Levels Of General Mental Health Research Articles

Longitudinal Impact of Social Restrictions on Sexual Health in the Italian Population

BackgroundSeveral trials have reported on the impact of social restrictions due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on sexual function and psycho-physical well-being. However, data showing modifications of these outcomes over time and at the end of lock-down are scant.AimWe investigated the longitudinal changes in sexual function during social restrictions for COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.MethodsA web-based survey was administered to Italian citizens of legal age via social networks. The Beck Depression Inventory Primary Care, the General Health Survey, Female Sexual Function Index, International Index of Erectile Function, UCLA Loneliness Scale-version 3 questionnaires were used to test mental, physical and sexual well-being. The questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the lockdown (T0), 15 days from the first assessment (T1) and 1 month after the end of the restrictions in 2020 (T2).OutcomesDescriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were applied to investigate changes in sexual function over and at the end of social restrictions.ResultsData were available for 2543 people (47.2% of men; 43.4% women; 9.4% undefined). Mean age was 48.3 ± 15.1 years for males and 43.9 ± 13.4 for females. Overall, 2.6% reported depressive symptoms according to Beck Depression Inventory Primary Care, 7.4% reported a high level of UCLA loneliness and 19.4% low levels of general mental health. Mild to severe erectile dysfunction was reported by 59.1% of men at T0, while 68.4% of women reported sexual dysfunction. Sexual function levels remain generally unchanged at further follow-up over the social restriction time period (T1), although those who were sexually active at baseline showed a decrease in sexual function scores. At T2, there was an overall improvement in sexual function scores with a rate of severe erectile dysfunction decreasing from 37.1% to 24.1% from T0 to T2 among males and a significant decrease of female sexual dysfunction from 68.4% to 51.2%.Clinical ImplicationsYoung individuals and those with good mental and physical health were more likely to improve sexual function at the end of social restrictions.Strengths & LimitationsValid and reliable questionnaires and longitudinal approach design represent strengths; a large but convenient sample and lack of pre-pandemic baseline data represent limits.ConclusionSocial restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in sexual dysfunctions in both genders. However, these conditions appeared temporary since an overall improvement was observed at the end of lockdown and especially in younger individuals with higher psycho-physical well-being.Vedovo F, Capogrosso P, Di Blas L, et al. Longitudinal Impact of Social Restrictions on Sexual Health in the Italian Population. J Sex Med 2022;19:923–932.

Relationship between social competences and the sense of general mental health and intensity of stress among nurses

Abstract Introduction: Social competences are indispensable in occupations reliant on interpersonal interactions, such as in medical professions, e.g. nursing, conditioning not only the effective construction of interpersonal relationships, but ever more often emphasizing a positive impact on strengthening coping skills in stressful situations. The object of our study was to assess the connection of social competences with the sense of general mental health and intensity of stress in the group of nurses. Materials and methods: In the study took part 291 nurses (ages 23–63, mean job seniority 11 years, SD = 10.22). We used the Social Competence Questionnaire (KKS) according to Anna Matczak, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), as adapted by Zygfryd Juczyński and Nina Ogińska-Bulik, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in the adaptation of Zofia Makowska and Dorota Merecz to collect information for the study. Results: Stress intensity among respondents averaged 16.83 points (SD = 4.47). In the 4 analyzed indicators of the GHQ-28, the mean point score was: somatic symptoms M = 8.45, anxiety and insomnia M = 8.75, functional disorders M = 8.07, depression symptoms M = 2.46. 38.1% of the results of the level of general mental health were in the range 5–6, which is the average level of mental health perceived in the group of nurses. Conclusions: The level of perceived stress among more than half of the surveyed group of nurses was average (52.6%). The level of social competences is not significantly correlated with the intensity of stress experienced. The level of general mental health of 38.1% of the nurses fell in the range of average. The level of social competences significantly correlates with the general mental health status of the nurse respondents (R = -0.254, p < 0.001).

Preventing Suicide Among Working-Age Adults: The Correlates of Help-Seeking Behavior.

We aimed to identify the correlates with not seeking help among working-age adults with suicidal ideation. By adapting the integrated model of suicide help-seeking, we examined help-seeking behavior in the following 3 stages: problem recognition, decision to seek help, and sources of help. We used a sample of working-age adults between 26 and 64 years old, who reported suicidal ideation in the past year (N = 1414). Data were drawn from the 2011 and 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were applied. Findings suggested that being male, being nonwhite, being employed full-time, having lower levels of general mental health needs, and not having health insurance were associated with not seeking help. Results also indicated how each factor was related in the help-seeking pathway. Strategies to help problem recognition can be effective in enhancing help-seeking behavior among men, racial/ethnic minorities, and those without serious clinical conditions. Help-seeking interventions for working-age adults with suicidal ideation should also consider that race/ethnic minorities and those with lower levels of functional impairment might rely on alternative sources of help, such as family, friends, and religious advisors.

Measuring the Effects of Zen Training on Quality of Life and Mental Health Among Japanese Monk Trainees: A Cross-Sectional Study

Previous studies have reported that the practice of meditation can have beneficial physiologic and mental effects. Therefore, Zen trainees who regularly practice meditation might have high quality-of-life scores and high levels of general mental health; however, no previous study has tested these relationships. This article reports on a study that examined how rigorous professional training affected the International Quality of Life (QOL) Assessment Short Form-36 (SF-36) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) scores of Zen trainees in Japanese monasteries. This was a single-center questionnaire-based study. The study was conducted in Rinzai Zen monasteries. SUBJECT INTERVENTIONS: Anonymous and confidential surveys containing the SF-36 and GHQ-28 were distributed by mail, and 256 questionnaires were collected from Rinzai Zen monasteries. One hundred ninety-eight complete questionnaires were collected and the participants were divided according to their training length: group I (<1 year), group II (1-3 years), and group III (≥3 years). One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test for multiple comparison were conducted on normally distributed data, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed on non-normally distributed data. The SF-36 seven subscale scores (physical functioning, role-physical, body pain, general health, vitality, role-emotional, and mental health) of the longer-length training group were significantly higher compared to other groups. The SF-36 MCS (mental component summary) score among the groups were significantly different, and the scores of group III were significantly higher compared to the scores of group I. Furthermore, the GHQ-28 total and subscales (somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression) scores of longer-length training were significantly lower (better). These findings suggest that Zen professional training, including inward-attention practices, improves the QOL and general mental health of trainees, even in a tough and distressing environment. However, detailed qualitative and longitudinal studies are required to fully assess these effects.

Perceived emotional intelligence as predictor of psychological adjustment in adolescents: a 1-year prospective study

In recent years, emotional intelligence has appeared as a predictor of adults’ mental health, but little research has examined its involvement in adolescents’ psychological adjustment. In this paper, we analyzed the predictive validity of perceived emotional intelligence (attention to feelings, emotional clarity, and emotional repair) over psychological adjustment in an adolescent sample at two temporal stages with a 1-year interval. At Time 1, the results indicated that adolescents with high scores in attention to feelings and low scores in emotional clarity and repair display poorer psychological adjustment, concretely, higher levels of anxiety, depression, and social stress and lower levels of general mental health. At Time 2, attention to feelings and emotional repair significantly predicted adolescents’ psychological well-being, even when the effects of previous psychological adjustment were controlled for. The findings suggest that perceived emotional intelligence is a stable predictor of adolescent adjustment and may serve as a useful resource for preventive interventions.

Secondary Conditions in a Community-Based Sample of Women With Physical Disabilities Over a 1-Year Period

Nosek MA, Hughes RB, Petersen NJ, Taylor HB, Robinson-Whelen S, Byrne M, Morgan R. Secondary conditions in a community-based sample of women with physical disabilities over a 1-year period. Objective To examine prevalence and predictors of secondary conditions in women with physical disabilities. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Women were recruited through private and public health clinics and various community organizations. Participants A sample of 443 predominantly ethnic minority women with physical disabilities. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Health Conditions Checklist interference score. Results Aggregated data over a 1-year period showed that nearly the entire sample reported interference from pain (94.5%) and fatigue (93.7%) and that at least three quarters of the sample reported problems with spasticity (85.4%), weakness (81.8%), sleep problems (80.2%), vision impairment (77.9%), and circulatory problems (77.9%). Obesity was substantially more prevalent in this sample (47.6%) than in the general population of women (34.0%). The mean number of secondary conditions per woman ± standard deviation was 14.6±6.2 (range, 1−42), with 75% of the sample endorsing 10 or more conditions. On average, women reported experiencing 5.7±4.03 (range, 0−20) conditions that they rated as significant or chronic. A third (33.4%) of the variance in interference scores was accounted for in the regression analysis, with significant variance accounted for by race, disability type (women with joint and connective tissue disorders and women with postpolio reported the highest overall interference scores), greater functional limitations, and lower levels of general mental health. Conclusions Secondary conditions in women with physical disabilities are substantially more problematic than reported previously in the literature. Further research is needed to determine health disparities of women with and without disabilities. Measurement issues and the clinical relevance of these findings are discussed.

Coping strategies and mental health in white collar public sector employees

Abstract A self-completion questionnaire survey of coping behaviours and associated perceptions amongst 675 white collar public sector employees is reported. In addition to identifying underlying dimensions of coping behaviour, the relationship between reported use of coping strategies and perceptions related to work stress, general mental well-being, and job satisfaction were explored. From the responses concerning frequency of use of various coping methods, five dimensions of coping strategy were identified: problem-focused, health and leisure-oriented, social support seeking, avoidant, and formal relaxation. It was found that use of avoidant coping methods was significantly associated with perceived problems with coping at work, with lower job satisfaction, and with poorer levels of general mental health. Higher reported use of problem-focused methods was significantly associated with fewer problems with coping at work, higher job satisfaction, and better levels of general mental health.