Risk Of Serious Psychological Distress Research Articles

History of trauma and COVID-19-related psychological distress and PTSD.

The COVID-19 pandemic has a great impact on society as a whole. Yet the pandemic and associated mandatory lockdown in several countries may have increased the vulnerability of certain populations. The present study aimed to document the frequency of clinical level of psychological distress and COVID-19 related post-traumatic stress symptoms in youth during the first wave of the pandemic. The study more specifically explored the role of prior trauma and adverse life events as a vulnerability factor for negative outcomes. A sample of 4914 adolescents and young adults from the province of Quebec, Canada was recruited online through social networks during the first wave of COVID-19. Results revealed that 26.6% of youth displayed serious psychological distress and 20.3% probable PTSD symptoms. The number of past traumas and adversity experienced showed a dose-response relation with the prevalence of psychological distress and PTSD. After controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and COVID-19 related variables (exposure, fear, suspicion of having the infection), participants with a history of five traumas and more presented a two-fold risk of serious psychological distress and probable PTSD. Emotion dysregulation was also associated with an increased risk of symptoms while resilience was linked to a reduced risk of distress.

Predictors of psychological distress and sleep deprivation in caregivers of stroke survivors

BackgroundCaregivers for stroke survivors (CSS) suffer from long hours of care, limited support, and financial difficulties, which often affect their mental health. ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the factors affecting psychological distress and sleep duration among CSS. MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2013 Comprehensive Survey of the Living Conditions for Stroke Survivors and CSS. Linked data from 841 pairs of stroke survivors and CSS were extracted. Kessler's Psychological Distress scale (K6) was used to evaluate psychological distress. CSS who slept less than 5 hours per day were classified as having short sleep duration. Factors predictive of psychological distress and short sleep duration were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis with the forward selection method. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the CSS was 65.4 (12.5) years. A total of 5.6% of these caregivers presented with serious psychological distress, and 12.0% were sleep deprived. Serious psychological distress was associated with not having someone to consult with, having subjective symptoms within a few days, and having short sleep duration, while having their own houses reduced the risk of serious psychological distress. Furthermore, short sleep duration was associated with stroke survivors in long-term care levels 4 or 5, not having someone to consult with, participation in sponge baths as part of nursing care activities, and having serious psychological distress. ConclusionsThis nationwide survey identified several risk factors for psychological stress and sleep deprivation among CSS and suggests the need for multidimensional approaches to reduce their distress.

Psychological distress and digital health service use during COVID-19: A national Australian cross-sectional survey.

Previous research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to the lives and mental health of Australians. In response, health services adapted rapidly to digital modes of treatment, prevention and care. Although a large amount of research emerged in the first year of the pandemic, the longer-term mental health impacts, contributing factors, and population-level utilization of digital health services are unknown. A population-based online survey of 5,100 Australians adults was conducted in October 2021. Psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale. Additional survey questions included use and satisfaction with digital health services. Where available, data were compared with our previous survey conducted in 2018, permitting an examination of pre- and post-pandemic digital health service utilization. In 2021, almost a quarter (n = 1203, 23.6%) of respondents reported serious levels of psychological distress; participants with pre-existing health related conditions, of younger age, lower educational attainment, those who lost their job or were paid fewer hours, or living in states with lockdown policies in place were at highest risk of serious psychological distress. Almost half of all respondents (n = 2177, 42.7%) reported using digital health technologies in 2021, in contrast to just 10.0% in 2018. In 2021, respondents with serious psychological distress were significantly more likely to consult with a healthcare professional via telephone/videoconferencing (P < 0.001), access healthcare via a telephone advice line (P < 0.001), or via an email or webchat advice service (P < 0.001) than those with no serious psychological distress. Those with and without psychological distress were highly satisfied with the care they received via digital health technologies in 2021. Rates of serious psychological distress during the second year of the pandemic remained high, providing further evidence for the serious impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the general population. Those with psychological distress accessed digital mental health services and were satisfied with the care they received. The results highlight the continued need for mental health support and digital health services, particularly for people living with chronic conditions, younger adults and people most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the short term and beyond.

Social Media and Change in Psychological Distress Over Time: The Role of Social Causation

Abstract This article tests the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT), such as the Internet, cell phones, and social media, and change over time in psychological distress (PD) and risk of serious psychological distress (SPD) associated with depression and anxiety disorders. Using a longitudinal panel design, survey data from a representative sample of American adults, findings revealed that home Internet and social network site (SNS) use are associated with decreased PD over time. Having extended family who are also Internet users further decreases PD. PD increased or decreased in relation to change in the PD of extended family who also use SNSs. For most people, ICT substantively reduce PD; in rare cases, an extreme spike in PD of extended family also on SNSs, there was a trivial increase to the risk of SPD. PD did not change when extended family not on social media experienced a change in their PD.

Associations between psychological distress and health-related behaviors among adults with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 15% of the US general population, and this rate is projected to increase. A healthy lifestyle is important for individuals with CKD to reduce risk for CKD progression and adverse heath events. Adults with CKD also have high rates of psychological distress, which may be associated with unhealthy behaviors. Using the 2013–2017 public use data files of the US National Health Interview Survey, we compared health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity [PA]) and psychological distress (assessed with the Kessler-6 scale) between adults with a CKD diagnosis in the preceding year and a matched sample of adults without a CKD diagnosis. We then examined the association between psychological distress and health behaviors among adults with CKD (n = 3923) using multinomial logistic regression models. Compared to those without CKD, those with CKD had lower rates of smoking, heavy alcohol use, and engagement in any type of PA 3+ times a week and higher rates of psychological distress. In addition to the health concerns posed by the high smoking rate (17%) and low physical activity rate (34%) among those with CKD, smoking and lack of PA were associated with greater risk of mild-moderate and/or serious psychological distress. Compared to no unhealthy behaviors, 2–3 unhealthy behaviors were associated with 4.72 (95% CI = 2.97–7.48) times greater risk of serious psychological distress. Adults with CKD and unhealthy behaviors need help with lifestyle modifications and assessment and treatment of psychological distress to reduce CKD progression and prevent other health complications.

Association between sleep and serious psychological distress in patients with diabetes

ABSTRACTDiabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and impacts patients’ physical health and also increases the risk for psychological distress. Sleep disturbance is a common complaint in patients with diabetes and likely impacts psychological well-being. This study examined the relationship between sleep characteristics and serious psychological distress (SPD) in people with diabetes by conducting a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (N= 3474). Approximately 7% of the participants reported SPD and 27% reported sleep durations that were shorter or longer than the recommended 6-8 hours daily. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that people who reported daily sleep of 1-5 hours or 9 or more hours were more likely to report SPD than individuals who slept 6-8 hours a day. Respondents who reported a higher frequency of taking medication for sleep and having trouble staying asleep were also substantially more likely to have SPD. However, an increase in the number of days feeling rested when waking up was a protective factor that decreased the risk of SPD. The findings suggest that both sleep disturbances and SPD, because of their high prevalence, should be included in the routine evaluation for diabetes care.

The Influence of Supportive and Ethical Work Environments on Work-Related Accidents, Injuries, and Serious Psychological Distress among Hospital Nurses.

The healthcare industry in Japan has experienced many cases of work-related injuries, accidents, and workers’ compensation claims because of mental illness. This study examined the influence of supportive and ethical work environments on work-related accidents, injuries, and serious psychological distress among hospital nurses. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to nurses (n = 1114) from 11 hospitals. Valid responses (n = 822, 93% women, mean age = 38.49 ± 10.09 years) were used for analyses. The questionnaire included items addressing basic attributes, work and organizational characteristics, social capital and ethical climate at the workplace, psychological distress, and experience of work-related accidents or injuries in the last half year. The final model of a multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that those who work less than 4 h of overtime per week (OR = 0.313), those who work on days off more than once per month (OR = 0.424), and an exclusive workplace climate (OR = 1.314) were significantly associated with work-related accidents or injuries. Additionally, an exclusive workplace climate (OR = 1.696) elevated the risk of serious psychological distress. To prevent work-related compensation cases, which are caused by these variables, strengthening hospitals’ occupational health and safety is necessary.

Addressing the needs of fertility treatment patients and their partners: are they informed of and do they receive mental health services?

To determine the extent to which fertility patients and partners received mental health services (MHS) and were provided with information about MHS by their fertility clinics, and whether the use of MHS, or the provision of information about MHS by fertility clinics, was targeted to the most distressed individuals. Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Five fertility practices. A total of 352 women and 274 men seeking treatment for infertility. No interventions administered. Depression, anxiety, and MHS information provision and use. We found that 56.5% of women and 32.1% of men scored in the clinical range for depressive symptomatology at one or more assessments and that 75.9% of women and 60.6% of men scored in the clinical range for anxiety symptomatology at one or more assessments. Depression and anxiety were higher for women and men who remained infertile compared with those who were successful. Overall, 21% of women and 11.3% of men reported that they had received MHS, and 26.7% of women and 24.1% of men reported that a fertility clinic made information available to them about MHS. Women and men who reported significant depressive or anxiety symptoms, even those with prolonged symptoms, were no more likely than other patients to have received information about MHS. Psychological distress is common during fertility treatment, but most patients and partners do not receive and are not referred for MHS. Furthermore, MHS use and referral is not targeted to those at high risk for serious psychological distress. More attention needs to be given to the mental health needs of our patients and their partners.

Precarious employment and the risk of serious psychological distress: a population-based cohort study in Japan.

This study examines whether precarious employment increases the risk of serious psychological distress (SPD) in a nationally representative cohort of Japanese middle-aged people. From 2005-2009, we followed 8486 male and 6736 female participants (aged 50-59 years) in the Longitudinal Survey of Middle-aged and Elderly Persons. All individuals were employed and free of SPD, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at baseline. The participants were classified into two groups based on their baseline employment contract: precarious and full-time permanent work. SPD was assessed at each year during the study, using the K6 scale, a self-rated 6-item scale that screens for mood or anxiety disorders. We used discrete-time survival analysis, with a complementary log-log link, to examine the effect of precarious employment on SPD incidence. During a maximum follow-up period of four years, 374 men and 364 women developed SPD. Male precarious employees were more likely to develop SPD than male full-time permanent employees (hazard ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.28-2.51) in the full model, after adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational factors, cardiovascular disease risk, and K6 scores at baseline. By contrast, no significant association was observed among female employees. However, an analysis stratified by marital status revealed an association similar to that found among men but only among unmarried women. The findings suggest that precarious employment is associated with double the risk of SPD incidence among middle-aged Japanese men and - when stratified by marital status - among unmarried women. This highlights a major gender difference in the association between precarious employment and risk of SPD.

Erythrocyte N-3 Is Inversely Correlated with Serious Psychological Distress among the Inuit: Data from the Nunavik Health Survey

Objective: A decrease in omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and an increase in omega-6 (n-6) linoleic acid in the diet have been suggested as contributing factors in the pathogenesis of depression. The present study examined the relationship between red blood cell (RBC) n-3 and n-6 and serious psychological distress (SPD).Methods: The authors analyzed data on 746 Inuit adults who took part in the 2004 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey. Fatty acids were quantified in RBC membranes. Psychological distress was measured by the Kessler 6-Item Scale (K6), a brief screening instrument for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) mood disorders in the past 30 days. A score ≥13 on the K6 has been established as a threshold to differentiate cases of SPD from noncases.Statistical Analysis: The risk of SPD according to RBC n-3 and n-6 was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Weighted estimates were calculated by the SUDAAN statistical package to account for the complex survey design.Results: The 30-day prevalence rate of SPD was 12.4%. In SPD cases, mean n-3 LC-PUFAs were lower (7.81% ± 0.24% [SEM] vs. 9.24% ± 0.12%, p < 0.0001) and mean total n-6 was higher (27.3% ± 0.36% vs. 25.9% ± 0.15%, p = 0.0003) than in noncases. For each 1% increase in RBC n-3 LC-PUFA, the odds ratio for SPD was 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.83, 0.99; p = 0.0248). However, neither individual n-6 FAs nor total n-6 was significantly associated (p ≥ 0.05) with SPD in multivariate analysis.Conclusions: In this study, the authors observed that n-3 LC-PUFAs in RBCs were inversely associated with SPD. The study's cross-sectional design implies that one cannot ascertain any causal relationship. The findings suggest that n-3 LC-PUFA consumption from the traditional Inuit diet deserves prospective analyses.