Symptoms Of Mental Health Disorders Research Articles

Trauma, resilience and significant relationships: Sex differences in protective factors for military mental health.

Military service is historically a male-dominated occupation, as such, the majority of research examining the development of mental disorder in Australian Defence Force members has had primarily male samples. While there have been mixed findings internationally regarding sex differences in rates of mental disorder and subthreshold symptoms among military personnel, across studies, the evidence tends to suggest that female military members are at least as likely as males to experience subthreshold mental health symptoms and have similar or higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder despite the differences in roles during service. What is less understood is the impact of sex differences in symptom emergence over time and in predictors of clinical disorder. The sample included a longitudinal cohort of Australian Defence Force members (N = 8497) surveyed at Time 1 (2010) and followed up at Time 2 (2015) on measures of anger, self-perceived resilience, trauma exposure, deployment exposure, suicidality, help-seeking, relationship satisfaction and mental health disorder symptoms. Outcomes included Subthreshold Disorder (above the optimal screening cut-off on the 10-item Kessler distress scale or posttraumatic stress disorder checklist) and Probable Disorder (above the epidemiological cut-off on the 10-item Kessler distress scale or posttraumatic stress disorder checklist). Results found that while lifetime trauma exposure remained the strongest predictor of later probable disorder emergence among both males and females, for females specifically, self-reported resilience was also a significant protective factor. In contrast, being in a significant relationship at Time 1 was a protective factor against the development of subthreshold disorder in males. For the first time, sex differences in mental health symptom emergence over time have been explored in a large Australian cohort of military members. The capacity to adapt and bounce back after adversity emerged as a proactive factor against poor mental health for females in the military and could be addressed as part of routine skills training. Social support from significant relationship was particularly important for males' mental health, suggesting that maintaining positive relationships and supporting military spouses and partners are critical for males' mental health.

An examination of relationships between transdiagnostic psychological processes and mental health disorders in athletes

IntroductionThe aims of this study were (a) to identify links between transdiagnostic psychological processes and mental health disorder (MHD) symptoms, and (b) to examine differences in MHD and transdiagnostic psychological processes as a function of demographic variables, including, gender, status as an athlete (elite vs. non-elite), number of training sessions per week, previous severe injuries, and use of medical care following severe injuries. MethodsA total of 159 competitive athletes aged between 18 and 40 years old (44 % female; mean age = 24.20 ± 4.88 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire along with validated questionnaires evaluating MHD symptoms and transdiagnostic processes including: motivation to practice sport, emotional competencies, self-efficacy, repetitive negative thinking, meta-cognitive beliefs, and impulsive and perfectionist behaviors. ResultsMHD symptoms were positively correlated with controlled forms of motivation, repetitive negative thinking, meta-cognitive beliefs, and impulsive and perfectionistic behaviors; and negatively correlated with emotional competencies and self-efficacy. Gender differences showed that women were more likely to experience MHD, higher levels of repetitive negative thinking, meta-cognitive beliefs, and lower levels of emotional competencies and self-efficacy than men. Finally, elite athletes showed higher personal standards than their non-elite counterparts and those training more than four times per week showed significantly higher perfectionistic behaviors. DiscussionThese results are in line with previous findings in clinical psychology and shed light on the role of transdiagnostic processes and the risk of MHD in a sample of French athletes. Further research on the identification of key risk factors for MHD in competitive athletes is needed.

Magnesium (Mg2+): Essential Mineral for Neuronal Health: From Cellular Biochemistry to Cognitive Health and Behavior Regulation.

Magnesium (Mg2+) is a crucial mineral involved in numerous cellular processes critical for neuronal health and function. This review explores the multifaceted roles of Mg2+, from its biochemical interactions at the cellular level to its impact on cognitive health and behavioral regulation. Mg2+ acts as a cofactor for over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those involved in ATP synthesis, nucleic acid stability, and neurotransmitter release. It regulates ion channels, modulates synaptic plasticity, and maintains the structural integrity of cell membranes, which are essential for proper neuronal signaling and synaptic transmission. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of Mg2+ in neuroprotection, showing its ability to attenuate oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and mitigate excitotoxicity, thereby safeguarding neuronal health. Furthermore, Mg2+ deficiency has been linked to a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Supplementation with Mg2+, particularly in the form of bioavailable compounds such as Magnesium-L-Threonate (MgLT), Magnesium-Acetyl-Taurate (MgAT), and other Magnesium salts, has shown some promising results in enhancing synaptic density, improving memory function, and alleviating symptoms of mental health disorders. This review highlights significant current findings on the cellular mechanisms by which Mg2+ exerts its neuroprotective effects and evaluates clinical and preclinical evidence supporting its therapeutic potential. By elucidating the comprehensive role of Mg2+ in neuronal health, this review aims to underscore the importance of maintaining optimal Mg2+ levels for cognitive function and behavioral regulation, advocating for further research into Mg2+ supplementation as a viable intervention for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions.

Living in Camps Impacts on the Mental Health and Quality of Life of Displaced People in Northwest Syria

The research aimed to study the impact of living in displacement camps on mental health and Quality of life among Syrians in Northwest Syria. A descriptive and analytical approach was utilized, where two scales of mental health (SCL – 90 - R) and Quality of life (WHOQOL – BREF) were applied, with (306) participants. Results show that symptoms of mental health disorders appear at different levels, where the most common disorder is Depression, and the least common is Psychoticism. Quality of life results show that the most common issue was General Health, and the least common was environmental health. Differences between educational status and gender were statistically significant when studying the presence of mental health disorders, where it was lower in males than in females. Quality of life results showed significant differences between all demographic characteristics except the duration of stay in the camp. It was higher in females than in males. It was higher among the employed than the unemployed, and the age (under 18 years) had the highest Quality of life .Regarding marital status, it was highest in the (single and widowed). The Quality of life was highest among the university degree holders. There was a moderate and inverse correlation between Symptoms of mental health disorders and Quality of life, where the correlation coefficient was (-0.382), and this indicates a lower level of mental health with increasing deterioration in Quality of life. The results showed that Quality of life contributes to interpreting the variance in Symptoms of mental health disorders. The beta value (β = - 0.391) means that whenever Quality of life improved by one unit, Symptoms of mental health disorders decreased by (0.391) unit . To conclude, quality of life statistically significantly contributes to explaining mental health disorders among Syrians in displaced camps.

Mental Health Disorder Symptoms Among Serving Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Public safety personnel (PSP) are at an elevated risk of being diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses. The source article highlights the high susceptibility of RCMP officers to various mental illnesses. The prevalence of mental illness among RCMP officers is higher than documented in previous research (64.7% vs. 50.2%) and various personal factors appear to be associated with heightened risk for mental illness. This research highlights and emphasizes the need for additional evidence-based mental health supports for RCMP officers to enhance their well-being and safety.

The role of maternal and child healthcare providers in identifying and supporting perinatal mental health disorders.

Perinatal depression (PND) is underdiagnosed in the clinical setting. This study explores the role of obstetricians, and other primary care providers of maternal and child healthcare in detecting, screening, and referring women during the perinatal period identified as depressed, anxious, or exhibiting other symptoms of mental health disorders. Information was gathered from obstetricians (n = 16), and other primary care providers (pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) (n = 85), on identifying and supporting childbearing women with symptoms of perinatal depression using an online survey. Statistical comparisons across participant groups were adjusted for years of practice in the profession. Statistically significant differences were noted. Obstetricians inquired more about the mother's social support network (p = .011) and addressed mothers that appeared sad, upset, or unhappy (p = .044) compared to other primary care providers. Other primary care providers were more likely to refer patients to mental health support services (p = .005), provide PND-related information in their waiting rooms (p = .008), and use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (p = .027). There was also a significant difference in positively identifying eight symptoms of PND between provider groups. Obstetricians had higher rates of identifying the following symptoms: excessive crying (p < .001), feeling little or no attachment to the infant (p < .001), little feeling of enjoyment (p = .021), feelings of failure (p < .001), hopelessness (p < .001), agitation with self and infant (p < .001), fear of being alone with the infant (p = .011), and fear that these symptoms would last (p < .001). Although certain screening practices were performed well, especially by the obstetrician group, screening deficits were noted within each group, and screening practices differed between groups. Training offered to maternal child health primary care providers on addressing perinatal mental health disorders may help improve provider screening practices and detection of PND symptoms in perinatal women. PND screening that combines face-to-face open-ended interviews with standardized screening tools can enhance patient-provider communication, potentially improving PND detection rates and follow-up care in perinatal women.

Exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events among Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are among the public safety sectors reporting the highest exposures to diverse potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), which contribute to the risk of developing mental health disorders. Current increases in prevalence of mental health disorders among RCMP are substantial and warrant updated prevalence estimates of PPTE exposures. The objective of the present study was to provide updated estimates of lifetime PPTE exposures among RCMP and assess for associations with mental disorders and sociodemographic variables. Participants (n = 1,348) completed a survey assessing self-reported sociodemographic information, PPTE exposures as measured by the Life Events Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) Extended, and mental health disorder symptoms. Participants reported exposure to more PPTE types (∼13) than previous samples of RCMP (∼11) and public safety personnel (PSP) (∼11). Prevalence for all the PPTE types was statistically significantly higher for the current sample than previously reported samples of PSP and RCMP, and higher than the Canadian general population. Participants reported highest exposures through any modality (i.e., directly or indirectly) to sudden violent death (98.3%), physical assault (97.9%), serious transport accident (97.0%), sudden accidental death (96.7%), and assault with a weapon (93.7%). Most PPTEs were statistically significantly associated with screening positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, but not alcohol use disorder. Increased PPTE exposures reported by current participants compared to a previous sample of RCMP, coupled with the observed associations between PPTE exposures and mental health disorders, highlights the need for further resources and support for RCMP to mitigate and manage the impact of PPTEs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-Reported Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Asylum Seekers in a Refugee Camp.

Global forced displacement has been rising steeply since 2015 as a result of wars and human rights abuses. Forcibly displaced people are often exposed to physical and mental strain, which can cause traumatic experiences and poor mental health. Physical activity has been linked with better mental health, although such evidence is scarce among those populations. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships of self-reported physical activity and fitness with mental health indices among people residing in a refugee camp in Greece as asylum seekers. Participants were 151 individuals (76 women, 75 men; mean age 28.90y) displaced from their homes for an average of 32.03months. Among them, 67% were from Afghanistan and countries from southwest Asia, and 33% from sub-Saharan African countries. Participants completed self-report measures assessing physical activity, fitness, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and well-being. High prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms and poor well-being were identified, with women and Asians showing poorer mental health. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety were related to perceived fitness, but not to self-reported physical activity. Regression analysis showed that perceived fitness (β: 0.34; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.52) and low-intensity physical activity (β: 0.24; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.009) significantly positively predicted well-being, showing small to medium effect. The findings provide useful insights regarding the link between physical activity and well-being; nevertheless, further research examining objectively measured physical activity is warranted to complement these data and further explore the associations between physical activity and mental health.

Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada

Correctional workers (CWs) report high levels of work stressors, frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and substantial mental health challenges. There is evidence of associations between sleep disturbances and diverse mental health challenges, including preliminary evidence from public safety personnel; however, replications and extensions would better inform interventions to support mental health. The current study was designed to examine associations between quality of sleep, work stress, and mental health disorders in a sample of diverse CWs employed in a provincial correctional service in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from 943 CWs who participated in the cross-sectional, web-based Ontario Provincial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Sleep quality indicators included symptoms of insomnia, total hours of sleep per night on work nights and off-shift nights, number of days feeling rested per week, and overall sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships among sleep quality, stress of shift work, and mental health disorder symptoms. CWs slept an average of 6.0 h per night when working and 7.2 h during off-shift nights. CWs reported waking up feeling rested an average of 2.6 days per week and rated their overall quality of sleep in the fair to poor range. Many CWs (64.9%) screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of insomnia. There were also differences across occupational groups such that CWs working as correctional officers reported the most sleep problems. There were statistically significant relationships between insomnia and mental health disorder symptoms. Higher levels of stress from shift work were associated with worse sleep quality. CWs, especially those working as correctional officers in a provincial prison, reported many indicators consistent with poorer quality of sleep. Poor quality of sleep was also associated with work stress and mental health disorders.

Trouble with the curve: the 90-9-1 rule to measure volitional participation inequalities among Royal Canadian Mounted Police cadets during training.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Study includes longitudinal multimodal assessments of RCMP cadets from pre-training (i.e., starting the Cadet Training Program [CTP]) to post-deployment and for five years thereafter. The data allow for investigating the multidimensionality of volitional participation in digital health data collection frameworks within serial data collection platforms and the impact of participation inequalities by classifying cadets using the 90-9-1 rule. By classifying cadets as Lurkers, Contributors, and Superusers formally described by the 90-9-1 rule, where 90% of actors do not participate, 9% seldom contribute, and 1% contribute substantially allows for the assessing of relationships between participation inequalities in self-monitoring behaviors as well as whether mental health disorder symptoms at pre-training (i.e., starting the CTP) were associated with subsequent participation. Participants were asked to complete a Full Assessment prior to their training at CTP, as well as short daily surveys throughout their training. Participation frequency was described using a process where participants were rank ordered by the number of daily surveys completed and classified into one of three categories. Full assessment surveys completed prior to their training at CTP included screening tools for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and panic disorder (PD). The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to assess differences in participation rates between mental health disorder symptom screening groups for each measure at pre-training, and Spearman's Rho was used to test for associations amongst self-reported Full Assessment screening tool responses and the number of daily surveys completed during CTP. There were 18557 daily survey records collected from 772 participants. The rank-ordering of cadets by the number of daily surveys completed produced three categories in line with the 90-9-1 rule: Superusers who were the top 1% of cadets (n=8) and produced 6.4% of all recordings; Contributors who were the next 9% of cadets (n=68) and produced 49.2% of the recordings; and Lurkers who were the next 90% of cadets (n=695) and produced 44.4% of daily survey recordings. Lurkers had the largest proportion of positive screens for self-reported mental health disorders at pre-training. The creation of highly individualized, population-based mental health injury programs has been limited by an incomplete understanding of the causal relationships between protective factors and mental health. Disproportionate rates of disengagement from persons who screen positive for mental health disorders further compounds the difficulty in understanding the relationships between training programs and mental health. The current results suggest persons with mental health challenges may be less likely to engage in some forms of proactive mental health training. The current results also provide useful information about participation, adherence, and engagement that can be used to inform evidence-based paradigm shifts in health-related data collection in occupational populations.

Three distinct patterns of mental health response following accidents in mountain sports: a follow-up study of individuals treated at a tertiary trauma center

The restorative effect of physical activity in alpine environments on mental and physical health is well recognized. However, a risk of accidents and post-accident mental health problems is inherent to every sport. We aimed to characterize mental health in individuals following mountain sport accidents requiring professional medical management. Adult victims of mountain sport accidents treated at the hospital of the Medical University of Innsbruck (Austria) between 2018 and 2020 completed a cross-sectional survey at least 6 months following the admission (median 44 months, n = 307). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, PCL-5), anxiety, depression, and somatization (PHQ), resilience (RS-13), sense of coherence (SOC-9L), post-traumatic growth (PTGI), and quality of life (EUROHIS-QOL), as well as sociodemographic and clinical information, were obtained from an online survey and extracted from electronic health records. Mental health outcome patterns were investigated by semi-supervised medoid clustering and modeled by machine learning. Symptoms of PTSD were observed in 19% of participants. Three comparably sized subsets of participants were identified: a (1) neutral, (2) post-traumatic growth, and (3) post-traumatic stress cluster. The post-traumatic stress cluster was characterized by high prevalence of symptoms of mental disorders, low resilience, low sense of coherence, and low quality of life as well as by younger age, the highest frequency of pre-existing mental disorders, and persisting physical health consequences of the accident. Individuals in this cluster self-reported a need for psychological or psychiatric support following the accident and more cautious behavior during mountain sports since the accident. Reliability of machine learning-based prediction of the cluster assignment based on 40 variables available during acute medical treatment of accident victims was limited. A subset of individuals show symptoms of mental health disorders including symptoms of PTSD when assessed at least 6 months after mountain sport accident. Since early identification of these vulnerable patients remains challenging, psychoeducational measures for all patients and low-threshold access to mental health support are key for a successful interdisciplinary management of victims of mountain sport accidents.

Irregular sleep is linked to poorer mental health: A pooled analysis of eight studies

ObjectivesGreater sleep disturbances on average are a risk factor for impaired mental health. Recent research has shown that more intraindividual variability (i.e., inconsistency) in sleep (hereafter called “sleep intraindividual variability”) may also be uniquely related to mental health, even above the influence of mean sleep patterns averaged across days. The current study examined associations between sleep intraindividual variability and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia across different facets of sleep intraindividual variability (sleep duration, efficiency, and timing) and sleep measurement types (sleep diary and actigraphy). MethodsWe pooled eight datasets (N = 3053 participants) that assessed repeated measures of sleep diary- and/or actigraphy-determined sleep across multiple days, as well as one-time measures of mental health or sleep disorder symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, and insomnia). Multilevel regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between sleep intraindividual variability and mental health or sleep disorder symptoms. ResultsGreater diary- and actigraphy-determined sleep duration intraindividual variability was associated with more depression symptoms (diary: b=0.02, p < .001; actigraphy: b=0.03, p = .006) and more insomnia symptoms (diary: b=0.02, p < .001; actigraphy: b=0.02, p < .001). Greater diary-determined sleep efficiency intraindividual variability was associated with fewer anxiety symptoms (b=−0.23, p = .019) and fewer insomnia symptoms (b=−0.15, p < .001). Greater diary- and actigraphy-determined sleep midpoint intraindividual variability was associated with more insomnia symptoms (diary: b=0.41, p = .044; actigraphy: b=0.66, p = .021). ConclusionsMore inconsistent sleep duration and sleep timing may be a correlate of poorer mental health. Future experimental work should examine whether stabilizing sleep patterns can improve mental health outcomes.

Recurrent involuntary memories and mind wandering are related but distinct.

Spontaneous thought is common in daily life, and includes recurrent involuntary autobiographical memories (IAMs; memories retrieved unintentionally and repetitively) and mind wandering (MW). Both recurrent IAMs and MW are often unintentional or unconstrained, and both predict symptoms of mental health disorders. However, not all MW is unintentional, and not all IAMs are unconstrained. To what extent do recurrent IAMs and MW converge versus diverge? Undergraduates (N = 2,701) completed self-report measures of recurrent IAMs, trait MW, and psychopathology (i.e., PTSD, depression, anxiety). Regressions indicated that recurrent IAMs were significantly associated with spontaneous MW, but not deliberate MW. Further, both spontaneous MW and recurrent IAMs had unique relationships with disorder symptoms. Results suggest that recurrent IAMs are related to MW to the extent that recurrent IAMs are spontaneous. Conversely, recurrent IAMs are distinct from MW to the extent that recurrent IAMs' associations with disorder symptoms could not be solely explained by trait MW (and vice versa). This work highlights related, but distinguishable, forms of spontaneous thought and their transdiagnostic links with psychopathology.

MENGENAL PENTINGNYA KESEHATAN MENTAL: DAMPAK BUNUH DIRI DAN GEJALA GANGGUAN KESEHATAN MENTAL

This research discusses the significance of mental health with a focus on the impact of suicide and the symptoms of mental health disorders. It also investigates the relationship between poor mental health and suicide rates, presenting empirical findings that illustrate the psychological, social and well-being impacts on individuals. In addition, this study identified symptoms common to mental health disorders, and provided an in-depth understanding of the manifestations of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and social distress. The knowledge gained from this research can serve as a basis for the development of more effective interventions and policies to improve the overall mental health of the community. The research method used was literature review. Results obtained of this study are efforts to reduce the social stigma surrounding mental health issues that are closely tied to the mental health issues that are closely tied to the impact of suicide and symptoms on mental health.

Police officer attitudes toward pre-arrest behavioral health diversion programs: identifying determinants of support for deflection using a machine learning method

PurposeThis study explores the determinants of police officer support for pre-arrest/booking deflection programs that divert people presenting with substance use and/or mental health disorder symptoms out of the criminal justice system and connect them to supportive services.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes responses from 254 surveys fielded to police officers in Delaware. Questionnaires asked about views on leadership, approaches toward crime, training, occupational experience and officer’s personal characteristics. The study applies a new machine learning method called kernel-based regularized least squares (KRLS) for non-linearities and interactions among independent variables. Estimates from a KRLS model are compared with those from an ordinary least square regression (OLS) model.FindingsSupport for diversion is positively associated with leadership endorsing diversion and thinking of new ways to solve problems. Tough-on-crime attitudes diminish programmatic support. Tenure becomes less predictive of police attitudes in the KRLS model, suggesting interactions with other factors. The KRLS model explains a larger proportion of the variance in officer attitudes than the traditional OLS model.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates the usefulness of the KRLS method for practitioners and scholars seeking to illuminate patterns in police attitudes. It further underscores the importance of agency leadership in legitimizing deflection as a pathway to addressing behavioral health challenges in communities.

Indonesian Indonesian Medicine Plants for Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety and Depression

Mental health disorders are currently widely discussed, especially anxiety and depression. The number of people living with anxiety and depression disorders in 2020 increased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These mental health disorders are quite serious and need to be addressed. Indonesian people for generations have used medicinal plants in everyday life, one of which is to treat symptoms of mental health disorders such as increasing mood and motivation, calming, overcoming depression, stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. However, there has been no comprehensive review on the ethnopharmacology of Indonesian medicinal plants that can treat mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety and there is also little scientific evidence to support the efficacy of these plants. This paper reviews Indonesian medicinal plants used to treat mental health disorders and reviews the scientific evidence for these plants. We conduct literature studies of scientific articles, research journals, and books at national and international vessels. The search results identified 67 Indonesian medicinal plants used to treat symptoms of mental health disorders. The Zingiberaceae family is reported as the most medicinal plant that can potentially treat mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Several plants have been proven in preclinical research, but many still have not been studied and proven. Therefore, further research on Indonesian medicinal plants that can overcome mental health disorders must be carried out to provide knowledge and develop drugs for mental health disorders.

Athletic retirement: factors contributing to sleep and mental health problems.

The aim of this investigation was to determine which factors were associated with symptoms of sleep and mental health disorders in former athletes. Former athletes (N = 173, 50% women) who retired from any competition level within the last 20 years participated in an online survey. The survey consisted of the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult (PWI-A), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7). Binary logistic regressions revealed that both age (OR = 0.95 [95% CI:0.92, 0.99], p = 0.007) and gender (OR = 2.28 [95% CI:1.09, 4.79], p = 0.029) were associated with anxiety, with women and younger ex-athletes presenting greater risk of anxiety symptoms. Higher body mass was associated with an increased risk for sleep difficulty (OR = 1.13 [95% CI:1.03, 1.23], p = 0.008), sleep disordered breathing (OR = 1.20 [95% CI:1.10, 1.30], p < 0.001), and compromised wellbeing (OR = 0.89 [95% CI:0.83, 0.96], p = 0.001). Athletes who subjectively placed a lower priority on sport while competing presented greater risk of sleep disordered breathing (OR = 2.00[95% CI:1.05, 3.80], p = 0.035). No associations between recency retirement and any outcome measures were observed. Findings suggest potential predictive factors for difficulty transitioning out of sport. Future longitudinal research should consider the interplay between sport re-engagement and the incidence and chronicity of sleep and mental health disorders.

Mental health disorder symptoms among serving Royal Canadian Mounted Police

ABSTRACT The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) experience extraordinary exposures to diverse occupational stressors, potentially exacerbated by systemic stressors (e.g., public calls for pervasive organizational changes, the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters). The current study was designed to assess the mental health of currently serving RCMP (n = 1348) who completed an online survey from June 2022 to February 2023. The positive screening prevalence for any mental health disorder was higher (ps<.05) for current participants (64.7%) than previously reported for RCMP members (50.2%), diverse public safety personnel (44.5%), and the general population diagnostic prevalence (10.1%). Women were less likely (ps<.05) to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder than men participants. RCMP participants evidenced substantially more mental health challenges than previous assessments, underscoring urgent and growing needs for proactive, ongoing, evidence-based supports for RCMP mental health, at the individual, organizational, and structural levels.

Associations Between Personality and Mental Health Among Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cadets

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report frequent exposures to diverse potentially psychological traumatic events (PPTEs) that can lead to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health disorders. Personality traits may partially inform the substantial mental health challenges reported by serving RCMP. The current study examines associations between HEXACO personality factor and facet-level dimensions and mental health disorders of RCMP cadets starting the Cadet Training Program (CTP). RCMP cadets (n = 772) starting the CTP self-reported sociodemographics, personality, and mental health disorder symptoms. Emotionality was associated with MDD, GAD, and SAD (AORs ranged from 6.23 to 10.22). Extraversion and Agreeableness were inversely associated with MDD, GAD, and SAD (AORs ranged from 0.0159 to 0.43), whereas Openness to Experience was inversely associated with SAD (AOR = 0.36). Several facet-level personality dimensions were associated with mental health disorders. Inconsistent differences were observed between men and women for relationships between personality factors, facets, and positive screenings for mental disorders. The relationship patterns allude to possible risk and resilience factors associated with personality factors and facets. Early training, interventions, and resources tailored to cadet personality factors and facets might reduce risk and bolster mental health resilience.

Mindfulness, mental health, and motives for eating tasty foods when not in metabolic need.

Habitual consumption of highly palatable foods when not in metabolic need (HPF eating) is linked to obesity. High HPF consumption is also linked to mental health disorder (MHD) symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions are popular treatments for obesity and MHDs, but little is known about the relationship between trait mindfulness and motive-based HPF eating. Therefore, a total of 927 young adults completed a survey that included the Palatable Eating Motives Scale-7 (which identifies Coping-, Reward enhancement-, Social-, and Conformity-eating), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and demographic and body mass index (BMI) questions. An MHD questionnaire allowed a comparison of HPF eating between participants with and without various MHDs. Regressions revealed that Coping-eating was independently associated with lower mindfulness and also greater perceived stress, higher BMI, and female sex. Of these variables, only lower mindfulness was independently associated with Reward-, Social-, and Conformity-eating. Coping- and Reward-eating were more frequent in participants with versus without an anxiety disorder, depression, ADD/ADHD, and PTSD. Coping-eating was also more frequent in participants with body dysmorphic disorder. These findings warrant investigations in participants with clinically validated diagnoses for DSM-specific MHDs. Results from such investigations and the uncovered nature of associations between motive-specific HPF eating and trait mindfulness could provide novel targets to improve mindfulness-based interventions for obesity and MHDs.