Kessler Psychological Distress Research Articles

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.

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.

Stacked artificial neural network to predict the mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The individual's mental health crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic lead to mental disorders. The transmission of the COVID-19 virus is associated with the levels of anxiety, stress, and depression in individuals, similar to other factors. Increases in mental illness cases and the prevalence of depression have peaked after the pandemic struck. The limited social intervention, reduced communication, peer support, and increased social isolation during the pandemic resulted in higher levels of depression, stress, and anxiety which leads to mental illness. Physiological distress is associated with the mental disorders, and its negative impact can be improved mainly by early detection and treatment. Early identification of mental illness is crucial for timely intervention to decelerate disorder severity and lessen individual health burdens. Laboratory tests for diagnosing mental illness depend on the self-reports of one's mental status, but it is labor intensive and time consuming. Traditional methods like linear or nonlinear regression cannot include many explanatory variables as they are prone to overfitting. The main challenge of the state-of-the-art models is the poor performance in detecting mental illnesses at early stages. Deep learning models can handle numerous variables. The current study focuses on demographic background, Kessler Psychological Distress, Happiness, and Health determinants of mental health during the pandemic to predict the mental health. This study's prediction can help rapid diagnosis and treatment and promote overall public mental health. Despite potential response bias, these proportions are exceptionally elevated, and it's plausible that certain individuals face an even higher level of risk. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an investigation into mental health patients revealed a disproportionate representation of children and individuals with neurotic disorders among those articulating substantial or severe apprehensions.

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.

South African nursing students' stress and resilience during the global COVID-19 health crisis

The study aimed to investigate nursing students' psychological distress and their response to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 370 South African nursing students (female= 75%; mean age= 21.9 years, SD = 3.9 years). Students completed the following scales: Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue, Kessler Psychological Distress, and Response to Stressful Experiences. Findings from the descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analyses indicated that students meeting the criteria for being well were likely to have higher resilience scores. Protective factors such as self-efficacy, active coping, and spirituality suggest higher resilience during COVID-19-related stressful events. Physiological factors such as self-reported medical conditions and lack of sleep were associated with poorer mental well-being. These findings provide a profile of nursing students' coping and adaptation to a community-spread pandemic. From these findings, nursing schools could manage students' well-being by providing needed resources in their current and future work health support programmes.

Distress-reducing strategies for enhancing students' ability to cope with psychological challenges associated with online learning

Purpose: This workshop aims to enhance students' comprehension of online learning and psychological stress. Additionally, it seeks to expand students' awareness of anxiety and depression symptoms and enable them to overcome these conditions by routinely practicing stress-reducing strategies. 
 Methods: Distress-reducing strategies training was conducted at the Health Institute of Sehat Medan from June to September 2021. The training included a focus group discussion and a preliminary survey distributed among female students through Google Forms. The survey collected demographic data, and online learning feedback, and used the Kessler Psychological Distress (K-10) questionnaire to assess the participants' psychological distress levels. Students also learned techniques to help reduce distress. 
 Results: Of the 51 female students who are currently in semesters 2 to 5 participating in the survey, 70.59% admitted to experiencing signal disturbances, 56.9% complained that the lecturers' assignments were burdensome, and 83.4% of them had insufficient resources to buy internet packages. After one year of online learning, students still prefer the offline aspect. It was also discovered that 11.8% of the respondents experienced psychological disorders, while 88.2% of them did not experience distress. 
 Conclusion: Finally, the students found the workshop helpful in reducing their distress and were satisfied with the training.

Factors associated with psychological distress in emergency medicine residents: findings from a single-center study

Emergency medicine (EM) residents face significant levels of psychological stress from work and non-work-related factors which can impact their well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the factors that may worsen or mitigate the prevalence of psychological distress among EM residents in a university-based tertiary medical center. Over a 3-month period, after an EM block, residents completed a survey on their demographics, work-related factors, and the Kessler-10 psychological distress scale. Fisher’s exact and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to determine statistical significance. Significant variables were then analyzed using ordinal and multiple linear regression to determine predictor variables. The study enrolled 38 participants, with an average age of 27 ± 1.5 years and a male preponderance. 44.74% had varying degrees of psychological distress, with females more likely experiencing severe distress. Participants who reported curtailing their daily activities more frequently were found to have a 1.58 times higher likelihood of severe psychological distress. Participants remaining after end-of-shift to complete tasks and those experiencing more negative interactions with colleagues had significantly higher levels of distress. We found a high prevalence of varying degrees of psychological distress among emergency medicine residents with almost one fifth in our study population having a high likelihood of severe distress. Female gender and work-related problems that lead to a reduction in normal daily activities seem to correlate with the severity of psychological distress in EM residents. However, future research would need to account for a wider range of institutional, social and societal factors that may contribute to residents’ likelihood of psychological distress. Nonetheless, it is essential for residents, mentors of residents, and residency program directors and personnel to understand reasons behind these factors, i.e., negative interactions with colleagues and increased workload and to strategize early identification and mitigation techniques to promote resident wellness.

Responding to Crisis: An Analysis of Psychological Reactions to the COVID-19 Pandemic through Web Survey

This study investigates the psychological impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pandemic-related anxiety, health, resilience, and psychological distress in 262 participants who were measured on COVID Anxiety Scale, Health Resilience Stress Questionnaire, and Kessler Psychological Distress through a web-based survey using Google Forms. Data collection was done from May 8th to May 12th, 2020, utilizing snowball sampling via social media platforms. Results revealed the participants were experiencing relatively low anxiety levels due to COVID-19, with only a minority indicating moderate to high anxiety. While most reported high resilience, a notable segment scored lower on health. Also, negative correlations emerged between resilience and COVID-19 anxiety, while positive correlations linked psychological distress to COVID-19 anxiety. Health displayed a significant positive correlation with resilience and an inversely significant correlation with psychological distress. Unexpectedly, no significant associations were found between psychological variables and COVID-19-related epidemiological variables, indicating multifaceted influences on psychological responses beyond immediate pandemic data. Additional scrutiny demonstrated no significant psychological variations between regions with differing pandemic intensities and living conditions. The findings underscore the intricate nature of psychological responses, shaped by individual and contextual factors.

Participation in the Setouchi Triennale and the Health of Residents in Naoshima: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Arts festivals have become increasingly popular in various parts of Japan in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between arts festival activities participation at the Setouchi Triennale and the health of residents in the town of Naoshima. This was a cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were distributed to all residents of Naoshima who were 20 years old or older (n=2,588). We analyzed responses from 708 people. The associations between arts festival activities participation and health (measured by self-rated health) were analyzed using logistic regression analysis as the primary outcome. Kessler's psychological distress scale scores were also analyzed in the same manner as the primary outcome. The participating group had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.86 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-3.33) for higher self-rated health compared with those who did not participate. Kessler's psychological distress scale results showed that the participating group had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.19-8.81) for lower psychological distress compared with those who did not participate. In conclusion, arts festival activities participation was associated with higher self-rated health and lower psychological distress. However, caution must be taken in regard to generalizability and causality when interpreting these results.

Mediating Role of Psychological Distress between Body Image Concerns and Sexual Functioning in Primiparous Women

The birth of a baby brings changes in the weight and body shape of a female, distorting their body image. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between body image concerns, psychological distress, and sexual functioning in primiparous women. A cross-sectional survey research design was used to recruit 120 primiparous women from gynecology clinics located in Punjab via purposive sampling. The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 35 years (M=26, SD=4.34). The data was collected through a survey booklet, including socio demographics and standardized assessment measures like the Body Image Concerns Inventory, Kessler's Psychological Distress Scale, and the Female Sexual Functioning Index. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, and mediation analysis were the main statistical tools used in this study. The study found a significant positive association between body image concerns and psychological distress. Similarly, body image concerns and psychological distress were negatively correlated with sexual functioning. The mediation analysis revealed that the association between body image concerns and sexual functioning was partially mediated by psychological distress. Increased body image concerns have a negative impact on the psychological and sexual well-being of primiparous women.

Relationship between psychological distress with self-rated oral health and dental caries status among dental patients

BackgroundThe present study aimed to determine relationship between psychological distress with self-rated oral health and dental caries status among dental patients. Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was designed to explore the relationship between psychological distress using Kessler Psychological Distress (K6) Scale with self-rated oral health and dental caries among dental patients in Hyderabad city. Clinical examination was done using Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. ResultsSubjects aged over 32 years and females had higher mean scores of psychological distress (6.64 ± 3.90 and 5.90 ± 3.80, respectively). The overall prevalence of caries was 69.1%. Moderate psychological distress remained significantly associated with higher odds of poor self-rated oral health (OR = 1.33). The presence of dental caries, combined with moderate psychological distress, also increased the odds of poor self-rated oral health (OR = 1.18, OR = 1.76). Furthermore, subjects aged under 32 years and males had higher odds of poor self-rated oral health (OR = 2.07, OR = 2.15) (P < 0.05) (Model 3). ConclusionIn conclusion, the present study indicated that individuals with moderate psychological distress had an increased likelihood of reporting poor self-rated oral health and higher odds of dental caries. Additionally, subjects who were younger than 32 years and males had higher odds of poor self-rated oral health.

The concerned steward effect: Exploring the relationship between climate anxiety, psychological distress, and self-reported climate related behavioural engagement

Previous research has demonstrated that heightened levels of climate change anxiety are correlated with psychological distress. Some have argued that engagement in pro-environmental behaviour might be associated with lower levels of climate anxiety and psychological distress. As such, this study aimed to explore the association between pro-environmental behavioural engagement, climate change anxiety, and generalized psychological distress. Participants living in British Columbia, Canada aged 16+ completed a serial cross-sectional online survey. We examined inter-relationships between self-reported Climate-related Behavioural Engagement (BE) scores, Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) scores, and Kessler Psychological Distress (K6) scores using scatterplots, Spearman Rank Correlation and multivariable linear regression. Among 1553 participants, higher CCAS scores and higher BE scores were both associated with greater psychological distress. An interaction term between these variables indicated that as CCAS scores increased, the effect of self-reported behavioural engagement on psychological distress was attenuated. Findings suggest that self-reported behavioural engagement and climate anxiety are correlated, a phenomenon we refer to as the concerned steward effect. However, the association becomes attenuated among those with high levels of distress, perhaps driven by a diminishing return of behavioural engagement or difficulties of behavioural engagement among those with high distress.

Stigma and posttraumatic growth among COVID-19 survivors during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Contracting COVID-19 can cause negative and distressing psychological sequelae, but traumatic stressors may also facilitate the development of positive psychological change beyond an individual's previous level of adaptation, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). As a result, studies have investigated the negative effects of COVID-19 on mental health, but data on PTG among patients who have recovered from COVID-19 remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the level of PTG and its associations with stigma, psychological complications, and sociodemographic factors among COVID-19 patients 6 months post-hospitalization. A cross-sectional online survey of 152 COVID-19 patients was conducted after 6 months of being discharged from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, MAEPS Quarantine Center, or Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia. Patients completed a set of questionnaires on sociodemographic and clinical data. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-SF) was used to assess the level of PTG, the Kessler Psychological Distress (K6) was used to measure the degree of psychological distress, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was used to evaluate the severity of anxiety symptoms, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the severity of depression symptoms, and the Explanatory Model Interview Catalog Stigma Scale (EMIC-SS) was used to record the degree of perceived stigma toward COVID-19. The median PTGI SF score of the respondents was 40.0 (Interquartile range 16.0). Multivariable general linear model with bootstrapping (2,000 replications) revealed factors that significantly predicted PTG, which were at the higher level of the perceived stigma score, at 37 (B = 0.367, 95% CI = 0.041 to 0.691, p = 0.026), among the Malay ethnicity (B = 12.767, 95% CI 38 = 7.541 to 17.993, p < 0.001), retirees (B = -12.060, 95% CI = -21.310 to -2.811, p = 0.011), and those with a history of medical illness (B = 4.971, 95% CI = 0.096 to 9.845, p = 0.046). Experiencing stigma contributed to patients' PTG in addition to psychosocial factors such as ethnicity, history of medical illness, and retirement.

Stress and its effect on medical students Performance in Tikrit University College of Medicine

Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful, &amp; a high level of stress may have a negative effect on cognitive functioning &amp; learning of students in a medical school. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of perceived stress among medical students &amp; to observe an association between the levels of stress &amp; their academic performance, including the sources of their stress &amp; their coping strategies. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on one hundred eighty medical students from first stage to sixth stage from the Tikrit were enrolled in the study. The study was conducted using Kessler10 psychological distress inventory, which measures the level of stress according to none, mild, moderate, &amp; severe categories. The prevalence of stress was measured &amp; compared with the six study variables, such as gender, living accommodation, academic year, regularity to course attendance, academic grades, &amp; perceived physical problems Result: The response rate among the study subjects was 100% (n=180). The total prevalence of stress was 57.2%, &amp; the prevalence of severe stress was 12.8%. The prevalence of stress was higher among females (69.9%) than among males(42.9%). 2=16.34, p&lt;0.001). The prevalence of stress was higher in students living at dormitory (31.6%) than students live at parental home (25.5%) but the severity of stress was higher in those students. The prevalence of stress was higher during the preclinical group mostly in third year students (76.7%) &amp; in students who attend irregularly (73.9%). Exams (73%) &amp; load of study (49.5%) are the most powerful stressors. Spend time with friends, sleeping, prayer, music, going into isolation or sports are various coping mechanisms. The academic performance was decline with increase stress level. Physical problems are associated with high stress levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of perceived stress seems to be high among medical students &amp; in all level was higher in female than male. Preclinical group of students had more stress than clinical group &amp; most of students who attend irregularly had high level of stress, which tends to affect not only their academic performances but also all aspects of health. Recommendation: Review of academics &amp; exam schedules, more leisure time activities, better interaction with the faculty &amp; proper guidance, advisory services &amp; peer counseling at the campus could do a lot to reduce the stress.

Australian golfers with and without osteoarthritis report reduced psychological distress and improved general health compared to a general population-based sample.

To (i) evaluate psychological distress and general health in Australian golfers and compare with a general population-based sample, and (ii) explore the relationship between playing golf, psychological distress and general health in individuals with osteoarthritis. Cross sectional. A cross-sectional survey collected outcomes in 459 Australian Golfers (Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale, Short-Form 12 (Health Status), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, osteoarthritis status). Outcomes were compared between Australian golfers and a general population-based sample (Australian Health Survey, n = 16,370). Modified Poisson regression estimated the relationship between playing golf and general health in all participants and a subgroup with osteoarthritis (n = 128 golfers, n = 2216 general population). All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education and smoking status. Playing golf was associated with lower psychological distress (adjusted mean difference (95 % confidence interval) -2.5 (-4.1 to -0.9)) and a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk (95 % confidence interval) 1.09 (1.05 to 1.13)) compared to the general population. Amongst people with osteoarthritis, playing golf was associated with lower psychological distress (adjusted mean difference -4.0 (95 % confidence interval -6.5 to -1.5)) and a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk (95 % confidence interval) 1.3 (1.2 to 1.4)). Golfers had lower levels of psychological distress and better general health than the general population, and this relationship was strongest in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Study of test anxiety amongst undergraduate medical students from the state of Gujarat.

Test anxiety is physiological and behavioral response that accompanies concerns about possible negative consequences of failure on an exam. Undergraduate medical students had their academics disrupted during COVID-19 pandemic. This study was done to assess levels of test anxiety among undergraduate medical students, its variance in relation to demography, COVID-19 pandemic, learning experiences, and individual factors. Online questionnaire-based survey was done among undergraduate medical students from medical schools of Gujarat. Students from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years who were about to appear in final exams from March to June 2021 and were asked to enroll on the survey. Apart from demography, COVID-19-related factors, learning experiences during lockdown, 10-item Westside test anxiety (WTA) scale was used to assess test anxiety levels and Kessler Psychological distress (K10) scale was used to assess level of psychological distress. Total of 370 students participated. Mean WTA Score was 3.15 ± 1; 60.2% of the respondents had moderate or higher levels of test anxiety. On bivariate analysis, WTA score was found significantly associated with year of study, coming from vernacular medium, various lockdown-related issues (poor internet connection, family financial problem, lack of information, worry about future), various learning experiences (self-rated proficiency with computers, feeling ill prepared for exams, feeling ill prepared for practical), and K10 score. Of these associations with K10 score, coming from vernacular medium and feeling ill-prepared for exams were maintained on multiple-linear regression. Vernacular medium of study during high school was found associated with test anxiety among medical students and can be a potential area of intervention. There may be merit in using WTA scale as a surrogate marker for distress in medical students.

To Study the Prevalence and Sources of Stress among Medical Students of Sangareddy District

Background: This study aimed to investigate the stress levels experienced by medical undergraduates in order tocomprehensively evaluate stressors, their sources and contributing factors.Method: This cross-sectional study conducted at a private medical college in Sangareddy district, used the Kessler10 Psychological Distress Inventory to evaluate the mental well-being of medical undergraduates. Additionaldata points were collected for analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to scrutinize the questionnaire’sreliability.Results: This study conducted with a sample size of 320 participants, the prevalence of stress among medicalstudents was explored. The sample group consisted of 36.25% males and 63.75% females, aged between 18 and 24years with a mean age of 20.8 years (standard deviation of 1.3). The findings revealed that 72.5% of the medicalstudents experienced mild to severe stress, with prevalence rates of 22.5% for mild stress, 21.3% for moderatestress and 28.7% for severe stress. Notably, female students had a slightly higher likelihood of experiencing stresscompared to males.Conclusion: We discovered that stress is significantly related with various factors such as procrastination,perceived physical ailments and multiple sources of stress. The most common sources of stress are demandingacademic workloads, exam-related pressures, financial difficulties and personal problems.

Predictors of psychological distress and sleep deprivation in caregivers of stroke survivors

BackgroundCaregivers for stroke survivors (CSS) suffer from long hours of care, limited support, and financial difficulties, which often affect their mental health. ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the factors affecting psychological distress and sleep duration among CSS. MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2013 Comprehensive Survey of the Living Conditions for Stroke Survivors and CSS. Linked data from 841 pairs of stroke survivors and CSS were extracted. Kessler's Psychological Distress scale (K6) was used to evaluate psychological distress. CSS who slept less than 5 hours per day were classified as having short sleep duration. Factors predictive of psychological distress and short sleep duration were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis with the forward selection method. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the CSS was 65.4 (12.5) years. A total of 5.6% of these caregivers presented with serious psychological distress, and 12.0% were sleep deprived. Serious psychological distress was associated with not having someone to consult with, having subjective symptoms within a few days, and having short sleep duration, while having their own houses reduced the risk of serious psychological distress. Furthermore, short sleep duration was associated with stroke survivors in long-term care levels 4 or 5, not having someone to consult with, participation in sponge baths as part of nursing care activities, and having serious psychological distress. ConclusionsThis nationwide survey identified several risk factors for psychological stress and sleep deprivation among CSS and suggests the need for multidimensional approaches to reduce their distress.

Coping strategies and their associated factors among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Kuantan, Malaysia.

BackgroundIt is essential for caregivers of schizophrenia patients to have effective coping mechanisms to deal with their own mental health. However, research on the factors that contribute to the coping mechanisms of caregivers is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of coping strategies and their correlations to socio-demographic features, psychological distress, and social support among the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.MethodThrough the convenience sampling method, 331 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia participated in this cross-sectional study. The respondents comprised caregivers who had attended an outpatient psychiatric clinic, providing the socio-demographic data. The study involves three instruments: the Kessler's Psychological Distress (K10); the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); and the Brief-COPE.FindingsUsing multivariable analysis, psychological distress was identified as a substantial independent predictor of emotion-focused, problem-focused, and avoidance coping strategies. Good social support was linked to the usage of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies.ConclusionIt has been demonstrated that good social support and psychological distress are associated with coping strategies. More prospective and qualitative research is required to determine how coping strategies will be able to assist Malaysian caregivers to develop a more holistic approach to treating patients with schizophrenia.

Effects of Sleep Quality on Academic Performance and Psychological Distress Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia

Background: Sleep hygiene habits are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Sleep deprivation is a prevalent problem worldwide. Multiple studies have shown a high prevalence of sleep insufficiency among medical students due to high academic load, caffeine intake, and high-stress levels. Objectives: This study explores the relationship between sleep quality, academic performance, and psychological distress among medical students at Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students of all academic years at Alfaisal University, Riyadh. Two popular surveys – the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and K10 - were used to assess sleep quality and psychological distress, respectively. In addition, the survey contained questions on socio-demographics and academic performance. Sociodemographic characteristics were assessed across groups having poor and good sleep quality. In multivariate analysis, we employed conscious variable selection to develop models. All statistical tests were two-sided at P &lt; 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: A total of 241 respondents participated in the study. Most respondents reported poor sleep quality (75.93%). The highest psychological distress was reported among respondents with poor sleep quality (48.63%). The relationship between Kessler's Psychological Distress score and sleep quality score was significantly positive and linear (P &lt; 0.0001). The mean PSQI score was higher in students with lower GPAs (1.50 - 2.99) than in those with higher GPAs (3.00 - 4.00). This shows that those students who sleep well perform academically better. Conclusions: The quality of sleep among medical students is poor, which is associated with psychological distress and poor academic performance. It is highly suggested that the awareness of sleep hygiene with healthy sleep habits be campaigned among medical students. Also, academic mentors, program directors, and coordinators play a crucial role in ensuring that medical students are not academically overwhelmed.