Mental Health Measures Research Articles

Within-person, longitudinal associations between neighborhood cohesion and adult mental health: A test of bidirectional relations.

There is theory and evidence supporting a relationship between neighborhood cohesion and mental health among adult people. However, most studies have used a cross-sectional design, and longitudinal studies have provided mixed support for this hypothesis. Moreover, while neighborhood cohesion is assumed to be a consistent predictor of mental health, the possibility of a reciprocal relation has been overlooked. The aim of the current study was to investigate the within-person reciprocal associations between neighborhood cohesion and adult mental health. This study used data from Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study including waves 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 (n = 81,895). A short version of Buckner's Neighborhood Cohesion Instrument was used, along with two well-established measures of mental health: the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and the mental component summary score of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. Hierarchical Bayesian continuous time dynamic modeling revealed significant reciprocal within-person cross-effects (i.e. deterministic effects) between neighborhood cohesion and adult mental health, a larger standardized effect of mental health on neighborhood cohesion than than vice versa. Moreover, peak standardized cross-lagged effects were found for a time interval of approximately 1 year. Finally, the combined stochastic and deterministic interpretation revealed effects of neighborhood cohesion on mental health that were opposite to what was expected, suggesting a faster dissipation of some initially correlated change. Although neighborhood cohesion has traditionally been conceptualized in terms of its contribution to mental health, there is greater support for the view that mental health precedes neighborhood cohesion rather than the reverse.

Abstract 4121039: Refining the American Heart Association Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs (PREVENT) equations using depression and anxiety disorder

Background: Growing evidence has suggested associations of common mental health conditions including depression and anxiety disorder with CVD, but no studies have examined their incremental predictive values in PREVENT (AHA Predicting Risk of CVD EVENTs). Research questions: Does including anxiety and/or depression improve the PREVENT predictive performance? Aims: We used a range of measures of anxiety and depression and combinations to examine whether these conditions improved the prediction performance of PREVENT. Methods: New risk prediction models were developed and internally validated using 60% and 40% of the UK Biobank cohort data, respectively. Mental health predictors included: depressive symptom score based on the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire and self-reported and record-based anxiety and depression diagnoses before baseline. CVD events were ascertained through hospital admission and death certificate data after baseline. The Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate coefficients and 95% confidence intervals. The incremental predictive values were examined by adding the mental health predictors to the PREVENT predictors based on Harrell’s C-indices, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and net reclassification improvement indices (NRIs). Results: Of the 502,366 UK Biobank participants, 195,489 were included in the derivation set and 130,326 were included in the validation set. In the validation set, the inclusion of each mental health measure produced an increase in C-index and higher sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values compared with the PREVENT equations, with the greatest improvements for depressive symptom score. Depressive symptom score produced the greatest improvements in net reclassification overall (NRI 0.84, 95% CI 0.46–1.20) and this was further improved by adding recorded anxiety and depression (NRI 0.89, 95% CI 0.52–1.24). In addition, depressive symptom score showed better discrimination and NRI in both female and male validation sets. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that including depressive symptom score in PREVENT could improve the prediction of CVD with low cost and without invasive procedures.

The prevalence and effect of poor sleep amongst paramedics: a systematic review.

Sleep of inadequate quality, duration or regularity has potential negative physical and mental health outcomes. The impacts of poor sleep within the paramedic occupation are not well understood. This review aimed to determine the prevalence of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality amongst paramedics, and to identify any relationships between insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality and other health-related outcomes. A systematic search identified studies that measured excessive sleepiness, insomnia or poor sleep quality using validated measures. The population was limited to paramedics in Australia, New Zealand or the UK owing to the similar nature of the workload, education standards, shift patterns and scope of practice. Four studies were included. All used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, two used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and one used the Insomnia Severity Index. Sample sizes ranged between 60 and 342. The weighted mean prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness was 30 %, and poor sleep quality reported as 71%. Only one study measured the association between sleep and other health-related outcomes; this study reported an association between sleep quality and multiple measures of mental health. The findings of this review suggest that paramedics experience both poor-quality sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness, and further suggest that there may be an association between poor sleep quality and mental health. Given sleep impacts a variety of health outcomes, as well as impacts work performance, research on the specific components of sleep is important.

Impacts of demographic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on job stress inJapanese childcare workers.

Japan has a shortage of childcare personnel, and the high levels of stress causing turnover in childcare workers must be urgently resolved. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the characteristics and influencing factors of job stress in Japanese childcare workers. This study aimed to evaluate the job stress of childcare workers and explore the influence of demographic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on such stress. The data were collected through an Internet survey from 2,472 respondents. A 23-item version of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire was used to measure occupational stress in childcare workers. The instrument is recommended in the stress-check program implemented as a mental health measure in workplaces in Japan. The percentage of childcare workers with high stress exceeded that of general workers. Multiple regression analyses showed that the only factor affecting all job stressors and social support was the fear of contracting COVID-19. Job stressors and the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant large effect on stress responses. Additionally, being married and having children moderated childcare workers' stress. This study provided basic data regarding job stress in Japanese childcare workers and compared them with those of other professionals. In the future, it will be necessary to clarify how stress is related to turnover intention and turnover in Japanese childcare workers to promote their career continuity.

Virtual Coach-Guided Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Veterans are disproportionately affected by chronic pain, with high rates of pain diagnoses (47%-56%) and a 40% higher rate of prevalence of severe pain than nonveterans. This is often accompanied by negative functional outcomes and higher mortality. Combined with research suggesting medical treatments for chronic pain are often insufficient, there is an urgent need for nonmedical pain self-management programs. An interactive online platform to deliver an efficacious treatment for chronic pain such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could be a valuable option to assist veterans with pain care at home. This study aims to evaluate the virtual coach-guided Veteran ACT for Chronic Pain (VACT-CP) online program compared to a waitlist and treatment as usual (WL+TAU) control group through a small pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial. The primary aim was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of VACT-CP and study procedures, such as ease of recruitment, treatment receptivity, attrition and retention, sustained participation, system usability, and assessment of trial procedures. Secondary aims explored differences in the VACT-CP and WL+TAU groups on pre- and posttest (week 7) outcome measures for pain, mental health, functioning, and ACT processes. Veterans with chronic pain were recruited and randomized to either the VACT-CP (n=20) or the WL+TAU (n=22) group in a parallel group trial design. Self-report surveys were administered to participants at baseline (week 0), at the intervention midpoint (week 3), immediately after the intervention (week 7), and at the 1-month follow-up (week 11). We used Wilcoxon signed rank tests with the intention-to-treat sample to describe changes in secondary outcomes from pre- to postintervention within each group. Study procedures showed good feasibility related to recruitment, enrollment, randomization, and study completion rates. Participants reported that VACT-CP was easy to use (System Usability Scale: mean 79.6, SD 12.8; median 82.5, IQR 70-87.5); they completed an average of 5 of the 7 total VACT-CP modules with high postintervention satisfaction rates. Qualitative feedback suggested a positive response to program usability, content tailoring, veteran centeredness, and perceived impact on pain management. Although the pilot feasibility trial was not powered to detect differences in clinical outcomes and significant findings should be interpreted with caution, the VACT-CP group experienced significant increases in chronic pain acceptance (P<.001) and decreases in depressive symptoms (P=.03). VACT-CP showed encouraging evidence of feasibility, usability, and acceptance, while also providing promising initial results in improving a key process in ACT for chronic pain-chronic pain acceptance-after online program use. A full-scale efficacy trial is needed to assess changes in clinical outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03655132; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03655132. RR2-10.2196/45887.

Challenges in measurement of adolescent mental health: how are gender patterns affected when level of symptoms is analysed simultaneously with impairment?

BackgroundAdolescent mental health surveys in public health are sometimes questioned because of their main focus on self-reported symptoms, lacking data on impairment, e.g. the consequences on everyday life of the mental health problems. While public health studies typically reveal higher prevalence rates of internalising problems for girls than boys, there are indications that the gender pattern may change when self-reported data on symptoms are analysed simultaneously with impairment. The purpose is to determine how gender patterns of adolescent mental health solely based on symptoms are affected when level of symptoms is analysed simultaneously with impairment.MethodsQuestionnaire data on adolescent mental health were collected in schools by Statistics Sweden in the autumn of 2009 as part of a national total population study in grades 6 and 9 in Sweden. In this study only data from grade 9 students are used (n = 91 627; response rate = 80 per cent). Psychosomatic symptoms were measured with the Psychosomatic Problems scale including eight items. Impairment was measured with four items included in the SDQ impact supplement. The associations between these key constructs were analysed with logistic regression and contingency tables.ResultsWhen analysing variables on psychosomatic symptoms and impairment independently, the results are consistent with typical findings of gender patterns in adolescent internalising mental health. Girls report both more psychosomatic symptoms, and more negative consequences in everyday life, than boys. The gender patterns are, however, strongly affected when impairment is conditioned on level of psychosomatic symptoms. Except for the Home Life setting, in the settings of Friendships, Classroom Learning and Leisure Activities, the previously reported gender pattern favoring higher disturbances among girls becomes partly reversed implying that boys report more negative consequences than girls. Hence, while girls report a higher prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms, boys appear to suffer from such symptoms more than, or as much as, girls in three out of four everyday life settings.ConclusionsThe study confirms the insufficiency of solely including data on symptoms in the measurement of adolescent mental health. Regardless of the causes of the complex gender pattern shown in this study, the results highlight the importance of simultaneous inclusion of indicators of impairment as well as symptom counts and frequency in the measurement of adolescent mental health.

Applying an osteopathic intervention to improve mild to moderate mental health symptoms: a mixed-methods feasibility randomised trial.

The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in the United Kingdom necessitates the exploration of novel treatment modalities. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of four osteopathic interventions on psychophysiological and mental health outcomes. A mixed-methods feasibility study with an explanatory sequential design was implemented. The quantitative phase involved randomising 42 participants into four intervention groups: (1) high-velocity and articulation techniques (HVAT), (2) soft-tissue massage (STM), (3) craniosacral therapy (CST), and (4) a combination approach. Primary outcome measures encompassed recruitment rate, assessment duration, questionnaire completion, intervention attrition, and adverse events. Secondary outcomes included validated assessments of depression, anxiety, stress, psychological flexibility, heart rate variability (HRV), and interoception, administered pre- and post-intervention. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to evaluate pre-post intervention changes. The qualitative phase comprised semi-structured interviews analysed using thematic analysis. The study achieved a recruitment rate of 21 eligible participants per month, with 54.8% of respondents meeting eligibility criteria. All 33 participants who completed the study underwent interventions and assessments within the allocated one-hour timeframe, with full questionnaire completion. The attrition rate was 21%. No adverse events were reported. Qualitative analysis revealed positive participant experiences, with themes highlighting good practitioner communication, intervention accessibility, and increased bodily awareness. Some participants found the questionnaire battery burdensome. Exploratory quantitative analyses showed variations in effects across interventions for heart rate variability, interoceptive accuracy, and mental health measures, but these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size. This study provides evidence supporting the feasibility and acceptability of a larger-scale RCT investigating osteopathic interventions for individuals presenting with mild psychological symptoms. The preliminary findings suggest potential efficacy in improving mental health outcomes, warranting further investigation. Trial registration NCT05674071, registered 06/01/2023.

Volunteering and Its Association with Depression, Loneliness, and Lifestyle of Older Adults: Insights from a Japanese Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/Objectives: Volunteering has been widely recognized as beneficial to the well-being of older adults, providing health benefits, increased social engagement, and a sense of purpose. This study aimed to explore the associations between volunteering and physical and mental health measures among older adults in Japan. Methods: Using an online survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, 500 participants aged 65 and older were divided into volunteer and non-volunteer groups. Demographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics were comprehensively assessed using a series of reliable and validated instruments. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between volunteering and health outcomes. Results: The findings revealed that while there were no significant differences in physical health indicators and undertreatment of most diseases (with the exception of cataracts), volunteers reported significantly lower levels of depression and loneliness compared to non-volunteers. The volunteer group also showed greater engagement in social activities and hobbies, which may have contributed to their improved mental health outcomes. Conclusions: The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that volunteering may be an effective, low-cost intervention for promoting mental health and social engagement among older adults.

An Enhanced Affective Computing Technology for Fostering an Emotionally Healthy Workplace

The mental health of workers is of paramount importance in today’s fast-paced and demanding workplaces. This research establishes a strong connection between affective decision-making and mental health, presenting a novel method to improve affective computing technologies for developing emotionally healthy workplaces. We use Multinomial Naive Bayes Integrated Gated Recurrent Units (MNB-GRU) for classification and prediction to reach our goals. This dataset includes many measures of mental health, working climate, and individual variables. Data Exploration is performed to learn more about the properties of the dataset, and Preprocessing Grouping is used to get the data ready for analysis. Relationships between emotional decisionmaking and mental health markers are shown using data visualization approaches to give intuitive insights. To evaluate the reliability of the connection, a correlation analysis is used in Model Assessment. Understanding how people are feeling emotionally at work can be gained via this assessment, which examines the degree of association between affective decision-making and mental health. As a result of using categorization methods to divide the workforce into several categories based on their emotional well-being, we can better assist businesses in meeting the varying demands of their staff members. This method guarantees that efforts to improve mental health are focused and productive. By creating a solid connection between effective decisionmaking and mental health, businesses can take preventative measures to aid their workers' emotional well-being and create a more upbeat and productive workplace.

Using random forest to identify correlates of depression symptoms among adolescents.

Adolescent depression is a significant public health concern, and studying its multifaceted factors using traditional methods possess challenges. This study employs random forest (RF) algorithms to determine factors predicting adolescent depression scores. This study utilized self-reported survey data from 56,008 Canadian students (grades 7-12) attending 182 schools during the 2021/22 academic year. RF algorithms were applied to identify the correlates of (i) depression scores (CESD-R-10) and (ii) presence of clinically relevant depression (CESD-R-10 ≥ 10). RF achieved a 71% explained variance, accurately predicting depression scores within a 3.40 unit margin. The top 10 correlates identified by RF included other measures of mental health (anxiety symptoms, flourishing, emotional dysregulation), home life (excessive parental expectations, happy home life, ability to talk to family), school connectedness, sleep duration, and gender. In predicting clinically relevant depression, the algorithm showed 84% accuracy, 0.89 sensitivity, and 0.79 AUROC, aligning closely with the correlates identified for depression score. This study highlights RF's utility in identifying important correlates of adolescent depressive symptoms. RF's natural hierarchy offers an advantage over traditional methods. The findings underscore the importance and additional potential of sleep health promotion and school belonging initiatives in preventing adolescent depression.

Sleep health characteristics and positive mental health in Canadian youth: A cross-sectional analysis of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study

ObjectivesThis study investigated the associations between specific sleep health characteristics and indicators of positive mental health among Canadian youth in grades 6-10. MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from the Canadian 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, a nationally representative sample of Canadian students. Our analyses included 14,868 participants (53.1% girls). We assessed the following self-reported characteristics of sleep health: nighttime insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, problems with daytime wakefulness, and weekend catch-up sleep. Positive mental health measures included self-reported life satisfaction, positive affect, self-efficacy, and self-confidence. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations while controlling for confounders. ResultsParticipants who had no or little nighttime insomnia symptoms, who met sleep duration recommendations, who had no or rare daytime wakefulness problems, and who had no or little weekend catch-up sleep were more likely to report high life satisfaction (range of adjusted odds ratios=1.29-2.50), high positive affect (range of adjusted odds ratios=1.35-3.60), high self-efficacy (range of adjusted odds ratios=1.22-2.54), and high self-confidence (range of adjusted odds ratios=1.28-2.31). Almost all of the associations remained significant in the gender- and age-stratified analyses. ConclusionThe findings suggest that good sleep health is associated with higher odds of positive mental health among Canadian youth in grades 6-10. Further research is needed to understand the temporality of the associations and the underlying mechanisms.

Measuring loneliness: a head-to-head psychometric comparison of the 3- and 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scales.

Despite the growing interest in the prevalence and consequences of loneliness, the way it is measured still raises a number of questions. In particular, few studies have directly compared the psychometric properties of very short measures of loneliness to standard measures. We conducted a large epidemiological study of midwife students (n = 1742) and performed a head-to-head comparison of the psychometric properties of the standard (20 items) and short version (3 items) of the UCLA Loneliness Scales (UCLA-LS). All participants completed the UCLA-LS-20, UCLA-LS-3, as well as other measures of mental health, including anxiety and depression. First, as predicted, we found that the two loneliness scales were strongly associated with each other. Second, when using the dimensional scores of the scales, we showed that the internal reliability, convergent-, discriminant-, and known-groups validities were high and of similar magnitude between the UCLA-LS-20 and the UCLA-LS-3. Third, when the scales were dichotomized, the results were more mixed. The sensitivity and/or specificity of the UCLA-LS-3 against the UCLA-LS-20 were systematically below acceptable thresholds, regardless of the dichotomizing process used. In addition, the prevalence of loneliness was strikingly variable as a function of the cut-offs used. Overall, we showed that the UCLA-LS-3 provided an adequate dimensional measure of loneliness that is very similar to the UCLA-LS-20. On the other hand, we were able to highlight more marked differences between the scales when their scores were dichotomized, which has important consequences for studies estimating, for example, the prevalence of loneliness.

Links Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Peer Relationships and Mental Health Outcomes in Western Australian Youth

Peer relationships are critical in the development of positive mental health during childhood and adolescence. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms can adversely affect the development of positive peer relationships, and thus, have significant long-term implications for mental health. This study explored the long-term relationships between ADHD symptoms, peer relationships and mental health in Western Australian adolescents. Participants were drawn from a sample of 1489 young people: n = 623 males with a mean age of 13.79 years (SD = 1.61) and n = 866 females, with a mean age of 14.29 years (SD = 1.51). Data were collected at three timepoints across three successive years, with different numbers of participants contributing data at each timepoint. Participants completed measures of ADHD symptoms and existing peer problems in the first year; five measures of peer relationships in the second year; and four measures of mental health in the third year. Multiple regression and path analyses were used to determine whether ADHD symptoms predicted scores on the peer relationship and mental health measures and whether peer relationships mediated links observed between ADHD symptoms and mental health. ADHD symptoms significantly predicted both long-term problematic peer relationships and long-term adverse mental health outcomes. Three peer relationship variables were significant mediators of relationships between ADHD symptoms and mental health: sense of belonging, friendships and perceived isolation. ADHD symptoms significantly predict poor peer relationships and adverse mental health outcomes in Western Australian youth, regardless of whether a formal diagnosis has been assigned. Early interventions for young people with ADHD symptoms are needed for such individuals to enjoy positive mental health in their adult years.

Alcohol Misuse and Correlates with Mental Health Indicators among Firefighters

Background: Stress and repetitive exposures to potentially traumatizing events are inherent to first-responder professions. Firefighters and other crisis responders are often exposed to incidents in their work environments and are at risk of developing acute or posttraumatic symptomatology, depression, and anxiety, as well as harmful patterns of alcohol consumption. Most prior research and theory suggests that many firefighters use alcohol to cope with past and current stressors, and that increased drinking accompanies ongoing exposures to stressful occupational hazards. Objectives: The primary aim of this research was to examine alcohol consumption and mental health variables associated in the literature with alcohol misuse. Participants included 546 predominantly male career firefighters in the U.S. Using a cross-sectional design, we examined alcohol misuse in the context of self-reported depression, generalized anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation using previously validated measures. Results: Based on the AUDIT’s recommended cut score of 8, 38.8% of our sample reported drinking at hazardous levels. Hazardous alcohol use was also significantly associated with several mental health indicators with correlations ranging from .28 to .34. Regression analyses revealed that over 14% of the variance in AUDIT scores could be explained by psychological symptom measures, and 29% of the variance in suicide risk was explained by a model using both alcohol and mental health measures. Conclusions: Findings suggest that psychological distress is associated with hazardous drinking, and that more consistent screening and referral for these issues, as well as multi-level interventions, are needed to effectively address these behavioral health concerns among firefighters.

Greenspace and mental health research – the question of scale

Abstract Background Greenspaces have been proven to promote mental health and wellbeing. Research is conducted in diverse fields with various methods. However, studies and theoretical concepts frequently fail to address or define the scale of the environment in question. Furthermore, the different types of greenspace at the same scale are often inconsistently or inaccurately defined. Such limitations may impede the comparability of results and interdisciplinary understanding. The aims were therefore: 1. To provide a quantitative overview of the combinations of greenspace and mental health measures used at the ecological scales; 2. To embed the results in the existing theoretical background. Methods A systematic search and a scoping review were conducted, applying an PEO framework. The data was charted with an extraction table and analysed with regard to the ecological scales which are: landscapes, ecosystems/land-use types, and species/natural elements. Preliminary Results Generally, distinct greenspace measures are used at different scales, while the mental health measures do not show such a clear pattern. The “landscape” scale is most often assessed via GIS approaches. The scales “ecosystems” and “species” are mostly investigated via interventions. Overall, the “ecosystems” scale is the most frequent in both research and theory. Qualitative mental health measures often focus on ecosystems. However, the qualitative theoretical concepts are based on landscapes, e.g. Therapeutic Landscapes. Species and natural elements are rarely directly addressed by both studies and theories. Conclusions We propose increased attention to the types and scales of green and nature at both the theoretical and the practical research level. Established ecological scales can provide a common basis for interdisciplinary research and improve the comparability of studies. This can elucidate the potential differences in the impact of the diverse forms and dimensions of nature on human health. Key messages • The methods employed to assess the relation between greenspace and mental health vary according to the ecological scale. Ecosystems are the main focus in research and theory, species the least. • The type and scale of nature should be considered in environmental health research and theory. Established ecological scales can provide a basis for interdisciplinary comparability and understanding.

An Evaluation of Resilience as a Protective Factor for Mental Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Young People.

Purpose: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals often face minority stressors that negatively affect their mental health, making it important to identify protective factors against the adverse psychological effects of minority stress. We investigated the potential protective effect of trait resilience in SGM individuals assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB), who are understudied despite being at particularly high risk for mental health problems. Methods: As part of an ongoing longitudinal cohort study, 452 SGM-AFAB young people (age 16-31 years) completed measures of resilience, minority stressors (victimization, microaggressions, internalized heterosexism, and cisgenderism), and mental health (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation) in 2017-2018. Moderating effects of resilience on associations between the minority stressors and mental health outcomes were tested using regression analyses. Results: Resilience attenuated the positive associations of microaggressions with both depression and anxiety and of internalized cisgenderism with depression (in transgender and gender-diverse participants), suggesting protective effects. Resilience did not moderate any other associations. Conclusion: These findings suggest that resilience serves as a protective factor against depressive and anxiety symptoms following experiences of microaggressions and against depressive symptoms following internalized cisgenderism among diverse SGM-AFAB individuals. These results underscore the importance of identifying factors that bolster resilience and developing intervention strategies aimed at promoting resilience within SGM-AFAB individuals, especially following experiences of microaggressions and internalized cisgenderism.

The Associations Between Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Outcomes Among Sexual Minority Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sexual minority men (SMM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at a substantially high rate and also bear high burdens of adverse mental health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate existing evidence on the associations between experiencing IPV and adverse mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, etc.) among SMM. Following the Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline, we identified 22 published studies encompassing data from 18,454 individuals, all of which were cross-sectional in design and half of which were conducted in the U.S. We found that experiencing IPV was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms and anxiety with a pooled Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) of 1.71 (95% CI [1.43, 2.05]) and 1.89 (95% CI [1.46, 2.43]), respective. Studies also found that IPV was positively associated with suicide-related risk (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI [2.21, 3.32] and perceived loneliness. Studies varied in their IPV measures and recall periods and used diverse mental health measurement tools like PHQ-9/GAD-7, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed an urgent need to examine the effects of IPV on SMM's mental well-being in low- and middle-income countries using standardized IPV measurement tools. Future research should employ a longitudinal design to track the long-term effects of IPV on the mental well-being of SMM and explore potential interventions for mitigating these impacts over time. These insights are crucial for enhancing IPV screening within healthcare settings and identifying key intervention targets aimed at improving the mental health of SMM.

Participation, barriers, facilitators and bullying experiences of trans people in sport and fitness: findings from a national community survey of trans people in Australia.

This study aimed to assess participation rates of transgender and gender diverse (trans) people in sport/fitness activities, compare mental health outcomes for trans people participating in sport/fitness with those who do not and explore internal/external barriers and bullying experiences faced by trans people in sport/fitness contexts. A cross-sectional online survey open to trans people aged ≥16 years living in Australia was conducted between February and April 2023 and it assessed rates of sport/fitness participation, barriers to participation and bullying experiences through multiple-choice questions. Mental health measures comprised the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and self-reported history of self-harm and suicidality. Covariate-adjusted binary logistic regression models tested associations between interpersonal factors, sport/fitness variables and mental health outcomes. Of 664 respondents (median age 32 years), around one-third (32.8%) regularly participated in sport/fitness. Common internal barriers to participation included anxiety about others' reactions (63.9%), body dissatisfaction/dysphoria (56.5%) and fears about feeling accepted/affirmed by others (54.7%). Respondents commonly reported experiencing inadequate bathroom/changing facilities (44.4%), exclusionary rules and regulations surrounding gender (36.7%), and invasive or uncomfortable policies or procedures (23.3%). Over one-third (34.4%) of trans people had experienced gender-based bullying or exclusion. Regular sport/fitness participation was associated with significantly lower K10 scores (mean difference=-4.4, 95% CI-5.8, -2.9, p<0.001) and a 40% reduction in odds of recent thoughts of self-harm and suicide (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5, 0.9, p=0.01; aOR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4, 0.9, p=0.02). Trans people face significant barriers to sport/fitness despite experiencing significant mental health and personal benefits from participation. Affirming and including trans people in sport and fitness should be a key priority for sport and fitness federations, organisations and policy-makers.

Can self-guided colouring improve university student wellbeing, mental health, and mindfulness?

ABSTRACT Background Mindfulness-based interventions can successfully improve wellbeing in young adults. Mindful colouring is an applied mindfulness practice and improves short-term wellbeing. Less evidence is available about the effectiveness of regular, self-guided colouring. We investigated a self-guided two-week colouring intervention for university student wellbeing. Methods One-hundred and forty university students completed a minimum of 10-min self-guided colouring, six times over two weeks. Participants were assessed at baseline and two-week follow-up using self-report measures of wellbeing, relating to quality of life, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and mindfulness. Results Colouring significantly improved all measures of mental health, wellbeing and mindfulness in students who completed at least six sessions of self-guided colouring. Conclusion Colouring is an accessible activity that can improve student wellbeing when carried out regularly over two weeks. Future research should investigate the impact of longer-term colouring practice on wellbeing, and the effect of this intervention in the general adult population.

Development of Positive Mental Health Measurement for Gender-Diverse Students in Thailand

Development of Positive Mental Health Measurement for Gender-Diverse Students in Thailand