Poor Psychological Well-being Research Articles

Covid-19 pandemic and its economic and psychological impacts on Saudi workers: An empirical study in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial economic and psychological impact on workers in Saudi Arabia. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the financial and mental well-being of Saudi employees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Purpose: The COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in significant economic and societal ramifications. Current study indicates that the pandemic has not only precipitated an economic crisis but has also given rise to several psychological and emotional crises. This article provides a conceptual examination of how the pandemic impacts the economic and mental health conditions of Saudi workers, based on contemporary Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) models. Method: The current study employed a qualitative methodology and utilized a sample survey strategy. The data was gathered from Saudi workers residing in major cities of Saudi Arabia. The samples were obtained from professionals such as managers, doctors, and engineers, as well as non-professionals like unskilled and low-skilled laborers, who are employed in various public and private sectors. A range of statistical tools, including Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation, Factor analysis, Reliability test, Chi-square test, and regression approach, were employed to analyze and interpret the results. Result: According to the data, the pandemic has caused a wide range of economic problems, including high unemployment and underemployment rates, income instability, and different degrees of pressure on workers to find work. Feelings of insecurity (about food and environmental safety), worry, dread, stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns have been generated by these challenges. The rate of mental health decline differs among demographics. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has universally affected all aspects of our lives worldwide. It resulted in an extended shutdown of educational institutions, factories, offices, and businesses. Without a question, it has profoundly transformed the work environment, professions, and lifestyles of billions of individuals worldwide. There is a high occurrence of poor psychological well-being among Saudi workers. However, it has been demonstrated that both economic health and mental health interventions can effectively alleviate the mental health burden in this population.

Family Social Support Can Reduce Work Stress In Farmers

Background: Farmers often work alone in remote environments with little time for rest or socialization, leading to mental health problems and poor psychological well-being. The imbalance between physical and psychological aspects leads to physical responses such as difficulty concentrating, and psychological responses such as anxiety. Social support, self-efficacy, and coping mechanisms play a role in addressing farmers' work-related stress. Objective: This study aims to analyze family social support can reduce work stress in farmers Methods: The method used in this research is a literature study using 3 databases, namely Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed with a range of publication years 2019-2024. Results: The results showed that farmers' work stress can be caused by various factors, including heavy workload, long working hours, as well as pressure from weather, pests, and changes in market prices. Furthermore, it has been found that high family social support can reduce farmers' work-related stress. However, it has also been found that family social support has a significant impact on farmers' stress but not on farmers' psychological well-being. Conclusion: It is important for nurses to provide education to farmers to address work-related stress by first observing the causes of farmers' work-related stress and their experiences in coping with it. Family social support is one alternative that can be provided as education to farmers to address their work-related stress. Therefore, it is necessary to further understand how family social support affects farmers' work stress and how effective coping strategies can reduce this pressure.

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.

Neighborhood poverty and hopelessness in older adults: The mediating role of perceived neighborhood disorder.

Hopelessness is one of the strongest predictors of health and mortality, particularly for older populations. Prior research has found associations between individual-level socioeconomic factors and hopelessness, but less is known about the potential importance of neighborhood-level socioeconomic contexts for hopelessness. In particular, the role of neighborhood disorder as a potential explanatory factor for poor psychological well-being remains underexplored. This study investigates whether neighborhood poverty is associated with a sense of hopelessness among older adults and if perceived neighborhood disorder mediates the link between poverty and hopelessness. Individual-level data came from the 2014/2016 Health and Retirement Study and were merged with neighborhood-level poverty data from the 2012-2016 and 2014-2018 American Community Survey. Linear regression models were employed to examine the association between neighborhood poverty, disorder, and hopelessness. Respondents in neighborhoods with higher poverty levels reported a greater sense of hopelessness (b = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.15, p < .001), controlling for individual-level sociodemographic and health characteristics. Greater perceived neighborhood disorder was also positively associated with a sense of hopelessness (b = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.14, 0.18). When we included both neighborhood poverty and disorder in the same model, the association between neighborhood poverty and hopelessness was reduced by two thirds (b = 0.04, 95%CI = 0.0003, 0.07), while the association between perceived disorder and hopelessness remained robust (b = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.14, 0.18). We further examined the formal mediating effects of neighborhood disorder using structural equation modeling. The total effect of neighborhood poverty on hopelessness was significant (β = 0.08, bootstrapped 95%CI = 0.05, 0.10). The direct effect of neighborhood poverty was not significant (β = 0.02, bootstrapped 95% CI = -0.01, 0.04), while the indirect effect through neighborhood disorder was significant (β = 0.06, bootstrapped 95% CI = 0.05, 0.07). Neighborhood disorder mediated 75% of the association between neighborhood poverty and hopelessness. In light of these findings, improving neighborhood conditions, such as signs of disorder, may alleviate feelings of hopelessness in older adults residing in impoverished neighborhoods.

Weight-control compensatory behaviors patterns and correlates: a scoping review.

Weight-control compensatory behaviors appear to be a commonly utilized strategy for health management. Individuals engaging in such behaviors believe that the negative consequences from unhealthy behaviors will be neutralized by the positive consequences of healthy behaviors. Existing research has not reached a consensus on whether such behaviors are beneficial to health. This review aims to (1) summarize the patterns of weight-control compensatory health behaviors in different populations, (2) highlight correlates, predictors, and consequences of compensatory health behaviors, and (3) identify gaps for future research. This review identified existing literature using online databases, CINAHL and PubMed. Primary research articles published after 2000 with non-clinical participants of 12 years or older who engaged in compensatory behaviors for weight control purposes were selected. Descriptive statistics were extracted from 35 studies. Different patterns for weight-control compensatory behaviors emerged between the female and male sexes. Meanwhile, no clear association of such behaviors was found across weight status. Studies reviewed also highlighted three main areas of compensatory behaviors for weight management, namely dietary behaviors, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Weight-control compensatory behaviors had significant negative correlations with mental health indicators, such as psychosocial functioning, emotional differentiation ability, and body esteem. Weight-control compensatory behaviors may be a widely used weight management strategy and can be presented in diverse ways. Although believed to be promoting health, such behaviors appear to be associated with poor psychological well-being. This emerging topic warrants more in-depth investigation to establish the direction of causation. Future research may investigate the relationship between weight-control compensatory behaviors and various aspects of health over longer time periods, examine the engagement of multiple weight-control compensatory behaviors, and focus on high-risk populations.

Psychological wellbeing among carers of children and adolescents with physical disabilities in North-Eastern Tanzania-a cross-sectional survey study.

Caring for physically disabled children, particularly in contexts where resources are often insufficient or absent, exposes primary carers to significant psychological strain. The lack of structured mechanisms to address this psychological burden poses a considerable threat to the wellbeing of both carers and the children with disabilities under their care. However, research on the psychological wellbeing of carers in Tanzania is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the psychological wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety and depression, along with associated factors, of carers of children, and adolescents with physical disabilities in the Kilimanjaro region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2020 to June 2021 in the Kilimanjaro region, involving 212 carers. The Swahili versions of the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index and Hopkins Symptoms Check List-25 were used to assess psychological wellbeing and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V.28. Multivariable linear and binary logistic regression were used to assess the associations. More than four fifths (81%) of the carers were parents, and most of these parents were mothers (92%). Of the 212 carers, more than half (51%) exhibited poor psychological wellbeing, 42% had symptoms of anxiety, and 38% symptoms of depression. Notably, poor psychological wellbeing was significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results of a multivariable regression analysis indicated that extended family support was associated with better psychological wellbeing and lower odds of symptoms of anxiety and depression. A higher estimated monthly income was associated with better psychological wellbeing, and lower odds of symptoms of depression. Access to rehabilitation for the child was associated with improved psychological wellbeing and decreased likelihood of symptoms of anxiety. Many carers of children, and adolescents with physical disabilities in Tanzania are at high risk of having poor psychological wellbeing, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Support from extended-family networks is crucial in promoting good psychological wellbeing. The government in Tanzania should improve rehabilitation services, especially in disadvantaged rural areas, and integrate mental-health screening for carers in both rehabilitation programmes and primary healthcare.

Food insecurity and unemployment as mediators of the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological well-being in young South Africans with HIV

BackgroundPoor psychological well-being, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, is both prevalent among young South Africans living with HIV and associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. By impacting food insecurity and employment, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced psychological well-being in this population. This analysis sought to examine whether food insecurity and unemployment mediated the relationship between study cohort (pre- versus during-pandemic) and psychological well-being in our sample of young South Africans living with HIV.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis comparing baseline data from two cohorts of young South Africans ages 18–24 from the Cape Town and East London metro areas who tested positive for HIV at clinics (or mobile clinics) either before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline sociodemographic, economic, and psychological outcomes were analyzed through a series of bivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses. All data were analyzed in 2023 and 2024.ResultsReported food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity were lower in the cohort recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic than those recruited before the pandemic (p < 0.001). Higher levels of food insecurity predicted higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower self-esteem. Food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity, but not unemployment, mediated the relationship between study cohort and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem.ConclusionFood insecurity may have decreased amongst our sample of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings build on our understanding of how the psychological well-being of young people living with HIV was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may lend support to interventions targeting food insecurity to improve psychological well-being in this population.

Abstract B172: Evidence of behavioral research before and during cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Abstract Introduction: Understanding the behavioral aspects of cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is crucial for developing effective interventions and improving outcomes, particularly during the peri-treatment phase. Synthesizing knowledge sets the stage for prioritizing cancer-focused research in SSA. Therefore, this scoping review aims to synthesize current knowledge on cancer behavioral research during the peri-treatment phase in SSA, focusing on the behavioral and psychosocial aspects of care. Method: Comprehensive literature searches were conducted across multiple databases and grey literature sources. Studies were selected if they included participants &amp;gt; 18 years old undergoing peri-treatment care, randomized controlled trials, or qualitative/quantitative methodologies focused on behavioral oncology. Only full-text articles published in English were included. Data from the selected studies were systematically extracted and organized. Results: A total of 1,897 cancer patients were included across 18 out of the 24 articles analyzed, with participants aged 8-80 years old. The studies mainly included participants recently diagnosed with cancer or undergoing treatment, covering various cancer types, including prostate, cervical, gastric, liver, and colon cancer, from stage I-III. Only three of the 24 studies referenced theoretical frameworks. Each study identified behavioral factors and outcomes among their sample population. Key findings across the studies underscored significant psychological distress manifested through a spectrum of emotional and psychosocial challenges, including poor social and psychological well-being, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and agoraphobia. Cultural influences, cost considerations, and non-interference of symptoms with day-to-day activities delayed healthcare seeking, especially among women. Despite these challenges, instances of psychological resilience were noted, driven by perceived social support, religiosity, hope, and optimism. The review highlighted the complex interplay between cultural norms, stigma, and health behaviors, with stigma often rooted in cultural beliefs. Spiritual beliefs and practices were central to many participants’ cancer journey, shaping their views on illness, treatment, and recovery. Key factors affecting cancer care include healthcare accessibility, financial limitations, social support networks, healthcare provider attitudes, family involvement in treatment decisions, and emotional support. Conclusion: The findings from this scoping review reveal significant psychological distress and barriers to care among cancer patients in SSA, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive interventions that addresses emotional, social, and cultural dimensions. This approach should integrate accessible mental health services, enhance social support networks, and promote culturally appropriate educational programs to reduce stigma and encourage timely healthcare-seeking. Citation Format: Opeyemi O. Bolajoko, Danneta S. Hooks, Motolani Adedipe, Jessica Saintibert, OluwaSeyi Toye, Clifton Sheri, Folakemi T Odedina. Evidence of behavioral research before and during cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B172.

Affective Instability: Impact of Fluctuating Emotions on Regulation and Psychological Well-Being.

Previous research has focused on understanding the occurrence of intense and fluctuating emotions and the ability to manage these emotions and affective states. These phenomena have been, respectively, labeled as affective instability and emotion regulation and have been studied among individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous findings suggest that affective instability may be associated with poorer psychological well-being. The present study aims to investigate the general tendency of affective instability and capacity for emotional regulation among college students, regardless of a previous psychological diagnosis, and to understand the relationship between these processes and psychological well-being. Three questionnaires were administered to measure levels of affective instability, the ability to manage fluctuating affective states, and overall psychological well-being. The findings suggest that (1) individuals with diagnoses experience affective lability and difficulty regulating emotions at a greater rate than those without, (2) higher affective lability scores are consistent with more significant emotion dysregulation and lower overall psychological well-being, and (3) scores on the Affective lability Scale (ALS) and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS) are reliable predictors of one's estimated Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores. Although causation has not been established, the evidence suggests that individuals with diagnoses experience greater difficulty in regulating their emotions, have greater affective lability, and experience diminished psychological well-being and day-to-day functionality. Certain anecdotal evidence suggests that emotional lability can be endogenous and affect multiple aspects of an individual's social, occupational, and personal life. By revising the existing literature and the present findings, the authors provide insights into the significance of endogenous factors in the context of affective lability and offer suggestions for future research.

Economic Disparities, Life Events, and the Gender Mental Health Gap

This paper studies factors explaining the gender mental health gap using Australian data. We show that men have significantly higher mean outcomes and the left tail of the combined distribution is disproportionately female. Using regression-based decompositions, we examine the degree that both socioeconomic inequalities and life experience account for this phenomenon. We find that disparities in income play a substantial role, and subject to an assumption of exogeneity, would be enough to account for the gender gap amongst individuals with very poor psychological wellbeing. We also examine the mental health effects of various negative life experience, such as the death of a family member or being a victim of violence. At the individual level, these variables have large effect sizes but are not strongly correlated with gender to explain our mental health disparities.

The prevalence, characteristics, and psychological wellbeing of unpaid carers in the United Kingdom.

This study sought to describe the characteristics of unpaid carers in the UK and assess levels of depression, anxiety, and mental health treatment seeking behaviours in this population. Data was derived from Wave 9 (n = 2790) of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) study, a longitudinal survey of adults in the UK. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the characteristics of unpaid carers, association between caregiver status and psychological wellbeing, and caregiver-specific factors associated with risk of poor psychological wellbeing. Approximately 15% (n = 417) of the sample reported providing unpaid care. Younger age, having three or more children in the household, and lower income were identified as significant correlates of caregiver status. Unpaid caregivers were at increased risk of depression or anxiety and mental health help-seeking. Unpaid caregivers who were younger, lived in households with one or two children, and had a lower income were at greater risk of depression or anxiety and engaging in mental health help-seeking. Caring for an individual with a terminal illness, long-term illness, learning disability or difficulty, mental health problems, physical disability, and other were linked to increased risk of depression or anxiety, while caring for someone with a learning disability increased risk of mental health help-seeking. This study indicates that at least one in eight people in the UK provide unpaid care, and that those who provide unpaid care have a far higher risk of experiencing depression or anxiety and seeking mental health treatment. The identification of risk factors associated with these mental health outcomes will facilitate the identification of those in most need of support.

Filial Piety Discrepancy and Wellbeing among Older Chinese Immigrants Living in Canada: The Role of Acculturation and Living Arrangement

This survey-based, cross-sectional study explored the independent and synergistic effect of filial piety discrepancy (FPD), acculturation, and living arrangement on the psychological, social, and physical wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants living in Canada. A total of 299 older Chinese immigrants were recruited from community organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed demographic information, filial piety, living arrangement, acculturation, and three domains of wellbeing. Greater FPD was associated with lower self-reported psychological, social, and physical wellbeing. Co-residence with adult children was also associated with greater psychological wellbeing. Although living arrangement did not moderate the association between FPD and wellbeing, a significant interaction between FPD and acculturation indicated that the association between greater FPD and poorer psychological wellbeing was strongest for those with lower acculturation levels. This study confirms previous associations found between FPD and psychological wellbeing, and further extends this association to social and physical indices of wellbeing. Study findings further highlight the importance of acculturation in the relationship between FPD and wellbeing among older Chinese immigrants.

In emotion and reading motivation, children with a diagnosis of dyslexia are not just the end of a continuum.

Children with dyslexia (CwD) often report poor psychological well-being. We examined (i) whether anxiety, self-concept and reading motivation in CwD differed from those of typically developing children (TDC; case-control design, Study 1a) and (ii) whether these differences mirrored the linear relationships that these variables present with reading ability in the TDC group (dimensional approach, Study 1b). In Study 1a, 34 CwD were compared with 191 TDC in grades 4-8 on anxiety, self-concept, reading motivation and reading strategy using self-reports (controlling for sex, intelligence and math ability scores). In Study 1b, the differences that emerged in Study 1a were compared with the results obtained from a simulation procedure that generated dyslexia observations under the assumptions of a dimensional hypothesis. The CwD group presented small-to-moderate difficulties, which partially mirrored the predictions in the TDC group. However, violations of predictions based on the population without dyslexia were found for reading self-concept, social anxiety and reading competitiveness. In sum, children's diagnoses affect their self-perception as readers and social anxiety in a way that cannot be inferred from linear relationships. CwD need support to preserve an adequate image of themselves as readers and cope with social anxiety.

Symptom Distress Before and After Heart Transplantation - A Longitudinal 5-Year Follow-Up.

Symptom distress after heart transplantation (HTx) is a significant problem causing uncertainty, low self-efficacy, and psychological distress. Few studies have addressed self-reported symptoms. The aim was to explore self-reported symptom distress from time on the waiting list to 5years after HTx and its association with self-reported psychological well-being, chronic pain, and fatigue in order to identify possible predictors of psychological or transplant specific well-being. This multicenter, longitudinal cohort study includes 48 heart recipients (HTRs), 12 women, and 36 men, with a median age of 57years followed from pretransplant to 5years post-transplant. Symptom distress was explored by means of four instruments measuring psychological general wellbeing, transplant specific wellbeing, pain, and fatigue. Transplant specific well-being for the whole improved in a stepwise manner during the first 5years compared to pretransplant. Heart transplant recipients with poor psychological wellbeing were significantly more burdened by symptom distress, in particular sleep problems and fatigue, for up to 5years after HTx, and their transplant-specific well-being never improved compared to baseline. The prevalence of pain varied from 40% to 60% and explained a significant proportion of the variance in transplant-specific well-being, while psychological general well-being was mainly predicted by overall symptom distress. The presence of distressing symptoms explains a significant proportion of poor psychological wellbeing both among HTRs reporting chronic pain and those without pain.

The COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity, and psychosocial well-being in young South Africans newly diagnosed with HIV: a mediation analysis.

Poor psychological well-being, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, is both prevalent among young South Africans living with HIV and associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. By impacting food insecurity and employment, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced psychological well-being in this population. This analysis sought to examine whether food insecurity and unemployment mediated the relationship between study cohort (pre- versus during-pandemic) and psychological well-being in our sample of young South Africans living with HIV. This was a secondary analysis comparing baseline data from two cohorts of young South Africans ages 18-24 from the Cape Town and East London metro areas who tested positive for HIV at clinics (or mobile clinics) either before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline sociodemographic, economic, and psychological outcomes were analyzed through a series of bivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses. All data were analyzed in 2023 and 2024. Reported food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity were lower in the cohort recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic than those recruited before the pandemic (p<0.001). Higher levels of food insecurity predicted higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower self-esteem. Food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quality, but not unemployment, mediated the relationship between study cohort and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem. Food insecurity may have decreased amongst our sample of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings build on our understanding of how the psychological well-being of young people living with HIV was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may lend support to interventions targeting food insecurity to improve psychological well-being in this population.

Screening for anxiety, depression and poor psychological well-being in Spanish seafarers: An empirical study of the cut-off points on three measures of psychological functioning

The present study examines three variables that are associated with psychological issues in merchant seafarers: anxiety, depression and well-being. Furthermore, cut-off points have been established for three psychological scales: the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the World Health Organization's Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Two cross-sectional surveys were employed in this study, with a total sample size of 170 Spanish seafarers working on international merchant vessels. The participants were recruited at a branch of the Social Marine Institute situated in Gijón, northern Spain. The PHQ demonstrated the greatest discriminatory ability at each of the cut-off points, followed by the GAD and the WHO. The analysis revealed that while the PHQ exhibited the highest sensitivity, the GAD demonstrated the highest specificity, making it the most balanced questionnaire overall. Holiday duration was the only variable significantly related to any of the psychological scales, specifically the WHO. The findings of this study provide a foundation for further research in maritime mental health, with a particular focus on the prevention of maritime accidents.

The Effects of Spousal Caregiving on Middle-Age and Older Caregivers’ Health and Well-Being: Evidence From Vietnam

Background: Population aging is escalating globally, intensifying the demand for long-term care (LTC), primarily met by informal caregivers, notably spouses. Evidence from developed countries suggests potential adverse effects on caregivers’ well-being. Yet, research on this topic is scarce in developing nations. We investigate the effect of informal caregiving on older spousal caregivers’ health and well-being in Vietnam, a rapidly aging country with an early stage of LTC system development. Methods: Utilizing the national survey on aging in Vietnam with propensity score matching estimations to mitigate potential endogenous problems of the decision to provide care between caregivers and non-caregivers. Results: Findings showed caregiving increased poor psychological well-being, life dissatisfaction, and functional limitations by 7.3%, 9.7%, and 8.6%, respectively. The caregiving effects are heterogenous by demographic characteristics. Conclusions: We are the first to examine spousal caregiving in Vietnam, highlighting the urgency of addressing its negative impacts and suggesting several potential policy interventions.

The power of animation: encouraging doctors to access support for psychological wellbeing

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already high rates of poor psychological wellbeing in doctors. Many doctors perceive a stigma associated with acknowledging psychological wellbeing concerns, resulting in a reluctance to seek support for those concerns. The aim of this study was to develop a theoretically-informed and evidence-based composite narrative animation (CNA) to encourage doctors to access support for psychological wellbeing, and to evaluate the acceptability of the CNA.A composite narrative was developed from an evidence-base of interviews with 27 GP participants across Scotland (May–July 2020). The Behaviour Change Wheel was used to identify behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to be embedded within the CNA. The narrative was turned into a script in collaboration with an animation company. A brief animation ‘Jane the GP’ was developed reflecting specific BCTs.Scottish doctors (n = 83) were asked for their views on acceptability of the CNA concept, and subsequently asked to provide views on the acceptability of the CNA after viewing it. Participants thought the concept of a CNA was novel but may not appeal to all. After viewing the CNA, the widespread view was that it portrayed an authentic experience, could reduce stigma around seeking support for psychological wellbeing, and highlighted formal routes to access such support.CNAs are a novel and acceptable intervention method for encouraging doctors to access support for psychological wellbeing. The use of a theory driven intervention development framework to create the CNA facilitates the link between theory and practice.

The experiences of people living with obesity and chronic pain: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) protocol.

There is a substantial and progressive association between chronic pain (CP) and living with overweight or obesity. The relationship between obesity and CP is intricate and complex, with obesity being associated with increased pain-related disability, pain intensity, reduction in physical functioning and poorer psychological well-being. A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) provides an opportunity to better understand and reveal key areas within the patient experience of these complex interactions to inform best practice and future intervention design. The aim of this QES is to methodically and systematically review and synthesise the qualitative literature reporting on the personal experiences of people who are both living with obesity (PwO) and chronic pain. The phenomenon of interest of this QES is the lived experiences of PwO and CP. The following research question was developed using a modified Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Study type (PICOS) framework: "What are the lived experiences of people living with obesity and chronic pain?". One review author will conduct a systematic search based on keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for finding relevant articles in five peer-review databases, from inception to the date of searching. Two review authors will independently apply inclusion and exclusion criteria and screen articles in a two-stage process. The methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool and data will be extracted using a customised template. We will undertake a thematic synthesis of qualitative data from included studies and report our findings narratively. Confidence in the findings will be assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CER-Qual) approach. This study will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) and Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. It is anticipated that the findings of the review will facilitate a deep and broad understanding of the complex interactions between CP and obesity and will help inform best practice and future intervention design. Findings will be disseminated through journals that undergo peer review, presentations at conferences, engagement with public and patient advocacy groups, and social media. Ethical approval is not required to conduct this review. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023361391.

#1082 Early-stage chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for suicide: a nationwide observational cohort study

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor psychological well-being. Whether early-stage CKD is a risk factor for suicide warrants further research. Method This nationwide, retrospective, cohort study aimed to evaluate the risk of suicide in patients with early-stage CKD and identify the associated risk factors. A total of 3 945 198 individuals aged ≥19 years who underwent the 2009 national health screening were enrolled. Among them, 202 291 patients had early-stage CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 and &amp;lt;60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and/or dipstick albuminuria ≥1+). The study outcome was suicide as confirmed by the nationwide death register based on death certificates. Results The study population had a mean age of 59 ± 15 years, and 47% were male. We identified 930 suicides (incidence rate, 0.45 per 1 000 person-years) in the CKD group and 11 332 suicides (incidence rate, 0.27 per 1 000 person-years) in the non-CKD group. Early-stage CKD was significantly associated with an increased risk of suicide in multivariable analysis adjusted for demographic characteristics; lifestyle habits; comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension; economic status; and depression (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.09‒1.25). Suicide risk was higher in individuals with proteinuria but preserved kidney function (eGFR &amp;gt;60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and dipstick albuminuria &amp;gt;1+) than in those without CKD. In the CKD group, older males and current smokers had a higher risk of suicide. Conclusion CKD even in the early stages is associated with significantly higher risk of death from suicide. Hence, healthcare providers may need to examine the mental health of patients with early-stage CKD and other risk factors to prevent suicide.