Levels Of Psychosocial Problems Research Articles

Behavioral (non-chemical) addictions and COVID-19

The review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, manifestation, as well as the possibility of preventing and treating behavioral (non-chemical) addictions. Particular attention is paid to various manifestations of Internet addiction (IA): gaming, gambling, cybersexual and food addiction (FA). During the pandemic, Internet use increased significantly, leading to an increase in IA, mainly due to gaming, which correlated with the level of psychosocial problems. The increase in gambling occurred mainly in individuals with addiction or risk groups, while in the population the frequency of gambling decreased or did not change. Immediately after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of requests to porn sites increased dramatically, suggesting an increase in cybersex addiction. However, longitudinal studies in adolescents show a slight decrease in the interest in pornography in boys, and an increase from an initially low level in girls. The proportion of eating disorders and FA significantly increased. An increase in FA was associated with depression, anxiety, and also in obese individuals. In the era of COVID-19 prevention practices and general remedial activity should take into account the needs of the general population, emphasizing the importance of self-regulating and balanced lifestyles with moderate and sensible Internet use during the pandemic.

Patient selection for spinal cord stimulation: The importance of an integrated assessment of clinical and psychosocial factors.

A previously developed educational e-health tool considers both clinical and psychosocial factors when selecting patients with chronic pain for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). The validity of the composite recommendations was evaluated in a retrospective study, demonstrating a strong relationship with patient outcomes after SCS. An additional retrospective analysis was performed to determine the added value of a psychosocial evaluation as part of the decision-making process on SCS. Data concerned 482 patients who were considered for SCS in 2018-2019. The analysis focused on the relationship between the different layers of the tool recommendations (clinical, psychosocial, composite) with trial results and patient outcomes at 6 months after SCS. Of the initial study population, 381 patients underwent SCS and had follow-up data on at least one of three pain-related outcome measures. Pain improvement was observed in 76% of the patients for whom SCS was strongly recommended based on merely the clinical aspects. This percentage varied by the level of psychosocial problems and ranged from 86% in patients without any compromising psychosocial factors to 60% in those with severe problems. Similarly, the severity of psychosocial problems affected trial results in patients for whom SCS was either recommended or strongly recommended. The strong relationship between psychosocial factors embedded in the SCS e-health tool and patient outcomes supports an integrated and multidisciplinary approach in the selection of patients for SCS. The educational e-health tool, combining both clinical and psychosocial aspects, is believed to be helpful for further education and implementation of this approach. This study confirms the relevance of the psychosocial factors embedded in the educational SCS e-health tool (https://scstool.org/). The strong relationship between the severity of psychosocial factors with patient outcomes supports conducting a comprehensive psychological and behavioural assessment when determining the eligibility of patients for SCS.

Investigating the use of support in secondary school: the role of self-reliance and stigma towards help-seeking

Purpose: Adolescents are the least likely to seek help for their mental health problems. School may be an important route to improve early recognition of adolescents with mental health problems in need for support, but little is known about the barriers to school support. Materials and methods: Data were collected in a longitudinal cohort study of Dutch adolescents (age 12–16) in secondary school (n = 956). We assessed the relation between level of psychosocial problems at the beginning of the school year (T1) and the support used in school at the end of that school year (T2), whether the willingness to talk to others (measured at T1) mediates this relation, and whether stigma towards help-seeking (T1) moderates this mediation. Results: Adolescents with more psychosocial problems were more likely to use support in school and were less willing to talk to others about their problems, but the willingness to talk to others was not a mediator. Stigma moderated the relationship between psychosocial problems and willingness to talk to others. Conclusions: Most adolescents with psychosocial problems get support in Dutch secondary school regardless of their willingness to talk to others about their problems. However, perceiving stigma towards help-seeking makes it less likely for someone to talk about their problems.

Assessment of the Psycho Social Problems Related with Obese Juveniles in Actual Government School at Chennai

To evaluate the level of obesity, associated psychosocial problems and comparison with demographic variables in a selected government school at Chennai. Stock (1974) health belief Theory, a non-experimental study design, was used as the conceptual frame work in the present study. The students were randomly selected for the study Semi structured interview questions and questionnaire were used to assess the psychosocial problems of adolescents and demographic data of the students, respectively. The results revealed that psycho social problems were found among 50 obese adolescents, majority of them are 15-18 years of age, females, nuclear family, Hindus and non-vegetarian. It was also exclusively observed that obese adolescents had high level of psycho social problems.

The role of functional health literacy in long-term treatment outcomes in psychosocial care for adolescents

Although among adolescents with psychosocial problems low health literacy may increase the risk of poor treatment outcomes, the contributing mechanisms within treatment remain unclear. A better understanding of these mechanisms could contribute to improved treatment processes and outcomes. This study aims to examine the relationship between functional health literacy, treatment processes (treatment adherence, learning processes), and treatment outcome (level of psychosocial problems) in adolescents in psychosocial care. We used data from a prospective cohort study among adolescents aged 12–18 (N = 390), collected in four successive measurements: at entry into care, and 3, 12, and 24 months thereafter. We used a mixed effect model to investigate the association between level of functional health literacy (adequate vs. inadequate) and treatment processes (treatment adherence, learning processes) and treatment outcome (level of psychosocial problems). Between adolescents with adequate and inadequate functional health literacy, we found no differences or change over time in adherence or learning processes. The level of psychosocial problems significantly declined over time (β = − 1.70, 95% CI [− 2.72, − 0.69], p = .001) to a similar degree in both groups, though, in all measurements, the level was consistently higher for adolescents with inadequate health literacy. We conclude that health literacy levels did not affect change in treatment processes nor in outcomes of psychosocial treatment. However, the consistently higher level of psychosocial problems among adolescents with inadequate health literacy suggests an unaddressed need in psychosocial care.

A Study to Assess the Psychosocial Problems and Quality of Life of Parents with Asthmatic Children in Opd’s of Ramaiah Hospitals, Bengaluru

The study was undertaken to assess the level of psychosocial problems and quality of life of parents with asthmatic children in Ramaiah hospitals, Bengaluru. Statement of the problem: “A study to assess the psychosocial problems and quality of life of parents with asthmatic children in opd’s of Ramaiah hospitals, Bengaluru”. Objectives of the study: 1) To assess the level of psychosocial problems and level of quality of life of parents with asthmatic children. 2) To find the correlation between scores of psychosocial problem and quality of life among parents with asthmatic children. 3) To find the association between level of psychosocial problem and selected socio demographic variables. 4) To find the association between level of quality of life and selected socio-demographic variable. Method: A descriptive survey approach was used for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 50 parents with asthmatic children. Data was collected through interview schedule by using structured rating scale to assess psychosocial problems and quality of life. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive and Inferential statistics in terms of frequencies, Percentage, Mean, Mean percentage, Standard deviation, Karl Pearson’s correlation co-efficient and chi-square test. Findings: The major findings of the study indicated that majority of the parents with asthmatic children that is 33 (66%) were having moderate psychosocial problems and 16 (32%) were having mild psychosocial problem and 1 (2%) were having severe psychosocial problem and 38 (76%) were having good quality of life, 8 (16%) were having better quality of life and 4 (8%) were having poor quality of life. Karl Pearson’s correlation co-efficient test revealed that there is a correlation that exists between psychosocial problem and quality of life of parents with asthmatic children 0.314 weak positive correlation. Chi-square test revealed that there was no significant association between level of psychosocial problems and quality of life with selected socio demographic variables at 0.05 level of significance. Interpretation and conclusion: The findings show that majority of the parents with asthmatic children had moderate level of psychosocial problems (66%) and majority had good quality of life (76%). There is no significant correlation between psychosocial problem and quality of life. There is no significant association between psychosocial problem and quality of life with selected socio demographic variable. This null hypothesis was accepted.

Level of Psychosocial Problems among Children in a Refugee Camp in Kirkuk City

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the demographic characteristics and to find out the level of psychosocial problems among refugee children as well as, the relationships between some demographical factors and psychosocial problems among children in Yahyawah refugee camp in city of Kirkuk. Methodology: A descriptive study was designed from September 1stand up to November 15th 2015. A non-probability purposive sample of 60 children with age ranged from four to twelve year, who displaced and lives with their families in Laylan, Yahyawah refugee camp in the city of Kirkuk participated in the current study. A designed questionnaire was used for the study. This questionnaire is a modified version of pediatric symptoms checklist (PSC) and it consists of two parts, a basic demographic characteristics and secondly, a part forms the inventory. The inventory comprised of 38 items organized into five subcategories. Three choices were for each item. The total score of the inventory was ranged from 38 to 114. The data was collected through interview with one of the parents. The data analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis (Frequency, Percentage %) and inferential statistics. Result: The results found that (53.3%) of the study sample were male and (40%) of them aged from (10-12 years) old. The psychosocial assessment showed that from (38) items, there was (35) items reported low level assessment concerning psycho social aspect for children. A highly significant association (p<0.007) found among child's psychosocial problem and monthly income of the family. Conclusion: the study concluded that socio-economic status has a great effect on the psychological status of the children in refugee camps. Recommendation: Refugee camps need to be observed directly by the government in addition to the civil society organizations and provide these camps with suitable requirements and specific care particularly for children's, so they can grow in healthy environment.

Maternal Care and Control as Mediators in the Relationship Between Mothers’ and Adult Children’s Psychosocial Problems

ABSTRACTThe current research investigated the relationship between mothers’ and adult children’s psychosocial problems through two different aspects of maternal interactions. Data were collected from family triads (N = 286), including a mother, a child, and a sibling. Mothers and their adult children completed measures of depression, loneliness, and self-esteem. The assessment of the maternal interaction variables (i.e., maternal care and maternal control) involved the perspectives of a sibling to minimize common method variance. Results partially supported the hypothesized model, wherein maternal care (but not maternal control) mediated the relationship between mothers’ depression, loneliness, and self-esteem to that of their children. Specifically, mothers who reported higher levels of psychosocial problems had children who reported that their mothers were less caring and, in turn, less maternal care was associated with higher levels of psychosocial problems in their young adult children.

A Descriptive study to assess the Psychosocial Problems among Infertile couples and to Develop an Informational Booklet on coping Strategies at SGRD Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab.

Infertility is a medical condition that has many emotional aspects. Feelings such as anger, sadness, guilt, and anxiety are common may affect self esteem and self-image. Some may find it difficult to share their feelings with family and friends, which can lead to isolation. It is a complex crisis of life and increases psychological difficulties such as Anxiety and depression. Infertility is a critical situation that the couples exposed to, perceive and exert a huge stress upon them and as a result, they reacted differently by using different kinds of coping strategies. Infertile couples faced both psychological and social problems like low self esteem to assess the psychosocial problems among infertile couples and find out the association of psychosocial problems with selected demographic variables. A descriptive study design was adopted to collect data from 60 infertile couples from SGRD hospital Amritsar. Self structured rating scale was used to collect data from infertile couples and to provide informational booklet on coping strategies. The study is limited to 60 infertile couples. Samples were taken from only one setting. The recommendations of the study, it can be done in infertility centers, with large sample size. The results of the study that all the infertile couples had moderate level of psychosocial problems. There was no significant association between psychosocial problems with selected demographic variables. p value was not < 0.05. Hence there is a need for educational and counseling programme to reduce the psychosocial problems among infertile couples.

A Comparative Study to Assess the Level of Psychosocial Problems of Elderly Females in Old Age Home and in Families, Bangalore

A Comparative Study to Assess the Level of Psychosocial Problems of Elderly Females in Old Age Home and in Families, Bangalore

The motivation paradox: higher psychosocial problem levels in severely mentally ill patients are associated with less motivation for treatment

Lack of motivation for treatment makes a subgroup of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) difficult to engage in psychiatric treatment. Such difficult-to-engage patients may also be the most in need of treatment. We hypothesized that the level of psychosocial problems would be inversely related to motivation for treatment. Cross-sectional study in two independent samples. The first sample (n=294) included SMI patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial and were assessed using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and self-rated and clinician-rated motivation-for-treatment scales. The second sample (n=1,170) included SMI patients who were treated in Assertive Outreach Teams and were routinely assessed with the HoNOS and a motivation-for-treatment scale. In both samples, patients also self-rated their quality of life. In both samples, patients with HoNOS scores of 16 and higher had lower motivation scores on all motivation scales than patients with lower HoNOS scores, and also a lower quality of life. A motivation paradox seems inherent to this association between higher psychosocial problems levels, less motivation for treatment, and lower quality of life. Such a paradox has clinical relevance, as it may provide an ethical basis for outreach services which aim to engage marginally motivated SMI patients with severe psychosocial problems into mental health care.

Poly-Victimization as a Life Condition: Correlates of Poly-Victimization among Finnish Children

According to criminological literature, victimization tends to cluster among the same adolescents. Recent American studies have shown that the poly-victimized youth are different in terms of their whole victimization profile than those children with fewer or no victimization experiences. In this article poly-victimization is studied among Finnish sixth and ninth graders (n = 13,459) based on the Finnish Child Victim Survey 2008. The article will answer questions with regard to accumulation of victimization and its associations with children's psycho-social well-being. The study examines the individual and family level background characteristics which are related to poly-victimization. The accumulations of these risk factors are analysed with poly-victimized children compared with less or non-victimized children. According to the analysis, poly-victimization exists among Finnish children and adolescents. In addition, the characteristics indicated as risk factors of victimization seem to accumulate among poly-victims. With cross-sectional data, no causal conclusions can be made, but poly-victimization is related to higher levels of psycho-social problems. The results confirm earlier findings of poly-victimization as a life condition.

Psychosocial consequences of caregiver transitions for maltreated youth entering foster care: The moderating impact of community violence exposure.

Youth who experience a greater number of caregiver transitions during childhood are at risk for developing a host of psychosocial problems. Although researchers have examined individual-level factors that may moderate this association, no known studies have examined the impact of community-level factors. The current study investigated whether community violence exposure (CVE) moderated the association between number of prior caregiver transitions and increases in levels of externalizing and internalizing problems for a sample of youth entering foster care. Participants included 156 youth (aged 9-11 at first assessment) removed from their homes because of maltreatment. Youth provided reports of caregiver transitions and CVE at baseline, and caregivers, teachers, and youth reported on externalizing and internalizing problems 18-22 months later. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that youth with a greater number of caregiver transitions and higher levels of CVE evidenced significant increases in levels of psychosocial problems. The results of the study are discussed in terms of their implications for child welfare services.

Psychosocial Problems in Primary Care: Patient and Provider Perceptions

Primary care physicians and clinics have become the frontline of health care for most Americans—they are the first point of contact and the source of both treatment and referrals. Psychosocial problems, such as difficulty with finances, family, housing, and work, are associated with a high demand for medical care in primary care practice, yet little is known about the prevalence of psychosocial problems in primary care settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the type and level of psychosocial problems in primary care patients by examining patient and provider perceptions at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS). A purposive sample of 684 veterans and a convenience sample of 59 providers anonymously completed the Social Needs Checklist. Patients reported an average of five psychosocial problems, with finances, personal stress, transportation, employment, and legal issues being the most prevalent. Thirty-two percent of patients indicated a desire to see a social worker. Provider and patient differences were compared. Provider estimates of patients' problems were consistently lower than patient estimates in all psychosocial problem areas except need for nursing home placement and problem drinking or drug use. Implications for social work in primary care are discussed.

Have psychiatric problems of children in children's homes increased?

This time-trend study was conducted during and after the severe economic recession and the period of high unemployment in Finland in the 1990s. The changes in the behavioral and emotional problems of children and adolescents placed in children's homes were studied in the same area using the Child Behavior Checklist questionnaire at three different time points (1993, 1996 and 1999), and the Children's Global Assessment Scale in 1996 and 1999. Internalizing symptoms of the children increased significantly. The level of psychosocial problems among boys was already high at the first rating in 1993, and it remained high during the whole study period. Behavioral and emotional problems of the girls placed in children's homes increased significantly, being at the same level as the boys’ by the end of the study period.

Assessing Child Well-Being in Non-Relative Foster Care with a New Outcome Measurement Tool

ABSTRACT The Child Health and Illness Profile–Adolescent Edition (CHIP-AE), a recently developed standardized instrument, was administered to 49 adolescents living in non-relative family foster care under the auspices of the child welfare system in Illinois. Youth reported high levels of satisfaction with their health, academic progress, resiliency and risk resistance, but low levels of work performance. These youth also reported higher levels of psychosocial problems, major and minor adverse effects from injuries, migraines, and chronic medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes and sickle-cell anemia. This study demonstrated the potential usefulness of the CHIP-AE as a tool for involving youth living in non-relative foster care in assessing their own health and well-being. Suggestions for future use of the CHIP-AE are discussed.

The prevalence and 1-year outcome of cluster B personality disorders in primary care

Most of the literature on cluster B personality disorder has been derived from studies of psychiatric patients. In particular, little is known about the prevalence and outcome of these disorders in primary care. In this study 303 consecutive attenders to four general practices in south-east England were rated for the presence of a cluster B personality disorder using a standardized assessment. Detailed interviews were conducted with the subgroup of participants that were identified as having cluster B personality disorders. There were 13 of them, corresponding to a prevalence of 4% (95% CI: 2.3-7.2). The whole cohort was followed up at 1 year and the cluster B participants were more likely to be suffering from persistent symptoms of common mental disorder and to report having experienced a threatening life event. The detailed interviews revealed that the cluster B participants were a heterogeneous group of people with high levels of psychosocial problems. In this sample of primary care patients cluster B personality disorders were uncommon. The study highlights the high level of psychiatric morbidity and multiple psychosocial problems faced by people with cluster B personality disorders.

Survival and psychosocial adjustment to stoma surgery and nonstoma bowel resection: A 4-year follow-up

A prospective 4-year follow-up study was conducted to compare the psychosocial adjustment process and survival rate of 59 stoma patients with 64 bowel-resected nonstoma patients. Adjustment was assessed at 4 months, 1 year, and 4 years after surgery by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, a self-report questionnaire (PAIS-SR). Analyses of covariance demonstrated that both subgroups experienced the same level of psychosocial problems 4 years after surgery. Interestingly, patients with poor early adjustment scores (4 months after surgery) were at significantly higher risk of dropping out because of death and terminal status during the follow-up period (1 and 4 years postoperatively). The presence of a stoma did not influence the risk rate for dropping out. These results demonstrate the need for prolonged psychosocial guidance of outpatients who have been surgically treated for colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.