Mental Health Research Articles

The role of snapchat in shaping workplace behavior and productivity

PurposeThis paper explores the influence of Snapchat on workplace behavior, focusing on employee productivity, mental health and organizational policies. It examines how Millennials and Generation Z use Snapchat professionally, with implications for management strategies and workplace culture.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a conceptual analysis grounded in existing literature and theoretical frameworks, including uses and gratifications theory, social comparison theory and attention economy theory. The analysis covers the psychological effects of social media validation, social comparisons and the impact of Snapchat on attention and task management. Management strategies such as policy development and employee training are also examined.FindingsSnapchat positively impacts communication and team bonding but presents challenges to productivity, mental well-being and data security. The platform’s design encourages both community building and distractions. Organizations can mitigate these issues through effective policies, training and mental health support.Originality/valueThis paper offers a unique contribution by focusing specifically on Snapchat and its workplace impact. It addresses the balance between the benefits of social media and its drawbacks, presenting practical strategies for organizations to manage Snapchat usage effectively while maintaining productivity and supporting employee well-being.

Mental Health and Suicide Risk Among High School Students and Protective Factors - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Adolescent mental health and suicide risk remain substantial public health concerns. High pre-COVID rates of poor mental health and suicide-related behaviors have continued to rise, highlighting the need to identify factors that might foster positive mental health outcomes and reduce suicide-related behaviors at population levels. Using CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, CDC analyzed the prevalence of mental health and suicide risk indicators and their associations with individual-, family-, and school- or community-level protective factors. Prevalence estimates were calculated for each of the mental health and suicide risk indicators by demographic characteristic. Prevalence ratios adjusted for sex, sexual identity, grade, and race and ethnicity were calculated to examine the association between protective factors and mental health and suicide risk indicators. Overall, 39.7% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 28.5% experienced poor mental health, 20.4% seriously considered attempting suicide, and 9.5% had attempted suicide. Mental health and suicide risk indicators differed by sex, sexual identity, grade, and race and ethnicity. All protective factors were associated with lower prevalence of one or more risk indicators. Findings from this report can serve as a foundation for the advancement of research on protective factors and for the development and implementation of programs, practices, and policies that protect and promote mental health and emotional well-being among youth.

The Basic Needs in Games Model of Video Game Play and Mental Health

Abstract Existing theories of how game use relates to mental health have important limitations: few account for both quantity and quality of use, differentiate components of mental health (hedonic wellbeing, eudaimonic wellbeing and illbeing), provide an explanation for both positive and negative outcomes or readily explain the well-evidenced absence of playtime effects on mental health. Many also lack the specificity to be readily falsifiable. In response, we present the Basic Needs in Games (BANG) model. Grounded in self-determination theory, BANG proposes that mental health outcomes of game use are in large part mediated by the motivational quality of play and the extent to which play quantity and quality lead to need satisfaction or frustration. We show how BANG addresses the limitations of current theories and aligns with emerging evidence on the etiologies of disordered play. Thus, BANG advances HCI theory on the impact of games and other interactive technologies on mental health.

Unveiling Post-COVID-19 syndrome: incidence, biomarkers, and clinical phenotypes in a Thai population

BackgroundPost-COVID- 19 syndrome (PCS) significantly impacts the quality of life of survivors. There is, however, a lack of a standardized approach to PCS diagnosis and management. Our bidirectional cohort study aimed to estimate PCS incidence, identify risk factors and biomarkers, and classify clinical phenotypes for enhanced management to improve patient outcomes.MethodsA bidirectional prospective cohort study was conducted at five medical sites in Hatyai district in Songkhla Province, Thailand. Participants were randomly selected from among the survivors of COVID-19 aged≥18 years between May 15, 2022, and January 31, 2023. The selected participants underwent a scheduled outpatient visit for symptom and health assessments 12 to 16 weeks after the acute onset of infection, during which PCS was diagnosed and blood samples were collected for hematological, inflammatory, and serological tests. PCS was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify biomarkers associated with PCS. Moreover, three clustering methods (agglomerative hierarchical, divisive hierarchical, and K-means clustering) were applied, and internal validation metrics were used to determine clustering and similarities in phenotypes.FindingsA total of 300 survivors were enrolled in the study, 47% of whom developed PCS according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition. In the sampled cohort, 66.3% were females, and 79.4% of them developed PCS (as compared to 54.7% of males, p-value <0.001). Comorbidities were present in 19% (57/300) of all patients, with 11% (18/159) in the group without PCS and 27.7% (39/141) in the group with PCS. The incidence of PCS varied depending on the criteria used and reached 13% when a quality of life indicator was added to the WHO definition. Common PCS symptoms were hair loss (22%) and fatigue (21%), while mental health symptoms were less frequent (insomnia 3%, depression 3%, anxiety 2%). According to our univariate analysis, we found significantly lower hematocrit and IgG levels and greater ALP levels in PCS patients than in patients who did not develop PCS (p-value< 0.05). According to our multivariable analysis, adjusted ALP levels remained a significant predictor of PCS (OR 1.02, p-value= 0.005). Clustering analysis revealed four groups characterized by severe clinical symptoms and mental health concerns (Cluster 1, 4%), moderate physical symptoms with predominant mental health issues (Cluster 2, 9%), moderate mental health issues with predominant physical symptoms (Cluster 3, 14%), and mild to no PCS (Cluster 4, 77%). The quality of life and ALP levels varied across the clusters.InterpretationThis study challenges the prevailing diagnostic criteria for PCS, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that considers quality of life. The identification of ALP as a biomarker associated with PCS suggests that its monitoring could be used for early detection of the onset of PCS. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct clinical phenotypes characterized by different clinical symptoms and mental health concerns that 'exhibited varying impacts on quality of life. This finding suggested that accounting for the reduced quality of life in the definition of PCS could enhance its diagnosis and management and that moving toward personalized interventions could both improve patient outcomes and help reduce medicalization and optimally target the available resources.FundingThe research publication received funding support from Medical Council of Thailand (Police General Dr. Jongjate Aojanepong Foundation), Hatyai Hospital Charity and Wellcome Trust.

Staff’s understanding of the role of least restrictive practice in the development of obesity in secure psychiatric inpatients

Purpose This study aims to explore the ethical challenges of managing the weight of psychiatric patients in the least restrictive manner in secure mental health settings and whether these could be considered as a source of moral distress for health practitioners, which may be linked to staff burnout and ultimately lead to suboptimal patient care. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative semi-structured interview study design was used to explore the understanding, views and experiences of six staff members working on two medium-secure wards in a UK mental health hospital using an opportunity sampling technique and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings Analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed a multitude of moral events that evoked feelings of frustration, powerlessness and anxiety related to the management of obesity in the least restrictive way, which is indicative of moral distress. Research limitations/implications Due to the small sample size and the qualitative nature of the research, the findings of this study are of explorative in nature. Further quantitative research would be required to establish a causative link between the ethical challenges associated with obesity management and staff’s moral distress. Practical implications Addressing the health-care professionals’ knowledge deficit on how to achieve the right balance in their duty of care through inclusion of bioethics into professional discussions and training could improve staff’s well-being and the organisation’s ethical climate. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative work exploring the role of least restrictive practice in the challenges associated with health promotion within secure psychiatric settings, and the effect these challenges have on mental health staff.

Psychometric properties of the preschool strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) in UK 1-to-2-year-olds

AbstractEarly identification of emotional and behavioural difficulties in very young children is crucial for intervention and prevention. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely used measure of child and adolescent mental health that is brief, cost-effective, and easy to administer. The aims of this study were to establish the validity and reliability of the preschool SDQ in UK 1-2-year-olds. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Preschool SDQ in a large UK sample (N = 2040; female = 46.86%; male = 50.83%, sex not recorded = 2.30%) of infants and toddlers (1-2-year-olds). Analyses were performed at item-level (internal consistency, internal structure, measurement invariance) and scale-level (test–retest reliability, convergent validity). Similar to previous research, confirmatory factor analysis supported a slightly modified five-factor model, including the addition of a positive construal method factor, resulting in satisfactory data fit and a moderately good fitting model. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for the SDQ total difficulties score was satisfactory, and higher for externalising over internalising problems. Moderate to strong correlations indicated good test–retest reliability, and moderate correlations indicated convergent validity between the SDQ and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), but associations were weaker than those found in studies with older children. Conclusions: The SDQ demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties, suggesting that it may be a useful tool for the detection of early mental health difficulties, particularly externalising symptoms, even in very young toddlers. Further research is needed to validate the SDQ in younger populations and to establish cut-off scores for clinical interpretation. The implications of these findings are discussed. What is known:• Clinically significant emotional and behavioural problems can and do emerge in early toddlerhood.• Parenting interventions can reduce mental health problems.• Valid, reliable, brief, and affordable tools are needed to identify very young children who may benefit from such support.What is new:• The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was found to have acceptable factor structure and psychometric properties for use with young children aged 1-2 years old in the UK.• The externalising subscale in particular shows promise as an early screening tool.

Experiences of Racism in School and Associations with Mental Health, Suicide Risk, and Substance Use Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Racism is a fundamental determinant of health inequities among racial and ethnic groups and is understudied among adolescents. In 2023, the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire included an item assessing experiences of racism in the school setting among students in grades 9-12 in the United States. This report estimates the prevalence of students who reported ever having experienced racism in school and compares prevalence by racial and ethnic groups. For each racial and ethnic group, prevalence differences and prevalence ratios were estimated comparing the prevalence of indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use among students who reported that they have ever versus never experienced racism in school. In 2023, approximately one in three high school students (31.5%) said that they had ever experienced racism in school. Reported experiences of racism were most prevalent among Asian (56.9%), multiracial (48.8%), and Black or African American (Black) (45.9%) students and least prevalent among White students (17.3%). Black and Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) students who reported experiencing racism had a higher prevalence of all health risk behaviors and experiences investigated, including indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use compared with students of their racial and ethnic group who reported never experiencing racism. Many of these associations were also found among multiracial and White students. Student reports of racism were associated with indicators of mental health and suicide risk among American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Asian students. Among students of color, including AI/AN, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students, the prevalence of seriously considering and attempting suicide was more than two times higher among students who ever compared with never experienced racism. These findings demonstrate that racism in the school setting is experienced by high school students attending public and private schools and continues to disproportionately affect students of color. Students who reported experiencing racism had a higher prevalence of indicators of poor mental health, suicide risk, and substance use. Schools can incorporate policies and practices to prevent unfair treatment on the basis of race and ethnicity and offer resources to help students cope with these experiences.

Perception of the Capixaba population regarding the use and benefits of antidepressants and anxiolytics

Depression is a routine disorder characterized by at least two weeks of loss of pleasure, mood, and interest in basic daily activities. Treatment involves psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and medication therapy with antidepressants. These medications increase the availability of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system through different mechanisms of action, such as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, and Atypicals. Studies indicate that, after the pandemic, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression became more frequent in society, leading to greater use of antidepressants, especially clonazepam, sertraline, and amitriptyline. This project aims to investigate this usage, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks from the user’s perspective. To this end, it was submitted to the Ethics and Human Research Council of UNESC, with a bibliographic review conducted in the PubMed, Lilacs, and Scielo databases during the approval period. After approval, the research was conducted through structured questionnaires, made available online to the Capixaba society. The study evaluated the rate of use of these psychotropic drugs in the region, the benefits, risks, and behaviors regarding the use of antidepressants and anxiolytics from the perspective of patients. The use of psychotropic drugs by the population can be satisfactory for treating mental disorders, but it is essential that these medications are used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Regular monitoring helps to manage adverse effects, ensure the medication is working properly, and prevent long-term medication-related problems.

Report of Unfair Discipline at School and Associations with Health Risk Behaviors and Experiences - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Relatively little is known about the association between school discipline and student health and well-being. Using CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, CDC analyzed the prevalence of report of unfair discipline at school and associations with experiences at school, mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and health risk behaviors among high school students overall and stratified by race and ethnicity. Prevalence estimates, prevalence differences, and prevalence ratios adjusted for race (in overall models), grade, and sex were calculated. Overall, 19.3% of students reported receiving unfair discipline during the previous 12 months; Black or African American students had a higher prevalence (23.1%) compared with Hispanic or Latino students (18.4%) and White students (18.1%). Unfair discipline was reported among a majority of students who describe their sexual identity in some other way (besides gay, heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning) for American Indian or Alaska Native (81.7%) and multiracial (57.1%) subgroups. Overall, report of unfair discipline was associated with every health risk behavior and experience examined, including being bullied at school or electronically, skipping school due to feeling unsafe, carrying a weapon at school, prescription opioid misuse, poor mental health, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, seriously considered attempting suicide, and attempted suicide. This pattern of association was similar among most student groups in models stratified by race and ethnicity. This analysis is the first to demonstrate, among a nationally representative sample of high school students, that reports of unfair discipline are associated with various health risk behaviors and experiences. With these findings, public health and education practitioners can create interventions that equitably promote safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments for student health.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Conditions and Risk Behaviors Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are preventable, potentially traumatic events occurring before age 18 years. Data on ACEs among adolescents in the United States have primarily been collected through parent report and have not included important violence-related ACEs, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. This report presents the first national prevalence of self-reported ACEs among U.S. high school students aged <18 years, estimates associations between ACEs and 16 health conditions and risk behaviors, and calculates population-attributable fractions of ACEs with these conditions and behaviors using cross-sectional, nationally representative 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Exposures were lifetime prevalence of individual (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; physical neglect; witnessed intimate partner violence; household substance use; household poor mental health; and incarcerated or detained parent or guardian) ACEs and cumulative ACEs count (zero, one, two or three, or four or more). Health conditions and risk behaviors included violence risk factors, substance use, sexual behaviors, weight and weight perceptions, mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Bivariate analyses assessed associations between individual and cumulative ACEs and demographics. Adjusted prevalence ratios assessed associations between cumulative ACEs and health conditions and risk behaviors, accounting for demographics. Population-attributable fractions were calculated to determine the potential reduction in health conditions and risk behaviors associated with preventing ACEs. ACEs were common, with approximately three in four students (76.1%) experiencing one or more ACEs and approximately one in five students (18.5%) experiencing four or more ACEs. The most common ACEs were emotional abuse (61.5%), physical abuse (31.8%), and household poor mental health (28.4%). Students who identified as female; American Indian or Alaska Native; multiracial; or gay or lesbian, bisexual, questioning, or who describe their sexual identity in some other way experienced the highest number of ACEs. Population-attributable fractions associated with experiencing ACEs were highest for suicide attempts (89.4%), seriously considering attempting suicide (85.4%), and prescription opioid misuse (84.3%). ACEs are prevalent among students and contribute substantially to numerous health conditions and risk behaviors in adolescence. Policymakers and public health professionals can use these findings to understand the potential public health impact of ACEs prevention to reduce adolescent suicidal behaviors, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and other negative health conditions and risk behaviors and to understand current effects of ACEs among U.S. high school students.

Effects of dim-evening lighting optimised for geographical orientation versus standard lighting on mental health: protocol paper for a quasiexperimental study in a psychiatric hospital

IntroductionResearch has provided novel insights into how light stimulates circadian rhythms through specialised retinal ganglion cells to the suprachiasmatic nucleus. In addition, there has been a revolution in light-emitting diode...

A Quantitative Study on Mental Health Among Rural Population

A Quantitative Study on Mental Health Among Rural Population

Psychosocial work aspects, work ability, mental health and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates of on-site and remote Brazilian workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – a longitudinal study

Psychosocial work aspects, work ability, mental health and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates of on-site and remote Brazilian workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – a longitudinal study

Systematic review and meta-analysis of standalone digital interventions for cognitive symptoms in people without dementia

AbstractCognitive symptoms are prevalent across neuropsychiatric disorders, increase distress and impair quality of life. Self-guided digital interventions offer accessibility, scalability, and may overcome the research-to-practice treatment gap. Seventy-six trials with 5214 participants were identified. A random-effects meta-analysis investigated the effects of all digital self-guided interventions, compared to controls, at post-treatment. We found a small-to-moderate positive pooled effect on cognition (k = 71; g = −0.51, 95%CI −0.64 to −0.37; p &lt; 0.00001) and mental health (k = 30; g = −0.41, 95%CI −0.60 to −0.22; p &lt; 0.0001). Positive treatment effects on fatigue (k = 8; g = −0.27, 95%CI −0.53 to −0.02; p = 0.03) and quality of life (k = 22; g = −0.17, 95%CI −0.34 to −0.00; p = 0.04) were only marginally significant. No significant benefit was found for performance on activities of daily living. Results were independent of control groups, treatment duration, risk of bias and delivery format. Self-guided digital transdiagnostic interventions may benefit at least a subset of patients in the short run, yet their impact on non-cognitive outcomes remains uncertain.

Exploring Screen Time and Its Effects on Children’s Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

Exploring Screen Time and Its Effects on Children’s Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

Disparities in School Connectedness, Unstable Housing, Experiences of Violence, Mental Health, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Transgender and Cisgender High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023.

Transgender high school students (those whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth) experience disparate health outcomes and challenges in school, including violence and discrimination, compared with cisgender students (those whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth). Until recently, population-based data describing the experiences of transgender students and students questioning whether they are transgender (questioning) have been limited. In 2023, the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey assessed transgender identity, providing the first nationally representative data about transgender students. This report describes the demographic characteristics of transgender and questioning high school students and examines differences in the prevalence of experiences of violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, school connectedness, and unstable housing among transgender, questioning, and cisgender high school students nationwide. In 2023, 3.3% of U.S. high school students identified as transgender, and 2.2% identified as questioning. Transgender and questioning students experienced a higher prevalence of violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and unstable housing, and a lower prevalence of school connectedness than their cisgender peers. Compared with 8.5% of cisgender male students, 25.3% of transgender students and 26.4% of questioning students skipped school because they felt unsafe. An estimated 40% of transgender and questioning students were bullied at school, and 69% of questioning students and 72% of transgender students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a marker for experiencing depressive symptoms. Approximately 26% of transgender and questioning students attempted suicide in the past year compared with 5% of cisgender male and 11% of cisgender female students. Intervention opportunities for schools to create safer and more supportive environments for transgender and questioning students can help address these disparities. The findings of this report suggest that more effort is necessary to ensure that the health and well-being of youths who are socially marginalized is prioritized.

Effect of same-sex marriage legalisation on the health of ethnic minority lesbian, gay and bisexual people: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundThe UK legalised same-sex marriage in 2014. We examine whether same-sex marriage legalisation (SSML), an exogenous policy change, affected the health outcomes among ethnic minority lesbian, gay, bisexual and other...

Cardiovascular comorbidities, mental health, and physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis.

This study examined the associations among cardiovascular comorbidities, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis. Participants with multiple sclerosis (N = 217) completed demographic, cardiovascular comorbidity, depression, and anxiety self-report measures, and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. We examined the bivariate, non-parametric correlations among the variables and conducted parametric, independent samples t-tests when examining the differences in variables based on cardiovascular comorbidity status. Bivariate correlation analysis indicated that there were statistically significant associations between anxiety scores, but not depression scores, and cardiovascular comorbidities. Physical activity, especially moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), was correlated with cardiovascular comorbidities. There were small significant differences based on hyperlipidemia status in anxiety scores (p = 0.015, d = -0.42), MVPA (p < 0.001, d = 0.44), and steps/day (p < 0.001, d = 0.50), and based on hypertension status in anxiety scores (p = 0.010, d = -0.35), depression scores (p = 0.046, d = -0.26), MVPA (p = 0.003, d = 0.41), and steps/day (p < 0.001, d = 0.53). The findings indicate that there are significant associations among cardiovascular comorbidities, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis. Physical activity, specifically MVPA, may be a target for managing those outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Association between public health measures and the public's well-being during the pandemic: a nationwide Japanese study.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the duration of anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health measures and the quality of life (QOL) and mental health of the Japanese public. The present, nationwide, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2021. The cumulative duration in days of anti-COVID-19 public health measures was calculated for each prefecture in the year prior to the survey, and multilevel linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between the duration of these measures and any impairment of QOL or mental health as assessed by the EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-levels (EQ-5D-5L) and the Kessler scale (K6). The study included 28 118 participants from all 47 prefectures. The median duration of public health measures of all prefectures was 179days. Long-term duration of the measures (181-365days) was not independently associated with low EQ-5D-5L (P=0.128) or high K6 (P=0.179) scores after adjusting for potential confounders (Graphical Abstract). Prolongation of the measures may not be associated with a deterioration in the QOL or mental health of the Japanese public. Nevertheless, it may be necessary to reconsider long-term public health measures given the potential they may have to cause collateral damage, such as socioeconomic one.

Investigating the relationship between self-efficacy and quality of life in Iranian women

BackgroundWomen’s quality of life and self-efficacy play pivotal roles in task accomplishment and overall health improvement within families and society. This study determination the intricate relationship between quality of life and self-efficacy among women utilizing care services from Mashhad health centers.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 366 women accessing Mashhad health centers in 2023 was conducted. Clustering sampling was employed, and data were gathered using the Schwartz self-efficacy questionnaire and the short form of quality of life. Statistical analysis utilized Spearman correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-square test in SPSS25, with a significance level set at 0.05.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 36.42 ± 11.13 years. A statistically significant relationship was observed between self-efficacy and total quality of life score, as well as its dimensions (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, social environment and quality of life, and general health) (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe study underscores a significant association between self-efficacy and both the overall quality of life and its specific dimensions among women. These findings highlight the reciprocal influence of self-efficacy and quality of life. Consequently, tailored interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy and quality of life are recommended.