STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH RISKS REGARDING SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PEER PRESSURE

Given that adolescents and young people spend most of their time in the educational system, advancements in neurodevelopmental research emphasize the important and complex role of peers’ influence on adolescents’ behaviour, suggesting that supportive programmes led by peers have a strong potential benefit (King, & Fazel, 2019). In many cases peers are the most important source of social support, and are therefore an important target group to investigate the factors of risk, signs of poor mental health and ways to assess their health behaviour and awareness of the care which should be taken regarding their mental health, as well as the resources and prevention models. The wish is to study whether there are differences regarding the mental behaviour in certain characteristics of susceptibility to peer pressure as a risk for the mental health of students of the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula and students of the Faculty of Teacher Education of the University of Zagreb, Division of Petrinja (N=440). The set hypothesis states that there is a statistically significant difference among students of the faculty in Pula and those in Petrinja in their assessment of certain features of peer pressure susceptibility as a possible risk for mental health. The results obtained at the x2-test showed a statistically significant difference between certain peer pressure features among students regarding their study environment linked to hanging out with peers who consume drugs and being tempted to try them, getting involved in risky behaviours if their peers ask them to, and betting or gambling because their friends also do that. The results indicate that in smaller communities social control and conformity in the students’ behaviour is more present due to their wish to fit in a peer group as well as possible, suggesting the need for strengthening the positive health behaviour of young people during their whole education in order to secure a healthy and productive adult population.

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Is there an association between diet and depression in children and adolescents? A systematic review

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114516004359 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (12) ◽

pp. 2097-2108 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Sundus Khalid ◽

Claire M. Williams ◽

Shirley A. Reynolds

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Economic Status ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Confounding Variables ◽

Quality Diet ◽

Unhealthy Diet

AbstractThis review critically evaluates previous studies investigating the association between dietary intake of children and young people and depression and related mental health problems. A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane. A total of twenty studies were identified that met inclusion criteria and were subsequently rated for quality. The studies used a range of methods to measure dietary intake and mental health. Important potential confounding variables (e.g. socio-economic status) were often not included or controlled. There were also inconsistencies in the use of key constructs, which made comparisons between studies difficult. Despite some contradictory results, overall there was support for an association between healthy dietary patterns or consumption of a high-quality diet and lower levels of depression or better mental health. Similarly, there was a relationship between unhealthy diet and consumption of low-quality diet and depression or poor mental health. However, where significant relationships were reported, effect sizes were small. Future research on the relationship between diet and mental health in young people should use more clearly defined constructs to define diet and include or control for important confounders.

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Providing mental health support for children and young people in schools

British Journal of Nursing ◽

10.12968/bjon.2021.30.12.760 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (12) ◽

pp. 760-761

Author(s):

Alan Glasper

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Emeritus Professor ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

Health Support ◽

The University

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses a new initiative from NHS England/NHS Improvement to improve mental health support for children and young people in schools

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Promotion of mental health in young adults via mobile phone app: study protocol of the ECoWeB (emotional competence for well-being in Young adults) cohort multiple randomised trials

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-020-02857-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

A. Newbold ◽

F. C. Warren ◽

R. S. Taylor ◽

C. Hulme ◽

S. Burnett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Young People ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Primary Endpoint ◽

Emotional Competence ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Link Type ◽

Self Help

Abstract Background Promoting well-being and preventing poor mental health in young people is a major global priority. Building emotional competence (EC) skills via a mobile app may be an effective, scalable and acceptable way to do this. However, few large-scale controlled trials have examined the efficacy of mobile apps in promoting mental health in young people; none have tailored the app to individual profiles. Method/design The Emotional Competence for Well-Being in Young Adults cohort multiple randomised controlled trial (cmRCT) involves a longitudinal prospective cohort to examine well-being, mental health and EC in 16–22 year olds across 12 months. Within the cohort, eligible participants are entered to either the PREVENT trial (if selected EC scores at baseline within worst-performing quartile) or to the PROMOTE trial (if selected EC scores not within worst-performing quartile). In both trials, participants are randomised (i) to continue with usual practice, repeated assessments and a self-monitoring app; (ii) to additionally receive generic cognitive-behavioural therapy self-help in app; (iii) to additionally receive personalised EC self-help in app. In total, 2142 participants aged 16 to 22 years, with no current or past history of major depression, bipolar disorder or psychosis will be recruited across UK, Germany, Spain, and Belgium. Assessments take place at baseline (pre-randomisation), 1, 3 and 12 months post-randomisation. Primary endpoint and outcome for PREVENT is level of depression symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 at 3 months; primary endpoint and outcome for PROMOTE is emotional well-being assessed on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale at 3 months. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, well-being, health-related quality of life, functioning and cost-effectiveness are secondary outcomes. Compliance, adverse events and potentially mediating variables will be carefully monitored. Conclusions The trial aims to provide a better understanding of the causal role of learning EC skills using interventions delivered via mobile phone apps with respect to promoting well-being and preventing poor mental health in young people. This knowledge will be used to develop and disseminate innovative evidence-based, feasible, and effective Mobile-health public health strategies for preventing poor mental health and promoting well-being. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.org). Number of identification: NCT04148508 November 2019.

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Building Resilience in Adolescents and Youths - The Maltese Scene

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.562 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

J M Cachia

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Early Intervention ◽

Young People ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Peer Group ◽

Group Development ◽

Youth Mental Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Building Resilience ◽

Health And Well Being

Abstract The Office of the Commissioner for Mental Health in Malta was established in 2011 to promote and protect rights of persons with mental disorders and their carers. This advocacy role includes monitoring of involuntary care, regular reporting on quality of care and care environments, in-depth analysis and recommendations on emerging issues such as mental health literacy, multidisciplinary care plans, drug addiction services and stigma and regular networking across ministries, agencies, departments, and NGOs, breaking silos and building bridges. Data for 2018 shows that acutely ill young people (10-29 year olds) were 30% of acute involuntary admissions. Males and foreign nationals from medium and least developed countries were more frequently represented. Substance abuse, mood disorders and psychotic disorders were the more common diagnostic groups. Building resilience and providing opportunities for early intervention are key elements of better mental health and well-being in the younger generation. Six examples of good practice in adolescent and youth mental health from Malta will be presented: Youth.inc by AÄ¡enzija Å»gÄ§aÅ¼agÄ§; Kellimni.com by SOS Malta; Youth Mental Health First Aid by Richmond Foundation; Research and Professional Education by ACAMH (Malta); Student Support Services at MCAST MALTA; Project Enlight! by Enlight Foundation. Two of these initiatives were recognised as best practices at European level in a peer learning exercise conducted by the Dutch Youth Institute. The recommendations are: more focused approaches towards young people with acute mental disorders with special attention to their specific needs; the identification of young people in trouble; work programmes that build resilience, life-skills and employment prospects; the intensified use of refined electronic and social media tools for promotion, prevention and early intervention; and active support and encouragement of peer group development and self-help initiatives. Key messages Networking stakeholders to break silos and build bridges. Resilience and early intervention for better mental health and well-being.

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Young people’s perspectives on the symptoms asked for in the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey

Childhood ◽

10.1177/0907568220919878 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 450-467

Author(s):

Anette Wickström ◽

Sofia Kvist Lindholm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Health Behavior ◽

Good Health ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Everyday Problems

Although young people in Sweden report good health, there is an increase in self-reported symptoms. However, there is uncertainty regarding what these symptoms signify. Using interviews with 15-year-olds, this research examines what the symptoms asked for in the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey represent. The analyses takes inspiration from a performative understanding of surveys. It demonstrates that while problems such as feeling low and nervousness are reported as poor mental health, some participants refer them to deep-seated problems and others to everyday challenges. The results points to the necessity of reporting from symptom scales with caution to avoid the pathologisation of everyday problems.

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Preventive digital mental health interventions for children and young people: a review of the design and reporting of research

npj Digital Medicine ◽

10.1038/s41746-020-00339-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aislinn D. Bergin ◽

Elvira Perez Vallejos ◽

E. Bethan Davies ◽

David Daley ◽

Tamsin Ford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Real World ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Digital Health ◽

Health Problems ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Research Literature ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Children And Young People

Abstract Digital health interventions (DHIs) have frequently been highlighted as one way to respond to increasing levels of mental health problems in children and young people. Whilst many are developed to address existing mental health problems, there is also potential for DHIs to address prevention and early intervention. However, there are currently limitations in the design and reporting of the development, evaluation and implementation of preventive DHIs that can limit their adoption into real-world practice. This scoping review aimed to examine existing evidence-based DHI interventions and review how well the research literature described factors that researchers need to include in their study designs and reports to support real-world implementation. A search was conducted for relevant publications published from 2013 onwards. Twenty-one different interventions were identified from 30 publications, which took a universal (n = 12), selective (n = 3) and indicative (n = 15) approach to preventing poor mental health. Most interventions targeted adolescents, with only two studies including children aged ≤10 years. There was limited reporting of user co-design involvement in intervention development. Barriers and facilitators to implementation varied across the delivery settings, and only a minority reported financial costs involved in delivering the intervention. This review found that while there are continued attempts to design and evaluate DHIs for children and young people, there are several points of concern. More research is needed with younger children and those from poorer and underserved backgrounds. Co-design processes with children and young people should be recognised and reported as a necessary component within DHI research as they are an important factor in the design and development of interventions, and underpin successful adoption and implementation. Reporting the type and level of human support provided as part of the intervention is also important in enabling the sustained use and implementation of DHIs.

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Fibrinogen Reference Range in Adolescents

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.4091.4091 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 4091-4091

Author(s):

Lisa J Wakeman ◽

Roger C Munro ◽

Rhys Williams ◽

Bruce Davies ◽

Julien Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Young People ◽

Cardiovascular Events ◽

Reference Range ◽

Healthy Adult ◽

Adult Population ◽

Total Sample ◽

Reference Ranges ◽

Male And Female ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Introduction: Elevated fibrinogen levels are well recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in adults. Current research highlights the need to understand the mechanisms that influence fibrinogen levels in adolescents in order to elucidate its role in early onset ischaemic heart disease in young people. Depressed levels of fibrinogen are observed in a range of pathological conditions including acquired and congenital hypo- and afibrinogenaemias, consumptive coagulopathies, carcinoma and liver disease. Appropriate determination of the status of fibrinogen levels in patients is vital in identifying fibrinogen as a risk factor for cardiovascular events and in the investigation of coagulopathy. Ascertaining the meaningful status of the fibrinogen level in a patient relies on comparison with a reference range determined by the same methodology using an analogous population from which the patient originates. We present a reference range for Clauss fibrinogen determination in adolescents aged 12–14 years using the Sysmex CA-1500 coagulometer (Sysmex Corp., Kobe; Japan). Methodology: Blood samples for fibrinogen determination were collected from 240 adolescent schoolchildren aged between 12 and 14 years (M=119; F=121). All of the children were healthy with no apparent underlying pathology. Early morning samples were collected into siliconised glass BD Vacutainers containing tri-sodium citrate (Ref: 367691) and analysed within 4 hours of collection. Fibrinogen determination was performed using Dade-Behring thrombin and Owrens Veronal buffer reagents. Calibration of the Clauss fibrinogen assay was performed using NIBSC WHO International reference plasma for human fibrinogen (product number 98/612). Results: Fibrinogen results for males and females were examined for normality using Anderson-Darling and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Results were found to be normally distributed and reference ranges constructed using the arithmetic mean +/− 1.96SDs. Male and female results were examined using the two-sample T- test for gender differences where p<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Fibrinogen data from the adolescent group (Table) were compared with 209 healthy adults (F=151; M=58: aged 21–55 years for both gender) tested in the same way. N Mean (g/l) SD Ref Range (g/l) Two sample test for gender difference (p) Adolescents Male 119 2.66 0.464 1.76 – 3.58 0.76 Female 121 2.67 0.467 1.76 – 3.59 Total sample 240 2.67 0.465 1.76 – 3.58 Adults Male 58 2.71 0.672 1.37 – 4.05 <0.05 Female 151 2.99 0.653 1.68 – 4.29 Total sample 209 2.93 0.663 1.60 – 4.30 Conclusion: Reference ranges for Clauss fibrinogen for school children aged 12–14 years (1.8–3.6g/l) determined using the Sysmex CA-1500 coagulometer differ from the reference range for the healthy adult population (1.6–4.3g/l) determined using the same analyzer and methodology. No statistically significant difference was observed between adolescent male and female cohorts in contrast to significant gender differences observed within the healthy adult population. Reference ranges described in our study show the upper limit in adolescents to be lower than in the healthy adult population. The meaningful assessment of fibrinogen as a risk factor for cardiovascular events in young people should take cognizance of the age specific reference interval. The use of an appropriate, robust reference range for young people is essential in evaluating the influence of contributory risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as diet, body mass and exercise. Assessment of haemostatic function and investigations of coagulopathies in adolescents should be undertaken with reference to age specific ranges where available. This study was approved by the LREC and informed consent was obtained from parents/guardians.

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Komunikasi Efektif dalam Meningkatkan Literasi Kesehatan Mental

Jurnal Komunikasi ◽

10.24912/jk.v12i2.5948 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 191

Author(s):

Sarah Bryna Grace ◽

Ade Gandha Kurnia Tandra ◽

Mary Mary

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Young People ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Effective Communication ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

Community Activities ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Health Related ◽

Audience Awareness

This article is the result of a communication study research on effective communication conducted by the Into The Light Indonesia community on improving the mental health literacy of young people in Jabodetabek. Mental health in Indonesia has not received enough attention, unlike physical health, so it is necessary to increase understanding of mental health. Since 2013, the Into The Light Indonesia community has been present as a community of young people working as a center for advocacy, study and education on suicide prevention and working on mental health issues in Indonesia. This study aims to reveal differences in mental health literacy levels between young people in Jabodetabek who participate and those who do not participate in Into The Light Indonesia community’s activities, reveal the relationship of effective communication with the delivery of mental health literacy related materials, and to evaluate the communication strategy of Into The Light Indonesia community. For this reason, the research method used is a convergent parallel mixed method, in which a quantitative approach by taking two independent samples (???? = 120) to fill out a questionnaire to compare the level of mental health literacy and measure the effectiveness of communication carried out, as well as a qualitative approach through interviews to identify and evaluate the activities carried out by the Into The Light Indonesia community. The results of this study indicate that statistically, there is no significant difference between the mental health literacy levels of participants and non-participants in the Into The Light Indonesia community activities. However, the results of the study show that effective communication significantly increases the level of mental health literacy. Into The Light participants also showed awareness and interest in finding out more mental health related information. In this study it can also be found that a communication strategy approach is needed by adopting local ways to increase audience awareness and interest, as well as quantitative evaluation with clear measurements to measure the achievement of the communication strategy objectives. Artikel ini merupakan hasil penelitian studi komunikasi mengenai komunikasi efektif yang dilakukan oleh komunitas Into The Light Indonesia dalam meningkatkan literasi kesehatan mental anak muda di Jabodetabek. Kesehatan mental di Indonesia masih belum mendapat cukup perhatian layaknya kesehatan fisik, sehingga diperlukan peningkatan pemahaman mengenai kesehatan mental. Sejak tahun 2013, komunitas Into The Light Indonesia hadir sebagai sebuah komunitas orang muda yang bergerak sebagai pusat advokasi, kajian, dan edukasi pencegahan bunuh diri dan berkecimpung pada isu kesehatan mental di Indonesia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap perbedaan tingkat literasi kesehatan mental antara orang muda di Jabodetabek yang berpartisipasi dengan yang tidak berpartisipasi dalam kegiatan komunitas Into The Light Indonesia, mengungkap hubungan komunikasi efektif dalam penyampaian materi terhadap literasi kesehatan mental, dan mengevaluasi strategi komunikasi komunitas Into The Light Indonesia. Untuk itu, metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode campuran paralel konvergen, dimana pendekatan kuantitatif dengan mengambil dua sampel independen (???? = 120) untuk mengisi kuesioner untuk membandingkan tingkat literasi kesehatan mental dan mengukur efektivitas komunikasi yang dilakukan, serta pendekatan kualitatif melalui wawancara untuk mengidentifikasi serta mengevaluasi kegiatan-kegiatan yang dilakukan komunitas Into The Light Indonesia. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara statistik, tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara tingkat literasi kesehatan mental partisipan dan nonpartisipan kegiatan komunitas Into The Light Indonesia. Namun, hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa komunikasi efektif meningkatkan tingkat literasi kesehatan mental secara signifikan. Terlihat juga adanya awareness dan interest untuk mencari informasi lebih banyak mengenai kesehatan mental pada partisipan kegiatan Into The Light Indonesia. Dalam penelitian ini juga dapat ditemukan bahwa diperlukan pendekatan strategi komunikasi dengan mengadopsi cara-cara lokal untuk meningkatkan awareness dan minat audience, serta evaluasi kuantitatif dengan measurement yang jelas untuk mengukur ketercapaiannya tujuan strategi komunikasi.

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Mental health inequalities in healthcare, economic, and housing disruption during COVID -19: an investigation in 12 longitudinal studies

10.1101/2021.04.01.21254765 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Giorgio Di Gessa ◽

Jane Maddock ◽

Michael J Green ◽

Ellen J Thompson ◽

Eoin McElroy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Inequalities ◽

Economic Activity ◽

Adult Population ◽

Working Hours ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Household Composition ◽

Or Education ◽

Medication Access

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated virus suppression measures have disrupted lives and livelihoods, potentially exacerbating inequalities. People already experiencing mental ill-health may have been especially vulnerable to disruptions. Aim: Investigate associations between pre-pandemic psychological distress and disruptions during the pandemic to (1) healthcare, economic activity, and housing, (2) cumulative disruptions and 3) whether these differ by age, sex, ethnicity or education. Methods: Data were from 59,482 participants in 12 UK longitudinal adult population surveys with data collected both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants self-reported disruptions since the start of the pandemic to: healthcare (medication access, procedures, or appointments); economic activity (negative changes in employment, income or working hours); and housing (change of address or household composition). Logistic regression models were used within each study to estimate associations between pre-pandemic psychological distress scores and disruption outcomes. Findings were synthesised using a random effects meta-analysis with restricted maximum likelihood. Results: Between one to two-thirds of study participants experienced at least one disruption during the pandemic, with 2.3-33.2% experiencing disruptions in 2 or more of the 3 domains examined. One standard deviation higher pre-pandemic psychological distress was associated with: (i) increased odds of any healthcare disruptions (OR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.40) with fully adjusted ORs ranging from 1.33 [1.20 to 1.49] for disruptions to prescriptions or medication access and 1.24 [1.09 to 1.41] for disruption to procedures; (ii) loss of employment (OR=1.13 [1.06 to 1.21]) and income (OR=1.12 [1.06 to 1.19]) and reductions in working hours/furlough (OR=1.05 [1.00 to 1.09]); (iii) no associations with housing disruptions (OR=1.00 [0.97 to 1.03]); and (iv) increased likelihood of experiencing a disruption in at least two domains (OR=1.25 [1.18 to 1.32]) or in one domain (OR=1.11 [1.07 to 1.16]) relative to experiencing no disruption. We did not find evidence of these associations differing by sex, ethnicity, education level, or age. Conclusion: Those suffering from psychological distress before the pandemic were more likely to experience healthcare disruptions, economic disruptions related to unemployment and loss of income, and to clusters of disruptions across multiple domains during the pandemic. Considering mental ill-health was already unequally distributed in the UK population, the pandemic may exacerbate existing mental health inequalities. Individuals with poor mental health may need additional support to manage these pandemic-associated disruptions.

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