Psychosocial Disorders Research Articles

Occurrence and determinants of parental psychosocial stress and mental health disorders in parents and their children in early childhood: rationale, objectives, and design of the population-based SKKIPPI cohort study

PurposeThe postnatal period is a vulnerable time for parents and children but epidemiological and health care utilisation data for Germany on parental mental health during early childhood is scarce. This protocol describes the rationale, aim and study design of a population-based cohort study to assess the occurrence and determinants of psychosocial stress and mental health disorders, as well as the use and cost of health care and social services in early childhood.MethodsAs part of the collaborative SKKIPPI project, we will contact a random sample of 30,000 infants listed in the residents’ registration offices of three German towns and we expect to include 6,000 mother–child pairs. Both parents are invited to fill out an online screening questionnaire. Mothers with indications of psychosocial stress will be interviewed to assess mental health disorders, regulatory problems of their children, as well as health care and social services utilisation, with a follow-up assessment after 6 months.ResultsAfter description of sociodemographic and health data, we will analyse occurrences, patterns, and potential determinants (maternal age, social status, household factors, migration status etc.) of psychosocial stress and mental health disorders in the mothers and their children in early childhood.ConclusionsOur study will identify potential risk and protective factors for postnatal mental health and health care utilization of psychosocially burdened families. This will help to improve prevention and treatment strategies to strengthen the parent–child relationship, to reduce persisting vulnerability of children, and to improve health care and social services.Trial registrationThe study has been registered in the German Clinical Trial Registry on February 8th 2019 (DRKS-ID: DRKS00016653).

KAP study on mental health and reproductive illness among college girls in Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The period of adolescence and youth is a transition period between childhood and adulthood. This phase is vulnerable for several health issues ranging from reproductive, psychosocial and mental disorders. Among various disorders, mental disorders form a fulcrum which determines the quality of life and well-being during their adult life. Studies have proven that it is essential to create awareness among these adolescents and youth regarding early signs of mental illnesses. This study was conducted to compare the level of knowledge, attitude and practices related to mental health and illness among girls’ college and college with co-education system. This cross sectional study was carried out among one college with co-education where 149 girls participated and one girls’ college where 112 girls participated. A structured interview schedule was used to obtain information regarding knowledge, attitude and practices pertaining to mental illness. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Friends were the major source of information for the co-education students while internet formed the major source of information for the girls’ college students. Majority of the girls in girls’ college felt that mental illness is caused due to environmental problems (74.1%) while among co-education students, it was due to spirits (35.6%), (p<0.0001). While 31.5% of the girls of co-ed colleges felt that self harm was normal, only 18.7% among girls’ college felt that self harm was normal.: Our study indicates that students of girls’ college were better informed and aware of mental illness compared to the girls studying in co-education system. There is a need for target based awareness on mental health and also regarding approaches to abnormalities of the mental states for a healthier adulthood among girls.

A study of the prevalence of various psychosocial problems of geriatric population in urban area of district-Hapur

Background: With advancing age, ill-health becomes a major hindrance for the well-being of the elderly. Therefore, not only physical but even psychosocial health is an important predictor for their living happily. Objective was to study the prevalence of various psychosocial problems, including dependence in study population.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in geriatric age group in the urban field practice areas of Department of Community Medicine, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, District-Hapur.Results: Out of 580 elderly the overall prevalence of psychosocial problems was 270 (45.6%). This includes psychosocial disorders in 34.8%, functional dependency in 12.4%, sad attitude towards life in 13.4% and low social adjustment in 8.3%.Conclusions: The psychosocial problems were higher in females as compared to males and were significantly associated with functional dependency, social adjustment and attitude towards life.

Associations Between Altered Cerebral Activity Patterns and Psychosocial Disorders in Patients With Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction: A Mediation Analysis of fMRI.

Previous studies had illustrated the significant neural pathological changes in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED), while few works focused on the neural underpinning of the psychosocial status in patients with pED. This study aimed to investigate the associations among the altered cerebral activity patterns, impaired erectile function, and the disrupted psychosocial status in patients with pED. Thirty-two patients with pED and 28 healthy controls (HCs) were included. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), region-of-interest-based functional connectivity (FC), as well as Pearson correlation analyses and mediation analyses between neuroimaging outcomes and clinical outcomes were performed. Compared to HCs, patients with pED manifested lower erectile function, disrupted psychosocial status, as well as decreased ALFF in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and reduced FC between the left dlPFC and left angular gyrus, and left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus, which belonged to the default mode network (DMN). Moreover, both the ALFF of the left dlPFC and FC between the left dlPFC and left PCC and precuneus were significantly correlated with the sexual function and psychosocial status in patients with pED. The disrupted psychosocial status mediated the influence of atypical FC between dlPFC and DMN on decreased erectile function. This study widened our understanding of the important role of psychosocial disorders in pathological neural changes in patients with pED.

PEMBERIAN DUKUNGAN PSIKOSOSIAL PADA ANAK YANG MENGALAMI GANGGUAN DI ERA PANDEMI COVID-19

This paper aims to elaborate on the psychosocial support provided by the supervisors and managers of the orphanage to 50 children living in the Social Institution for Children and Adolescents of the Social Service for Southeast Sulawesi Province. This qualitative descriptive study focuses on studying children who experience psychological disorders after undergoing long quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods of data collection through observation, in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussion. The results of the study show that: First, 50 children have undergone self-quarantine for months in the home. Due to long-term quarantine, the children experience mental and social (psychosocial) disorders in the form of boredom, boredom, and stress. Second, the causes of psychosocial disorders in children are not only caused by the length of quarantine in the orphanage, the prohibition on going to school and the prohibition on visiting other important public places due to the implementation of social distancing and stay at home policies, as well as the difficulty of children understanding the subject matter. online while undergoing online learning at home. Finally, providing psychosocial support to children in difficult times like now is very necessary, considering that the closest people to the child (parents, supervisors, and institution managers) are people who know exactly about the problems and solutions faced by children for healing mental health, social, and child psychology.

Ψυχοθεραπευτικές παρεμβάσεις σε οικογένειες παιδιών με αναπηρίες, δυσλειτουργίες: Αρχές και φιλοσοφία του οικοσυστημικού ψυχοδυναμικού μοντέλου

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of family centeredapproaches and intervention models focusing on families with children withvarious forms of disability. In addition, the key principles, the rationale and the techniques of the psychodynamic ecosystemic model targeting families with children with particular difficulties or disabilities, will be presented. The present model aims at helping families and children with disabilities at risk for the development of secondary psychosocial disorders. Finally, intervention difficulties, as well as family problems that professionals working with this model are facing will be discussed.

Anthropometric indices and cardiometabolic risk factors in a Ghanaian adolescent population.

Adolescent overweight and obesity is a public health concern globally, especially in lower- and middle- income countries where there is an additional burden ofundernutrition. The prevalence of adolescent overweight/2obesity has increased markedly over the past three decades. The transition in dietary habits coupled with reduced physical activity has been blamed for the increasing trend. Overweight/obesity in adolescence is complicated by cardiometabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal and psychosocial disorders. Additionally, adolescent obesity is a predictor of future development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. The burden of cardiometabolic risk factors associated with adolescent overweight/obesity in Ghana is lacking, the project, therefore, was undertaken to add to the existing knowledge. The study was undertaken in adolescent students of a tertiary institution in Ghana. Two hundred and one students consented to participate in the study. Questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary and substance abuse habits were self-administered. Blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference measures were performed and venous blood drawn for the determination of fasting serum total/LDL/HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Body mass indices were determined as the weight per square of their heights. The prevalence of obesity was determined to be 15.81% generally, 27.71% in the females and 7.08% in the males. Diastolic blood pressure was the only cardiometabolic risk factor significantly associated with obesity in our study. Overweight/obesity is common in Ghanaian adolescents, with the prevalence highest in the female population.

Relationship between pediatric asthma and psychosocial status of caregivers

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between psychosocial caregiver disorders and childhood asthma. Study designWe performed a matched case–control study with asthmatic children (6-14 years of age) from two different clinics in Zaragoza, Spain, between 2010 - 2016. Clinical data were collected from medical records and psychosocial disorders were assessed by interviewing the caregiver using validated questionnaires (Goldberg, CES-D, SF-12, PSS and SPIN). General analysis of cases and controls was performed using McNemar, Chi2 and Wilcoxon nonparametric tests. A logistic regression model to predict more severe asthma, adjusted by caregiver psychosocial disorders was performed. Results208 children were evaluated (104 cases). Mean age was 9.7 ± 2.4 years, with a male predominance (62.5%). Anxiety, social phobia, depression, acute and chronic psychological disorders, and poor quality of life related to mental health were significantly more prevalent in caregivers of asthmatic children (p<0.05). On multivariate analysis, all of the above disorders significantly increased the risk of uncontrolled asthma, where anxiety, acute psychological disorders, and chronic psychological disorders were the most significant (OR 8.54, 95%CI 3.46-21.05, p<0.001; OR 6.05, 95%CI 2.39-15.28, p<0.001; and OR 4.86, 95%CI 1.97-12.02, p=0.001, respectively). ConclusionThe prevalence of psychosocial disorders in caregivers of asthmatic children is high, when compared to caregivers of healthy children. The presence of anxiety, social phobia, depression, and poor quality of life is associated with an increased risk of worse controlled asthma. Perhaps, early detection and treatment of these disorders could positively impact childhood asthma control.

Psychosocial working conditions, pain, mental disorders, and disability pension

We aimed to investigate associations between psychosocial working conditions and disability pension (DP), and the role of co-existing pain or common mental disorders (CMDs). Survey data collected 1998–2003 on 25,135 Swedish twins born 1935–1958 were linked with national DP register data until 2013. Psychosocial working conditions, pain and CMDs were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression models (hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals). One unit increase in job demands or control was associated with a higher risk for DP due to musculoskeletal disorders. One unit decrease in job demands predicted lower risk of DP due to mental diagnoses. Co-existing pain or CMD played no role for associations of job demands with DP, but pain influenced the associations with DP due to mental diagnoses. To conclude, psychosocial working conditions play different roles for DP depending on the diagnoses.

Homesickness in developing world expatriates and coping strategies

This article examines the developing world expatriates’ experience of homesickness when they are deployed to western countries. The research considers the consequences of being homesick on the expatriates and their organisations; the paper then clarifies the strategies used by the expatriates to cope with the condition. The research employed qualitative research built on unstructured interviews with expatriates from the developing world who have been deployed in western countries by their employing multinational. The findings revealed that homesickness has consequences for both expatriates and organisations. These consequences include psycho-social disorder, deterioration of physical health which damagingly affect individual wellbeing, work outcomes and organisational commitment. The practical implications centre on the opportunity for policy and strategy formulation by international HRM within organisations to improve the mental health of developing world expatriates, thus seeding the ingredients for better performance and job satisfaction. Our study makes significant additions to the expatriate literature in exposing the homesickness experiences of expatriates from the developing world in advanced economies. We identify two main coping strategies used by expatriates. The research explicates how developing world expatriates use these strategies in practices.

Meranzin hydrate elicits antidepressant effects and restores reward circuitry

The burden of depression is enormous, and numerous studies have found that major depressive disorder (MDD) induces cardiovascular disorders (CVD) and functional dyspepsia (FD). Excitingly, meranzin hydrate (MH), an absorbed bioactive compound of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, reverses psychosocial stress-induced mood disorders, gastrointestinal dysfunction and cardiac disease. Pharmacological methods have repeatedly failed in antidepressant development over the past few decades, but repairing aberrant neural circuits might be a reasonable strategy. This article aimed to explore antidepressant-like effects and potential mechanisms of MH in a rat model of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Utilizing blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we sought to find reliable neurocircuits or a dominant brain region revealing the multiple effects of MH. The results show that compared with UCMS rats, MH (10 mg/kg/day for 1 week i.g.)-treated rats exhibited decreased depression-like behaviour; increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus; and normalized levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), and acylated ghrelin (AG). Additionally, the UCMS-induced rise in BOLD activation in the reward system was attenuated after MH treatment. A literature search shown that nucleus accumbens (NAc) and hypothalamus of the reward system might reveal multiple effects of MH on MDD-FD-CVD comorbidity. Further research will focus on the role of these two brain regions in treating depression associated with comorbidities.

Application of Family Psychoeducation to Client Psychosocial Disorder Anxiety and Body Image Due

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that is becoming poses a threat to global health and requires special attention. The prevalence of Diabetes mellitus has increased significantly throughout the world in the last 10 years. Indonesia ranks sixth among people with diabetes worldwide. Anxiety and body image are of the psychosocial effects given from Diabetes mellitus. Anxiety and body image can affect the client’s diet, causing changes in nutrition. Through case report by providing family psychoeducation therapy in the form of stress management that can reduce and even overcome anxiety and body image is very useful for clients and families to reduce the risk of body image for clients who experience nutritional imbalances and family body image that treats clients with Diabetes mellitus. This study aims help to overcome anxiety and body image disorders in diabetes mellitus clients so that diabetes mellitus clients have a good appetite. In addition, families are also able to cope with stress in treating diabetes mellitus clients. Research using case studies shows that clients already have a good appetite, anxiety and impaired body image can be lowered and the family is able to cope with stress and able to treat clients with diabetes mellitus. Family psychoeducation therapy is very useful in reducing the level of anxiety and disruption of the body image of a diabetes mellitus client in supporting the client’s diet and being able to deal with family stress in caring for a diabetes mellitus client.

Psychosocial predictors of quality of life among chronic hemodialysis patients.

Objectives:To examine the association of several psychosocial disorders with quality of life (QoL) among chronic hemodialysis patients.Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 2018 and recruited chronic hemodialysis patients from 3 major hemodialysis centers in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Quality of life was assessed using a previously validated Arabic version of the dialysis version-III of the QoL index.Results:A total of 101 patients (56 males and 45 females) were included. The mean age was 54.0±12.3 years. The overall mean of QoL was 88.8/100 points (out of 100). The family (95.0%) and psychological/spiritual (94.7%) domains had the highest scores. The prevalence of psychosocial disorders was 24.8% for depressive symptoms, 15.8% for anxiety symptoms, 88.1% for cognitive impairment, 76.8% for insecure attachment style, and 38.6% for medium/high severity of somatic symptoms. All psychosocial disorders and higher cognition level were negatively correlated with QoL (Spearman correlation r ranged between -0.228- -0.468). After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, anxiety symptoms and higher cognition level were independent predictors of poor QoL, while marital status (married) was an independent predictor of good QoL.Conclusion:We report higher QoL and relatively better psychosocial profiles among current chronic hemodialysis patients than reported before. Psychosocial disorders specially anxiety can negatively impact QoL. Patients who were not cognitively impaired were more negatively affected in QOL. The findings re-emphasize the importance of the early detection and management of psychosocial disorders to improve QoL in chronic hemodialysis patients.

The Association between Depression and Anxiety with Online Social Networking

Abstract It would seem that today, for many individuals the most important thing is to have a good profile picture on online social networks. Accordingly, there is a serious possibility that addiction to social networking sites (SNS) can lead to psychosocial and behavioral disorders, and other negative consequences on health-related issues. So, the aim of this study was to determine the association between the use of social networking sites and its dependence on symptoms of depression and anxiety. This cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine from February to May, 2019. All of the respondents were assessed by using an appropriate questionnaire. The study included 1405 randomly selected respondents (411 males and 994 females). The strongest predictor of whether one has high levels of depression symptoms was state of conflict, where the odds ratio was 10.28. This indicates that the respondents with higher scores of the conflict component have symptoms of depression 10.28 times more often than others. It has been observed that depression symptoms are also more common in those respondents with expressed withdrawal symptoms (OR = 4.27), and with mood modification (OR = 1.82). Anxiety symptoms, similar to those of depression, are most present in individuals with conflict state (OR = 10.31), in those with withdrawal symptoms (OR = 6.83), and then with mood modification (OR = 2.55). The number of active accounts/profiles and number of devices, as well as state of salience and tolerance played no part in any of the cases. There is no doubt that there is a direct link between SNS and depression and anxiety. While these links may not be causal, it is quite certain that overuse of social networks exacerbates these symptoms. Key messages There is no doubt that there is a direct link between SNS and depression and anxiety. Strategies for self-control and limited SNS use should be developed by mental health professionals.

A Liga Interdisciplinar em Saúde Mental e suas contribuições em tempos de COVID-19

A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) declarou, em janeiro de 2020, que o surto da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus constituiu uma Emergência de Saúde Pública de Importância Internacional, o mais alto nível de alerta da Organização, conforme previsto no Regulamento Sanitário Internacional. A saúde mental da população durante uma pandemia de grande magnitude como esta implica em uma perturbação psicossocial que pode ultrapassar a capacidade de enfrentamento da população afetada. Este artigo possui como objetivo relatar a experiência da Liga Interdisciplinar em Saúde Mental (LISAM) da Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú, durante a pandemia do novo coronavírus. A Universidade, ao desenvolver ações de extensão durante a pandemia, compromete-se em sustentar seu valor social, mostra-se atentar para o delicado momento histórico mundial. O relato está constituído de três sessões: criação, função e perspectivas; contribuições da liga durante a pandemia e pesquisar é preciso. Ao desenvolver atividades de extensão durante a pandemia, oportunizou aos seus integrantes um espaço fértil de aprendizagem no âmbito do ensino, pesquisa e extensão, contribuindo para a formação de profissionais com senso de responsabilidade social e compromisso com a cidadania.

Psychosocial risk and body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric diagnosis characterized by a debilitating preoccupation with perceived appearance defects that are not noticeable to others. The International OCD Foundation estimates nearly 1 in 50 individuals in the United States meet the diagnostic criteria for this disorder; however, despite its prevalence, many social work professionals lack familiarity with this diagnosis. Using PRISMA-P reporting guidelines, this article presents a systematic review of studies examining individual, interpersonal, and environmental risks in the development of BDD. Implications for social work practice and suggestions for further research are discussed Table 1.

Moving past the vaccine/autism controversy - to examine potential vaccine neurological harms.

The vaccine/autism controversy has caused vast scientific and public confusion, and it has set back research and education into genuine vaccine-induced neurological disorders. The great strawman of autism has been so emphasized by the vaccine industry that it, and it alone, often appears in authoritative discussions of adverse effects of the MMR and other vaccines. By dismissing the chimerical vaccine/autism controversy, vaccine defenders often dismiss all genuinely neurological aftereffects of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and other vaccines, including well-documented events, such as relatively rare cases of encephalopathy and encephalitis. This report explains that autism is not a physical or neurological disorder. It is not caused by injury or disease of the brain. It is a developmental disorder that has no physical origins and no physical symptoms. It is extremely unlikely that vaccines are causing autism; but it is extremely likely that they are causing more neurological damage than currently appreciated, some of it resulting in psychosocial disabilities that can be confused with autism and other psychosocial disorders. This confusion between a developmental, psychosocial disorder and a physical neurological disease has played into the hands of interest groups who want to deny that vaccines have any neurological and associated neuropsychiatric effects. A review of the scientific literature, textbooks, and related media commentary is integrated with basic clinical knowledge. This report shows how scientific sources have used the vaccine/autism controversy to avoid dealing with genuine neurological risks associated with vaccines and summarizes evidence that vaccines, including the MMR, can cause serious neurological disorders. Manufacturers have been allowed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to gain vaccine approval without placebo-controlled clinical trials. The misleading vaccine autism controversy must be set aside in favor of examining actual neurological harms associated with vaccines, including building on existing research that has been ignored. Manufacturers of vaccines must be required to conduct placebo-controlled clinical studies for existing vaccines and for government approval of new vaccines. Many probable or confirmed neurological adverse events occur within a few days or weeks after immunization and could be detected if the trials were sufficiently large. Contrary to current opinion, large, long-term placebo-controlled trials of existing and new vaccines would be relatively easy and safe to conduct.

Psychological Aid to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mental Health Response to Crises Management.

Catastrophic Pandemics have been adversely impacted the globe throughout human history. As a consequence psychiatrist, psychologist and mental health practitioners performed their role to mitigate the adverse impacts through its scientific and clinical lenses. It was observed that due to advance nature of COVI-19 pandemic, more advance approach of psychological aid is required. This work gives an overview of the multi-dimensional and trans-disciplinary techniques, which can be helpful to cope up with the crises that emerged from the threat of COVID-19 Outbreak for victims, survivors, health care practitioners and community.

Effects of home confinement on mental health and lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak: insights from the ECLB-COVID19 multicentre study.

Although recognised as effective measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing and self-isolation have been suggested to generate a burden throughout the population. To provide scientific data to help identify risk factors for the psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 outbreak, an international cross-disciplinary online survey was circulated in April 2020. This report outlines the mental, emotional and behavioural consequences of COVID-19 home confinement. The ECLB-COVID19 electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists, following a structured review of the literature. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform and was promoted by thirty-five research organizations from Europe, North Africa, Western Asia and the Americas. Questions were presented in a differential format with questions related to responses “before” and “during” the confinement period. 1047 replies (54% women) from Western Asia (36%), North Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other continents (3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement evoked a negative effect on mental wellbeing and emotional status (P < 0.001; 0.43 ≤ d ≤ 0.65) with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing psychosocial and emotional disorders (+10% to +16.5%). These psychosocial tolls were associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviours with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing (i) physical (+15.2%) and social (+71.2%) inactivity, (ii) poor sleep quality (+12.8%), (iii) unhealthy diet behaviours (+10%), and (iv) unemployment (6%). Conversely, participants demonstrated a greater use (+15%) of technology during the confinement period. These findings elucidate the risk of psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 home confinement period and provide a clear remit for the urgent implementation of technology-based intervention to foster an Active and Healthy Confinement Lifestyle AHCL).

Correlation between lifestyle and social factors in functional dyspepsia among college freshmen.

ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the relationship between the prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) and lifestyle habits, to identify social factors that may contribute to psychosocial disorders.MethodsWe enrolled 759 university freshmen in this study, who were categorized into the FD group and healthy group. All participants completed the validated Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale questionnaires, to assess lifestyle and social factors among participants.ResultsThe proportion of participants with FD was 16.86%, and 67.97% were women. Diet irregularities and sleep impairment may have an effect on FD. Tea consumption may play a role in preventing FD. Participants with FD were more likely to have mood disorders than healthy participants. Most participants with FD who had mood disorders experienced mild anxiety or depression. Participants’ main sources of stress arose from daily life, development, social life, life events, and participants’ daily schedule.ConclusionSex and lifestyle habits, including sleeping patterns and dietary habits, can have an impact on FD. Social stress and mood disorders also have an effect on FD. FD may be prevented by adjusting lifestyle habits and psychological counseling.