Longitudinal Changes in Swiss Adolescent’s Mental Health Outcomes from before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to explore changes in mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, home, and school stress) from before the first COVID-19 wave (autumn 2019) to the later stages of the same wave (autumn 2020) in a sample of N = 377 Swiss adolescents (Mage = 12.67; 47% female). It also examined whether students’ background characteristics (gender, immigrant status, and socio-economic status) and reported COVID-19 burden predicted students’ outcomes and their intra-individual changes. Student’s mental health, background characteristics, and reported COVID-19 burden were assessed by a self-report questionnaire. The intra-individual changes in students’ scores were estimated using random coefficients regression analyses, with time points nested in individuals. To examine the effects of predictors (students’ background characteristics and the reported COVID-19 burden) on outcome scores and changes, multilevel intercepts-and-slopes-as-outcomes models were used. The results showed that the expected impact of the pandemic on mental health was not noticeable in the later stages of the first COVID-19 wave. Only two effects were demonstrated in terms of intra-individual changes, namely, an effect of gender on depression and anxiety symptoms and an effect of reported COVID-19 burden on school stress symptoms. Moreover, few associations were found for selected predictors and students’ mean level scores, averaged across both time points.

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The association between sedentary behaviour and indicators of stress: A systematic review

10.21203/rs.2.10408/v3 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Megan Teychenne ◽

Lena D Stephens ◽

Sarah A Costigan ◽

Dana Lee Olstad ◽

Brendon Stubbs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Strong Evidence ◽

Computer Use ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Tv Viewing ◽

Best Evidence Synthesis

Abstract Background: Emerging evidence shows sedentary behaviour may be associated with mental health outcomes. Yet, the strength of the evidence linking sedentary behaviour and stress is still unclear. This study aimed to synthesise evidence regarding associations between time spent in sedentary behaviour and stress in adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted (January 1990 – September 2019). Following PRISMA guidelines, an evaluation of methodological quality, and best-evidence synthesis of associations between time in sedentary behaviour (including sitting time, TV viewing, computer use) and stress were presented. Twenty-six studies reporting on data from n=72,795 people (age 18-98y, 62.7% women) were included. Results: Across the studies (n=2 strong-, n=10 moderate- and n=14 weak-quality), there was insufficient evidence that overall time spent in sedentary behaviour and sitting time were associated with stress, particularly when using self-report measures of sedentary behaviour or stress. There was strong evidence of no association between TV viewing, or computer use and stress. Amongst studies using objective measures of sedentary behaviour and/or stress there was also strong evidence of no association. Conclusion: Although previous research suggested sedentary behaviour may be linked to mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety, the evidence for an association between various types of sedentary behaviour and stress is limited in quality, and associations are either inconsistent or null. High-quality longitudinal/interventional research is required to confirm findings and determine the direction of associations between different contexts (i.e. purpose) and domains (i.e. leisure, occupational, transport) of sedentary behaviour and stress. Keywords: sedentary behaviour; sitting time; television viewing; stress; mental health; adults

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Predictors of Mental Health Outcomes in Road Traffic Accident Survivors

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9020309 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 309

Author(s):

Jelena Kovacevic ◽

Maja Miskulin ◽

Dunja Degmecic ◽

Aleksandar Vcev ◽

Dinko Leovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Psychiatric Illness ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Economic Status ◽

Medication Use ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Psychiatric Medication ◽

Related Factors

Mental health outcomes of road traffic accidents (RTAs) are always investigated in assessments of those involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological consequences and associated factors in all RTA survivors, irrelevant of their injury status. A cohort of 155 people was assessed one month after experiencing a RTA using self-reported measures for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Associations between mental health outcomes and sociodemographic factors, pre-RTA health status, injury-related factors, and RTA details were analyzed. RTA survivors reported substantial rates of PTSD (32.3%) and depression (17.4%) symptoms, and low rates of anxiety (5.8%). Symptoms of depression were associated with below-average self-perceived economic status, irreligiousness, medication use, psychiatric medication use, and injury-related factors. PTSD symptoms were associated with female gender, below-average self-perceived economic status, previous psychiatric illness, medication use, psychiatric medication use, not being at fault in the relevant RTA, claiming compensation, and injury-related factors. Anxiety symptoms were associated with previous chronic or psychiatric illness, previous permanent pain, psychiatric medication use, and self-perceived threat to life, but not with sustaining injury. Along with the evaluation and treatment of RTA injuries, health care providers should evaluate the pre-RTA health status of all RTA victims. Psychological support to those at risk may prevent psychological disorders after RTAs.

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How Does Spiritual Intelligence Relate to Mental Health in a Western Sample?

Journal of Humanistic Psychology ◽

10.1177/0022167817741041 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 400-417 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Derek A. Giannone ◽

Daniel Kaplin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Spiritual Intelligence ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Future Research ◽

Cast Doubt

This study investigates a recently developed model of spiritual intelligence in relation to the common mental health concerns of depression, anxiety, and substance use. Three-hundred and fifty-three undergraduate psychology students responded to the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale–Revised, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Drug, Alcohol, and Nicotine scale. We hypothesized spiritual intelligence would be negatively associated with the study’s mental health outcomes. A secondary aim was to examine the contributions of spiritual intelligence model components to mental health. Overall spiritual intelligence was not associated with anxiety, depression, or substance use. Examination of the relationships between spiritual intelligence components and mental health suggested this model lacks cohesiveness in relation to mental health. While the capacity to critically examine existential issues was associated with increased depression and anxiety, the ability to draw meaning and purpose from experience was associated with improvements in all mental health outcomes. These findings cast doubt on the construct of spiritual intelligence and suggest that existential thinking and the production of meaning may be closely related to mental health. Future research should explore differences in spiritual intelligence components and their associations with mental health among varying religious affiliations.

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The association between sedentary behaviour and indicators of stress: a systematic review

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7717-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Megan Teychenne ◽

Lena D. Stephens ◽

Sarah A. Costigan ◽

Dana Lee Olstad ◽

Brendon Stubbs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Strong Evidence ◽

Computer Use ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Tv Viewing ◽

Best Evidence Synthesis

Abstract Background Emerging evidence shows sedentary behaviour may be associated with mental health outcomes. Yet, the strength of the evidence linking sedentary behaviour and stress is still unclear. This study aimed to synthesise evidence regarding associations between time spent in sedentary behaviour and stress in adults. Methods A systematic search was conducted (January 1990 – September 2019). Following PRISMA guidelines, an evaluation of methodological quality, and best-evidence synthesis of associations between time in sedentary behaviour (including sitting time, TV viewing, computer use) and stress were presented. Twenty-six studies reporting on data from n = 72,795 people (age 18-98y, 62.7% women) were included. Results Across the studies (n = 2 strong-, n = 10 moderate- and n = 14 weak-quality), there was insufficient evidence that overall time spent in sedentary behaviour and sitting time were associated with stress, particularly when using self-report measures of sedentary behaviour or stress. There was strong evidence of no association between TV viewing, or computer use and stress. Amongst studies using objective measures of sedentary behaviour and/or stress there was also strong evidence of no association. Conclusion Although previous research suggested sedentary behaviour may be linked to mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety, the evidence for an association between various types of sedentary behaviour and stress is limited in quality, and associations are either inconsistent or null. High-quality longitudinal/interventional research is required to confirm findings and determine the direction of associations between different contexts (i.e. purpose) and domains (i.e. leisure, occupational, transport) of sedentary behaviour and stress.

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Feasibility of "CopeSmart": A Telemental Health App for Adolescents

JMIR Mental Health ◽

10.2196/mental.4370 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. e22 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Rachel Kenny ◽

Barbara Dooley ◽

Amanda Fitzgerald

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Positive Mental Health ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Future Research ◽

Telemental Health ◽

Self Monitoring

Background Early intervention is important in order to improve mental health outcomes for young people. Given the recent rise in mobile phone ownership among adolescents, an innovative means of delivering such intervention is through the use of mobile phone applications (apps). Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of “CopeSmart”, a telemental health app developed to foster positive mental health in adolescents through emotional self-monitoring and the promotion of positive coping strategies. Methods Forty-three adolescents (88% female) aged 15-17 years downloaded the app and used it over a one-week period. They then completed self-report questionnaires containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions about their experiences of using the app. The app itself captured data related to user engagement. Results On average participants engaged with the app on 4 of the 7 days within the intervention period. Feedback from users was reasonably positive, with 70% of participants reporting that they would use the app again and 70% reporting that they would recommend it to a friend. Thematic analysis of qualitative data identified themes pertaining to users’ experiences of the app, which were both positive (eg, easy to use, attractive layout, emotional self-monitoring, helpful information, notifications, unique) and negative (eg, content issues, did not make user feel better, mood rating issues, password entry, interface issues, engagement issues, technical fixes). Conclusions Overall findings suggest that telemental health apps have potential as a feasible medium for promoting positive mental health, with the majority of young people identifying such technologies as at least somewhat useful and displaying a moderate level of engagement with them. Future research should aim to evaluate the efficacy of such technologies as tools for improving mental health outcomes in young people.

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Examining temporal interactions between loneliness and depressive symptoms and the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties among UK residents during the COVID-19 lockdown: Longitudinal results from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study

10.31234/osf.io/gzsjh ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jenny Groarke ◽

Emily McGlinchey ◽

Phoebe McKenna-Plumley ◽

Emma Berry ◽

Lisa Graham-Wisener ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Online Survey ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Temporal Association ◽

Depression Symptoms

BackgroundLongitudinal studies examining the temporal association between mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 outbreak are needed. It is important to determine how relationships between mental health outcomes, specifically loneliness and depressive symptoms, manifest over a brief timeframe and in a pandemic context.Method Data was gathered over 4 months (March – June 2020) using an online survey with three repeated measures at monthly intervals (N = 1958; 69.8% females; Age 18-87 years, M = 37.01, SD = 12.81). Associations between loneliness, depression symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulty were tested using Pearson’s product moment correlations, and descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables. Cross-lagged structural equation modelling was used to examine the temporal relationships between variables. Results The longitudinal association between loneliness and depressive symptoms was reciprocal. Loneliness predicted higher depressive symptoms one month later, and depressive symptoms predicted higher loneliness one month later. The relationship was not mediated by emotion regulation difficulties. Emotion regulation difficulties and depressive symptoms were also reciprocally related over time.Limitations Limitations include the reliance on self-report data and the non-representative sample. There was no pre-pandemic assessment limiting the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis.ConclusionsLoneliness should be considered an important feature of case conceptualisation for depression during this time. Clinical efforts to improve mental health during the pandemic could focus on interventions that target either loneliness, depression, or both. Potential approaches include increasing physical activity or low-intensity cognitive therapies delivered remotely.

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Economic volatility in childhood and subsequent adolescent mental health problems: a longitudinal population-based study of adolescents

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017030 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e017030 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tormod Bøe ◽

Jens Christoffer Skogen ◽

Børge Sivertsen ◽

Mari Hysing ◽

Keith J Petrie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Latent Class ◽

Family Income ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Large Population ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes

ObjectiveThe aim of the current paper was to investigate the association between the patterns of duration, timing and sequencing of exposure to low family income during childhood, and symptoms of mental health problems in adolescence.SettingSurvey administered to a large population-based sample of Norwegian adolescents.ParticipantsSurvey data from 9154 participants of 16–19 years age (53% participation rate; 52.7% girls) were linked to registry-based information about childhood family income from tax return data.Outcome measuresMental health outcomes were symptoms of emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer problems and general mental health problems measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, symptoms of depression measured with Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) measured with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale.ResultsLatent class analysis and the BCH approach in Mplus were used to examine associations between patterns of poverty exposure and mental health outcomes. Four latent classes of poverty exposure emerged from the analysis. Participants moving into poverty (2.3%), out of poverty (3.5%) or those chronically poor (3.1%) had more symptoms of mental health problems (Cohen’sd=16-.50) than those with no poverty exposure (91.1%). This pattern was, however, not found for symptoms of ADHD. The pattern of results was confirmed in robustness checks using observed data.ConclusionsExposure to poverty in childhood was found to be associated with most mental health problems in adolescence. There was no strong suggestion of any timing or sequencing effects in the patterns of associations.

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Relationships Between Childhood Interpersonal Trauma, Religious Coping, Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms, and Resilience

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260521991883 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052199188

Author(s):

Hannah E. Walker ◽

Rachel Wamser-Nanney ◽

Kathryn H. Howell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Religious Coping ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Interpersonal Trauma ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Negative Religious Coping

Positive and negative religious coping strategies have been linked to symptom trajectories following adult interpersonal trauma. However, the interactions between childhood interpersonal trauma, religious coping, and psychological outcomes are less clear. This study examined whether aspects of religious coping moderated the associations between cumulative childhood interpersonal trauma and mental health outcomes, such as post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and resilience. Participants included 525 undergraduates from two universities ( Mage = 20.04, SD = 1.71; range = 18–24; 57.7% White; 82.1% female). In both the positive and negative religious coping models, cumulative childhood interpersonal trauma was related to PTSS ( b = 6.66; b = 6.10, respectively). While positive religious coping was not associated with PTSS ( b = .01), it was linked to resilience ( b = .69). Negative religious coping was significantly related to PTSS ( b = .75) but not resilience ( b = –.20). No significant interactions were identified between aspects of religious coping and cumulative childhood interpersonal trauma. While religious coping was directly related to both positive and negative mental health outcomes, it may not be associated with the relationships between childhood interpersonal trauma exposure and clinical outcomes. Such findings offer valuable information on malleable factors that may contribute to adaptive and maladaptive functioning following childhood adversity.

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Mental health and COVID-19 perceptions in a predominant black population in the Eastern Caribbean: an exploratory study of residents of Barbados

The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice ◽

10.1108/jmhtep-07-2021-0085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Jolene King ◽

Dwayne Devonish

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Factor Model ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Self Report ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Mental Health Challenges

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the mental health challenges of residents of Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationships between residents’ demographics, COVID-19 perceptions and mental health outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The study surveyed 450 predominantly Black Caribbean respondents to examine their mental ill-health on the various dimensions of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28 measure and the relationships with demographics and COVID-19 perceptions. Findings Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four-factor model solution of GHQ-28 over the single factor solution. Barbadians were generally mild in their mental ill-health on the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression dimensions but were at least moderately strained on the anxiety and insomnia dimensions. Younger and unemployed Barbadian respondents reported more adverse mental health outcomes, and perceived severity of COVID-19 infection significantly predicted three of the four dimensions of mental distress (excluding severe depression). Research limitations/implications The study used a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences. Further research is advised to ascertain the longitudinal effects of COVID-19 perceptions over time on mental health outcomes. Practical implications The study’s findings suggest the need for nation-wide, multi-stakeholder interventions or approaches in responding mental health challenges of the population during this crisis. Originality/value The study was the first to examine the mental health outcomes, using GHQ-28, in a small Caribbean country – which represents an underserved space in mental health research. It is the first to empirically examine the relationship between COVID-19 perceptions of Afro-Caribbean people in this region and their resultant mental health outcomes.

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