Predictors Of Poor Mental Health Research Articles

Analyzing the relationship between individual and cumulative score of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with self-reported mental health disorders in Chile

BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as significant predictors of poor mental health in adulthood. Latin America presents several unique challenges regarding ACEs, such as higher prevalence of violence and income and political inequality. However, little is known about this issue from nationally representative samples in the region, particularly in Chile. ObjectiveThis investigation examines the association between individual and cumulative ACE scores and seven self-reported mental health conditions (substance abuse, depression, PTSD, generalized anxiety, suicide ideation, non-suicidal self-harm, and learning disorders) in a representative Chilean urban sample. MethodsA representative urban sample of 2101 adult Chileans completed the International Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) and disclosed any prior mental health diagnoses. ResultsAround 40 % of the sample had experienced four or more ACEs in their lifetime. For these individuals, the risk of reporting a mental health disorder was significantly higher. Several logistic regression analyses were conducted to address the associations between ACEs and the seven mental health conditions. Notably, sexual abuse, bullying, and exposure to collective violence were the ACEs most strongly associated with self-reported mental health issues. Additionally, a cumulative ACE score was found to be a significant predictor of having a previous mental health diagnosis. ConclusionsWe found a significant predictive association between exposure to collective violence and six out of the seven self-reported mental health disorders. Similarly, sexual abuse demonstrated an association with all mental health conditions. Finally, individuals who experienced four or more ACEs had a notably higher chance of reporting a previous mental health diagnosis. We recommend conducting further ACE research in Latin America due to its cultural and contextual singularities.

Factors Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder affecting 2-3% of the global population, and is associated with several comorbidities, including psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to identify factors influencing anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with psoriasis. This observational study included 112 patients diagnosed with psoriasis. Dermatological and psychiatric assessments were conducted using Psodisk, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multivariate regression models were employed. The sample was predominantly middle-aged males (mean age 48.91 years). Females (p < 0.001), patients with arthritis (p < 0.05), and those with a sedentary lifestyle (p < 0.05) showed higher anxiety and depression scores. Psodisk subscales significantly correlated with psychiatric symptoms and QoL measures (p < 0.001). Pain (B: 0.63, p < 0.05; B: -2.03, p < 0.01) and sleep disturbances (B: 0.68, p < 0.01; B: 0.60, p < 0.01; B: -1.46, p < 0.01; B: -1.57, p < 0.05; B: 3.91, p < 0.05) emerged as major predictors of poor mental health and reduced QoL. The study underscores the complex relationship between psoriasis, psychiatric comorbidities, and QoL. Key factors exacerbating anxiety and depression include female gender, arthritis, and sedentary lifestyle. Comprehensive management of psoriasis should address both dermatological and psychological aspects, with a focus on pain relief and improving sleep quality to enhance overall patient well-being.

Impact of emotional intelligence on anxiodepressive disorders in nursing staff in the intensive care unit

IntroductionWorking in the intensive care unit (ICU) often involves intensely stressful and emotional situations, which can be strong predictors of poor mental health. Healthcare workers are required to perceive, understand, manage, and use their emotions to provide quality care.ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on anxiodepressive disorders in nursing staff in the ICU.MethodsThis was a descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study conducted among nursing staff in the ICUs of two hospitals in Tunisia. Data were collected over a 3-month period. EI was assessed using the SSEIT self-report test, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiodepressive disorders. Sociodemographic aspects were also taken into account.ResultsWe included 92 healthcare workers. The majority were women (67.4%) with an average age of 25 to 54 years. Nurses represented 58.7% of the study population. About half had less than 5 years of occupational seniority. In terms of lifestyle habits, 76% were smokers, 90.2% did not consume alcohol, and 53% had no leisure activities. The majority had no personal, family, or medical psychiatric history.The mean EI score was 109.9, ranging from 62 to 150. Anxiety was present in 43.49% of participants and depression in 51.08%.A significant association was observed between anxiety and the perception of emotions (p=0.0196) and the management of others’ emotions (p=0.0261).As for depression, a significant association was observed between perception of emotions and depression (p=0.0259), as well as between management of others’ emotions and depression (p=0.0126). EI was positively associated with HADS (p=0.0281), with a correlation value of 0.114.ConclusionsCaregivers with anxiodepressive disorders had significantly lower levels of EI than those without anxiodepressive disorders, suggesting that EI maybe a protective factor against these disordersDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

Factors associated with quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease before coronary artery bypass surgery

Relevance. The outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) for coronary artery disease (CAD) depend on different factors, including patient’s quality of life (QoL) before CABG.Aim: To study QoL and associated factors in CAD patients before CABG.Material and Methods. A single-center observational study involved CAD patients who were admitted for elective CABG. All patients completed generic quality of life questionnaire SF-36 and specific questionnaire SAQ. Statistical methods included parametric and non-parametric comparisons and multiple regression analysis.Results. The study included 240 CAD patients (median age 65 years, males – 69%). More than half of the patients had poor physical and psychological health before CABG. Physical limitations and perception of the disease as well as role functioning were most impaired. QoL was worse in women, older patients, with obesity, comorbidity, long-lasting CAD, non-workers and living in sparsely populated areas (p &lt; 0.05). Predictors of poor QoL – female gender (OR 2.574, 95% CI 1.335–4.961; p = 0.005), obesity (OR 1.984, 95% CI 1.075–3.663; p = 0.028) and long–term CAD (OR 1.006, 95% CI 1.002‒0.010; p = 0.006). Predictors of poor physical health – age ≥ 65 (OR 0,823, 95% CI 0.430–1.576; p = 0.001), obesity (OR 2,050, 95% CI 1.041–4.039; p = 0.038) and long–term CAD (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001–1.010; p = 0.027). Predictors of poor mental health – age ≥ 65 (OR 1.973, 95% CI 1.050–3.706; p = 0.035) and living in sparsely populated areas (OR 2.213, 95% CI 1.236–3.962; p = 0.008).Conclusion. Predictors of poor QoL before CABG are female gender, elderly age, obesity, long-term CAD and living in sparsely populated areas.

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 Mental Health Pandemic? Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People's Mental Health.

Research indicates that young people have been a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to negative mental health outcomes following COVID-19, with some authors warning of a 'mental health pandemic'. Using a survey approach, this study explored the effects of lockdowns on the mental health of 1995 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland. Respondents completed the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) along with closed- and open-ended questions about COVID-19. Results from regression analysis showed that being female, identifying as non-heterosexual and perceiving that mental health had worsened during lockdown were the best predictors of poor mental health. In the open responses, young people reported significant concerns about their mental health and their educational outcomes. They also felt that their needs were not given the same priority as those of adults during lockdown. The results suggest that the COVID-19 lockdowns adversely affected the mental health of many young people in Northern Ireland with the effects most acute for females and those identifying as non-heterosexual. Future research should explore the longer-term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of these vulnerable young people and identify what support mechanisms need to be put in place to mitigate the negative effects of any future crises.

Assessing the role of emotion regulation between fear of COVID-19 and mental health among frontline healthcare workers

Research on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown that healthcare workers experienced more mental health problems than the general public during the pandemic due to their role as care providers. However, less research attention has been paid to the predictors of poor mental health among frontline healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. This current study therefore aimed to bridge this gap by examining the influence of fear of COVID-19 on mental health outcomes (somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression), and the moderating roles of emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) in this relationship. Data were collected from a sample of 81 (Males = 34; Females = 47) frontline healthcare workers in Ondo State, Nigeria via a web-based survey. Results of the study hierarchical regression analysis showed that fear of COVID-19 exacerbated mental health problems among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cognitive reappraisal was found to buffer the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health outcomes. However, expressive suppression acted as an intensifier in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health outcomes. Therefore, these findings implicate the need for cognitive reappraisal training for healthcare workers in the present pandemic and future disease outbreak.

Psychosocial model of burnout among humanitarian aid workers in Bangladesh: role of workplace stressors and emotion coping

BackgroundWhile trauma exposure is an established predictor of poor mental health among humanitarian aid workers (HAWs), less is known about the role of psychosocial work-related factors. This study aims to establish a psychosocial model for burnout and psychological distress in HAWs that tests and compares the effects of adversity exposure and workplace stressors in combination, and explores the potential mediating role of individual coping styles.MethodsPath analysis and model comparison using cross-sectional online survey data were collected from full-time international and local HAWs in Bangladesh between December 2020 and February 2021. HAWs self-reported on exposure to adversities, workplace psychosocial stressors (Third Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire), coping styles (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey), and psychological distress (Kessler-6).ResultsAmong N = 111 HAWs, 30.6%, 16.4%, 12.7%, and 8.2% screened positive for moderate psychological distress (8 ≤ Kessler-6 ≤ 12), emotional exhaustion (EE ≥ 27), depersonalization (DP ≥ 13), and severe psychological distress (K-6 ≥ 13), respectively. 28.8% reported a history of mental disorder. The preferred model showed distinct pathways from adversity exposure and workplace stressors to burnout, with negative emotion-focused coping and psychological distress as significant intervening variables. While greater exposure to both types of stressors were associated with higher levels of burnout and distress, workplace stressors had a stronger association with psychological outcomes than adversity exposure did (β = .52, p ≤ .001 vs. β = .20, p = .032). Workplace stressors, but not adversities, directly influenced psychological distress (β = .45, p ≤ .001 vs. β = −.01, p = .927). Demographic variables, task-focused and avoidance-focused coping were not significantly associated with psychological outcomes.ConclusionsCompared to exposure to adversities, workplace stressors primarily influenced occupational stress syndromes. Reducing workplace stressors and enhancing adaptive coping may improve psychological outcomes in humanitarian staff.

Re-examining the relationship between education and adult mental health in the UK: A research note

Previous studies using variation in education arising from compulsory schooling laws have found no causal effects of education on mental health in the UK. We re-examine the relationship between education and mental health in the UK by taking a different approach: sibling fixed-effects with controls for polygenic scores (summary measures of genetic predisposition) for educational attainment and adult depressive symptoms. We find that higher educational attainment is associated with better adult mental health, that sibling controls reduce these associations by ∼40–70% but important associations remain and find evidence for non-monotonic effects. We also find suggestive evidence that education partially “rescues” genetic predictors of poor mental health.

Hurricane stress, cultural stress, and mental health among hurricane Maria migrants in the U.S. mainland.

Hurricane Maria (2017) caused great damage to Puerto Rico, undermining people's quality of life and forcing thousands to migrate to the U.S. mainland. Identifying individuals at elevated risk of suffering mental health problems as a function of being exposed to hurricane and cultural stress is crucial to reducing the burden of such health outcomes. The present study was conducted in 2020-2021 (3-4 years postdisaster) with 319 adult Hurricane Maria survivors on the U.S. mainland. We aimed to (a) identify latent stress subgroups, as defined by hurricane stress and cultural stress, and (b) map these latent stress subgroups or classes onto sociodemographic characteristics and mental health indicators (i.e., symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety). We used latent profile analysis and multinomial regression modeling to accomplish the study aims. We extracted four latent classes: (a) low hurricane stress/low cultural stress (44.7%), (b) low hurricane stress/moderate cultural stress (38.7%), (c) high hurricane stress/moderate cultural stress (6.3%), and (d) moderate hurricane stress/high cultural stress (10.4%). Individuals in the low hurricane stress/low cultural stress class reported the highest household incomes and levels of English-language proficiency. The moderate hurricane stress/high cultural stress class reported the worst mental health outcomes. While postmigration cultural stress, as a chronic stressor, emerged as the most important predictor of poor mental health, hurricane stress, as an acute stressor that occurred several years earlier, emerged as less influential. Our findings might be used to inform mental health prevention experts who work with natural disaster survivors forced to migrate. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Leading Predictors of COVID-19-Related Poor Mental Health in Adult Asian Indians: An Application of Extreme Gradient Boosting and Shapley Additive Explanations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in poor mental health among Asian Indians was observed in the United States. However, the leading predictors of poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asian Indians remained unknown. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to self-identified Asian Indians aged 18 and older (N = 289). Survey collected information on demographic and socio-economic characteristics and the COVID-19 burden. Two novel machine learning techniques-eXtreme Gradient Boosting and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) were used to identify the leading predictors and explain their associations with poor mental health. A majority of the study participants were female (65.1%), below 50 years of age (73.3%), and had income ≥ $75,000 (81.0%). The six leading predictors of poor mental health among Asian Indians were sleep disturbance, age, general health, income, wearing a mask, and self-reported discrimination. SHAP plots indicated that higher age, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing all the time were negatively associated with poor mental health while having sleep disturbance and imputed income levels were positively associated with poor mental health. The model performance metrics indicated high accuracy (0.77), precision (0.78), F1 score (0.77), recall (0.77), and AUROC (0.87). Nearly one in two adults reported poor mental health, and one in five reported sleep disturbance. Findings from our study suggest a paradoxical relationship between income and poor mental health; further studies are needed to confirm our study findings. Sleep disturbance and perceived discrimination can be targeted through tailored intervention to reduce the risk of poor mental health in Asian Indians.

Key Predictive Factors in the Mental Health of Chinese University Students at Home and Abroad.

The prevalence of reported mental health problems among university students has increased at alarming rates in recent years. While various negative life events (from personal events such as relationship breakdowns to more global events such as COVID-19 [SARS-CoV-2] pandemic) have been found to be important predictors of poor mental health in this population, some individuals have been found robustly to fare better than others in confronting such events. Identifying factors that predict these individuals' mental health, along with the specific coping strategies they utilize may have significant practical implications when confronted by adverse events such as COVID-19. This study investigated relationships between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 828 (453 females, 374 males, and one "Other") Chinese university students' mental health, and their internal strengths, personality characteristics, and demographic profiles. We also investigated whether students' use of specific coping strategies mediated these relationships. Stepwise multiple regression analyses (MRAs) and a path analysis revealed that students who resided in their home country, had higher levels of internal strengths, a lower level of neuroticism and a higher level of agreeableness and reported fewer negative mental health changes than did other respondents during COVID-19 in the second half of 2020. Self-regulation and withdrawal coping strategies were both important mediators of these relationships. These findings have important implications for universities in identifying and assisting students in the face of adverse events such as COVID-19.

The relationship between serum fatty acids and depressive symptoms in obese adolescents.

Depression and obesity are highly prevalent and are considered inflammatory pathologies; in addition, they are also associated with dietary patterns including types of fatty acids (FA). Changes in the FA composition in the brain are determined by changes in the content and quality of dietary and serum FA. The aim of this study was to verify the relationships between serum-free FA, inflammatory processes and depressive symptoms in obese adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study that analysed a database composed of 138 post-pubertal adolescents. Data regarding the depressive symptoms, body composition, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, FA profile, leptin concentration, as well as adiponectin, IL-A, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels of the subjects were collected. A total of 54·6 % of the adolescents presented with depressive symptoms, and there were positive correlations between depressive symptoms and serum saturated fatty acids (SFA) content, body fat, and inflammatory adipokines, such as leptin, IL-6, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. Moreover, the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms, suggesting that eicosatrienoic acid (C20:2n6) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6) are independently associated with depressive symptom scores and can be critical predictors of poor mental health in humans. These results point to the relationship between SFA and depressive symptoms in obese adolescents. However, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the causality between dietary SFA and depression in obese individuals.

Born in displacement: Psychosocial and mental health impacts of country of birth among urban Somali refugee youth

ABSTRACT Urban refugees often face tremendous adversities during displacement that exacerbate mental health and psychosocial outcomes. Given the lack of research on how extended displacement affects mental health in urban refugee youth, this study examines the differential effects of country of birth on trauma exposure and psychosocial factors that influence mental health experiences among Somali refugee youth in urban Kenya (n = 303). Findings reveals that childhood trauma and impeded social functioning predicted mental health outcomes. Being born in Kenya was a significant predictor of poor mental health despite there being no significant difference in trauma exposures and psychosocial factors between Somali-born and Kenya-born youth. This difference can be attributed to prolonged displacement, disrupted development of cultural identity, and discrimination experienced in the host country. Given the widely devastating effects of childhood trauma and community violence, mental health interventions need to be two-prolonged: addressing and preventing intergenerational trauma sequelae through family-based interventions; and community-level programs and advocacy for safety and protection for the displaced. Our findings also emphasize that future interventions for urban refugee communities should be inclusive to all community members, considering shared vulnerability to community violence as well as intergenerational transmission of traumas through childhood adversities and lacking support.

Over-indebtedness, mastery and mental health: a cross-sectional study among over-indebted adults in Switzerland.

The aim is to investigate whether and why over-indebted individuals in German-speaking Switzerland have poorer mental health than the general population. A cross-sectional study among over-indebted people in the canton of Zurich was conducted in 2019. The study population (n = 219) was compared to the cantonal subsample of the general adult population selected from the nationally representative sample of the Swiss Health Survey 2017 (n = 1,997). Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine associations between over-indebtedness, mastery and health outcomes like mental stress and depression. Over-indebted people have poorer mental health and weaker mastery than the general population. Low mastery is the strongest predictor of poor mental health (beta coefficient = 0.58/-0.62 for mental stress/depression respectively) among the over-indebted, followed by the perception of one's health being affected by over-indebtedness (beta coefficient = -0.19/0.15). The amount of debt, anticipated time until repayment of debt and duration of indebtedness had no predictive effects. Surprisingly, traditional debt parameters cannot explain the poor mental health of the over-indebted, in contrast to a strong sense of mastery, which was identified as a highly protective factor.

Does Socioeconomic status mediate the relationship between income loss and depression scores? Evidence from South Africa.

This paper examines the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in mediating the effect of job and household income loss on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We note that even though job loss will invariably reduce household income, the relationship between these factors and mental health may be mediated by SES. Specifically, in the context of COVID-19 induced shock, job loss may not be a threat to survival for an individual with relatively high SES, while this is not the case for individuals with low SES. Our empirical analysis uses threshold regression under the assumption that the relationship between depressive symptoms and pandemic induced job/ income loss has a threshold effect. We find that job loss (but not the decline in household income) is a stronger predictor of poor mental health for individuals that live in households above a certain SES threshold. This suggests that the psychological trauma of job loss due to loss of identity and purpose outweighs the financial loss for individuals with higher SES. On the other hand, a decrease in household income (as against the loss of individual income) is a stronger predictor of poor mental health for individuals with lower SES. We argue that these findings are related to high-income inequality in South Africa. The results highlight the different implications of job loss and income loss for depressive symptoms in the context of high socioeconomic inequality.

“The better you feel, the harder you fall”: Health perception biases and mental health among Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

The health risks of the current COVID-19 pandemic, together with the drastic mitigation measures taken in many affected nations, pose an obvious threat to public mental health. To assess predictors of poor mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study first implements survey-based measures of health perception biases among Chinese adults during the pandemic. Then, it analyzes their relation to three mental health outcomes: life satisfaction, happiness, and depression (as measured by the CES−D). We show that the health overconfidence displayed by approximately 30% of the survey respondents is a clear risk factor for mental health problems; it is a statistically significant predictor of depression and low levels of happiness and life satisfaction. We also document that these effects are stronger in regions that experienced higher numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths. Our results offer clear guidelines for the implementation of effective interventions to temper health overconfidence, particularly in uncontrollable situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Birth order and socioeconomic disadvantage predict behavioural and emotional problems at age 3 years.

The aim of this study was to describe sociodemographic and family predictors for behavioural and emotional problems in pre-schoolers. This was a cross-sectional study including 30,795 children in the Stockholm region whose parents had completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) prior to a routine visit to a well-baby clinic at age 3years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse predictors for having a high total SDQ difficulties score. Young parental age and a low level of parental education predicted high total SDQ score in a stepwise pattern. Being a first-born child was associated with a high SDQ score with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.10 (95% C.I. 1.84-2.41), compared with having older siblings. A sole physical custody arrangement predicted a high total SDQ score after parental separation. The percentage of children with a high total SDQ score increased with the Care Need Index (CNI) of the well-baby clinic. This study identified socioeconomic disadvantage and being the first-born child as the main predictors of poor mental health at age 3years. Well-baby clinics with socioeconomically disadvantaged catchment areas should be provided with adequate resources and methods for equitable prevention.

Prevalence and predictors of poor mental health among pregnant women in Wales using a cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of self-reported mental health problems in a cohort of women in early pregnancy.To describe the relationship between poor mental health and sociodemographic characteristics, self-efficacy and support networks.To assess if participants were representative of the local antenatal population. Research design and settingThe UK government has pledged money to provide more support for women with perinatal mental health issues. Understanding the prevalence and predicting women who may need support will inform clinical practice. This paper reports part of the larger ‘Mothers Mood Study’, which explored women's and midwives’ experience of mild to moderate perinatal mental health issues and service provision. Routinely collected population level data were analysed and a smaller cross-sectional survey design used to assess predictors of poor mental health in early pregnancy in one health board in Wales. ParticipantsRoutinely collected data were extracted for all women who registered for maternity care between May 2017 and May 2018 (n = 6312) from the electronic maternity information system (pregnant population). Over a three month period 302 of these women completed a questionnaire at the antenatal clinic after an ultrasound scan (participants). Eligible women were aged ≥18 years, with sufficient spoken and written English to complete the questionnaire and a viable pregnancy of ≤18 weeks’ gestation. The questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic status, self-efficacy and support networks, self-reported mental health problems. Current anxiety and depression were assessed using the General Anxiety Disorders Assessment and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. FindingsAmong the pregnant population 23% (n = 1490) disclosed a mental health problem during routine questioning with anxiety and depression being the most common conditions. Participants completing the detailed questionnaire were similar in age and parity to the pregnant population with similar levels of depression (15.6%; n = 15.6 v 17.3%, n = 1092). Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and General Anxiety Disorder 7 scores identified 8% with symptoms of anxiety (n = 25) or depression (n = 26) and a further 24.2% (n = 73) with symptoms of mild anxiety and 25.2% (n = 76) with mild depression. Low self-efficacy (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.12–1.45), a previous mental health problem (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.37–11.33) and low support from family (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.00–1.27) were found to be associated with early pregnancy anxiety and/or depression. Key conclusions and implications for practiceAround one in five women who register for maternity care may have a mental health problem. Mild to moderate anxiety and depression are common in early pregnancy. Services need to improve for women who do not currently meet the threshold for referral to perinatal mental health services. Assessment and active monitoring of mental health is recommended, in particular for pregnant women with risk factors including a history of previous mental health difficulties, poor family support or low self-efficacy.

Associations between the working experiences at frontline of COVID-19 pandemic and mental health of Korean public health doctors

BackgroundDemographic, work environmental, and psychosocial features are associated with mental health of healthcare professionals at pandemic frontline. The current study aimed to find predictors of mental health for public health doctors from working experiences at frontline of COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWith first-come and first-served manner, 350 public health doctors with experiences of work at COVID-19 frontline participated online survey on August 2020. Mental health was defined using the total scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Stanford Presenteeism Scale-6. Multivariate logistic regression models of mental health with lowest Akaike Information Criterion were determined among all combinations of working environments, perceived threats and satisfaction at frontline, and demographics that were significant (P < 0.05) in the univariate logistic regression.ResultsPerceived distress, lowered self-efficacy at work, anxiety, and depressive mood were reported by 45.7, 34.6, 11.4, and 15.1% of respondents, respectively. Predictors of poor mental health found in the multivariate logistic regression analyses were environmental (insufficient personal protective equipment, workplace of screening center, prolonged workhours) and psychosocial (fear of infection and death, social stigma and rejection) aspects of working experiences at frontline. Satisfaction of monetary compensation and proactive coping (acceptance and willingness to volunteer at frontline) were predictive of better mental health.ConclusionsSufficient supply of personal protective equipment and training on infection prevention at frontline, proper workhours and satisfactory monetary compensation, and psychological supports are required for better mental health of public health doctors at frontline of COVID-19 pandemic.