Prevention Of Mental Disorders Research Articles

Move past adversity or bite through it? Diet quality, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in relation to resilience.

Adverse life experiences are associated with an increased risk of mental disorders. The successful adaptation to adversity and maintenance or quick restoration of mental health despite adversity is referred to as resilience. Identifying factors that promote resilience can contribute to the prevention of mental disorders. Lifestyle behaviors, increasingly recognized for their impact on mental health, are discussed as potential resilience factors. Several studies found that healthy eating and physical activity (PA) are positively associated with resilience. However, most of these studies assessed resilience through questionnaires, which is unsatisfactory given that resilience research is moving toward conceptualizing resilience as the outcome of a dynamic process, which can only be assessed prospectively and longitudinally. The present study is the first to assess the relationship between diet quality, PA, sedentary behavior (SB), and resilience, captured prospectively and longitudinally in a sample of 145 individuals (75.17% female; Mage = 28.88, SDage = 7.80; MBMI = 24.11, SDBMI = 3.97). Resilience was assessed as the relationship between stressor exposure and mental health (i.e., the stressor reactivity score: higher scores indicate lower resilience and vice versa). Diet quality (i.e., the Healthy Eating Index) was assessed on the basis of app-based food records and 24-hr dietary recalls. PA and SB were objectively recorded through accelerometers. Regression analysis showed that neither diet quality nor PA and SB predicted resilience (ps > .30). Profound differences in the conceptualization and operationalization of resilience might explain the contrary findings. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to replicate the findings of the present study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Prevention of mental disorders - a future topic

Prevention of mental disorders - a future topic

Association Between Diet and Mental Health Outcomes in a Sample of 13,887 Adolescents in Canada.

The high prevalence of mental disorders among adolescents calls for community-based and population-level prevention strategies. Diet is an important intervention target for primary prevention of mental disorders among adolescents. We used data from a large longitudinal study of Canadian adolescents (aged 14-18 y) to examine prospective associations between diet and mental health outcomes. We estimated the effect of diet (ie, consumption of vegetables and fruit and sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs]) at baseline on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and psychological well-being (measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale, and Flourishing Scale, respectively) and at 1-year follow-up in a sample of 13,887 Canadian secondary school students who participated in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 cycles of the Cannabis, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedentary (COMPASS) behavior study. We applied linear mixed-effects methods informed by a directed acyclic graph. Sensitivity analyses assessed the robustness of the effect estimates to unmeasured confounding variables. Baseline SSB consumption was associated with greater severity of depressive (β = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06) and anxiety (β = 0.02; 95% CI, 0-0.05) symptoms, particularly among male students, and poorer psychological well-being (β = -0.03; 95% CI, -0.05 to -0.01) at follow-up. Baseline vegetables and fruit consumption was positively associated with psychological well-being (β = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03-0.10) but not other mental health outcomes at follow-up. Our results support the notion that diet should be part of comprehensive mental health prevention and promotion interventions to reduce the prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents.

Mechanisms of action of dietary supplements on mental health

The use of biologically active additives (BAA) is a promising direction in the prevention and correction of mental health disorders. BAA use should be based on a comprehensive, individualized, and gradual approach. Dietary supplements are capable of having various positive effects on a person’s mental state due to their impact on different mechanisms in the central nervous system.

Neural correlates of harm avoidance: a multimodal meta-analysis of brain structural and resting-state functional neuroimaging studies

Harm avoidance (HA) is a Cloninger personality trait that describes behavioural inhibition to avoid aversive stimuli. It serves as a predisposing factor that contributes to the development of mental disorders such as anxiety and major depressive disorder. Neuroimaging research has identified some brain anatomical and functional correlates of HA, but reported findings are inconsistent. We therefore conducted a multimodal meta-analysis of whole-brain structural and resting-state functional neuroimaging studies to identify the most stable neural substrate of HA. Included were a total of 10 structural voxel-based morphometry studies (11 datasets) and 13 functional positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography studies (16 datasets) involving 3053 healthy participants without any psychiatric or neurological disorders evaluated for HA using the Three-Dimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) or the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). The meta-analysis revealed brain volumetric correlates of HA in parietal and temporal cortices, and resting-state functional correlates in prefrontal, temporal and parietal gray matter. Volumetric and functional correlates co-occurred in the left superior frontal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus, and were dissociated in the left rectus gyrus. Our meta-analysis is the first study to give a comprehensive picture of the structural and functional correlates of HA, a contribution that may help bridge the grievous gap between the neurobiology of HA and the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of HA-related mental disorders.

The Effect of Probiotics and Microbiota on Nervous System and Mental Illnesses.

The microbiota that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract has been linked to various gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal disorders. Scientists have been studying how the bacteria in our intestines have an effect on our brain and nervous system. This connection is called the "microbiota- gut-brain axis". Given the capacity of probiotics, which are live non-pathogenic microorganisms, to reinstate the normal microbial population within the host and confer advantages, their potential impact has been subjected to scrutiny with regard to neurological and mental conditions. Material sourced for this review included peer-reviewed literature annotated in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The result has indicated the integration of probiotics into a child's diet to enhance the neuro-behavioral symptoms. Notwithstanding this, the current data set has been found to be insufficient and inconclusive. The potential utility of probiotics for the prevention or treatment of neurologic and mental disorders has become a subject of substantial interest.

EFEITOS DA PRÁTICA DE EXERCÍCIOS FÍSICOS NA MELHORIA DA SAÚDE MENTAL

Introduction: Physical exercise is widely recognized by health professionals as an excellent ally in promoting quality of life and well-being. With both biological and psychological effects, it can be an exceptional therapy used alongside medications to treat mental disorders. Objective: The present study aims to explore the effects of physical exercise in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Method: This work is an integrative literature review that included original and review articles in order to select relevant information for the outcome of this research. Results: The results obtained through this review demonstrated that regular physical exercise has a significant impact on mental health, greatly contributing to the reduction of symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. The ability to cope with stressful situations can be further enhanced through physical activities. Conclusion: Physical exercise triggers the release of neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and relaxation, such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. The benefits of physical activity for mental health are numerous, positioning it as a crucial tool in the prevention and treatment of disorders like depression and anxiety.

Sexual Abuse and Neglect during Childhood are Associated with an Increased Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among University Students in Surakarta, Indonesia

Hihglights: 1. This study reiterates the long-term negative impact of childhood trauma on young adults' mental health.2. This study contributes to the prevention of mental disorders through the identification of risk factors associated with mental health problems. Abstract The prevalence of mental health problems is a global public health concern. Young adults, such as university students, are highly vulnerable to the onset of mental health problems due to biological, psychological, and social factors. In particular, abusive and traumatic experiences during childhood may increase the risk of developing mental health problems during adulthood. The prevalence of child abuse cases in Indonesia is concerning. This abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, in addition to neglect. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the occurrence of mental disorder symptoms during young adulthood and the preceding child abuse. A total of 191 undergraduate students in Surakarta, Indonesia, participated in this study. The participants completed the Child Abuse and Trauma Scale (CATS) for the evaluation of maltreatment experienced during childhood and adolescence as well as the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) for the measurement of mental health problem symptoms. The association of the degree of child abuse and trauma with mental health problems was analyzed using a logistic regression test, which was selected because the dependent variable (mental health problems) had binary outcomes. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. We found that 33% of the participants reported mental health problems. In addition, sexual abuse and neglect were found to be associated with mental health problems. The analysis of the sexual abuse variable revealed a statistically significant value of p=0.03, an odds ratio (OR) of 1.39, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.03-1.88. Additionally, the analysis of the neglect variable yielded comparable results with values of p=0.03, OR=1.26, and 95% CI=1.02-1.55. Our findings suggest that child abuse, particularly sexual abuse and neglect, may have a long-term deleterious impact on an individual’s mental health.

Refining the Universal, School-Based OurFutures Mental Health Program to Be Trauma Informed, Gender and Sexuality Diversity Affirmative, and Adherent to Proportionate Universalism: Mixed Methods Participatory Design Process.

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disease burden among youth. Effective prevention of mental disorders during adolescence is a critical public health strategy to reduce both individual and societal harms. Schools are an important setting for prevention; however, existing universal school-based mental health interventions have shown null, and occasionally iatrogenic, effects in preventing symptoms of common disorders, such as depression and anxiety. This study aims to report the adaptation process of an established, universal, school-based prevention program for depression and anxiety, OurFutures Mental Health. Using a 4-stage process; triangulating quantitative, qualitative, and evidence syntheses; and centering the voices of young people, the revised program is trauma-informed; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, queer, questioning, and otherwise gender and sexuality diverse (LGBTQA+) affirmative; relevant to contemporary youth; and designed to tailor intervention dosage to those who need it most (proportionate universalism). Program adaptation occurred from April 2022 to July 2023 and involved 4 stages. Stage 1 comprised mixed methods analysis of student evaluation data (n=762; mean age 13.5, SD 0.62 y), collected immediately after delivering the OurFutures Mental Health program in a previous trial. Stage 2 consisted of 3 focus groups with high school students (n=39); regular meetings with a purpose-built, 8-member LGBTQA+ youth advisory committee; and 2 individual semistructured, in-depth interviews with LGBTQA+ young people via Zoom (Zoom Video Communications) or WhatsApp (Meta) text message. Stage 3 involved a clinical psychologist providing an in-depth review of all program materials with the view of enhancing readability, improving utility, and normalizing emotions while retaining key cognitive behavioral therapy elements. Finally, stage 4 involved fortnightly consultations among researchers and clinicians on the intervention adaptation, drawing on the latest evidence from existing literature in school-based prevention interventions, trauma-informed practice, and adolescent mental health. Drawing on feedback from youth, clinical psychologists, and expert youth mental health researchers, sourced from stages 1 to 4, a series of adaptations were made to the storylines, characters, and delivery of therapeutic content contained in the weekly manualized program content, classroom activities, and weekly student and teacher lesson summaries. The updated OurFutures Mental Health program is a trauma-informed, LBGTQA+ affirmative program aligned with the principles of proportionate universalism. The program adaptation responds to recent mixed findings on universal school-based mental health prevention programs, which include null, small beneficial, and small iatrogenic effects. The efficacy of the refined OurFutures Mental Health program is currently being tested through a cluster randomized controlled trial with up to 1400 students in 14 schools across Australia. It is hoped that the refined program will advance the current stalemate in universal school-based prevention of common mental disorders and ultimately improve the mental health and well-being of young people in schools.

Application of Positive Psychology in Digital Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials.

The rising prevalence of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and young adults has become an escalating public health issue, impacting approximately 10%-20% of young people on a global scale. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) can act as powerful mental health promotion tools to reach wide-ranging audiences that might otherwise be challenging to access. This increased access would enable prevention of mental disorders and promotion of widespread well-being by enhancing self-efficacy, thereby supporting the achievement of tangible objectives. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive synthesis of all randomized controlled trials and controlled trials involving children, adolescents, and young adults, encompassing both clinical and nonclinical populations, to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital PPIs in this age group. After a literature search in 9 electronic databases until January 12, 2023, and gray literature until April 2023, we carried out a systematic review of 35 articles, of which 18 (51%) provided data for the meta-analysis. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled trials mainly based on web-based, digital, or smartphone-based interventions using a positive psychology framework as the main component. Studies included participants with a mean age of <35 years. Outcomes of PPIs were classified into indicators of well-being (compassion, life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, resilience, emotion regulation and emotion awareness, hope, mindfulness, purpose, quality of life, gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, motivation, and kindness) and ill-being (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and burnout). PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used for the selection of studies and data extraction. Quality assessment was performed following the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. For well-being outcomes, meta-analytic results showed that PPIs augmented the feeling of purpose, gratitude, and hope (Hedges g=0.555), compassion (Hedges g=0.447), positive coping behaviors (Hedges g=0.421), body image-related outcomes (Hedges g=0.238), and positive mindset predisposition (Hedges g=0.304). For ill-being outcomes, PPIs reduced cognitive biases (Hedges g=-0.637), negative emotions and mood (Hedges g=-0.369), and stress levels (Hedges g=-0.342). Of note, larger effect sizes were found when a waiting list control group was considered versus a digital control group. A funnel plot showed no publication bias. Meta-regression analyses showed that PPIs tended to show a larger effect size on well-being outcomes in studies including young adults, whereas no specific effect was found for ill-being outcomes. Revised evidence suggests that PPIs benefit young people's well-being and mitigate ill-being symptoms. Digital platforms offer a unique way to address their mental health challenges, although not without limitations. Future research should explore how they work for the needs of the young population and further examine what specific PPIs or combination of interventions is most beneficial with respect to other digital control groups. PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42023420092; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=420092.

The Underestimated Role of the Sports Psychiatrist in Athletic Performance Restoration, Maintenance, and Enhancement in Sports

ABSTRACTIn competitive and elite sports, mental health and athletic performance cannot be considered separately. Mental disorders in sports are bidirectionally associated with reduced athletic performance. A decline in performance, both within and outside of sport, can be a sign of mental disorder. Additionally, poor athletic performance is a potential risk factor for mental disorders in athletes. The central role sports psychiatrists play in the mental health of athletes is well‐established. However, their role in athletic performance is less well‐described and more controversial, perhaps due to a perception that performance is purely a secondary outcome of good mental health. This paper discusses the role that sports psychiatrists can play in athletic performance within competitive and elite sports. Performance can be distinguished into three key focus areas for sports psychiatrists: (i) performance restoration, (ii) performance maintenance, and (iii) performance enhancement. These should be considered throughout the continuum of mental health care, from prevention, treatment, to ongoing care for mental disorders. When reduced performance is due to a mental disorder, psychiatric treatment should purposefully aim to restore functioning and performance as part of management. Maintenance of performance is, similarly, an important element of the prevention, psychiatric treatment, and ongoing care of mental disorders. Holistic sports psychiatrists may also choose to aim for athletic performance enhancement beyond the context of mental health symptoms and disorders, to help athletes flourish and achieve their goals.

The Role of Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Supplements in the Management of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses: Le rôle des habitudes alimentaires et des suppléments nutritionnels dans la prise en charge des troubles mentaux chez les enfants et les adolescents : une méta-revue de méta-analyses.

In recent years, the relationship between nutrition and mental health has gained considerable interest. We identified, synthesized, and appraised all meta--analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting on the efficacy of dietary patterns and nutrient supplements in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Systematic research in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was completed on 8 January 2024. Our research found 24 meta-analyses: 14 on RCTs, 8 on observational studies, and 2 combining both. Emerging evidence suggests that omega-3, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid, and Vitamin D may have adjunctive benefits in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while no evidence was found for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Observational data also indicated that prenatal folic acid supplementation (>400 μg daily) was associated with a reduced risk of ASD in offspring. In terms of dietary habits, several meta-analyses of observational data revealed that healthy dietary patterns (rich in fruits, vegetables, and fibre, low in saturated fats) during the prenatal period, childhood, and adolescence were linked to a significantly reduced risk of internalizing disorders and externalizing disorders. Conversely, unhealthy dietary habits (high in sugars, saturated animal fats, and industrial foods, low in fruits, vegetables, and fibre) are associated with an elevated risk of these mental health issues. However, the number of available studies on dietary interventions for the treatment of depression, ASD, and ADHD was limited, and the results obtained were either nonsignificant or contradictory. Our findings emphasize the need to establish clear causal relationships between dietary habits and the risk of mental illness in children and adolescents. Moreover, further investigation of the benefits observed with some nutrient supplements (such as omega-3 and vitamin D for ADHD) through larger-scale RCTs is imperative to establish more robust conclusions.

"Prototypic personality disorder" and the social issue: The category of psychopathy in Polish psychiatry in the interwar period.

The category of psychopathy has a long history, and its meaning has undergone a notable evolution since its conception in the 19th century. The history of psychopathy has been concentrating mainly on English- and German-speaking psychopathology. This article investigates definitions of psychopathy, its classification, and social issues associated with this category in Polish psychiatry in the interwar period. Polish definitions of psychopathy were influenced predominantly by Ernst Kretschmer's constitutional theory as well as by Eugen Kahn's, William Stern's, and Kurt Schneider's ideas. The term was generally understood as a borderline category denoting states between health and mental illness. As those states could manifest differently, it was thought to be many psychopathies. Two Polish psychiatrists, Maurycy Bornsztajn and Jakub Frostig, presented comprehensive classifications of psychopathies. Social issues associated with the category of psychopathy concentrated on three topics: psychopathy in children as a problem of the prevention of mental disorders; psychopathy as a problem of the justice system, the penitentiary, and military systems; and psychopathy as an issue of eugenics and social usefulness. Polish psychiatrists highlighted the need for the development of national institutions for the care of psychopathic children. Issues of accountability and insanity of psychopaths from the point of view of forensic psychiatry were also discussed. In conclusion, psychopathy in interwar Polish psychiatry was not just one of the personality disorders-it denoted the whole spectrum of characterological disturbances; thus, it rather corresponds to the modern category of personality disorders than to the contemporary understanding of psychopathy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Parental warmth attenuates the impact of low and moderate levels of violence exposure on trauma symptoms among women with substance use disorders

Women with substance use disorders (SUD) have high rates of violence exposure and are at greater risk for developing post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) than women without SUD. However, there is limited research on the factors that protect against the development of PTSS in response to violence exposure among women with SUD. Positive early attachment relationships may be one factor that protects against the development of PTSS in adulthood. We examined the bonding experience of parental warmth during childhood as a potential moderator in the relationship between violence exposure and PTSS in adulthood. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and assessing moderation using the SPSS PROCESS macro, we examined whether parental warmth moderated the impact of violence exposure on PTSS among women with SUD. Greater violence exposure was associated with higher levels of PTSS, while higher levels of parental warmth were associated with lower levels of PTSS. Parental warmth attenuated the effects of violence exposure on PTSS at low and moderate levels of violence exposure, but not at high levels of violence exposure. High violence exposure may overwhelm the potential for positive relational experiences to buffer against the development of PTSS. Results from this study suggest the importance of early intervention and support for early caregiving relationships as part of the prevention of mental health disorders across the life course.

BIDIRECTIONAL INTERACTION OF BLOOD GLUCOSE AND MENTAL STATUS AND ITS ROLE IN DEVELOPING DIABETES MELLITUS AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS – SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Blood glucose concentration in certain situations affects current mental status. Anxiety occurring during hunger or lack of concentration associated with hypoglycemia are well-known phenomenon. Variations of glucose levels may also present a long-term impact on mental status and mental health. Moreover, impaired mental status leads to neglecting health-promoting life choices in some individuals, while psychiatric disorders may contribute much more to the development of metabolic diseases. Aims: The aim of this review is to assess the current state of knowledge about the bidirectional interaction of blood glucose levels, including its fluctuations and management, and mental status. Methods: In our publication we used scientific sources such as publications and textbooks. Results: Studies show the most significant correlation between diabetes and psychiatric disorders, mostly depression, but also indicate that healthy individuals may present a correlation of metabolic and mental disorders. Diabetic patients are more prone to develop psychiatric disorders, but also psychiatric patients are more commonly affected by diabetes mellitus. Moreover, those suffering from both diseases show the highest risk of overall mortality. Inflammatory pathology of both diabetes and depression, which is the most common psychiatric disorder in diabetic patients, suggests that chronic inflammation may play the main role in this relationship. Conclusion: Analyzing different risk factors of comorbidity, the significance of reversible ones is indisputable. Taking that into account, some lifestyle changes may be beneficial for metabolic and mental disorders prevention. Further studies could indicate certain pathological relationships and help understand the correlation between blood glucose and mental state in healthy individuals.

Well-Being As a Component Of Subjective Health Assessment In Students

Introduction. The effectiveness of professional education in students largely depends on subjective health assessments such as well-being, which affects psychological resistance in stressful situations and unusual conditions; prevention of maladjustment, neurotic disorders, and abnormal stress responses, and adaptability. Identification of aspects indicating decline in well-being (sleep-wake disorders, weakness of volition; autonomic dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation; signs of addiction; physical fatigue and mental exhaustion; psychological fatigue and lack of energy; fears and anxiety) is aimed at being the basis for a new program on mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention. Purpose. The goal was to determine the main aspects of well-being as a component of subjective health assessment in students. Methods and materials. A total of 712 adult students from Moscow universities participated in the study on a voluntary basis. In order to identify sleep-wake disorders, autonomic dysfunction and emotional dysregulation, signs of addiction, psychological fatigue and lack of energy, anxiety, and fears, the participants were provided with two questionnaires: “Mood is health,” elaborated by G. S. Odinokov, and “Symptomatic questionnaire of well-being,” developed by A. Volkov and N. E. Vodopyanova. Then, the data were processed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the Chaddock–Snedecor scale. Results. It was revealed that the level of well-being as a component of subjective health assessment in students was above-average. There was an average level of sleep-wake disorders, emotional dysregulation, psychological fatigue and lack of energy, anxiety and fears, as well as a below-average level of weakness of volition, autonomic dysfunction and signs of addiction. A strong correlation between the total and final results of well-being aspects and sleep-wake disorders, weakness of volition, autonomic dysfunction and emotional dysregulation, signs of addiction, psychological fatigue and lack of energy, fears and anxiety indicates that the lower these components, the higher the well-being.

Preconception ethanol exposure changes anxiety, depressive and checking-like behavior and alter the expression levels of MAO-B in male offspring

Alcohol use, which alters the epigenome, increases the probability that it could affect subsequent generations, even if they were never directly exposed to ethanol or even in utero.We explored the effects of parental ethanol exposure before conception on behavioral changes in the offspring. Considering the role of Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in dopamine turnover in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its influence on behavior, and taking into account that ethanol exposure could alter MAO-B, we assessed the protein levels in the offspring.Male and female rats were exposed to ethanol for 30 days and then allowed ten days of abstinence. Afterward, they were mated with either control or ethanol-exposed rats. The F1 and F2 male offspring underwent tests to assess behavioral changes. Additionally, the levels of MAO-B in the PFC were evaluated.Results revealed that in the F1, anxiety increased only in the bi-parental ethanol-exposed male offspring in the elevated plus maze test (p < 0.05), while depressive-like behavior rose only in maternal and bi-parental ethanol-exposed offspring (p < 0.01). However, compulsive-like behavior increased in all ethanol-exposed offspring (p < 0.01). No significant phenotypic changes were observed in the F2. The levels of MAO-B in the PFC increased in the maternal (p < 0.05) and bi-parental ethanol-exposed offspring (p < 0.01).Our study demonstrates that parental ethanol exposure, even in the days preceding mating, adversely affects behaviors and induces molecular changes in the brain. Given these findings, it becomes imperative to monitor children exposed to parental (especially maternal) ethanol for the prevention of mental disorders.

Low Serum Vitamin B12 is Significantly Associated with Depression: A Cross Sectional Observational Study

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the prevention of psychological disorders. Studies have reported the positive impact of vitamin B12 supplementation on cognitive functions. However, epidemiological research on the prevalence of depression in the vitamin B12-deficient adult population is still insufficient. Thus, the present study investigates the prevalence of depression among the vitamin B12-deficient 400 adult participants, whose serum vitamin B12 status was below 200pg/mL, aged between 18 years to 60 years. The sociodemographic profile, anthropometric assessment and presence or absences of clinical symptoms were recorded via self-administered questionnaire. Participants were divided in Vitamin B12 insufficient and deficient group. Depression was screened by Beck- Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) scale, with 21-item self-administered survey. The study reported, 16% participants were from deficient group (serum vitamin B 12 below 150 pg/ml) with mean age 43.2±10.5 years. Depressive symptoms were found inversely associated with serum vitamin B12 levels. A significant association (at p&lt;0.05) was found with age (chi sq=44.09, d.f.= 2, and p=0.001), gender (chi sq=7.91, d.f.= 1, and p=0.0048), body mass index (chi sq=12.97, d.f.= 2, and p=0.022), metformin usage (chi sq=8.31, d.f.= 2, and p=0.015), religion (chi sq=7.54, d.f.= 2, and p=0.022), income group (chi sq=5.71, d.f.= 2, and p=0.04), food preferences (chi sq=18.95, d.f.= 2, and p=0.00007) and clinical symptoms. The odds (CI) of depression among vitamin B12 deficient participants were found 5.88 (2.81-12.32), making it an independent predictor of depression. After adjusting with confounding variables, the association remained the same. The study revealed that the adult population with reduced vitamin B12 levels has higher probabilities of developing depression, and the chances increased with age. Thus, early detection and low cost supplementation should be implemented to combat vitamin B12 deficiency and its complications.

Prevention of mental disorders in children, adolescents and young adults—a needs assessment for the development of training concepts for professionals

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund und Ziel Fachkräfte in verschiedenen Bereichen der Jugendhilfe (z. B. Kitas, Schulsozialarbeit, Beratungsstellen) müssen auf psychische Auffälligkeiten bei ihren jungen Klienten reagieren. Generische Schulungen werden bereichsspezifischen Herausforderungen jedoch oft nicht gerecht. Als Grundlage für ein zielgruppenspezifisches Schulungskonzept wurde daher herausgearbeitet, welchen Schulungsbedarf Fachkräfte in 8 verschiedenen Bereichen der Jugendhilfe haben. Methoden Es wurden 7 Fokusgruppen mit insgesamt n = 28 Fachkräften der einzelnen Bereiche durchgeführt (2 Bereiche zusammengelegt). Alle Diskussionen wurden aufgezeichnet, transkribiert und anonymisiert. Die Transkripte wurden in Anlehnung an die inhaltlich strukturierende qualitative Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz deduktiv-induktiv ausgewertet. Ergebnisse In allen Bereichen der Jugendhilfe gibt es Schulungsbedarf zur psychischen Entwicklung von Kindern und Jugendlichen als auch zu psychischen Erkrankungen. In den meisten Bereichen gibt es Schulungsbedarf zu Eltern mit psychischen Erkrankungen, zur Medienkompetenz und zu psychosozialen Hilfesystemen. Einige Bereiche benennen den Umgang mit Krisensituationen und Gesprächstechniken. Bereichsspezifische Themen sind Sexualität und Aufklärung, pornographische Inhalte, Transgeschlechtlichkeit, Bundesteilhabegesetz und altersgerechte Angebotserstellung. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung Obwohl etablierte Themen wie psychische Entwicklung und Erkrankungen bereits in der Ausbildung sozialpädagogischer Fachkräfte verankert sind, scheint eine große Unsicherheit zu bestehen. Vereinzelt sind auch neue Themen aufgekommen. In den verschiedenen Bereichen der Jugendhilfe sollte ein Themenmix Gegenstand eines Schulungskonzepts zur Prävention psychischer Störungen sein.

Advising activity—knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding the recommendation of physical activity in clinical psychologists

BackgroundRegular physical activity comes with multiple benefits for physical but also mental health and can be a pivotal element in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists play an important role in supporting their patients in increasing physical activity levels. Up to date, there is only little research on recommendation of physical activity in psychologists worldwide and no such research for psychologists in Germany. Aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding physical activity in psychologists in Germany.MethodsWe assessed knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding physical activity among a sample of clinical psychologists in Germany using the “Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire-German” (EMIQ-G) in a cross-sectional online survey.Results454 participants were included in the analysis. Participants reported moderate levels of knowledge and self-confidence in recommending physical activity. Only 14% of the participants received formal training regarding physical activity recommendation. Most participants recommended physical activity to their patients, primarily through personal discussions and referrals to exercise professionals. About one third did not give any recommendations regarding intensity. Strength training was only recommended by a minority.ConclusionThere is a need for greater integration of information and instructions regarding the recommendation of physical activity in the treatment of people with mental disorders in the training and further education of psychologists.