Negative Mental Health Outcomes Research Articles

Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Addiction and its Effects on Mental Health of Children under the Age of Five Years

In an increasingly digital world, smartphones have become an integral part of daily life, offering convenience and connectivity. However, their pervasive usage, especially among children under the age of 5, has raised concerns regarding its impact on mental health. This study aims to explore the implications of smartphone addiction on young children and its potential effects on their mental well-being. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this research examines the prevalence of smartphone usage among children under 5, the factors contributing to smartphone addiction in this age group, and the potential consequences for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. The study also delves into the mechanisms through which excessive smartphone use may lead to negative mental health outcomes such as increased anxiety, reduced attention span, and disrupted sleep patterns. Furthermore, this research investigates the role of parental influence and societal norms in shaping smartphone usage patterns among young children. By analysing relevant studies and theoretical frameworks, the study highlights the importance of establishing healthy digital habits early in a child’s life and the need for effective strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of smartphone addiction.

Impact of problematic mobile phone use among nursing students in India: Exploring associations with depression, insomnia, self-esteem and satisfaction with life.

This research aimed to determine the impact of problematic mobile phone use on negative mental health outcomes among nursing students in India, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to enhance the overall well-being and adaptability of future healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three randomly selected nursing colleges in South India, employing validated and standardized tools such as the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The study included 402 nursing students with an average age of 20.47 years, revealing a 39% prevalence of severe problematic mobile phone usage. Positive correlations were observed between mobile phone problematic use and age, depression and insomnia. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between satisfaction with life and self-esteem. Depression and satisfaction with life served as chain mediators in the impact of self-esteem on problematic mobile phone use, and both self-esteem and satisfaction with life negatively predicted problematic mobile phone use. The study highlights a prevalent issue of problematic mobile phone use among nursing students, indicating a pressing need for timely intervention, as it correlates with depression, sleep insomnia, low self-esteem and life dissatisfaction.

Fear of giving birth alone: Experiences of psychological distress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping- strategies of childbearing women during COVID-19

BackgroundPsychological distress during pregnancy is a well-documented risk factor for adverse maternal outcomes. Distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may further increase the vulnerability of pregnant women to negative mental health outcomes. AimTo explore the mental health experiences of pregnant women, focusing on mental health outcomes, challenges related to the pandemic, coping strategies, and factors buffering mental health factors during the restricted COVID-19 lockdown period. MethodsA mixed-methods survey study was conducted, examining symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout among 21 pregnant women. Qualitative data were gathered through open-ended questions about participants’ experiences of challenges, coping strategies and buffering factors amid the pandemic. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout were calculated, and qualitative data was thematically analyzed. ResultsApproximately one-third (24 %) of the respondents reported clinically significant levels of depression, 19 % reported clinically significant levels of anxiety, and 43 % reported experiencing burnout. All participants reported distress and emotional burden, including fear, worry, stress and anxiety related to the pandemic. Specific concerns such as fear of giving birth alone, fear of the consequences due to lockdown restrictions, insufficient information, disruption of prenatal healthcare services, and fear of miscarriage were prevalent among the participants. Social support, financial stability, stable relationships, adherence to daily routines, reduced stress and social demands, a calmer daily life, physical activity, and less work-related stress including working from home, emerges as buffering factors that aided women in coping with pandemic-related distress. ConclusionHealthcare providers should prioritize stability, predictability, and minimizing disruptions to prenatal care. Broad-based screening is crucial to identify women at risk of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Recommendations for clinical pathways aimed at pregnant women are discussed.

Past experiences and preferences for LGBTQ + sex education among LGBTQ + college students

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others (LGBTQ+) students experience more negative sexual health outcomes than their cisgender, heterosexual peers and do not have access to relevant sex education. This denial necessitates comprehensive sex education in college for LGBTQ + students. Objective: Given the rise of online learning and that LGBTQ + students are already drawn to online spaces, this research seeks to determine preferences in virtual LGBTQ + sexuality education content and delivery LGBTQ + college students. Methods: We conducted a survey with US college students who identified as LGBTQ+ (N = 91) to identify past experiences with sex education, desires for future sex education, and preferences for online learning. Results: Past sex education, resources used, consequences, preferences for LGBTQ + sexuality and online education are discussed. Conclusions: Overall, we find high comfort with online learning, heteronormative and cisnormative past sex education courses created negative physical and mental health outcomes, and desires for tailored sex education.

Cannabis and children: risk mitigation strategies for edibles.

In the era of (re)legalisation of medicinal and recreational cannabis, accidental and intentional exposure to edibles, cannabis-infused food products, has increased substantially. However, there is particular concern regarding younger age groups. Most concerning is the increase in hospitalisations. According to a study by Myran etal. (1), provinces in Canada, where the sale of edibles is permitted, saw an increase in paediatric poisonings due to unintentional consumption of edibles. Similar trends have been observed in "legalised states" in the US, such as Colorado (2). The impact of using cannabis at an early age, but particularly the impact of accidental exposure to high THC quantities, may have negative mental or physical health outcomes. Whilst regulatory restrictions vary significantly from one legalised region to another, it is difficult to identify a best practice. The aim of this study is to identify and discuss new and existing risk mitigation strategies to give guidance to policymakers. Furthermore, practical aspects, such as compliance (e.g. audits by authorities), are discussed. It is noted that edibles have been around much longer than recent political attempts to regulate them.

Practice and proficiency of Isha Yoga for better mental health outcomes: insights from a COVID-19 survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unparalleled suffering on a global scale, affecting both physical and mental well-being. In such challenging times, it becomes crucial to identify interventions that can alleviate negative mental health outcomes, such as stress, while promoting positive mental health outcomes, like well-being. We report the effectiveness of a mind-body practise, Isha Yoga, in promoting well-being. We conducted an online survey, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Yoga practitioners (n = 1,352) from the Isha Yoga tradition in Karnataka, India. We evaluated stress and well-being attributes using conventional psychometric questionnaires. Subsequently, we requested the Isha Yoga practitioners to share another survey with their friends and family members, assessing similar outcomes. From the respondents of this shared survey (n = 221), we identified individuals who currently did not engage in any form of Yoga or meditation, constituting the non-Yoga control group (n = 110). To enhance the reliability and validity of our study and minimize the limitations commonly associated with online surveys, we adhered to the CHERRIES guidelines for reporting survey studies. Isha Yoga practitioners had significantly lower levels of stress (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.94) and mental distress (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.75) while reporting significantly higher levels of well-being (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.78) and affective balance (p < 0.001, gHedges = 0.80) compared to the control group. Furthermore, expertise-related improvements were observed in these outcomes, and a dose-response relationship was found between regularity of Isha Yoga practice and outcome changes. A minimum 3-4 days of weekly practice showed significant differences with the control group. In addition, we investigated the effect of Isha Yoga on stress and well-being among the healthcare workers (HCWs) in our sample and observed better mental health outcomes. These findings collectively underscore the benefits of Mind and Body practices like Isha Yoga on various aspects of mental health and well-being, emphasizing its potential as an effective and holistic approach for promoting a healthy lifestyle among diverse populations, including healthcare workers, even in difficult circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Battling Alone on Multiple Fronts - How Gender Norms Affect the Soldiers' Wife as Caregiver in India.

Women form the backbone of caregiving in palliative home care throughout the world. They put in more intense care for longer hours, perform more intimate tasks, and face more physical and mental strain, comorbidities, anxiety, and depression. However, gender norms that perceive caregiving as a natural part of femininity dismiss this as part of their duty toward their family, thus making their care work invisible, taken for granted, and devalued. This results in women bearing more burden with less support and no appreciation and suffering more negative mental and physical health outcomes than men. Globally, women perform 76.2% of unpaid care work. India ranks a dismal - 135 out of 146 countries in the 2022 Gender Gap report. Less than 10% of Indian men participate in household work. Women in rural India continue to be less educated; the majority are not allowed to travel alone and are culturally not involved in decision-making, which is done by the males. Wives of armed forces personnel are forced to live without their husbands for long periods. This leads to even more challenges when they also need to take care of patients with life-limiting illnesses. No study has been done on this population till now. This study aimed to explore the experiences of the women in armed forces families, caring at home for patients with palliative needs. This was a qualitative study based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with adult caregivers - either serving personnel or their dependent family members. Female relatives were the main caregivers in 13 cases; the majority belonged to rural areas, were between 22 and 47 years of age, most were married, had young children, and reported health issues of their own. Major themes that emerged include lack of information, the expectation of being a caregiver irrespective of ability/needs, physical and psychological burden, neglected emotional needs, difficulty in traveling alone, social isolation, loss of employment with the financial burden, stigmatisation and ill-treatment of widows by in-laws. 'Soldier's wives, who must stay alone, face increased burdens as they face not only the physical and emotional burden of caregiving but also the additional challenges of living alone, mostly in rural Indian society, where gender norms are still deeply ingrained. Creating awareness about this vulnerable community among palliative care providers is required to improve services for them. There is also an urgent need for identifying, challenging, and addressing stereotyped roles and disparities in healthcare systems, practices, care goals, and policies by sensitising staff, educating families, developing gender-sensitive resources and support systems, initiating care discussions, and undertaking more gender-related research.

A latent profile analysis of resilience and the associations with flourishing in emergency nurses exposed to workplace violence in China.

Workplace violence (WPV) exposure has been particularly prevalent in emergency nurses, coupled with negative mental health outcomes. Few explored resilience after WPV exposure using the perspective of positive mental health. We aimed to identify latent profiles of resilience and examine associations with flourishing in emergency nurses with WPV exposure. A total of 1241 Chinese emergency nurses were surveyed on the frequency of WPV exposure, resilience, and flourishing. Eight hundred and twenty five participants (90.1% female, 86.6% aged 20-39) reported WPV exposure at least once in the past 3 months. Latent profile analysis identified profiles of resilience as low resilience (15.0%), moderate decision respond and interpersonal link with low rational thought and flexible adaption (18.0%), moderate resilience (31.0%), high decision respond, interpersonal link, and rational thought with moderate flexible adaption (16.0%), and high resilience (20.0%). Higher flourishing was observed in profiles of moderate resilience, high decision respond, interpersonal link, and rational thought with moderate flexible adaption, and high resilience. We differentiated profiles of resilience and the associations with flourishing in emergency nurses with WPV exposure, which informed targeted interventions for promoting positive mental health.

Lonely and scrolling during the COVID-19 pandemic: understanding the problematic social media use and mental health link among university students.

Undergraduate university students experienced many academic and non-academic stressors during the first year of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, putting them at a greater risk of negative mental health outcomes. Reports worldwide have shown high incidences of depressive, anxiety, and stress scores among university students at the beginning of the pandemic. Emerging evidence also suggests that to cope with the stress and loneliness of the pandemic, many youth and young adults increased the amount of time they spent on social media platforms. Undergraduate students participated in an online study aimed to understand the link between time spent on social media, coping through the use of social media and problematic social media use (PSMU) with mental health symptoms, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness, during the COVID-19 pandemic. While time spent on social media was only weakly associated with stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness scores, PSMU more strongly mapped onto these outcomes. Additionally, students who were coping highly using social media displayed elevated stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness levels in comparison to those reporting low levels of coping with social media. Finally, students who reported high levels of coping using social media displayed higher PSMU scores, with this relationship appearing more pronounced in students who had higher levels of loneliness. These data support evidence that it is not necessarily time spent on social media but rather PSMU that is relevant for mental health symptoms, and that PSMU is exacerbated by loneliness. Moreover, the current results highlight the effects of maladaptive coping on mental health symptoms and PSMU among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of Early Violence Exposure on Adolescent Flourishing : Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Child maltreatment (CM) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are prevalent in the United States and associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes. Thus far, research and clinical care have focused on reducing symptoms of illness, but little is known about whether or how CM and IPV exposure can lead to flourishing in adolescence. To examine the impact of CM and IPV exposure on adolescent mental and physical flourishing as well as moderators and mediators affecting this pathway. A secondary data analysis of 2,232 children in the Future of Families Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) was conducted to examine waves 1-6 including variables on CM/IPV, general flourishing, mental flourishing, BMI, and healthy eating. Race, socioeconomic status (SES), and gender were included as moderators; depression and anxiety were included as mediating variables. Adolescent boys experienced significantly more general flourishing (β = 4.00, p < .001). There were significant direct effects of CM (p = .025) and anxiety (p = .019) on well-being, and anxiety mediated the pathway from CM to mental flourishing (CI [0.001, 0.017]). Depression (CI [0.001, 0.026]) and anxiety (CI [-0.023, - 0.005]) mediated the pathway from CM to BMI. Our findings indicated that exposure to CM and IPV impacted the likelihood of adolescent flourishing. Future research should evaluate whether and how these flourishing outcomes could be modified.

Associated factors of loneliness among primary school students

Loneliness is associated with various negative mental and physical health outcomes. Studies on factors associated with loneliness can inform its early screening and prevention. However, little is known about what factors are associated with loneliness among Chinese young children. The present study aimed to identify the various loneliness-associated factors (demographic, personal, school-related, and family-related) among primary school students in Hong Kong. A total of 258 students and their parents from six primary schools in Hong Kong completed an online anonymous survey from June to October 2020. Loneliness (i.e., UCLA Loneliness Scale 3 total score ≥ 3) was reported by 14% of the students. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression suggested loneliness was positively associated with a lower happiness level at school, poorer independence skills, a lower level of satisfaction with parents, and lower child-rearing expenditure. There was no clustering effect of school on the associations. The current study found important demographic, personal, school-related, and family-related factors of loneliness among school-age children, with caution suggested in their interpretation considering the cross-sectional nature of this study. Future studies with a larger sample, preferably longitudinal ones, are needed to substantiate these associations and uncover their underlying mechanisms.

Difference in the physical and mental health of informal caregivers pre- and post-COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration in the United States.

BackgroundThe burden of informal caregiving represents a chronic stressor for the informal caregivers (ICs). The study investigates differences in the physical and mental health of ICs and that of non-informal caregivers before and during COVID-19. MethodsWe used data from the 2019/2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to investigate differences in the rates of days of poor physical and mental health among ICs compared to non-informal caregivers before and after the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration (NED). A propensity score model simulated a pseudo experimental design, comparing ICs (“treated”) with non-informal caregivers (“control”). A difference-in-difference regression model estimated the incidence rate ratios for days of poor physical and mental health as a function of IC status and time of care provision. ResultsA total of 44,583 respondents were identified with valid responses on informal caregiving status and key sociodemographic characteristics. Of those, 6.24% (n = 3073) were ICs, matched against 15,365 non-informal caregivers. In the matched sample (n = 18,848), the incidence rate for days of poor physical health among ICs was 17% (p = 0.003) higher compared to non-informal caregivers. The incidence rate for days of poor physical health was 23% (p < 0.001) lower in the post-NED compared to the pre-NED periods. The incidence rate for days of poor mental health was 44% (p < 0.001) higher among ICs compared to non-informal caregivers and 22% higher among respondents who took the survey post-NED compared to those who answered during the pre-NED period. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in their incidence rates for days of poor physical and mental health from the pre-to the post-NED period. ConclusionThese findings suggest a need to balance between the benefits conferred by public health restrictions versus the mental health burden that may result among certain groups, including ICs, who experience higher negative mental health outcomes.

The Impact of Social Media Use on Mental Health and Family Functioning Within Web-Based Communities in Saudi Arabia: Ethnographic Correlational Study.

In recent years, increasing numbers of parents, activists, and decision-makers have raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of social media use on both mental health and family functioning. Although some studies have indicated associations between social media use and negative mental health outcomes, others have found no evidence of mental health harm. This correlation study investigated the interplay between social media use, mental health, and family functioning. Analyzing data from 314 users, this study explores diverse mental health outcomes. The study places particular emphasis on the Saudi Arabian sample, providing valuable insights into the cultural context and shedding light on the specific dynamics of social media's impact on mental well-being and family dynamics in this demographic context. We collected data through a subsection of an anonymous web-based survey titled "The Effect of COVID-19 on Social Media Usage, Mental Health, and Family Functioning." The survey was distributed through diverse web-based platforms in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the Saudi sample. The participants indicated their social media accounts and estimated their daily use. Mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire and family functioning was evaluated using the Family Assessment Device Questionnaire. In addition, 6 mental health conditions (anxiety, self-esteem, depression, body dysmorphia, social media addiction, and eating disorders) were self-reported by participants. The study demonstrates a pattern of frequent social media use, with a significant portion dedicating 3-5 hours daily for web-based activities, and most of the sample accessed platforms multiple times a day. Despite concerns about social media addiction and perceived unhealthiness, participants cited staying connected with friends and family as their primary motivation for social media use. WhatsApp was perceived as the most positively impactful, whereas TikTok was considered the most negative for our Saudi sample. YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat users reported poorer mental health compared with nonusers of these platforms. Mental health effects encompassed anxiety and addiction, with age and gender emerging as significant factors. Associations between social media use and family functioning were evident, with higher social media quartiles correlating with a greater likelihood of mental health and unhealthy family functioning. Logistic regression identified age and gender as factors linked to affected mental health, particularly noting that female participants aged 25-34 years were found to be more susceptible to affected mental health. In addition, multivariable analysis identified age and social media use quartiles as factors associated with poor family functioning. This study examined how social media affects mental health and family functioning in Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the need for culturally tailored interventions to address these challenges, considering diverse demographic needs. Recognizing these nuances can guide the development of interventions to promote digital well-being, acknowledging the importance of familial connections in Saudi society.

Suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury and psychopathology in university students: Examining the moderating role of experiential avoidance

BackgroundSuicidal ideation (SI) is prevalent and associated with negative mental health outcomes in young people, including psychiatric symptoms and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). These associations are not well understood, as is the role of experiential avoidance (EA) in the maintenance of SI in university students. MethodThe association between recent (last 30-days) and future (next 12-months) SI with NSSI, depression, anxiety, perceived life stress, and EA was explored in university students who completed an online survey (N = 1,355; 69 % women). Logistic regression analyses were used to predict recent and future SI. Interaction effects were explored to assess the moderating role of EA between NSSI, psychiatric symptoms, and SI. ResultsPast-NSSI plus past-SI were strongly associated with recent SI (OR = 6.08) and future SI (OR = 25.36), even over and above current psychiatric symptoms. Additionally, EA moderated the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and recent SI. Specifically, anxiety and perceived life stress were associated with an increased risk of recent SI in students with low EA, compared to those with high EA. LimitationsThe cross-sectional design does not allow us to infer causal relationships between variables. We only evaluated past NSSI and past SI with a single dichotomous item. Then, we did not capture the full heterogeneity of methods related to both phenomena. Only first-year university students were included and a convenience sampling method was used. ConclusionsPast-NSSI and past-SI are risk factors in the maintenance of recent and future SI, whereas EA operates as a specific moderating mechanism for SI.

Engagement in meaningful activities post suicide loss: A scoping review protocol.

Each day, more than 10 Canadians die by suicide. Each suicide leaves entire communities to manage the traumatic aftermath of this loss. Individuals bereaved by suicide loss are at a higher risk of experiencing negative mental health outcomes. Current research suggests that engagement in meaningful activities may be an avenue to protecting mental health. It is important to understand if this is also the case for those experiencing bereavement post suicide loss. To date, there has not been a synthesis of the literature examining suicide loss and the nature and extent of engagement in meaningful activities post loss. 1) To describe the nature and extent of the peer-reviewed suicide loss and bereavement literature related to engagement in meaningful activities; and 2) to identify facilitators and barriers that may impact engagement in meaningful activities post loss. This paper describes a scoping review protocol that will be completed using stages identified by Arksey and O'Malley and updated by Levac and colleagues. Joanna Briggs Institute framework will also guide this review. Four electronic databases will be searched for suicide bereavement/loss concepts. Two reviewers will apply inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify articles discussing engagement in meaningful activities of everyday living post loss. Data will be descriptively summarized and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results will be reported following PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. A descriptive summary and conceptual map describing the current state of the peer-reviewed literature will be constructed. Experiencing a suicide loss increases the risk of negative mental health outcomes. A synthesis of literature is required to map the current available evidence related to suicide bereavement and engagement in meaningful activities, with potential implications for improving supports and services for those bereaved. This protocol is register with Open Science Framework Registries (10.17605/OSF.IO/M2NES).

Implementing a scoping review to explore sport officials' mental health.

Sport officials are tasked with applying rules, maintaining fairness, and ensuring athlete safety. However, sport officials experience anxiety, burnout, and non-accidental violence, with the incidence of these events increasing worldwide. This has led to rising attrition rates among sport officials, with many sport organizations concerned for their operational capacity. The effects of anxiety, burnout, and non-accidental violence might contribute to or be indicative of sport officials' negative mental health outcomes. To develop a clear understanding of how sport officials' mental health is affected by their occupation, it is necessary to identify the mental health outcomes and predictors they experience, and to what extent. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and examine the empirical research and policy documents surrounding sport officials' mental health. One thousand, two hundred six articles were identified across four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and PsycINFO. Next, a policy search was conducted on the respective international governing body websites from English-speaking countries for the 60 included sports. Following screening, 18 studies and one policy document met the inclusion criteria for exploring sport officials' mental health. Participants (N = 7,941) in the studies were mainly European male soccer and basketball referees. Most studies utilized quantitative inquiry (n = 15) rather than qualitative methods (n = 2) or framework development (n = 1). The research demonstrated that sport officials frequently experienced negative mental health outcomes and predictors including anxiety, depression, burnout, lower mental health literacy, and high levels of stigmatization towards mental health. These outcomes were influenced by gender/sex, age, and experience. There is a need to explore personal and environmental (including occupational) factors that cause or contribute to sport officials' mental health symptoms and disorders.

The Role of Bullying and Perceived Racial Discrimination on the Mental Health of Asian American High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the mental health outcomes of high school students in the U.S. Asian American students were additionally confronted with widespread anti-Asian political rhetoric and an increasing escalation of anti-Asian violence. To better understand this phenomenon, this paper employs Asian American critical race theory as a theoretical framework and utilizes data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) and hierarchical regression modeling, to explore the relative impact of ill treatment and key demographics on negative mental health outcomes among Asian American and White high school students. Further, to unpack the unique racial differences, analyses are first performed for these two racial groups combined, and then for each separately. Results indicated that, for Asian American students, being bullied was not a significant predictor of poor mental health, however being treated unfairly at school because of their race or ethnicity was a strong predictor. Moreover, demographic characteristics such as age, grade, and gender were more significantly predictive of poor mental health among Asian American students than their White counterparts. Implications, including structural level interventions to address adolescent mental health in a post-pandemic reality, reflections on Asian American adolescent needs going forward, and future research needs, are discussed.

A Whole-Person Approach to Harm Reduction for Women.

Women are the fastest-growing population of people who use drugs in the US. As a group, they are more likely than men to experience stigma, poverty, and negative mental health outcomes. This article discusses the unique needs of women drug users in the US and provides suggestions on how to leverage national attention - and federal funding - to make harm reduction services in the US more gender sensitive, and, as a result, more effective in reducing harm for women who use drugs in this country.

Instrumented measures of sedentary behavior and physical activity are associated with depression among children and adolescents: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.

Higher sedentary behavior (SB) and lower physical activity (PA) are associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. SB and PA can be objectively assessed using inertial sensors to evaluate body movements. This study aimed to quantify the association between instrumented measures of SB (i-SB) and PA (i-PA) and depression among children and adolescents using a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. An electronic search was conducted on six databases up to May 12, 2024. A dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to determine the association between i-SB and i-PA and depression, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Five cross-sectional and 11 longitudinal studies comprising 26,109 participants met the inclusion criteria. Comparing the most sedentary with the least sedentary groups of participants resulted in a pooled ORs of 1.05 (95% CI 0.94-1.16). Comparing the least active with the most active groups of participants resulted in pooled ORs of 0.93 (95% CI 0.84-1.07), 0.89 (95% CI 0.79-1.00), 0.83 (95% CI 0.66-0.99), and 0.73 (95% CI 0.58-0.89) for light, moderate-to-vigorous (MV), vigorous, and total PA, respectively. Robust error meta-regression analyses showed clear dose-response relationships between i-SB and i-MVPA and depression. Both i-SB and i-PA were significantly associated with risk of depression in children and adolescents, which may become non-significant after mutual adjustment for i-PA and i-SB. [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=546666], identifier [CRD42024546666].

Anxiety during the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19): The Lived Experience of Older Adults

This qualitative study explored the lived experience of Maltese older adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety during the coronavirus disease pandemic. The study was carried out through an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. The participants (7 Maltese older adults) were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling, and semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data. A cluster of 4 emergent Group Experiential Themes comprising of 13 subthemes highlighted the high levels of fear, as well as the different cognitive processes and attitudes that led to and maintained the experience of anxiety. The challenges of living through the pandemic included social isolation, safety measures, the long-term living outcomes of the pandemic and reflections on vulnerability. Resilience, coping strategies, and support systems played crucial roles throughout this period. Results framed within a Dynamic Biopsychosocial Model revealed that biological, psychological and social factors influencing anxiety evolved with the pandemic, shaping participants' perceptions. Measures supporting older adults to soften the negative mental health outcomes and possible traumas due to death of loved ones or long-term hospitalization should be prioritized.