Prevalence Of Severe Psychological Distress Research Articles

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia

This study assesses the determinants and severity of psychological distress among frontline Ministry of Health workers within Saudi Arabia during the rapid acceleration phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Moreover, we assess distress sustainability and stress-coping behaviors. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (k10) is a highly reliable instrument used to assess depression and anxiety. We evaluated stress-coping behavior and the persistence of the disorders. Binary logistic regression identified the sociodemographic factors related to severe distress.The prevalence of severe psychological distress among COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender (p < 0.001), working for >45 hours/week (p = 0.009), age of >40 years (p = 0.038), years of experience for more than seven years (p = 0.048), Asir region (p = 0.003), and using psychological services (p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe psychological distress was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender, working >45 hours/week, age, years of experience, region, and using psychological services. The results form a foundation for targeted psychological health support services at the individual and institutional levels to prevent progression to mental illness.

Perceived Stigma Towards Psychological Illness in Relation to Psychological Distress Among Medical Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ObjectiveDue to the high prevalence of psychological distress among medical students and its related functional and cognitive implications, this study aimed to investigate the association between perceived stigma and psychological distress, estimate the prevalence of each level of distress among medical students, and determine the independent significant risk factors of outcome variables for each level of psychological distress.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed that surveyed medical students at King Saud University in 2018. Using the modified and validated stigma scale for receiving psychological help along with Kessler psychological distress scale, the survey measured perceived stigma towards mental illness in relation to the level of psychological distress.ResultsAmong the 524 participants, 395 surveys were completed. Participants had a mean age of 21.56 years old, and 53% were female. The overall prevalence of severe psychological distress was 30.7% (N = 161). Furthermore, 25.6% of participants reported experiencing moderate distress (N = 134). Additionally, a significant association was found between females and severe psychological distress. Moreover, family income was significantly associated with severe psychological distress in the extreme lower and upper groups (5000–10,000 SR and above 20,000 SR). Participants with high levels of psychological distress were more likely than those with low levels to agree or strongly agree with 3 out of 10 items related to perceived stigma.ConclusionsMedical students with moderate/severe psychological distress disclosed more concerns regarding stigma, particularly about perceived consequences of their mental health issues being revealed to others. Such opinions could cause physical health problems and decrease quality of life.

Psychological Distress and Suicidal Ideation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Prevalence and Response to Management Strategy.

BackgroundAn association between atrial fibrillation (AF), anxiety, and depression is recognized, but the spectrum of psychological distress remains unclear. We aimed to characterize the severity and predictors of distress associated with AF in a tertiary population and its response to AF management.Methods and ResultsSeventy‐eight patients with symptomatic AF underwent evaluation, including of AF symptom severity, health‐related quality of life, psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and specific personality traits. Twenty participants underwent AF ablation and 58 were managed medically, with repeat assessments at 4, 8, and 12 months. Severe distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, ≥15/42) was identified in 27 of 78 (35%). Independent predictors were a personality marked by vulnerability to stress (Perceived Stress Scale: R 2, 0.54; β=0.7±0.1; t=7.8; P<0.001) and 1 marked by negativity/social inhibition (Type D Personality Scale: R 2, 0.47; β=0.7±0.1; t=6.7; P<0.001). Suicidal ideation was reported by 16 of 78 (20%) and was predicted by personality traits (Perceived Stress Scale score: R 2, 0.35; odds ratio, 1.22±0.06; P<0.001; Type D Personality Scale score: R 2, 0.48; odds ratio, 1.43±0.14; P<0.001). Effective AF ablation (median AF burden 1% [0–1%] over 12 months) was associated with significant reductions in distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, 13.9±1.8 to 4.3±1.8; P<0.05) and prevalence of suicidal ideation (30–5%; P=0.02).ConclusionsThere was a high prevalence of severe psychological distress (35%) and of suicidal ideation (20%) in a tertiary AF population, with personality traits predicting both. Effective AF ablation was associated with significant improvements, suggesting AF itself may be a treatable causative factor of distress.

Impact of predisposing factors on academic stress among pre-service teachers

Background: Many studies have been done on stress among educators. Teachers, lecturers, and tutors all over the world has been brought into attention when it comes to stress related issues. Our purpose was to investigate the level of academic stress among pre-service teachers in a teaching education institution in Perak, Malaysia. Methods: In this study a cross-sectional comparative survey study was conducted on pre-service teachers from a teacher education institution. The variables that was tested and correlated throughout the study are age, gender, and marital status, and medical history, influence of medications, exercise and social lifestyle. Data was collected through questionnaires to find out the outcome. Descriptive data analysis was used to describe the socio-demographic data. Correlation analysis was used to determine the significant relation between the variables. P<0.05 was considered as significant of the study. Results: Majority of the students, 78.4% represent the severe category of distress according to the Kessler scale. The remaining 13.6% were recorded as being under mild and 7.6% (n=19) under moderate category of distress. Regrettably, less than 1% (n=1) of the pre-service teachers were from the well category. Exercise was found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of severe psychological distress. Simple logistic regressions showed that pre-service teachers who exercised had a significant 91% reduced risk for psychological distress (OR=0.09; 95% CI=0.02, 0.35) compared to those who doesn’t exercise. Conclusion: At the end of this study, a better understanding on the predisposing factors of academic stress among pre-service teachers was determined and therefore interventions on coping with stress can be made simple. Various physiotherapy interventions on preventive and corrective measures were suggested with reference to the results.

Psychosocial Morbidity in Women Attending an Infertility Clinic in Northwestern Nigeria: ‘Its the Worst Misfortune of a Woman’

Background: Infertility is a problem of global proportions. It is the most important reproductive health concern of women. Generally, the female is held responsible for virtually all cases of infertility. The men folk are held as above board. Consequent upon this, the woman is humiliated, isolated, derided, rebuffed and abused. This abuse could be physical or psychological. The psychosocial morbidity they have can also affect their treatment success as such there is need to evaluate the prevalence, types, and sources of this psychosocial morbidity and also the need to introduce psychotherapy as part of infertility management in our centre.Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive women attending the infertility clinic at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika Zaria. Data was collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire designed by the researchers and psychiatric morbidity in the women was assessed by means of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) until sample size of 217 was met. Women with severe psychological distress were confidentially interviewed about their sources of pressure. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.2years. Most of them were married [95.8%] in a monogamous setting [72.2%] and in their first order of marriage [62%]. Fifty-six percent of them had secondary infertility. The mean duration of infertility in all respondents was 5.3years. Majority [77.8%] of the respondents were stressed by being unable to conceive. Their sources of pressure included their husbands, mother-in-law amongst others. 26.2% have been physically abused as a result of their infertility. Only 29.8% of women will consider adoption in case of prolonged childlessness and most [63.8%] of infertile women will cope better with infertility if there were support groups. Prevalence of psychological distress among infertile women was 37.8% and of these, 7.7% had severe psychological distress. Those with primary infertility, longer duration of infertility and the financial burden of treatment had a statistically significant increase in severe psychological distress. Previous psychiatric disorder did not affect the prevalence of severe psychological distress in them. In-depth interview with these women revealed the enormous burden they carry as a result of infertility including marital disharmony, social stigma, and mental health difficulties.Conclusion: A significant proportion of infertile women experience psychosocial morbidity, as such, there is needed to implement psychotherapy as part of infertility management.

Age Differences in the Associations of Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors with Stroke

Background: Stroke remains a major public health burden. Few studies have focused on the age differences in the associations of behavioral and psychosocial factors with stroke while no study focusing on the effect of severe psychological distress (SPD) on stroke has been conducted. The aim of this study was to examine the age differences in these risk factors for stroke as young (18-44 years), middle aged (45-64 years), and elderly (65 years or older). Methods: A total of 1,258 adults with stroke and 39,985 controls were selected from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the associations of the factors with stroke at different ages. Results: The prevalence of SPD was 10% in cases and 3.6% in controls, respectively. Overall, current smoking, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, SPD, type II diabetes, male, older age, and unemployment were all associated with a higher prevalence of stroke. Practically, we found that smoking and SPD were associated with the prevalence of stroke in young adults, lack of physical activity was associated with the prevalence of stroke in middle-aged adults, and lack of physical activity and SPD were associated with the prevalence of stroke in the elderly. Conclusions: Appropriate intervention for reducing stroke and eliminating its disparities may be developed separately at each age.

Psychological Distress and Depression in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Depressive disorders are 1.5-4 times more prevalent in medically ill patients than in the general population. Mood disorders can be regarded as the final common pathway developing from the interaction among multiple pathophysiological, psychological, and socioeconomic stressors that chronic illness imposes on the individual. Symptoms of clinical depression affect approximately 25% patients on hemodialysis and can be associated with low quality of life and increased mortality. The epidemiology of depressive disorders is less well studied in the renal transplant population. However, depression is a risk factor for poor outcomes, such as graft failure and death after renal transplantation. A high prevalence of severe psychological distress in patients with advanced CKD and its impact on CKD outcomes call for screening and intervention integrated in routine renal care. Preliminary data indicate that some of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor agents and time-limited, manualized, structured psychotherapies can be safe and effective for treating depression in this population.

Psychological Distress and its Correlates in Chinese Adolescents

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of severe psychological distress in Chinese adolescents, and to identify the demographic and psychosocial factors associated with psychological distress in this population. A multi-stage stratified sampling procedure was used to select a sample of adolescents (n = 3109) in Heilongjiang Province (Northeast of China), who were aged 13-18 years old. Psychological distress was measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). A K10 score between 22 and 30 was defined as moderate psychological distress; a score of >or= 31 was defined as severe psychological distress in this study. The rates of moderate and severe psychological distress were 27.9% and 12.2%, respectively in the participants. There were no statistical differences in severe psychological distress by gender. Multivariate analysis showed that family environmental variables, schooling variables, self-perception with life and appearance, perceived health and negative life events were significantly associated with psychological distress. Severe psychological distress is prevalent in the Chinese adolescent population. Family dysfunction, higher academic pressure, poor relationship with others and negative self-perception are important risk factors associated with psychological distress in adolescents. More studies using the K10 scale are needed so that national and international comparisons can be made.

Adverse Associations of Infant and Child Sleep Problems and Parent Health: An Australian Population Study

Infant sleep problems are strongly associated with poorer maternal mental health. It is not known whether they are also associated with poorer paternal mental health, nor whether sleep problems in older children are associated with maternal or paternal mental health. We aimed to examine relationships between child sleep problems and maternal and paternal mental health and general well-being in each of the infant and preschool-aged groups. Participants of this cross-sectional survey included families of infants (n = 5107) and preschool-aged children (n = 4983) participating in the first wave of the nationally representative Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, surveyed March through November 2004. The primary outcomes were mother and father serious psychological distress (measured by the Kessler-6) and general health (parent report of general health taken from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey and dichotomized into poor versus good health). A primary caregiver's report of the child's sleep problem was dichotomized into moderate/severe versus none/mild. The prevalence of severe psychological distress ranged from 3% to 5%, and prevalence of poor general health ranged from 8% to 11%. Moderate to severe sleep problems affected 17% of infants and 14% of preschool-aged children. Infant sleep problems were associated with poor general health in mothers and with poor general health in fathers. Preschool sleep problems were associated with poor maternal general health. In mothers with no past history of depression, infant sleep problems had a greater effect on severe psychological distress compared with mothers with a past history of depression. Sleep problems are common in infants and preschool-aged children. Infant sleep problems, in particular, are associated with poorer health in both parents, especially the mental health of mothers with no past history of depression.

Psychological distress associated with severe lower-limb injury.

Little is known about the psychological morbidity associated with limb-threatening injuries. It was hypothesized that a substantial proportion of patients who sustain a severe lower-limb injury will report serious psychological distress. Adult patients who were admitted to one of eight level-I trauma centers for treatment of an injury threatening the lower limb were enrolled during their initial hospitalization. Patients were recontacted at three, six, twelve, and twenty-four months after the injury and asked to complete the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), a fifty-three-item, self-reported measure of psychological distress. Patients who screen positive on the BSI are considered likely to have a psychological disorder and should receive a mental health evaluation. Longitudinal regression techniques were used to model positive case status (i.e., likely to have a psychological disorder) as a function of patient, injury, and treatment characteristics. Of the 569 patients enrolled, 545 (96%) completed at least one BSI and 385 (68%) completed all four. Forty-eight percent of the patients screened positive for a likely psychological disorder at three months after the injury, and this percentage remained high (42%) at twenty-four months. Two years after the injury, almost one-fifth of the patients reported severe phobic anxiety and/or depression. While these two subscales reflected the highest prevalence of severe psychological distress, none of the BSI subscales reflected the prevalence expected from a normal sample (i.e., 2% to 3%). Factors associated with a likely psychological disorder included poorer physical function, younger age, non-white race, poverty, a likely drinking problem, neuroticism, a poor sense of self-efficacy, and limited social support. Relatively few patients reported receiving any mental health services following the injury (12% at three months and 22% at twenty-four months). Severe lower-limb injury is associated with considerable psychological distress. More attention to the psychological as well as the physical health of patients who sustain a limb-threatening injury may be needed to ensure an optimal recovery following these devastating injuries.