Stabilizing Techniques and Guided Imagery for Traumatized Male Refugees in a German State Registration and Reception Center: A Qualitative Study on a Psychotherapeutic Group Intervention

Refugees have an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Due to the unstable setting in refugee state registration and reception centers, recommended trauma-focused treatment approaches are often not applicable. For this purpose, we devised a suitable therapeutic approach to treat traumatized refugees in a German state registration and reception center: Group therapy, focusing on stabilizing techniques and guided imagery according to Reddemann (2017). From May 2017 to April 2018, we conducted semi-structured interviews with n = 30 traumatized refugees to assess their experiences with the stabilizing techniques and guided imagery in group sessions and self-practice. Participants mainly reported that they had more pleasant feelings, felt increasingly relaxed, and could better handle recurrent thoughts. Additionally, the participants noticed that their psychosocial functioning had improved. The main difficulties that participants encountered were feeling stressed, having difficulties staying focused, or concentrating on the techniques. During self-practice, the participants found it most challenging that they did not have any verbal guidance, were often distracted by the surroundings in the accommodation, and had recurrent thoughts about post-migratory stressors, such as insecurity concerning the future or the application for asylum. Our results show that stabilizing techniques and guided imagery according to Reddemann (2017) are a suitable approach to treat traumatized refugees living in volatile conditions.

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Psychological Distress in Iranian Military Personnel: A Qualitative Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-95007/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Azizeh Alizadeh1 ◽

Behnaz Dowran ◽

maryam azizi ◽

Seyed -Hossein Salimi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Military Organization ◽

Military Members ◽

Data Saturation ◽

The Military

Abstract Background: Military personnel are likely to encounter mental health problems due to High-risk occupations associated with significant levels of psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to explore psychological distress experienced by Iranian military personnel. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted on 15 Iranian military personnel. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants and continued until data saturation was reached. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and then the qualitative data were analyzed through direct content analysis. Results: By analyzing show 395 primary codes, 2 main categories, including demands and resources were extracted from the experiences of military members. The categories included several sub-categories, which were classified according to their significant characteristics. Findings of this study ascertain that different factors affect the military member’s psychological distress.Conclusions: Military organization and leaders should consider the factors of psychological distress that raised by specialists, and assign policies to improve their mental health. According to the present results, it is recommended that the process of psychological distress in military members be investigated further.

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Qualitative study on mental health and well-being of Syrian refugees and their coping mechanisms towards integration in the UK

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. e046065

Author(s):

Priyamvada Paudyal ◽

Mais Tattan ◽

Maxwell J F Cooper

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cultural Difference ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Community Support ◽

Well Being ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Syrian Refugees ◽

Structured Interviews

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the mental well-being of Syrian refugees and identify their coping mechanisms and pathways towards integration into new communities.DesignQualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews.Setting and participantsAdult Syrian refugees (>18 years old) currently residing in South East of England.Results12 participants (3 women and 9 men) took part in the study, all were born in Syria and the majority (n=9) were over 45 years of age. Our findings show that Syrian refugees face constant challenges as they try to integrate into a new society. Loss of and separation from loved ones as well as the nostalgia for the homeland were often cited as a source of psychological distress that created an overwhelming sense of sadness. Participants reported that they struggled for connectedness due to cultural difference and the problematic nature of rapidly formed migrant communities in their new setting. They believed in ‘being their own doctor’ and turning to faith, ritual and nature for healing and comfort. Taboo and stigma around mental health and language barriers were cited as barriers to accessing mental healthcare services.ConclusionPast experiences and present challenges frame Syrian refugees’ sense of well-being, impact use of healthcare and risk future mental health problems. It is hoped that this study will act as a catalyst for further research on this vulnerable group to promote integration, community support and culturally sensitive mental health services.

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Misuse of pharmaceuticals by regular psychostimulant users is linked to mental health problems

Salud Mental ◽

10.17711/sm.0185-3325.2017.034 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

pp. 265-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caroline L Salom ◽

◽

Lucinda A Burns ◽

Rosa Alati ◽

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Prescription Medications ◽

Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Face To Face ◽

Increased Risk

Introduction. Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, particularly by young people, is an issue of rising concern. Poly-substance use is common among regular psychostimulant users (RPU), and mental health problems are associated with pharmaceutical misuse, but RPU do not generally acknowledge their use as problematic. Objective. To examine links between mental health and misuse of non-prescription pharmaceuticals in a group of regular users of illicit psychostimulants. Method. Face to face structured interviews were conducted in April 2015 with 763 regular users of illicit psychostimulants as part of the Annual Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System study in Australia. Results. At least half of the RPU in this study reported extra-medical or misuse of pharmaceuticals in the last six months in addition to regular use of illicit psychostimulants. Higher levels of psychological distress were recorded for RPU who also reported recent illicit use of opioids, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or over-the-counter (OTC) codeine. Recent misuse of benzodiazepines or OTC codeine was associated with self-reported mental health problems and having attended a mental health professional. Those reporting recent misuse of opioids were at increased risk of mental health problems and more likely to record high levels of psychological distress, but less likely to have received prescription medications for their mental health problem. Discussion and conclusion. Regular users of illicit psychostimulants who also misuse pharmaceuticals are at increased risk of mental health problems, even after accounting for their use of illicit psychostimulants. Screening of this group for mental health problems is recommended.

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Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on identifying and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp19x706025 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (688) ◽

pp. e768-e776 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Victoria Silverwood ◽

Annabel Nash ◽

Carolyn A Chew-Graham ◽

Jacqualyn Walsh-House ◽

Athula Sumathipala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Public Involvement ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Patient And Public Involvement ◽

Perinatal Mental Health ◽

Data Generation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Perinatal Anxiety

BackgroundPerinatal mental health problems are those that occur during pregnancy or up to 12 months postpartum, and affect up to 20% of women. Perinatal anxiety (PNA) is at least as common as depression during the perinatal phase and can adversely impact on both mother and child. Despite this, research into anxiety has received less attention than depression. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on perinatal mental health has identified PNA as a research priority.AimTo explore the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the identification and management of PNA.Design and settingThis was a qualitative study in primary and secondary care set in the West Midlands from February 2017 to December 2017.MethodSemi-structured interviews (n = 23) with a range of HCPs. Iterative approach to data generation and analysis, using principles of constant comparison. Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group was involved throughout the study.ResultsTwenty-three HCPs interviewed: 10 GPs, seven midwives, five health visitors, and one obstetrician. Four themes were uncovered: PNA as an ‘unfamiliar concept’; reliance on clinical intuition and not clinical tools; fragmentation of care; and opportunities to improve care.ConclusionAwareness and understanding of PNA among HCPs is variable, with debate over what is ‘normal’ anxiety in pregnancy. HCPs suggested that PNA can be challenging to identify, with mixed views on the use and value of case-finding tools. Opportunistic identification was noted to be significant to aid diagnosis. Care for women diagnosed with PNA was reported to be fragmented and interprofessional communication poor. Potential solutions to improve care were identified.

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Low Physical Activity in Adolescence is Associated with Increased Risk for Mental Health Problems

Medicina Sportiva ◽

10.2478/v10036-009-0013-6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 74-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karin Monshouwer ◽

Margreet ten Have ◽

Mireille Van Poppel ◽

Han Kemper ◽

Wilma Vollebergh

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Increased Risk

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Family Type Predicts Mental Health Problems in Young Adults: A Survey of Students at a University in Botswana

SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ◽

10.25159/2415-5829/6823 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Kennedy Amone-P'Olak ◽

Boniface Kealeboga Ramotuana

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Single Mother ◽

Health Problems ◽

Family Type ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intact Family ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Family Types

In Africa, the structure of the family is changing rapidly. The effects of this change on mental health remain unknown. This study investigated the extent to which different family types (intact, single-mother, and multiple) predict mental health problems in young adults in Botswana (N = 264, mean age = 21.31, SD = 2.40). In a cross-sectional design, the study sampled students registered at various faculties at the University of Botswana. The revised symptoms checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to assess symptoms of mental health problems (depression, anxiety and hostility). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health problems for mother-only and multiple family types relative to the intact family type. Compared to the intact family type, single-mother (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.51) and multiple family types (OR = 1.56; CI: 0.88, 2.78) were associated with an increased risk of depression. For anxiety, the ORs were 2.27 (CI: 1.18, 4.38) and 1.10 (CI: 0.56, 1.82) for single-mother and multiple family types respectively. For hostility, the ORs were 2.60 (CI: 1.34, 5.04), and 0.79 (CI: 0.44, 1.42) for single-mother and multiple family types, respectively. Family types predict mental health problems in young adults and therefore the interventions to mitigate the effects should consider family backgrounds and the ramifications of family types for treatment and care.

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“Smartphone Apps Are Cool, but Do They Help Me?”: A Qualitative Interview Study of Adolescents’ Perspectives on Using Smartphone Interventions to Manage Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18063289 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 3289

Author(s):

Anja Čuš ◽

Julian Edbrooke-Childs ◽

Susanne Ohmann ◽

Paul L. Plener ◽

Türkan Akkaya-Kalayci

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Related Factors ◽

Self Injury ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

Mental Health Interventions ◽

Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a major mental health problem associated with negative psychosocial outcomes and it most often starts in early adolescence. Despite this, adolescents are rarely involved in informing the development of interventions designed to address their mental health problems. This study aimed to (1) assess adolescents’ needs and preferences about future interventions that are delivered through smartphones and (2) develop a framework with implications for designing engaging digital mental health interventions. Fifteen adolescent girls, aged 12–18 years, who met diagnostic criteria for a current NSSI disorder and were in contact with mental health services, participated in semi-structured interviews. Following a reflexive thematic analysis approach, this study identified two main themes: (1) Experiences of NSSI (depicts the needs of young people related to their everyday experiences of managing NSSI) and (2) App in Context (portrays preferences of young people about smartphone interventions and reflects adolescents’ views on how technology itself can improve or hinder engaging with these interventions). Adolescent patients expressed interest in using smartphone mental health interventions if they recognize them as helpful, relevant for their life situation and easy to use. The developed framework suggests that digital mental health interventions are embedded in three contexts (i.e., person using the intervention, mental health condition, and technology-related factors) which together need to inform the development of engaging digital resources. To achieve this, the cooperation among people with lived experience, mental health experts, and human computer interaction professionals is vital.

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Gendered experiences of unemployment, suicide and self-harm: a population-level record linkage study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291721000994 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

R. Cunningham ◽

A. Milner ◽

S. Gibb ◽

V. Rijnberg ◽

G. Disney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Employment Status ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Labour Force ◽

Antidepressant Medication ◽

Population Level ◽

Related Factors ◽

Data Infrastructure ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Self Harm

Abstract Background Unemployment and being not in the labour force (NILF) are risk factors for suicide, but their association with self-harm is unclear, and there is continuing debate about the role of confounding by prior mental health conditions. We examine associations between employment status and self-harm and suicide in a prospective cohort, taking into account prior mental-health-related factors. Methods We used linked data from the New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure. The outcomes were chosen to be hospital presentation for self-harm and death by suicide. The exposure was employment status, defined as employed, unemployed, or NILF, measured at the 2013 Census. Confounders included demographic factors and mental health history (use of antidepressant medication, use of mental health services, and prior self-harm). Logistic regression was used to model effects. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results For males, unemployment was associated with an increased risk of suicide [odds ratio (OR): 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.84] and self-harm (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.45–1.68) after full adjustment for confounders. NILF was associated with an increased risk of self-harm (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.32–1.55), but less of an association was seen with suicide (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.94–1.49). For females, unemployment was associated with an increased risk of suicide (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.93–1.80) and of self-harm (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.43–1.62), and NILF was associated with a similar increase in risk for suicide (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.98–1.75) and self-harm (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.26–1.40). Discussion Exclusion from employment is associated with a considerably heightened risk of suicide and self-harm for both men and women, even among those without prior mental health problems.

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Predictors of clinical deterioration in patients with suspected COVID-19 managed in a ‘virtual hospital’ setting: a cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045356 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e045356

Author(s):

Nick A Francis ◽

Beth Stuart ◽

Matthew Knight ◽

Rama Vancheeswaran ◽

Charles Oliver ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Health Problems ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Care Services ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Remote Assessment ◽

History Of

ObjectiveIdentify predictors of clinical deterioration in a virtual hospital (VH) setting for COVID-19.DesignReal-world prospective observational study.SettingVH remote assessment service in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.ParticipantsPatients with suspected COVID-19 illness enrolled directly from the community (postaccident and emergency (A&E) or medical intake assessment) or postinpatient admission.Main outcome measureDeath or (re-)admission to inpatient hospital care during VH follow-up and for 2 weeks post-VH discharge.Results900 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 (455 referred from A&E or medical intake and 445 postinpatient) were included in the analysis. 76 (8.4%) of these experienced clinical deterioration (15 deaths in admitted patients, 3 deaths in patients not admitted and 58 additional inpatient admissions). Predictors of clinical deterioration were increase in age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) per year of age), history of cancer (OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.82)), history of mental health problems (OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.04)), severely impaired renal function (OR for eGFR <30=9.09 (95% CI 2.01 to 41.09)) and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result (OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.60)).ConclusionsThese predictors may help direct intensity of monitoring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who are being remotely monitored by primary or secondary care services. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and identify the reasons for increased risk of clinical deterioration associated with cancer and mental health problems.

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