Understanding Mental Health and Mental Distress

2014 ◽  
pp. 5-22
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Distress

scholarly journals Customization of Diet May Promote Exercise and Improve Mental Wellbeing in Mature Adults: The Role of Exercise as a Mediator

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Lina Begdache ◽  
Cara M. Patrissy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Practices

Diet, dietary practices and exercise are modifiable risk factors for individuals living with mental distress. However, these relationships are intricate and multilayered in such a way that individual factors may influence mental health differently when combined within a pattern. Additionally, two important factors that need to be considered are gender and level of brain maturity. Therefore, it is essential to assess these modifiable risk factors based on gender and age group. The purpose of the study was to explore the combined and individual relationships between food groups, dietary practices and exercise to appreciate their association with mental distress in mature men and women. Adults 30 years and older were invited to complete the food–mood questionnaire. The anonymous questionnaire link was circulated on several social media platforms. A multi-analyses approach was used. A combination of data mining techniques, namely, a mediation regression analysis, the K-means clustering and principal component analysis as well as Spearman’s rank–order correlation were used to explore these research questions. The results suggest that women’s mental health has a higher association with dietary factors than men. Mental distress and exercise frequency were associated with different dietary and lifestyle patterns, which support the concept of customizing diet and lifestyle factors to improve mental wellbeing.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of a complex intervention for women with depression in contexts of adversity: A pilot feasibility study of COURRAGE-plus in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110102
Author(s):  
Rochelle A Burgess ◽  
Niklas Jeske ◽  
Shahana Rasool ◽  
Ayesha Ahmad ◽  
Anna Kydd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Social Intervention ◽  
Friedman Test ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Collective Narrative

Background: Depression is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide but is often undertreated in low- and middle-income countries. Reasons behind the treatment gap vary, but many highlight a lack of interventions which speak to the socio-economic and structural realties that are associated to mental health problems in many settings, including South Africa. The COURRAGE-PLUS intervention responds to this gap, by combining a collective narrative therapy (9 weeks) intervention, with a social intervention promoting group-led practical action against structural determinants of poor mental health (4 weeks), for a total of 13 sessions. The overall aim is to promote mental health, while empowering communities to acknowledge, and respond in locally meaningful ways to social adversity linked to development of mental distress. Aim: To pilot and evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention – COURRAGE-PLUS on symptoms of depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) among a sample of women facing contexts of adversity in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: PHQ-9 scores were assessed at baseline, post collective narrative therapy (midline), and post social intervention (endline). Median scores and corresponding interquartile ranges were computed for all time points. Differences in scores between time points were tested with a non-parametric Friedman test. The impact across symptom severities was compared descriptively to identify potential differences in impact across categories of symptom severity within our sample. Results: Participants’ ( n = 47) median depression score at baseline was 11 (IQR = 7) and reduced to 4 at midline (IQR = 7) to 0 at endline (IQR = 2.5). The Friedman test showed a statistically significant difference between depression scores across time points, [Formula: see text](2) = 49.29, p < .001. Median depression scores were reduced to 0 or 1 Post-Intervention across all four severity groups. Conclusions: COURRAGE-PLUS was highly effective at reducing symptoms of depression across the spectrum of severities in this sample of women facing adversity, in Gauteng, South Africa. Findings supports the need for larger trials to investigate collective narrative storytelling and social interventions as community-based interventions for populations experiencing adversity and mental distress.

scholarly journals Mental disorder and PTSD in Syria during wartime: a nationwide crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameer Kakaje ◽  
Ragheed Al Zohbi ◽  
Osama Hosam Aldeen ◽  
Leen Makki ◽  
Ayham Alyousbashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Severe Mental Disorder ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Syria has experienced war since 2011, leaving over 80% under the poverty line and millions displaced. War and its retaliations have significantly impacted the mental health of Syrians. This study evaluates the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the severity of the mental distress caused by war and other factors such as low social support. This study also evaluates other variables and compares the findings with those of multiple studies on Syria and refugees. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that included people who lived in Syria in different governorates. Online surveys were distributed into multiple online groups and included the Kessler 10 (K10) scale which screens for anxiety and depression, the Screen for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (SPTSS) tool, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and questionnaires on demographic and war-related factors. Results Our study included 1951 participants, of which, 527 (27.0%) were males and 1538 (78.8%) between the age of 19 and 25. Among participants, 44% had likely severe mental disorder, 27% had both likely severe mental disorder and full PTSD symptoms, 36.9% had full PTSD symptoms, and only 10.8% had neither positive PTSD symptoms nor mental disorder on the K10 scale. Around 23% had low overall support. Half of the responders were internally displaced, and 27.6% were forced to change places of living three times or more due to war. Around 86.6% of the responders believed that the war was the main reason for their mental distress. Those with high SPTSS and K10 scores were found to take more days off from work or school due to negative feelings and having somatic symptoms. Moreover, the number of times changing places of living due to war, educational level, and being distressed by war noise were the most prominent factors for more severe PTSD and mental distress. No differences in PTSD and mental disorder prevalence were noted in participants living in different governorates or among different types of jobs. A strong significant correlation (r = 0.623) was found between SPTSS and K10 scores. Conclusion The conflict in Syria has left the population at great risk for mental distress which was higher compared to Syrian refugees elsewhere. Many measures with an emphasis on mental health are needed to help the people against a long-term avoidable suffering.

Do Materialistic Adolescents Ruminate More About Their Social Media Posts?

2020 ◽  
pp. 0044118X2098417
Author(s):  
Keeley Hynes ◽  
Daniel G. Lannin ◽  
Jeremy B. Kanter ◽  
Ani Yazedjian ◽  
Margaret M. Nauta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Value Orientation ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Over Time

Previous research suggests that ruminating on social media content is associated with greater mental distress (Yang et al., 2018). This study examined whether materialistic value orientation (MVO)—prioritizing values and goals related to consumerism, consumption, and social status—predicted social media rumination in a sample of diverse adolescents in a two-wave cross-lagged design. A cross-lagged analysis among 119 adolescents indicated that MVO at Wave 1 predicted greater social media rumination 4 months later at Wave 2, but social media rumination at Wave 1 did not predict MVO at Wave 2. Cross-lagged results suggested that MVO may lead to greater social media rumination over time for diverse adolescents. Adolescents with MVO could benefit from interventions to reduce the effects of their need for external validation and maladaptive rumination, as external validation and maladaptive rumination are linked to behaviors and thoughts that can be harmful to mental health.

scholarly journals Medicated bodies: Mental distress, social media and affect

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Tucker ◽  
Lewis Goodings
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
The Body ◽  
Psychiatric Medication ◽  
Social Media Site ◽  
Health Social Media ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Impact

Social media are increasingly being recruited into care practices in mental health. This article analyses how a major new mental health social media site ( www.elefriends.org.uk ) is used when trying to manage the impact of psychiatric medication on the body. Drawing on Henri Bergson’s concept of affection, analysis shows that Elefriends is used at particular moments of reconfiguration (e.g. change in dosage and/or medication), periods of self-experimentation (when people tailor their regimen by altering prescriptions or ceasing medication) and when dealing with a present bodily concern (showing how members have a direct, immediate relationship with the site). In addition, the analysis illustrates how users have to structure their communication to try to avoid ‘triggering’ distress in others. The article concludes by pointing to the need to focus on the multiple emerging relationships between bodies and social media in mental health, due to the ways the latter are becoming increasingly prominent technologies through which to experience the body when distressed.

scholarly journals Psychological distress among adult urban population of Puducherry

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 3265
Author(s):  
Murugan N. ◽  
Amit Kumar Mishra ◽  
Ramesh Chand Chauhan ◽  
Velavan A.
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Systematic Random Sampling ◽  
Study Population

Background: A large proportion of population in the community with psychological distress goes unnoticed. This study was done to assess the psychological distress among adult population of an urban area of Puducherry.Methods: The study was conducted among 569 individuals of age 18 years and above. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the households in the study area and from each household one adult was randomly selected. The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was used to assess the psychological distress among the study participants.Results: Majority of the participants had low psychological distress (60.5%) followed by typical (19.3%), more than typical (10%), evidence of psychological distress (6.2%) & severe distress (4%). One-fifth (20.2%) of the participants had psychological distress which needs attention. The mental health status of the participants was significantly associated with the age, sex, marital status, religion and education (p<0.05).Conclusions: The psychological distress is a major public health problem in the study population. Focused interventions to improve the mental health of population are required to decrease the mental distress in the community. 

scholarly journals A qualitative investigation of mental health in women of refugee background resettled in Tasmania, Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Hawkes ◽  
Kimberley Norris ◽  
Janine Joyce ◽  
Douglas Paton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Regional Location ◽  
Services And Supports

Abstract Background Women of Refugee Background (WoRB) are a highly vulnerable population with complex going mental health needs following resettlement. In Australia, there has been a substantial increase in WoRB being resettled in rural and regional locations. Despite this, no research to date has specifically focused on factors contributing to mental distress in WoRB in regional resettlement locations. The current study aimed to address this gap in literature. Methods 21 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with WoRB and service providers in regional locations of Tasmania, Australia. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed utilising Braun and Clarke (Qual Res Psychol 3(2):77–101, 2006) framework for conducting thematic analysis. Results Thematic analysis revealed that WoRB conceptualised mental health as a pathogenic entity, which significantly influenced their mental health help-seeking behaviours. The findings also highlighted how resettlement to a rural and regional location of Australia may exacerbate many of the factors which contribute to ongoing mental distress in WoRB. Conclusions The findings of the current study build upon existing research which indicates the adverse impacts post-migrations stressors can have on the mental health of individuals of refugee background. Furthermore, this study suggests that the current services and supports available to WoRB resettled in regional locations of Australia are inadequate, and under-resources. These findings are discussed in regard to practical and policy implications which should be addressed to better support the mental health of WoRB resettled in rural and regional locations of Australia.

scholarly journals Power and Participation: An Examination of the Dynamics of Mental Health Service-User Involvement in Ireland

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Brosnan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
The Political ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Mental Health Service User ◽  
Current Context

In this paper we set out the context in which experiences of mental distress occur with an emphasis on the contributions of social and structural factors and then make a case for the use of intersectionality as an analytic and methodological framework for understanding these factors. We then turn to the political urgency for taking up the concept of recovery and argue for the importance of research and practice that addresses professional domination of the field, and that promotes ongoing engagement and dialogue about recovery as both a personal and social experience. To this end, we describe a unique project that sought to deepen our understanding of how recovery is being thought about and applied in the current context of mental health care in Vancouver, BC, with a specific focus on how, and whether, people are taking up and addressing dimensions of power that we see as critical to the operationalization of recovery within a social justice framework. Emerging from our research and discussion is a set of critical questions about whether or not the political moment in Canada with respect to re-invigorating recovery should be embraced, versus a rejection of the concept of recovery as too limiting in its scope and too vulnerable to professional co-optation. 

Perceived Stress, Stressors, and Mental Distress Among Doctor of Pharmacy Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1457-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma P. Geslani ◽  
Claude J. Gaebelein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Doctor Of Pharmacy

We conducted an online survey to assess stress levels, stressors, coping strategies, and mental distress among first year professional Doctor of Pharmacy students at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) to measure perceived stress and the Health-related Quality of Life Scale (HRQOL-14) to assess physical and mental health. Self-reported stress levels among our respondents were elevated, significantly higher than among other populations as reported in previous studies, and exceeded the threshold benchmarked as being unhealthy. Mental health scores were negatively correlated with stress levels, exceeded the threshold for frequent mental distress, and were significantly higher than in comparison groups as reported in previous studies. Examinations were ranked the most stressful events and spending time with family ranked as the most effective stress reliever. Further specific investigation is needed to identify probable contributors to distress and to solicit recommendations to help students alleviate their stress and strengthen their mental health.

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