Elevated Levels Of Psychological Distress Research Articles

Effects of a self-guided digital mental health self-help intervention for Syrian refugees in Egypt: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial

Background Digital mental health interventions for smartphones, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Step-by-Step (SbS) program, are potentially scalable solutions to improve access to mental health and psychosocial support in refugee populations. Our study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of SbS as self-guided intervention with optional message-based contact-on-demand (COD) support on reducing psychological distress, functional impairment, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and self-identified problems in a sample of Syrian refugees residing in Egypt. Methods and findings We conducted a 2-arm pragmatic randomized controlled trial. A total of 538 Syrians residing in Egypt with elevated levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; K10 > 15) and reduced psychosocial functioning (WHODAS 2.0 > 16) were randomized into SbS + CAU (N = 266) or CAU only (N = 272). Primary outcomes were psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25) and impaired functioning (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0) at 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were symptoms of PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 short form, PCL-5 short) and self-identified problems (Psychological Outcomes Profiles Scale, PSYCHLOPS). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses showed significant but small effects of condition on psychological distress (mean difference: −0.15; 95% CI: −0.28, −0.02; p = .02) and functioning (mean difference: −2.04; 95% CI: −3.87, −0.22; p = .02) at 3-month follow-up. There were no significant differences between groups on symptoms of PTSD and self-identified problems. Remission rates did not differ between conditions on any of the outcomes. COD was used by 9.4% of participants for a median of 1 contact per person. The main limitations are high intervention dropout and low utilization of COD support. Conclusions The trial provides a real-world implementation case, showing small positive effects of a digital, potentially scalable and self-guided mental health intervention for Syrian refugees in Egypt in reducing psychological distress and improving overall functioning. Further user-centered adaptations are required to improve adherence and effectiveness while maintaining scalability. Trial registration German Register for Clinical Studies DRKS00023505.

The psychosocial impacts of the 15 March terrorist attack on the Christchurch Muslim community: A descriptive, cross-sectional assessment.

On 15 March 2019, a white supremacist terrorist carried out sequential attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand during Friday prayers. This resulted in the loss of 51 lives, 40 others sustained gunshot injuries, and there were approximately 250 survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts on community members, assess clinical needs, facilitate access to appropriate interventions and provide insights into working with a traumatised and diverse population. This cross-sectional study used semi-structured clinical interviews and self-report measures to assess social and demographic factors, mental health disorders and well-being for adult Muslims 11-32 months post-attack. A total of 189 participants completed assessments. The sample was diverse, representing 34 different ethnicities and participant proximity to the attack was complex, with personal and familial exposures. Elevated levels of psychological distress and psychopathology were found with 38% of participants reporting moderate/severe psychological distress on the Kessler-10, 39% reporting post-traumatic stress disorder on the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-5, and 40% reporting poor well-being or possible depression on the World Health Organization-5 Well Being Index. Secondary stressors were also documented, as well as high scores for post-traumatic growth and the importance of faith. This study provides valuable insights into the repercussions of the Christchurch mosque attack on the affected community, describing the complexity of exposure and the substantial burden of morbidity experienced. It also highlights the high levels of social connectedness and the role of faith in promoting positive outcomes in the recovery process for this population.

Postoperative distress and influencing factors in patients with pancreatobiliary cancer

This study aimed to investigate distress levels, using the distress thermometer (DT), and the factors associated with distress in postoperative patients with pancreatobiliary cancer. This study retrospectively investigated 155 patients who underwent surgery for pancreatobiliary cancer between December 1, 2019 and September 30, 2021. The DT and problem list were used to measure distress. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Of the 155 patients, 16.8% (n = 26) and 83.2% (n = 129) were in the mild-distress and moderate-to-severe distress groups, respectively. The average DT score was 6.21; that for the mild-distress and moderate-to-severe distress groups was 2.46 and 6.97, respectively. More patients in the moderate-to-severe distress group reported having problems of “sadness” (χ2 = 4.538, P < 0.05), “indigestion” (χ2 = 10.128, P < 0.001), “eating” (χ2 = 6.147, P < 0.013), and “getting around” (χ2 = 4.275, P < 0.039) than in the mild-distress group. In addition, occupation status (odds ratio [OR] = 0.342, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.133–0.879, P = 0.026) and indigestion (OR = 5.897, 95% CI = 1.647–21.111, P = 0.006) were independent risk factors for the presence of severe distress. Patients with pancreatobiliary cancer demonstrated elevated levels of psychological distress. Healthcare providers should therefore be vigilant when evaluating patients for distress and providing appropriate referrals, particularly those who are unemployed or have indigestion.

Existential Therapy within Palliative Care: Searching for Meaning

IntroductionIrvin D. Yalom defines existential psychotherapy as a dynamic therapeutic approach that focuses on concerns rooted in existence with the four ultimate concerns being death, isolation, meaning in life, and freedom. Patients in advanced stages of cancer often experience elevated levels of psychological distress, encompassing conditions such as depression, anxiety, and a sense of spiritual hopelessness. Recently, interest in spiritual well-being has prompted a new wave of interventions that directly target this population, namely logotherapy and other existential interventions based on existential principles.ObjectivesIn this review, the primary focus was to comprehend the current evidence on the application of existential psychotherapy for individuals coping with advanced cancer and give an overview of the therapy approaches used.MethodsNarrative review of scientific literature using Pubmed search engine.ResultsTerao and Satoh identified nine types of existential psychotherapies which were investigated using randomized controlled trials for patients with advanced cancer or in terminal care: Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP), Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (IMCP), Meaning-Making intervention (MMi), Meaning of Life Intervention, Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), Hope Intervention, Cognitive and Existential Intervention, Dignity Therapy, and Life-Review Interviews. All deal with the issues pointed by Yalom. Existential or spiritual well-being improvements were validated in MCGP, IMCP, Meaning of Life intervention, and Life-Review intervention.ConclusionsCurrent evidence is still based on a very limited number of studies. Additional research is needed to delve into the impact of existential psychotherapy on individuals facing advanced cancer.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Speech and Language Therapists Working with Adults in Dysphagia.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented challenges on healthcare systems worldwide, with significant attention to the mental health of healthcare workers. Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) working with dysphagia patients represent a unique subgroup, whose psychological well-being during the pandemic has been less explored. Understanding the psychological impact on these professionals is crucial for developing targeted support mechanisms. Objective: This study aims to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SLPs working with adult dysphagia patients in Punjab, Pakistan, identifying key factors influencing their mental health and providing insights into their experiences and perceptions regarding the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing a non-probability convenience sampling technique to recruit 87 SLPs from various hospitals and rehabilitation centers across Punjab. Participants completed an online survey, which included demographic questions and standardized instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The majority of respondents were female (81.6%), with a significant proportion aged between 23 to 29 years. Qualifications predominantly were MS SLP (43.7%), and experience ranged mostly between 1 to 2 years (26.4%). The DASS-21 results indicated mean scores of 6.67 (SD=4.02) for depression, 7.71 (SD=3.4) for anxiety, and 7.87 (SD=4.4) for stress, suggesting elevated levels of psychological distress among participants, particularly regarding anxiety and stress. Conclusion: The findings highlight the substantial psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SLPs working with dysphagia patients, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mental health support for these professionals. Enhancing support mechanisms can contribute to the resilience and effectiveness of SLPs in managing dysphagia patients during and beyond the pandemic.

Suicide Risk Screening and Assessment before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in New Inmates.

(1) Background: Suicide is the main cause of death in Italian prisons. The largest number of inmates who killed themselves was recorded during three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore psychosocial risk factors for suicide among inmates incarcerated before and after the onset of COVID-19. (2) Methods: At prison reception, inmates underwent clinical interviews and were assessed using the Blaauw Scale and Suicide Assessment Scale. Psychological distress, measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-R, was compared between inmates admitted before and after COVID-19. Regression analyses were run to examine psychosocial vulnerabilities associated with suicidal intent in newly incarcerated individuals at risk of suicide. (3) Results: Among the 2098 newly admitted inmates (93.7% male) aged 18 to 87 years (M = 39.93; SD = 12.04), 1347 met the criteria for suicide risk, and 98 exhibited high suicidal intent. Inmates who entered prison after the onset of COVID-19 were older and had fewer social relationships. They had a higher prevalence of recidivism and substance abuse, along with elevated levels of psychological distress. An increase in perceived loss of control, anergia, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation emerged as the factors most strongly associated with high suicidal intent. (4) Conclusions: These findings support the value of psychosocial screening in promptly identifying inmates at risk of suicide, enabling the implementation of targeted, multi-professional interventions. Future research should replicate these results, with a focus on longitudinal studies that monitor the same inmates throughout their incarceration period.

Psychosocial Experiences in an Australian Rural Cancer Service: Mixed-Method Insights into Psychological Distress and Psychosocial Service Barriers

Purpose. To examine psychosocial and well-being concerns throughout the cancer experience, from prediagnosis to survivorship. Whilst most oncology research focuses on patients, the role and experiences of families and caregivers are increasingly recognised as a core component of health service delivery. Moreover, research suggests that geography is an important consideration, with evidence of rural inequities in health service provision and access. Aims. (i) To examine the unique patient and caregiver experiences of rural people in three rural cancer treatment centres in New South Wales (NSW) and (ii) to examine the barriers to rural patients and caregivers accessing psycho-oncological support in NSW. Methods. A convergent parallel mixed-method evaluation of the psychosocial experiences of rural patients and caregivers accessing cancer services through three health services in rural NSW was undertaken (N = 125). Measures of psychological distress as well as quantitative and qualitative barriers data were collected. Results. Approximately, one-third of the participants reported moderate to severe distress. Patients and caregivers reported systemic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and pandemic-specific barriers in accessing quality psychosocial healthcare. Conclusions. These results suggest that cancer patients and caregivers in rural NSW may experience elevated levels of psychological distress and barriers in accessing psychosocial care. The combination of high psychological need for patients and caregivers with reduced availability of psychosocial support services has substantial implications for psychological wellbeing and service provision. Underdetection of psychosocial need and a lack of support services pose a significant challenge for rural people with cancer and for those who care for them; this must be an urgent priority for quality improvement and equitable healthcare provision.

Differences in Anxiety, Insomnia, and Trauma Symptoms in Wildfire Survivors from Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.

Many survivors of wildfires report elevated levels of psychological distress following the trauma of wildfires. However, there is only limited research on the effects of wildfires on mental health. This study examined differences in anxiety, depression, insomnia, sleep quality, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following wildfires in Australia, Canada, and the United States of America (USA). One hundred and twenty-six participants from Australia, Canada, and the USA completed an online survey. The sample included 102 (81%) women, 23 (18.3%) men, and one non-binary (0.8%) individual. Participants were aged between 20 and 92 years (M age = 52 years, SD = 14.4). They completed a demographic questionnaire, the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and PTSD Checklist (PCL-5). Results showed that participants from the USA scored significantly higher on the GAD-7 (p = 0.009), ISI (p = 0.003), and PCL-5 (p = 0.021) than participants from Australia and Canada. The current findings suggest a need for more international collaboration to reduce the severity of mental health conditions in Australia, Canada, and the USA.

A cross-sectional study of the relationship between injuries and quality of life, psychological distress, sleeping problems, and global subjective health in adults from three Norwegian counties

BackgroundStudies examining associations between injuries and outcomes like quality of life and psychological distress are important to understand a broader range of possible consequences of injuries for population health.AimsThe aim of this study was to examine associations between self-reported injury and quality of life, psychological distress, sleeping problems, and global subjective health.MethodsThe sample was drawn from the Norwegian National Population Register. Data were collected among the general adult populations in three Norwegian counties in 2019–2020 (response rate 45.3%, n = 74,030). Exposure variables were being injured during the last 12 months, cause of injury (if more than one, the most serious one), and functional impairment due to injuries. Outcome variables included measures of total quality of life, global quality of life, positive affect, negative affect, positive social relations, social capital (trust, belongingness, feeling safe), psychological distress, sleep problems, loneliness, and global subjective health. Data were analysed with General Linear Modelling in SPSS Complex.ResultsReporting to have been injured once during the last 12 months was associated with slightly elevated levels of psychological distress, sleeping problems, and loneliness, and lower mean scores on quality-of-life indicators and global subjective health. Reporting being injured twice or more showed more pronounced contrasts to the reference group on the same outcomes, with Cohen’s d-values (absolute numbers) ranging from 0.17 to 0.54. For having been victim to violence, d-values ranged from 0.30 to 1.01. Moderate functional impairment due to injuries was associated with less favourable scores on all outcomes (d ranging from 0.15 to 0.71). For strong functional impairment d-values ranged from 0.35 to 1.17.ConclusionsElevated levels of distress and reduced levels of quality of life are particularly associated with multiple injuries, being victim to violence, and functional impairment due to injuries. Prospective, longitudinal studies with high quality instruments and large samples, allowing adjustment for baseline values of outcome variables, and utilization of state-of-the-art statistical techniques, would bring this research closer to examining causality.

Exploring the Psychosocial Needs of Adults with Haematological Cancer under Watch-and-Wait: A Qualitative Study

Objective. Research reporting the unmet needs of individuals with haematological cancers under watch-and-wait is scarce, despite reports of elevated levels of psychological distress. This qualitative study aimed to explore the psychosocial needs of these individuals, and when these were met, if so at all. Methods. A longitudinal design using semistructured interviews was used. Individuals with a diagnosis of haematological cancer living under watch-and-wait were recruited through online support groups. Participants were each invited to two semistructured interviews, six months apart. Interviews took place in March 2022 and September 2022 and were therefore in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis and pattern-oriented longitudinal analysis were used to analyse the data. Results. Of the fifteen participants interviewed initially, twelve attended a second interview. The sample was predominantly White and female. Across participants and time points, a theme was generated that individuals experienced a “Psychological battle of watch-and-wait.” Under this overarching theme, four themes were constructed: “Understanding the impossible: Cancer that does not require treatment;” “Sense of abandonment under watch and wait;” “The importance of peer connection;” and “Trying to live after COVID-19.” The themes were understood to predominantly represent needs for information, communication, peer support, and emotional support and were most often met when individuals engaged with relevant charities. Conclusion. People living with haematological cancer under watch-and-wait may be at risk of having unmet needs across domains, and without support, these needs will likely remain unmet over time. The findings add to the growing literature base how Oncology and Haematology services can holistically support individuals with indolent cancers to live well alongside their diagnosis.

The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands

Aims of the studyAfter arriving in host countries, most refugees are confronted with numerous post-migration stressors (e.g., separation from family, discrimination, and employment difficulties). Post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) significantly contribute to the development and persistence of mental disorders. Effective treatment approaches focusing on reducing post-migration stress are urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a brief psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+), on PMLDs among Syrian refugees in two European countries. MethodsWe merged data from two single-blind feasibility trials with Syrian refugees experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress and impaired functioning in Switzerland (N = 59) and the Netherlands (N = 60). Participants were randomised to receive either five sessions of PM+ or an enhanced care-as-usual control condition. PMLDs were assessed at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. To estimate treatment effect on PMLD, linear mixed model analysis was performed. ResultsThree months after the intervention, participants in the PM+ condition reported significantly fewer PMLDs compared to the control condition. Further analyses at item-level showed that interpersonal and family related PMLDs, such as “worries about family back home” significantly improved over time in the PM+ condition. ConclusionsThis exploratory study suggests that brief psychological interventions have the potential to reduce PMLDs in refugees and asylum seekers. The reduction of post-migration stress in turn may subsequently lead to an overall reduction in psychological distress.Clinical Trial Numbers: BASEC Nr. 2017–0117 (Swiss trial) and NL61361.029.17, 7 September 2017 (Dutch trial).

Sport Participation, Extracurricular Activity Involvement, and Psychological Distress: A Latent Class Analysis of Canadian High School Student-Athletes

Although psychological distress has been shown to increase during adolescence, participation in organized activities may have protective effects. The present study aimed to identify whether there is a relationship between high school student-athletes’ breadth of participation in organized activities and psychological distress, using a latent class analysis. Canadian adolescent-athletes (n = 930) in Grades 11 and 12 completed an online survey that measured: (a) high school sport participation, (b) community sport participation, (c) nonsport extracurricular activities participation, and (d) psychological distress. The latent class analysis indicated that a two-class model (i.e., Class 1 = narrower breadth, low distress; Class 2 = wider breadth, moderate distress) was most appropriate. Results indicated that despite the divergent probability of organized activity participation, participants in both classes had a low to moderate probability of presenting elevated levels of psychological distress. However, levels of psychological distress were still higher than other Canadian adolescent populations, suggesting that overscheduling could be of concern. Gender and time (i.e., prior/during COVID-19 pandemic) were significant covariates in the model.

The Impact of Facial Burns on Short- and Long-Term Quality of Life and Psychological Distress-A Prospective Matched Cohort Study.

Burn injuries are a major healthcare challenge worldwide, with up to 50% of all minor burns located on the head and neck. With this study, we sought to describe the effect of facial burns (FB) on health-related quality of life through a prospective and matched cohort study design. Patients completed the 36 Item Short Form (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results were analyzed based on the distribution of datasets. In total, 55 patients with FB and 55 age-and sex-matched candidates were recruited. The most common mechanism of thermal injury was burns from flames. The FB group scored lower in physical and psychological dimensions than the control group, both acutely and one year after injury. An analysis of each domain showed that subjects in the FB group trended toward improvements in their score after one-year post-burn in physical functioning (acute: 71.0 ± 29.2; one-year: 83.7 ± 23.9; p = 0.02) and bodily pain (acute: 58.5 ± 30.3; one-year: 77.9 ± 30.5; p = 0.01) domains. Additionally, the FB group had significanlyt higher scores for anxiety (FB: 4.8 ± 3.2; control: 2.5 ± 2.8; p = <0.002) and depression (FB: 3.9 ± 3.5; control: 2.1 ± 2.7; p = 0.01) compared to the control. In conclusion, facial burns are associated with physical and psychosocial deficits, as well as elevated levels of psychological distress.

Social media use, loneliness and psychological distress in emerging adults

ABSTRACT Social media plays a dominant role in emerging adults’ lives, with evidence showing that it can contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress. However, existing findings are contradictory, insofar as the connection between social media use (SMU) and psychological distress remains unclear. To gain a better insight into the above relationship, we focused on different styles of engagement with social media (active social, active non-social, and passive) and examined whether their impact on depression, anxiety and stress symptoms is mediated by loneliness. Data were collected via an online survey from 288 emerging adults in the UK. It was found that increased passive SMU was associated with higher anxiety, depression and stress symptoms; loneliness was associated with both SMU and psychological distress, while increased active non-social media use was associated with decreased stress. However, loneliness showed significant mediation effects only on the relation between passive SMU and psychological distress. Limitations, future research directions and suggestions for practice are discussed.

Correlation Between the Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders and Their Association With Psychological Distress in Central Saudi Arabia.

Background In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and their association with psychological distress in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was sent randomly to residents of Al-Qassim province. They were asked to complete a TMD pain screener, the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Correlations between symptoms of pain-related TMDs and PHQ-4 and GAD-7 scores were analyzed using Spearman's correlation test. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for sex, age, TMD, PHQ-4, GAD-7, and TMD pain-screener responses. A chi-square test was performed to determine the association between demographic data and psychological profiles. Results The majority of the respondents (59.4%) reported at least one symptom of pain-related TMDs. The TMD pain score was positively correlated with PHQ-4 and GAD-7 scores. Conclusions Residents of the Al-Qassim region who experienced elevated levels of psychological distress had significantly more pain-related TMD symptoms. These findings imply a link between psychological distress and TMD symptoms.

Longitudinal associations of chronic health stress and COVID-19-related anxiety among outpatients with anxiety and mood disorders.

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to elevated levels of psychological distress on a global scale. Given that individuals with pre-existing physical conditions are at risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes, those dealing with the stress of physical health problems (including knowing someone with health problems) may experience more severe distress during the pandemic. Patients with emotional disorders who completed a diagnostic assessment in the 6months prior to COVID-19 were surveyed in May-June 2020 on their emotional reactions to COVID-19 (N = 77). Multiple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis that chronic stress due to having and knowing others with physical health problems would predict COVID-related worries and behaviours, holding pre-COVID levels of depression, anxiety and worry about health constant. Chronic stress surrounding the health of others was significantly associated with experiencing more severe COVID-related worry and behaviours. In comparison, chronic stress due to one's own health problems had weak and non-significant associations with COVID-related worries and behaviours. Results indicate that outpatients who report stress about surrounding loved one's health are at risk for experiencing more severe distress during a health pandemic and thus, may benefit from targeted outreach, assessment and intervention.

Psychological distress in Portuguese university students during COVID-19 pandemic: relationship with stress, sleeping and emotion regulation strategies

IntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, psychological distress, anxiety and depression reached new highs associated with a number of variables such as pandemic related-stress and sleep difficulties. These later two are known to be the precipitant and risk factors for psychological distress/mental disorders, respectively, and negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies can also have a key role on psychological/mental health problems generation and maintenance.ObjectivesTo study stress, sleep difficulties and the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies by groups of students with different levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods496 university students (mean age ± SD=20.99 years ± 2.27; 78.6% women) completed an online questionnaire between January and April, 2021, which included the Mental Health Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, as well as three questions from the Insomnia Scale to evaluate Difficulties in Initiating Sleep (DIS), Maintaining Sleep (DMS) and Early Morning Awakening (EMA). A Sleep Difficulties Index (SDI) was calculated by summing the scores of these three items.Results18.3% of the students showed high levels of psychological distress (group 1; scores 1 SD =/&lt; Mean), 62.7% average levels (group 2), and 19% low levels (group 3; Scores 1SD =/&gt;Mean). The group 1, compared with group 3, showed higher levels of sleeping difficulties (DIS, DMS, EMA and SDI), greater stress levels and an increased use of negative emotion regulation strategies, as well as a lesser use of positive emotion regulation strategies. Furthermore, the group 2, with average levels of psychological distress is significantly distinct from the group with better mental health when comparing these same variables.ConclusionsAlmost one fifth of the Portuguese university students report elevated levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical interventions to promote psychological/mental health in this population should focus on reducing stress, promoting adequate sleep habits, reducing the use of negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies and increasing the use of positive ones.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Psychological Distress in Treatment-Seeking University Students: An Intersectional Examination of Asian Identity and Gender Identity

ABSTRACT We sought to elucidate the presentation of psychological distress across treatment-seeking university students at the intersection of gender and ethnic identity, concentrating on East and South Asian identity. Using retrospective baseline data from 1530 university students utilizing on-campus counseling services, ANOVAs were conducted to evaluate the effects of gender and ethnic identity on total and subscale scores of The Outpatient Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45). Compared to White students, South and East Asians exhibited significantly elevated levels of psychological distress. Although no gender differences emerged across overall psychological distress, there was a significant interaction between gender and ethnicity on total OQ-45 and certain subscales of this measure. Our findings provide important insight towards the limited body of evidence analyzing the intersection of gender and ethnicity in mental health. Revealing how multiple identities contribute to the presentation of psychological distress in postsecondary students can lead to the implementation of more effective interventions.

Emergency Service Workers: The Role of Policy and Management in (Re)shaping Wellbeing for Emergency Service Workers

This article examines the impact of psychosocial safety climate (PSC) levels and strength on the job stress and psychological distress of emergency services workers within street level bureaucracies (SLBs). The reason for the research is because the nature of their work and organizational context pre-disposes them to elevated level of psychological distress, and places them at a higher risk of subsequent debilitating physical and mental diseases, which is a cost borne by employees, their families, friends, SLBs, and taxpayers. Survey data was obtained from 274 emergency services workers (including police, and paramedics), nested within 43 workgroups, in Australia. Multilevel regression indicated that lower levels of PSC were associated with higher levels of job stress and psychological distress. Also, PSC strength had a partial moderating effect. The findings justify governments intervening legislatively to ensure SLBs’ take responsibility for ensuring a supportive PSC to mitigates the impact of exposure to workplace trauma.

Distress of tertiary education students in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This project sought to characterize levels of distress in Australian tertiary education students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisements were placed on multiple participant recruitment and student run websites associated with various tertiary institutions. Level of overall distress was assessed with the K-10 so that comparisons could be made with previous research. A total of 1072 tertiary education students 18 years or older participated in the study. 70.9% of tertiary education students studying in Australia displayed elevated levels of psychological distress during the pandemic, with 23.01% of the sample reporting extreme levels of distress. More tertiary education students experienced severe distress during the COVID-19 pandemic than adults in the general population, as well as before the pandemic. Services are needed to help tertiary education students cope with elevated levels of distress associated during the COVID-19 pandemic.