Prevalence Of Mental Health Symptoms Research Articles

Unmasking mental health symptoms in female professional football players: a 12-month follow-up study

ObjectiveTo calculate the prevalence rates of mental health symptoms among female professional football players over a 12-month period and to explore the associations of severe injury and related surgery with...

The impact of COVID-19 on school nursing: A qualitative survey of stressors faced by school nurses.

As students returned to school, school nurses were responsible for infection control, communication, and the preparation of supplies and facilities. School nurses in the Pacific Northwest US demonstrated a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in the years since the pandemic began, suggesting that their experience may have been unique. This study aimed to explore the stressors of school nurses in the Pacific Northwest at two time points. This study is a qualitative, descriptive analysis of anonymous survey responses collected in June of 2021 (n=333) and between October and December 2021 (n=284). Self-identifying school nurses working in K-12 schools in Washington State were invited to participate. Participants completed open-ended survey questions designed to elicit their experiences during the pandemic. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) isolation from administration and the school community, (2) COVID-19-related workload, (3) disorganized and inconsistent communication, and (4) concern for students, themselves, and others. School nurses played a vital public health role during the pandemic. However, their effectiveness may not have been fully utilized and sometimes undermined. Lastly, our findings highlight the difficulties encountered in implementing the changing scientific and public health guidance during the pandemic.

A Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Mental Health Symptoms and Disorders in Rugby Players

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders in rugby players. Six electronic databases were searched in December 2020. Studies were included if they provided quantitative data on mental health symptoms and disorders and consisted of adult rugby players. Eight studies were included, covering symptoms of anxiety, depression, alcohol use/misuse, distress, sleeping/sleep disturbance, and eating disorders/adverse nutrition behaviors. Prevalence of mental health symptoms ranged from 6% (depression) to 68.8% (alcohol use/misuse). Most rates were similar to the general population, while symptoms of sleeping/sleep disturbance were lower, and symptoms of eating disorders/adverse nutrition behaviors and alcohol use/misuse were higher than the general population. One study included female rugby players. Epidemiological evidence comprising of rigorous diagnostic data and inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and other protected characteristics is needed to inform future mental health support in this population.

The Underutilization of Mental Health Care Services in the Lives of People with Blindness or Visual Impairment: A Literature Review on Rehabilitation Factors Toward Provision.

Roughly 3 million adult Americans have a visual impairment or blindness, and over 4 million adults aged 40 and older. Despite data demonstrating an elevated prevalence of mental health symptoms in people with BVI, this population remains largely untreated. Given that people with BVI often interface with multiple systems of rehabilitative care that are designed to improve quality of life, the relatively low rates of initiation of mental health care services are particularly alarming. In this review, the systematic processes of mental health care services across pertinent rehabilitation groups are identified and critically examined. A comprehensive literature review was conducted. The literature review utilized a critical systems typology, whereby relevant literature was selected, reviewed, and analyzed intra and extra organizationally. In addition, a thorough discussion of disability-related factors was provided, lending a socio-political lens to the problem. Considerable data indicates that short-term mental health care services for people with BVI are ineffective treatment methods, albeit primarily employed in health-rehabilitative processes. Multiple studies offered data indicating the presence of diverse and entangled mental health issues relative to vocational rehabilitation services, mobility tool utility, and emotional reactions to vision loss. Many studies suggested that disability identity work be integrated into health-rehabilitative processes for people with BVI. To improve the utility of mental health care services for people with BVI, a reenergization of the mental health care needs of this population must occur. A critical podcast or forum focused on educating listeners about the health-rehabilitation factors that influence the provision of mental health care services can aid to improve future mental health policy and practice for people with BVI. Disability scholars need to advance research on integrating critical theories in work with people with BVI and accelerate qualitative, community-based methods to enhance understanding of this population and their unique mental health needs.

Sleep quality, quality of life, fatigue, and mental health in COVID-19 post-pandemic Türkiye: a cross-sectional study.

This study explores the predictors and associated risk factors of sleep quality, quality of life, fatigue, and mental health among the Turkish population during the COVID-19 post-pandemic period. A cross-sectional survey using multi-stage, stratified random sampling was employed. In total, 3,200 persons were approached. Of these, 2,624 (82%) completed the questionnaire package consisting of socio-demographic information, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the WHO Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), GAD-7 anxiety scale, and the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Significant differences between genders were found regarding socio-demographic characteristics (p < 0.01). Using PHQ-15 for depressive disorders, significant differences were found between normal and high severity scores (≥ 10), regarding age group (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.049), educational level (p < 0.001), occupational status (p = 0.019), cigarette smoking (p = 0.002), waterpipe-narghile smoking (p = 0.039), and co-morbidity (p = 0.003). The WHOQOL-BREF indicated strong correlations between public health, physical health, psychological status, social relationships, environmental conditions, and sleep disorders (p < 0.01). Furthermore, comparisons of the prevalence of mental health symptoms and sleeping with PHQ-15 scores ≥ 10 (p = 0.039), fatigue (p = 0.012), depression (p = 0.009), anxiety (p = 0.032), stress (p = 0.045), and GAD-7 (p < 0.001), were significantly higher among the mental health condition according to sleeping disorder status. Multiple regression analysis revealed that DASS21 stress (p < 0.001), DASS21 depression (p < 0.001), DASS21 anxiety (p = 0.002), physical health (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = 0.007), patient health depression-PHQ-15 (p = 0.011), psychological health (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = 0.012), fatigue (p = 0.017), and environmental factors (WHOQOL-BREF) (p = 0.041) were the main predictor risk factors associated with sleep when adjusted for gender and age. The current study has shown that sleep quality was associated with the mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue. In addition, insufficient sleep duration and unsatisfactory sleep quality seemed to affect physical and mental health functioning.

Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian psychotherapists

This research focused on the intricacies of mental health within the psychotherapist community, a domain currently understudied. A recent study suggests a better overall mental health profile for Austrian psychotherapists compared to the general population. However, a substantial proportion of psychotherapists still exhibited scores beyond the cut-off for clinically significant mental disorders, potentially undermining the efficacy of patient outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted between April to June 2023, enrolling a cohort of 502 Austrian psychotherapists (79.7% female; mean age: 53.4 ± 9.26 years). The analysis leveraged indicators for symptoms of depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), insomnia (ISI-2), stress (PSS-4), and overall well-being (WHO-5). Key correlations were revealed using multivariable logistic regressions incorporating sociodemographic, work-related, and health behavior variables. Mental health symptoms in psychotherapists were associated with lower income, lesser physical activity, employment in outpatient facilities, less experience in the field, and a smaller patient load. Notably, physical activity emerged as a significant protective component, underscoring regular exercise as a vital self-care routine for psychotherapists. Adequate income also presented as a crucial contributor to mental health stability. These findings augment our understanding of the complex dynamics influencing psychotherapists' mental health, potentially enhancing their well-being and optimizing professional output.

Role of women empowerment on mental health problems and care-seeking behavior among married women in Nepal: secondary analysis of nationally representative data.

This study investigates the associations between women empowerment and the prevalence of mental health symptoms and care-seeking behavior among ever-married Nepalese women aged 15-49years. We utilized 2022 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data to measure women empowerment, employing the Survey-Based Women's Empowerment (SWPER) index. The index focuses on the domains of social independence, decision-making, and attitudes towards violence. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Multiple logistic regression was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for associations of women empowerment domains and mental health problems and care-seeking behavior. Among 5556 women, the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was 23.1% and 6.1%, respectively. Among those with any symptoms of anxiety or depression, 18.3% sought care. Compared to women with low level of empowerment in the "social independence" domain, those with high level of empowerment were less likely to suffer from symptoms of anxiety (aOR = 0.68; 95%CI, 0.57-0.82) and depression (aOR = 0.69; 95%CI, 0.50-0.94). However, high empowerment in "decision-making" domain was associated with higher likelihood of anxiety (aOR = 1.67; 95%CI, 1.33-2.10) and depression (aOR = 1.80; 95%CI, 1.26-2.58). There was evidence of positive association between high empowerment in "decision-making" and care-seeking (aOR = 1.28; 95%CI, 0.96-1.71). This study underscores important roles of women empowerment on mental health symptoms and care-seeking behavior, suggesting the need to integrate empowerment initiatives into strategies to promote mental health among women in Nepal and similar low- and middle-income settings.

Trends in Mental Wellbeing of US Children, 2019-2022: Erosion of Mental Health Continued in 2022.

We provide fresh estimates of a change in the nationwide prevalence of mental health symptoms among US children during the COVID-19 pandemic using National Health Interview Survey data (2019-22) on children aged 2-17 years (n = 27,378; age subgroups 2-5, 6-11, and 12-17) to assess overall mental distress and 19 specific outcomes related to developmental, communicative, cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains. Raw and adjusted (for socio-demographics) linear regressions estimated the change in prevalence for each outcome between 2019 (baseline year) and three succeeding years (2020-2022). Summary scores for mental distress rose between 2019 and 2020 (1.01 to 1.18 points, range of 0-15), declined slightly in 2021 (1.09), and climbed sharply again in 2022 (1.25). The declines primarily affected adolescents (1.11 at baseline, 1.24 in 2020, 1.30 in 2021, and 1.49 in 2022). Specific outcomes belonging to all domains of mental health showed similar increases in prevalence. US children suffered significant erosion of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic that continued into 2022. Expansion of mental health programs aimed at school-going children will likely be needed to respond effectively to the ongoing crisis.

Prevalence of psychological and mental health symptoms among nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the prevalence of mental health symptoms in nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic on the American continent. A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that estimated the prevalence of mental health symptoms in nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic was performed through bibliographic database searches. A three-level meta-analysis model was used with the inverse variance method, tau was estimated via restricted maximum likelihood and logistic transformation, and heterogeneity was presented as tau2 and I2 . Of the 7467 studies obtained, 62 were included in the meta-analysis, which involved 52 270 nursing professionals. The overall prevalence for at least one mental health symptom was 56.3% (50.4%, 62.1%; I2 = 98.6%, p < 0.001). Eight mental health symptoms were found; among them, the most prevalent were burnout (52.1%, 37.1%, 88.8%; I2 = 98.5%, p < 0.001) and fear (52.1%, 30.1%, 73.3%; I2 = 98.1%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of mental health symptoms in nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic on the American continent was high, and strategies should be developed and implemented by managers and government agencies to promote the well-being, physical and mental health of nursing professionals. Studies like this one are necessary to highlight the need for efforts in the implementation of promotion and prevention actions to be developed by health organisations, managers and leaders with a view to improving the quality of life of nursing workers.

Preliminary report of the Japanese version of the International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1

Abstract: Objective: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) is an athlete-specific screening tool developed to identify mental health symptoms in elite athletes and potential need for referral to care. We aimed to report the prevalence using the Japanese version of the SMHAT-1 in a Japanese sport context. Methods: Web-based anonymous self-report data of 220 competing Japan Rugby Top League rugby players were analyzed. The players answered all screening questionnaires of the SMHAT-1 containing the assessment for multiple mental health symptoms for sport-related psychological distress (step 1), and the following specific symptoms (step2): anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse, substance misuse, and disordered eating. The prevalence of each symptom was calculated. The false-negative rate (FNR) for step 1 identifying athletes that were positively screened on the subsequent step 2, was computed. Results: 65% players experienced the sport-related psychological distress while the prevalence of mental health symptoms ranged from 4.5% for substance misuse to 72.3% for alcohol misuse. Step 1 correctly detected all positive screened cases for anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. In addition, a small proportion of cases were FNR for sleep disturbance (9.1%) and substance misuse (2.6%). 64.9% and 35.1% of cases were FNR for alcohol misuse and disordered eating, respectively. Conclusion: The SMHAT-1 might have acceptable performance in detect anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, however, it should be noted that false negatives also exist for other common mental health symptoms like disordered eating and sleep problems.

Geographic and Sociodemographic Variations in Prevalence of Mental Health Symptoms Among US Youths, 2022.

Objectives. To assess geographic and sociodemographic variations in prevalence of mental health symptoms among US youths. Methods. We analyzed data from the Household Pulse Survey, phases 3.5 and 3.6, between June 1 and November 14, 2022. The sample included 103 296 households with an estimated 190 017 youths younger than 18 years. We defined mental health symptoms based on parental responses and estimated prevalence by state and subgroups, including race/ethnicity, parental education, household income, housing tenure, household food sufficiency, and health insurance coverage. All analyses incorporated sampling weight. Results. An estimated 34.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 33.7%, 35.3%) of youths had parent-reported mental health symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms varied across states, ranging from 27.9% (95% CI = 23.8%, 32.0%) in Florida to 46.4% (95% CI = 41.9%, 50.9%) in New Hampshire. We observed variations by subgroup, with youths in households that did not pay rent reporting a prevalence of 43.8% (95% CI = 39.3%, 48.4%) and those experiencing food insufficiency reporting a prevalence of 56.0% (95% CI = 50.9%, 61.2%). Conclusions. There is an urgent need for attention to mental health challenges among youths, taking into account geographic and sociodemographic variations. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(10):1116-1119. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307355).

Study protocol for a case series: implementation and evaluation of an integrated mental and physical healthcare programme to screen for mental health symptoms in people with epilepsy

IntroductionThe prevalence of mental health symptoms in people with epilepsy (PWE) is elevated compared with that of the general population. These symptoms can negatively impact epilepsy management and patient outcomes...

School-based interventions for the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental health problems: review of the literature

Abstract Given the elevated prevalence of mental health symptoms in school-aged children, there are opportunities to intervene with universal and targeted interventions delivered in schools. Considering the evidence across selected reviews, school-delivered mental health promotion and illness prevention interventions show to have small and modest effects in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. More research is required to find out what works best, for whom and under which circumstances.

NITEO: an innovative mental health and education program designed to reengage students with mental health conditions in college

Objective: The prevalence of mental health symptoms on university campuses is high and rising, resulting in detrimental effects on academic performance. Few resources exist to address the needs of students who must leave school for mental health reasons. Participants: Seeking to understand the effect of a college reentry program (NITEO) to assist students in reengaging with undergraduate studies, we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with all college coaches (N = 5), triangulating our findings with interviews of NITEO students (N = 31). Methods: We used a rapid and focused ethnographic approach with thematic and content analysis using NVivo software. Results: Two major themes arose from our analyses affirming the role of the college coach in (1) developing a strong working alliance as a foundation for coaching; (2) promoting self-determination. Conclusions: Programs that enable students with mental health conditions who have dropped out to reenter college are needed; college coaching can be an effective approach.

Prevalence of mental health symptoms and potential risk factors among Austrian veterinary medicine students

Although the poor mental health of veterinarians has been reported in different countries, no data exist on mental health in Austrian veterinary students. This study aimed to provide first data on a broad range of mental health indicators in Austrian veterinary students, compare these data with the Austrian general population, and explore factors associated with poor mental health. A total of 29.1% (n = 430; 85.8% female; mean age: 23.14 ± 3.69 years) of the total Austrian veterinary student population (N = 1477 students; 82.1% females) took part in an online survey conducted from November 2022 to January 2023. Indicators of mental health were symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), insomnia (ISI-7), stress (PSS-4), alcohol abuse (CAGE) and disordered eating (SCOFF). Compared to the general Austrian population a higher proportion of veterinary students exceeded the cut-offs for clinically relevant mental health symptoms (P < 0.05). A total of 55.3% of participating veterinary students exceeded the cut-off for moderate depressive symptoms, 52.6% for moderate anxiety symptoms, 20.9% for clinically relevant insomnia symptoms, 79.3% for high-stress symptoms, 22.8% for symptoms of alcohol abuse and 38.6% for symptoms of disordered eating. Multivariable logistic regression including several sociodemographic, health behavior, and study-related variables as predictors revealed that mental health symptoms in veterinary students were associated with female gender, older age, low physical activity, high smartphone usage, and desired specification in small animal or wildlife medicine. In conclusion, Austrian veterinary students experience a high mental health burden. The teaching of coping skills and strategies to improve mental hygiene should be implemented in the curricula of veterinary education to improve mental health in the veterinary profession.

Mental and Emotional Health of Caregivers of Youth with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review

Abstract: People of African descent and those identifying as Black and/or Latino experience a disproportionate burden of sickle cell disease (SCD), a chronic, serious blood condition. Caregivers of children with chronic medical conditions report worse mental health than others. Disease-associated stressors can affect caregivers of children with SCD. We conducted a systematic review to summarize the prevalence of mental health symptoms in caregivers of children with SCD and to see if symptoms were associated with the child's SCD. This review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase, identifying 1,322 records of which 40 met criteria for inclusion in this review. Findings suggest caregivers experience mental health problems, and poorer mental health was associated with worse child SCD-related outcomes and treatment adherence. Efforts should be made to routinely screen SCD caregiver mental health and to refer accordingly.

Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Their Co-Occurrence among Orphaned Children in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province.

Although both short- and long-term psychological challenges, specifically depression and anxiety, have been reported among orphans, there is a dearth of studies that quantify these disorders in rural settings. The aim of the study was to screen for symptoms of depression, anxiety and their co-occurrence among orphaned school-going children in rural Limpopo province, South Africa. Data were collected among primary school children in 10 schools in two villages in Limpopo province. The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) was used to screen for symptoms of depression, anxiety and their co-occurrence among 308 orphaned learners in the selected schools. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. STATA 13 was used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the symptoms and severity of depression, anxiety and their co-occurrence. The sample of 308 consisted of the majority (60.71%) residing in Maandagshoek and being female (54.22%). Their ages ranged from 8 to 12 years, with a mean of 10.51 years. The prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and co-occurrence of anxiety and depression were 23.05%, 34.09% and 32.14%, respectively. The prevalence of mental health symptoms was high among the sample. There is a need to expand the care of orphans to include mental health and not just limit their care to provide food to vulnerable children.

Mental health among first-generation college students: Findings from the national Healthy Minds Study, 2018-2021.

A mounting body of evidence reveals that college mental health outcomes are worsening over time. That said, little is known about the mental health needs of the nearly eight million first-generation students in U.S. postsecondary education. The present study uses population-level data from the national Healthy Minds Study to compare prevalence of mental health symptoms and use of services for first-generation and continuing-generation students from 2018-2021. The sample includes 192,202 students at 277 campuses, with 17.3% being first-generation. Findings reveal a high prevalence of mental health symptoms among both first-generation and continuing-generation students. Controlling for symptoms, FG students had significantly lower rates of mental health service use. Just 32.8% of first-generation students with symptoms received therapy in the past year, relative to 42.8% among continuing-generation students, and this disparity widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings have important implications for the design and implementation of higher education policies, mental health delivery systems, college persistence and retention initiatives, and public health efforts in school settings.

Prevalence and associated factors with mental health symptoms among semi-professional cricket players after the resumption of sporting activities following an extensive lockdown.

Mental health of cricket players has been a topic of debate for a considerable time across the globe. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health symptoms among semi-professional male cricket players experienced during COVID-19, as well as the relationship between age and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) sub-scale. Mental health symptoms were assessed among cricket players (n = 90) using the following instruments, respectively: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale - 21 (DASS - 21); Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Descriptive (means ± standard deviations) and inferential (Spearman's correlations) statistics were calculated using SPSS (IBM Version 27.0) at a significance level of p < 0.05. The study reported that 5.6% (n = 5) of cricketers believed life was futile, and 10% (n = 9) thought they were useless most of the time. However, on the anxiety sub-scale, 27% (n = 24) of cricketers indicated low confidence. In addition, 23% (n = 21) of cricketers reported being stressed. Spearman's correlations revealed a positive and significant association between the DASS-21 sub-scales and that cricketers' DASS-21 sub-scale symptoms are unrelated to age. The study found that there were moderate levels of anxiety, a reduced sense of achievement and a neutral feeling towards satisfaction with life. Reducing mental health symptoms would extend the playing careers of cricket players. De-stigmatising mental health may result in more robust and accurate self-reports of mental health illness among elite athletes, which can enable sustainable change.

Battered Body, Battered Self: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Embodiment-Related Impairments of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

ABSTRACT Intimate-partner violence (IPV) is a major threat to women’s lives, with an impact on their physical and mental health, often causing trauma symptoms. The IPV consequences for embodiment-related features that are detrimental to the quality of life and identity structure of victims are understudied. With this study, we aim to examine embodiment-related functions and physical and mental health of women with and without a history of IPV. A total of 47 female victims of IPV (mean age 41.3 ± 11.5 years) living in shelters and 44 non-victims (mean age 43.1 ± 12.5 years) living in the community participated in this cross-sectional study. We used a self-administered survey to assess the prevalence of mental health symptoms, somatic symptoms, and behaviors of self-injury and suicidal ideation. The levels of interoception, movement imagery, body ownership, and bodily dissociation were assessed through tasks and questionnaires, controlling for mental health covariates. Women victims of IPV showed a greater prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (p = .014), depression (p < .001), somatic symptoms (p = .006), self-injury behaviors (p < .001), and suicidal ideation (p < .001). Also, IPV victims showed higher levels of body disownership (p = .025) and bodily dissociation (p < .001) than non-victims, controlling for the presence of PTSD and depression. Our study shows strong evidence of the link between IPV and impairments in embodiment, namely the sense of body ownership and the disconnection from the body. Intimate-partner violence victims need embodiment-informed care to be parallel to the attention given to mental health and somatic symptoms.