Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Research Articles

Mental Health Carers’ Support Experiences in Australia

Informal mental health carers play a crucial role in supporting individuals with depression and anxiety. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how to effectively support these carers and promote their well-being. This mixed-method study aimed to explore the support needs of carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptoms, living in Australia. Sixty-seven carers (female 76 %, median age 48) completed an online survey, and 22 completed semi-structured interviews about their support experiences. Over half of the survey respondents reported high levels of psychological distress on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and 63% reported understanding and adjusting to the caregiving role as the most needed areas of support, as identified on the Caregiver Perspective Questionnaire (CPQ). Through thematic analysis of the interviews, four key themes emerged describing carers’ support experiences and needs: connecting with formal services, responding to the care-recipient, connecting socially, and caring for the self. The analysis also found that time constraints and stigma can be significant support barriers for these carers. This is the first time that a study has investigated the support experiences and needs of carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptoms, living in Australia. The findings contribute to current literature on mental health carers and offer novel and tangible insights into future research and support opportunities.

The Mediating Effect of Post-Traumatic Growth on the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress in Adults

Background: Research has shown that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are prevalent and are associated with psychological distress. Some studies indicate facing these adversities can lead to post-traumatic growth. This study aims to assess the impact of ACEs on psychological distress and post-traumatic growth and to determine the mediating effect of post-traumatic growth between ACEs and psychological distress, in a sample of adults. Methods: In this study, there were 521 participants (mean = 31.32, SD = 12.28), who answered the following surveys online: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family ACE Questionnaire, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Results: ACEs were positive and significant predictors of psychological distress, and the “Change in the perception of the self and life in general” factor of post-traumatic growth was the strongest predictor of lower perceived psychological distress. Post-traumatic growth did not mediate the relationship between ACEs and psychological distress. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the improvement of clinical practice and health policies and highlight the need for a more in-depth understanding of the impact of ACEs on mental health.

Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy

IntroductionThis study explores the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy delivered through audio-visual recordings shown to patients in the oncology waiting rooms, focusing on whether simulated forest walks can positively influence patients’ emotional states compared to traditional waiting room stimuli.MethodsThe study involved 117 participants from a diverse group of oncology patients in the outpatient clinic waiting room at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute. Using a partially randomized controlled trial design, the study assessed basic emotional dimensions—valence and arousal—as well as specific psychological states such as thought control, sadness, anxiety, and pain. This assessment used the Self-Assessment Manikin and the modified Emotional Thermometer before and after participants watched three video types (forest, sea, news). Baseline stress levels were measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).ResultsParticipants exposed to forest and sea videos reported significant improvements in emotional valence and reduced arousal, suggesting a calming and uplifting effect. No significant changes were observed in the control and news groups. Secondary outcomes related to anxiety, sadness, and pain showed no significant interaction effects, though small but significant main effects of time on these variables were noted.DiscussionThe findings suggest that videos of forest and sea can be a beneficial intervention in the oncology waiting rooms by enhancing patients’ emotional well-being. This pilot study underscores the potential for integrating virtual mental health support elements into healthcare settings to improve patient care experience.

Occupational, academic, and personal determinants of wellbeing and psychological distress in residents: results of a survey in Lyon, France

IntroductionThe mental health of residents is a growing significant concern, particularly with respect to hospital and university training conditions. Our goal was to assess the professional, academic, and psychological determinants of the mental health status of all residents of the academy of Lyon, France.Materials and methodsThe Health Barometer of Lyon Subdivision Residents (BASIL) is an initiative which consists in proposing a recurrent online survey to all residents in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry, belonging to the Lyon subdivision. The first of these surveys was conducted from May to July 2022. Participants should complete a series of validated questionnaires, including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), respectively, and ad-hoc questions assessing their global health and hospital and academic working conditions. A Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) analysis was conducted prior to multivariable analyses, to explore the determinants associated with low wellbeing (WEMWBS <43) and high psychological distress (K6 ≥ 13).ResultsA total of 904 residents (response rate: 46.7%) participated in the survey. A low level of wellbeing was observed in 23% of participants, and was significantly associated to job strain (OR = 2.18; 95%CI = [1.32–3.60]), low social support (OR = 3.13; 95%CI = [2.05–4.78]) and the experience of very poor university teaching (OR = 2.51; 95%CI = [1.29–4.91]). A high level of psychological distress was identified for 13% of participants, and associated with low social support (OR = 2.41; 95%CI = [1.48–3.93]) and the experience of very poor university teaching (OR = 2.89, 95%CI = [1.16–7.21]).ConclusionHospital working conditions, social support, and the perception of teaching quality, were three major determinants of wellbeing and psychological distress among health profession residents. Demographic determinants, personal life and lifestyle habits were also associated. This supports a multilevel action in prevention programs aiming to enhance wellbeing and reduce mental distress in this specific population and local organizational specificities.

Memory, mood and associated neuroanatomy in individuals with steroid sulphatase deficiency (X-linked ichthyosis).

Steroid sulphatase (STS) cleaves sulphate groups from steroid hormones, and steroid (sulphate) levels correlate with mood and age-related cognitive decline. In animals, STS inhibition or deletion of the associated gene, enhances memory/neuroprotection and alters hippocampal neurochemistry. Little is known about the consequences of constitutive STS deficiency on memory-related processes in humans. We investigated self-reported memory performance (Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire), word-picture recall and recent mood (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10) in adult males with STS deficiency diagnosed with the dermatological condition X-linked ichthyosis (XLI; n = 41) and in adult female carriers of XLI-associated genetic variants (n = 79); we compared results to those obtained from matched control subjects [diagnosed with ichthyosis vulgaris (IV, n = 98) or recruited from the general population (n = 250)]. Using the UK Biobank, we compared mood/memory-related neuroanatomy in carriers of genetic deletions encompassing STS (n = 28) and non-carriers (n = 34,522). We found poorer word-picture recall and lower perceived memory abilities in males with XLI and female carriers compared with control groups. XLI-associated variant carriers and individuals with IV reported more adverse mood symptoms, reduced memory contentment and greater use of memory aids, compared with general population controls. Mood and memory findings appeared largely independent. Neuroanatomical analysis only indicated a nominally-significantly larger molecular layer in the right hippocampal body of deletion carriers relative to non-carriers. In humans, constitutive STS deficiency appears associated with mood-independent impairments in memory but not with large effects on underlying brain structure; the mediating psychobiological mechanisms might be explored further in individuals with XLI and in new mammalian models lacking STS developmentally.

Prevalence and Association of Stress with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Women in a Rural Area of Maharashtra: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Aim: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major public health problem. There is a scarcity of knowledge regarding the association of stress with GDM. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and association of stress with GDM among pregnant women in a rural area of Maharashtra. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 965 pregnant women from the rural field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, MGIMS, Sevagram. After taking written informed consent, a pretested semistructured questionnaire was administered. Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India recommendation was used (2-h plasma glucose > 140 mg/dL with 75 g oral glucose load to diagnose GDM irrespective of the duration of the last meal). Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was administered to assess the stress (anxiety and depression). Results: The K10 scale showed that 3.11% of participants were moderately affected, and 3.01% had mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Only 1.14% of pregnant women had severe mental disorders. The participants with normal to mild depression (K10 score < 25) had 90% less chance (odds ratio: 0.10; 95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.23) of becoming GDM than participants with moderate to severe depression (K10 score > 25), which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study highlighted that normal to mild stress had a lesser chance of getting GDM than moderate to severe stress during pregnancy, indicating that stress is a positive risk factor of GDM. Hence, it is advisable to screen for stress during pregnancy.

Sociodemographic and environmental characteristics associated with thoughts of death and suicidal ideation in community-dwelling residents of a rural town in Japan: analyses from a perspective of accompanying problems

ObjectiveSuicide prevention has been focused on primary prevention as a group rather than individuals. However, we aimed to identify sociodemographic and environmental characteristics of individuals with suicidal thoughts among rural residents in Japan.MethodsIn 2015, a cross-sectional home visit survey was conducted in a rural town in Akita Prefecture. A total of 1,844 residents aged ≥ 20 years (response rate, 65%) answered a self-administered questionnaire about suicidal thoughts in the past one month. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate sociodemographic and environmental characteristics associated with suicidal thoughts in models with accompanying problems for human relations problems (HRP), health problems (HP), and financial problems (FP), or with no accompanying problems.ResultsIn total, 218 (men 9.4%, women 13.8%) had suicidal thoughts with accompanying problems for HRP (n = 104), HP (n = 112), and FP (n = 72). The risk characteristics were Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores ≥ 9 in models with HRP, HP, and FP or with no accompanying problems; being a woman and current smoking with no accompanying problems; absence of a person for help in a model of FP; and absence of family member for help in a model of HRP or with no accompanying problems. The mitigating factor were being optimistic (a domain of resilience skills identified by factor analysis) in models of HRP, HP, and FP or with no accompanying problems; being aged 70–79 and being aged ≥ 80 in a model of HRP.ConclusionsSuicidal thoughts among rural residents in Japan were associated with multifactorial sociodemographic and environmental characteristics.

Predictors of Mental Health Outcomes in a Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program for Class 3 Obesity.

This study aimed to examine the potential predictors of improvement in mental health outcomes following participation in an intensive non-surgical outpatient weight management program (WMP) in an Australian public hospital. This was a retrospective cohort study of all adults with Class 3 obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) who enrolled in the WMP from March 2018 to June 2021. The participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Version (EDE-QS), Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale, and 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36) at baseline and 12-month follow-up. A total of 115 patients completed 12 months in the WMP and were included in the study, with 76.5% being female, a mean ± SD age at baseline of 51.3 ± 13.8 years, a weight of 146 ± 26 kg, and a BMI of 51.1 ± 8.6 kg/m2. The participants lost an average of 8.6 ± 0.2 kg over 12 months, and greater weight loss at follow-up was significantly associated with improved global EDE-QS scores, psychological distress, and improved mental health quality of life. However, improvements in most mental health outcomes were not predicted by weight loss alone. Notably, a lower eating disorder risk at baseline was associated with less psychological distress at follow-up and greater weight loss at follow-up. Our results also found an association between reduced psychological distress and reduced binge eating frequency. These findings support the inclusion components of obesity interventions that target the psychological correlates of obesity to support improved outcomes in people with Class 3 obesity. Future studies should aim to identify which aspects of the WMP helped improve people's psychological outcomes.

Psychological Distress and Associated Factors Among Medical Students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study (May 2018)

BackgroundPsychological distress, posing a substantial threat to the well-being of medical students, is linked to heightened risks of academic struggles and suicidal tendencies. Despite its profound impact, comprehensive studies on the prevalence and determinants of psychological distress among medical students remain scarce, particularly in developing nations like Ethiopia. This study sought to robustly assess the prevalence of psychological distress and its determinants among medical students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. MethodsA rigorous institution-based cross-sectional study involving 423 medical students utilized a stratified random sampling technique. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) served as the assessment for psychological distress. The scale has been validated for use in Ethiopia and demonstrates a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 77.8%. Scores above 20 on the K10 were considered as indicative of psychological distress, while scores falling within the ranges of 10–19 were likely to indicate wellness. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between dependent and independent variables. Odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were meticulously calculated to discern the strength of associations. ResultsOut of the 423 participants, 390 were included in the current study, resulting in a response rate of 92.2%. A formidable prevalence of psychological distress was exposed, registering at 42.82% (95% CI 37.97, 47.82%). Strikingly, female students exhibited a disproportionately higher prevalence (62.03%) compared to their male counterparts (37.93%). Factors such as test anxiety, suicidal attempts, and suboptimal time management were pivotal contributors to escalated rates of psychological distress. Multivariable analysis underscored the significance of certain determinants, revealing that high GPA scores were protective [AOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.13, 0.49], while inadequate social support [AOR 5.7, 95% CI 2.96, 11.24], a history of suicidal attempts [AOR 5.62, 95% CI 1.34, 23.4], and problematic test anxiety [AOR 5.02, 95% CI 2.67, 9.42] were associated with heightened vulnerability. ConclusionThis study unveils a pervasive and concerning landscape of psychological distress among medical students in Addis Ababa, with a stark gender disparity. Interventions targeting test anxiety, fortifying social support structures, and providing accessible mental health resources are essential to mitigate these challenges and enhance the resilience and well-being of medical students, thereby reducing or preventing psychological distress.

IJCM_354A: Mental health screening of workers of a tertiary care neuropsychiatry hospital of Delhi

Background: Employee mental health has a significant impact on productivity at work. People who work in healthcare environments are known to be at an increased risk of developing mental health issues. Objective: To assess the psychological distress in housekeeping and sanitation workers of IHBAS hospital Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the housekeeping and sanitation workers of the IHBAS hospital, a tertiary care Neuropsychiatry hospital and Institute. The socio-demographic data of the workers was collected. Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21) were used to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress among workers. The data was entered and analysed in SPSS 21. Results: A total of 598 workers were screened, of which 50.7% were males and 49.3% were females .63.5% of the workers were in the age group of 31 to 50 years,24.4% were between 18-30 years of age and 12% were more than 50 years of age. The output of K10 scale for psychological distress showed that only 0.2% were likely to have a mild disorder. The analysis of DASS-21 yielded on depression subscale that 0.5% had mild depression, and 0.2% each had moderate and extremely severe depression. On the anxiety subscale, 0.5% had moderate anxiety, 0.2% each had mild and extremely severe anxiety and stress subscale yielded that 0.5% had mild stress, and 0.2% had moderate stress Conclusion: Even though the percentage of workers with mental health problems was very low based on screening with K10 and DASSS-21, it is still worthwhile to screen for and appropriately address mental health issues among hospital employees as part of the occupational health program

Musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and its correlation with stress in medical students: A cross sectional survey

ABSTRACT Background: The study aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevalence and its correlation with stress in medical students at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 416 participants participated in this study by answering an online questionnaire. We included medical students from UQU of both genders, ranging from the first year to the sixth year. A questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic data. The data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) and Standardized Nordic questionnaire. Results: Among 416 medical students surveyed, 219 (52.60%) were males. A significant proportion of participants, 294 (70.70%), reported experiencing pain during the last 12 months. Female students exhibited significantly higher scores of MSDs compared to their male counterparts. Students who reported working between 51–90 hours per week had a significantly higher MSD score than those who worked 0–50 hours or 91 or more hours. The findings of this study indicated that the most prevalent MSDs were low back pain (50.20%), followed by neck pain (31.70%), and female medical students exhibited significantly higher stress levels than male medical students. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders represent a prevalent health issue among medical students, there is a significant association between factors such as being a female and body mass index. Additionally, psychological stress is a widespread concern among medical students, given the demanding nature of their lifestyle. Interestingly, our findings revealed that there exists a moderately positive relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and stress in this particular population.

Psychological Distress, Emergency Room Utilization, and Mortality Risk Among US Adults With History of Prostate Cancer.

Adults with a history of prostate cancer experience several physical and mental stressors. However, limited information is available about the prevalence of psychological distress in this population and its association with clinical outcomes in a nationally representative sample. We identified adults with history of prostate cancer from a nationally representative cohort (2000-2018 US National Health Interview Survey) and its linked mortality files through December 31, 2019. The six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) was used to assess psychological distress. The associations between psychological distress severity, emergency room (ER) usage, and mortality risk were estimated using multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards models, which were both adjusted for age, survey year, race/ethnicity, region, education, health insurance, comorbidities, functional limitations, and time since cancer diagnosis. Among the 3,451 adults with history of prostate cancer surveyed, 96 (2.4%), 434 (11.3%), and 2,921 (86.3%) reported severe, moderate, or low/no mental distress, respectively. During the 12 months preceding the survey, 812 (22.8%) adults with history of prostate cancer visited the ER. After a median follow-up of 81 months, 937 (25.5%) deaths occurred. Compared with participants with low/no mental distress, those with severe mental distress reported the highest utilization of the ER (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.57 [95% CI, 1.51 to 4.37]) and exhibited the highest all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.83 [95% CI, 1.29 to 2.60]), followed by those with moderate mental distress (ER use aOR, 1.76 [95% CI, 1.29 to 2.42]; all-cause mortality aHR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.92 to 1.62]). Among US adults with history of prostate cancer, psychological distress was associated with increased ER use and mortality risk. Notably, severe psychological distress was correlated with the highest rates of ER visits and mortality risk. However, given the retrospective nature of this study, uncontrolled confounding variables need to be considered when interpreting the findings.

Investigating the Prevalence of Stress and its Relationship with Sleep Quality in University Students: A Study in Iran

Introduction: Students are willing to cut back on sleep in order to adapt and cope with their stressful work load and environment. This study examines the prevalence of stress and its relationship with sleep quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using available sampling of male and female students of the Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz in 2022. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire was used to measure sleep quality and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Questionnaire was used to measure stress. Results: The prevalence of all levels of stress among students was 53.2% (140 people). 61 people (23.2%) experienced mild stress, 35 students (13.3%) experienced moderate stress, and 44 students (16.7%) experienced severe stress. The average score of Kessler's psychological distress (K10) of the participants was 21.9 ± 7.3 (maximum = 50). No significant relationship was observed between stress and gender (p=0.25) and academic year (p=0.72). There was a statistically significant relationship between sleep quality and stress (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study reports the high prevalence of stress and poor sleep quality in students of Ahvaz College of Nursing and Midwifery. This study shows a strong connection between sleep quality and stress.

Psychological wellbeing among parents of a child living with a serious chronic illness: A cross-sectional survey study.

Parents of a child with a chronic illness can experience greater distress than the average population, yet little is understood about differences between illness groups. This cross-sectional survey study aimed to compare parents' psychological distress and perceived wellbeing across five chronic illnesses. Parents from one Australian pediatric hospital completed the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and seven purpose-designed items about their wellbeing. Data from 106 parents (cancer = 48, cystic fibrosis [CF] = 27, kidney disease = 12, gastrointestinal condition/disorder = 9, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy [DEE] = 10) was analysed using bivariate Pearson's Correlation and linear mixed-effects models. Parents' distress scores differed between groups (F(4,80) = 2.50, p = .049), with the DEE group reporting higher distress than the CF group (mean difference = 6.76, 95% CI [0.11, 13.42]). Distress scores were moderately correlated to parents' perceptions of their child's health and their own wellbeing. Parents' self-reported coping with their child's condition/treatments differed (F(4,81) = 3.24, p = .016), with the DEE group rating their coping as poorer than the CF group (mean difference = -25.32, 95% CI [-46.52, 4.11]). Across all groups, parents reported unmet needs, particularly for psychosocial support and practical/financial assistance. Support interventions may be most effective if tailored to the child's illness, with greater support potentially needed for parents who have a child with DEE and/or severe comorbidities.

Psychosocial adjustment in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidities

BackgroundMothers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience more stress than those raising typically developing children or children with other disorders. The stress experienced by mothers raising children with ASD comorbid with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability (ID) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not been adequately studied. This study aimed to examine differences in psychological and social adjustment among mothers of children with ASD, ASD/ID, ASD/ADHD, ASD/ID/ADHD, and other disorders in Japan. MethodSix hundred and one mothers (pooled mean age, 44.77 years) parenting children with disorders participated in this study. Participants responded to a questionnaire consisting of the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to capture psychological distress, the Subjective Happiness Scale to capture subjective well-being, and the Japanese version of the Lubben Social Networks Scale (LSNS-6) to capture social isolation. ResultsMothers of children with ASD had marginally higher K6 scores than did mothers of children with other disorders. Mothers of children with ASD/ID/ADHD had lower LSNS-6 scores than did mothers of children with ASD. Mothers raising children with ASD/ADHD and ASD/ID/ADHD were more likely to have clinical problems with psychological and social adjustment than were mothers of children with other disorders. ConclusionsMothers of children with ASD/ADHD or ASD/ID/ADHD may have significant problems with psychosocial adjustment. Such mothers may need support at the time of the child’s diagnosis. A support system for mothers of children with ASD is urgently required in Japan.

The Hidden Toll of Psychological Distress in Australian Adults and Its Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life Measured as Health State Utilities.

Psychological distress (PD) is a major health problem that affects all aspects of health-related quality of life including physical, mental and social health, leading to a substantial human and economic burden. Studies have revealed a concerning rise in the prevalence of PD and various mental health conditions among Australians, particularly in female individuals. There is a scarcity of studies that estimate health state utilities (HSUs), which reflect the overall health-related quality of life in individuals with PD. No such studies have been conducted in Australia thus far. We aimed to evaluate the age-specific, sex-specific and PD category-specific HSUs (disutilities) in Australian adults with PD to inform healthcare decision making in the management of PD. Data on age, sex, SF-36/SF6D responses, Kessler psychological distress (K10) scale scores and other characteristics of N = 15,139 participants (n = 8149 female individuals) aged >15 years were derived from the latest wave (21) of the nationally representative Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia survey. Participants were grouped into the severity categories of no (K10 score: 10-19), mild (K10: 20-24), moderate (K10: 25-29) and severe PD (K10: 30-50). Both crude and adjusted HSUs were calculated from participants' SF-36 profiles, considering potential confounders such as smoking, marital status, remoteness, education and income levels. The calculations were based on the SF-6D algorithm and aligned with Australian population norms. Additionally, the HSUs were stratified by age, sex and PD categories. Disutilities of PD, representing the mean difference between HSUs of people with PD and those without, were also calculated for each group. The average age of individuals was 46.130 years (46% male), and 31% experienced PD in the last 4 weeks. Overall, individuals with PD had significantly lower mean HSUs than those likely to be no PD, 0.637 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.636, 0.640) vs 0.776 (95% CI 0.775, 0.777) i.e. disutility: -0.139 [95% CI -0.139, -0.138]). Mean disutilities of -0.108 (95% CI -0.110, -0.104), -0.140 (95% CI -0.142, -0.138), and -0.188 (95% CI -0.190, -0.187) were observed for mild PD, moderate PD and severe PD, respectively. Disutilities of PD also differed by age and sex groups. For instance, female individuals had up to 0.049 points lower mean HSUs than male individuals across the three classifications of PD. There was a clear decline in health-related quality of life with increasing age, demonstrated by lower mean HSUs in older population age groups, that ranged from 0.818 (95% CI 0.817, 0.818) for the 15-24 years age group with no PD to 0.496 (95% CI 0.491, 0.500) for the 65+ years age group with severe PD). Across all ages and genders, respondents were more likely to report issues in certain dimensions, notably vitality, and these responses did not uniformly align with ageing. The burden of PD in Australia is substantial, with a significant impact on female individuals and older individuals. Implementing age-specific and sex-specific healthcare interventions to address PD among Australian adults may greatly alleviate this burden. The PD state-specific HSUs calculated in our study can serve as valuable inputs for future health economic evaluations of PD in Australia and similar populations.

Low Hemoglobin Level and Elevated Inflammatory Hematological Ratios Associated With Depression and Sleep Disturbance.

The relationship between blood cell profiles, including hemoglobin (Hb) levels and inflammatory hematological ratios, and mental health problems currently remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood cell profiles and mental health issues, including depressive state and sleep disturbance, while adjusting for potential demographic confounders. This retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study used a population-based medical database from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project with more than 60,000 volunteers. Data on age, sex, daily tobacco use, body mass index, and self-reported scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were collected. A total of 62,796 volunteers (23,663 males and 39,133 females), aged ≥20 years at the time of the blood test, agreed to participate in this study. Among the evaluated blood cell profiles, Hb, hematocrit, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were significantly correlated with the K6, AIS, and CES-D scores, with strong statistical significance (p<0.0001 for all) in bivariate correlation analyses. A significant adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the Hb level for elevated CES-D scores (aOR=0.965 [95% CI: 0.949-0.981], p<0.0001) was confirmed after adjusting for demographic data and daily tobacco use using a logistic regression model. Sensitivity analyses revealed that these associations existed in both males and females but were more prominent in the former. In male participants, a low Hb level was significantly associated with an elevated AIS score. The evaluated inflammatory hematological ratios, including NLR, PLR, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), also showed significant aORs with the K6, AIS, and CES-D scores after adjusting for demographic background. Low Hb levels and elevated inflammatory hematological ratios (NLR, MLR, and PLR) were associated with depressive state and sleep disturbances in the general population.

Formation of resilience of student youth by physical therapy methods

The article examines the negative impact of chronic stress caused by military aggression on the state of mental health of students, which directly affects their desire and ability to study effectively. The purpose of the work: to systematize the negative effects of chronic stress on the health of young people and to outline approaches to the formation of students' resilience using physical therapy methods. Scientific novelty: the main factor in preserving the health of students is an effectively organized pedagogical process and the correct use of pedagogical technologies. Methods of combating stress consist in removing emotional tension and changing a person's psychological mood. Students need to be taught how to manage stress and recover from exhaustion. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), a "stress thermometer", and the subjective units of distress scale (SUDS) are used to monitor the impact of stress on the psycho-emotional state. Physical stress management methods include: regular physical activity, deep breathing, massage, reflexology, progressive muscle relaxation, healthy eating, sleep and rest.&#x0D; Conclusions: 1. The priority of higher education institutions of Ukraine should be the formation of resilience of all participants in the educational process. 2. Since during the war it is impossible to eliminate the source of stress, it is necessary to know its signs and manage it with stress management methods (regular physical activity, healthy diet, relaxation techniques, time planning, making positive changes in life). 3. Prevention of the negative impact of chronic stress on students, the search for resources to restore their physical and mental health, with the help of stress management and physical therapy methods, is a promising direction of scientific research.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) serves as an objective correlate of distress and symptom burden in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundAutonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is frequently seen in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Heart rate variability (HRV) is an easy and objective index for evaluating ANS functioning, and it has been previously used to explore the association between ANS and the experience of symptom burden in other chronic diseases. Given ANS functioning can be influenced by physical and psychological factors, this study investigated whether emotional distress and/or the presence of ANS dysfunction is associated with symptom severity in people living with MS. MethodsParticipants with MS and healthy controls (HC) with no history of cardiac conditions were recruited to self-collect HR data sampled from a chest strap HR monitor (PolarH10). Short-term HR signal was collected for five minutes, and time and frequency HRV analyses were performed and compared between groups. HRV values were then compared to self-reported distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and MS participants’ self-reported measures of symptom burden (SymptoMScreen). ResultsA total of n = 23 adults with MS (51 ± 12 years, 65 % female, median Patient Determined Disease Steps [PDDS]: 3.0) and n = 23 HCs (43 ± 18 years, 40 % female) completed the study procedures. All participants were able to complete the chest strap placement and HR data capture independently. Participants with MS, compared to the HC participants, had a significantly lower parasympathetic activation as shown by lower values of the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD: 21.86 ± 9.84 vs. 43.13 ± 20.98 ms, p = 0.002) and of high-frequency (HF) power band (HF-HRV: 32.69 ± 12.01 vs. 42.39 ± 7.96 nu, p = 0.016), indicating an overall lower HRV in the MS group. Among individuals with MS, HF-HRV was significantly correlated with the severity of self-reported MS symptoms (r = -0.548, p = 0.010). Participants with MS also reported higher levels of distress compared to HC participants (18.32 ± 6.05 vs. 15.00 ± 4.61, p = 0.050), and HRV correlated with the severity of distress in MS participants (r = -0.569, p = 0.007). A significant mediation effect was also observed, with emotional distress fully mediating the association between HRV and symptom burden. ConclusionsThese findings suggest the potential for ANS dysfunction, as measured by HRV (i.e., lower value of HF power), to be utilized as an objective marker of symptom burden in people living with MS. Moreover, it is apparent that the relationship between HRV and symptom burden is mediated by emotional distress.

Helplessness, Psychological Distress, and Perceived Social Support in Mothers with Children in Early Childhood

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of helplessness, psychological distress, and perceived social support experienced by mothers with children aged 1-6 years in childcare. &#x0D; Methods: This descriptive study included 178 mothers with children aged 1-6 years. Personal Information Form prepared by the researchers, Caregiving Helplessness Questionnaire (CHQ), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10-PDS) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to collect research data. Obtained data were determined as a result of Independent t test, One-Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. &#x0D; Results: The average scores of mothers from the CHQ and K10-PDS, MSPSS scales were 39.08±8.88, 21.97±9.29, and 61.71±16.51, respectively. As a result of the correlation analysis, it was determined that there was a statistically significant negative relationship between CHQ and perceived social support level in mothers, and a statistically significant positive relationship between CHQ and K10-PDS. &#x0D; Conclusions: The research results showed that as the perceived social support level of mothers increased, their psychological distress and helplessness decreased. These findings indicate that health professionals should target the mental health of mothers and increase their confidence and experience in parenting by providing education and counseling.