Effects Of Mental Health Problems Research Articles

Mental health selection and income support dynamics: multiple spell discrete-time survival analyses of welfare receipt

BackgroundThe higher occurrence of common psychiatric disorders among welfare recipients has been attributed to health selection, social causation and underlying vulnerability. The aims of this study were to test for...

Adolescent Mental Health, Behavior Problems, and Academic Achievement

Prior research on the association of mental health and behavior problems with academic achievement is limited because it does not consider multiple problems simultaneously, take co-occurring problems into account, and control for academic aptitude. We addressed these limitations using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 6,315). We estimated the associations of depression, attention problems, delinquency, and substance use with two indicators of academic achievement (high school GPA and highest degree received) with controls for academic aptitude. Attention problems, delinquency, and substance use were significantly associated with diminished achievement, but depression was not. Combinations of problems involving substance use were especially consequential. Our results demonstrate that the social consequences of mental health problems are not the inevitable result of diminished functional ability but, rather, reflect negative social responses. These results also encourage a broader perspective on mental health by demonstrating that behavior problems heighten the negative consequences of more traditional forms of distress.

Co-occurring Trajectories of Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Oppositional Defiance From Adolescence to Young Adulthood

This study uses a cohort-sequential longitudinal design to examine the patterns of change and codevelopment of anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiant symptoms (ODS) from late adolescence to young adulthood. Four waves of data were collected biennially by individual interview with a random, community-based sample of 662 youth ages 12 to 18 years at Time 1 (18–26 years at Time 4). Using latent growth curve modeling, we examined co-occurring changes in the levels, rates of change, and variability in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiance. Sex differences were also assessed. Levels of anxiety, depression, and ODS were correlated at each time point. Moreover, adolescents with high initial levels in one domain tended to have high initial levels in the other domains. In addition, increases in depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with increases in anxiety and in ODS, but adolescent levels of symptoms did not predict increases over time. Symptoms of anxiety (for female and male individuals) and depression (for male individuals) continue to increase in young adulthood, whereas ODS stabilize or decline. Adolescent levels of these problems have a significant impact on later levels, suggesting that preventive interventions may be needed in adolescence to defer negative consequences of mental health problems in young adults.

Development and preliminary validation of a measure of social inclusion for use in people with mental health problems: The SInQUE

Social exclusion can be both a cause and a consequence of mental health problems. Socially inclusive practice by mental health professionals can mitigate against the stigmatizing and excluding effects of severe mental illness. To develop and test the validity of a measure of social inclusion for individuals with severe mental illness - the Social Inclusion Questionnaire User Experience (SInQUE). The domains of the SInQUE were chosen to reflect the domains of social inclusion identified in the Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey. Patients with severe mental illness were recruited from rehabilitation, general and forensic psychiatric services and were asked to complete the questionnaire in an individual interview with a researcher. Sixty six patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder completed the SInQUE, alongside measures of psychiatric symptoms, needs and quality of life, to assess its acceptability, and concurrent and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity. The SInQUE took 45 minutes to complete and was found to have good concurrent and discriminant validity. Convergent validity was established for two domains: social integration and productivity. Preliminary findings suggest that the SInQUE may be a useful tool for assessing and monitoring social inclusion in individuals with severe mental illness. It has construct and concurrent validity with measures of unmet need and quality of life in this group. Further testing of the reliability of the SInQUE on a larger population is indicated.

Empowerment and partnership in mental health

Empowerment and partnership in mental health

The rights of people with mental disorders: WPA perspective

The rights of people with mental disorders: WPA perspective

A renewed agenda for global mental health

A renewed agenda for global mental health

Common mental health problems and antiretroviral therapy adherence

This paper reviews the literature on various mental health problems and their impact on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Depression, anxiety disorders, and disorders related to substance abuse were identified as key role-players influencing adherence. The severity of symptoms related to these disorders was found to be inversely related to ART adherence, with the possible exception of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD was found to have both positive and negative implications for adherence, with severity of symptoms ranging from health-protective concern to disabling distress. Possible solutions aimed at addressing the adverse effects of mental health problems on adherence are discussed. Routine screening in ART settings is suggested in settings where follow-up of positive screen scores are possible, along with the necessary interventions to resolve the disorder of concern. Suggested interventions include utilising psychotherapeutic treatment, both in isolation and in conjunction with medication, to address mental health problems. Furthermore, finding effective ways of marshalling social support is recommended for ensuring optimal adherence, and possibly mitigating the adverse effects of mental health problems. Further research is needed to find feasible ways of identifying, assessing and treating patients with mental health problems in resource-constrained settings where HIV prevalence is highest.

Befriending for mental health problems: Processes of helping

One avenue for addressing the social consequences of mental health problems is through befriending, a supportive relationship in which one-to-one companionship is provided on a regular basis. Although there is some evidence that befriending can improve psychological and social functioning, little is known about how it works. This qualitative study aimed to understand the helping processes occurring in befriending relationships, from the perspectives of both befriendees and befrienders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually and jointly with eight befriendees and their corresponding befrienders. Thematic analysis was carried out on the data set of 23 interviews. The analysis generated nine themes concerning qualities of the relationship valued by befriendees and befrienders (e.g., empathy and mutuality), processes of making meaning (e.g., considering alternative perspectives), and how change was effected in befriendees' lives (e.g., learning how to have healthier relationships with others). The accounts emphasized the importance of the quality of the relationship itself, and highlighted aspects of the relationship that were sometimes difficult to negotiate. The findings suggest that befriending shares commonalities with other types of psychological help. However, it is also characterized by some particular challenges, such as establishing an empathic relationship and managing boundaries and endings.

S25-03 - Trialog - concept and research

The active involvement of users of services and their families and friends into mental health care and research is essential for the success of mental health services and initiatives worldwide. Also, co-operations between mental health professionals, users and carers are needed to solve methodological problems of evaluative research and generate new models of needs-orientated interventions. However, accepting each other in a working partnership for a multiperspective evidence base is still a challenge for professionals as well as for users and relatives and friends. Changes in structures as well as in forms of communication are warranted.In Trialogue-groups users, carers and mental health workers meet regularly in an open discussion forum, that is located on ‘neutral terrain’ - outside any therapeutic, familial or institutional context - with the aim of communicating about and discussing the experiences and consequences of mental health problems and ways to deal with them. This setting offers new possibilities for gaining knowledge and insight and developing new forms of communication. It also functions as a basis and starting point for trialogic activities on different levels - e.g. serving on quality control boards - and different topics - e.g. anti-stigma projects. In German speaking countries well over hundred Trialogue groups are regularly attended by altogether ∼ five thousand people. Trialogues are inexpensive and a great number of people seem to benefit from participation. Current ideas for the scientific evaluation of Trialogues regarding process as well as possible outcomes pose conceptual and methodological challenges.

‘It’s been really, really hard’: a qualitative study of the health problems of people receiving emergency relief in Australia

The aim of the research reported in this paper was to explore the perspectives and insights of emergency relief recipients in relation to their complex health problems, which had contributed to their position of needing to seek emergency relief. The sample consisted of 20 adults aged between 19 and 51 years who had received emergency relief in a regional city in Victoria, Australia. Non-probability sampling was used, employing the convenience sampling procedure. A qualitative, exploratory research approach utilising in-depth interviews was selected to obtain data from the respondents. The method of data analysis used involved open, axial and selective coding. The main findings were that the participants experienced abuse and neglect in childhood, the effects of mental health problems, going without food, lack of access to and the high cost of health care, and the interactive aspects of health problems and poverty. Implications for policy and service delivery are outlined.

The Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders in Quebec's Older Adult Population

To document the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Quebec's older adult population. Data came from the Enquête sur la santé des aînés study conducted in 2005--2006 using a representative sample (n = 2798) of community-dwelling older adults. Our results indicate that 12.7% of the respondents met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for depression, mania, anxiety disorders, or benzodiazepine dependency. The 12-month prevalence rate of major depression was 1.1% and the prevalence of minor depression 5.7%. A total of 5.6% of the respondents reported an anxiety disorder. The most prevalent anxiety disorders were specific phobia (2.0%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (1.5%), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (1.2%). Agoraphobia without panic disorder and panic disorder were reported by 0.3% and 0.6% of the respondents, respectively. The prevalence rate of benzodiazepine dependency was 2.3%. The 12-month comorbidity prevalence rate between any psychiatric disorders was 2.2%. Among those with depressive disorder, the most frequent comorbidity was observed between minor depression and specific phobia (4.3%), GAD (4.3%), OCD (3.7%), and mania (1.3%). Further, only 39% of those having at least one active DSM-IV diagnosis reported having used health services for their psychological distress symptoms during the previous 12 months. Among those who consulted health services, 85% visited a general practitioner. Our results indicate that a large proportion of the elderly population in Quebec presents mental health needs. Longitudinal research focusing on the individual and social consequences of mental health problems reported by older adults is needed to avoid misinterpretation of this finding.

The Relationship Between Mental Health Problems and Violence Among Criminal Offenders

A major challenge in studying the relationship between mental disorder and violent behavior lies in eliminating spuriousness from the analysis because the two share many of the same risk factors. This study uses nationally representative data from the Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities 1997 ( N = 17,248) in an attempt to isolate causal effects of mental health problems on violent behavior among criminal offenders. Controlling for respondents' past violent behavior and other relevant factors, the research found that a history of mental health treatment is more strongly associated with assaultive violence and sexual offenses than with other types of crimes. In addition, there is support for a deviance hypothesis: Offenders with mental health problems tend to engage in more deviant types of criminal acts than those without such problems.

Special Issue - Housing and mental health

It is well documented that mental health impairments can affect anyone, rich or poor, young or old. Indeed one in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives. The effects of mental health problems on both individuals and people close to them can be debilitating and very destructive. Each year more than 250,000 people are admitted to psychiatric hospitals and over 4,000 people take their own lives (Mind, 2002). These facts make uncomfortable reading. However, despite the compelling evidence of the widespread prevalence of mental health problems, all too often the impact of such impairments on accessing and maintaining suitable, secure, and appropriate housing are either minimised or simply rendered invisible.

Consequences of antenatal mental health problems for child health and development

The aim of this article is to review studies published in English in the last year which examine associations between maternal mental health problems during pregnancy and subsequent development and health outcomes for the fetus, infant, child and adolescent. The body of research into antenatal mental health consequences is now considerable so this article provides an introduction to the field by considering the most recent studies. Research in the past 12 months has further developed understanding of the effects of mental health problems including antenatal anxiety and possible mechanisms for its effect on fetal neurodevelopment, infant temperament and later psychological, behavioural and cognitive outcomes for the child and adolescent. Delivery outcome studies again confirm the significant association between various mental illnesses, including depression and preterm birth and low birth weight. Children's emotional, cognitive and physical health and development are affected by their mothers' mental health whilst pregnant. Prompt identification and referral of pregnant women for specialist treatment is important in order to reduce adverse child outcomes.

Comparing Psychiatric Service Use among Low-Income Women and Women in a General Household Population

This article examines the use of outpatient mental health services in a sample of low-income women (Mothers' Well-Being Study [MWS]) and compares the findings with a sample of similar-aged women in the general population (National Comorbidity Survey [NCS]). Overall, the prevalence of any 12-month mental health was significantly greater for MWS respondents compared with NCS respondents. Only a quarter of each sample with any had received treatment at an outpatient mental health service in the past year. The authors identify implications for social workers who to improve access and quality of care for women in need of specialty mental health and substance use services. KEY WORDS: low-income women; mental health services; substance abuse; welfare ********** The landmark release of Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General called for Americans to seek help if you have a mental health problem or think you have symptoms of a mental disorder (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999, p. 453). The surgeon general's report facilitated widespread attention to the detrimental effects of mental health problems, identified barriers that many people face in seeking treatment, and compiled evidence supporting the positive effects of appropriate treatment. It indicated that recent population studies, such as the Epidemiologic Catchment Area survey (Regier et al., 1993) and the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) (Kessler et al., 1994), provided benchmark data on the prevalence of service use among people with psychiatric disorders and substance use problems; such population-based prevalence data offer valuable indicators for comparative purposes. The NCS, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), was the first survey to administer face-to-face structured psychiatric interviews to a nationally representative U.S. sample. The NCS has served as a benchmark for the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse disorders in the United States and has also provided data on the level and type of service use for these disorders. It has allowed researchers examining underrepresented groups to compare their findings regarding psychiatric disorders and service use rates with national norms. For instance, in previous studies of homeless women (Bassuk, Buckner, Perloff, & Bassuk, 1998) and Native Americans (Beals et al., 2005), researchers have compared their findings with the NCS as a way of identifying unique needs and possible inequities in vulnerable populations. The Mothers' Well-Being Study (MWS), also funded by NIMH, replicated the NCS, but with a sample of women who were receiving welfare in 1998. This population was underrepresented in the NCS, and the MWS was an opportunity for researchers, service providers, and policymakers to attain a better understanding of welfare mothers' service needs. The NCS and MWS used similar diagnostic instruments to assess a range of 12-month psychiatric disorders and used the same questions about service use in four service sectors (that is, general medical, specialty mental health and substance abuse services, human services, and self-help). The present study contributes to social workers' understanding of welfare clients' service needs and the extent to which their need for psychiatric and substance abuse services is met. We evaluated outpatient mental health services use in a random sample of low-income women (the MWS) and compared the findings with results of analyses conducted on a sample of similar-aged women in the general population (the NCS). Given prior research and the relatively resource-poor environment of the area from which the MWS women were sampled, we expected that MWS women would have lower rates than NCS women of general medical and specialty service use. Because of their contacts with the welfare system, we expected that MWS respondents would have higher rates than NCS respondents of treatment seeking in the human services and self-help sectors. …

The Effect of Mental Health Problems on Children’s Ability to Discriminate Amongst Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviours

Many young children appear to have skills sufficient to engage in basic elements of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Previous research has, however, typically used children from non-clinical populations. It is important to assess children with mental health problems on cognitive skills relevant to CBT and to compare their performance to children who are not identified as having mental health difficulties. In this study 193 6 and 7 year old children were assessed using a thought–feeling–behaviour discrimination task [Quakley et al. Behav. Res. Therapy 42 (2004) 343] and a brief IQ test (the WASI). Children were assigned to groups (at risk, borderline, low risk) according to ratings of their mental health made by their teachers and parents on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [Goodman, J. Am. Acad. Child Adolescent Psych. 40 (2001) 1337]. After controlling for IQ, children ‘at risk’ of mental health problems performed significantly less well than children with a ‘low risk’ of mental health problems. Before receiving CBT, children’s meta-cognitive development should be assessed and additional help provided to those with meta-cognitive difficulties.

The Christchurch Health and Development Study: review of findings on child and adolescent mental health.

This paper provides an overview of the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS) and a summary of findings relating to child and adolescent mental health. The CHDS is a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 children born in the Christchurch (New Zealand) urban region during mid 1977. This cohort has now been studied from birth to age 21. The paper examines the ways in which the study has been able to examine a wide range of issues. Key issues examined include: (i) measurement of disorder (respondent effects; dimensionality; scales vs categories); (ii) prevalence and treatment of disorder; (iii) stability and continuity of disorders; (iv) the contribution of risk and aetiological factors (e.g. lead exposure, parental divorce, child abuse, family adversity, sexual orientation) to psychosocial adjustment; and (v) the psychosocial consequences of mental health problems in adolescence. The study findings illustrate the many advantages of a longitudinal study, such as the CHDS, in providing methodologically sound, theoretically relevant and cost effective research that caters for the interests of multiple end-users including the scientific community, clinicians and applied policy makers.