Will Smog Cause Mental Health Problems? Indication from a Microsurvey of 35 Major Cities in China

Using the survey data of 21,861 participants from 35 major cities in China in 2018 and 2019, the effect of air quality on participants’ mental health was empirically tested based on the ordered probit model. The results showed that smog can significantly influence the mental health of participants. The better the air quality, the better the participants’ mental health, while poor air quality results in poor mental health. The older and higher-paid participants demonstrated poorer mental health. Additionally, for different health conditions, the air quality had different effects on the participants’ mental health. The healthier the participants, the more sensitive their mental health to changes in air pollution; the poorer the physical condition of the participants, the less sensitive their mental health to changes in air quality. Therefore, we need to more comprehensively and scientifically understand the effect of air quality on health. We need to pay attention not only to the adverse effects of smog on participants’ physical health, but also to its effects on participants’ mental health to improve both the physical and mental health of participants by improving the air quality.

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Chronic health conditions, mental health and the school: A narrative review

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896919890898 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 471-483

Author(s):

Kevin C Runions ◽

Rena Vithiatharan ◽

Kirsten Hancock ◽

Ashleigh Lin ◽

Christopher G Brennan-Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Chronic Health Conditions ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Social Risk ◽

Chronic Health ◽

Risk Processes

Objectives: Children and adolescents with chronic physical health conditions are also at elevated risk of poor mental health; the mechanisms to account for this relationship remain unclear. In this narrative review, we used the socio-ecological model to examine research on experiences of school for children with chronic health conditions and how socio-ecology might be involved in mental health problems. Design: We conducted a scoping review of the existing literature, focused on hearing loss, cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes, which examined child and/or adolescent mental health and aspects of the school social setting. Method: PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched for the three target conditions; from 353 abstracts, 38 articles were reviewed in detail. Results: Relevant articles that examined social aspects of the experience of school for students with chronic health conditions, including absenteeism due to illness or healthcare, self-perceived difference from peers, stigmatisation and discrimination, bullying and victimisation, and positive aspects of peer support at school were reviewed. Teacher–child aspects including teacher knowledge and/or attitudes about the condition and the possibility of overdependence in the relationship were examined. Each of these processes was considered for its impact on the young person’s mental health. Conclusion: School-based social risk processes in the lives of young people with chronic health conditions, in particular in the peer microsystem, are likely to contribute to risk of psychological problems. These risks cannot be disentangled from mesosystemic, exosystemic and macrosystemic influences. Further research is required on the role of teachers and parents in the school social functioning of children with chronic health conditions.

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Mental health consequences of urban air pollution: prospective population-based longitudinal survey

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s00127-020-01966-x ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ioannis Bakolis ◽

Ryan Hammoud ◽

Robert Stewart ◽

Sean Beevers ◽

David Dajnak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Population Based ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

World Health ◽

Potential Health ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Purpose The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently ranked air pollution as the major environmental cause of premature death. However, the significant potential health and societal costs of poor mental health in relation to air quality are not represented in the WHO report due to limited evidence. We aimed to test the hypothesis that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with poor mental health. Methods A prospective longitudinal population-based mental health survey was conducted of 1698 adults living in 1075 households in South East London, from 2008 to 2013. High-resolution quarterly average air pollution concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10) and < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were linked to the home addresses of the study participants. Associations with mental health were analysed with the use of multilevel generalised linear models, after adjusting for large number of confounders, including the individuals’ socioeconomic position and exposure to road-traffic noise. Results We found robust evidence for interquartile range increases in PM2.5, NOx and NO2 to be associated with 18–39% increased odds of common mental disorders, 19–30% increased odds of poor physical symptoms and 33% of psychotic experiences only for PM10. These longitudinal associations were more pronounced in the subset of non-movers for NO2 and NOx. Conclusions The findings suggest that traffic-related air pollution is adversely affecting mental health. Whilst causation cannot be proved, this work suggests substantial morbidity from mental disorders could be avoided with improved air quality.

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The Impacts of Air Pollution on Mental Health: Evidence from the Chinese University Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186734 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6734

Author(s):

Daqing Zu ◽

Keyu Zhai ◽

Yue Qiu ◽

Pei Pei ◽

Xiaoxian Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

University Students ◽

Large Scale ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Health Problems ◽

Chinese University ◽

The Impact

A growing number of developing countries have experienced worsening air pollution, which has been shown to cause significant health problems. However, few studies have explored the impact of air pollution on the mental health of university students, particularly in the Chinese context. In order to address this gap, through a large-scale cross-sectional survey, this study aims to examine the effects of air pollution on final-year Chinese university undergraduates’ (due to graduate in 2020) mental health by employing multivariable logistic regression. Our findings show that, first, although normal air quality is not strongly associated with lower levels of negative mental health, there is a strong link between poor air quality and higher levels of negative mental health. More specifically, life satisfaction hedonic unhappiness and depression measured by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies’ Depression scale (CES-D) are statistically associated with air pollution. In addition, we also found that gender is a significant factor, as males had more than 1.6 times greater odds of increased mental health problems compared to their female counterparts. Place of birth also plays a significant role in participants’ mental health. Moreover, undergraduates with urban household registration experienced significant levels of hedonic unhappiness and depression on the CES-D scale. Finally, we found that there is an association between respondents’ economic situation and their mental health too. Overall, this study contributes to the research on air pollution management and mental health intervention, particularly in relation to student groups. The undergraduate curriculum should provide more guidance and suggestions on promoting mental health and establishing positive attitudes to life and academic study of the final year students, under the context of air pollution in China.

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Factors Associated to Health Needs from Homeless Perspective in Spain

International Journal of Studies in Nursing ◽

10.20849/ijsn.v1i1.102 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 61

Author(s):

David Martin-Baena ◽

Isabel Montero-Pinar ◽

Maria Isabel Fuertes-Lanzuela

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Homeless People ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Health Needs ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Coordinated Care ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Mental Health Conditions

Purpose: This pilot study aims to identify factors associated to roofless own health self-perception. Design: Cross-sectional study with a sample of homeless people (n=68) who come for help to one of the homeless service centers founded by a non-profit organization. Socio-demographic characteristics, years living on streets, unhealthy habits, chronic morbidity, basic needs and self-reported physical and mental health were described. To identify factors related to mental and physical health from roofless own perspective, a binary logistic analysis was held. Findings: The majority of participants were under 40 years, male and Spanish, alcohol or drug consumers, 80% have lived in the street for one to five years with high levels of pain and poor mental health conditions. Living on the street over a year, exposure to violence, lack of hygiene and female gender, affect negatively the own perception of physical and mental health conditions. Conclusions: Our results show the different and complex homeless health needs. Given the duration of homelessness affected their health condition, recent roofless homeless should be identified as soon as possible. Clinical relevance and further research: Those providing care for homeless people must promote a more coordinated care, maximizing flexibility and fostering relationships to better response to the multiple and different needs of this one vulnerable population. Further study is needed to allow identify the different experiences of homeless women and men.

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Comparing the Health of Relocated Public Housing Residents and Current Residents of a Historically Black Community: The Moderating Role of Social Cohesion

Journal of Black Studies ◽

10.1177/0021934718799029 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 26-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amy M. Donley ◽

Harvey L. Nicholson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Historically Black ◽

Public Housing ◽

Black Community ◽

Social Cohesion ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Reported Health ◽

Public Housing Residents

This study examined the effects of public housing relocation on the physical and mental health and overall self-reported health status of relocated residents. As a contrast, health outcomes of relocated residents were compared to residents of the larger community who did not live in public housing. The sample was drawn from a historically Black community (HBC) near central Florida. Data used for this study were collected as part of the Choices Neighborhood Initiatives’ grant. In several regression models, the moderating effects of social cohesion on the relationship between resident status and health were assessed. Results showed relocated public housing residents reported more physical and mental health problems and poorer self-reported health compared to current residents of the broader community. In the fully adjusted models, social cohesion moderated the association between resident status and mental health. Our results suggest higher levels of social cohesion within public housing environments may be protective of poor mental health postrelocation for relocated residents.

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Social factors and health

The Medical Model in Mental Health ◽

10.1093/med/9780198807254.003.0013 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 215-233

Author(s):

Ahmed Samei Huda

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Social Factors ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Medical Conditions ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

Medical Diagnostic

There is increased risk caused by social difficulties and/or childhood trauma for developing both general medical and mental health conditions, with overlap in similarity of magnitude of some increased risks, although intermediary mechanisms may differ. Social factors are the most important determinants of health status. Reducing social adversity and childhood trauma would improve the physical and mental health of the population. Life events and stresses/hassles are a more specific risk factor for mental health problems. Social factors are often inadequate to explain the nature and severity of people’s mental health problems without taking into account psychobiological factors. Given the greater effect of culture on how mental health conditions are expressed, there is some overlap between psychiatric and general medical diagnostic constructs rather than near total overlap. Mental health conditions do seem associated with greater stigma (some of this seems related to the categorical nature of diagnostic constructs) and also with greater use of coercion than for general medical conditions, but this also occurs for general medical conditions hence the conclusion of some overlap.

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The use of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy for a patient with multi-morbidity: a case study

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist ◽

10.1017/s1754470x20000094 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

Author(s):

Lisa Walshe ◽

Chris Allen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cognitive Behavioural ◽

Booster Sessions

Abstract Multi-morbidity, having more than two diagnosed health conditions, is becoming increasingly common within healthcare services. Approximately one third of these patients are likely to have a mental health condition. Those with multi-morbidity with physical and mental health conditions have poorer outcomes in terms of their health, increased mortality rates, and higher usage of healthcare services. This paper presents a case of a patient with multi-morbidity, with associated mental health conditions of anxiety and depression. She was seen as part of an integrated service which provides psychological support at home alongside the nursing team. The intervention used was based on transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy (tCBT), provided over nine initial sessions and two additional booster sessions. Self-report measures were completed at intervals throughout the intervention and at follow-up. Improvements on the depression and anxiety measures were seen over the initial nine sessions, followed by a relapse at the 3-month follow-up. This was the result of a deterioration in physical health which led to a deterioration in mental health. The booster sessions mitigated further deterioration in mental health, despite the physical health worsening during this time. This case suggests that tCBT can be helpful in reducing anxiety and depression in people with multi-morbidity. However, additional booster sessions may be required as further physical deterioration can re-trigger core beliefs and result in further mental health problems. Key learning aims (1) Transdiagnostic CBT can be beneficial for patients with multi-morbidity. (2) Integrated care addressing both physical and mental health problems is beneficial for people with multi-morbidity. (3) Monitoring deterioration in physical health is important, as this has an impact on mental health and may need addressing through psychological support. (4) Formulation for people with multi-morbidity needs to include mental and physical health factors and their interaction.

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Examining air pollution (PM10), mental health and well-being in a representative German sample

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93773-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katja Petrowski ◽

Stefan Bührer ◽

Bernhard Strauß ◽

Oliver Decker ◽

Elmar Brähler

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Air Quality ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Stress Resilience ◽

German Sample ◽

Health And Well Being

AbstractThere is a growing debate on the role of the physical environment and what constitute risk and protective factors for mental health. Various forms of air pollution have shown links to physical and mental health concerns and considering that Germany does not meet the WHO air quality standards—poor air quality affects a large proportion of Germans and is more important now than ever. This study investigates the physical environmental factor, air pollution, measured by particulate matter of particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 µm (PM10) and effects on determinants of mental health and well-being (life satisfaction, stress resilience, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem). A representative sample of N = 3020 German adults with 54% females (46% males) and an age range between 18 and 92 years (M = 49.04, S.D. ± 17.27) was used. Multivariate linear regression analyses show that higher life satisfaction, more self-esteem and higher stress resilience are predicted by less air pollution (PM10). Individual income, age, and gender were taken into account for each regression model. Gender specific sub-analyses revealed similar predictions for PM10 and stress resilience whereas PM10 and self-esteem were only significantly associated for females. Associations between mental health or well-being determinants and air pollution (PM10) are found in the representative German sample.

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Multi-Morbid Health Profiles and Specialty Healthcare Service Use: A Moderating Role of Poverty

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16111956 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 1956 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ilan Kwon ◽

Oejin Shin ◽

Sojung Park ◽

Goeun Kwon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Service Utilization ◽

Healthcare Service ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Healthcare Needs ◽

Health Profiles

Increasing life expectancy in the USA makes a better understanding of the heterogeneous healthcare needs of the aging population imperative. Many aging studies have discovered multimorbid health problems focusing mainly on various physical health conditions, but not on combined mental or behavioral health problems. There is also a paucity of studies with older adults who use professional healthcare services caring for their mental and substance-related conditions. This study aims to enhance the knowledge of older peoples’ complex healthcare needs involving physical, mental, and behavioral conditions; examine the relationship between multi-morbid health profiles and specialty healthcare service utilization; and investigate its association to poverty. The study data were derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2013 (n = 6296 respondents aged 50 years and older). To identify overall health conditions, nine indicators, including physical, mental, and substance/alcohol, were included. Healthcare service utilization was measured with four mutually exclusive categories: No treatment, mental health treatment only, substance use treatment only, and both. We identified four health profiles: Healthy (82%), having physical health problems (6%), physical and mental health problems (4%), and behavioral problems (8%). Older people’s health profiles were differentially associated with healthcare use. Those living in poverty with both physical and mental health problems or substance/alcohol health problems were less likely to receive mental health and substance use treatments than those with more financial resources. Implications for geriatric healthcare practices and policy are discussed.

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Analyzing the relationship between air pollution and various types of crime

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255653 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255653

Author(s):

Pei-Fen Kuo ◽

I. Gede Brawiswa Putra

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Domestic Violence ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Police Officers ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Crime Rates ◽

Pollution Level ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Outdoor Activities ◽

High Crime

Air pollution has a severe impact on human physical and mental health. When the air quality is poor enough to cause respiratory irritation, people tend to stay home and avoid any outdoor activities. In addition, air pollution may cause mental health problems (depression and anxiety) which were associated with high crime risk. Therefore, in this study, it is hypothesized that increasing air pollution level is associated with higher indoor crime rates, but negatively associated with outdoor crime rates because it restricts people’s daily outdoor activities. Three types of crimes were used for this analysis: robbery (outdoor crime), domestic violence (indoor crime), and fraud (cybercrime). The results revealed that the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model performed best with lower AIC values. In general, in the higher population areas with more severe air pollution, local authorities should allocate more resources, extra police officers, or more training programs to help them prevent domestic violence, rather than focusing on robbery.

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