Positive Mental Health Outcomes Research Articles

Trust as a mediator in the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and IL-6 level in adulthood.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been shown to predict the coupling of depression and inflammation in adulthood. Trust within intimate relationships, a core element in marital relations, has been shown to predict positive physical and mental health outcomes, but the mediating role of trust in partners in the association between CSA and inflammation in adulthood requires further study. The present study aimed to examine the impact of CSA on inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6 and IL-1β) in adults with depression and the mediating role of trust. A cross-sectional survey data set of adults presenting with mood and sleep disturbance was used in the analysis. CSA demonstrated a significant negative correlation with IL-6 level (r = -0.28, p<0. 01) in adults with clinically significant depression, while trust showed a significant positive correlation with IL-6 level (r = 0.36, p < .01). Sobel test and bootstrapping revealed a significant mediating role for trust between CSA and IL-6 level. CSA and trust in partners were revealed to have significant associations with IL-6 level in adulthood. Counterintuitively, the directions of association were not those expected. Trust played a mediating role between CSA and adulthood levels of IL-6. Plausible explanations for these counterintuitive findings are discussed.

Measuring resilience in veterinary practice

There has recently been an increased focus on mental health and wellbeing within the veterinary profession, with this issue being highlighted as a critical priority by veterinary organisations across Europe.1...

Prevalence of Positive Mental Health and Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Canada: Findings from a National Cross-Sectional Survey

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of three positive mental health (PMH) outcomes (self-rated mental health, life satisfaction, sense of community belonging) in postpartum women to the general population, and to examine the relationship between protective factors and the three PMH outcomes among postpartum women.MethodsThe national cross-sectional Survey on Maternal Health (n = 6558) was analyzed. Analyses were weighted and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Three adjusted logistic regression models were generated. To compare this sample to the general population of women, estimates from the Canadian Community Health Survey—Annual Component (2018) were used.ResultsCompared to the general population of women, a larger proportion of postpartum women reported a strong sense of community belonging. The odds of postpartum women with high self-rated physical health having high self-rated mental health were approximately seven times greater (aOR 6.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9, 8.1) than postpartum women with lower self-rated physical health. The absence of symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and high self-rated physical health were significantly associated with all three PMH outcomes. Frequent availability of maternal support was associated with greater odds of high life satisfaction (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4, 1.9) and sense of community belonging (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.6).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that availability of maternal support, self-rated physical health and absence of symptoms of PPD or GAD were associated with PMH among postpartum women. As physical health had the strongest association with mental health, we encourage further examination of this relationship.

Ableist Microaggressions and the Mental Health of Disabled Adults.

Microaggressions perpetuate inequalities and stereotypes against people from marginalized communities. Research demonstrates that ongoing experiences of identity-related microaggressions can negatively impact mental health outcomes, increase somatic symptoms, and increase negative affect. This study explores the relationship between experiences of ableist microaggressions and mental health outcomes among disabled adults by using a quantitative cross-sectional survey of 311 U.S. adults who identify as disabled/having a disability, to examine the correlation between ableist microaggressions (using the AMS-65) and mental health (assessed by the MHI-18). Findings indicate that increased experiences ableist microaggressions are negatively correlated with positive mental health outcomes, and that the visibility of disabilities/impairments are correlated with experiencing ableist microaggressions. These findings can inform the work of counselors, therapists, social workers, and other human service professionals when supporting disabled individuals, recognizing that their mental health may be related to these common and often unintentional oppressive interactions.

Profiles of narcissism and self-esteem associated with comprehensive mental health in adolescents

IntroductionThis study firstly aimed to identify different profiles of narcissism and self-esteem in adolescents using latent profile analysis (LPA). A secondary aim was to examine associations between the identified profiles and subsequent measures of comprehensive mental health. MethodsChinese adolescents (N = 1009, 50.8%girls, Mage = 12.99, SD = 0.66) completed a packet of measures on two occasions at 6-month intervals. Narcissism and self-esteem were assessed at Time 1. Positive and negative indicators of mental health were assessed at Time 2. ResultsLatent profile analysis of narcissism and self-esteem identified six profiles: (1) high narcissism and high self-esteem; (2) high-moderate self-regard; (3) moderate self-regard; (4) low-moderate self-regard; (5) high narcissism but low self-esteem; (6) low self-regard. Adolescents in the high narcissism and high self-esteem and high-moderate self-regard profiles displayed positive mental health outcomes whereas adolescents in the high narcissism but low self-esteem and low self-regard profiles reported problematic mental health outcomes. ConclusionDiffering profiles of narcissism and self-esteem in adolescents were identified; these profiles provide new insight into the structure of self-concept for adolescents. Further, the identified profiles of narcissism and self-esteem were differentially related to subsequent comprehensive mental health outcomes.

An update on positive mental health among youth in Canada.

The Positive Mental Health Surveillance Indicator Framework (PMHSIF) provides estimates of positive mental health outcomes and associated risk and protective factors for youth aged 12 to 17 years in Canada. This study explored the relationship between sociodemographic factors and psychological and social well-being among youth in Canada using data from the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2016-2017. Grade and province were significantly associated with psychological and social well-being.

At-a-glance - An update on positive mental health among adults in Canada

This At-a-glance presents updated estimates for the Positive Mental Health Surveillance Indicator Framework for adults aged 18 years and older. Using data from the 2015 and 2017 Canadian Community Health Survey, we calculated the prevalence of positive mental health and associated determinants. Estimates for positive mental health outcomes for adults ranged from 68.1% to 87.1%. We also explored the associations between sociodemographic factors and positive mental health among adults in Canada. Our findings suggest sociodemographic differences in odds of self-rated mental health, happiness, life satisfaction, and psychological and social well-being.

An Arts on Prescription Programme: Perspectives of the Cultural Institutions.

Research on Arts on Prescription (AoP) programmes are on the increase and the participants' positive mental health outcomes are well-documented. However, there is insufficient research that considers the participating cultural institutions' perspectives. A qualitative focus group interview was conducted with the participating culture institutions in an AoP project in Denmark. Representatives from seven cultural institutions participated in the interview. The data was transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clark's (Qual Res Psychol 3(77):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa , 2006) thematic approach. The cultural institutions were positive about the interdisciplinary collaboration with the Center for Mental Health and benefited from working with groups of people with mental health problems. They considered the collaboration to have encouraged skills development by working with groups that they did not regularly engaged with. If cultural institutions are to engage with the mental health wellbeing agenda then policy-driven initiatives can support collaborations that involve groups of people with mental health problems.

Social Support Mediates the Association between Disclosure of Suicide Attempt and Depression, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness.

Prior research has found disclosure of concealable stigmatized statuses, including suicide attempt survivorship, to be associated with positive mental health outcomes. This study sought to test the mediating effect of self-reported social support on the association between disclosure of suicide attempt and suicide risk factors in a sample of undergraduate college students. Data were analyzed from 149 undergraduate college students with a history of one or more suicide attempts. Three parallel mediation analyses tested the simultaneous mediating effect of family social support and peer social support on the association between suicide attempt disclosure and suicide risk factors. Significant total indirect effects in all models indicated family social support and peer social support simultaneously mediated the association between disclosure of suicide attempt and depression, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. The indirect effect on thwarted belongingness via peer social support was stronger than the indirect effect via family social support. Disclosure of suicide attempt was associated with higher social support, which was associated with lower suicide risk factors. In a therapeutic context, it is important to consider social support when discussing disclosure of suicide attempt.

Stressed, depressed, and rank obsessed: Individual differences in compassion and neuroticism predispose towards rank-based depressive symptomatology.

As social creatures, we monitor our relative rank and/or status with others via social comparisons. Whilst research has identified perceptions of inferiority or 'low rank' relative to others is a robust predictor of depressive, anxious, and stress symptomology, to date individual differences have been ignored. We wish to provide empirical evidence to outline how differences across personality traits may interact with social rank variables to buffer or predispose towards depressive symptomology. Across three independent samples (N=595), we replicated a social rank model of mental health, and with our third sample (N=200), we sought to investigate attenuating roles for neuroticism versus compassion with multiple moderated regression models. Neuroticism predicted greater levels of rank-associated depression, and compassion failed to function as a protective factor for rank-associated depression. However, a closer inspection of the original Big-5 factor structure positions this scale as a measure of 'interpersonal submissiveness' or 'conflict appeasement' rather than genuine compassion. Whilst it is necessary to delineate the conditions where compassion is appropriate and able to lead to positive mental health outcomes, we argue this cannot be addressed with the Big-5 measure of trait compassion. We call for future work to consider valid and reliable measures for compassion, such as the self-compassion scale, submissive compassion scale, and fears of compassion scale, to more fully address how compassion may protect against both rank-based comparisons and severity of depression. Social rank mechanisms are robustly implicated in depression, anxiety, and stress. Clients who present as higher in neuroticism, inferiority, or submissiveness may be more prone towards rank-associated depression symptoms. Preliminary evidence suggests cultivation of genuine compassion can shift clients from a rank-focussed to a compassionate-focussed mentality, which aids mental health and fosters well-being.

Mental health services designed for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnics (BAME) in the UK: a scoping review of case studies

PurposeMental health disparities exist among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnics (BAME) populations. This paper aims to provide an overview of mental health services designed for the BAME population in the UK, both established BAME communities and refugee/asylum-seekers.Design/methodology/approachA range of electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies conducted within the past decade in the UK. Using the Arksey and O’Malley methodology, data were extracted, analysed and summarised.FindingsA total of 13 papers were identified, mostly non-randomised community-based. Studies were very heterogeneous in terms of their sample and service provided. After the initial appraisal, the authors presented a narrative synthesis. Overall, all studies reported positive mental health outcomes and beneficial effects.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the time limitations and quality of the papers, the authors only included peer-reviewed journal papers.Practical implicationsMental health services provided for BAME people, both established and refugee/asylum-seekers are feasible and improve engagement with the services and mental health outcomes. Initiatives are required to facilitate the integration of these targeted services within mental health and community services for BAME in the UK.Originality/valueThis scoping review is a snapshot of the mental health services designed for BAME people in the UK, either established or refugee/asylum-seekers in the past 10 years and adds to the evidence-based knowledge from these studies.

Self-compassion, meaning in life, and experiential avoidance explain the relationship between meditation and positive mental health outcomes.

Despite consistent evidence for the beneficial effects of meditation on mental health, little is known about the mechanisms that make mindfulness meditation effective. The levels of mental health, self-compassion, presence of meaning in life, and experiential avoidance of meditators (n = 414) and nonmeditators (n = 414) were measured and compared. Bootstrap-based structural equation modeling (SEM) modeling analyses were used to test multiple-step multiple-mediator models. Meditation was positively associated with mental health, although the regularity of practice was an influential element to be considered. Significant indirect effects of meditation on mental health through self-compassion, meaning in life, and experiential avoidance were found. SEM models were able to account for 58% of the variance in mental health scores. Self-compassion, presence of meaning in life, and reduced experiential avoidance may be active components of healthy meditation practices. Identifying the mechanisms involved in effective meditation practices has relevant implications for well-being and mental health-promoting interventions.

Associations of positive and negative emotions with ego-resiliency and quality of life in borderline personality disorder: A daily diary study.

In general, research has primarily focused on understanding the psychopathology of borderline personality disorder (BPD), but there has been a paucity of research on processes associated with positive mental health. The present study sought to address this gap in knowledge by investigating associations between daily positive and negative emotions and ego-resiliency and quality of life (QoL) in a clinical sample of 72 women diagnosed with BPD. Using electronic diaries, participants completed end-of-day reports on positive and negative emotions, ego-resiliency, and QoL over a period of 21 days. Multilevel lagged analyses indicated that daily positive emotions were prospectively associated with increased ego-resiliency and QoL the next day, even when adjusting for same-day negative emotions and general psychopathology severity. In addition, the association of daily positive emotions was significantly stronger than the association of negative emotions with both next day ego-resiliency and QoL. Based on these results, we suggest extending the future research agenda to focus more on positive processes associated with ego-resiliency and QoL to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of BPD. We discuss the implications of these findings and argue that symptom reduction alone may not be sufficient. Rather, the research into treatments should be broadened to include testing the effect of interventions on positive emotions and their associations with positive mental health outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Telepsychiatry: Opportunities and Challenges

One of the major issues facing the patient population in the United States is the problem of effective and timely mental health care. The core of this issue is that patients are unable to see a mental health provider in a timely manner to be screened for psychiatric illness, be competently diagnosed and subsequently treated in an evidence-based manner. In a bid to mitigate this issue, the field of telepsychiatry has slowly evolved in the last couple of decades into a system which allows face-to-face quality psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment modalities delivered through electronic mediums, primarily video teleconferencing. This electronic, cost effective mechanism allows access to a mental health provider in a timely manner, enhancing psychiatric care due to early intervention and follow-up, leading to positive outcomes. There is a dire need for mental health providers to be taught the skills required to evaluate patients who are not geographically present in their vicinity due to various circumstances and the optimal ways to assess their mental health conditions. There is a need for clinicians to learn this new and evolving technology and gain expertise to identify underlying emotional issues via technological means and help patients in achieving positive mental health outcomes.

The Long-Term Impact of Political Activism on Mental Wellbeing in the Context of Adult Immigrants Who Experienced Childhood Political Trauma.

There is limited literature on the long-term impact of political activism on mental wellbeing in the context of childhood political trauma and subsequent forced migration. Such information is important for developing mental health services suitable to this population. This qualitative study contributes to this gap by exploring the experience of an understudied population: adult Jewish Argentinian immigrants to Israel, who as children experienced the military dictatorship in Argentina (1976-1983). Thematic textual analysis of narrative interviews revealed that in the case of participants who escaped with their parents as political exiles to Israel, political activism during childhood and adulthood can be both a risk and protective factor and affect a range of positive and negative long-term mental health outcomes including resilience and symptoms that appear as Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Adults’ Dispositional and Situational Perspective-Taking: a Systematic Review

Social perspective-taking is a multifaceted skill set, involving the disposition, motivation, and contextual attempts to consider and understand other individuals. It is essential for appropriate behavior in teaching contexts and social life that has been investigated across various research traditions. Because social perspective-taking enables flexible reappraisals of social situations, it can facilitate more harmonious social interactions. We aimed to systematically review the disparate literature focusing on adults’ social perspective-taking to answer the overarching question: Are there findings on factors that positively or negatively related to adults’ social perspective-taking as possible protective factor for mental health? Specific questions were which internal or external factors are related to either dispositional or situation-specific social perspective-taking and are both forms related to each other, or do they vary independently of each other in response to these factors? We reviewed 92 studies published in 56 articles in last ten years including 213,095 healthy adults to answer these questions. The findings suggested several factors (e.g., gender, perceived social interactions) related to the dispositional form. Negative relationships to self-reported or tested (cortisol levels) distress suggested dispositional social perspective-taking as a protective factor for mental health. Dispositional social perspective-taking related to the situational form and some findings suggested changes in both forms through intervention. Thus, coordinating different perspectives on oneself or others reflects flexibility in behavior related to positive social and mental health outcomes.

Nature-Based Physical Recreation Leads to Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from Five Studies

Abstract A variety of positive mental health outcomes have been linked with increased exposure to natural environments. However, there has been minimal investigation into how specific patterns of a...

Intermittent mindfulness practice can be beneficial, and daily practice can be harmful. An in depth, mixed methods study of the “Calm” app's (mostly positive) effects

ObjectivesDespite a weak evidence base, daily use of mindfulness-based self-help smartphone applications (apps) is said to promote wellbeing. However, many do not use these apps in the way that app developers and mindfulness proponents recommend. We sought to determine whether the “Calm” app works, and whether it does so even when it is used intermittently. MethodsEmploying a mixed-methods design, we recruited a self-selected sample of 269 students from a Scottish university (81% female, 84% white, mean age 23.89) to engage with a seven-day introductory mindfulness course, delivered using Calm, currently one of the most popular, yet under-researched, apps. ResultsDaily course engagement was associated with significant gains in wellbeing (p ≤.001, d = 0.42), trait mindfulness (p ≤.001, d = 0.50) and self-efficacy (p ≤.014, d = 0.21). Intermittent course engagement was also associated with significant gains in wellbeing (p ≤.028, d = 0.34), trait mindfulness (p ≤.010, d = 0.47) and self-efficacy (p ≤.028, d = 0.32). This study is therefore the first to demonstrate that the Calm app is associated with positive mental health outcomes. It also shows that regular use is not essential. A thematic analysis of qualitative data supported these quantitative findings. However it also revealed that some participants had negative experiences with the app. Conclusions for practiceMindfulness-based self-help apps such as Calm have the potential to both enhance and diminish users' wellbeing. Intermittent mindfulness practice can lead to tangible benefits. Therefore, mindfulness proponents should not recommend daily practice, should increase awareness of the potential for negative outcomes, and resist the idea that mindfulness practice works for everyone. Developers of mindfulness apps ought to make specific features customisable in order to enhance their effectiveness.

Spirituality and Multiple Dimensions of Religion Are Associated with Mental Health in Gay and Bisexual Men: Results From the One Thousand Strong Cohort.

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between religion, spirituality, and mental health among gay and bisexual men (GBM). A U.S. national sample of 1,071 GBM completed an online survey that measured demographic characteristics, religiosity, religious coping, spirituality, and four mental health constructs (i.e., depressive symptoms, rejection sensitivity, resilience, and social support). Hierarchal linear regressions determined the associations between each mental health construct, demographic variables, and the spirituality and religion variables. Controlling for demographic characteristics, spirituality was negatively associated with depression and rejection sensitivity, and positively associated with resilience and social support (all p < .001). Religiosity was positively associated with rejection sensitivity (p < .05) and negatively associated with resilience (p < .01). Religious coping was positively associated with depression (p < .001) and rejection sensitivity (p < .05) and negatively associated with resilience (p < .05) and social support (p < .05). The interaction of spirituality with religion was significantly associated with all mental health variables. In general, religious GBM with higher levels of spirituality had better mental health outcomes. Spirituality was significantly positively associated with positive mental health outcomes and negatively associated with negative ones. Religion-solely expressed through behaviors and lacking the functional components of spirituality such as meaning-making and connection to the sacred-was associated with mental health problems among GBM. Public health interventions and clinical practice aimed at decreasing negative mental health outcomes among GBM may find it beneficial to integrate spirituality into their work.

Applying the self-determination theory to develop a school-to-work peer mentoring programme to promote social inclusion.

Social inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is related to positive mental health and social outcomes; yet, individuals with IDD experience societal barriers that limit opportunities for community participation. Providing opportunities for interactions between individuals with and without IDD through peer mentoring may diminish barriers and improve community inclusion. Guided by the self-determination theory, the current report describes the development of a peer mentoring programme to promote the natural process of building intrinsic motivation and personal growth through opportunities for individuals without disabilities to socialize with individuals with IDD on a large university campus and throughout the surrounding community. Thetheoretical framework that informed the development of the peer mentoring programmeis described, as well asthe participants, the setting in which the programme is situated, the structure of the programme, the initial impacts and improvement of the programme over time, including approaches to sustainability, and implications for future research and practice.