Symptoms Of Poor Mental Health Research Articles

Risk of behaviors associated with lethal violence and functional outcomes for abused women who do and do not return to the abuser following a community-based intervention.

To determine the differential risk of behaviors associated with lethal violence and functioning outcomes for abused women with children who received an intervention of shelter or justice services and return to the abuser were compared with women who did not return. The study was carried out using a matched-pair analysis of 152 women. Measures of risk of behaviors associated with lethal violence, type, and severity of abuse, and poor mental health symptoms were measured every 4 months for 24 months. Irrespective of service used, women returning to the abuser reported significantly (p<0.001) more risk of behaviors associated with lethal violence compared to women who did not return. Additionally, severity of physical abuse was significantly higher (p<0.01) for women returning to the abuser who had been in a shelter but not for women who received a protection order. Similarly, levels of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and anxiety were significantly higher (p<0.01) for sheltered women who returned to the abuser but not for women using a protection order who returned. Risk of behaviors associated with lethal violence increases when abused women return to live with the abuser. Abused women should be informed of the heightened risk and greater probability for poor mental health.

Mental health and education decisions

Mental health problems have been rising internationally. The link between poor mental health and low educational outcomes is particularly interesting in the case of the UK which has a low international ranking both on measures of child wellbeing and the probability of early drop-out from the labour market and education. We study this issue using a large longitudinal study of a recent cohort of teenagers in England. We use the General Health Questionnaire to derive measures of poor mental health. We find a large negative association between being at risk of poor mental health and educational outcomes — where we consider examination results before leaving compulsory education and the probability of being ‘not in education, employment or training’ at a young age. Results are stronger for girls and also vary according to the different components of the mental health measure. It is important for practitioners and policy makers to pay attention to symptoms of poor mental health.

Mental Health Symptoms Among Student Service Members/Veterans and Civilian College Students

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if and to what extent student service members/veterans differ from civilian college students in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of poor mental health. Participants: The Fall 2011 implementation of the American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment included 27,774 respondents from 44 colleges and universities. Methods: Participants were matched using propensity scores, and the prevalence of symptoms was compared using logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models. Results: The odds of feeling overwhelmed in the last 12 months were significantly lower among student service members/veterans with a history of hazardous duty (odd ratio [OR] = 0.46, adjusted p value <.05) compared with civilian students. Military service, with and without hazardous duty deployment, was not a significant predictor of the total number of symptoms of poor mental health. Conclusions: Current student service members/veterans may not be disproportionately affected by poor psychological functioning.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and associated mental health symptoms among pregnant women in Tanzania: a cross‐sectional study

Violence against pregnant women is a prevalent issue with severe health implications, especially during pregnancy. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence against women during pregnancy and its associated mental health symptoms. Cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2011 to April 2012. Muhimbili National Hospital antenatal clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 1180 pregnant antenatal care patients. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face standardised interviews with the women in a private room prior to their antenatal care appointment. (PTSD), anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed through the Conflict Tactics Scale, the John Hopkins Symptom Checklist (25) and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. The Conflict Tactics Scale, the John Hopkins Symptom Checklist (25) and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Of the 1180 women who were interviewed, 27% reported experiencing both physical and sexual intimate partner violence in the index pregnancy, with 18% reporting physical violence and 20% reporting sexual violence. After adjusting for the sociodemographic characteristics of women, women who experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have moderate PTSD (AOR 2.94, 95% CI 1.71-5.06), anxiety (AOR 3.98, 95% CI 2.85-5.57) and depressive (AOR 3.31, 95% CI 2.39-4.593) symptoms than women who did not report physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence during pregnancy. About three out of ten women experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence during pregnancy by an intimate partner, which was significantly associated with poor mental health symptoms. These rates are alarming, and justify training and education of antenatal care providers to raise awareness.

Efficacy of eclectic group counseling in addressing stress among Thai police officers in terrorist situations

This study aims to develop the eclectic group counseling intervention for Thai police officers to reduce the risk of developing symptoms of poor mental health while deploying in terrorist situations. We predicted that eclectic group counseling would significantly reduce high scores of anxiety, depression, social dysfunction, physical symptoms, hostility, phobic anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity. Our eclectic group counseling included the interactive model of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, religious interventions, mandala drawing, and Reality Therapy. The design is an experiment-controlled trial with 42 participants (The experiment = 20, the control = 22; Thai-Buddhists = 32, Thai-Muslims = 10). Their mean age was 35.64 ± 9.99 ranging from 23 to 54 year olds. They were selected from 416 police officers derived by cluster random sampling using Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition, the General Health Questionnaire Thai version, and the Symptom Checklist 90. The data were analyzed by two-way MANOVA and ANOVA. The results supported the hypothesis.

Poor mental health symptoms among Romanian employees. A Two-Step Cluster analysis

There is international consensus that working environment has an important influence on mental health. According to the theory of psychodynamics of work, the organizational factors that can have a detrimental effect upon mental health of employees are not related to work activity itself, but to the organization of work activity, the way work is organized. Aiming at identifying mental health problems related to work of Romanian employees, this study presents the results of a two-step cluster analysis that classified 102 participants in 2 distinct groups based on attributes like organizational circumstances (work pressure and recognition) and health symptoms

Impact of children's migration on health and health care-seeking behavior of elderly left behind.

BackgroundMany countries are facing the burden of accelerated population aging and a lack of institutional support to meet the needs of older individuals. In developing countries, adult children are primarily responsible for the care of their elderly parents. However, out-migration of adult children is common in these countries. This study aims to explore the impact of migration on the health of the elderly left behind and their health care-seeking behavior.MethodsThis paper uses data from a national survey of older persons in Thailand conducted in 2007. The analysis is confined to those who were aged 60 years or above and who had at least one child (biological or step/adopted) (n = 28,677). Logistic regression was used to assess the net effect of migration of adult children on the health of the elderly left behind and their health care-seeking behavior, after controlling for other socio-demographic and economic variables.ResultsMore than two-thirds of the elderly (67%) had at least one migrant child. About three-fifths (58%) reported that they had at least one symptom of poor mental health. Almost three in five elderly (56%) rated their health as poor, and 44% had experienced at least one chronic disease. About two-thirds of the elderly (65%) got sick during the 5 years preceding the survey. An overwhelming majority of elderly (88%) who got sick during the five years preceding the survey had sought treatment for their last illness.After controlling for socio-demographic and economic variables, our study found that those elderly who had a migrant child were more likely (OR = 1.10; 95% CI 1.05-1.17) to have symptoms of poor mental health than those whose children had not migrated. However, no significant association was observed among physical health, such as experience of chronic disease, perceived poor health, and illness of the elderly left behind. Interestingly, however, out-migration of adult children was independently associated with higher utilization of health services. The elderly who had migrant children were more likely (odds ratio = 1.22, CI 1.11-1.33) than those whose children had not migrated to seek treatment for their most recent illness, after controlling for socio-demographic and economic variables.ConclusionOur study provides novel evidence on an issue of special importance to countries affected by heavy out-migration of adult children, an issue that has received little attention. Out-migration of adult children was highly associated with poor mental health but it was not associated with the physical health of the elderly left behind. Out-migration of children was also highly associated with higher utilization of health facilities by the elderly. Thus, in order to decrease morbidity among the elderly as well as to maintain and enhance the well-being of families, programs should focus on alleviating the symptoms of poor mental health among the elderly left behind and aim to reduce the differences in utilization of health care-seeking behavior among elderly with children present in the community and elderly left behind.

Changes in Mental Health in Adolescents with a History of Specific Language Impairment

Little is known about long-term mental health outcomes as individuals with specific language impairment (SLI) approach adulthood.Aims:This longitudinal study examined anxiety (Child Manifest Anxiety Scale; CMAS) and depression (Moods and Feelings Questionnaire; MFQ) during the critical period when adolescents finish compulsory education and then embark upon their chosen course of study or employment.Method:Eighty-nine adolescents with SLI and 90 typically developing (TD) peers were assessed during their final year of compulsory schooling (16 years) and one year later.Results:At 16 years, there is a greater risk of both anxiety and depression in adolescents with SLI compared to their peers. Group scores for adolescents with SLI were significantly higher on both the CMAS (p&lt; .001) and the MFQ (p&lt; .01). However, while this finding is replicated at 17 years for anxiety symptoms (p&lt; .01), there is a significant decrease in depressive symptoms for adolescents with SLI across time such that risk of depression is comparable to TD peers at 17 years. Scores for TD adolescents remain remarkably stable across this period. Poor mental health symptoms were not related to measures of nonverbal IQ, language, literacy or sociability but were associated with higher levels of shyness.Conclusion:Notwithstanding a sustained, elevated risk of anxiety symptoms, there is an encouraging trend for a decrease in depressive symptoms as adolescents with SLI complete compulsory education. The findings are interpreted within a developmental psychopathology framework, focusing on the changing structure of intrapersonal and environmental processes that influence internalizing symptoms during mid-adolescence.

Risk of Psychological Difficulties Among Children Raised by Custodial Grandparents

Although custodial grandchildren are believed to be at greater risk of emotional and behavioral problems than children in general, scant research has examined this important public health issue. This study involves data from 733 custodial grandmothers participating in a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health on custodial grandparenting and 9,878 caregivers from the 2001 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) who completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in reference to target children between ages four and 17. These two data sets were used to determine if custodial grandmothers report greater emotional and behavioral difficulties, as measured by the SDQ, for custodial grandchildren than do caregivers of children from the NHIS normative sample. Custodial grandchildren fared worse than children from the NHIS sample across all domains measured by the SDQ subscales, regardless of the child's gender and whether reporters were recruited by population-based or convenience sampling methods. Comparisons within the sample of 733 custodial grandmothers showed that higher levels of difficulties were reported when grandmothers were caring for boys, were recruited by convenience versus population-based sampling, and were white. Comparisons of the banded scores computed for each SDQ subscale suggested that custodial grandchildren have different cutoff points than children in the general population for a likely diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. Similar to other children in kinship care arrangements, custodial grandchildren are reported by their caregivers to have higher levels of behavioral and emotional disturbances than children in the overall U.S. population.

The Mental Health of Chinese Immigrants in Birmingham, UK

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to describe the life experiences associated with migration to the UK and to explore in-depth information about the process of life adjustment to migration and the circumstances of mental health in Chinese immigrants living in a large city area. Method. A two-part research strategy using both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. In the cross-sectional quantitative survey, 113 Chinese respondents completed a questionnaire investigating demographic factors, life experiences associated with migration, proficiency in the English language and mental health status. In the qualitative phase of the research, interviews were conducted with a further 24 immigrants to explore these factors in more depth. Results. In the questionnaire survey, over 60% of the group reported symptoms of poor mental health. Qualitative research shows that for those who were employed in catering, psychological adjustment was heavily dependent on strong ties with the Chinese community and there was minimal contact with the host society. By contrast, those concerned with professional development experienced conflict as a result of a high perceived need for integration and a recognition of the problems associated with this. Conclusion. The psychological distress experienced by immigrants of Chinese origin continues to be a largely invisible cause for concern.

Mental health, employment and gender. Cross-sectional evidence in a sample of refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina living in two Swedish regions

Large regional differences regarding access to employment have been observed amongst persons from Bosnia-Herzegovina coming to Sweden in 1993–1994. This has led to questions about the role of mental health. To explore this further, postal survey questionnaires were distributed to a community sample ( N = 650 ) that was stratified and, within strata, randomly selected from a sampling frame of persons coming to Sweden from Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1993–1994. Four hundred and thirteen persons returned the questionnaire providing a response rate of 63.5%. The aim was to increase knowledge about the relationship between mental health and employment in the chosen population. The main mental health outcome measure was the Göteborg Quality of Life instrument from which 360 respondents were grouped according to low or high symptom levels. Data were cross tabulated ( χ 2 -tested) against background variables such as age, gender and occupational status, and then tested using binary logistic regression. Binary logistic regression revealed unemployed men but not women, and women who had been working for longer periods during 1993–1999, to be associated with high levels of symptoms of poor mental health. Women living in the urban region were also overrepresented in the high symptom group. These findings indicate that, job occupancy is important to the health of men in the study. However, for the women, further understanding is needed, as job occupancy at some level as well as living in the urban region appear to be associated with poor mental health.

The Mental Health of Filipino-Born Women 5 and 14 Years after they have given Birth in Australia: A Longitudinal Study

It has been suggested that ‘Filipino brides’ may be ‘at risk’ of social isolation and mental health impairment after migrating to Australia to marry Australian men. This paper examines the mental health of a cohort of Filipino and Australian-born women who became mothers in Australia, and investigates the relationship between place of birth, social network size and symptoms of poor mental health. The data was taken from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a longitudinal study of mothers and children instigated in 1981. Symptoms of anxiety and depression and social network size were assessed at their first clinic visit (FCV), and followed up at 5 and 14 years. Filipino-born mothers had smaller social networks at the birth of their child, and reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression at FCV and 5 years follow-up (F/U), but did not differ from their Australian counterparts 14 years later. We conclude that Filipino-born migrants experience greater distress and poorer social networks than Australian-born mothers in the early years after they have given birth to a child in Australia. Further, that over a period of time, the decrease in mental health symptoms indicates the adaptation of Filipino-born women to their new environment.

Improving the working lives of cancer clinicians.

Cancer clinicians have to deal with particular difficulties in their work, including emotionally demanding interactions with patients and a high proportion of patients in whom curative treatment is ineffective. Perhaps, surprisingly, cancer clinicians are at no greater risk of poor mental health than other specialists, although levels among senior doctors are higher than among the employed general population. Being young, being single, feeling inadequately trained in communication and management skills and experiencing high levels of stress at work increase the risk of poor mental health for cancer clinicians and other senior doctors alike. Job satisfaction is important in that it appears to protect the mental health of cancer clinicians. Further work is required using a longitudinal approach to clarify risk factors. There is also a need to examine factors such as stress outside work that are likely to confer risk. We also need to understand how symptoms of poor mental health impair work performance. Having identified the risk factors, we need to begin to formulate interventions to improve the working lives of cancer clinicians through, for example, initiatives to improve communication and management skills, provide support to new consultants and facilitate teamwork.

From childhood trauma to adult well‐being through psychosocial assistance of Chilean families

AbstractThis study examined whether psychosocial assistance in childhood predicted coping strategies, family atmosphere, learning experiences and mental health in adulthood. Participants were 153 Chileans (14–30 years old) who, as children, had lost a family member through political imprisonment, execution, disappearance, or expulsion from the country. SEM‐modeling revealed that early timing and substantial duration of psychosocial assistance in childhood predicted good mental health and positive learning experiences in adulthood via effective coping strategies. In addition, a family atmosphere characterized by high cohesion and a low level of conflict associated with good mental health and positive learning experiences. Both the nature of childhood trauma and the timing and duration of assistance turned out to be crucial for later resourcefulness and well‐being. Children who had lost a parent as executed or disappeared were the most task‐oriented and conscientious students and enjoyed a harmonious family life. Early initiation and substantial duration of assistance predicted lower levels of poor mental health symptoms (posttraumatic, depressive, anxiety, somatic, and aggressive) in adulthood. © 2001 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc.

Sober adolescence--predictor of psychosocial maladjustment in young adulthood?

We have explored how age at first intoxication with alcohol relates to mental health, social integration and adjustment to the adult role. The data stem from a longitudinal representative study of 2000 Norwegians. The sample was assessed at ages 19-22, 21-24 and 25-28. Among females, only early intoxication was related to young adult symptoms of poor mental health. A U-shaped association between intoxication debut and psychological problems was revealed among males, implying that both early and late beginners had more such problems than those who had followed the mainstream. These associations persisted without change over time. However, males who remained abstainers in adulthood were psychologically healthy, but they showed indications of a delayed entry into the adult role. Male late beginners were also somewhat reluctant to adopt adult role-behaviors. Thus, getting drunk for the first time in mid-adolescence seems to be an ingredient in the normal developmental process in young males.

Psychiatric symptoms and conflict among personal plans.

In everyday life, the existence of personal goals is indicated by the activities in which people are engaged, such as leisure interests, occupation and relationships. Incompatibility between goals was predicted to be one source of conflict associated with poor mental health symptoms. A series of studies using different methods (interviews and questionnaires) to measure the degree of perceived conflict in the daily activities of young and mature students and non-student adults is reported. Two forms of conflict are described - explict (between two or more activities) and implicit (the importance of the activity to the individual). The results show that younger and mature students (particularly women) show correlations between their conflict and symptom scores, unlike other survey groups. The transitional nature of the student role may create a situation where the conflict experienced by many in their everyday activities is aggravated, and which is more readily expressed by psychiatric symptoms than in other ways.