is associated with a higher level of psychiatric morbidity.AimsWhether migration acts as a mediator needs to be investigated further.MethodsVarious studies have shown that rates of psychosis are elevated in migrants though these rates are differentially increased in different groups indicating that factors other than migration may be at play.ResultsIn this presentation the literature and link the acculturation and cultural identity with post-migration experiences will be reviewed.ConclusionA link exists between the perceptions within cultures and level of economic development of what constitutes mental health. The state of advancement of mental health services of a country will certainly have a large impact on prevalence rates. Further investigation should be carried out to examine in greater depth the relationship between social inequality and disorder prevalence, as distinct from income inequality.

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The relationship between exclusion from school and mental health: a secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys 2004 and 2007

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329171700215x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 629-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

T. Ford ◽

C. Parker ◽

J. Salim ◽

R. Goodman ◽

S. Logan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychiatric Disorder ◽

Health Surveys ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

BackgroundChildren with poor mental health often struggle at school. The relationship between childhood psychiatric disorder and exclusion from school has not been frequently studied, but both are associated with poor adult outcomes. We undertook a secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys from 2004 and its follow-up in 2007 to explore the relationship between exclusion from school and psychopathology. We predicted poorer mental health among those excluded.MethodPsychopathology was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, while psychiatric disorder was assessed using the Development and Well-Being Assessment and applying Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV) criteria. Exclusion from school and socio-demographic characteristics were reported by parents. Multi-variable regression models were used to examine the impact of individual factors on exclusion from school or psychological distress.ResultsExclusion from school was commoner among boys, secondary school pupils and those living in socio-economically deprived circumstances. Poor general health and learning disability among children and poor parental mental health were also associated with exclusion. There were consistently high levels of psychological distress among those who had experienced exclusion at baseline and follow-up.ConclusionsWe detected a bi-directional association between psychological distress and exclusion. Efforts to identify and support children who struggle with school may therefore prevent both future exclusion and future psychiatric disorder.

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How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents’ Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182211746 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 11746

Author(s):

Kaili Chen ◽

Tianzheng Zhang ◽

Fangyuan Liu ◽

Yingjie Zhang ◽

Yan Song

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Green Space ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Space Planning ◽

Urban Green ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

In recent years, the interest in the relationship between urban green space and residents’ mental health has gradually risen. A number of researchers have investigated the causal relationship and possible mediators between the two, although few have summarized these mediators. For this reason, we searched for relevant studies and filtered them by criteria and quality score, and analyzed the mediators and paths of the impact of urban green space on residents’ mental health. The mediators can be divided into environmental factors, outdoor activity, and social cohesion. From the perspective of heterogeneity, both individual characteristics (e.g., age and gender) and group characteristics (e.g., level of urban development and urban density) of residents are considered to be the cause of various mediating effects. Types of urban green space tend to affect residents’ mental health through different paths. Furthermore, this review discusses the details of each part under the influence paths. Finally, the policy implications for urban green space planning from three mediator levels are put forward based on an analysis of the situation in different countries.

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Shame Mediates the Relationship Between Pain Invalidation and Depression

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.743584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Brandon L. Boring ◽

Kaitlyn T. Walsh ◽

Namrata Nanavaty ◽

Vani A. Mathur

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Withdrawal ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Internalized Shame ◽

Self Worth ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

The experience of pain is subjective, yet many people have their pain invalidated or not believed. Pain invalidation is associated with poor mental health, including depression and lower well-being. Qualitative investigations of invalidating experiences identify themes of depression, but also social withdrawal, self-criticism, and lower self-worth, all of which are core components of shame. Despite this, no studies have quantitatively assessed the interrelationship between pain invalidation, shame, and depression. To explore this relationship, participants recounted the frequency of experienced pain invalidation from family, friends, and medical professionals, as well as their feelings of internalized shame and depressive symptoms. As shame has been shown to be a precursor for depression, we further explored the role of shame as a mediator between pain invalidation and depressive symptoms. All sources of pain invalidation were positively associated with shame and depressive symptoms, and shame fully mediated the relationship between each source of pain invalidation and depression. Relative to other sources, pain invalidation from family was most closely tied to shame and depression. Overall, findings indicate that one mechanism by which pain invalidation may facilitate depression is via the experience of shame. Future research may explore shame as a potential upstream precursor to depression in the context of pain. Findings provide more insight into the harmful influence of pain invalidation on mental health and highlight the impact of interpersonal treatment on the experiences of people in pain.

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