Levels Of Mental Health Problems Research Articles

Mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic among Finnish youth: a repeated, cross-sectional, population-based study

High levels of mental health problems among young people were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, but studies of the post-pandemic period are scarce. We assessed mental health problems among Finnish youth before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic using nationwide population-based samples. Our aim was to examine in which direction the heightened levels of adolescent mental health problems have developed after the pandemic. In this national, repeated cross-sectional, population-based study in Finland, we recruited students at lower and upper secondary level (aged 13-20 years) who were taking part in the Finnish School Health Promotion (SHP) survey in 2015-23 (119 681-158 897 participants per round). The SHP is based on total sampling and conducted biennially between March and May. Self-reports covered the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale; the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depression; the Mini Social Phobia Inventory for social anxiety; the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale for mental wellbeing; loneliness; the Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food measure for disordered eating; and suicidality (suicidal ideation, deliberate self-harm, and suicide attempts). Scales were dichotomised using validated cutoffs. Presence of any and comorbid mental health problems was assessed. Logistic (for dichotomised outcomes) and linear (for Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) mixed effects models were used to analyse the effect of survey year on mental health, controlling for sociodemographic background factors and stratified by gender and school level. Cisgender and transgender youth were compared. Between 2015 and 2023, the SHP study recruited 722 488 students (371 634 [51·6%] girls and 348 857 [48·4%] boys) with a mean age of 15·8 years (SD 1·3) who were either in the eighth and ninth grades of comprehensive school or the first and second years of general and vocational upper secondary schools in Finland. The proportion of participants with generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety symptoms above the cutoff increased from pre-COVID-19 levels to 2021 and remained at these higher levels in 2023 among all study groups. Among girls in lower secondary education, prevalence of generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety symptoms increased from 2021 to 2023, as did social anxiety among girls in upper secondary education. Among boys, the proportion with social anxiety symptoms decreased between 2021 and 2023. Mental wellbeing scores decreased in all groups between 2021 and 2023, and disordered eating increased in girls, and in boys in lower secondary education. Suicidality increased in girls but not in boys. Loneliness was the only measure to show improvement in all groups from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, 55 895 (72·6%) of 76 994 girls and 22 718 (32·8%) of 69 205 boys reported at least one mental health problem, and 37 250 (48·4%) girls and 9442 (13·6%) boys reported comorbid mental health problems. Among both transfeminine and transmasculine youth, the prevalence of generalised anxiety and depression symptoms decreased from 2021 to 2023, but compared with cisgender youth, the proportions were significantly higher throughout. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health could be long lasting. In this study, the substantial change for the better among transgender youth was a positive exception. Providing adequate support and treatment for young people with poor mental health is essential, but solutions to the mental health crisis need to address a wider societal perspective and should be developed in partnership with young people. NordForsk, Research Council of Finland. For the Finnish and Swedish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Mental health, negative life events and resilience among adolescents in contact with the child welfare services

Adolescents in contact with the child welfare services (CWS) are at increased risk of experiencing negative life events (NLE) and mental health problems compared to the general population. There is, however, limited knowledge of whether protective factors can promote resilience in the CWS population in the context of NLE. Data stem from the population-based youth@hordaland study conducted in 2012, comprising 9492 adolescents aged 16–19 years. In total, 283 youth confirmed contact with the CWS and were categorized as receiving in-home services (IHS; n = 138) or living in foster care (FC; n = 145). The youth provided self-report information on NLE, mental health problems and protective factors. The IHS- and FC groups reported significantly more NLE, mental health problems and fewer protective factors compared to the general population. Adolescents receiving IHS consistently reported the most problems compared to the general population. Approximately 30 % of the association between contact with the CWS and mental health problems was mediated by NLE. Further, higher scores on the protective factors predicted lower levels of mental health problems, independent of the number of experienced NLE. Small interaction effects were found for the protective factors Goal Orientation and Family Cohesion and NLE. The results highlight that protective factors can buffer against mental health problems among adolescents receiving CWS interventions. More research is needed to further disentangle the mechanisms leading to better outcomes in this high-risk group of adolescents.

Mental Health Outcomes in Teachers of Students with Disabilities: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Teachers who work with students with disabilities may have high levels of mental health problems, such as burnout or stress. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence on mental health outcome assessments among teachers of students with disabilities in different work spaces and to compare the levels of burnout and stress among teachers from general/regular versus special schools. The results reveal high levels of symptoms of burnout or stress in teachers of students with disabilities, regardless of the type of school. Due to the heterogeneity and low quality observed across the studies, evidence remains unclear.

Social media addiction: associations with attachment style, mental distress, and personality.

Social media bring not only benefits but also downsides, such as addictive behavior. While an ambivalent closed insecure attachment style has been prominently linked with internet and smartphone addiction, a similar analysis for social media addiction is still pending. This study aims to explore social media addiction, focusing on variations in attachment style, mental distress, and personality between students with and without problematic social media use. Additionally, it investigates whether a specific attachment style is connected to social media addiction. Data were collected from 571 college students (mean age = 23.61, SD = 5.00, 65.5% female; response rate = 20.06%) via an online survey administered to all enrolled students of Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversity Vienna. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) differentiated between students addicted and not addicted to social media. Attachment style was gauged using the Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE), mental distress by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), and personality by the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10). Of the total sample, 22.7% of students were identified as addicted to social media. For personality, it was demonstrated that socially media addicted (SMA) students reported significantly higher values on the neuroticism dimension compared to not socially media addicted (NSMA) students. SMA also scored higher across all mental health dimensions-depressiveness, anxiety, and somatization. SMA more frequently exhibited an insecure attachment style than NSMA, specifically, an ambivalent closed attachment style. A two-step cluster analysis validated the initial findings, uncovering three clusters: (1) secure attachment, primarily linked with fewer occurrences of social media addiction and a lower incidence of mental health problems; (2) ambivalent closed attachment, generally associated with a higher rate of social media addiction and increased levels of mental health problems; and (3) ambivalent clingy attachment, manifesting a medium prevalence of social media addiction and a relatively equitable mental health profile. The outcomes are aligned with previous research on internet and smartphone addiction, pointing out the relevance of an ambivalent closed attachment style in all three contexts. Therapeutic interventions for social media addiction should be developed and implemented considering these findings.

The Impacts of Visible Green Spaces on the Mental well-being of University Students

AbstractThe benefits of green spaces on individuals’ health have been widely acknowledged due to their inherent natural qualities. Currently, university students are experiencing significantly higher levels of mental health problems than other social groups. There is a scarcity of studies examining the association between built environment factors and mental health issues among university students, particularly in the Chinese context. University campuses in China are physically isolated, secluded communities, and in this respect, they differ markedly from the spatial organisation patterns of Western universities. Therefore, this study focuses on the correlation between the extent of green space exposure within closed university campuses and the occurrence of mental health issues among resident students. A deep-learning methodology incorporating streetscape images, remote sensing data, and multilevel linear modelling is employed in order to facilitate a comprehensive analysis. The results demonstrate a negative correlation between green space exposure on campus and the level of mental health issues among university students. Individual socio-demographic characteristics, such as whether a person has a partner, are also found to influence the level of mental health issues that they experience. In addition, a significant relationship is found between travel patterns and mental health issues, with students who walked regularly having a lower incidence of mental health issues than those who drove. Our research indicates that, in order to foster healthier communities and enhance social inclusion, urban planners should prioritise the development of greener campuses and urban transport services to improve accessibility to green spaces.

Trajectories and latent classes of school enjoyment in adolescence: Associations with peer victimization and mental health.

School enjoyment, as a measure of how much adolescents enjoy or value their school experience, has been extensively studied in Western cultures. However, our knowledge of school enjoyment, and particularly its changes and trajectories among adolescents living in non-Western cultures, is limited. The present study used 3-year longitudinal data to examine changes and trajectories in school enjoyment and their associations with social and relational factors, such as mental health problems and peer victimization, among Japanese middle school students. Participants were 281 Japanese students from two public middle schools (Time 1 Mage = 12.72, SD = .45, 50% female). Data included five time points at 6-month intervals (Grades 7-9). The growth curve model showed quadratic changes in school enjoyment overall; the mean of school enjoyment was relatively stable in Grades 7 and 8 but increased rapidly in Grade 9. In terms of individual differences in trajectories of school enjoyment, growth mixture modeling identified three distinct groups (i.e., groups of 44.8% increasing, 9.8% decreasing, and 45.4% stable). Compared to students in the other groups, students in the increasing group initially reported lower levels of mental health problems and experienced less relational and overt victimization. In contrast, the decreasing group reported higher levels of mental health problems and experienced more relational and overt victimization than the increasing group. The results inform us about the most adaptive group, which continued to show high levels of school enjoyment, and the most maladaptive group, which initially had lower levels of school enjoyment and decreased their levels over time. The latter group of students is at risk and requires immediate intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

“I Learned to Bottle Up My Feelings From a Young Age”: A Narrative Analysis of Latina Young People’s Family Mental Health Socialization

Latina young people report high levels of mental health problems and low levels of help-seeking compared with their white peers, but little research has examined factors influencing their mental health views. Inductive analysis of 25 participants’ narratives revealed that Latina young people described three stages in the development of their mental health-related beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors: undergoing a process of family mental health socialization, suffering in silence, and attaining a new perspective. Within each of these phases, participants shared stories that attest to their agency and resilience. This research uncovers a novel theoretical construct, “family mental health socialization,” which elucidates how young people internalize mental health-related beliefs, behaviors, and norms within their cultural and family context. Implications for social work practice include the need for culturally sensitive, family-centered interventions that promote open communication about mental health.

Norwegian Adolescents in the Initial Stages of COVID-19 Restrictions

Abstract: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in March 2020, the Norwegian government closed schools and limited leisure activities. In this cross-sectional study, we examined how different types of digital versus in-person social interactions and digital media use were associated with loneliness and mental health problems among adolescents during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Participants ( N = 703, 79.7% girls , Mage = 17.3 years) completed a questionnaire assessing loneliness, mental health problems, digital media use, and in-person interactions. Both in-person and digital social interaction (texting) with friends were negatively associated with adolescents’ mental health problems and loneliness. By contrast, time spent alone on screen and on social media was positively related to mental health problems. The findings highlight that during the first weeks of the pandemic and of social distancing, increased interactions (either in-person or digital) among adolescents and their friends coincided with lower levels of mental health problems and less loneliness.

English

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents around the world continue to experience unprecedented levels of mental health problems. Governments’ failures to protect children from the development of mental health problems, and to treat and mitigate the effects of mental health problems after onset, violates children’s fundamental human rights under Articles 24 and 39 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As child and youth mental health has become a global health priority, the global accountability systems embedded in the CRC present opportunities to hold governments accountable for their obligations to children and to promote holistic health by improving the conditions of the environments that children are raised in. This paper presents avenues for child mental health promotion through the human rights and policy framework and pays particular attention to the Canadian context.

College Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Student mental health was a growing concern globally prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic and associated restrictions on the psychological wellbeing of college students. Baseline data were collected pre-pandemic in September 2019 among students attending a university in Northern Ireland and an Institute of Technology in the Republic of Ireland. Surveys were also conducted with this cohort during the pandemic, at the start of the academic years 2020 and 2021 (499 students fully completed all three waves). A follow-up survey was conducted at the end of their third year, in summer 2022 (n = 229). High levels of mental health problems were already present among students commencing college. The subsequent pandemic had a very negative impact on student’s academic experience and other aspects of life. Rates of depression (PHQ-9) increased significantly from the onset of the pandemic and remained high. Anxiety (GAD-7) initially decreased but then escalated at the end of college. The study highlights the importance of early intervention and makes recommendations for addressing the needs of students during times of stress. Additional supports may be required to deal with the long-lasting impact of the pandemic.

Time trends in the prevalence of depressive disorder symptoms in the Danish workforce, 2012 to 2018

Abstract Background Over the last decade, and well-before the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of mental health problems has increased in many European countries, particularly in youth, raising public health concerns. Yet, there has been little focus on the mental health status of the working population, and it is unknown if the proportion of workers with impaired mental health is growing as well. In this paper, we report change in the prevalence of depressive disorder in a large nationwide sample of the Danish workforce (N = 76,802) from 2012 to 2018. Methods We used data from the Work Environment and Health in Denmark study, a bi-annual nationwide survey on working conditions and health. We measured depressive symptoms using the Major Depression Inventory and defined prevalence of depressive disorder by a score ≥21, in accordance with previous clinical validation studies. Using a log-binomial regression model, we estimated change in prevalence of depressive disorders from 2012 to 2018 with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results From 2012 to 2018, the prevalence of depressive disorder increased from 7.0% (95% CI: 6.7-7.4) to 9.4% (9.0-9.9) corresponding to an adjusted increase of 36.1% (27.4-45.4) over the 6-year period. We observed a statistically significant increase in the prevalence in every wave, from 2012 to 2014 (adjusted change in prevalence: 10.8%, 3.2-18.9), from 2014 to 2016 (8.6%, 1.3-16.4)), and from 2016 to 2018 (13.1%, 6.0-20.7)). The increase occurred in both sexes, all age groups and for all types of occupational status, but was more pronounced among women, younger workers and workers of low occupational status. Conclusions In a large nationwide sample of the Danish workforce, we observed an increasing prevalence of depressive disorder from 2012 to 2018. The results indicate that the general trend towards increased levels of mental health problems also encompasses the workforce and underlines the need for public health action. Key messages • The prevalence of depressive disorder in the Danish workforce increased considerably from 2012 to 2018. • The increase in prevalence of depressive disorder was observed in all groups, but was particularly pronounced for women, younger workers and basic-skilled workers.

Urban biodiversity and adolescent mental health and well-being

Biodiversity may play a role in the mental health and well-being of people living in urban areas, but there is limited research on this. We investigated the association between proximity to Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and mental health and well-being in 10- to 15-year-old adolescents living in London. SINCs are a key component of London's biodiversity and designated for their importance for the local habitat. We hypothesised that close proximity to a SINC (i.e., living within 1000 m from a SINC) would be a proxy for good access to it, which, in turn, would be associated with lower levels of mental health problems, and higher levels of self-esteem and happiness. In linear regression models, adjusted for individual and neighbourhood confounders, we did not find evidence to support our hypothesis. We discuss possible explanations for our null findings (e.g., definitions of biodiversity and access, and low statistical power) and highlight that, from our findings, we cannot infer that there is no association and that further research is needed.

Mental health problems associated with idiopathic anaphylaxis

BackgroundIdiopathic Anaphylaxis (IA) is the most common anaphylactic syndrome in adults. Mental health problems associated with IA are not well recognised. We aimed to assess if patients diagnosed with IA were more likely to experience mental health problems compared to a normative Australian population. We additionally hypothesised that the number of anaphylactic episodes would correlate with symptoms of anxiety.MethodsA total of 34 patients with at least one episode of IA were recruited from an adult immunology clinic. Patients were recruited as part of a separate study evaluating alternative aetiologies in IA. Mental health problems were measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). An extension of the survey included questions specifically focused on the psychological impact of IA.ResultsCompared to population norms, those with IA had significantly higher levels of mental health problems. Statistically significant DASS-21 scores were identified for depression 4.24 vs. 2.57 (p < 0.001), anxiety 4.76 vs. 1.74 (p < 0.012), stress 7.35 vs. 3.95 (p < 0.001) and total score 16.35 vs. 8.00 (p < 0.001). There was no association between two or more episodes of anaphylaxis and increased anxiety levels (β = 0.52, CI -2.59–3.62, p = 0.74).ConclusionsThis is the first paper to demonstrate that patients living with idiopathic anaphylaxis are more symptomatic for mental illness than those in the community. Screening for mental illness and referral for psychological support should be undertaken in people with IA.

The impact of social connectedness on mental health in LGBTQ + identifying individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

BackgroundRecent studies report that LGBTQ + people have experienced high levels of mental health problems during COVID-19-related social distancing. Given the well-established association between social isolation and mental health, the main aim of the current study was to investigate differences in mental health and (perceived) social isolation and social support in LGBTQ + individuals compared to heterosexual, cisgender people and to explore whether the hypothesized higher mental health burden in LGBTQ + individuals is (partly) mediated by (perceived) social isolation or social support.MethodsN = 531 participants indicating belonging to the LGBTQ + community and N = 1826 not identifying as LGBTQ + participated in a cross-sectional online survey during the initial COVID-19-related lockdown in Germany. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess depression, anxiety, suicidality, loneliness and social support. Further, perceived social isolation and face-to-face communication during the lockdown were assessed.ResultsLGBTQ + people had higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal thought, were lonelier and experienced less social support than non-LGBTQ + identifying individuals. Mediation analysis showed that the higher levels of mental health burden in LGBTQ + people were (partly) mediated by reduced social connectedness. Further face-to-face contact positively affected mental health by reducing feelings of loneliness.ConclusionGiven the high impact of loneliness on mental health, governmental actions should be taken to promote social connectedness particularly among LGBTQ + identifying individuals to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not exacerbate the health inequalities that already exist between LGBTQ+-identifying and heterosexual, cisgender people.

Challenges confronting students during COVID 19: insights from social workers at a University of Technology

&#x0D; &#x0D; Abstract&#x0D; &#x0D; University students were regarded as a vulnerable population, who endured greater levels of mental health problems and financial distress in addition to the academic challenges of transitioning to online learning methodologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the tumultuous nature of the pandemic and consequent sheltering in place and other disruptions placed a huger burden on this vulnerable population. Using qualitative research methodologies, this study sought to explore the challenges faced by students, through the lens of social workers who were placed at a University of Technology during the pandemic. Using purposive sampling techniques to recruit these practitioners the study further sought to enquire about what support measures were required to be in place, to enhance the well-being of students during the pandemic. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and the analysis was guided by thematic analysis. The study found that students encountered an array of psychological problems, together with experiences of stigma, isolation whilst in quarantine which led the sample to call for the reconstruction of the university space into a more supportive one.&#x0D;

A Dimensional Approach to Discrepancy in Parenting Styles in Russian Families.

We investigated the magnitude and direction of differences in parenting styles as they relate to children's mental health problems, as assessed using the CBCL. The sample consisted of 306 families residing in a large industrial city in Russia. We aimed to expand the cross-cultural literature on parenting styles by assessing a sample of Russian families and analyzing how agreement versus disagreement between self-reported and partner-reported parenting styles related to children's mental health problems. The findings suggested that both congruence and incongruence between parenting styles could be associated with children's mental health problems. When parents agreed about high warmth and matched on lower levels of demandingness, in line with the permissive parenting style, children tended to exhibit maladaptive behavior and externalizing problems. We also registered that children were likely to show low levels of mental health problems when fathers had higher self-reported warmth compared with mothers' reports. In contrast, children whose fathers had higher self-reported demandingness compared with the mothers' reports, exhibited moderate levels of mental health problems. This study expands the existing literature by providing a dimensional approach to children's mental health difficulties in the context of (dis)agreements in the parenting styles within a family.

Raised levels of depression and PTSD in ambulance staff: causes and solutions

Background: Ambulance staff are reported to have higher levels of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), than the general population. Vicarious trauma has been attributed to the increased prevalence of depression and PTSD in ambulance service staff. Aims: This literature review explores the causes of the greater prevalence of PTSD and discusses interventions to lower these high rates. Methods: A literature review was carried out and four relevant studies were selected. A critical appraisal tool was then used to produce a systematic analysis. Findings: PTSD in the ambulance service is up to 10 times greater than in the general public, higher than in both the police and fire services and equal to that in the military. The cause of this higher prevalence of PTSD lies not only in vicarious trauma but also in the toll of shift work and in biological predisposition. Conclusion: There is a paucity of research on PTSD in ambulance staff; research is needed into post-exposure treatments as well as into pre-exposure interventions.

A longitudinal comparison of emotional, behavioral and attention problems in autistic and typically developing children.

Mental health problems are elevated in autistic individuals but there is limited evidence on the developmental course of problems across childhood. We compare the level and growth of anxious-depressed, behavioral and attention problems in an autistic and typically developing (TD) cohort. Latent growth curve models were applied to repeated parent-report Child Behavior Checklist data from age 2-10 years in an inception cohort of autistic children (Pathways, N = 397; 84% boys) and a general population TD cohort (Wirral Child Health and Development Study; WCHADS; N = 884, 49% boys). Percentile plots were generated to quantify the differences between autistic and TD children. Autistic children showed elevated levels of mental health problems, but this was substantially reduced by accounting for IQ and sex differences between the autistic and TD samples. There was small differences in growth patterns; anxious-depressed problems were particularly elevated at preschool and attention problems at late childhood. Higher family income predicted lower base-level on all three dimensions, but steeper increase of anxious-depressed problems. Higher IQ predicted lower level of attention problems and faster decline over childhood. Female sex predicted higher level of anxious-depressed and faster decline in behavioral problems. Social-affect autism symptom severity predicted elevated level of attention problems. Autistic girls' problems were particularly elevated relative to their same-sex non-autistic peers. Autistic children, and especially girls, show elevated mental health problems compared to TD children and there are some differences in predictors. Assessment of mental health should be integrated into clinical practice for autistic children.

First responders in COVID-19: The impact of compassion fatigue

Scholarly literature has begun to report the psychosocial impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the general population and those who have fallen ill. Yet, few studies have explored the impact of COVID-19 on first responders and still fewer have focused on the impact of the pandemic on compassion fatigue among this highly exposed group. In this study, we hypothesize that COVID-19 experiences and disruption contribute to compassion fatigue and mental health problems. Seventy-four first responders completed an online survey via Qualtrics. The survey included items that assessed (1) mental health and pre-COVID-19 mental health or trauma exposure, (2) quality of life, (3) COVID-19 experiences and interdependence, (4) social and economic needs, (5) compassion fatigue, and (6) demographic and work characteristics. Multiple regressions using forward selection were conducted using SPSS version 27.0. Our findings support the concern that first responders are at greater risk for negative mental health sequelae, including compassion fatigue, in the context of COVID-19. Working a greater number of hours than usual, prior mental health concerns, identifying as female, concerns about community and personal health, and COVID-19 interdependence and disruptions were associated with higher levels of mental health problems and compassion fatigue. Importantly, decreases in perceived community closeness and quality of life were also associated with compassion fatigue and mental health problems among first responders. These findings highlight the need for services to address pre-existing and new mental health concerns and support compassion fatigue resilience among first responders in the context of COVID-19.

A longitudinal examination of mental health and marital functioning of mothers and fathers of autistic adolescents during COVID-19.

Parents of autistic children may be especially vulnerable to the negative effects of COVID-19. The current study examined changes in mental health and marital functioning of mothers and fathers of autistic children across three time points between April and October 2020. The study also explored whether pre-COVID factors could predict outcomes during the pandemic. Participants were 94 mothers and 58 fathers of autistic children drawn from a larger study about family relationships and autistic children's mental health that began prior to the pandemic. Results indicated that mothers reported higher levels of mental health problems compared to fathers in July and October 2020. Levels of mental health and marital functioning did not change between April and October 2020. Pre-pandemic child functioning and marital satisfaction predicted changes in mother's ratings of marital satisfaction. The findings have implications for ways to best support families during challenging periods.