Mental Health Self-care Research Articles

The effectiveness of multimedia mental health self-care program based on cyber space on the mental health of infertile women: a randomized controlled trial.

So far, some training interventions have been carried out to improve the mental health in women with infertility, but designing the need and evidence-based, as well as multimedia mental health self-care interventions based on cyber space has received less attention. Due to the spread of the internet and the role of self-care in improving mental disorders, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the multimedia mental health self-care program on mental health and to assess the users' satisfaction. This study is a randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest follow-up design. The sample was selected using a convenience sampling method (n = 90). The random number function was used to assign random numbers. The research instruments include a demographic, psychological Well-being, depression, anxiety, perceived stress, fertility problems and satisfaction with training questionnaire. Six weeks of intervention was conducted following the pre-test and the link of each session's content was sent to the participants, based on the training schedule, through Eitaa Messenger. The post-test and follow-up were conducted 1week and 1month post intervention. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. A statistically significant difference was observed between the intervention and control group in the mean score of psychological well-being, perceived stress and infertility stress 1week and 1month post intervention and in the mean score of depression and anxiety 1month post intervention. The intervention group scored higher than the control in psychological well-being but lower in perceived stress, depression, anxiety and infertility stress. The intervention had a positive effect and reduced the score of perceived stress, depression, anxiety and infertility in the intervention group over time. The score reduction continued until the follow-up stage. No significant time-interaction effect was observed on psychological well-being and on the control group. Satisfaction with the program and subscales was desirable. This program could significantly reduce the depression, anxiety, perceived stress and infertility stress and desirable satisfaction with the program was observed among users. This program can be used in designing the experimental and therapeutic interventions to improve mental-health self-care behaviors. RCT Registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; RCT registration number: IRCT20210526051410N1; Registration date: 2022-11-06. Last update: 2023-01-28 https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/57874.

Psychological Interventions and Those With Elements of Positive Psychology for Child and Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Literature Review, Lessons Learned, and Areas for Future Knowledge Dissemination.

There was a marked decline in child and teenage mental health worldwide during the pandemic, with increasing prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Research indicates that positive psychological interventions may be beneficial for mental health. The aims of this review were to evaluate positive psychological interventions for child and youth mental health implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess overall effectiveness for mental health and knowledge. We undertook a literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for all eligible studies on digital and hybrid in-person psychological interventions for youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A particular emphasis was placed on positive psychological interventions or interventions that had components of positive psychology, including gratitude, acceptance, positive emotions, or resilience building. A total of 41 interventions were included in this review. Most of the interventions were digital. Overall, most of the interventions assisted with one or more mental health or psychological indicators, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, stress, and resilience. However, findings were mixed when it came to targeting both depression and anxiety together. The interventions that promoted youth mental health most often had a range of diverse positive psychology components and were evidence based. Not all studies measured changes in mindfulness. Few studies examined knowledge acquired on mental health self-care, managing mental health problems, knowledge of positive psychological techniques, mindfulness knowledge, or mental health self-efficacy. Diverse multicomponent interventions appear to assist with youth mental health overall, although their effects on both depression and anxiety are less clear. There is also a need for more research on knowledge gains to determine whether the interventions improved knowledge on mental health-supportive behaviors, which may be sustained beyond the intervention. Finally, more studies need to evaluate whether the interventions assisted with increasing self-efficacy for practicing positive psychological techniques as well as changes in mindfulness levels. Future studies should not only assess effectiveness for mental health outcomes but also assess knowledge translation, with valid measures of knowledge and self-efficacy for mental health-supportive behaviors and positive psychological skills acquired (eg, the ability to practice mindfulness).

Patterns and Consequences of Delayed Self Care Among Rural Medical Providers.

The purpose of this study was to (a) examine personal healthcare practices of rural medical providers by issue type (e.g., physical health, social health, or mental health), (b) identify perceived consequences of taking time off and (c) determine whether greater delay in self-care was associated with perceived stress and burnout. Electronic surveys were sent to 805 medical providers (response rate = 17.8%, n = 143). The setting was a rural teaching hospital and affiliated community clinics. Participants included 143 rural medical providers. The survey included demographic information, perceived personal health risk, and questions about delaying health care, and perceived consequences of receiving health care. Medical providers delayed mental health care needs significantly more than physical health needs, t131 = 5.13, P < .01, d = .38. Respondents believed that there would be significantly more retaliation against them for taking time off for psychosocial issues, t124 = -3.80, P < .001, d = .25. There was a significant negative association between burnout and physical health self-care (r = -.24, P < .01), psychosocial self-care (r = -.20, P = .01), and mental health self-care (r = -.23, P < .01). Our study identified commonly reported consequences related to taking off work for care seeking behavior. Understanding perceived consequences can help guide health care organizations in dismantling these barriers. This study is limited by the generalizability of its sample.

Men's mental health – Conceptualization, effects, and coping

Men are predisposed to suffer with unaddressed depression and anxiety. This study sought to empower men, in three urban, racially/ethnically diverse, underserved, and impoverished neighborhoods, for mental health self-care by capturing their perceptions of depression and anxiety. Using community-based participatory research, in the context of long-term partnerships between a department of nursing and these neighborhoods, the researchers recruited 50 men aged 23–83 years. Data were collected via six homogeneous, zoom-based focus groups composed of Black, Hispanic, and White men, respectively. The men identified themes pertaining to the conceptualization and devastating effects of depression and anxiety as well as coping strategies employed to mitigate the symptoms.

A mixed methods systematic review of mental health self-care strategies for Arabic-speaking refugees and migrants

BackgroundSelf-care strategies can improve mental health and wellbeing, however, the evidence on preferred strategies among Arabic-speaking refugees and migrants is unclear. This mixed methods systematic review aimed to identify and synthesise the global research on mental health self-care strategies used by these populations.MethodsEnglish and Arabic language studies reporting on positive mental health self-care strategies to address symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, generalised anxiety and depression in the target populations were identified by systematically searching eight electronic databases and grey literature. Studies were deemed eligible if they were published from 2000 onwards and included Arabic-speaking migrants, refugees or asylum seekers aged 12 years and above. A narrative synthesis of study characteristics and relevant key findings was undertaken. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021265456).ResultsFifty-nine records reporting 57 studies were identified, the majority appearing after 2019. There were 37 intervention studies that incorporated a self-care component and 20 observational studies that reported on self-generated self-care practices. Across both study types, four broad groups of mental health self-care were identified—social, psychological, religious/spiritual, and other (e.g., expressive arts and exercise). Psychological strategies were the most reported self-care practice overall and featured in all intervention studies. Religious/spiritual and social strategies were more common in the observational studies. Intervention studies in diverse settings reported statistical improvements on a range of outcome measures. Observational studies reported a range of individual and community benefits. Linguistic, cultural and religious considerations, inherent in the observational studies, were variably addressed in the individual and group interventions.ConclusionOverall, study participants experienced self-care as helpful although some encountered challenges in practicing their preferred strategies. Further research on mental health self-care strategies among Arabic-speaking refugees and migrants is needed in Western resettlement countries to guide mental health service delivery and primary healthcare initiatives for new arrivals and in transit countries.

Attitudes toward dementia and cognitive aging among Syrian refugees resettled in Jordan: a qualitative study

BackgroundMounting evidence is revealing disparities in cognitive function and heightened dementia risk among refugees, yet research in this area remains scant. Despite bearing most of the world’s refugee burden, limited-resource countries like Jordan are facing challenges when dealing with refugee health. There is a lack of research on the attitudes toward dementia and the cognitive healthcare gaps among refugees in Jordan.Methods32 older (≥ 55 years) Syrian refugees resettled in Jordan were recruited through a local community-based organization and interviewed in four focus groups (2 female and 2 male groups). Interviews were transcribed and translated, then coded using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsMean age of the sample was 60.1 years and 53.1% were female. Only 34.4% rated their memory as good or excellent. Themes were organized using the socioecological model: 1) At the individual level, participants believed high levels of stress, including low socioeconomic status, poor health, and traumatic history from their refugee experience increased their dementia risk. 2) Interpersonally, there is a fear of dementia due to the possible impact and burden on loved ones, particularly with the stigma surrounding dementia. 3) At the community level, participants noted that resettlement in Jordan – with a shared language, religion, and culture – offered protective effects due to facilitated access to social connection, information, and mental health self-care. 4) At the institution and policy level, participants believed older refugees faced restrictive policies for economic aid, healthcare, and employment, presenting a significant barrier to healthy aging.ConclusionsFindings from this study are the first to examine the attitudes of Syrian refugees in Jordan toward dementia and cognitive aging. These results could provide essential data inclusive of refugees as Jordan develops its National Dementia Plan. Investing in dementia awareness interventions and age-friendly neighborhoods may benefit aging refugees in limited-resources settings.

Defining young people's mental health self-care: a systematic review and co-development approach.

Self-care is among the emerging types of mental health support which operate outside traditional services, although the meaning and practice of self-care for young people with mental health difficulties are currently unclear. This systematic review was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021282510) and investigated conceptualizations of self-care in academic publications which investigated or discussed self-care for young people's mental health or wellbeing. A Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) workshop facilitated young people with experience of mental health difficulties to respond to the identified concepts and co-develop a definition of self-care. Searches in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, and gray literature sources resulted in 90 included publications. Content analysis indicated little conceptual consistency, with health and wellness promotion most commonly used to define self-care. The PPI workshop co-developed a definition of mental health self-care, which attendees felt should emphasize an individual process of self-awareness, self-compassion, and specific strategies to work toward emotional balance. This study highlights the gap between current academic understandings of young people's mental health self-care and young people's experience. The presented definition will enable future research to begin from an understanding of self-care which is relevant to young people with experience of mental health difficulties.

The Relationship Between Socio-Cultural and Self-Care for Mental Health Generation Z

Background: Negative coping for generation Z causes psychosocial problems. One of these problems is the lack of mental health self-care and one of the deficiencies of these factors is socio-cultural problems. The Mataraman ethnic group is the largest ethnic group in East Java. With the largest population of Generation Z, this ethnicity is always guided by the culture and values ??of that ethnicity. Objective: to analyze socio-cultural relations with mental health self-care for the Mataraman ethnic group. Method: the research design used is an analytical survey and a cross sectional approach. The sample technique used was purposive sampling with a total sample of 420 generation Z of Mataraman ethnicity. Data was collected by distributing questionnaires with Googleform and the media used were WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok and Instragram groups. The test used is the person correlation test. The instruments used were the Cultural Connected Scale-California (CCS-CA) for socio-cultural variables and the Mindful Self Care Scale (MSCS) for mental health self-care variables. Results: The most common socio-cultural variable for generation Z of Mataraman ethnicity was tradition (Mean ± SD; 49.89 ± 6.87), while in the mental health self-care variable the largest average was physical care (Mean ± SD; 21.89 ± 4 .63), and the value of the relationship between the two variables is a p value of 0.000 while the person test value is 0.29. Conclusion: there is a relationship between socio-culture and mental health self-care in generation Z of Mataraman ethnicity, but these two variables have a weak relationship. So that suggestions for subsequent research can be analyzed related to other factors such as perceptions and beliefs. As well as carrying out mental health nursing interventions with cultural sensitivity.

Mental health knowledge and classroom experiences of school teachers in Aragon, Spain.

Research shows that many mental disorders begin in childhood but are sometimes not diagnosed until later years. School-age children spend much of their time in schools and have daily interactions with school teachers. Examine school teachers' experiences of mental disorders in school going children and adolescents and their associated mental health training needs. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with teachers in Infant-Primary and Secondary Education-Baccalaureate schools. A convenience sample of 685 teachers responded to the online survey. Participants worked in both urban and rural areas and in Infant-Primary and Secondary Education-Baccalaureate schools. Over half of participants reported classroom experiences of learner mental disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, conduct disorders or autism. Most participants acknowledged a training need, both in recognition of symptoms of mental disorders and in care resources and processes. However, 80% of respondents reported having not received any training in this regard. Participant preferences for training included face-to-face or hybrid - combined online learning. Participants also considered the management of their own mental health to be deficient, therefore any training should incorporate personal mental health awareness and self-help strategies. In Aragón (Spain), teachers of children and adolescents with mental disorders, recognize a need for training in the identification of symptoms and other aspects of mental healthcare, such as availability and access to services. Protocols for early identification and referral would promote mentally healthy school environments and reduce stigma which could be a barrier to timely intervention. In addition, any training should include mental health self-care for teachers.

Self-Care of Mental Health Generation Z Ethnic Arek East Java

The lifestyle experienced by Generation Z of the East Java Arek ethnicity causes mental health problems. One of the efforts that can be made to prevent mental health problems is mental health self-care. This study aims to describe the mental health self-care behavior of the Z generation of the East Java Arek ethnicity. The method used is descriptive quantitative research with a survey approach. The population of this research is all Generation Z of East Java Generation ethnicity. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with 402 respondents Z, ethnic Arek, East Java. The research was conducted in Malang, Sidoarjo, and Surabaya. The measuring tool used is The Mindful Self-Care Scale questionnaire. The data collection technique uses Google Forms, distributed via WhatsApp, WhatsApp groups, Telegram, and social media. Of the results of mental health self-care for generation Z of the Arek ethnicity, 19% carry out self-care, and an average of 82.61 positive behavior the generation Z of the Arek ethnicity in carrying out mental health self-care. Conclusion of mental health self-care Z generation of East Java Arek ethnicity prefers self-care behavior and positive behavior in carrying out mental health self-care.

A Web-Based Stratified Stepped Care Platform for Mental Well-being (TourHeart+): User-Centered Research and Design.

Internet-based mental health interventions have been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating psychological distress and promoting mental well-being. However, real-world uptake and engagement of such interventions have been low. Rather than being stand-alone interventions, situating internet-based interventions under a stratified stepped care system can support users to continue with mental health practice and monitor their mental health status for timely services that are commensurate with their needs. A user-centered approach should be used in the development of such web-based platforms to understand the facilitators and barriers in user engagement to enhance platform uptake, usability, and adherence so it can support the users' continued adoption and practice of self-care for their mental health. The aim of this study was to describe the design process taken to develop a web-based stratified stepped care mental health platform, TourHeart+, using a user-centered approach that gathers target users' perceptions on mental self-care and feedback on the platform design and incorporates them into the design. The process involved a design workshop with the interdisciplinary development team, user interviews, and 2 usability testing sessions on the flow of registration and mental health assessment and the web-based self-help interventions of the platform. The data collected were summarized as descriptive statistics if appropriate and insights are extracted inductively. Qualitative data were extracted using a thematic coding approach. In the design workshop, the team generated empathy maps and point-of-view statements related to the possible mental health needs of target users. Four user personas and related processes in the mental health self-care journey were developed based on user interviews. Design considerations were derived based on the insights drawn from the personas and mental health self-care journey. Survey results from 104 users during usability testing showed that the overall experience during registration and mental health assessment was friendly, and they felt cared for, although no statistically significant differences on preference ratings were found between using a web-based questionnaire tool and through an interactive chatbot, except that chatbot format was deemed more interesting. Facilitators of and barriers to registering the platform and completing the mental health assessment were identified through user feedback during simulation with mock-ups. In the usability testing for guided self-help interventions, users expressed pain points in course adherence, and corresponding amendments were made in the flow and design of the web-based courses. The design process and findings presented in the study are important in developing a user-centric platform to optimize users' acceptance and usability of a web-based stratified stepped care platform with guided self-help interventions for mental well-being. Accounting for users' perceptions and needs toward mental health self-care and their experiences in the design process can enhance the usability of an evidence-based mental health platform on the web.

Implementation of User Centered Design on Interface Design for Mental Health Selfcare Services

Mental health is essential in performing maximum activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic that is spreading all over the world. Some activities are transformed into a new activity called "New Normal". With these new activities, the level of mental health in Indonesia has deteriorated. WHO as a world health organization made a mental health pyramid that handling of every level of mental health. There are 4 levels, which are promotive, preventive, monitoring and identifying psychosocial services, and specialist services. In the results of observations and analysis, digital-based services in Indonesia prioritize levels 3 and 4, while levels 1 and 2 are still infrequent, and the application is still not perfectly weighted. This study will design a mental health application by emphasizing level 1 and 2 treatment, namely self-care and storytelling sessions using the User Centered Design method, and the results of the evaluation used the usability testing method and the usability scale system. With this research, potential users obtain an interface resolution with a mood tracker, self-care, and storytelling features that users desire. By helping the user to perceive the history of the condition, getting self-care and storytelling rooms according to the user's condition, and helping the user's condition to bolster up and not add to the burden of the user's condition. The outcome of the evaluation that has been done, results that the average user completed each task for 16.59 seconds, the average result is 0 miss click and 0 miss click page, and the results from the System Usability Scale are 81.51 with the "Excellent" category, with the composition of solutions provided to answer user problems.

National Cross-Sectional Study of Mental Health Screening Practices for Primary Caregivers of NICU Infants.

Universal screening for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) has been recommended for all new parents at outpatient postpartum and well-child visits. However, parents of newborns admitted to the NICU are rarely able to access these services during their infant’s prolonged hospitalization. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of mental health screening and treatment programs for parents or other primary caregivers in NICUs across the country. In this cross-sectional study, US NICU medical directors were invited to complete an online survey about current practices in mental health education, screening, and treatment for primary caregivers of preterm and ill infants in the NICU. Comparative analyses using Fisher’s exact test were performed to evaluate differences in practices among various NICU practice settings. Survey responses were obtained from 75 out of 700 potential sites (10.7%). Of participating NICUs, less than half routinely provided caregivers with psychoeducation about mental health self-care (n = 35, 47%) or routinely screened caregivers for PPD or other mental health disorders (n = 33, 44%). Nearly one-quarter of the NICUs did not provide any PMAD screening (n = 17, 23%). Despite consensus that postpartum psychosocial care is essential, routine mental health care of primary caregivers in the NICU remains inadequate.

Burnout Among Surgeons in the UK During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cohort Study

BackgroundSurgeon burnout has implications for patient safety and workforce sustainability. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of burnout among surgeons in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional online survey was set in the UK National Health Service and involved 601 surgeons across the UK of all specialities and grades. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a bespoke questionnaire. Outcome measures included emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS).ResultsA total of 142 surgeons reported having contracted COVID-19. Burnout prevalence was particularly high in the emotional exhaustion (57%) and depersonalisation (50%) domains, while lower on the low personal accomplishment domain (15%). Burnout prevalence was unrelated to COVID-19 status; however, the greater the perceived impact of COVID-19 on work, the higher the prevalence of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Degree of worry about contracting COVID-19 oneself and degree of worry about family and friends contacting COVID-19 was positively associated with prevalence on all three burnout domains. Across all three domains, burnout prevalence was exceptionally high in the Core Trainee 1–2 and Specialty Trainee 1–2 grades.ConclusionsThese findings highlight potential undesirable implications for patient safety arising from surgeon burnout. Moreover, there is a need for ongoing monitoring in addition to an enhanced focus on mental health self-care in surgeon training and the provision of accessible and confidential support for practising surgeons.

From anxious loneliness to meditation: a mental health self-care strategy to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been a matter of public knowledge that physical and mental health are intertwining concerns. With a high association between the individuals’ experience of the novel Corona Virus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and their psychological distress, mental health experts recognized mental health as a coterminous public health concern with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this journal, a systematic review study pointed out that mental health is the most affected issue concerning implementing governments worldwide adopted policies like staying at home, social distancing and ‘lockdown’ measures. However, we argue that these containment measures could be non-detrimental to mental health when one transforms his or her experience of anxious loneliness into an avenue of practicing meditation as a strategy of mental health self-care.

Mobile applications for mental health self-care: A scoping review

BackgroundOver the past decade, there has been a steady increase of the number of mobile and web-based applications that enable people with mental disorders to self-regulate their mental health needs, to feel autonomous, and to take responsibility for their own care. To the best of our knowledge, no current reviews explore the features of self-care applications used for mental disorders. ObjectiveThe purpose of this review is to explore the characteristics of novel mobile applications utilized for mental health self-care. MethodsA scoping review of literature was conducted. The search sources consisted of searching 6 electronic databases (e.g., Medline, PsychINFO) and conducting backward and forward reference list checking. Rayyan software was used for this study selection process. One reviewer checked the eligibility of the retrieved studies and extracted data from the included studies. A narrative approach was used to synthesize the extracted data. Results2744 citations were identified by searching the electronic databases. Of those, 15 studies were included in this review. Twelve studies used mobile applications while the remaining three studies used web-based applications. Applications in most of the included studies targeted depression (9/15, 60%). Only two types of study designs were identified from the included studies: Randomized control trials (10/15, 67%) and Usability and feasibility studies (5/15, 33%). Six studies had a sample size of less than 50 while six studies had a sample size of more than 200. ConclusionWhile many mobile apps have been developed to promote self-care, there is a gap in the current literature discussing the effectiveness of such mental health resources. Detailed systematic reviews in this field are needed. Through this scoping review we were only able to identify 15 such studies from our initial search returning 2744 studies. As such, this review will ideally encourage developers to produce future, empirically reviewed apps that rise to the challenge of both being user-friendly as well as scientifically valid.

Examining an App-Based Mental Health Self-Care Program, IntelliCare for College Students: Single-Arm Pilot Study.

BackgroundIn recent years, there has been an increase in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses in college student populations alongside a steady rise in the demand for counseling services. Digital mental health programs, such as those delivered through mobile apps, can add to the array of available services but must be tested for usability and acceptability before implementation.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine how students used IntelliCare for College Students over an 8-week period to examine the preliminary associations between app use and psychosocial targets and to gather user feedback about usability issues that need to be remedied before a larger implementation study.MethodsIntelliCare for College Students is an app-based platform that provides symptom assessments with personalized feedback, information about campus resources, lessons on mental health and wellness topics, and access to the suite of interactive skill–focused IntelliCare apps. A total of 20 students were recruited to participate in an 8-week study. To test for a broad range of potential users, we recruited a mixed sample of students with elevated symptoms of depression or anxiety and students without elevated symptoms. Participants completed psychosocial questionnaires at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Participants also completed user feedback interviews at weeks 4 and 8 in which they provided feedback on their experience using the app and suggestions for changes they would like to be made to the app.ResultsOf the 20 students who downloaded the app, 19 completed the study, indicating a high rate of retention. Over the study period, participants completed an average of 5.85 (SD 2.1; range 1-8) symptom assessments. Significant improvements were observed in the Anxiety Literacy Questionnaire scores (Z=−2.006; P=.045) and in the frequency with which participants used both cognitive (Z=−2.091; P=.04) and behavioral (Z=−2.249; P=.03) coping skills. In the feedback interviews, we identified a high degree of usability with minor bugs in the app software, which were quickly fixed. Furthermore, in feedback interviews, we identified that users found the app to be convenient and appreciated the ability to use the program in short bursts of time.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that the IntelliCare for College Students program was perceived as largely usable and engaging. Although the program demonstrated usability and preliminary benefits to students, further testing is needed to determine its clinical utility among college students.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04035577; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04035577

Improving mental health in U.S. Veterans using mHealth tools: A pilot study.

Rates of PTSD remain elevated among U.S. Veterans, highlighting a need for innovative management tools. Previous studies have shown mobile apps to have positive effects on PTSD symptoms, but few apps have been examined systematically. This pilot study evaluated the perceived effectiveness and usability of Mindset, a novel mobile app that monitors user stress level via heart rate to encourage e-therapy use. The study sample included 30 community-residing Veterans who completed baseline assessments. They used the Mindset app and associated smartwatch until their approximate 1-month follow-up. Self-reported assessments included pre- and post-deployment experiences; experience with Mindset; and standard screeners for PTSD (PCL-M), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and alcohol use problems (AUDIT). Among the 24 participants who completed follow-up interviews, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) was found in PCL-M, PHQ-9, and modified AUDIT scores. Respondents reported moderate to high acceptance and satisfaction with Mindset features, though considerable frustration with the associated smartwatch. These findings highlight mHealth apps such as Mindset as potentially useful tools for PTSD and depression symptom management. These findings are also encouraging in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may accelerate further innovation and implementation of mHealth technologies to improve mental health self-care.

An audit of emotional logic for mental health self-care improving social connection

IntroductionEmotional Logic is a practical contribution to self-care for mental health and adaptability, teaching how unpleasant loss emotions have useful purposes that enable healthy adjustments to changing circumstances. Measurable personal capacity outcomes result from SMART action plans that recover named personal values. New understanding about emotions cascades informally through families and communities at low cost. This proof of concept paper presents audits that define the theory of change for a prospective study of Emotional Logic for self-care in compassionate networked communities. MethodsComparative audits of mental health and resilience outcomes with two learning cohorts were conducted using GAD-7, PHQ-9, and ELDP questionnaires. Long-term outcome audits also asked if learners’ had shared their new understanding with others. Emotional Logic coaches categorised ELDP statements into those identifying change of individual or relational capacities. ResultsCohen’s d shows improved resilience on guided self-help learning with effect size 1.13 (p < 0.001) for anxiety and depression, and 0.91 for youth personality disorder. 31 % of improvement for mental illness measured by the ELDP is hypothesised to follow improved relational capacities measured by 13/34 (38 %) of its Likert scaled statements. ConclusionsTeaching people the useful purposes of their unpleasant loss emotions improves the quality of their social connections and their mental health. Developing this personal understanding empowers self-care in new challenging situations that might otherwise have led to professional or other dependencies. Outcomes measurement of truly values-based action plans enables a prospective study to be conducted in networked communities, achievable through social prescribing.

Journaling for self-care and coping in mothers of troubled children in the community

AimThis mixed method research explored the benefits of a six-week diary writing intervention, and the coping strategies utilized in a sample of affected mothers who have teenagers or adult children with emotional and/or behavioral issues. MethodsParticipants were assigned to write either a best possible self or a gratitude journal, and asked to make entries at least three times per week for six weeks. A snowball sample of 34 mothers completed the six-week journal and post-test. ResultsThe findings of paired t-tests indicated statistically significant increases in optimism and gratitude levels after completing the writing intervention. The mothers commonly used coping methods for parental distress were emotion-and meaning-focused coping. The three themes of journal writing experience were positive thinking, emotional well-being, and mental health self-care. ConclusionThe current study suggests that implementing a positive writing intervention is a practical means of promoting psychological well-being as a self-care strategy for this population.