GHQ Scores Research Articles

The Impact of Different Types of Social Media Use on the Mental Health of UK Adults: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Previous studies have explored the association between social media use and mental health among adolescents. However, few studies using nationally representative longitudinal data have explored this relationship for adults and how the effect might change depending on how people use social media. This study investigated the longitudinal relationship between the frequency of viewing and posting on social media and mental health problems among UK adults. This study included 15,836 adults (aged 16 years and older) who participated in Understanding Society, a UK longitudinal survey. Social media use was measured with questions about the frequency of viewing social media and posting on social media in Understanding Society Wave 11 (2019-2021). We explored viewing and posting separately, as well as a combined exposure: (1) high viewing, high posting; (2) high viewing, low posting; (3) low viewing, high posting; and (4) low viewing, low posting. Mental health problems were measured in Wave 12 (2020-2022) using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), a validated scale for identifying symptoms of common mental health problems, where higher scores indicated more mental health problems (0 to 36). Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were estimated for viewing social media and posting on social media, adjusting for the baseline GHQ score, gender, age, ethnicity, employment, and education. We found no evidence for effect modification by gender and age so overall associations were reported. In our adjusted models, we found no evidence of an association between the frequency of viewing social media and mental health problems in the following year. We found that adults who posted daily on social media had more mental health problems than those who never posted on social media, corresponding to a 0.35-point increase in GHQ score (β=0.35, 95% CI 0.01-0.68; P=.04). When we considered both social media behaviors, we found that those who frequently viewed and posted on social media scored 0.31 points higher on the GHQ score (β=0.31, 95% CI 0.04-0.58; P=.03) in the following year compared to those who rarely viewed or posted on social media. We found that a high frequency of posting on social media was associated with increased mental health problems a year later. However, we did not find evidence of a similar association based on the frequency of viewing social media content. This provides evidence that some types of active social media use (ie, posting) have a stronger link to mental health outcomes than some types of passive social media use (viewing). These results highlighted that the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex, and more research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these patterns to inform targeted interventions and policies.

Role of attachment style, acculturation orientation, and social support in the acculturation of international students in China

Herein, we examined the impact of attachment style, acculturation orientation, and social support on psychological distress and sociocultural adaptation difficulties among international students in China. This study was based on an online survey that involved 229 international students [117 (51.05 %) Asians, 105 (45.46 %) Africans, 3 (1.74 %) Europeans, 1 (0.44 %) Oceanian, and 3 (1.74 %) from the Americas]. Our sample’s average [Standard Deviation (SD)] GHQ-12 and Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (SCAS) scores were 0.906 (0.477) and 2.240 (0.746), respectively. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analysis revealed that our predictors could account for 25.4 % and 14.3 % of the explained variance in international students’ psychological distress and sociocultural difficulties, respectively. In such instances, Chinese language proficiency correlated negatively with both psychological distress and sociocultural adaptation difficulties. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between attachment avoidance/anxiety and psychological distress, as well as between attachment anxiety and sociocultural adaptation difficulties. Moreover, heritage culture orientation and co-national support correlated negatively with psychological distress. Besides providing valuable insights for policymakers in education, our findings could also aid international students in quickly and effectively adapting to new environments.

Psychological morbidity and quality of life of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is associated with psychological distress, poor coping, deterioration in health-related quality of life (HRQL), and stigma. However, these issues have never received sufficient attention as a part of routine care. The healthcare workers and physicians of primary contact are not sensitized to use discrete screening questionnaires to identify and address these issues. A longitudinal study was hence conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry. 75 microbiologically confirmed 'new' pulmonary TB patients were enrolled. Socio-demographic and clinical details were noted. The patients were then evaluated for psychological distress using the General Health Questionnaire-12-Hindi version (GHQ-12) and Patient Distress Thermometer (PDT); coping strategies using the Coping Strategy Check List-Hindi Version (CSCL); HRQL using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief-Hindi version (WHOQOL-Bref), and stigma using the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue-affected persons Stigma Scale (EMIC-SS), at the start of treatment. Those having a GHQ-12 score ≥3 were labeled as 'screen positive' for psychological distress and referred to a consultant psychiatrist for detailed psychological assessment. Treatment was given by the psychiatrist if diagnosed with a psychiatric illness. All those without the diagnosis of a psychiatric illness were counseled by a pulmonologist. All patients were called for a follow-up visit and repeat assessments on the 15th day at the end of the intensive phase, using the same instruments employed at baseline. The patients already on treatment by the psychiatrist were again evaluated for their psychiatric illness. 32 (42.7%) patients had psychological distress (GHQ-12≥3) at baseline. 20 of them (26.7%) were diagnosed with a psychiatric illness. However, only 2 (2.7%) patients had psychological distress and psychiatric illness at follow-up (p<0.001). Mean scores of GHQ-12, PDT, CSCL, WHOQOL-Bref-26, and EMIC-SS at baseline were 3.000±1.9590, 2.333±1.2980, 3.480±2.2017, 311.63±30.201 and 5.267±1.8478, respectively. All the scores improved significantly at follow-up (p<0.001). The scores of the various instruments used in the study significantly correlated with each other. Comprehensive screening for psychological distress and assessment of HRQL should be part of routine TB care. The healthcare workers under the program should be sensitized to use the various screening tools on a day-to-day basis to identify patients who require expert psychiatrist care. The majority of the patients with distress, but without a psychiatric illness, can be handled well with dedicated counseling sessions by the healthcare workers themselves. The ancillary staff should be encouraged and trained to meet the demands in resource-constrained settings. A multidisciplinary approach, with close integration of TB programs with mental health services, is urgently required to eliminate TB.

Impact of Pemphigus on Sleep Quality: A Prospective Observational Single-Center Case-Control Study.

Pemphigus, an autoimmune disorder, significantly impacts the quality of life for those affected. This study examined the sleep quality in patients with pemphigus, a domain for which the existing literature provides limited data without a focused analysis. A total of 156 individuals, 52 in the case and 104 in the control group, completed several questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], General Health Questionnaire-12 [GHQ-12], and ABQOL [Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life]). Disease severity was evaluated using the Pemphigus disease area index (PDAI index). The case group exhibited significantly higher levels of psychological distress, reflected in GHQ-12 scores (P = 0.00), and notably poorer sleep quality compared to controls across various parameters (sleep latency [SL], disturbances [SDi], medication [SM], daytime sleep dysfunction [DSD]), and the global PSQI score (GS)] (P = 0.00)). Significant correlations were observed between PDAI scores and sleep duration (SDu) (P = 0.01), SM (P=0.03), SL (P =0.03), and GS (P=0.00). An association was found between the equivalent steroid intake and SDu (P=0.00) as well as GS (P=0.02). No statistically significant correlation emerged between disease duration and PSQI scores. Our findings indicated a correlation between poor sleep quality and cutaneous rather than mucosal manifestations (p=0.01). Pemphigus affects sleep quality. Severe disease showed heightened SDi, correlating with higher steroid doses, and in the chronic phase, the impact seems to have been more influenced by the pro-inflammatory stage of the disease. Patients with cutaneous pemphigus exhibited reduced sleep quality compared to those with oral pemphigus. Understanding that pemphigus worsens sleep quality can be beneficial for the holistic management of individuals with this condition.

6430 SAT-534 Evaluating the Effectiveness of Combined T4 and T3 Therapy or Desiccated Thyroid Versus T4 Monotherapy in Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Disclosure: M. Nassar: None. A. Hassan: None. M.T. Desouki: None. S. Ramadan: None. M.A. Hassan: None. A. Chaudhuri: None. Background: Many patients with hypothyroidism experience persistent symptoms despite normalized TSH levels, which highlights the need for alternative treatment strategies. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combined T4 and T3 therapy or desiccated thyroid (DTE) compared to T4 monotherapy, with a focus on thyroid profile, lipid profile, and quality of life metrics, including the 36-point thyroid symptom questionnaire (TSQ-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28 scores. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using a Boolean strategy on the following databases: Embase, Medline/PubMed, and Web of Science. The search included results from the inception of each database until 11/23/2023. We used the following keywords: "Armour Thyroid," OR "Thyroid Extract," OR "Natural Desiccated Thyroid," OR "Nature-Throid," "Desiccated Thyroid," OR "NP Thyroid," OR "Synthroid," OR "Levothyroxine," OR "Liothyronine," "Cytomel," OR "Thyroid USP," OR "Unithroid." AND "hypothyroidism. " We only included RCTs. We excluded non-English articles. Results: Initially, 6,394 records were identified. After removing 477 duplicate records, 5,917 records underwent title and abstract screening, excluding 5,874 records. The full texts of the remaining 43 articles were examined for eligibility, excluding 27 articles. Ultimately, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into our analysis. We included two studies on desiccated thyroid and 15 studies on combined therapy. In this meta-analysis, combination therapy with T4+T3 revealed a significant reduction in free T4 levels (mean difference (MD): -0.34; 95% CI: -0.47, -0.20), total T4 levels (mean difference: -2.20; 95% CI: -3.03, -1.37), and GHQ-28 scores (MD: -2.89; 95% CI: -3.16, -2.63) compared to T4 monotherapy. Total T3 levels increased significantly in combined therapy (MD: 29.82; 95% CI: 22.40, 37.25). The analyses demonstrated moderate to high heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in heart rate, SHBG, TSH, lipid profile, TSQ-36, or BDI score. DTE significantly increased serum total T3 levels (MD: 50.90; 95% CI: 42.39, 59.42) and significantly decreased serum total T4 (MD: -3.11; 95% CI: -3.64, -2.58) and free T4 levels (MD: -0.50; 95% CI: -0.57, -0.43) compared to T4 monotherapy. Moreover, DTE treatment showed a modest increase in TSH levels (MD: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.80). The analyses indicated low heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in heart rate, SHBG, lipid profile, TSQ-36, GHQ-28, or BDI score. Conclusions: Our study revealed that combined therapy and DTE lead to higher T3 and lower T4 levels compared to T4 monotherapy in hypothyroidism. However, no significant effects on heart rate, lipid profile, or quality of life were noted. Given the heterogeneity of results, personalized treatment approaches are recommended. Presentation: 6/1/2024

The mediating role of subjective social status in the association between objective socioeconomic status and mental health status: evidence from Iranian national data.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is identified as a pivotal risk factor for mental health. Objective socioeconomic status (OSS) is measured by tangible resources, whereas subjective social status (SSS) reflects an individual's perception of their OSS. A paucity of literature exists that elucidates the specific psychosocial mechanisms or pathways linking OSS with mental illness via SSS. This research aimed to explore the mediating role of SSS in the OSS-mental health association, utilizing data from the Iranian Mental Health Survey (IranMHS). This study is a secondary analysis of data from IranMHS, a national survey conducted in 2011 through face-to-face interviews with 7,886 Iranian adults aged 15-64. As part of the original survey, the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was randomly administered to half of these participants. We focused our analysis on data from 3,759 participants who completed all items of the GHQ-28. OSS was evaluated using education, occupation, wealth, and a combined OSS index, while SSS was measured using the MacArthur Scale. We examined how SSS mediates the associations between OSS factors and GHQ scores, including its four dimensions-somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression- while adjusting for demographic variables and conducting gender-stratified analyses. Among the 3759 respondents, 2157 (57.4%) were women, 2110 (56.1%) lived in urban areas, with an average age of 33.1 years (SD=12.1). SSS mediated the associations between wealth and the overall GHQ score (mediation percentage: 92.3%), education (75.4%), OSS index (66.7%), and occupation (34.0%) on the GHQ score. The most significant mediation effects were observed for wealth on the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, and depression dimensions, with SSS accounting for more than 80% of these associations. The findings indicate a significant mediating role of SSS in the relationship between OSS and mental health. Enhancing our comprehension of the social determinants that moderate the relationship between objective and subjective socioeconomic status may contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the impact of SES on mental health outcomes.

Screening for psychological distress in childhood and mental health-related hospital attendance among young adults

ObjectivesThe prevalence of mental disorders is high and increasing among children and young people. Investigating the relationship between self-reported poor mental health and mental health service utilisation can provide evidence on the benefits of universal screening, but longitudinal data is rare. ApproachData from a nationally representative English cohort (Next Steps) were linked to NHS Hospital Episode Statistics. GHQ-12 assessed psychological distress in Next Steps at age 15; participants were followed until their first mental health-related hospital presentations or were censored at the end of the study (age 27). Cox proportionate hazard models with survey weights estimated associations. ResultsOut of 4058 young people included in the analyses, 19% reported high levels of distress at age 15. During the 12-year follow-up, 5.3%, 2.9% and 2.7% of the participants had at least one mental disorder, drug/alcohol misuse and self-harm presentation, respectively, and 4.2% had a mental health treatment. Higher GHQ-12 scores were associated with mental disorder presentations (HR=1.10, 95% CI:1.04-1.16), and mental health treatments (HR=1.14, 95% CI:1.08-1.20). Associations were weaker for young people living in deprived areas, or if their main parent had lower education. ConclusionsAdolescent psychological distress predicts subsequent hospital attendance in young adulthood, but there are treatment gaps in service utilisation among more disadvantaged individuals. Detecting youth with mental health difficulties through universal screening, may facilitate early intervention, improve life-course outcomes, and reduce secondary healthcare use. ImplicationsLinked cohort and administrative data can improve our understanding on long-term healthcare utilisation and treatment needs.

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Severity in Association with the Severity of Anxiety and Depression among Egyptian Patients

Abstract Background Urticaria is a condition characterized by the development of wheals (hives), angioedema, or both. Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as the presence of urticaria for a period exceeding 6 weeks, assuming symptoms for most days of the week. It is divided into chronic inducible urticarias and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), previously termed chronic idiopathic urticaria. The latter designation emphasizes that patients can experience urticaria independent of any exogenous stimulus even if one can define circumstances that may worsen symptoms. Approximately 40% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria report accompanying episodes of angioedema, whereas 10% have angioedema as their primary manifestation. In most cases, it is a self-limiting disorder, persisting for 2 to 5 years in most cases, although 20% of patients suffer for more than 5 years. Objective To assess the severity of CSU; screen CSU patients for psychiatric illnesses i.e. Anxiety and Depression and to assess the severity of Anxiety and Depression in patients with CSU. Patients and Methods This was a cross-sectional analytical study that was conducted at allergy clinic Ain-Shams University Hospitals on 300 patients with chronic urticarial, Study Period was 6 months. Results Our study revealed that, there were statically significant Positive correlation Between UAS score and GHQ (Anxiety) score, GHQ (Depression) score, BDI score and HAS score. In this study, there was highly statistically significant difference between HAS level and UAS level. There was highly statistically significant difference between BDI level and UAS level. Conclusion Our data show that patients with CSU experience high rates of anxiety and depression. CSU disease activity affects the severity of depression. CSU patients with high disease activity should be explored for comorbid depression. Females were more likely than men to have CUS and more affected by anxiety and depression than males.

Comparison of premenstrual symptoms, psychological well-being, and nutritional status between Palestinian women with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome: a case-control study

BackgroundPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a widely seen reproductive and endocrinological disorder. PCOS can exert substantial effects on many aspects of an individual’s life, including reproductive health and psychological well-being. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status, premenstrual syndrome, and mental health of women affected by PCOS in comparison to women without PCOS.MethodologyA case-control observational study in Palestine included 100 PCOS patients and 200 healthy women. The collected data included socio-demographic information, medical history, premenstrual syndrome, mental health, nutritional status, and lifestyle. Anthropometric measurement and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) were used to evaluate the nutritional status. The General Health Questionnaire (12-GHQ) was used to evaluate the state of mental health. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) severity was evaluated using a validated Arabic premenstrual syndrome questionnaire.ResultsThe study’s findings indicated that there was a statistically significant increase in the three dimensions of PMS among participants with PCOS, p < 0.05. Similarly, PCOS patients demonstrated elevated ratings across all aspects of mental health, p < 0.05. In terms of the other variables, it has been observed that PCOS patients have a notably greater prevalence of perceived sleep disturbances and decreased adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Regression analysis revealed that PCOS is associated with mental health problems indicated by a higher GHQ score (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03; 1.16, p < 0.05), lower adherence to the MD diet (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76; 0.98, p < 0.05), and pre-menstrual syndrome, especially the physical symptoms (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.003; 1.12, p < 0.05) after adjusting for age, smoking, waist-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI).ConclusionThe study has linked polycystic ovary syndrome to negative mental health outcomes and an increased severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Additional investigation is required in order to establish a causal association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and lifestyle behaviors within the Palestinian population. Intervention and instructional studies are necessary to investigate the efficacy of management strategies in alleviating the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on both physical and mental well-being.

Do health-promoting lifestyle approaches manage mental health among adolescent/young college students?

College students are often still relatively young, making their mental health more likely to be overlooked. A healthy lifestyle is considered the key to preventing and controlling mental health problems nowadays. This study aimed to investigate whether health-promoting lifestyle approaches manage mental health among adolescent/young college students. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 adolescent/young college students at Babol Medical Science University, Babol, Iran. Characteristic demographics, health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP), and general health questionnaire-28(GHQ-28) were filled out by students. The data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and simple and multiple linear regressions. The majority of participants were adolescents (66.8%), single (97.9%), and bachelor's students (70.1%). The mean of the HPLP and GHQ scores was 125.09±18.12, and 33.58±10.50, respectively. HPLP was a negative significant predictor of mental health (β = -.261, P= .0001). There was a negative significant association between HPLP dimensions (except physical activity) and mental health. After adjusting for other variables, there was a significant relationship between HPLP with mother occupation (β =.186, P=.038), and mother education (β = -.219, P= .034). Furthermore, gender (β = .175, P= .031), and occupation (β =-.157, P= .040) were predictors of GHQ in adolescent/young college students. Regarding the health-promoting lifestyle situation among students and its relation with the better mental health, the design and implementation of HPLP education programs is recommended.

Evaluation of the demographic characteristics and general health status of earthquake survivors affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake; a section from Gaziantep Nurdağı district.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred in Pazarcık District of Turkey at 04.17 on February 6, 2023 and another earthquake of 7.6 occurred at 13.24 on the same day. This is the second largest earthquake to have occurred in Turkey. The aim of this study is to investigate the earthquake-related level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, general health and psychological status of survivors who were affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake and who were living in Nurdağı District of Gaziantep after the earthquake. Data of 2317 individuals older than 18 years of age who were living in earthquake neighbourhoods, tents and containers in Nurdağı District of Gaziantep were examined. Variables were evaluated to find out the demographic characteristics and general health status of earthquake victims. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to find out psychological states of earthquake victims. The rate of injuries was 14.2% and leg and foot injuries were the most common with 44.2%. The relationship between injury status; and age, marital status, and being trapped under debris was revealed (p < 0.05). Mean GHQ-12 score of the survivors was 3.81 ± 2.81 and 51.9% experienced psychological distress. In the evaluation with logistic regression, it was found that female gender, being injured in the earthquake, loss of first degree and second degree relatives (with a higher rate in loss of first degree relative), having a severely damaged -to be demolished house and having a completely destroyed house were correlated with higher level of psychological distress (p < 0.05). General characteristics, injury prevalence and affecting factors of earthquake survivors were evaluated in the present study. Psychological distress was found in victims. For this reason, providing protective and assistive services to fight the destructive effects of earthquake is vital. Accordingly, increasing the awareness of people residing in earthquake zones regarding earthquakes is exceptionally important.

Study on Psychological Stress Perceived among Employees in an Italian University during Mandatory and Voluntary Remote Working during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This cross-sectional study examined the perceived psychological well-being of administrative/technical employees and researchers/lecturers at the University of L'Aquila (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in two different periods of 2022: April 2022, when remote working was still mandatory, and December 2022, when the pandemic emergency had ended and, in Italy, remote working had become voluntary for two days a week and exclusively for administrative staff. Perceived psychological well-being was investigated using the GHQ-12 (Global Health Questionnaire, short-form with 12 items), a self-administered questionnaire created on Google Forms and sent via email to all the employees of the University of L'Aquila. Statistical analysis was conducted using means, standard deviations, and frequency tables for the descriptive analysis of socio-demographic data, while the t-test or Wilcoxon test and the Χ2 test were used to verify the statistical difference and association between categorical variables. Overall, 365 employees, including 118 administrative/technical and 247 research/teaching staff, participated in the survey in April 2022 when remote working was mandatory. Among them, 219 (52.8%) were female and 196 (47.2%) were male. In December 2022, 266 employees engaged in voluntary remote working, including 184 (69.2%) women and 82 (30.8%) men, took part in the study. The most represented age group was 50-59 years old (36.3% of study participants). During mandatory remote working, 83.4% of lecturers reported a perceived level of psychological distress ranging from moderate to severe versus 69.5% of technicians. The percentage of self-reported psychological distress was higher among the technicians forced to work from home (n. 118-42.9%) vs. the technicians working from home on a voluntary basis (n. 157-57.1%), with GHQ score being >14 in 65.5% of enforced remote workers vs. 62.3% of voluntary remote workers. During mandatory remote working, there was a significant difference in the GHQ-12 score between administrative and research staff, particularly related to items such as loss of self-confidence, emotional pressures, and diminished productivity. Moreover, from the comparison between the group of administrative staff engaged in mandatory remote working and those in voluntary remote working for specific GHQ-12 items, a statistically significant difference emerged concerning the perception of not being able to overcome difficulties; the GHQ-12 score was higher in the first group. Significant differences in the overall GHQ-12 score were evident between male and female lecturers, as the latter reported higher levels of perceived stress during mandatory remote working. The results confirm that remote working could be associated with a better psychological state of administrative university staff, especially in the case of voluntary remote working. During mandatory remote working, a difference was observed between teaching and administrative staff, with higher stress in the first group and among women. Therefore, our sample appears fragmented in the self-assessment of psychological well-being during remote working, possibly due to profound differences in the organization of work activities between lecturers and administrative employees. Additionally, the increased perception of stress by female lecturers compared to males may reflect gender disparities, as women working from home during the pandemic experienced an increased workload including domestic activities. Remote working is a type of working that has both advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is undoubtedly a better work-life balance; however, the risks of technostress, workaholism, increased sedentary behaviour, and social isolation are negative aspects. This study provides an indicative overview of the psychological state related to remote working in a university setting during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study might therefore serve as a starting point for further research on the impact of remote working on self-reported psychological well-being, especially in the university environment.

The influence of WeChat education and care program on anxiety, depression, insomnia, and general state of health in parents of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

PurposeWeChat-based education and care program serves as a promising nursing method for relieving mental stress in parents of pediatric patients. This study purposed to explore the influence of the WeChat education and care program (WECP) on mental health, insomnia, and general state of health in parents of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.MethodsTotally, 146 parents of 73 primary pediatric ALL patients were randomized into the WECP group (74 parents of 37 patients) and standard care (SC) group (72 parents of 36 patients) to receive a 6-month corresponding intervention. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), and 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) were assessed in parents of patients.ResultsSAS scores at the third month (M3) (P = 0.041) and M6 (P = 0.032) were reduced in WECP group versus SC group. SAS-defined anxiety rate at M6 (P = 0.035) was declined in WECP group versus SC group. SDS score at M6 was descended in WECP group versus SC group (P = 0.024). However, there was no discrepancy in SDS-defined depression rate at any time point between groups (all P > 0.05). AIS scores at M1 (P = 0.015) and M6 (P = 0.021), as well as GHQ-12 scores at M3 (P = 0.007) and M6 (P = 0.001) were decreased in WECP group versus SC group. By subgroup analyses, WECP exhibited good effects at M6 in mothers, but not in fathers.ConclusionWECP is a feasible and efficacy intervention to improve mental stress and health status among parents of pediatric ALL patients, especially in mothers.

The impact of COVID-19 workload on psychological distress amongst Canadian intensive care unit healthcare workers during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal cohort study.

Intensive care unit healthcare workers (ICU HCW) are at risk of mental health disorders during emerging disease outbreaks. Numerous cross-sectional studies have reported psychological distress, anxiety, and depression amongst ICU HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have followed HCW longitudinally, and none of these have examined the association between COVID-19 workload and mental health. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 309 Canadian ICU HCW from April 2020 to August 2020, during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire 12-item scale (GHQ-12) at 3 timepoints: during the acceleration phase of the 1st wave (T1), the deceleration phase of the 1st wave (T2), and after the 1st wave had passed (T3). Clinically relevant psychological distress, defined as a GHQ-12 score ≥ 3, was identified in 64.7% of participants at T1, 41.0% at T2, and 34.6% at T3. Psychological distress was not associated with COVID-19 workload at T1. At T2, psychological distress was associated with the number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.13) while at T3, when COVID-19 patient numbers were low, it was associated with the number of weekly hospital shifts with COVID-19 exposure (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.64). When analyzed longitudinally in a mixed effects model, pandemic timepoint was a stronger predictor of psychological distress (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.40 for T2 and OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.27 for T3) than COVID-19 workload. Participants who showed persistent psychological distress at T3 were compared with those who showed recovery at T3. Persistent psychological distress was associated with a higher number of weekly shifts with COVID-19 exposure (OR: 1.97, 95% CI:1.33, 3.09) but not with a higher number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.95). In summary, clinically relevant psychological distress was observed in a majority of ICU HCW during the acceleration phase of the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but decreased rapidly as the 1st wave progressed. Persistent psychological distress was associated with working more weekly shifts with COVID-19 exposure but not with higher numbers of COVID-19 patients in the ICU. In future emerging disease outbreaks, minimizing shifts with direct disease exposure may help alleviate symptoms for individuals with persistent psychological distress.

Changes and predictors of mental health of Chinese university students after the COVID-19 pandemic: A two-year study

BackgroundPsychological repurcussions of COVID-19 pandemic has received wide attention, but there's limited attention paid to psychological recovery afterwards. This study focuses on the changes and predictive factors of mental health of Chinese university students post-pandemic. MethodsThis study included 1175 Chinese undergraduate students sampled in May 2022 and May–June 2023, right before and after peaks of infections following the end of lockdown policy in China. The participants completed a survey of demographic variables, and three questionnaires: 12-item General Health Questionnaire, Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Prosocial Tendencies Measure. ResultsThe participants sampled in 2023 have significant lower GHQ scores and higher PPQ scores than those sampled in 2022, while there is no significant difference in PTM scores between them. The proportion of participants with GHQ-12 scores exceeding 12 in 2023 showed slightly decrease compared to that in 2022. The infection of significant others, the sense of hope, and PPQ self-efficiency, hope and optimism subscale scores were significantly associated with GHQ-12 scores in 2023, but actual infection or quarantine experience were not. ConclusionsThe mental health and psychological capital of the university students have been significantly improved within a year. It is worthy to pay attention to the infection of significant others, the sense of hope, and psychological capital in a pandemic to improve the mental health of university students. LimitationsCompared to a cross-sectional study, longitudinal research is the better choice for a two-year comparison.

Factors associated with substance use among preclinical medical students in Turkey: a cross-sectional study.

Medical students experience high levels of stress due to their rigorous training, which can negatively affect their mental health. This study aimed to investigate substance use habits of medical students at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa and the association on their mental health and demographic factors. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in March-April 2022 among preclinical medical students (years 1-3 of a 6-year program). A confidential, anonymous online survey consisting of four sections on sociodemographic and educational characteristics, nicotine use and dependence [Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)], alcohol use [Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)], mental health status [12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)], was distributed to 1131 students via WhatsApp and Telegram text messages. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests compared variables' distribution in the questionnaire categories. Spearman's correlation assessed associations between scales. Significance was p < 0.05. The study included 190 medical students. A total of 26.3% of the participants were smokers, with 8.4% showing moderate to high levels of nicotine dependence. An estimated 45.8% and 8.4%reported low-risk consumption and risky usage of alcohol, respectively. There were statistically significant associations between substance use and demographic factors such as sex, GPA, and religious belief. The study found a statistically significant correlation between FTND scores and GHQ-12 scores, and, between FTND scores and AUDIT scores. The findings of this study will inform the development of interventions to improve the mental health and academic performance of medical students at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. Furthermore, it will raise awareness about the importance of addressing substance use among medical students in Turkey.

Insights Into Informal Caregivers' Well-being: A Longitudinal Analysis of Care Intensity, Care Location, and Care Relationship.

This study investigates the psychological well-being of informal caregivers over time. It identifies the thresholds (or "tipping points") of caring intensity at which caregiving is associated with lower psychological well-being, and how this varies by care location and caregiver-care recipient relationships. It also examines how caring location and relationship are linked to informal caregivers' psychological well-being while controlling for caring intensity. Waves 1-18 (1991-2009) of the harmonized British Household Panel Survey and Waves 1-8 (2009-2017) of the U.K. Household Longitudinal Study were analyzed. Psychological well-being was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 score. Care intensity was measured by the weekly hours of care provided. Fixed-effects estimators were applied to the GHQ-12 score of caregivers across different care intensities, caring locations, and caring relationships. All levels of informal care intensity are associated with lower psychological well-being among spousal caregivers. The thresholds to well-being are 5 hours per week when caring for a parent, and 50 hours per week when caring for a child (with a disability or long-term illness). Caring for "other relatives" or nonrelatives is not negatively associated with psychological well-being. The thresholds are 5 hours per week for both coresident and extraresident caregivers. Extraresident caregivers experience better psychological well-being compared to coresident caregivers, given relatively lower weekly care hours. Caring for primary kin (especially spouses) is linked to lower psychological well-being compared to other caregiving relationships, regardless of care intensity. Policy and practice responses should pay particular attention to spousal caregivers' well-being. Caregiving relationship has a stronger association with the caregiver's well-being than care location.

Psychological distress and coping strategies in parents of children receiving cancer therapy in Morocco - a correlational study.

Treating a child with cancer in a family is a challenge that can have an impact on mental health. The study consists of determining the prevalence of psychological distress of parents of cancer children and exploring its correlations with their coping strategies. The survey was conducted between March and July 2023 among parents or guardians of children with cancer. The data collection tool was a version of the general health questionnaire (GHQ12) to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress and the coping orientation to problems experienced, to explore coping strategies. The correlation between the mean GHQ12 score and adaptation strategies is assessed through bivariate analyses and multiple regression. 232 parents or guardians of children participated in the study. The average GHQ12 score (0-36) was 22 ±6.83. Regarding coping strategies, religion was the most frequently used strategy. The general health questionnaire score showed significant negative correlations with active coping strategies with r = -0.14; p = 0.03, and acceptance with r = -0.51; p < 0.001, and significant positive correlations with denial with r = 0.25; p < 0.001, and self-blame with r = 0.24; p < 0,001. In multivariate analysis, acceptance (β = -1.9, p < 0.001) and denial stra- tegy (β = 0.46, p = 0.02) are predictive factors of psychological distress. The study highlights the significant impact of coping strategies on the psychological distress experienced by parents of children undergoing cancer treatment in Morocco, by facilitating a more resilient adaptation and improved psychological well-being. These findings could form the basis for the development of culturally adapted mental health support programs for parents in simi-lar contexts.

Psychological Distress and Treatment Outcome in Patients With Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides.

Skin diseases have been shown to worsen psychological distress, which, in turn, may be detrimental to treatment outcomes. Both the impact of psychological distress on response to treatment in mycosis fungoides (MF) and the effect of treatments on psychological well-being are unclear. To evaluate (1) the association between pretreatment psychological morbidity and treatment outcome in early-stage MF and (2) the impact of response to treatment on psychological well-being. This was a prospective cohort study of patients with early-stage MF who started a new stage-directed treatment for their disease. The response was determined using the modified severity-weighted assessment tool, and psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Participants were followed for 1 year. In all, 24 consecutive patients were recruited. Objective response rate was 71% (17/24), consistent with existing literature. Prior to treatment, 9 patients (38%) had clinically significant psychological distress on the GHQ-12, while 8 (33%) demonstrated high-level worry on the PSWQ. Of these patients, 6 had pathologic scores on both instruments. Patients with significantly less baseline anxiety/depression on the GHQ-12 responded better to treatment than patients with higher levels (P = .004). In addition, responders' mean GHQ-12 scores decreased by 39% and their PSWQ scores by 17%, whereas nonresponders' GHQ-12 scores increased by 93% (P = .042) and their PSWQ scores by 11% (P = .019). These findings suggest that (1) baseline psychological distress is associated with worse outcomes in patients with early-stage MF and that (2) effective treatment improves psychological morbidity.

Psychosocial Well-being among Diabetic Individuals

Background: Quality of life (QoL) assessment is considered an important outcome measure in chronic disease management. With an increase in the prevalence of diabetes in India, it becomes imperative to assess QoL in diabetic patients for their better care and control. The present study aimed to assess the QoL among diabetic patients attending the diabetic outpatient clinic and probe its association with glycemic status and management. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 4 months among 185 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Information on sociodemographic profile, diabetic history, and current medications was obtained. QoL was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The results were statistically analyzed. Results: Using GHQ-28, the psychosocial components of the patients in the fields related to somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression were assessed. Significantly higher GHQ scores (P &lt; 0.05) were noted in T2DM patients with higher glycated hemoglobin and increased plasma glucose levels, suggesting stronger associations of poorer QoL with compromised glycemic status. Insulin users exhibited higher GHQ scores (higher scores for depression subdomains) compared to noninsulin users. QoL was also found significantly dependent on the duration of diabetes and other comorbidities. Conclusion: The psychosocial well-being of the patients is significantly impacted in cases of chronic ailments like diabetes which adds to the total disease burden eventually. The present study warrants periodic assessment of QoL in diabetic individuals as a part of routine care along with advise of psychiatric counseling for those in need.