Mental Health Research Articles

Judges and lawyers’ beliefs in repression and dissociative amnesia may imperil justice: further guidance required

ABSTRACT This article examines continuing misunderstanding about memory function especially for trauma, across three UK samples (N = 717). Delayed allegations of child sexual and physical abuse are prevalent in Western legal systems and often rely upon uncorroborated memory testimony to prove guilt. U.K. legal professionals and jurors typically assess the reliability of such memory recall via common sense, yet decades of scientific research show common sense beliefs often conflict with science. Recent international surveys show controversial notions of repression and accurate memory recovery remain strongly endorsed. In historical cases, these notions may lead to wrongful convictions. The current study surveyed the U.K. public, lawyers, and mental health professionals’ beliefs about repression, dissociative amnesia and false memories. Study findings give unique data on judges’ and barristers’ beliefs. Overall, the study findings reinforce international scientists’ concerns of a science – knowledge-gap. Repression was strongly endorsed by lay, legal and clinical participants (> 78%) as was dissociative amnesia (> 87%). Moreover, suboptimal professional legal education and juror guidance may increase misunderstanding. Correcting beliefs about memory function, and extending the contribution of memory science in the courtroom remains an important quest for cognitive scientists.

Perception, use of social media, and its impact on the mental health of Indian adolescents: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND Mental illness is a health challenge faced by adolescents that has grown worse after the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Research on social media and young people’s mental health has recently increased, and numerous studies have examined whether frequent use of social media is linked to issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, frustration, feeling alone, and externalizing problems among adolescents. This influence of social media on adolescents’ lives is clear, with many platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube playing an important role in daily interactions and self-expression. Even though social media offers numerous benefits, such as connectivity and information sharing, excessive usage can have detrimental effects on mental health, particularly among adolescents. AIM To study the impact of social media on the mental wellbeing of adolescents, and the associated potential dangers in India. METHODS A total of 204 adolescents aged 14 years to 23 years were included in the study. This study explored the intricate relationship between social media usage and adolescent mental health in India. The study employs a cross-sectional survey design to capture a snapshot of adolescent mental health and social media usage patterns. Data collection involved administering structured questionnaires and the analysis utilized quantitative methods, including descriptive statistics. RESULTS Excessive use of social media is correlated with increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Adolescents engage in compulsive behaviors such as scrolling in the middle of the night, which negatively impacts their mental and physical health, and leads to significant sleep disruption. Findings from the study aim to provide insights into the current state of adolescent mental health and inform strategies to promote positive wellbeing in the Indian population. CONCLUSION The study underscores the need for further research to better understand the complex interplay between social media and adolescent mental health, and need for effective strategies to combat online harassment.

Caring for Veterans With Depression and Cancer: An Overview for Civilian Nurse Clinicians.

Veterans put their lives on the line to serve our country, but their well-being is often threatened by multifaceted health issues related to military service, including elevated rates of lung cancer and depression. A significant percentage of Veterans have lost faith in mental health care or are unable to breach stigma-related barriers to seek and engage in this care. Veterans' lack of trust can be exacerbated by community mental health clinicians who have had little experience with Veterans and feel inadequately prepared to address their complex needs. The following databases were searched: PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Google Scholar; as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Results indicated that 50% of Veterans use civilian health care and perceive that civilian nurses lack knowledge of military culture and related trauma. The current review offers civilian mental health professionals an overview of Veterans' unique issues and provides resources and practical suggestions for helping them overcome barriers to mental health care. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].

The Role of Nursing Leadership in Dismantling Racism in Nursing: A Call to Action.

Racism is a structural determinant of health that affects mental health outcomes in the United States and globally. Nursing leaders must respond to a call to action to address racism in nursing. The purpose of the current article is to present evidence-based, race-conscious strategies for nurses in leadership roles to identify, challenge, and mitigate racism in nursing education and practice. Building on a theoretical framework, we share essential diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies for dismantling racism in nursing. These DEI strategies include: (1) critical self-reflection, (2) mutual respect and recognition, (3) challenging White privilege, (4) leveraging available resources, (5) intentional advocacy/strategic planning, and (6) continuing education. The work of this American Nurses Association (ANA)-Illinois DEI Expert Panel is presented as an example of a statewide initiative to promote a greater understanding of the global history of racialization and challenge nursing leaders to act now to eliminate the contemporary effects of racism in the nursing profession. To truly challenge and mitigate racist practices, nursing leadership must be proactively engaged and have a strategic action plan in place to confront structural racism. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Relationships Among Secondary Traumatic Stress, Mindfulness, Compassion Satisfaction, and Compassion Fatigue in Psychiatric Nurses.

To examine relationships among secondary traumatic stress, mindfulness, compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue in psychiatric nurses. Participants comprised 142 nurses working in two psychiatric hospitals in the same province of Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction subscales of the Professional Quality of Life Scale. A significant and negative correlation was found between secondary traumatic stress, mindfulness, and compassion satisfaction, and between mindfulness and compassion fatigue. A significant and positive correlation was found between secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue, as well as between mindfulness and compassion satisfaction (p < 0.05). Findings demonstrate that mindfulness may be a protective factor in preventing secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue in psychiatric nurses. It is recommended that in-service training be organized periodically to increase levels of conscious awareness among psychiatric nurses. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Training Nurses in Trauma-Informed Care to Address Workplace Violence in Inpatient Settings.

Frontline workers in psychiatric facilities are exposed to considerable risks of verbal and physical assaults, with 40% to 65% of mental health nurses experiencing violence in the workplace. The goal of this pilot study was to assess the readiness and motivation for adopting trauma-informed care (TIC) to address workplace violence in an acute care psychiatric hospital. A pre-post quality improvement study was conducted in two pilot units of a 274-bed acute care psychiatric hospital, involving a discussion-based seminar and a practical exercise. Surveys assessed participants' readiness and motivation posttraining. Sixty-eight staff members completed part 1 training, with 63 (92.6%) reporting being prepared to use TIC principles afterward. All 14 staff members (100%) who completed part 1 and part 2 training reported being motivated to apply the TIC model after the intervention. The results show that TIC training may impact self-reported strategies for reducing workplace violence. Education in trauma-informed care may prove to be beneficial in providing nurses with the necessary skills to effectively implement TIC principles in their daily practices. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 202x;5x(x):xx-xx.].

The association between self-knowledge from Islamic perspective and mental health among Iranian female students.

This study aimed to relate self-knowledge to mental health (from Islamic perspective), and compare it among the female students. Using the Morgan table, we selected 379 students from four universities, namely alzahra University, a single-sex university, the University of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti University, and Kharazmi University. The samples were selected randomly by applying a stratified sampling method. We utilized two instruments: Islamic self-knowledge and general mental health questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation Coefficient, independent samples t-test, and linear regression analysis using SPSS version 25. The results showed that there were significant association between self-knowledge and mental health. However, there were no significant differences between the female students of humanities and sciences, whether from the point of self-knowledge or mental health. The results also showed no significant differences between the students of alzahra University and the female students of the other three universities in self-knowledge and mental health. In each case, the results are compared to Islamic viewpoints (Quran, Hadith, and Quotations from various Islamic thinkers) as well as the psychological viewpoints of Maslow and Rogers. Our findings underline the importance of enhancing self-knowledge among female university students as a protective factor against mental health outcomes (substance abuse, depression, and anxiety) Moreover, Faith based strategies are known to be effective, more accessible than mental health professional services and will carry less stigma in the target community.

Use of emergency mental health dispatch training by a 9-1-1 medical dispatcher assisting a caller expressing suicidal intent: a case report.

A growing number of individuals with unmet mental health needs in the United States rely on emergency medical services during mental health crises, and 9-1-1 emergency medical dispatchers (EMD) are often a critical lifeline to help. Unfortunately, current industry-standard dispatching protocols and training required for EMD certification largely lack specificity for managing 9-1-1 calls related to mental health emergencies. The purpose of this report is to illustrate the value of additional targeted training for EMDs that enables them to more effectively assist callers struggling with mental illness or suicidal thoughts. We review a 9-1-1 call in which an EMD utilized specific strategies and language learned during a 3-day emergency mental health dispatch (EMHD) training course to assist a middle-aged male who was expressing suicidal intent with a firearm. Key principles and phrasing from the training were used successfully by the EMD to dissuade the caller from self-harm, and he was ultimately safely met by first responders on scene and transported for care. We also share post-call recollections and reactions from the EMD to demonstrate how in addition to reducing risks for callers and their families, EMHD training has the potential to reduce on-scene risks for field responders and may increase confidence and mitigate negative stress responses in EMDs. Emergency medical services systems in the United States should continue to explore enhanced training and protocols to improve care for 9-1-1 callers experiencing mental health crises.

Exploring the nexuses of aging, mental health, and obesity: A community based study in Northern India

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the association of obesity and overweight among rural elderly with their cognitive functioning, depression levels, and social connectedness. A community-based, study was conducted in the Naraingarh and Barara blocks of Ambala district, Haryana, India, with individuals aged 60 years and above. Utilizing systematic random sampling, 52 villages were strategically selected, and simple random sampling was used to select the elderly in the villages. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorized into underweight, normal, overweight, and obese groups. Data precision was maintained through validated instruments, including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination (HMSE), and Social Connectedness Scale. A total of 468 individuals were enrolled, had a prevalence of obesity and overweight were 24 (5.1%) and 56 (12%), respectively. On bivariate analysis, tobacco intake, age, GDS score, HMSE, and SCS were found to have a statistically significant association with BMI. On logistic regression analysis, Age (OR = 1.077) and Depression score (OR = 1.068) with overweight, and Mental health score (OR = 1.125) with obesity among elderly had a significant association. Mental health emerges as intricately interwoven with overweight and obesity informing the need for targeted interventions to enhance the overall well-being of the elderly population.

Psychological Balances in the Digital World: Dynamic Relationships Among Social Media Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, Academic Self-Efficacy, General Belongingness, and Life Satisfaction.

In the present era, the rapidly growing social media trends of the digital age have the potential to affect the psychological well-being of individuals. In this context, understanding how Social Media Addiction (SMA) interacts with various factors is important to understanding its potential impact on individuals' psychosocial health. In particular, the prevalence of SMA and its strong relationship with important variables such as anxiety, depression, stress, academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, and life satisfaction have received considerable attention from researchers and the society. This research aims to address the relationship between SMA and these variables in a holistic manner. The research further explored the relationship between life satisfaction and depression, anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and general belongingness. The research is based on a study conducted with 616 students (388 female and 228 male; 17-32 age range) at a state university in the Southeast of Turkey. Personal information form, Smartphone Addiction Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, General Belongingness Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools. Using a structural equation modeling approach, the research not only examined the significant relationships but also examined the mediating and moderating effects in more detail. According to the research results, SMA significantly affects academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, stress and anxiety. Academic self-efficacy and general belongingness both impact life satisfaction. However, SMA does not have a significant effect on life satisfaction. Moreover, it is revealed general belongingness play effective roles in the relationship between SMA and life satisfaction. As a result of the research, it was revealed that gender plays a moderating role in the relationship between SMA and life satisfaction. It has been observed that gender has a moderating role in the relationships between academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, anxiety and stress and life satisfaction. Conversely, there is no moderating influence of gender on the impact of SMA on academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, anxiety, or stress. Consequently, the relationships between SMA and other variables play an important role in understanding their effects on individuals' mental health.

The Meaning of Social Support for Mental Health Service-Users: The Case Managers' Perspective.

This study sought to understand the unique types of social support salient to mental health service-users from the perspective of case managers. The sample consisted of case managers working in county mental health agencies in the southwest and west coast. Data was gathered from three focus groups and analyzed using NVivo 10 and Consensual Qualitative Research. Six themes were described including relational support, consistency support, validation and affirmation support, social connection support, day-to-day living support and vocational support. While the social support domains described in this study share conceptual underpinnings with traditional conceptualizations of support, our findings reveal unique types of support from the perspective of case managers. Findings from this study offer an important perspective-case managers-to the extant body of research investigating the meaning of social support for people with lived mental health experiences. Of particular interest is the finding that relational support, affirmative and validation support, and consistency support are salient case manager functions.

An examination of COVID-19’s impact on student learning: a self-determination theory perspective

PurposeWe propose and test a theoretically grounded structural model of our postulation, providing insights into how students’ COVID experiences affect their general learning experiences, specific learning experiences and specific class performance post-COVID.Design/methodology/approachNumerous studies have reported how COVID-19 has impacted student learning in higher education during the pandemic from Spring 2020 to Fall 2021. Students were found to be disengaged, unmotivated, isolated, anxious, having difficulty with emergency remote teaching (ERT) and dealing with financial, physical and/or mental health issues. Against this backdrop, we conduct our own investigation to ascertain what the lasting impacts of COVID-19 are on student learning using a survey instrument. Specifically, we postulate that the academic and social disruptions of COVID-19 affected students’ social connectedness and mental well-being, which in turn, affected their affective and cognitive learning outcomes. We used structural equation modeling to validate a structural model grounded in self-determination theory that capatures the complex relationships between genaral and specfiic COVID-19 impact factors on student learning as seven hypotheses.FindingsAll seven of our hypotheses are supported suggesting that both class-specific factors and broader general factors beyond the classroom affect student's satisfaction with and learning in the class, as postulated in our structural model.Originality/valueWe advance the work of self-determination theory by conceptualizing and modeling the roles that all three self-determination needs play in investigating COVID-19's impact on learning. Overall, our study confirms the value of considering affective factors such as anxiety and satisfaction in learning research.

The SMILE scale: a wellness behavioral tool for patients with cancer.

As cancer survivorship increases, there is a need for simple tools to measure and promote healthy behaviors. We created a wellness behavioral tool (the SMILE Scale) to encourage self-monitoring of wellness behaviors. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of collecting daily self-reported SMILE Scale data and weekly quality of life data among patients with cancer. We also aimed to measure the association between SMILE Scale responses and validated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) tools (PROMIS-29 + 2 and SymTrak-8) as a pilot test of the hypothesis that increased wellness behaviors may impact quality of life. We surveyed 100 patients with cancer at the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants were asked to complete daily SMILE Scale assessments over a two-week period, as well as weekly PROMIS-29 + 2 and SymTrak-8 surveys. The primary endpoint was the SMILE Scale completion rate. Secondary endpoints in this single-arm pilot study included correlations between the SMILE Scale and other HRQOL tools. Daily completion rate of the SMILE Scale ranged from 57% to 65% of participants over a 14-day period. Among the 61% of participants who completed SMILE on day 1, 87% completed SMILE on 10 of 14 days. By end of study, participants who self-reported more wellness behaviors (i.e., higher daily SMILE scores) demonstrated significantly higher PROMIS physical health (p = 0.003), higher PROMIS mental health (p = 0.008), and lower (better) SymTrak total symptom burden (p = 0.006). Further, among those who completed at least 1 of 14 daily SMILE assessments, quality of life significantly improved over the two-week period for PROMIS mental health (p = 0.018) and SymTrak total symptom burden (p = 0.014). The SMILE Scale completion rate did not satisfy our pre-planned ≥70% threshold for feasibility; however, the rate for completing SMILE at least once during the 14 days (77%) met this threshold. Participants with higher average daily SMILE scores had significantly better scores across other validated HRQOL tools. While these results may be correlative and not causative, this suggests a potential physical and mental health benefit for delivering the SMILE Scale in clinical practice to help encourage healthy behaviors and warrants testing the SMILE Scale's impact in future studies.

The mitigating role of social capital on the association between food insecurity and psychological distress among Chinese adults.

Food insecurity, a pervasive global issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes. However, the role of social capital in mitigating this relationship remains understudied, particularly in the Chinese context. This study investigated the associations between food insecurity and psychological distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms) and examined the potential moderating effects of bonding and bridging social capital among Chinese adults in Shanghai. This cross-sectional study included 3,220 Chinese adults (mean age: 34.45; 51.5% male) in Shanghai. Food insecurity was assessed using the modified Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, psychological distress was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and social capital was evaluated using the Revised Personal Social Capital Scale. Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that food insecurity was significantly positively associated with both depressive (β = 0.449, SE = 0.024) and anxiety symptoms (β = 0.391, SE = 0.022), after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and COVID-19-related factors. Higher levels of bonding and bridging social capital were significantly associated with fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms. Significant interactions (p < .001) between bonding social capital and food insecurity indicated that the associations between food insecurity and psychological distress were less pronounced among adults with higher bonding social capital. These findings highlight the critical role of food insecurity as a risk factor for psychological distress and the importance of bonding social capital in mitigating its impact on mental health. Policies and interventions targeting food insecurity prevention and bonding social capital enhancement may promote better mental health outcomes among Chinese adults.

Diagnosis, treatment and burden in advanced ovarian cancer: a UK real-world survey of healthcare professionals and patients.

Aim: Little is known regarding uptake of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treatments or patient burden in UK real-world practice.Methods: Cross-sectional surveys of patients with advanced EOC and healthcare professionals (HCPs).Results: 101 HCPs and 142 patients participated. Time from initial primary care consultation to diagnosis was ∼7weeks. 83% patients were offered hereditary genetic testing, with 89% uptake. 53% HCPs reported surgery was performed ≤1month in non-neoadjuvant setting. Surgery delay negatively impacted patient quality of life(61%), mental health (89%), and surgical outcomes (63%). 56% patients received active first-line maintenance treatment; patients on active surveillance had greater emotional/psychological distress.Conclusion: Treatment delays and low uptake of active first-line treatment should be addressed. Emotional support must be readily accessible throughout treatment.

Use of virtual reality in bipolar disorder: a systematic review.

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows to interact with recreated digital environments and situations with enhanced realism. VR has shown good acceptability and promise in different mental health conditions. No systematic review has evaluated the use of VR in Bipolar Disorder (BD). This PRISMA-compliant systematic review searched PubMed and Web of Science databases (PROSPERO: CRD42023467737) to identify studies conducted in individuals with BD in which VR was used. Results were systematically synthesized around four categories (cognitive and functional evaluation, clinical assessment, response to VR and safety/acceptability). Eleven studies were included (267 individuals, mean age = 36.6 years, 60.7% females). Six studies using VR to carry out a cognitive evaluation detected impairments in neuropsychological performance and delayed reaction times. VR was used to assess emotional regulation. No differences in well-being between VR-based and physical calm rooms were found. A VR-based stress management program reduced subjective stress, depression, and anxiety levels. VR-based cognitive remediation improved cognition, depressive symptoms, and emotional awareness. 48.7% of the individuals with BD considered VR-based cognitive remediation 'excellent', whereas 28.2% considered it 'great'. 87.2% of individuals did not report any side effects. 81.8% of studies received a global quality rating of moderate. Emerging data point towards a promising use of VR in BD as an acceptable assessment/intervention tool. However, multiple unstudied domains as comorbidity, relapse and prodromal symptoms should be investigated. Research on children and adolescents is also recommended. Further research and replication of findings are required to disentangle which VR-interventions for which populations and outcomes are effective.

Adjunctive use of mindfulness-based mobile application in depression: randomized controlled study.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are effective in relapse prevention in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Internet-based interventions have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of MDD. Consequently, the integration of MBI through mobile applications emerges as a promising supplementary intervention for MDD, contributing to the augmentation of mental health services, particularly within ambulatory care contexts. The current randomized controlled study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive MBI delivered via a mobile app in mitigating symptom severity and stress levels. This assessment involves a comparison with standard treatment practices in an ambulatory setting among individuals diagnosed with MDD. A total of 83 patients diagnosed with MDD (depressive episode, recurrent depression or depressive phase of bipolar disorder) were randomly allocated to the intervention (41 patients) or control condition (42 patients). The intervention consisted of the daily use of the mindfulness mobile application "Headspace" for thirty days. The control condition was treatment as usual (TAU) only. The symptom severity has been assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) as well as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). Blood pressure and resting heart rate have been assessed as secondary outcome. Upon hospital discharge, the mean scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) signaled partial remission of MDD in both treatment arms. In both groups, a subsequent decrease in both self-reported and expert-rated scores was evident after a 30-day period. However, the decrease in depression severity as measured by HDRS was significantly higher in the MBI group compared to the control group after 30days. For secondary outcomes, systolic blood pressure was lower in the intervention group compared to control group. The total drop-out rate was 29%. Short term mindfulness intervention via mobile application (30days) can be beneficial as adjunctive therapy to treatment as usual in patients with MDD.

A Retrospective Secondary Data Analysis of Telemedicine Service Utilization (2020-2023) Among Patients Covered By The Universal Coverage Scheme in Thailand.

Objective: The National Health Security Office in Thailand introduced a telemedicine program called "Telehealth/Telemedicine" in December 2020, which aimed to reimburse telemedicine services for patients with stable chronic diseases under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS). The current study investigated patient characteristics and trends in telemedicine service utilization under the UCS in Thailand and examined the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on telemedicine services. Methods: A retrospective secondary data analysis using e-claim data from December 1, 2020, to April 18, 2023, was conducted. The analytical methods included descriptive analysis and an interrupted time series analysis. Results: During ∼29 months, 110,153 unique patients used telemedicine services, leading to a total of 259,047 visits. The average age was 54 years, and most of patients were female (57%). Hypertension was the most common diagnosis for patients receiving telemedicine services. Patients with mental health conditions often engaged in telemedicine consultation with drug delivery. During the Delta and Omicron outbreaks, telemedicine service utilization significantly increased compared with that in any nonpandemic periods within the 29-month timeframe (odds ratio [OR]: 3.85, p-value <0.01; OR: 2.55, p-value <0.01). Conclusions: The study findings highlight the initial trend of telemedicine services in Thailand from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to the beginning of the post-COVID-19 period. As telemedicine will play a critical role in the future of health care, this information can support the scale-up of telemedicine, including monitoring and evaluation plans, to help improve the efficiency of the system.

Psychopathology in Asthma Patients: Analysis of Demographic and Clinical Associations.

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the airways, significantly impacts both respiratory function and quality of life. Recent studies have highlighted the psychological dimensions of chronic diseases like asthma. Despite growing evidence linking asthma with various psychopathological conditions, comprehensive data remains scarce. This study aims to explore the psychopathological status of asthma patients and identify demographic and clinical factors associated with higher levels of psychopathological symptoms. Data were collected from 42 asthma patients attending the Asthma Outpatient Clinic at the University of Thessaly, Greece. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire on demographics and clinical parameters, along with the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) to assess psychological symptoms. The sample included patients with varying asthma severity: 38% with severe asthma and 62% with mild-moderate asthma, with a mean age of 60.8 ± 15.6 years. Results indicated that 23.8% exhibited somatization symptoms, 23.8% showed compulsive behaviors, 33.8% reported interpersonal sensitivity, and 38.1% experienced depression and 38.1% aggressiveness. Additionally, 45.2% struggled with fearful anxiety, 4.8% showed paranoid ideation, and 11.9% had traits of psychoticism. Women had significantly higher psychopathology scores than men. Factors such as longer disease duration, uncontrolled asthma, severe asthma, and comorbid conditions like atopy and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were linked to higher psychopathological scores. The study found a high prevalence of psychopathological symptoms among asthma patients. Female gender, prolonged asthma duration, persistent symptoms, comorbid diseases (GERD, atopy) and greater disease severity were significantly associated with higher psychopathology, underscoring the need for integrated mental health care in asthma management.

HEAR set: A ligHtwEight acoustic paRameters set to assess mental health from voice analysis

BackgroundVoice analysis has significant potential in aiding healthcare professionals with detecting, diagnosing, and personalising treatment. It represents an objective and non-intrusive tool for supporting the detection and monitoring of specific pathologies. By calculating various acoustic features, voice analysis extracts valuable information to assess voice quality. The choice of these parameters is crucial for an accurate assessment. MethodIn this paper, we propose a lightweight acoustic parameter set, named HEAR, able to evaluate voice quality to assess mental health. In detail, this consists of jitter, spectral centroid, Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients, and their derivates. The choice of parameters for the proposed set was influenced by the explainable significance of each acoustic parameter in the voice production process. ResultsThe reliability of the proposed acoustic set to detect the early symptoms of mental disorders was evaluated in an experimental phase. Voices of subjects suffering from different mental pathologies, selected from available databases, were analysed. The performance obtained from the HEAR features was compared with that obtained by analysing features selected from toolkits widely used in the literature, as with those obtained using learned procedures. The best performance in terms of MAE and RMSE was achieved for the detection of depression (5.32 and 6.24 respectively). For the detection of psychogenic dysphonia and anxiety, the highest accuracy rates were about 75 % and 97 %, respectively. ConclusionsThe comparative evaluation was carried out to assess the performance of the proposed approach, demonstrating a reliable capability to highlight affective physiological alterations of voice quality due to the considered mental disorders.